Is the golden age of WDW over?

[wannab@dis]

WannaB@Dis: This problem isn't cloning... Splash Mountain was "cloned" (though improved and rethemed -- yes, that was done ) in 1992...

...The problem lies in the continual limitation of the freedom of WDI. Theoretically, your idea works. But do you honestly think that when the "clones" were announced, the primary reason was to increase the budget of future WDI powers?

Simply put, WDI power and original concepts should not be downsized and downplayed as trade-offs, even though both original attractions and successful ones from other parks should be able to exist.

"Imagination works the best when it's set free."

"Business works the best when it makes money."

I hope the primary reason for any decision at TWDC is to increase the business. Saving money because of reduced imagineering costs and design costs save the company money. The more money that is saved is more potential profits. As the profits grow, so does investment back into the business.

 

[LaughingGravy]

Six Flags Great Adventure is by far the WORST park I have ever been to. I can't bring myself to go there.

I remember when it opened and we went as a family in its heyday, and I use the term loosely. My dad called it "Great Ripoff" then. Over the years, I gave it a few more chances, not to compare to Disney by any means, but to be a decent amusement park. I've been to all the parks on the East Coast, except either of the Busch Gardens or Cedar Point. They all are what they are, with the exception of Great Ripoff. It would take a sizable amount of cabbage paid to me to ever go there again. Even then, I'd leave asap.

Now for the flip side...back on topic.

Though I have my moments of dissatisfaction with some of what WDW has evolved into during the past 15 years or so, no other park or resort experience compares.
As I sit at my home computer in my little room at home I'm now looking at the following:
An old A-E ticket book (with all A-E tix) from '77, 2 WDW glass collections from Mickey D's, Polynesian Resort frosted Tiki glass goblet, matchbook covers from the resorts, books, Viewmaster reels, key chains, metal Mickey trays from WDW and DL that I picked up myself years ago on visits,and a few other things my brother was kind enough to pick up for me from the overseas parks.
Oh yeah, I have a respectable number of great T-Shirts that still fit
They're all from WDW or other Disney Parks. It's contained to one room of the house, and even then, not really over the top. I don't do that for any other vacation destination.
I've been lucky in life to go to Europe numerous times, traverse this great country of ours in a camper to see many of our Nat'l parks (most highly recommended if you can ever pull it off), and also have different vacation experiences besides. I've still not been to a non-US Disney park.

It's truly a fun hobby just to keep up with WDW and the other Disney parks, even if we don't often go.
Forums and websites like this put a kind of real time element to it which is very enjoyable.

Thank you all for being a part of it.

 

[General Grizz]

"Business works the best when it makes money."

I hope the primary reason for any decision at TWDC is to increase the business. Saving money because of reduced imagineering costs and design costs save the company money. The more money that is saved is more potential profits. As the profits grow, so does investment back into the business.

I don't wanna feel like a laid-off Imagineer reading that one. :lol:

Honestly, were' hoping for the same thing, and I sincerely hope that after this cut-back phase, budget will be moderately poured back in. As I described earlier, basic show elements are lacking, and guest experience are being affected by other cutbacks. There are many risks with long-term ramifications... but hopefully Disney will put these profits in the right places...

...i.e., if they cut back on replacing light bulbs now, will they use that extra money in the long term to replace light bulbs in the future? Or is it for short-term gain and bonuses?