Condorman was a bad decision. ABC/CapCities was not...don't forget that the most watched sports network around the world came with aquiring ABC...and it gave them a guarenteed distribution outlet for Disney programming. And it was a helluvalot cheaper than buying CBS, which was definitely a possibility. ABC was a good call.
Disneyland Paris wasn't a bad investment either...the bad economy played a big part in the initial problems, along with the French President initially vowing never to set foot in the park. It seems to be a big hit now.
Anyway. People shouldn't be so dense and just say off the bat they they'll never visit China or have no interest in ever seeing any of the international parks. That's a prime example of American ignorence. I have a goal to see all of the Disney Parks within the next 10 years and look forward to the different experiences that each one has to offer.
And Magnum, so do only ride new attractions when you go to WDW since you dont like to recirculate old experiences? I bet you shudder when you walk past Small World then!
WDW is about getting away from your everyday and enjoying the time away with your family. New attractions would definitely be nice (and they are on their way) but I do know that no vacation to WDW is definitely not nice... :dazzle:
Devoy,
Completely agree and was about to type the same thing.
The ABC acquisition was probably one of the smartest moves Eisner and Disney ever did. As you said, they picked up ESPN, almost as an afterthought, which generates more profit than any of the other channels combined...of course, I do not think Disney at the time had any idea how important this part of the purchase was.
Additionally, it allowed them to expand the influence of the Disney Channel (by blackmailing the cable/satellite operators to carry Disney Channel or no ESPN), which has allowed them to create worldwide and billion dollar brands like Lizzie McGuire, Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers (yeah, many of us are not big fans, but lots of $$$). Nevermind, all the advertising, marketing, and promotional synergies you get by having these channels, especially a major one like ABC, across all your divisions. Plus, the fair market value of the whole package of those channels with ESPN is so far higher than what they paid...and they paid a lot then.
Bad movies. What Disney is not allowed to have a bad movie? Every studio is allowed bad movies and we cannot say our visits are just financing these bad one. Call me crazy, but I think their good ones, and their blockbuster ones, finance their bad ones. I think Pirates 1, 2, and 3 made up for a bunch of mistakes as well as UP, National Treasure, etc.
So, I do not agree with those arguments and that HK does not deserve the expansion (I actually feel Disney screwed up by making such a small park anyway...I mean, really small). But, I do agree with you that Disney needs to show value to retain its existing customers to WDW. You are a customer that wants new attractions to justify the price increase, which is completely understandable. For me, I have gone there over 25 times all the way from MA and I have loved it everytime. If I was local and went there multiple times a year, I may be in your camp. But, I do not mind because there seems to be at least one or two new things (even if not E ticket or anything big) on top of all the many existing attractions that I love. Last time it was TSM, one time it was EE, etc. This year (actually I leave tomorrow...yeah!), I want to check out American Idol, HOP, Luxo Jr, etc. Next time will be Space Mountain. Considering I am there once or twice a year, I do not get bored of it and just have fun. Honestly, I actually enjoy going down there more now that I have been on everything, so I do not have to run around so much to get to everything first. Much more relaxing and you get to notice the smaller details.
There are probably millions of people like me and a ton of people like you. Disney seems to have a formula for it, but I do hope that any efforts elsewhere do not affect that formula here. And we sort of have to throw it the last year or so because I think the economy, no matter if we agree or not with their decision, caused Disney to delay certain projects.
Of course, I do love new things and am praying there are some new announcements (which I believe are coming), but no matter, I know I will love my time down there starting tomorrow.
