Economy does in Fantasyland

[OFTeric]

Russian pavilion was going to WS so his sources are somewhat questionable.... Disney is not short on capital and is relatively recession proof...

Russian Pavilion... this piece was based on the fact that WDI was creating new concept art for the Russia Pavilion. WDW was courting the Russian government and trying to get them to spend some of their petro dollars on a 200 million dollar pavilion (a prominent US Senator was trying to broker the deal, hence the need for new concept art).

Disney is not so sure how it is going to weather out this storm! If you are friends with anyone who is having to make these really tough, super tough descions they are trying to figure out ways to lower operating costs, and provide a comperable experience. The writing on the wall is the "What are you going to celebrate campaign."

Now with the Space Mountain refurb there are a few factors that people have not brought up in the forums but suffice it to say there are things that are bigger priorities, and some that are lower.

But Yoda is right about a lot of things.

 

[dox]

This article if true is quite sad. I just returned from DL 2 weeks ago and their Fantasyland is breathtaking, not to mention their Toon Town. There is so much attention to detail throughout Fantasyland and they really seem to take care of their attractions there. My only one complaint was I found that some of their Fantasyland rides (like Peter, Snow, Mr. Toad's and Pinochio) move way too fast in comparison to WDW's that sometimes you miss the details, requiring you to ride them a few times ( I had no complaints with respect to that).

As for Space Mt. I truly hope we get something comparable to DL's version, which was amazing. It was incredibly smooth, pitch black, some great special effects, awesome soundtrack, and just seemed to increase in speed as the ride went on.

 

[MousDad]

Russian Pavilion... this piece was based on the fact that WDI was creating new concept art for the Russia Pavilion. WDW was courting the Russian government and trying to get them to spend some of their petro dollars on a 200 million dollar pavilion (a prominent US Senator was trying to broker the deal, hence the need for new concept art).

Disney is not so sure how it is going to weather out this storm! If you are friends with anyone who is having to make these really tough, super tough descions they are trying to figure out ways to lower operating costs, and provide a comperable experience. The writing on the wall is the "What are you going to celebrate campaign."

Now with the Space Mountain refurb there are a few factors that people have not brought up in the forums but suffice it to say there are things that are bigger priorities, and some that are lower.

But Yoda is right about a lot of things.

Saying our insiders don't have all the story and confirming that Jim Hill knows what he's talking about? My, you are trying to make a splash now aren't you?

BTW, keep splashing. :wave:

 

[ryguy]

Heres my take. I think there are more pressing refurbs than space mountain. The fact is the average guest still loves space mountain, most guests don't come off it and say "I think this ride needs to be gutted", most are happy and run back into line. Truthfully I kinda like the version we have now, even though it probably needs fixing up. So it really doesn't burn me to bad to see the refurb getting cut back at bit. I have never been to DL but I am assuming most WDW guests have not been to DL either(could be wrong). And if they have, they probably haven't rode the new Space Mountain. So those of us who haven't experienced the new version have nothing to compare it too. Thus we have no comparison and we don't feel like were missing anything. Lastly, whenever a classic attraction gets a refurb I always get a little nervous, just because I fear change. Although the HM turned out quite well. Let the lambasting begin :lol:

 

[OFTeric]

Saying our insiders don't have all the story and confirming that Jim Hill knows what he's talking about? My, you are trying to make a splash now aren't you?

BTW, keep splashing. :wave:

I am not disputing anyone's info. I am just stating what I know either first hand knowledge or by close associates who are making these descions. I might not have the most up to the moment info. I am far from perfect, and don't claim to know everything or close to everything. I just know what I know.

 

[jt04]

Saying our insiders don't have all the story and confirming that Jim Hill knows what he's talking about? My, you are trying to make a splash now aren't you?

BTW, keep splashing. :wave:

Confirming?:ROFLOL:

 

[MousDad]

Confirming?:ROFLOL:

Substantiating? Suggesting? Either way, if he's right, you have to take the Russian Pavilion out of your Jim Hill ammo bag.

 

[Lee]

they are trying to figure out ways to lower operating costs, and provide a comperable experience.

Odd...a comperable experience is not usually a priority for the cost cutters at WDW.:drevil:

Now with the Space Mountain refurb there are a few factors that people have not brought up in the forums

Uh-uh...nope...don't even try to leave it here. Eloborate, please.

but suffice it to say there are things that are bigger priorities, and some that are lower.

Lower being Big Thunder and Jungle refurbs that are/were on the books for '09ish?
Bigger? Can't think of any.

 

[Master Yoda]

Russian Pavilion... this piece was based on the fact that WDI was creating new concept art for the Russia Pavilion. WDW was courting the Russian government and trying to get them to spend some of their petro dollars on a 200 million dollar pavilion (a prominent US Senator was trying to broker the deal, hence the need for new concept art).

Disney is not so sure how it is going to weather out this storm! If you are friends with anyone who is having to make these really tough, super tough descions they are trying to figure out ways to lower operating costs, and provide a comperable experience. The writing on the wall is the "What are you going to celebrate campaign."

Now with the Space Mountain refurb there are a few factors that people have not brought up in the forums but suffice it to say there are things that are bigger priorities, and some that are lower.

But Yoda is right about a lot of things.

Saying our insiders don't have all the story and confirming that Jim Hill knows what he's talking about? My, you are trying to make a splash now aren't you?

BTW, keep splashing. :wave:

The highlighted line makes me like him already.

 

[jt04]

Substantiating? Suggesting? Either way, if he's right, you have to take the Russian Pavilion out of your Jim Hill ammo bag.

I'll be more than happy to...........right after the groundbreaking.

 

[MousDad]

The highlighted line makes me like him already.

[bows to the little green Master]

 

[Unplugged]

The only thing in that list that I would really hate to see happen is the retheming of ToonTown Fair with that silly Mickey's Clubhouse theme. I'm a very traditional Disney person in that I want to see more focus kept on the classic Disney characters at WDW rather than seeing an invasion of Pixar and other "modern" Disney characters. But along with that, is also a desire to see the classic forms of the classic characters remain dominant, rather than being replaced with this 21st century, computer animation version of the classic characters. I like to find clothes for my son with one or more of the classic 5 on them, but I refuse to buy ones with Playhouse Disney on it, for example.

I enjoy the classics too, but I missed your point on the Toon Town Fair. The plan was for a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme and not Playhouse Disney (which is represented as a show at DHS). The Mickey Mouse Club house is all classic Mickey characters, only with a more colorful club house. This would maintain the characters we know and love and present them in a way our kids can relate to. I've been watching Mickey as long as I can remember (38 yrs) but I have never made the connection to the "Toon Town Fair". Where'd the Fair come from (really, I don't know)?

I do appreciate your view on the classic Disney characters over all. I used to feel the same way. But watching how my son rapidly adopts the computer animation based shows verse 2 day animation changed my mind. The new rendered versions and shows appeal to a his new generation. They are surrounded by multi-media forms, interactive environments, and technology that we would have thought "only on Star Trek". We need to allow for extensions and progression of the classics to appeal to the views they are adopting from the surrounds that are forming their opinions.

After all, you wouldn't be watching any Disney shows if your grand parents had the same perspective about their radio shows. :wave:

 

[majortom1981]

hmm

The article also mentions the moving of the world of disney storte in nyc might be cancelled.

Does that mean my fav nyc store might still be open after 2010? It makes no sense to close it ebcause during christmas time the store has like an hour long wait to just get inside.

 

[ada0801]

Blue Sky?

Ok, so I read a lot on these boards and I have no idea what is meant by Blue Sky...can someone explain?:shrug:

 

[Master Yoda]

Ok, so I read a lot on these boards and I have no idea what is meant by Blue Sky...can someone explain?:shrug:

An attraction that is Blue Sky is in its initial planning stages. You basically have an idea an maybe a bit of art work but nothing concrete. You also have zero guarantee that it will ever be built. Quite a few attractions never get past the blue sky phase.

 

[ada0801]

Thank you Master Yoda... I was way wrong...

 

[Master Yoda]

Thank you Master Yoda... I was way wrong...

Out of nothing more that curiosity, what did you think it meant?

 

[RiversideBunny]

I think the term Blue Sky originally came about in connection with people selling worthless investments during the 1930's and the efforts to curb that.
Someone said, in describing them, that they were worth no more than a piece of blue sky.

 

[imagineer boy]

Alright, I have to say it... its Jim Hill, take it with a grain of salt!:lol::lookaroun

Anyways, I have to comment on a few things here:

Speaking of the Disney Princesses ... Another part of Fantasyland's facelift which may not happen now involves the retheming of one of the Magic Kingdom's original attractions. With "Snow White's Scary Adventures" being replaced by a brand-new "Beauty & the Beast" -themed dark ride.

"Snow White" fans shouldn't fret, though. Should this part of the Fantasyland revitalization plan actually go forward, Disney's first princess would still make her home in the Magic Kingdom. Snow would just whistle while she walked over to another corner of Fantasyland. Where the Imagineers plan on installing a family-friendly coaster which will take Guests -- via mine car -- through the Seven Dwarves' diamond mine.

This doesn't make any sence. Why not just rehab Snow White where it is and build Beauty and the Beast elsewhere? BTW, I still don't like the Snow White mine ride idea. I prefer just a refurbed Snow White dark ride thank you very much. Although I really would like to see the B&B dark ride come to reality.

Other Magic Kingdom projects that have been pushed back and/or put off include a possible retheming of Mickey's Toontown Faire. So that this section of the theme park would then more closely resemble the distinctive settings of that über-popular Playhouse Disney series, "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse."

BLEGH!!!!!:hurl::hurl::hurl::brick::brick: Good god, I hope this is not true. I'd much rather them just build somthing like the Toon Town in DL.

Still, interesting...

 

[OFTeric]

Odd...a comperable experience is not usually a priority for the cost cutters at WDW.:drevil:

Uh-uh...nope...don't even try to leave it here. Eloborate, please.



Lower being Big Thunder and Jungle refurbs that are/were on the books for '09ish?
Bigger? Can't think of any.

1. What I can point out due to recent events is the access of the Golf Course in replacement of PI on Water Park Fun and More Tickets.

2. I will give you all I know on this after October 17th due to personal reasons.

3. I am referring to the planned changes in this attraction, this is not in reference to any other attraction. There are changes that are going to happen to SM that are of a higher priority (read: saftey issues) than other changes (read: nifty stuff).


I don't mean to create such a stir, just letting you know what I can share of what I know... which admitedly might not be 100% correct as I do not get to know about every meeting or every change to the schedule.

But Lee I will PM you what it is in refernce too, if that will make you happy.