Haunted Mansion Expansion

[spectrodanny]

I thought Phil Holmes was the only manager who hated HMH?

 

[Master Yoda]

I thought Phil Holmes was the only manager who hated HMH?

As a general rule most WDW management seems to be against them because they feel there will be no return on investment. They feel why should we spend X unless they are all but guaranteed to make X back plus some. As has been pointed out by several people in this thread they simply are not willing to take risks anymore.

 

[NMBC1993]

As a general rule most WDW management seems to be against them because they feel there will be no return on investment. They feel why should we spend X unless they are all but guaranteed to make X back plus some. As has been pointed out by several people in this thread they simply are not willing to take risks anymore.

"And that is why you fail":hammer:

 

[SirGoofy]

"And that is why you fail":hammer:

*Takes some of pixie dust*

What are you talking about!? Everything is great!:brick:

 

[marcriss]

Nightmare stopped being obscure when Disney decided to release it to 3-D theatres every Halloween, sell Nightmare merch at Disney Store year round (with extra stuff at Halloween and Christmas), turn Villains in Vogue and Madame Leota's Cart into Nightmare centra,l sell Jack Skellington ears, make big parade floats in China based off the movie, etc.

I guess if your 40+ it's obscure, but the characters are everywhere and young people are very familiar with them. I don't buy that argument for a second.

I also don't buy the "Disney conducted research" that says it would ruin vactions. It's the same kind of research that tells Disney nobody wants bonus features on thier DVDs. It's conducted to please penny pinchers not interested in the yearly investment.

HMH would be a hit, no quesion about it in my mind. As would other holiday overlays be, but why bother when you can just keep the money for yourselves?

Thank you!!!! I'm shocked that so many people are ignorant of the popularity of NBC. Yes, it was a cult classic for many years. But in the last 6 years or so it's exploded and become mainstream. And it's not just kids, because they can't afford all of the high end collectible merchandise (which doesn't linger). I personally liked it when there wasn't soooo much stuff, but we've been huge fans for years. I know a lot of people who go out to DL just for the HMH, and they aren't locals.

I understand people griping about not wanting it at WDW, but I'd personally love to see it.

 

[NMBC1993]

Thank you!!!! I'm shocked that so many people are ignorant of the popularity of NBC. Yes, it was a cult classic for many years. But in the last 6 years or so it's exploded and become mainstream. And it's not just kids, because they can't afford all of the high end collectible merchandise (which doesn't linger). I personally liked it when there wasn't soooo much stuff, but we've been huge fans for years. I know a lot of people who go out to DL just for the HMH, and they aren't locals.

I understand people griping about not wanting it at WDW, but I'd personally love to see it.

same here! I've been to Disneyland to see HMH twice already and I really think it helps not only bring in people but keep it looking fresh and new. I mean you didn't hear people saying "OMG a Christmas version of CBJ!!?? I've only been to WDW once and this ruined my experience!" I also like how they made the whole area sort of Halloween/Christmas themed. One of my best memories was sitting outside French Market enjoying my Chicken/Ribs meal in my Zero dog dish while watching the people go by.

 

[WDW1974]

Please don't look up to these "decision makers" who have no opinions of their own other than those that are self-serving. There used to be such a thing as common sense and there used to be what was called, "entrepreneurship," in American business. Sadly, those traits have been replaced with skewed marketing surveys and methods supposedly designed to eliminate as much risk as possible. We see this in American business across the board, not just at Disney.

Yup. And that's the sad thing. Disney always did things its own way ... not because it didn't want to make money, but because it always knew by trying to do the impossible ... by giving people things they didn't even know they wanted ... by pushing the limits of whatever creative medium they were working ... that the money would pour in ... and it did.

But anyone working at Disney can tell you how in the mid-90s that changed fundamentally when all the chic outside consultants and MBAs came in and decided to break the formula and make Disney just another lean and mean corporation (albeit one that still talked the talk, it just didn't always walk the walk).

Back to the point at hand. The survey questions are misleading and usually result in skewed outcomes. The erroneous results may not always be purposeful. For example, someone may ask me if I liked or disliked Soarin'. Given the choice between like or dislike I suppose I'd have to say I liked it. I mean things I dislike are brussel sprouts, boring lectures, going shopping for shoes with my wife etc. Now given the choice between those activities and riding Soarin' I'd have to pick Soarin' hands down. The problem is in how the question is phrased. If it were constructed something like, "would you prefer Soarin' to have been a dark ride wherein your inverted ride vehcile would take off and fly over elaborate sets before the finale dome projection sequence that would have been similar to the current cutback version with digital projection to eliminate the terrible film quality, or do you think you'd like the current version better," I believe the results of the survey would be quite different.

Disney's surveys were always skewed. Disney never really surveyed much at all, but about a decade ago their research department exploded in size. That's when you started seeing Reserach CMs at all the parks constantly asking questions.

You could tell by watching who they were interviewing that they were setting out most times to get a traditional, nuclear family (mom, dad, two brats). When I would go to parks as a single male the only times I ever got stopped was to ask my zip code and what kind of ticket I was using. None of the serious stuff.

I remember in 2004 being with a female friend and we were stopped on Hollywood Blvd for a more indepth survey. We answered honestly, but wanted to give feedback ripping the BAH Pin Shack and while the CM appreciated the fact we thought it was hiddeous, there was no way to get that into the 'magical survey.'

Your example above is typical of their surveys.

Management starts with a conclusion and then works back to try and get the numbers to justify it.

That's why you'll never get asked things like 'Would you rather see shows with live entertainers or foamheads' ... instead you'll get asked 'How magical is character interaction to you and your children?

Disney doesn't care what its visitors have to say. And the only way they ever will is either a change in management that brings vision back into the equation or if people stop showing up at its parks. Neither is very likely.

Anyway, I hope you see what I'm saying regarding these MBA decision makers that have very little real-world common sense and rely completely on book knowledge or are just acting out of self preservation.

I doubt you'll get through. I have never seen so many folks willing to justify the dumbing down of a product they enjoy.

I could get all philosophical and explain how religion and politics in this country push people into a dimwitted belief that those who attain a certain level of stature, power, wealth etc ... do so because they truly are better and smarter than anyone else. They have to know more than the rest of you rubes or else you'd be running AIG, Citi ... or at least be in charge of Fantasyland attractions!

But anyone who truly believes that the best and the brighest rise to the top whether on Wall Street, Capital Hill or Team Disney really needs a serious reality check.

~Almost done~

 

[WDW1974]

Thank you!!!! I'm shocked that so many people are ignorant of the popularity of NBC. Yes, it was a cult classic for many years. But in the last 6 years or so it's exploded and become mainstream. And it's not just kids, because they can't afford all of the high end collectible merchandise (which doesn't linger). I personally liked it when there wasn't soooo much stuff, but we've been huge fans for years. I know a lot of people who go out to DL just for the HMH, and they aren't locals.

I understand people griping about not wanting it at WDW, but I'd personally love to see it.

You know what? Whether people are even aware of NBC (a great film anyway) isn't the point at all ... or shouldn't be.

It's the quality of the attraction that matters. Mansion doesn't have ANY story despite the way Imagineers and fanbois have tried to create one after the fact. But it's a great attraction because it works on its own.

Look at Splash Mountain. You gotta be pretty old to have any clue about Song of the South with the way Disney has tried to bury it. I saw it once when I was about 5-6 in less politically-correct times. Still, the attraction is wildly popular in three MKs.

Most first-timers visiting Mansion will be blown away whether it's the 'classic' version or the Holiday one.

This is just a ridiculous debate that comes up on fan sites ... and it is koot because Disney ain't bringing it to O-Town.

~What Is This?~

 

[EpcotServo]

Do you like Haunted Mansion?

Well...yes.

Do you like Haunted Mansion...closed?

Ummm...I guess not?

Thank you for your time!

:lol:

 

[SirGoofy]

Do you like Haunted Mansion?

Well...yes.

Do you like Haunted Mansion...closed?

Ummm...I guess not?

Thank you for your time!

:lol:

You'd be surprised.

One time I was headed to break, and saw a family that had just got off my boat getting surveyed about the JC. I went up behind them and joked, "He was the best skipper ever!"

The family laughed, but the researched looked at me with the most evil eyes I have ever seen.

In short WDW research scares me.:lookaroun

 

[Main Street USA]

Pardon me for asking for your 'logic' but how exactly does adding Mansion Holiday (and all that new merchandise) go against the idea of making money?

~and please, no insipid 'people will cancel trips.'~

Well, it costs them money to add it, and it won't bring in any more guests.

They still need to make money, whether you like it or not. It brings in locals in Disneyland, but that has nothing to do with WDW. Again, this whole discussion is a waste of time. It's not coming to WDW. Get used to it.

~ That's pretty simple 'logic.' ~

 

[SirGoofy]

Well, it costs them money to add it, and it won't bring in any more guests. That's pretty simple logic.

And you know this...how?

 

[Animaniac93-98]

And you know this...how?

It's probably the same logic as "guests still enjoy our afternoon parade so why change it after 8 years?"

~Listen now, you don't understand, that's not the point of Christmasland~

Edit: They even show off HMH on the re-issued DVD and Blu-ray of the movie.

 

[SirGoofy]

It's probably the same logic as "guests still enjoy our afternoon parade so why change it after 8 years?"

~Listen now, you don't understand, that's not the point of Christmasland~

Edit: They even show off HMH on the re-issued DVD and Blu-ray of the movie.

Looks like I have some DVD shopping to do.

And stop complaining about management! Everything is perfect!

 

[Rosso11]

Well, it costs them money to add it, and it won't bring in any more guests.

How can you say that. I have flown to Disneyland from New York on a few separate occasions just because of the Holiday overlay. If it was in DW I would definitely be there every holiday season. Dinsneyland gets a lot of extra business around the holidays, specifically because of the overlay. Why would Disney World not?

 

[SirGoofy]

How can you say that. I have flown to Disneyland from New York on a few separate occasions just because of the Holiday overlay. If it was in DW I would definitely be there every holiday season. Dinsneyland gets a lot of extra business around the holidays, specifically because of the overlay. Why would Disney World not?

Because the focus groups say so!

Kneel before focus groups!

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Looks like I have some DVD shopping to do.

And stop complaining about management! Everything is perfect!

It's a damn fine featurette too (like 45 min long). Lots of things you can learn from it. And don't waste your money on DVD, Blu-ray is the proper way to appreciate the details in the sets and textures of the puppets and their clothing. Leaps and bounds better over the old non-anamorphic DVD.

Yes everything is perfect with management now that Phils set them straight!:

*Imagineers and management discuss overlay*

Imagineer: What a splendid idea this Christmas sounds fun, I fully endorse it, let's try it at once!

Phil Holmes: Everyone please now not so fast. There's something near that you don't quite grasp.

*Imagineers and managers murmur with confusion*

And the best, I must confess, I have saved for the last, for the price tag of this overlay...

 

[EpcotServo]

In short WDW research scares me.:lookaroun

:lol:


And you're right Main Street.

It's never coming to WDW.





















All the more reason to gripe about it.

 

[wdwfan100]

How can you say that. I have flown to Disneyland from New York on a few separate occasions just because of the Holiday overlay. If it was in DW I would definitely be there every holiday season. Dinsneyland gets a lot of extra business around the holidays, specifically because of the overlay. Why would Disney World not?

I am not sure, other than the possibilitty that more people would want it to stay the way it is. It is conceivable that it is a minority of people that want the HMH. I fall in that camp. I have seen HMH and I prefer the HM sans Holiday overlay.

 

[NMBC1993]

It's a damn fine featurette too (like 45 min long). Lots of things you can learn from it. And don't waste your money on DVD, Blu-ray is the proper way to appreciate the details in the sets and textures of the puppets and their clothing. Leaps and bounds better over the old non-anamorphic DVD.

Yes everything is perfect with management now that Phils set them straight!:

*Imagineers and management discuss overlay*

Imagineer: What a splendid idea this Christmas sounds fun, I fully endorse it, let's try it at once!

Phil Holmes: Everyone please now not so fast. There's something near that you don't quite grasp.

*Imagineers and managers murmur with confusion*

And the best, I must confess, I have saved for the last, for the price tag of this overlay...

That Was Brilliant!:sohappy: