Disney plans to build a massive dynamic art installation on International Drive

[DCBaker]

"Disney is seeking Orange County approvals to build a gargantuan, ribbon-like art display at 8050 International Drive on the Hollywood Plaza garage, Orange County records show. The entertainment giant is partnering with Japan-based Mitsubishi to install and maintain the dynamic art, which will face Orlando's main artery Interstate 4 and look north toward downtown.

Winter Park-based Acomb Ostendorf & Associates is the project applicant, and the parking garage owner is Hollywood Plaza Garage Realty — an entity tied to Orlando businessman Josh Wallack, who is the COO of nearby nightclub Mango's Tropical Cafe.

Representatives with Disney, AOA and Mitsubishi weren't available for comment. Wallack declined to comment."

"OBJ has learned construction is expected to last less than a year with the art installation turning on sometime in 2022. In addition, OBJ also has learned Disney will occupy some retail space in the bottom floor of Hollywood Plaza.

Orange County records show the application for the dynamic art installation was approved June 16, which allows the applicant to seek building permits. Orange County Senior Public Information Officer Despina McLaughlin told OBJ the "graphical renderings in the linked application package are 'conceptual only' and not necessarily reflective of the eventual digitally displayed 'art work.' "

"Renderings show the display featuring Disney World's Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster in Hollywood Studios with the words "Toy Story Land" and picture of a Little Green Man, one of the characters in Disney's "Toy Story" movie franchise.

The display will weigh in at 114,671 pounds, which is roughly equivalent to nine African bush elephants. The dynamic art will be about 30 feet high at its tallest point and 337 feet long, which is more than a football field.

The art installation will have major exposure for Disney, as more than 200,000 cars pass daily along Interstate 4. Meanwhile, International Drive's hotels, nightlife, entertainment, restaurants and more attract 15 million visitors annually, according to IDriveDistrict.com. That's important as this art display may act as a magnet to bring more guests to the Walt Disney World resort."

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/06/21/orlando-florida-disney-art-tourism-attraction.html

 

[BrianLo]

I think they’ve confused ‘art installation’ with giant billboard.

 

[GimpYancIent]

View attachment 565177

"Disney is seeking Orange County approvals to build a gargantuan, ribbon-like art display at 8050 International Drive on the Hollywood Plaza garage, Orange County records show. The entertainment giant is partnering with Japan-based Mitsubishi to install and maintain the dynamic art, which will face Orlando's main artery Interstate 4 and look north toward downtown.

Winter Park-based Acomb Ostendorf & Associates is the project applicant, and the parking garage owner is Hollywood Plaza Garage Realty — an entity tied to Orlando businessman Josh Wallack, who is the COO of nearby nightclub Mango's Tropical Cafe.

Representatives with Disney, AOA and Mitsubishi weren't available for comment. Wallack declined to comment."

"OBJ has learned construction is expected to last less than a year with the art installation turning on sometime in 2022. In addition, OBJ also has learned Disney will occupy some retail space in the bottom floor of Hollywood Plaza.

Orange County records show the application for the dynamic art installation was approved June 16, which allows the applicant to seek building permits. Orange County Senior Public Information Officer Despina McLaughlin told OBJ the "graphical renderings in the linked application package are 'conceptual only' and not necessarily reflective of the eventual digitally displayed 'art work.' "

"Renderings show the display featuring Disney World's Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster in Hollywood Studios with the words "Toy Story Land" and picture of a Little Green Man, one of the characters in Disney's "Toy Story" movie franchise.

The display will weigh in at 114,671 pounds, which is roughly equivalent to nine African bush elephants. The dynamic art will be about 30 feet high at its tallest point and 337 feet long, which is more than a football field.

The art installation will have major exposure for Disney, as more than 200,000 cars pass daily along Interstate 4. Meanwhile, International Drive's hotels, nightlife, entertainment, restaurants and more attract 15 million visitors annually, according to IDriveDistrict.com. That's important as this art display may act as a magnet to bring more guests to the Walt Disney World resort."

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2021/06/21/orlando-florida-disney-art-tourism-attraction.html

Art? It's just a fancy bill board advertisement. It's as artful as any other advertisement.

 

[Kamikaze]

I think they’ve confused ‘art installation’ with giant billboard.

One is easier to get approved.

 

[Bocabear]

And seriously, with throngs of people trying to get into the parks, do they need another advertisement? Does anyone driving down International Drive all of the sudden realize Disney is there?
A total vanity project and waste of money. Especially when budgets for actual improvements, employee wage increases, and attractions are being slashed this is the LAST thing they need to waste 100k plus on....

 

[Stupido]

And seriously, with throngs of people trying to get into the parks, do they need another advertisement?

They're preemptively marketing to replacements of all those people swearing they'll never come back to Disney World because of the Splash Reimagining.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I see... yes... obviously disney is crunching for money. Who needs a Mary poppins attraction or a Main Street theatre when we can have a 100,000 pound billboard?

 

[HauntedPirate]

“Unprecedented demand”

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Maybe they're losing business to "The World's Biggest McDonalds" and they're hoping to draw some of that crowd back.

I hope "The World's Biggest McDonalds" takes some add space along Hotel Plaza Blvd.

 

[Mark48]

This "art installation " is completely " Scents " less .

 

[cookiee_munster]

... but is it art???

 

[Lilofan]

Perhaps the billboard should advertise to address the labor staffing shortages

WDW - HELP WANTED!

 

[Thelazer]

Lay off cast-members, furlough them, make it to the point that cast members have to resort to begging on FB with there homemade baked goods for some income.. BUT HEY LETS SPEND $$$ ON A BIG FREAKING LED BILLBOARD THAT REALLY IS POINTLESS!

Man, I swear... anyone who thinks Disney is some great company, yea... shining example of things here.

 

[Doberge]

And seriously, with throngs of people trying to get into the parks, do they need another advertisement? Does anyone driving down International Drive all of the sudden realize Disney is there?
A total vanity project and waste of money. Especially when budgets for actual improvements, employee wage increases, and attractions are being slashed this is the LAST thing they need to waste 100k plus on....

Seems great for promoting the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars movie or Disney+ episode of the week. Synergy!

 

[CntrlFlPete]

And seriously, with throngs of people trying to get into the parks, do they need another advertisement? Does anyone driving down International Drive all of the sudden realize Disney is there?
A total vanity project and waste of money. Especially when budgets for actual improvements, employee wage increases, and attractions are being slashed this is the LAST thing they need to waste 100k plus on....

Recently I was driving down I-Drive when we realized Disney was there -- got to the parking toll booth -- was told I should have made reservations weeks prior -- turned around and went home.

 

[Lilofan]

Lay off cast-members, furlough them, make it to the point that cast members have to resort to begging on FB with there homemade baked goods for some income.. BUT HEY LETS SPEND $$$ ON A BIG FREAKING LED BILLBOARD THAT REALLY IS POINTLESS!

Man, I swear... anyone who thinks Disney is some great company, yea... shining example of things here.

You are not aware of the tourism staffing shortages nationwide? Not just WDW. Companies can't even get people to apply for jobs available.

 

[WondersOfLife]

Maybe they're losing business to "The World's Biggest McDonalds" and they're hoping to draw some of that crowd back.

View attachment 565210

I hope "The World's Biggest McDonalds" takes some add space along Hotel Plaza Blvd.

I can’t believe how much they downgraded that place. It was so awesome when I was a kid. So much to explore and do. Now it’s soooooo.... meh.

 

[WondersOfLife]

You are not aware of the tourism staffing shortages nationwide? Not just WDW. Companies can't even get people to apply for jobs available.

I mean... maybe if they didn’t fire everyone without notice..

 

[Lilofan]

I mean... maybe if they didn’t fire everyone without notice..

In the real world, staff get laid off a plenty without notice but one is expected to give a two week notice of resigning.

 

[Notes from Neverland]

Art installation? Goodness. I'm all for creative wordsmithing, but that's PR speak to a new level to describe an electronic billboard.