Disney Parks and Consumer Products now one division

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Nah... Harry Potter doesn't even belong to Universal...The new reorg puts Parks and Resorts as effectively another distribution channel for the content and franchises they create.

Men like Universal built the Harry Potter world. Men like Universal thought it up. They think they're so creative. They don't know what it's like to really create something. To create an IP, feel it growing inside your park. All they know how to create is screens.

 

[dweezil78]

Men like Universal built the Harry Potter world. Men like Universal thought it up. They think they're so creative. They don't know what it's like to really create something. To create an IP, feel it growing inside your park. All they know how to create is screens.

 

[__r.jr]

I kind of feel like this is all Universal's fault for doing Harry Potter so well. Then the bone heads at Disney figured it had to be the IP that was drawing everyone in.

It certainly could be seen as the catalyst.

I recommend this exceptional article: The Inside Story of Why Disney Spent Half a Billion Dollars on an Avatar Theme Park.

It, for the most part, explains how IP driven lands became the rave.

 

[lazyboy97o]

It certainly could be seen as the catalyst.

I recommend this exceptional article: The Inside Story of Why Disney Spent Half a Billion Dollars on an Avatar Theme Park.

It, for the most part, explains how IP driven lands became the rave.

Half?

 

[Hattieboxghost110]

Obviously, we can't know the future, and regardless of any fears, there will be ups and downs in the future of Disney parks. The problem is- this is a huge step in the wrong direction.

In the last decade- real competition for Disney parks have emerged with what Universal's been doing- and will continue to do. Disney isn't the clear cut leader in the industry anymore, they have real, valid competition in Southern California.

There's also been a huge emergence of themed entertainment fans of the industry and art- that extends beyond Disney. People out there (Matt Quimet for example) who really understand what makes themed entertainment great, and how to maximize the park experience. From what I understand, Knott's has been making strides in improving the park under Quimet's leadership.

Even Six Flags is working on making Magic Mountain an actual vacation destination- slowly but surely they've been fixing up the park, extending operating hours- and working on making the park an actual pleasant experience. The Justice League game ride they put in was a huge step in the right direction for them, and while they have a ways to go, I'm excited to see what they do in the next 20 years.

Gone are the days where Disney can do literally anything they want, and still be ahead of the competition. In such a cut throat industry- they really need to be hiring management and corporate leadership who love the parks and themed entertainment, and understand what makes it work and how to progress the parks- while respecting the history.

Or, they can combine the parks with consumer products- which gives off the impression that to Disney, the parks will continue to devolve into a pure marketing ploy for whatever hot property Disney has.

Homie, you know I rarely agree with you. But, this was beautiful. It captures my sad feelings about the recent decline in Disney & yet expresses the optimism I feel about the current state of theme parks in general.

Hogsmeade was just the beginning. Diagon will soon come to USH. Super Nintendo World after that. People laugh at me when I say Battle for Metropolis at SFMM is better than TSMM. It is though.

Non-Disney parks have been stepping up their game & in some ways have surpassed Disney. Stepping into the Wizarding World for the first time was a revelation. The suits are killing Disney & I wish there was a way to stop them!

 

[brb1006]

As TWDC's recent decision is going on here, Tokyo Disneyland (OLC) is already hard at work with the taping of their 35th Anniversary commercial. Which said anniversary is just a month away.

 

[Hattieboxghost110]

As TWDC's recent decision is going on here, Tokyo Disneyland (OLC) is already hard at work with the taping of their 35th Anniversary commercial. Which said anniversary is just a month away.

Maybe I'm having deja vu, but didn't you post that already?

 

[Deleted member 107043]

It certainly could be seen as the catalyst.

I recommend this exceptional article: The Inside Story of Why Disney Spent Half a Billion Dollars on an Avatar Theme Park.

It, for the most part, explains how IP driven lands became the rave.

The irony is that if the 20th Century Fox merger goes through Disney will own the film distribution rights to Avatar.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

It certainly could be seen as the catalyst.

I recommend this exceptional article: The Inside Story of Why Disney Spent Half a Billion Dollars on an Avatar Theme Park.

It, for the most part, explains how IP driven lands became the rave.

Interesting how that article was published before all the hoopla commenced around the big new WDW announcements at D23. The angst around World of Pandora's opening seems like ancient history now. Goes to show how fast change is happening at Disney P&R.

 

[Curious Constance]

"In addition, we are merging our Consumer Products and Parks operations under one segment, combining strategy and resources to produce even more compelling products and experiences that bring our stories and characters to life for consumers," Mr. Iger said.

Is it robotic and weird that Iger referred to everyone as consumers? Or is that normal big wig talk?

 

[Disney Irish]

"In addition, we are merging our Consumer Products and Parks operations under one segment, combining strategy and resources to produce even more compelling products and experiences that bring our stories and characters to life for consumers," Mr. Iger said.

Is it robotic and weird that Iger referred to everyone as consumers? Or is that normal big wig talk?

Well technically we all are consumers in one form or another. The world paradigm has been changing for decades, we are all just consumers and producers, with the US leading in both.

 

[Curious Constance]

Well technically we all are consumers in one form or another. The world paradigm has been changing for decades, we are all just consumers and producers, with the US leading in both.

Yes. I'm aware of that. Seems like when the head of a major corporation is addressing the public it would be better suited to refer to consumers as our customers, our fans, guests, whatever. Just something that makes me feel a bit less like I'm a $ sign in his eye.

 

[TROR]

Consumer definitely has a negative connotation that customer does not imo.

 

[nevol]

Playing devil's advocate with myself here. The new department title is "Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products."

That's a darn good order that indicates priority. DCP was swallowed by parks, not the other way around. Experiences replaces resorts in the title, eluding to a kind of hybrid of parks and retail and gaming. How incredible would it be if the Disney stores in dying malls all across the US were replaced with VOID VR experiences with targeted merchandise? Disney IP merchandise with segmented or revolving door of VR games for that IP. Could be a tremendous shift in retail and location based entertainment. They have the real estate, they have the entertainment content and licensing, and they have the merchandise. Retail floor space is in less demand then ever before because of online shopping. Nothing is standing in their way. The former head of imagineering, Bruce Vaughn, left to pursue other opportunities. That is a new VR company with Steven Spielberg whose goal is to scale recreational vr across the country much like movie theaters. I haven't seen that happen yet, and honestly, it sounds a little bit like overkill, as I don't think the IMAX VR near the Grove in Los Angeles is really all that popular. Disney could beat Vaughn and Spielberg at their own game by rolling out one VOID in each retail location rather than building sprawling new multiplex facilities.

Amazing potential! Doesn't make pixar pier and señor buzz's churro cart any less gross. Potential doesn't always translate to execution!

 

[Disney Irish]

Playing devil's advocate with myself here. The new department title is "Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products."

That's a darn good order that indicates priority. DCP was swallowed by parks, not the other way around. Experiences replaces resorts in the title, eluding to a kind of hybrid of parks and retail and gaming. How incredible would it be if the Disney stores in dying malls all across the US were replaced with VOID VR experiences with targeted merchandise? Disney IP merchandise with segmented or revolving door of VR games for that IP. Could be a tremendous shift in retail and location based entertainment. They have the real estate, they have the entertainment content and licensing, and they have the merchandise. Retail floor space is in less demand then ever before because of online shopping. Nothing is standing in their way. The former head of imagineering, Bruce Vaughn, left to pursue other opportunities. That is a new VR company with Steven Spielberg whose goal is to scale recreational vr across the country much like movie theaters. I haven't seen that happen yet, and honestly, it sounds a little bit like overkill, as I don't think the IMAX VR near the Grove in Los Angeles is really all that popular. Disney could beat Vaughn and Spielberg at their own game by rolling out one VOID in each retail location rather than building sprawling new multiplex facilities.

Amazing potential! Doesn't make pixar pier and señor buzz's churro cart any less gross. Potential needs to be worked toward!

Interesting idea. But IMHO I think VR has jumped the shark a bit, just like 3D did. I still don't like the idea of having to wear a VR helmet that someone else just used, which I think is a major deterrent with VR. The technology has to have a major upgrade to eliminate that. Similar to glassless 3D will be a major upgrade to that experience.

 

[Phroobar]

Interesting idea. But IMHO I think VR has jumped the shark a bit, just like 3D did. I still don't like the idea of having to wear a VR helmet that someone else just used, which I think is a major deterrent with VR. The technology has to have a major upgrade to eliminate that. Similar to glassless 3D will be a major upgrade to that experience.

VR has to be really simple to put on a use. Right now it slows down the line to a crawl. I'm glad SFMM got rid of it on Revolution. The line moves quickly now and we don't wait ten minutes between each car because someone can't figure out how to put it on .

 

[Disney Irish]

VR has to be really simple to put on a use. Right now it slows down the line to a crawl. I'm glad SFMM got rid of it on Revolution. The line moves quickly now and we don't wait ten minutes between each car because someone can't figure out how to put it on .

Something as simple as putting on glasses would be nice. Although I think for a roller coaster it has to be more secure. I will admit though I'm not a fan of using VR on a coaster anyways.

I would hope one day that we eventually get to a Holodeck style VR, but that may never happen.

 

[MisterPenguin]

An independent institution for "customers" called Consumer Reports was established almost 90 years ago. "Consumer" has been used in a neutral way for over a century.

I know people want to find evidence of demonic possession amongst the echelons of Disney management, but this line of thinking is based on a false premise that 'consumer' has an inherently bad connotation.

It doesn't.

 

[smile]

An independent institution for "customers" called Consumer Reports was established almost 90 years ago. "Consumer" has been used in a neutral way for over a century.

I know people want to find evidence of demonic possession amongst the echelons of Disney management, but this line of thinking is based on a false premise that 'consumer' has an inherently bad connotation.

It doesn't.

not a derogatory term, but how many 'consumer departments' or 'consumer relations' departments are you aware of?
it's generally shied away from in customer-facing situations and used more in-house for employees describing end users.

it is a rather blunt way to describe customers, but he's certainly a wall street type, so viewing customers as merely those who 'consume' makes sense

 

[MisterPenguin]

not a derogatory term, but how many 'consumer departments' or 'consumer relations' departments are you aware of?
it's generally shied away from in customer-facing situations and used more in-house for employees describing end users.

it is a rather blunt way to describe customers, but he's certainly a wall street type, so viewing customers as merely those who 'consume' makes sense

Saying that using "consumers" instead of "customers" is "blunt" is implying that you think that "consumer" has a negative connotation. It doesn't. Most states have a "department of consumer affairs."

When private and governmental advocacy groups use "consumer" instead of "customer", it only shows it does not normally have any sort of negative, harsh, or blunt connotations.