D23: The D stands for Disappointing (Updated)

[It Is What It Is]

I'll know if I'm disappointed after the Parks panel tomorrow. But if the underwhelming secret project is any indication....

 

[Stevek]

The documentary is probably in response to the Abigail Disney story.

Cheaping out is sadly what Bob Chapek does, it's been his whole career and sadly it has largely worked. Lots of business managers cut budgets in huge organizations to push up profit for a short time. It works as long as they keep moving up the corporate ladder.

Chapek has been head of Parks and Resorts long enough for some of the budget cuts to catch up to him. He probably didn't expect that since Iger was originally slated to retire in late 2017 when he took the job at P&R.

I'm not sure I'd trust the hype about Avengers Campus either, SW:GE had a large budget and lots of design elements that were systematically cut by its opening.

Time will tell.

This was in the works well before this story if I remember correctly...but I could be wrong. That being said, the narrative of this new show could absolutely be shaped differently now because of her comments. In any case, I’m actually going in to this show with an open mind and looking forward to it.

 

[Stevek]

I went to the first D23 and walked right in. Second time I had to wait in a fairly long line to enter and decided it wasn’t going to be for me anymore. As I see tweets this AM showing the masses sleeping on hard concrete floors overnight I’m reminded why I will likely never go again.

 

[planodisney]

Personally, I think Disney has greatly, massively overestimated the number of SW geeks who can/will pay that much for a LARP hotel. I’m picturing this as a mini version of the EuroDisney bellyflop, and could be remembered in the future as the signature icon of the end of Disney’s ugly “milk the wealthy” era.

I think some people aren’t familiar with the WDW clientele and have this assumption that it’s either once in a lifetime vacationers or fat southerners.
There are a large numbers of WDW vacationers with ungodly amounts of money, both foreign and domestic, that vacation there annually or every other year and are looking for that “extra” experience. This won’t cater to just Star Wars nerds but also to well to do upper middle class and upper class families. This, in terms of cost, will be in line with a Disney cruise.
Every special event they add with huge upcharges are virtually impossible to book even 90 days out, from the Pirate ship fireworks cruises to the Animal Kingdom special safaris to everything else. If you do something quality at WDW, there is a market there that will pay whatever it takes.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I went to the first D23 and walked right in. Second time I had to wait in a fairly long line to enter and decided it wasn’t going to be for me anymore. As I see tweets this AM showing the masses sleeping on hard concrete floors overnight I’m reminded why I will likely never go again.

I had literally the exact same experience. I can’t deal with the crowds, plus after the way it’s been going for the past few, I have no desire to ever return.

 

[Stevek]

I think some people aren’t familiar with the WDW clientele and have this assumption that it’s either once in a lifetime vacationers or fat southerners.
There are a large numbers of WDW vacationers with ungodly amounts of money, both foreign and domestic, that vacation there annually or every other year and are looking for that “extra” experience. This won’t cater to just Star Wars nerds but also to well to do upper middle class and upper class families. This, in terms of cost, will be in line with a Disney cruise.

It will be interesting. I’m a major SW nerd and wouldn’t really have issues financially with this...but I really have zero desire to be completely immersed in this environment for 2 days. When I’m paying that money, it’s ok on a Disney Cruise or a great beachfront hotel but this almost feels like being locked up in an immersive prison for me at least. I do fear for those folks that will mortgage their futures to experience this though...and there will be plenty that do.

 

[Stevek]

I had literally the exact same experience. I can’t deal with the crowds, plus after the way it’s beeb going for the past few, I have no desire to ever return.

It is crazy how Disney is completely incapable of managing these events. They really need to find an outside party but unlikely they will because while our fanbase cries and moans about these events, they do so with their wallets wide open. People will stand in 2-3 hour lines just to get exclusive imagineering T-shirts at these events...probably the same folks waiting for an hour or more to get a popcorn bucket at Disneyland. This is the part of the fanbase I have a much harder time relating to anymore. Maybe I’m just getting old and jaded...get off my lawn disnerds!

 

[Californian Elitist]

If I’m paying that kind of money to stay at a hotel, I’m staying at the Beverly Hills.

 

[Sharon&Susan]

D23, the only event in the world to have the Simpsons meeting people, Dusty Sage, a random vlogger screaming about Michael Jackson in a Living Seas vehicle, and giant Bug's Land props.

 

[Californian Elitist]

It is crazy how Disney is completely incapable of managing these events. They really need to find an outside party but unlikely they will because while our fanbase cries and moans about these events, they do so with their wallets wide open. People will stand in 2-3 hour lines just to get exclusive imagineering T-shirts at these events...probably the same folks waiting for an hour or more to get a popcorn bucket at Disneyland. This is the part of the fanbase I have a much harder time relating to anymore. Maybe I’m just getting old and jaded...get off my lawn disnerds!

Yeeeep. The 2011 expo was gross in terms of crowds and Disney had no control over them (I ended up leaving early and going to Disneyland). I’ve never been the type of fan who will wait in long lines for special merchandise or what have you.

Honestly, I was spoiled for a very long time. My uncle was head of security for Disney for many years before recently retiring. That meant we never had to wait in lines for special events when he was around. Now that he’s retired, I’m really not about to wait in lines for Disney, except for rides at Disneyland. And I’m fine with that.

 

[planodisney]

It will be interesting. I’m a major SW nerd and wouldn’t really have issues financially with this...but I really have zero desire to be completely immersed in this environment for 2 days. When I’m paying that money, it’s ok on a Disney Cruise or a great beachfront hotel but this almost feels like being locked up in an immersive prison for me at least. I do fear for those folks that will mortgage their futures to experience this though...and there will be plenty that do.

I feel the exact same way!

 

[BubbaQuest]

It will be interesting. I’m a major SW nerd and wouldn’t really have issues financially with this...but I really have zero desire to be completely immersed in this environment for 2 days. When I’m paying that money, it’s ok on a Disney Cruise or a great beachfront hotel but this almost feels like being locked up in an immersive prison for me at least. I do fear for those folks that will mortgage their futures to experience this though...and there will be plenty that do.

I'm not a huge Star Wars fan, but I would like to see this from a tech standpoint. But I agree with you, I do not have any desire to be stuck in a windowless hotel for 2 days in an environment that might end up smelling like the end of ComicCon. And how are they gonna handle the coffee addicts: "I'm sorry, there is no Starbucks in space. Bright Suns!" or "Sure, there's a Starbucks on the Lido deck". Both seem very wrong to me.

Even if I did it once, I'm not sure I'd ever want to do this a second time. I may return to my favorite resort hotel, but I'm not sure I'd want to be trapped in a "situation" every vacation.

 

[Anjin]

If I’m paying that kind of money to stay at a hotel, I’m staying at the Beverly Hills.

Sure, but the shuttle to DHS takes a little longer from there.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Sure, but the shuttle to DHS takes a little longer from there.

Lol. Good thing I currently don’t have a strong desire to visit DHS or any Disney park for that matter.

 

[Rich T]

Nah. There’s enough people who can afford this and if the interactive experience is as promised, not just SW fans will be interested. It’s something I would consider paying for once and I never even attended a Star Wars weekend.

Also... Disney is a giant corporation that sells entertainment products. They’re always going to be trying to milk the wealthy and not so wealthy alike. That is never going to change. It’s just what it is. This isn’t an era, it’s an epoch.

Disagree about non-fans being interested in paying that much. And if they’re charging cruise ship prices, I sure hope meals and all entertainment are included in the cost, right?

Disney hasn’t been “Disney” for some time now. But there’s just something grotesque about a giant company increasingly, cynically courting the wealthy while repeatedly twisting the use of words like “magic,” “dreams” and “imagination.” High production values can cover up hollowness for only so long.

 

[bubbles1812]

Disagree about non-fans being interested in paying that much. And if they’re charging cruise ship prices, I sure hope meals and all entertainment are included in the cost, right?

Disney hasn’t been “Disney” for some time now. But there’s just something grotesque about a giant company increasingly, cynically courting the wealthy while repeatedly twisting the use of words like “magic,” “dreams” and “imagination.” High production values can cover up hollowness for only so long.

Are you really sure about that? This is obviously anecdotal but I’m using myself as an example. I grew up with a father who loved Star Wars and still remember him excitedly bringing home the set on VHS. So I saw the original trilogy at an early age. I liked it but certainly never became an big fan. The prequels I saw once each and same with the current trilogy. I didnt mind the DHS SW offerings and generally overall enjoyed my experience with them but I never attended a SW weekend. I’m excited to experience the rides in SWGE but that’s just more me looking forward to more rides in a park that needs them. But you’re insane if you think I’m paying 200 for a light saber. I spend my money on Dooney & Burke purses instead

To summarize, at best I am a casual fan. And I would still be interested in experiencing the hotel at least once if it’s all as promised. There are a lot more of me out there than super fans and probably a lot that would entertain the idea of booking the hotel if offered the right experience. Depending the the immersiveness, it seems silly to think non fans might be willing to give it a whirl too.

Cynically courting the wealthy... well, yeah. They’re a publically traded company. What do you expect them to do? I don’t have to love that reality but I accept it and work within the parameters I feel comfortable with in how I relate to and spend money at the parks. You can call me part of the problem if you’d like but I haven’t reached my threshold yet where I would consider stopping my visits to WDW.

I think you’re being naive in thinking there aren’t enough people out there who will be willing to spend their dime on this. Time will tell but methinks you’re in for a surprise.

 

[mlayton144]

There really is a lot of bitterness among the frequent posters here , yikes, no one is forcing you to enter a Disney park or resort let alone pay for these experiences. Beverly Hills? I would rather bring my family to WDW than some snobby exclusive place full of elitist socialites.

 

[Californian Elitist]

There really is a lot of bitterness among the frequent posters here , yikes, no one is forcing you to enter a Disney park or resort let alone pay for these experiences. Beverly Hills? I would rather bring my family to WDW than some snobby exclusive place full of elitist socialites.

Yes, Beverly Hills, where I can flash my diamonds and make sure everyone can see my assistant escort me from my Maserati after parking it on Rodeo Drive.

You have said the same thing multiple times, yet you still return here occasionally. You already know what it is, so why do you continue to come and complain about us?

 

[tirian]

It's a walk-thru water splash zone in the swamps that will smell badly of mildew within a month of opening. Two months after opening the most complicated water fountains will be broken. Mona!



Disney's HR and Legal will thoroughly scrub this documentary to remove any hint of CM interest like the old Mouse Tales books had. Zzzz...



Avengers Campus. It sounds like a cheap online university.

And like any university without the football, pep rallies, keg parties, and sex, it's just as satisfying.



And for only $1,500 per night, not including continental breakfast and valet parking.
And did you see how short that skirt was on that lady Imagineer who talked it up on the YouTube? Sinful!



Aside from the UK pavilion carousel (surprise!) and whatever they do with the MetLife pavilion, you summed it up very nicely, thank you.

I'm still down in San Diego and I'm now extra glad that I didn't buy a ticket and drive back up there for this one. Although there was a 36 hour window earlier this week where I was seriously considering going on Sunday and wandering around the exhibit halls wearing a t-shirt that said "I am TP2000! How may I help you?"

But I think I'll just stay in La Jolla and barbecue something, and check in on Sunday afternoon after Mr. Chapek gives his resignation speech. This seems to be one of the most underwhelming D23 Expo's they have had. In the Bob Chapek era, that probably shouldn't be surprising.

You need that tee.

 

[mlayton144]

Yes, Beverly Hills, where I can flash my diamonds and make sure everyone can see my assistant escort me from my Maserati after parking it on Rodeo Drive.

You have said the same thing multiple times, yet you still return here occasionally. You already know what it is, so why do you continue to come and complain about us?

LOL , it’s really only occasional complaining , I enjoy much of the discussion and most of the posters , try to enjoy life once in a while ok?