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Jim Hill discusses Disney's Jungle Trek
- Thread starter krankenstein
- Start date
JEANYLASER
Well-Known Member
no deal for Disney Jungle Trek!
Here's what I can't figure out ...
If they are mad about losing customers to Discovery Cove, why doesn't Disney get a tank, fill it with water, and stick some dolphins in there so they can charge $300 like SeaWorld? As has been pointed out more than once, the attraction to Discovery Cove is not ziplines, paying outrageous prices, being able to do something without the riff-raff (average Disney family) around, etc. The attraction is swimming with dolphins. How, if you are Disney, do you go about building a competeing venue and not have "swimming with dolphins" as the centerpiece? It's mind boggling.
This park is going to be such a big disaster that it's going to make DCA look like a success. All I want to know from Jim Hill is the specific names of the imagineers and accountants who are pushing this park so I know specifically who to blame when the park (and it's attendance) is terrible.
Anything being spent on this idea is a colossal waste of resources and money that could be spent better in a thousand different ways.
Here's something I think is an relevant question that gets to the heart of the issue: You have a wife and a kid and $1,000 burning a hole in your pocket - are you getting annual passes for the whole family or spending 5 hours at Jungle Trek?
My proposed name:
If they are mad about losing customers to Discovery Cove, why doesn't Disney get a tank, fill it with water, and stick some dolphins in there so they can charge $300 like SeaWorld? As has been pointed out more than once, the attraction to Discovery Cove is not ziplines, paying outrageous prices, being able to do something without the riff-raff (average Disney family) around, etc. The attraction is swimming with dolphins. How, if you are Disney, do you go about building a competeing venue and not have "swimming with dolphins" as the centerpiece? It's mind boggling.
This park is going to be such a big disaster that it's going to make DCA look like a success. All I want to know from Jim Hill is the specific names of the imagineers and accountants who are pushing this park so I know specifically who to blame when the park (and it's attendance) is terrible.
Anything being spent on this idea is a colossal waste of resources and money that could be spent better in a thousand different ways.
Here's something I think is an relevant question that gets to the heart of the issue: You have a wife and a kid and $1,000 burning a hole in your pocket - are you getting annual passes for the whole family or spending 5 hours at Jungle Trek?
My proposed name:
markjohns1
Member
You don't have to copy an idea to compete with it. McDonald's competes with Rainforest Cafe at DTD, but they provide a completely different experience and go about attracting customers in completely different ways. And besides, dolphins are not the only thing that can attract guests to a premium experience. The limited attendance is a huge selling point for Discovery Cove (and the upcoming Jungle Trek). I think the reasoning has a whole lot less to do with Disney being mad that they're "losing" customers, or more to do with the idea of a niche park being a new revenue stream that may attract guests who may not come to WDW otherwise. Disney doesn't need to prevent guests from going to Discovery Cove. They need to entice the guests who go to Discovery Cove to come to Jungle Trek as well.
There's an audience for both. I personally would have no use for APs as I don't go down to WDW often enough. Like I pointed out before, the Richard Petty Experience is $400 for a three hour car trip. La Nouba can cost as much as $114 for a two hour show. Some people place value in these types of experiences that makes it worth it. I would not be surprised to see Jungle Trek do very well.
Speaking of price, it's interesting that you point out that swimming with dolphins is "the attraction" of Discovery Cove. The dolphin swim is only about 30 minutes. $269-$289 for a 30 minute swim seems quite pricey to me, but obviously there is an audience for it.
I remember first time I went (4 year ago), it wasn't all inclusive. and it I remember rightly it was pretty much the same price it cost us this year, which was all-inclusive... So it wasn't always the case.
But with this thinking I don't think this price is 'just' for a zip line etc.. If they like the format of Discovery Cove then it might be all or half inclusive, and even if not will likely have different things to do in addition to whatever the 'main' event is. Just like Discovery Cove's extra features. And they can do this without Dolphins.
It's natural to be skeptical about this, because its new. I hope they get it right, because with the right idea, and proper implementation it could be as much fun! But I want to see more of the plans! Now!
markjohns1
Member
I'm aware of that, I was just pointing that out because Krack indicated "the attraction to Discovery Cove is not ziplines, paying outrageous prices, being able to do something without the riff-raff (average Disney family) around, etc. The attraction is swimming with dolphins."
Personally I find Discovery Cove worth it, but it certainly is not inexpensive.
Exactly. It's odd that many almost seem to want Jungle Trek to fail. Personally, I hope they pull it off because not only will it be something new and different to do at WDW, but it will also be more money for WDW that can help fund other projects.
Soundstage'95CP
Member
Here's an idea for Jungle Trek for Disney that I noticed while watching some reporter tour China for the Olympics: Get some pandas in your new park and allow guests to hold them (like they do here: http://www.chinaculturecenter.org/tours/eventdetail.php?eventid=97). That would get me to easily shell out $300 per person for a quarter-day visit. But, it will take something truly that unique to get me to consider visiting a specialty park such as this.
Wow. I'd like to meet a Panda!
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
For $300 I expect not only to meet the panda but for it to ride a unicycle and juggle. Now THAT would amke me interested in going.
I'm surprised people aren't saying "Hey, for $50 less I can go to Miley's B-day party!"
I'm surprised people aren't saying "Hey, for $50 less I can go to Miley's B-day party!"
This is exactly the type of thing they need to provide as an attraction if they expect to make a $300 price point work.
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
The rumored speculation has been much closer interaction with Penguins and/or Hippos, as well as watching Hyenas and Lions interact/hunt at night. These may have been linked more to the Night Kingdom concept instead of Jungle Trek, but I would have to believe that an animal encounter of some sort would be included. I would also expect that encounter to approach, if not trump the dolphin encounter at Discovery Cove.
Edit:
BTW, the rates for this panda experience are about $150 for holding a baby panda, or $75 for having your picture taken with a panda over a year old (no touching).
coasterphil
Well-Known Member
Looking at the rumored interactions, they just don't sound like they'd stack up with what Discovery Cove has to offer. DC has the dolphin swim, an artificial reef for snorkeling with fish, a sting ray pool, and a walkthrough bird avairy, in addition to the very nice pool/river with a sandy beach. It basically brings the perfect tropical beach vacation to Central Florida, and includes SeaWorld admission for 7 days so you're getting more than just one day out of it.
Meanwhile, Disney is supposedly going to offer hippo feeding (not interested), bat caves (not interested and already in place at many zoos), zip lines (could be quite a bit of fun depending on how it turns out), and an elaborate stage show (something I can get at AK with Nemo). Plus you don't get to spend as much time in the park, and aren't getting admission to other theme parks like you would at Discovery Cove.
Going solely on the rumors, I'd say that Discovery Cove is clearly a more desirable experience and a better value for the money. Of course that'll depend on your interests in the activities each offer as personally I'd rather spend a hot Florida day around the water in a tropical oasis, then a few hours in the jungle but that may not be the case for everyone. My day at Discovery Cove was without a doubt the nicest experience I've ever had in a theme park and I really think Disney will have a hard time bettering what they've been able to do.
Meanwhile, Disney is supposedly going to offer hippo feeding (not interested), bat caves (not interested and already in place at many zoos), zip lines (could be quite a bit of fun depending on how it turns out), and an elaborate stage show (something I can get at AK with Nemo). Plus you don't get to spend as much time in the park, and aren't getting admission to other theme parks like you would at Discovery Cove.
Going solely on the rumors, I'd say that Discovery Cove is clearly a more desirable experience and a better value for the money. Of course that'll depend on your interests in the activities each offer as personally I'd rather spend a hot Florida day around the water in a tropical oasis, then a few hours in the jungle but that may not be the case for everyone. My day at Discovery Cove was without a doubt the nicest experience I've ever had in a theme park and I really think Disney will have a hard time bettering what they've been able to do.
I agree with that. So much fun and relaxing.
That's why Disney are interested in that kind of concept.
jdmdisney99
Well-Known Member
What ever happened to this?
It pretty much died when the economy tanked.
jdmdisney99
Well-Known Member
Ohhh okay. Thanks.
Patricia Melton
Well-Known Member
I shouldn't be surprised, but yet I am still shocked that they really allow people to touch the panda cubs.
Pandas are so endangered...and people carry all sorts of germs and bugs. It's stunning they would risk the life of a panda by putting it in contact with so many people like this.