DAK 'Encanto' and 'Indiana Jones'-themed experiences at Animal Kingdom

[Stripes]

$30 billion over 11 parks (not counting TDR) over a decade, plus whatever resort spending gets included in that bucket, isn’t exactly awe-inspiring.

Funny what happens to that big, massive, talking-point number when you start breaking it down.

$30 billion in capacity expanding investments (new projects) is quite a lot. It’s actually more impressive to me than the $60 billion figure. Bear in mind, the $30 billion doesn’t include tech and maintenance capex either.

There are more Imagineers working at WDI right now than at any other time in Walt Disney Imagineering’s history.

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

There are more Imagineers working at WDI right now than at any other time in Walt Disney Imagineering’s history.

But... but they're the Gensler Unimagineers who are actually destroying more right now than at any other time so actually you're just wrong and Epic Universe is actually better than Disney will ever be you shill

Spoiler

joking, obviously

 

[lazyboy97o]

There are more Imagineers working at WDI right now than at any other time in Walt Disney Imagineering’s history.

That’s not necessarily a good thing when a big contributor to the high cost of project delivery has been too many cooks in the kitchen.

 

[Stripes]

That’s not necessarily a good thing when a big contributor to the high cost of project delivery has been too many cooks in the kitchen.

It’s an indication of the quantity and scale of the projects in motion.

 

[Ayla]

It’s an indication of the quantity and scale of the projects in motion.

It's an indication of bloat.

 

[Freshee61]

I do not understand why they have to take out Dinosaur! Its its ridiculous and for indiana?!... what are they thinking or lack of .. leave the animal theme ride in the animal kingdom park! (*ugh, dont even get me started on encanto*)

 

[Disstevefan1]

There are more Imagineers working at WDI right now than at any other time in Walt Disney Imagineering’s history.

Oh that's where all the money is going to force the projects to be scope cut!

 

[Disstevefan1]

I do not understand why they have to take out Dinosaur! Its its ridiculous and for indiana?!... what are they thinking or lack of .. leave the animal theme ride in the animal kingdom park! (*ugh, dont even get me started on encanto*)

I think Disney intended to just forfeit both dinosaurs and dragons to Universal.

 

[Stripes]

It's an indication of bloat.

Or so you think. Bear in mind, they’ve bulked up in just the past 2-3 years, just like they have in past eras of major expansion such as the creation of EPCOT Center and Shanghai Disneyland.

But... but they're the Gensler Unimagineers who are actually destroying more right now than at any other time so actually you're just wrong and Epic Universe is actually better than Disney will ever be you shill

Spoiler

joking, obviously

It’s comical. For context, only about 0.5% of Imagineers used to work at Gensler.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

About $30 billion has been earmarked for “capacity expanding investments” in parks and resorts (not including cruise fleet expansion).

Does Dinosaur typically operate at full-capacity?

Well, there's also the statement about $17B for WDW alone, and $60B for all of parks *and experiences* (i.e. DCL).

Several of us noted at the time of those announcements that, over 10 years, it's pretty much what Disney has already been spending. So, this isn't particularly extraordinary.

However, it is good news that they aren't returning to the doldrums of decades ago when a pittance was spent on Capex. At least, not for the next 10 years.

…it’s starting to sink in a little bit, isn’t it?

 

[Grantwil93]

I think Disney intended to just forfeit both dinosaurs and dragons to Universal.

Once camp cretaceous became popular(animated kids show set in movie universe), Disney waved the white flag. Universal has an all ages franchise with content for every relevant age group. Disney doesn't feel it's worth the effort to try and compete there.

Not saying it's right, but i sorta get it.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Once camp cretaceous became popular(animated kids show set in movie universe), Disney waved the white flag. Universal has an all ages franchise with content for every relevant age group. Disney doesn't feel it's worth the effort to try and compete there.

Not saying it's right, but i sorta get it.

Agreed. Disney has plenty of IP to work with all they need to do spend some money and do the right thing with them.

Only time will tell.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Agreed. Disney has plenty of IP to work with all they need to do spend some money and do the right thing with them.

Only time will tell.

The more they sink into ip…the more the parks look like a mess…

…but who’s counting?

 

[BrianLo]

Can someone explain how this is considered “an expansion” when there is no net-new attraction count? Are we bending the definition to suit the “$60 billion” statements?

A misunderstanding has occurred. There was no promise that it’s exclusively expanded capacity. It’s capital investment of any sort, which obviously this is new capital investment. Even “new capital investment” is only 70%.

A further significant investment is not even really what you’d deem new at all, like the BTMM retrack. Thats still from another 30% sub-pot that’s more along the refurb pool.

“The Walt Disney Company is developing plans to accelerate and expand investment in its Parks, Experiences and Products segment to nearly double capital expenditures over the course of approximately 10 years to roughly $60 billion, including by investing in expanding and enhancing domestic and international parks and cruise line capacity.”

 

[BrianLo]

Are we 1 or 2 years into the ten years? When did this 10 year clock start?

We’re in year 2. Starting Oct 1, 2023 through Sept 30 2033.

 

[Disstevefan1]

We’re in year 3. Starting Oct 1, 2023 through Sept 30 2033.

THANK YOU! Into year three, less than 7 years to go.

I think they got some permits approved. I think there are some constriction trailers in place. There are some walls up.

They moved some imaginers into the Galactic Star cruiser they prematurely gave up on.

Oh yea, they are rapidly building that new DVC where River Country was....

 

[DisneyDean97]

The more they sink into ip…the more the parks look like a mess…

…but who’s counting?

While its a small consolation, at least the new land at AK will be themed to a region of the world, like all the other lands at AK (other than Pandora) what the first showed with Moana and Zootopia taking over DINOSAUR would have been even worse for the park.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

We’re in year 2. Starting Oct 1, 2023 through Sept 30 2033.

When will then be now, lord helmet?

 

[Agent H]

And somehow TBA did, according to those TP surveys. It doesn't make any sense.

Hey. I don’t make the surveys.

 

[lentesta]

Taking any bets for charity that Disney won't follow through with Dinosaur to Indy.

I'll take that bet, Matt! You see my blog post yesterday?