Idle Chat: Why has Apple not sponsored a ride?

[stewdog1]

It surprises me that with Steve Jobs being on the board of Disney that Apple doesn't sponsor any of the rides at WDW. I would think that Iger would be all over that. But maybe they have approached Apple, and they've refused for all we know.

One would think that Apple would jump at the chance to do so, considering their very healthy business model and profits. It's almost a shame that Siemens has SSE. Apple would be perfect there, what with the Woz being depicted in his garage.

Heck, even a brand new attraction sponsored by Apple in FW would be awesome.

Your thoughts?

 

[lebeau]

Wouldn't "idle chat" by its very nature fit under the category of general discussion? :shrug:

 

[irmonkey]

Or at least an official app for the iPhone with wait times, fast pass returns, bathroom locations, etc. One step further would be able to do the Kim Possible Adventure over your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad...

 

[wdwmagic]

DIsney signed a huge deal with HP/Compaq a few years back for back end systems and in park promotion. I would suspect there could be some kind of exclusive arrangement there.

I agree though, Apple+Disney would be a great match.

 

[CaptainWinter]

It surprises me that with Steve Jobs being on the board of Disney that Apple doesn't sponsor any of the rides at WDW. I would think that Iger would be all over that.

Your thoughts?

I'm all for it! I think Apple would be a natural match for WDW and they would be a terrific attraction sponsor. I've often thought that Apple's approach to their products is, in spirit, like Disney's.

If Kodak were to give up their sponsorship of Imagination, for example, Apple could take over that (and give its dark ride and exhibition space sorely-needed improvements).

There's also the empty Wonders or Life structure standing, just begging to be occupied by something. I've wondered if Apple could create a pavilion on a computer theme -- you know, something like "Wonders of Computation", but not so lame. Something to do with information technology, computer graphics, robotics etc.

 

[fosse76]

It surprises me that with Steve Jobs being on the board of Disney that Apple doesn't sponsor any of the rides at WDW. I would think that Iger would be all over that. But maybe they have approached Apple, and they've refused for all we know.

One would think that Apple would jump at the chance to do so, considering their very healthy business model and profits. It's almost a shame that Siemens has SSE. Apple would be perfect there, what with the Woz being depicted in his garage.

Heck, even a brand new attraction sponsored by Apple in FW would be awesome.

Your thoughts?

Disney doesn't build new attractions...they recycle old, outdated ones (see Captain Eo, Main Street Electrical Parade). Corporations use sponsorships as a marketing tool. Disney uses sponsorships to make money off of something they didn't pay for. Apple doesn't need the marketing exposure to justify the large expense.

 

[tampabrad]

Apple probably doesn't want to spend the money that Disney wants for advertising it doesn't need.

A computer pavilion would have to be updated at least every year as technology changes so quickly any more.

Apply probably looks at the attractions and can easily see how outdated they are. They probably don't want their name associated with being outdated or nostalgic.

They can't really showcase "unanounced" products. Their competition would jump at the chance to copy it.

 

[Future Guy]

I can't imagine why Steve Jobs would spend money on an attraction sponsorship. He's a businessman, not a philanthropist. People already fall all over themselves to buy whatever new gizmo he demos at trade shows. He can be just as arrogant and dismissive as he wants, and people still love his company with an almost religious fervor.

Apple doesn't need the image boost an attraction sponsorship could bring. They certainly don't need to increase their brand awareness. So what's the upside for them?

 

[Xethis]

A Disney vacation already costs enough without Apple being involved, lol.

My wife is a Mac addict. I've bought her an iPod, an iMac, an iPhone (x2) and now an iPad and suddenly . . . . iBroke!

Seriously though, I'd love to see some sort of integration of Apple into Epcot, maybe along the graphic design/creative lines.

 

[CaptainWinter]

I can't imagine why Steve Jobs would spend money on an attraction sponsorship. He's a businessman, not a philanthropist. People already fall all over themselves to buy whatever new gizmo he demos at trade shows. He can be just as arrogant and dismissive as he wants, and people still love his company with an almost religious fervor.

Apple doesn't need the image boost an attraction sponsorship could bring. They certainly don't need to increase their brand awareness. So what's the upside for them?

You may be right, but I'm not sure it's safe to say they don't need more brand awareness. Kodak and GM are well-established brands too, and they seem to find it worthwhile to sponsor. Certainly these brands are as well-known as Apple, or more so.

 

[Krack]

Apple would have made perfect sense as the sponsor of the communications pavilion. They'd also make reasonable sense as the future sponsor of the imagination pavilion.

As an aside, does anyone know if they still even consider SSE the "communications" pavilion or have they just completely dispensed with the notion that the individual pavilions have focus?

 

[stewdog1]

You may be right, but I'm not sure it's safe to say they don't need more brand awareness. Kodak and GM are well-established brands too, and they seem to find it worthwhile to sponsor. Certainly these brands are as well-known as Apple, or more so.

Same goes for Coke.

 

[Grizzly Hall 71]

I can see it now:
Great Moments with Steve Jobs on Main Street

Jk jk

But yeah they should team up. The real question is, what would the attraction be about. Everyone has a computer or iPod now. What would the attraction be about?

 

[dsollie]

I can see it now:
Great Moments with Steve Jobs on Main Street

Jk jk

But yeah they should team up. The real question is, what would the attraction be about. Everyone has a computer or iPod now. What would the attraction be about?

The attraction would simply be about how great the next new attraction would be, and how smart you are for choosing said attraction, and that concept could go on forever...:ROFLOL:

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Didn't Apple do something with the Disney store to make a new protype interactive based store awhile back?

 

[mp2bill]

DIsney signed a huge deal with HP/Compaq a few years back for back end systems and in park promotion. I would suspect there could be some kind of exclusive arrangement there.

I agree though, Apple+Disney would be a great match.

Hmmmmm, I did not know that. That's probably the case.

 

[Vtlsgns2]

Or at least an official app for the iPhone with wait times, fast pass returns, bathroom locations, etc. One step further would be able to do the Kim Possible Adventure over your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad...

There is an app called 'Lines' that has wait times according to the park and according to park goers who submit wait times. The app also has the 10 day crowd forecast and a chat room.

 

[misterID]

DIsney signed a huge deal with HP/Compaq a few years back for back end systems and in park promotion. I would suspect there could be some kind of exclusive arrangement there.

I agree though, Apple+Disney would be a great match.

Would that contract run out in a certain number of years? I could see where it would be hugely attractive to Jobs. Like Eddie said, Apple is kind of the new Disney. It'd be great to see what would happen to FW if they ever did take over sponsership.

That's it, Jobs needs to run EPCOT. And he could take all the money he wants from me

...but Space Ship Earth would probably only work if you sat in the vehicle in a certain position and never looked left.

 

[Mickey is King]

I'll get hung for this one.........

1: Apple is way to CHEAP to front up some cash for the park(s), yes, cheap... They charge a gold mine for their stuff, add on software is almost always a cost as well, they don't "share" with anyone.

2: apple in FW WOULD BE AWESOME!!! They have all the coolest stuff, but they are too cheap. (cheap meaning waaayyy to expensive)

Remember when Steve J. was more or less at his customers over the new Iphone a couple of weeks ago? Making it sound like, poor Apple, we have been working to fix the prob. night and day, be a little more grateful you silly customers, I know we put it out before it was ready, but that's your fault Mr./Mrs. Customer...........


Don't get me wrong Apple is a great company, just a little high horse sydrome I think.

 

[Mickey is King]

It surprises me that with Steve Jobs being on the board of Disney that Apple doesn't sponsor any of the rides at WDW. I would think that Iger would be all over that. But maybe they have approached Apple, and they've refused for all we know.

One would think that Apple would jump at the chance to do so, considering their very healthy business model and profits. It's almost a shame that Siemens has SSE. Apple would be perfect there, what with the Woz being depicted in his garage.

Heck, even a brand new attraction sponsored by Apple in FW would be awesome.

Your thoughts?

Maybe with Jobs on the board this is why the overall quality of WDW is going downward as so many have stated here. CHEAP!!!!!!!!Just like Apple Inc.:hurl: