News Dismal Q3 Earnings

[DanielBB8]

Is he saying they might rebrand the whole area to an entirely different franchise, or just incorporate more OT stuff? I'd really like to avoid giving them views if possible.

The rumor is Aladdin. He says he doesn’t think so. Anything else is not the rumor. Maybe watch the video.

 

[DanielBB8]

Marketing has indeed said that can update the land to keep up with changes in the movies. I presumed they meant going forward and not going backward.

And I thought, "Hey cool." BUT... I remembered two things...

1. WDW almost never updates attractions, and when they do, certainly not in a timely manner.
2. I can't see how RotR can be updated to a new timeframe, past or present.

So... maybe 10 years from now an update? 15 years? Never?

My feeling is RIse of Resistance won’t change. MF can change because it’s easier, but not for a long time because WDW is built for tourists. What can happen immediately is adding back everything they had previously like Jedi Academy. The bigger issue is it’s a flop at Disneyland and they won’t let it just pass. Disneyland’s GE absolutely must change.

 

[The_Jobu]

The rumor is Aladdin. He says he doesn’t think so. Anything else is not the rumor. Maybe watch the video.

Well, at least they don't think it will happen either.

 

[mikejs78]

... but the land is successful.

I'm curious if you can elaborate on this. The narrative here is that it's a complete failure. Now, I don't buy that at all as I've argued, but curious to hear your take on why it's successful, if you are able to elaborate.

 

[The_Jobu]

I'm curious if you can elaborate on this. The narrative here is that it's a complete failure. Now, I don't buy that at all as I've argued, but curious to hear your take on why it's successful, if you are able to elaborate.

I think there is a problem with a small group of people that consider a bad start to be failure. I’m not sure how much of that is genuine opinion or trying to get clicks.

 

[LSLS]

I'm curious if you can elaborate on this. The narrative here is that it's a complete failure. Now, I don't buy that at all as I've argued, but curious to hear your take on why it's successful, if you are able to elaborate.

I think the narrative is that it hasnt been nearly as successful as everyone thought it would be. I honestly expected it to be difficult to get on rides/in the land for like a year after opening. Seeing constant 30 minute waits for the ride is just eye raising to me. Now, full disclosure, I dont know Disneyland at all, so I may be off on my thoughts that it's not bringing in monster crowds, but I've been surprised so far. Think I can make more of a judgement once the studio version opens. And maybe with studios you will see a big bump in wdw attendance in Q4.

 

[eddie104]

Why is that now a insider said the land is successful certain posters are backtracking and trying to clarify what they mean ?

 

[The_Jobu]

Why is that now a insider said the land is successful certain posters are backtracking and trying to clarify what they mean ?

Who is doing that?

 

[jt04]

The Lion King has passed The Last Jedi at the global box office on the way to a top 10 finish. That should help Q4 results.

 

[jt04]

Marketing has indeed said that can update the land to keep up with changes in the movies. I presumed they meant going forward and not going backward.

And I thought, "Hey cool." BUT... I remembered two things...

1. WDW almost never updates attractions, and when they do, certainly not in a timely manner.
2. I can't see how RotR can be updated to a new timeframe, past or present.

So... maybe 10 years from now an update? 15 years? Never?

My opinion is they have deliberately left blank spaces on the "canvas" we call Galaxy's Edge. Easily filled in by new story arcs and characters developed for content in films and streaming narratives.

 

[bartholomr4]

My opinion is they have deliberately left blank spaces on the "canvas" we call Galaxy's Edge. Easily filled in by new story arcs and characters developed for content in films and streaming narratives.

Especially in Orlando with the Star Wars Hotel in close proximity

 

[Lensman]

Is this supposed failure of SW:GE going to lead to future weakness in the stock? I've been thinking of buying in again, as I believe in the long term potential of their streaming platform.

Or should I pay a little more attention to what is happening in integration of Fox Studios? I can't say I'm very impressed with the results from the film division.

I'm half serious, but I also think this perspective is one that will help to focus us away from distracting rhetoric on onto the financials. OTOH, it could lead to mass hysteria...

 

[LSLS]

Why is that now a insider said the land is successful certain posters are backtracking and trying to clarify what they mean ?

If you are talking me, I've been pretty consistent. I didnt think it had done as well as they thought it would, and i personally have not been that excited for it (at least not to the point i feel the need to plan a special trip just to see it). Finances and stocks are significantly over my head so I stayed out of that comversation. If I'm wrong and it has surpassed their expectations, I'll take being wrong. I'll be very curious how DHS opens. Anecdotal, but the weekend we may consider heading down (which is a couple weeks after galaxy edge opening, though we aren't planning on heading to it), there are some pretty serious discounts on rooms. What I dont know is how that differs from years past, meaning I defer to the insiders/experts.

 

[The_Jobu]

If you are talking me, I've been pretty consistent.

I wasn't being facetious. I don't know who he was talking about. I'd like to know as well.

Who is doing that?

 

[eddie104]

If you are talking me, I've been pretty consistent. I didnt think it had done as well as they thought it would, and i personally have not been that excited for it (at least not to the point i feel the need to plan a special trip just to see it). Finances and stocks are significantly over my head so I stayed out of that comversation. If I'm wrong and it has surpassed their expectations, I'll take being wrong. I'll be very curious how DHS opens. Anecdotal, but the weekend we may consider heading down (which is a couple weeks after galaxy edge opening, though we aren't planning on heading to it), there are some pretty serious discounts on rooms. What I dont know is how that differs from years past, meaning I defer to the insiders/experts.

No need to explain as I was just making general observations like I always do in these particular threads and I wasn't referring to you just for the record.

 

[britain]

I can't see how RotR can be updated to a new timeframe, past or present.

Well, I don't know everything about it, but everything that has been leaked so far could essentially shift from a Kylo Ren & First Order Stormtroopers attraction to a Darth Vader & Imperial Stormtroopers attraction.

Spoiler

If Finn indeed shows up then it would have to be someone else dressed up like a stormtrooper... Luke maybe?

Not that it will happen.

 

[GoofGoof]

I think the narrative is that it hasnt been nearly as successful as everyone thought it would be. I honestly expected it to be difficult to get on rides/in the land for like a year after opening. Seeing constant 30 minute waits for the ride is just eye raising to me. Now, full disclosure, I dont know Disneyland at all, so I may be off on my thoughts that it's not bringing in monster crowds, but I've been surprised so far. Think I can make more of a judgement once the studio version opens. And maybe with studios you will see a big bump in wdw attendance in Q4.

Not sure there’s a whole lot of credibility to the 30 minute wait thing. This is anecdotal, but here goes. I’m at DL right now. Taking a break at the room after a great day hitting all the classics. The park was not packed but not empty. Supposed to be a 2 crowd day according to Touring plans, but didn’t feel like it. We did extra magic hours (which SW is not open for) and were planning to go to SW right at opening. For those not regular DL visitors like me only FL and Tomorrow Land are open for extra magic hours. For some crazy, disorganized reason only the Critter country gate to GE was open (the main entrance is right next to fantasyland) so we left fantasyland and had to circle around rivers of America to get to SW. There was a mob of people heading that way when they opened the gates to the other lands. I wish I took a picture but it looked like Fantasmic letting out at DHS. We bagged the plan and did a half dozen other rides with no wait. The wait at MF went up to 75 minutes and stayed there all day. It is finally down to 60. We are going to wait until after dinner to try again hoping it drops more. The point of all of this is the land is pretty crowded today and there are a ton of people in SW shirts and gear around the parks. Not necessarily GE shirts but just SW overall. People are still pretty into it. In a month when the AP blackouts end I’m sure there will be some people checking it out too.

Now on the down side of demand they didn’t activate the boarding group thing at all today so the land wasn’t closed for capacity, but there were no reservations left a few days ago for cantina or lightsaber so those remain quite popular. I didn’t check today but they are supposed to hold some same day reservations back. I know it’s beating a dead horse but the land is also not fully open. It’s way too early to judge. Half of 1 park land is open that only 25% of the total.

 

[mikejs78]

People need to stop clinging to two ridiculous extremes on Galaxy's Edge.

IT'S NOT A FAILURE. You obviously can't deem any attraction or land a failure this early. There's no way to say it won't provide Disney a solid return on the investment, that it won't attract major crowds for years to come, or how reaction will be different in Florida. Arguing otherwise is pointless and you're likely guilty of some heavy bias if that's your stance now.

BUT IT'S ALSO NOT A MASSIVE SUCCESS. Disney's intention with blocking out APs, raising prices, and then opening one of its largest expansions ever was not to have attendance go DOWN. Yes, the revenue impact is being overstated by the "it's a failure" crowd, but acting like this was Disney's plan all along is absurd. Why else would Iger be making excuses for it on an earnings call. The opening clearly did not go as either Disney or the majority of this fanbase expected, and refusing to admit that makes you as guilty of bias as those prematurely calling it a failure.

Anyone else want to join me in this valley of reason called the middle ground?

I second this. What I've been trying to say all along.

 

[jt04]

People need to stop clinging to two ridiculous extremes on Galaxy's Edge.

IT'S NOT A FAILURE. You obviously can't deem any attraction or land a failure this early. There's no way to say it won't provide Disney a solid return on the investment, that it won't attract major crowds for years to come, or how reaction will be different in Florida. Arguing otherwise is pointless and you're likely guilty of some heavy bias if that's your stance now.

BUT IT'S ALSO NOT A MASSIVE SUCCESS. Disney's intention with blocking out APs, raising prices, and then opening one of its largest expansions ever was not to have attendance go DOWN. Yes, the revenue impact is being overstated by the "it's a failure" crowd, but acting like this was Disney's plan all along is absurd. Why else would Iger be making excuses for it on an earnings call. The opening clearly did not go as either Disney or the majority of this fanbase expected, and refusing to admit that makes you as guilty of bias as those prematurely calling it a failure.

Anyone else want to join me in this valley of reason called the middle ground?

My only counter argument would be that if Disney didn't want to bring the land up to speed slowly they would have quickly removed the AP blackout. I'm sure they thought a few more non AP people would show up but that miscalculation will soon be a distant memory.

 

[VaderTron]

Can’t do that. All the people who bought $2000 APs would feel as if they were ripped off.

They can and they have. All discount AP's, even the FL Resident Weekday Select passholders, had their summer blackout restrictions lifted for part of last summer 2018. Disney can do what they want.