News Destination D23 2023

[Drdcm]

Anyone else think David Duffy looks like Chapek in disguise?

 

[aladdin2007]

still not getting hopes up, but the fact that the Duffy announcement of the move to WDW, could be a telling good sign of things to come, and or more info during the event.

 

[Splash4eva]

And then it’ll be half of what they wanted to build

Exactly

 

[Splash4eva]

Please, PLEASE just install the hatbox ghost at WDW so I don't have to keep hearing about it. I swear this animatronic gets talked about more than any other new thing coming to the parks...

They are waiting until EU opens to compete with that…

 

[MisterPenguin]

 

[mikejs78]

Next year's multi-billion HULU purchace will suck every penny the company has in their sofa.

No it won't.

 

[lentesta]

I would be very surprised if D23 announces anything major for WDW.

For one thing, investing in Florida right now would take away some of the leverage the company has in its fight against the state. And announcing now would give the CFTOB a head start on planning how to maximally inconvenience that development.

Also, I believe WDI lacks the staff and funding right now to pull off anything big in a timeframe under 5 years.

If we hear anything about WDW, my guess is it'll be something along the lines of new restaurants or entertainment, such as something for Galaxy's Edge. Maybe a re-theme of an existing attraction. Restaurants add revenue and entertainment and re-theming are relatively straightforward and inexpensive as compared to green field development.

 

[mattpeto]

I would be very surprised if D23 announces anything major for WDW.

For one thing, investing in Florida right now would take away some of the leverage the company has in its fight against the state. And announcing now would give the CFTOB a head start on planning how to maximally inconvenience that development.

Also, I believe WDI lacks the staff and funding right now to pull off anything big in a timeframe under 5 years.

If we hear anything about WDW, my guess is it'll be something along the lines of new restaurants or entertainment, such as something for Galaxy's Edge. Maybe a re-theme of an existing attraction. Restaurants add revenue and entertainment and re-theming are relatively straightforward and inexpensive as compared to green field development.

Just curious...

If they confirm some sort of AK attraction project, even without much details - would you consider that major?

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Never too early for this reaction again....

 

[lentesta]

Just curious...

If they confirm some sort of AK attraction project, even without much details - would you consider that major?

Depends on the project scope. A like-for-like swap of Primeval Whirl? No. The Excavator? Yeah, probably.

 

[lentesta]

Except that the CFTOB intentionally inconveniencing Disney is not in their self interest on multiple levels.

I think the consensus is that the actions of the FL legislature, the governor, and the CFTOB indicate that they think it's in their best interest to inconvenience Disney, at least in the short term (e.g., the next couple of years).

What self-interest do you think the CFTOB thinks they have in helping Disney, that would be more important to them than the culture war they're waging? Entirely possible I've missed something.

 

[TTA94]

Never too early for this reaction again....

The reaction DL fans would have if Josh starts to talk about Paint The Night… but then says it’s going to WDW .

I mean hey WDW fans felt this way several times at past D23 events when DL got all the attention with Paint The Night, MSEP, Magic Happens, Wonderous Journeys and WoC One. So it’s time to throw WDW fans a bone. Ideally a brand new nighttime parade.

 

[Jrb1979]

The reaction DL fans would have if Josh starts to talk about Paint The Night… but then says it’s going to WDW .

I mean hey WDW fans felt this way several times at past D23 events when DL got all the attention with Paint The Night, MSEP, Magic Happens, Wonderous Journeys and WoC One. So it’s time to throw WDW fans a bone. Ideally a brand new nighttime parade.

A night time parade is at least something. I just don't see the draw.

 

[TTA94]

A night time parade is at least something. I just don't see the draw.

They probably know they can’t touch, or to scared to touch, HEA for awhile so a nighttime parade is the next best thing if they want to do something at MK.

 

[Jrb1979]

They probably know they can’t touch, or to scared to touch, HEA for awhile so a nighttime parade is the next best thing.

I realize that entertainment is probably all they have in her budget but that's not what's needed. They need more attractions.

 

[Jrb1979]

Their job is neither to help Disney nor to unduly inconvenience them (all local government has its moments lol!). Their job is simply to perform the functions assigned to them. If they intentionally inconvenience Disney, they play into Disney’s hands. Their best strategy is to provide as competent administration as possible to prove themselves. One way of doing this is by providing more or the same level of service with lower costs and taxes required. If they intentionally become a royal PITA re permitting, taxes, services, etc., then they play into Disney’s hands. If they don’t, then they can help grow the district with competent administration and recover/build a solid reputation.

It's simple. They can be like most governments and make the red tape take years instead of months.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

It's simple. They can be like most governments and make the red tape take years instead of months.

Unfortunately that’s so true. Permitting is a horrendous process, especially in Florida. My friends in Tally say good news is on the horizon in an upcoming session so hopefully certain parts of it get easier. I have had commercial projects take longer in permitting than in actual construction. Not sure how OC is but Hillsbrough and Manatee are awful. Pasco is not far behind.

 

[lentesta]

Their job is neither to help Disney nor to unduly inconvenience them (all local government has its moments lol!). Their job is simply to perform the functions assigned to them. If they intentionally inconvenience Disney, they play into Disney’s hands. Their best strategy is to provide as competent administration as possible to prove themselves. One way of doing this is by providing more or the same level of service with lower costs and taxes required. If they intentionally become a royal PITA re permitting, taxes, services, etc., then they play into Disney’s hands. If they don’t, then they can help grow the district with competent administration and recover/build a solid reputation.

You've listed what you think the CFTOB should be doing. That's not the question.

For example, we know that the state has lost at least $20 million in convention revenue becuase of the governor. So the governor seems to think that the culture war fight is worth more $20 million in tourism revenue.

The CFTOB has already said the legal fees for this dispute will be at least $5 million. So the board/governor/legislature seem to think $25 million in losses is fune.

Further, the governor seems to think that this culture war is costing Disney a ton of Florida revenue. And that, obviously, hurts the entire region - lower tax collections, fewer tourism-related jobs, etc.

So, again, what self-interest do you think the CFTOB is getting with all of this economic damage? What are they getting out of all this?

 

[mikejs78]

Their job is neither to help Disney nor to unduly inconvenience them (all local government has its moments lol!). Their job is simply to perform the functions assigned to them. If they intentionally inconvenience Disney, they play into Disney’s hands. Their best strategy is to provide as competent administration as possible to prove themselves. One way of doing this is by providing more or the same level of service with lower costs and taxes required. If they intentionally become a royal PITA re permitting, taxes, services, etc., then they play into Disney’s hands. If they don’t, then they can help grow the district with competent administration and recover/build a solid reputation.

So far, they have proven themselves to be a major PITA. Just look at the board meetings and the things they have started to implement.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

You've listed what you think the CFTOB should be doing. That's not the question.

For example, we know that the state has lost at least $20 million in convention revenue becuase of the governor. So the governor seems to think that the culture war fight is worth more $20 million in tourism revenue.

The CFTOB has already said the legal fees for this dispute will be at least $5 million. So the board/governor/legislature seem to think $25 million in losses is fune.

Further, the governor seems to think that this culture war is costing Disney a ton of Florida revenue. And that, obviously, hurts the entire region - lower tax collections, fewer tourism-related jobs, etc.

So, again, what self-interest do you think the CFTOB is getting with all of this economic damage? What are they getting out of all this?

I’m sorry if I’ve missed it but as far as I am aware, CFTOB has not actually imposed any illegal or punitive measure on Disney. Au contraire, to the best of my knowledge, they have actually lowered taxes in the district. That is not something a board that wants to impune Disney’s every move would do. When they raise taxes, cut services, or become unduly burdensome on the regulation front, that is when I will be convinced that they are acting outside of their interests. As far as anti woke legislation and it’s alleged economic effects (or lack thereof), that has no bearing on this topic.