Eddie Sotto's take on the current state of the parks

[tirian]

It's not the having the AP part. I have had one since EC opened. There are few that can say that. But the 'magic' that was there in the 70s, 80s and into the 90s isn't anymore. Is WDW, and MK in particular, still a 'nice' place? Sure. But when did that become the scale Disney wished to be graded on?

I think it coincided with the cookie-cutter movies that started in the late 90s. Ironically, when the studio suffered in the 70s and early 80s, the parks still did extremely well, because Disney maintained the quality in its parks. Both kingdoms were successful, and Epcot—well, regardless of the growing pains Epcot initially had, the park was a huge success.

And that's a huge issue I have with the way TDO is running the parks. They used to be a much deeper, more textured/layered ... nuanced experience ... they aren't anymore. The stories WDI is trying to tell get lost when someone runs for a Space Mountain FP, jumps on Buzz, runs across the park to get a Splash FP, runs back because their 'window' opened on Space etc ... there's no need for Main Street to be anything but a giant outlet mall with facades ... why not throw 'toons in everywhere because you're selling the DISNEY BRAND ... not magical Disney vacation experiences ... nothing like princess costumes and Miley Cyrus CDs to tell the tale of Liberty Square.

Quoted for truth at the MK—why was I constantly bombarded with HSM and HM merch every time I exited Space Mountain? Plus, you could buy the exact same shirts in Target and Wal-Mart; then Disney wondered why they weren't selling anything. The company has always used its parks to cross-promote the studio (after all, why not), but they were savvier about it in the past.

 

[WDW1974]

The Main Street bulbs checklist/matrix is not a myth. Maintenance used to change out each bulb before their rated hours expired. This practice was one victim of the operations cutbacks in the late 90's.

As a kid I remember walking down Main Street every time I visited to see if I could find a burnt out bulb. I never once could. Do I care as much as an adult? Not really. I will say however that the burnt bulb expeditions of my childhood help to shape my respect and love for Disney. It was but one more example of how Disney was different...special.

How much more would this affect children of today? You expect to see burnt bulbs at your local movie theater marquee or your local mall. But at Disney you are supposed to be in a "magical" world. I'm not even going to get into the other intrusions that have become so common place at WDW recently. But add them to the Main Street bulbs and you can see the slippery slope WDW is on.

Of course if you want to see an example of the standards we used to enjoy you can go to Tokyo. They still to this day maintain the quality and "magic" Disney used to be famous for. You can argue all you want that the Tokyo parks see a higher per cap spending and attendance: maybe that is partially because they have upheld the Disney legacy from the beginning. Maybe they have never snuffed at the idea of ensuring a guest never sees a burnt out light bulb.

The problem was Disney decided after 40 years of running the most amazing theme parks in the world to throw out the playbook that made them that way ... it affected everything from how locations were staffed (a move toward a part time workforce ... with college kids, internationals and retirees) to what was an acceptable 'Disney Look' ... to having homogenized merchandise ... to changing what was OK to let attractions operate in less than show condition ... to outsourcing so many things ... it all took time ... a decade or longer in some cases to 'show' itself in lower quality overall.

People don't care if there's gum all over the pavement because they can't recall a time when there would be none. They don't care if the merchandise is all the same because they don't remember when that wasn't the case. They don't mind filthy monorails with almost no seating because they've not known otherwise. They don't miss real live unionized entertainers because all they've known is 18-year-olds in foamheads. They don't care that 'toons are everywhere because that's the Disney they've been conditioned to believe is what has always existed or is the best possible Disney.

Again ... some of us saw it coming when they were painting the castle pink ... this wasn't an overnight deal.

But it is the reality ... otherwise you'd have far more folks tossing accolades my way instead of rotten veggies!

Just like I was conditioned to expect greatness from WDW, many here have been conditioned to expect mediocrity passed off as something magical from WDW.

It's like Jacob and the Man in Black ... it always ends the same ... but anything that happens in between is progress!

 

[whylightbulb]

I'm not saying that nothing good is happening, but I do say that it would be easier if certain execs (not all) would be replaced with people who actually understood the theme park industry.

This is a much bigger problem than many realize; not just in upper corporate management, but also in park operations and WDI. You would be surprised how many managers at WDI have never stepped foot inside a Disney theme park and wouldn't be caught dead in one. I think I've pointed out on these boards before that my first manager at WDI didn't know that Walt Disney was a real person. This truly does affect the product in a negative way. There are so many creative decisions being made by people that could care less about the differences between a carnival dark ride and the Haunted Mansion.

The problem also lies in the extreme waste that goes on inside WDI. I've posted on this before so I won't go into too many details but let me use Mission Space as an example. We know what the two centerfuges cost, including the customization, controls, programming, R&D, and installation required for the attraction, because it was widely publicized due to the legal action with ETC and Disney. So where did the rest of the $124 million go? Either Disney has way over exagerated the numbers or there is an incredible amount of waste here. I know for a fact that my company could deliver the media, lighting, scenic, post-show, A/V etc. for well under $10 million. So far that's $36 million. The demo and construction should not have run more than $20 million (and that is being extremely generous using more than $250 per square foot) bringing the total to a liberal $56 million.

The bottom line is, with proper management, Mission Space could have been built for under $60 million - not the ridiculous $150 million, or whatever number they are claiming.[/quote]

BTW, I do not think that non-stop growth, E-tickets, celebrations, and other fanboy wet dreams are the answer either, because we are talking about a business, so please don't lump me into those weirdos! (I'm not saying you are.)

Non-stop growth is necessary to drive repeat visitation. I'm not saying we need a new E-ticket every year in each park, but we should be getting one every 2 to 3 years. Most importantly, the E-tickets we should be getting need to be much better than Soarin' and Test Track. That doesn't necessarily mean a larger investment in development costs, it means a complete overhaul of WDI and other management divisions. From what I'm hearing we may be seeing that happen now.

 

[WDW1974]

This is a long post, but I think it's worth reading if someone wants to be part of a level-headed discussion.

It's a great post. ... Even if I might disagree with ... one thing!

It's a bit of both arguments: the demographics have changed (mostly Disney's own fault), but the company also isn't investing as it should (Wall Street has said so and has downgraded Disney stock to "hold"). I personally try to be very balanced about WDW, because even though I always enjoy my days there (I go frequently on weekends), as an "insider," I see a lot of the behind-the-scenes nonsense that has stopped several fantastic projects from coming to the MK.

I agree that WDW has become a victim of its own success, but the marketing is screwed up right now, too: Guests feel it's their "right" to enjoy no lines, private time with the characters, and non-stop pixie dust, because that's how the place is advertised.

Absolutely 100% dead-on. ... Marketing has been effectively (multiple definitions people, don't mean the good way!) running WDW and even what gets built or doesn't for years. I've heard that One Disney was supposed to help change that ... but I see no tangible proof of that ... or even hear any thru internal sources.

For business reasons I don't have time to explain, the mid-80s through mid-90s are generally considered WDW's heyday; the place was a cultural force that represented the pinnacle of American vacationing. WDW regularly added new attractions to its parks and remained immensely profitable. The Company marketed the full experience—the MK, Epcot Center, D-MGM, golf, parasailing, etc.—to attract the broadest demographic possible. WDW ads in high-end magazines like Condé Nast focused on Epcot, golf, and PI; newspaper ads generally targeted families. Broadcast network TV specials featured the latest, greatest attractions at the parks, increasing the "drool factor" among potential Guests.

Oh yeah they did. As someone going through a move -- and a mountain of Disney 'stuff -- you can tell the difference just by looking at brochures, press kits, even newspaper stories.

WDW was marketed originally as The Vacation Kingdom of the World (notice to fanbois, no magic or pixie dust ... or pin lanyards or FPs for that matter) ... Eisner came out with the 'So Much More Than Ever Before' right after the great 15th Anniversary (when they not only added stuff but gave guests gifts, including a car a day!) but it was still the same message.

It was all about magical WDW vacations NOT ABOUT DISNEY BRAND MAGIC! The ads weren't all toons all the time ... no little Brittany's runnng into Cindy's arms while wearing a princess costume in front of the castle ... no little Brandon's wearing pirate garb ... no constant character interaction. The marketing hit on everything from Disney's world-class golf to its spas to dining to partying AND DRINKING the night away at PI to spending the next day on a boat in Bay Lake.

It was in a word - classy.

It represented a confidence that we have the best themed entertainment resort in the world and here's what you can do ...

To look at a 1989 brochure and a 2009 one you'd think you were visiting Bizarro Disney World.

Of course, it didn't hurt that the Studio was cranking out one high-quality hit after another, thereby increasing Disney's brand value and recognition among the general public. From "Roger Rabbit" to "Pretty Woman," and "The Little Mermaid" to "The Lion King," Disney's perceived value was at an all-time high since Walt's death. The public equated Disney with high quality and full experiences.

And rightfully so. I don't think the company ever fired on so many creative and financial successes as it did from say 1984-1994 ... they could do almost no wrong and when they did it wasn't because they phoned it in.

Fast forward to today. The parks aren't the trash heaps some jaded online bloggers claim, but they're also not as well maintained as they should be. The Marketing Machine pushes the MK, only the MK, and nothing but the MK, meaning that the park is swamped with Guests trying to get the magical experience falsely promised to them in the commercials. People-eating E-tickets have been closed with no replacements, meaning that those same Guests spend most of the day wandering from one overcrowded queue to another; and Disney has added enough seasonal events to effectively obliterate any true off season at the MK, which used to be utilized for routine maintenance. Add the resort's poor management, and even worse WDP&R management, which mindlessly blocked all necessary infrastructure upgrades back when profits were high (before the recession), and the MK is particularly in a precarious situation right now for Ops and Guest satisfaction.

Yeah. You say it and people will pat you on the back. I've said it and I'm a Disney Hater (I like Basher better myself!)

Even worse, the studio hasn't turned out a well-regarded hit in a while, degrading people's perception of the WDC. Proof: Wall Street analysts have downgraded Disney stock to "hold," reasoning that the company's perceived brand value is dangerously low. Some analysts have even pointed out that the company hasn't presented any long-term growth plans for WDW to attract more Guests when the tourism industry picks up again. People equate Disney with Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers—great franchises for the Disney Channel, but bad for long-term profits, especially when the company once gave us "Beauty and the Beast." The public has become very savvy about Pixar vs. Disney, and Disney's CGI films have not been able to ride the Pixar coattails to success. I truly hope "The Princess and the Frog" changes this downhill slide!

Princess and Frog really LOOKS great ... but I need them to prove it.

Disney once had the benefit of the doubt by the general public ... clearly that isn't the case in FA as they were burned greatly after the mid-90s.

Pixar is the new Disney now. That's why it chafes so many fanbois. Pixar outmouses The Mouse.

Much like OLC is the new Disney standard for theme parks. They also out-mouse The Mouse.

Anyway, let me make this clear: I don't think WDW is falling apart. I don't think it's hopelessly stale or worthless, and I don't agree with the stupid fanboy mindset that the MK isn't worth visiting.

I don't know anyone who says WDW is falling apart. ALthough we both know that in parts it certainly is, largely because of neglect.

I do feel that the overall product in Orlando is stale. Other than HoP there is nothing 'new' for summer 2009. There's a whole lot that should have ben retired and replaced years ago.

I also don't know anyone who has said MK isn't worth visiting. ... Now if someone told me they were in Orlando and had one day for Disney, I wouldn't send them to MK. And if they had two days, I wouldn't send them to MK. If they had three days ... then I'd tell 'em to head over.

There's still a lot of good stuff in WDW, and I enjoy it! BUT to maintain its long-term value, leadership is going to have to stop relying on the resort's nostalgic past, and start investing in it again. The MK cannot support its current Guest levels; what happens when the economy improves and attendance goes even higher? There is unfortunately a glut of character-centric attractions instead of original ideas, and we've already seen what happens when a character has been overused past its relevancy date (Stitch's Dance Party=epic fail). Epcot has two underused FW pavilions, creating unrealistic waits for the other FW attractions. DHS is finally getting the attention it has needed for about ten years, and DAK will need to add another land within the next ten years.

Great post, again. Even if it's been said, it is worth repeating. You can't just let the parks stagnate year after year, or worse ... spend money on crap like either Stitch show or MILF or Imagination 2.0 and 3.0 etc ...

That's the unbiased fact. I still enjoy the place—heck, I personally don't agree with the online notion that DL effectively trumps the MK—but I do acknowledge that the resort needs a huge investment to maintain long-term growth and profitability. Frankly, I'd like to see it get new management too, all the way up to Rasulo, because the exec leadership needs to understand how the entertainment business works. That's what WDW is: entertainment. It's not the meaning of life; it's not the most important thing in America; it's not another business that can be run by spreadsheets. It's an entertainment-based resort for families who want to escape everyday life, and the only way to maintain the "Magic"—whatever the @!#$ that is considered to be right now—is to take creative risks.

You are right about all of that -- all of it except MK being better than DL ... I just attribute that to you spending too much time in the FLA sun and it frying your brain! ... Thanks for the great read!

 

[WDW1974]

New management huh? See I think that is what this is all about. Not refering to you specifically.

Disney is investing. It's funny how the D&G crowd never mentions that DCA is getting a huge investment. AND IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT WAS SCREWED UP IN THE FIRST PLACE-----IRRELEVANT*. We are under new management! Blaming Iger for DCA is a stretch. If Eisner wanted to self-destruct, why would Iger get in the way?

Eisner never wanted to self-destruct. He was a very proud, very talented exec. TWDC wouldn't exist today if not for him. That isn't an opinion. It is fact.

As to Iger, he was the No. 2 executive at the company. To say his hands were clean on that matter is absurd.

And actually, it does matter that DCA (and DSP and HKDL and even DAK to some extent) were screwed up ... because it reflects a management mindset that hasn't changed.

And now Hong Kong is happening. All we heard was how Iger was failing because he couldn't make the deal happen. So now we have to say he is a success I guess!

Huh?!?! HK happened in 2005. Unless I dreamed I was there last year!

And for the last time, WDW is getting investment. It's undeniable and it will only increase as the sheriff gets things back on track.

WDW is ALWAYS getting investment. It's a business. The question is how much is coming to the parks and in what form.

You seem very excited by things like timeshares, which is telling.

By the way, if people want to recreate what Roy did to Eisner (make no mistake they do) they will need somebody of Roy's stature. Because, by his silence, I think we can assume he is perfectly happy.

I don't wanna rip Roy because I respect him and he has been warm and genuine in person. But he is nothing more than a figure-head now. And so long as he feels his investments are going well and the company isn't getting huge PR black eyes (as they started to in Eisner's last few years), he isn't going to say anything. When the company was already in trouble behind the scenes but Roy had a position with some power, and his investments seemed safe, he didn't raise a peep about his issues with Michael. Only when he was told he wouldn't be up to renew his seat on the Board did he suddenly go public. I would have been much more impressed with Roy had he gone public in 1999 or 2000 ... not 2004!

 

[WDW1974]

That "sheriff" has so far been one man, who cannot stretch himself out over every area of the company. Improvements in the American parks would be much easier if Rasulo were replaced with someone who understands the theme park business, and I'm not trying to make him into a single scapegoat. Phil Holmes and Meg Crofton could have pushed for improvements many times in the past, but they didn't.

The sheriff also has no plans to do so. He has allowed Rasulo to solidify his strangle-hold on park management world-wide. Every park is run by someone beholden to him after the latest cuts/buy-outs. He has also done the same with leadership at WDI. So, even with poor numbers now he can hold on to hos job because he can just use the excuse of the economy ... which may well be true to a point ... but eventually that won't be an excuse and what then?

I'm not saying that nothing good is happening, but I do say that it would be easier if certain execs (not all) would be replaced with people who actually understood the theme park industry.

Yeah, wouldn't that be nice?

 

[WDW1974]

I appreciate the MK for its spaciousness. Sorry, DL makes me claustrophobic, and its Tomorrowland is a huge mark against the park. Hey, I made it clear that the MK needs improvements! :lol:

DL has its soul.

MK lost its soul sometime in the 1990s.

 

[tirian]

It's a great post. ... Even if I might disagree with ... one thing!
You are right about all of that -- all of it except MK being better than DL ... I just attribute that to you spending too much time in the FLA sun and it frying your brain! ... Thanks for the great read!

Ah, you misread me. I didn't say the MK is better than DL; I said that DL doesn't effectively trump the MK for me—meaning that even though parts of DL are better, I don't completely disregard the MK because of its shortcomings (like a certain Lutz). :wave:

 

[WDW1974]

Thanks for bringing that up, because I forgot to address it. That's another reason investors aren't satisfied with the WDC right now—the attendance levels are artificially high due to heavy discounts. Profits are actually very low, and the only way to increase post-recession profits will be to invest in the parks now.

Exactly.

People are visiting, even if attendance is down. But when you give people 40% off and maybe toss in a $200 gift card ... or give them free food ... your profit drops through the floor.

And when those people then don't buy the same Disney crap at ridiculous prices (I was at my local outlet store and saw tees that were originally $31.50 and all I could think is 'who spends that on a throwaway theme park shirt?') ... or bring in food ... and don't spend on anything while there ... well ... again it doesn't matter that the parks are crowded.

It's all artificial.

And where's the investment to get people to WDW next year and in 2011 and 2012 etc ...?

Even if things are happening (and we know some are) it would seem to me that Disney can't keep acting like that coy schoolgirl (or boy depending on what you're in to) who kept teasing but never showed you anything.

Disney needs to build excitement so that even people who can't visit now and can see something coming and say 'We have got to get down there when (fill in the blank) opens.' That kind of excitement in tough times is immeasurable.

They can't keep teasing things ... and leaking a bit ... and suggesting that maybe by 2011 they'll actually announce something or start building.

Hell, if I were Universal, I'd be runnng teaser adds for WWoHP at EVERY showing of the new film to build up interest now (but I don't know nothing about marketing and entertainment!:animwink

 

[jt04]

Eisner never wanted to self-destruct. He was a very proud, very talented exec. TWDC wouldn't exist today if not for him. That isn't an opinion. It is fact.

As to Iger, he was the No. 2 executive at the company. To say his hands were clean on that matter is absurd.

And actually, it does matter that DCA (and DSP and HKDL and even DAK to some extent) were screwed up ... because it reflects a management mindset that hasn't changed.



Huh?!?! HK happened in 2005. Unless I dreamed I was there last year!



WDW is ALWAYS getting investment. It's a business. The question is how much is coming to the parks and in what form.

You seem very excited by things like timeshares, which is telling.



I don't wanna rip Roy because I respect him and he has been warm and genuine in person. But he is nothing more than a figure-head now. And so long as he feels his investments are going well and the company isn't getting huge PR black eyes (as they started to in Eisner's last few years), he isn't going to say anything. When the company was already in trouble behind the scenes but Roy had a position with some power, and his investments seemed safe, he didn't raise a peep about his issues with Michael. Only when he was told he wouldn't be up to renew his seat on the Board did he suddenly go public. I would have been much more impressed with Roy had he gone public in 1999 or 2000 ... not 2004!

I'm sure we all care about what does or does not "impress" you.
I'm sure Steve is not losing sleep wondering if you are, "losing respect for him".
I'm sure nobody protested when you threatened to "not post here as much in the future" and since, by the way, are posting and posting.

I'm sure Eisner didn't "want" to self-destruct. :lol:

You blamed Iger for not being able to get a deal to fix Hong Kong Disneyland but...

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssMediaDiversified/idUSHKG24160620090625

I'm sure you now want to give Iger the credit since you blame him for everything.

I'm sure at some point you will tire of talking about yourself. No, scratch that.

 

[WDW1974]

Just like if people are going to blame TDO for everything, then I think they should be praised for everything that has happened in Liberty Square.[/COLOR]

Yeah. We should praise them because they were responsible for a normal part of our democratic process ... an election.

And I am sure that crowd all added to the historic winner's tally being they're so not a conservative bunch ain't enough of those for that one.

Do you wanna praise them for destroying other aspects of LS too?

 

[tirian]

Non-stop growth is necessary to drive repeat visitation. I'm not saying we need a new E-ticket every year in each park, but we should be getting one every 2 to 3 years. Most importantly, the E-tickets we should be getting need to be much better than Soarin' and Test Track. That doesn't necessarily mean a larger investment in development costs, it means a complete overhaul of WDI and other management divisions. From what I'm hearing we may be seeing that happen now.

I think we could see it too, and so many people have to be shuffled around, it's going to be like musical chairs on crack.

When I refer to non-stop growth and E-tickets, I'm referencing fanboys who don't have any idea how to run a business, not intelligent people who know how to balance it all.

 

[jt04]

Yeah. We should praise them because they were responsible for a normal part of our democratic process ... an election.

And I am sure that crowd all added to the historic winner's tally being they're so not a conservative bunch ain't enough of those for that one.

Do you wanna praise them for destroying other aspects of LS too?

Ummm, What? :lookaroun

 

[jakeman]

I'm sure Eisner didn't "want" to self-destruct. :lol:

Have you ever read Disney War jt? Just curious.

While Eisner wasn't firing on all cylinders at the end of his tenure, he is responsible for why we even have a place to debate today.

I think his good will always outweigh his bad.

Yeah. We should praise them because they were responsible for a normal part of our democratic process ... an election.

And I am sure that crowd all added to the historic winner's tally being they're so not a conservative bunch ain't enough of those for that one.

Do you wanna praise them for destroying other aspects of LS too?

Ignoring the political reference in the post (why do you do that?), I am interested in the other changes that were "destroyed".

I'm not very familiar with that area of the park (with the exception of Mike Fink's Kneelboats) or the changes over the years.

 

[jt04]

Have you ever read Disney War jt? Just curious.

While Eisner wasn't firing on all cylinders at the end of his tenure, he is responsible for why we even have a place to debate today.

I think his good will always outweigh his bad.

Ignoring the political reference in the post (why do you do that?), I am interested in the other changes that were "destroyed".

I'm not very familiar with that area of the park (with the exception of Mike Fink's Kneelboats) or the changes over the years.

I've always said he did more good than bad. But only because he left in time. I have read Disneywar. And that is why I get the feeling some people (inconsequential people) are trying to re-live it.

 

[WDW1974]

Ah, you misread me. I didn't say the MK is better than DL; I said that DL doesn't effectively trump the MK for me—meaning that even though parts of DL are better, I don't completely disregard the MK because of its shortcomings (like a certain Lutz). :wave:

I'm sorry ... actually doing three things at once this afternoon when I shouldn't be.

And phrased that way, I completely agree.

But I understand why Al says it ... it's for effect and to get attention, which add hits to his site.

That said, personally I'm at the points where I'd rather visit any of the other MKs before WDW's. Everyone has its issues. But only one started great, got better and then has steadily been taken apart piece by piece by management.

Painting doesn't get me wet and bothered.

Rehabs and plussing (like Mansion and HoP) are very nice, but they are something I've always expected from Disney.

They really need to start ADDING ... not replacing ... ADDING because starting in the mid-90s all they've done is subtract or swap.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I'm sure we all care about what does or does not "impress" you.
I'm sure Steve is not losing sleep wondering if you are, "losing respect for him".
I'm sure nobody protested when you threatened to "not post here as much in the future" and since, by the way, are posting and posting.

I'm sure Eisner didn't "want" to self-destruct. :lol:

You blamed Iger for not being able to get a deal to fix Hong Kong Disneyland but...

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssMediaDiversified/idUSHKG24160620090625

I'm sure you now want to give Iger the credit since you blame him for everything.

I'm sure at some point you will tire of talking about yourself. No, scratch that.

:lol:

:lookaroun

 

[WDW1974]

I'm sure we all care about what does or does not "impress" you.

You seem to care obsessively. Do you have a mancrush on me, JT?

I'm sure Steve is not losing sleep wondering if you are, "losing respect for him".

Hmm ... I don't recall referencing Steve, JT. But don't worry, dude, I get the distinct feeling he likes you best so don't feel threatened by me.

I'm sure nobody protested when you threatened to "not post here as much in the future" and since, by the way, are posting and posting.

Actually, I did get some comments from people who wanted me to continue. But I'm largely doing so because I feel like it and I'm basically on vacation thru mid-July. But don't fret, when I'm off hating at WDW and grabbing CMs to point out burned out lightbulbs and peeling paint, I won't be returning to my resort to post about it.

So, pretty soon, you'll be able to spout your drivel for weeks without hearing from me ... unless I change my mind ... or it rains every day I'm in O-Town.

I'm sure Eisner didn't "want" to self-destruct.

Really? Are you even sure you exist?

You blamed Iger for not being able to get a deal to fix Hong Kong Disneyland but...

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssMediaDiversified/idUSHKG24160620090625

I'm sure you now want to give Iger the credit since you blame him for everything.

Yes, I did. And I stand by it. The park opened woefully short of attractions (although it is an amazing beautiful Disney quality park) ... and it was a GIVEN that an agreement would be reached. I never stated otherwise. That's why it's so maddening that it has taken this long. Also, Disney has NOT confirmed that an agreement has been reached yet ... so I am not assuming it either. But I do believe they are very close.

Iger and Co. have been playing a highstakes game of who will blink first both with the Central Government in Beijing and the HK SAR and as someone who has lived and worked over there I can say firsthand that isn't a great strategy to employ.

Shanghai would be dead right now if not for the fact our economy crashed and took the world with it and Disney was able to dangle all those jobs. That's what got everything moving lightning quick. Circumstances. Not great deal-making by Iger. He isn't well-liked by officials over there. They don't trust most American business people, especially in media (except for some strange obsession with Viacom old man Sumner Redstone, likely because he's such a character).

I'm sure at some point you will tire of talking about yourself. No, scratch that.

JT, no one here talks about me as much as you do. No one ... were you hiding under my bed (or did I leave some dirty socks there?)

 

[WDW1974]

I think we could see it too, and so many people have to be shuffled around, it's going to be like musical chairs on crack.

When I refer to non-stop growth and E-tickets, I'm referencing fanboys who don't have any idea how to run a business, not intelligent people who know how to balance it all.

The park used to be run by either creative types who understood business or businessmen who understood and respected the creative process.

Now, they are run by (mostly) self-absorbed execs who are all beholden to Jay Rasulo for their Escalades and estate homes in either Windermere, Celebration or Bay Hill.

While fanbois may not be able to run parks (although a few have potential!) any fanboi would realize the No. 1 theme park in the world can't go 17 years and counting without a major new addition. That's common sense.

 

[jt04]

Hmm ... I don't recall referencing Steve, JT.

"Steve, when you make a comment like that you lose all credibility with me." -- WDW74 today

Unbelieveable

Iger and Co. have been playing a highstakes game of who will blink first both with the Central Government in Beijing and the HK SAR and as someone who has lived and worked over there I can say firsthand that isn't a great strategy to employ.

Yeah, you know more than them. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. :lol:

Shanghai would be dead right now if not for the fact our economy crashed and took the world with it and Disney was able to dangle all those jobs. That's what got everything moving lightning quick. Circumstances. Not great deal-making by Iger. He isn't well-liked by officials over there. They don't trust most American business people, especially in media (except for some strange obsession with Viacom old man Sumner Redstone, likely because he's such a character).

But I'm sure they trust you cuz you are "special". :lol:

JT, no one here talks about me as much as you do. No one ... were you hiding under my bed (or did I leave some dirty socks there?)

I love your insults. There so bad they are good. :hammer: