Has WDW managed to be more secretive than USO?

[Progress.City]

"Assuming".

You have no clue the scope of either project.

I started all this thread by saying that we have no idea what Disney is doing. We have a general idea of what they are doing. If our insiders are correct, the unannounced projects are budgeted in the billions. Our insiders here claim the DHS project alone has a budget more than what was given for the DCA redo and that doesn't even include Star Wars Land! We also know that all the projects going into AK (including Avatar) add up to $800 million. We also know there's at least one unannounced project for EPCOT. Yes, I'm assuming, but my assumptions come from WDWMagic.com insiders, who I have the utmost confidence in!

 

[lazyboy97o]

Disney's cost control issues are a product of many things, but pace of construction is far down that list.

I'm not just talking about construction. I'm talking about the whole process from Blue Sky to opening day. Not just the very last little part.

 

[DManRightHere]

I'm not quite sure why people say Disney's doing nothing. Disney Springs and Avatar Land are currently in construction along with work elsewhere.

I guess people just feel this way because it is not somethigg huge every year. The past 4 years has been test track redo, new fantasy land, and circus (from my memory). I guess that is not terrible, but people think it is terrible.

 

[mergatroid]

I guess people just feel this way because it is not somethigg huge every year. The past 4 years has been test track redo, new fantasy land, and circus (from my memory). I guess that is not terrible, but people think it is terrible.

It's probably also Universal doing a lot at once which makes people think that Disney should be doing more.

 

[marni1971]

Until they stop doing the bare minimum, aim for the best again and stop allowing huge areas of the parks to stagnate, management will be criticised.

In essence things swung the wrong way so much they need to prove themselves again.

 

[Mike C]

I guess people just feel this way because it is not somethigg huge every year. The past 4 years has been test track redo, new fantasy land, and circus (from my memory). I guess that is not terrible, but people think it is terrible.

They've also removed more than that in the same timeframe (attractions, parade, and show wise)

Indecisive is having tons of complete designs sitting, rotting, and the whole Pleasure Island situation. And I think the PI/Hyperion Warf/Disney Springs is happening all over again with the "DHS Redo". It may be in guests favor, but odds are it is not. Also a victim of the indecisiveness results in the current state of Universe of Energy, Innoventions, and most of the Imagination pavilion.

 

[Mouse_Trap]

The frustrating thing now about Disney is the cold silence. I think they have cracked down on leaks. The DHS project and the Star Wars project, for example, should be so well along by now. Keep in mind, we knew that they were working on these things for years now! Not one leak? Not a single detail? These projects should be in advanced stages right now and all we hear are crickets. We know that there's more than crickets. They even showed us there were more than crickets even two years ago... Remember Orange Harvest?

Or perhaps there's nothing to leak, because nothing has been approved.

4 miles east, there's lots to leak because there has and is lots of things happening.

 

[Progress.City]

Or perhaps there's nothing to leak, because nothing has been approved.

4 miles east, there's lots to leak because there has and is lots of things happening.

They wouldn't have a budget and there would be nothing to work on if nothing was approved. Remember, two years ago at D23, they had nothing to announce but they hinted they were working on Star Wars attractions ("Orange Harvest") and even showed Imagineers on CAD/CAM systems doing engineering work on what looked very Star Wars-like. Plus, our insiders here said the DHS project is approved and got a budget of $1.(sonething) billion. Also, Iger has said he approved an expansion of WDW theme parks, but only said an announcement was coming later in the year and no details. So, the company is open that something is coming. Our insiders have leaked the budget, and that it will include Toy Story Playland as part of the near term aspect of it, but the project is to be spread over 5 years. Star Wars is being developed separately. We have no other details other than that, and ground breaking is imminent, as evidenced by all the attraction closings. Therefore, they have done a great job keeping it all under wraps. They must have installed a new policy/system to prevent leaks.

 

[Mouse_Trap]

They wouldn't have a budget and there would be nothing to work on if nothing was approved. Remember, two years ago at D23, they had nothing to announce but they hinted they were working on Star Wars attractions ("Orange Harvest") and even showed Imagineers on CAD/CAM systems doing engineering work on what looked very Star Wars-like. Plus, our insiders here said the DHS project is approved and got a budget of $1.(sonething) billion. Also, Iger has said he approved an expansion of WDW theme parks, but only said an announcement was coming later in the year and no details. So, the company is open that something is coming. Our insiders have leaked the budget, and that it will include Toy Story Playland as part of the near term aspect of it, but the project is to be spread over 5 years. Star Wars is being developed separately. We have no other details other than that, and ground breaking is imminent, as evidenced by all the attraction closings. Therefore, they have done a great job keeping it all under wraps. They must have installed a new policy/system to prevent leaks.

If they have done such a good job of keeping it all under wraps, how come you (and others) know so much about it?

I'm not saying there's nothing coming......I fully expect there is.
However, I can only go by what I see, and currently that is stagnation. Almost a decade of it, not since EE opened in Jan 2006 has a decent ride been built......maybe the 7DMT kiddie coaster comes close.

What do we have to look forward to that is currently under construction? A new shopping mall, a Snorin' clone and a boat ride....meanwhile a capacity increase for the existing Snorin' and the Toy Story Wii game. Whoopteedoo.

Perhaps we will see some ground broken this year, maybe it won't be until next year, or the year after.
Neither do I expect anything to open before 2020 based on their current form.

 

[mergatroid]

What do we have to look forward to that is currently under construction? A new shopping mall, a Snorin' clone and a boat ride....meanwhile a capacity increase for the existing Snorin' and the Toy Story Wii game. Whoopteedoo.

A bit harsh considering Avatar Land could and should be rather impressive going off the artwork. It would be as churlish as somebody claiming the new Kong ride at Universal was just a rehash of an old ride because they have no originality, almost certainly not true but easy to just throw out there.

 

[Progress.City]

If they have done such a good job of keeping it all under wraps, how come you (and others) know so much about it?

I'm not saying there's nothing coming......I fully expect there is.
However, I can only go by what I see, and currently that is stagnation. Almost a decade of it, not since EE opened in Jan 2006 has a decent ride been built......maybe the 7DMT kiddie coaster comes close.

What do we have to look forward to that is currently under construction? A new shopping mall, a Snorin' clone and a boat ride....meanwhile a capacity increase for the existing Snorin' and the Toy Story Wii game. Whoopteedoo.

Perhaps we will see some ground broken this year, maybe it won't be until next year, or the year after.
Neither do I expect anything to open before 2020 based on their current form.

We don't don't anything about it other than there's a big budget in the billions spread over several years. The frustrating thing is that we know nothing but it's a big nothing.

 

[DManRightHere]

If they have done such a good job of keeping it all under wraps, how come you (and others) know so much about it?

I'm not saying there's nothing coming......I fully expect there is.
However, I can only go by what I see, and currently that is stagnation. Almost a decade of it, not since EE opened in Jan 2006 has a decent ride been built......maybe the 7DMT kiddie coaster comes close.

What do we have to look forward to that is currently under construction? A new shopping mall, a Snorin' clone and a boat ride....meanwhile a capacity increase for the existing Snorin' and the Toy Story Wii game. Whoopteedoo.

Perhaps we will see some ground broken this year, maybe it won't be until next year, or the year after.
Neither do I expect anything to open before 2020 based on their current form.

Don't forget Avatar.

 

[Siren]

I'm not arguing about those things. I'm pointing out that those things are utterly irrelevant. Each resort is doing well for its parent company and the comparison between the two is nothing more than a distraction for bored fanboiis.

This argument reminds me of DC fanboiis who cheer for Marvel movies to fail just so they can feel superior. Who cares? If DC makes a movie you like, go see it. Marvel's box office has nothing to do with you.

I have never heard of DC fans cheering for Marvel movies to fail, that's so silly. I happen to like both Marvel and DC -- I like Marvel better than DC. But, Marvel's female characters are not the best, imo. I really like Black Widow but she really doesn't do anything all that spectacular.

I just wish Disney could buy DC -- Batman is way too dark. And, I *despise* the new Wonder Woman costume with a passion!

Ugh.... I just cannot bear to look at this ugly brown costume. Everything is freaking brown -- her hair, her eyes, her boots, even the sword looks brown. Oh, and that brown head piece that looks like a belt stuck to her forehead!

Wonder Woman wears red, white and blue with gold embellishment and stars that sparkle -- and a glistening crown/tiara and 'Bracelets of Submission' that shimmer & shine -- not dull brushed metal. And, last but not least that iconic golden lasso. The upcoming Wonder Woman movie scares me. With that said, I really like the skirt concept. /rant

This entire line of thinking is backwards. Disney CAN build quickly but they don't have to, so they don't. Universal isn't building quickly because they can, they're building quickly because they have to. People forget that Universal was in dangerous shape from a business perspective before Potter. The fire under their *** is from desparation (not so much any more, but when expansion started 5-10 years ago).

Put simply, crowds are going to Universal to experience the latest and greatest attraction. Crowds are going to Disney to experience classic attractions regardless of what year the last E-ticket was built. We can debate the implications of those facts, but facts they are.

Yes, Universal is moving faster than Disney but they're still miles behind in the metrics that matter: room nights and clicks. And they always will be just in the nature of the two properties.

ETA: Most importantly, neither business runs itself to be in competition with the other. Disney doesn't care how long it takes for Universal to build a new ride if Disney's pace works for Disney. Nobody is racing, so it's pretty stupid to make claims about somebody being faster than somebody else. Whoever said New Fantasyland was a response to Potter is completely ignorant of the facts on the subject.

I tend to agree with most of your post except the end part. I'll be the first to admit that I don't have the 'facts', as I wasn't part of the planning process, like you were.

All I know is there were plans announced for a Pixie Hollow meet and greet, then *after* Harry Potter opened -- Disney announced 7DMT, The Little Mermaid Ride, The Beauty and the Beast ride, Dumbo & Story Book Circus, etc. I believe that all of this was in *response* to Harry Potter!

 

[Disneyhead'71]

We know something is coming to DHS. We know of the rumored budget. We know some of the stuff rumored to be included. But I believe the slow down now is because of in fighting over who's/which projects will get funded. I don't believe much of anything has actually been green lit except for the overall budget. When it gets green lit, we will know, and what it is. Until then, it's not about secrecy, but indecision.

 

[marni1971]

^this.

 

[englanddg]

All I know is there were plans announced for a Pixie Hollow meet and greet, then *after* Harry Potter opened -- Disney announced 7DMT, The Little Mermaid Ride, The Beauty and the Beast ride, Dumbo & Story Book Circus, etc. I believe that all of this was in *response* to Harry Potter!

First, there is no BaaB "ride". There's a restaurant and a modified M&G/show experience.

Second, WWOHP was announced in 2007, NFL was hinted to around the same time. The Pooh Tree move was considered the "first major step", officially, and that happened in 2010. WWOHP didn't open until a year later.

NFL was NOT in response to WWOHP, even though many of us in the fan community would love to believe that. Disney is operating on a different schedule and with different concepts than Universal. They know that people still view WDW as the primary drive to visit central Florida. Even more so now than decades ago. People will peel off a day or two to see Uni, but it's still WDW they are coming to see, hands down.

Uni is improving their brand, and is dragging people back (I'm one of them), and their stuff is amazing...but...it isn't Disney. Not by a long shot.

And...Disney knows this. Some of that realization is good, some of it bad, but it is the case. The fact that Disney can't reskin a ride in less than 12 months, yet Uni can build a whole themed resort in the same time is evidence of that (among other things).

The frustration is that Disney is king, and seems to rely of the fact that it king, and as a result drags their feet.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

First, there is no BaaB "ride". There's a restaurant and a modified M&G/show experience.

Second, WWOHP was announced in 2007, NFL was hinted to around the same time. The Pooh Tree move was considered the "first major step", officially, and that happened in 2010. WWOHP didn't open until a year later.

NFL was NOT in response to WWOHP, even though many of us in the fan community would love to believe that. Disney is operating on a different schedule and with different concepts than Universal. They know that people still view WDW as the primary drive to visit central Florida. Even more so now than decades ago. People will peel off a day or two to see Uni, but it's still WDW they are coming to see, hands down.

Uni is improving their brand, and is dragging people back (I'm one of them), and their stuff is amazing...but...it isn't Disney. Not by a long shot.

And...Disney knows this. Some of that realization is good, some of it bad, but it is the case. The fact that Disney can't reskin a ride in less than 12 months, yet Uni can build a whole themed resort in the same time is evidence of that (among other things).

The frustration is that Disney is king, and seems to rely of the fact that it king, and as a result drags their feet.

Potter's influence can be felt in a lot of places in NFL.

 

[englanddg]

Potter's influence can be felt in a lot of places in NFL.

Such as?

 

[marni1971]

NFL was NOT in response to WWOHP

Spot on.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Such as?

The entrance to BOG is strickingly similar to the entrance to Hogwarts. As a matter of fact all of BOG's building is similar in concept to Hogwarts. And then there's this: