jt04's Armchair Imagineering: Less is More

[jt04]

jt04's Armchair Imagineering: Less is More Edition

Now that I have the attention of the special few A.I.'s out there who frequent these parts....

...I have finally decided to post in this forum for two reasons. One, because I think it is fun as can be seen by the contest currently underway. Two, because I think this forum would be much more fun if more participated. So, I thought I would attempt to do my part.

So, what does the title mean? Quite simply, I intend to AI ways in which money can be saved so that all those other special ideas we have can be built. Fun, right?

Please feel free to jump in. Remember this thread should be about creatively trimming costs. The best ideas will make the guest experience better at the same time. Sarcasm and lame walmarting jokes are welcome. In moderation of course. :lookaroun

 

[jt04]

Pardon the Pixals. Armchair Imagineering in Progress

... Soon.

 

[jt04]

To clarify, a good example of what I'm talking about was automating the Living With the Land ride. While I know some say it is not an improvement, I sincerely believe the experience was enhanced and funds saved that can improve other areas or be used to build new attractions. I will be attempting to create at least one idea for every park and transportation.

*thinking*

 

[IWant2GoNow]

Something small to start... What about making a open-air stairwell (using short ramps back and forth instead of stairs) for Astro Orbiter. They can still keep the elevator and use it for the handicapped but at least it wouldn't be running constantly all day, all week, etc. etc.

Probably not the best idea, but I'm trying to get my cost-saving juices flowing.

 

[Chrononymous]

Weeeellllll....

My first thought is that they ought to close JIYI, and use the money that they save in operating costs to make a better ending to SSE. Heck, just remove some of the lighting effects from one and deposit them in the other!

And then...while they are at it, close SGE, and use the saved operating costs to add some better weapons to Buzz Lightyear...

or maybe put some of the useless AA's of Stitch in Buzz, and give us sonmething new to shoot at!

 

[jt04]

First things first

Something small to start... What about making a open-air stairwell (using short ramps back and forth instead of stairs) for Astro Orbiter. They can still keep the elevator and use it for the handicapped but at least it wouldn't be running constantly all day, all week, etc. etc.

Probably not the best idea, but I'm trying to get my cost-saving juices flowing.

This is exactly the type of idea I'm looking for. This thread won't be for the timid, as I expect folks to try to pick most ideas apart. But you definitely have grasped the idea. I think you are on a good foundation here. Keep going, there is gold to be mined.

Weeeellllll....

My first thought is that they ought to close JIYI, and use the money that they save in operating costs to make a better ending to SSE. Heck, just remove some of the lighting effects from one and deposit them in the other!

And then...while they are at it, close SGE, and use the saved operating costs to add some better weapons to Buzz Lightyear...

or maybe put some of the useless AA's of Stitch in Buzz, and give us sonmething new to shoot at!

Agreed with you in spirit but what happens to Stitch and JIYI. The ultimate goal is to cut costs but ultimately make things better. Of course, it could be argued just closing Stitch does make things better. :lol:

I'm going to start with transportation. If there is one thing I would enjoy seeing at WDW more than waffles it is parking garages! I have ideas. Tomorrow I start the reimagining. And the foundation of it all is the simple and humble parking garage.

 

[Disneyson 1]

I find this one of the most hilarious posts I've ever seen on the Imagineering boards...

They could always reuse the queue of Star TOurs for when Star Tours 2 rolls along, so all they'd have to spend money on is a change to the actual motion cabins. Plus, I don't want my hair lady to go... did anyone know that the hair lady ALSO voices Mama Odie? It's crazy, I tells ya.

 

[mickeyfan5534]

This is exactly the type of idea I'm looking for. This thread won't be for the timid, as I expect folks to try to pick most ideas apart. But you definitely have grasped the idea. I think you are on a good foundation here. Keep going, there is gold to be mined.



Agreed with you in spirit but what happens to Stitch and JIYI. The ultimate goal is to cut costs but ultimately make things better. Of course, it could be argued just closing Stitch does make things better. :lol:

I'm going to start with transportation. If there is one thing I would enjoy seeing at WDW more than waffles it is parking garages! I have ideas. Tomorrow I start the reimagining. And the foundation of it all is the simple and humble parking garage.

WHY DOES EVERYONE NOT LIKE STITCH! I mean, sure the attraction isn't that good but still, the alien experiment is cute and fluffy. That counts for somthing right?

 

[jt04]

WHY DOES EVERYONE NOT LIKE STITCH! I mean, sure the attraction isn't that good but still, the alien experiment is cute and fluffy. That counts for somthing right?

Not sure. I think most people miss AE but to me the blue dude just does not deserve an attraction. WALL-E would be great. Stitch is just a little too "Hannah Barbarra" for me. You know kind of Yogi-esque or even on par with Boo Boo. :lol:

OK, the reason I am starting with reworking parking to cut costs and enhance the guest experience is because I am a major fan of Universal's parking scheme. It makes Disney's configurations look pre-historic. So, I will start with this. Of course it is just the starting point for my plan to reimagine everything about WDW which I will describe here in the days, weeks, months to come. Since there is no news we have to have something to discuss. And that is the whole idea. It will be good. Don't doubt me.

 

[Victoria]

I agree that parking garages would be a great place to start. Less trams running all over the place. That would save money on fuel and maintenance. I feel like another area in need of an upgrade is the turnstiles. Something as simple as having a dedicated Passholder entrance with maybe just one or two CMs working it could make a difference. It would get the APers who generally know how to operate a ticket and a turnstile out of the main line.

 

[mickeyfan5534]

Not sure. I think most people miss AE but to me the blue dude just does not deserve an attraction. WALL-E would be great. Stitch is just a little too "Hannah Barbarra" for me. You know kind of Yogi-esque or even on par with Boo Boo. :lol:

OK, the reason I am starting with reworking parking to cut costs and enhance the guest experience is because I am a major fan of Universal's parking scheme. It makes Disney's configurations look pre-historic. So, I will start with this. Of course it is just the starting point for my plan to reimagine everything about WDW which I will describe here in the days, weeks, months to come. Since there is no news we have to have something to discuss. And that is the whole idea. It will be good. Don't doubt me.

Well still, he's my favorite MODERN Disney character, plus look at Tokyo Disneyland at the moment, there's a Stitch show at night for their summer event and he's had a parade entriely deitcated to him from 06 to 07. They love him there.

 

[jt04]

I agree that parking garages would be a great place to start. Less trams running all over the place. That would save money on fuel and maintenance. I feel like another area in need of an upgrade is the turnstiles. Something as simple as having a dedicated Passholder entrance with maybe just one or two CMs working it could make a difference. It would get the APers who generally know how to operate a ticket and a turnstile out of the main line.

You are reading my mind! :lookaroun I was even contemplating the turnstyle thing for passholders. Freaky!

Just want to add, my "goal" isn't to eliminate jobs, in the long run it is all aimed at creating a much bigger/bolder WDW with many more employess. Just wanted to add that disclaimer before I get hate IM's....:lookaroun...if I accepted IM's :lookaroun:lol:

Well still, he's my favorite MODERN Disney character, plus look at Tokyo Disneyland at the moment, there's a Stitch show at night for their summer event and he's had a parade entriely deitcated to him from 06 to 07. They love him there.

Good, lets send them all the Stitch stuff.

 

[Victoria]

You are reading my mind! :lookaroun I was even contemplating the turnstyle thing for passholders. Freaky!

Just want to add, my "goal" isn't to eliminate jobs, in the long run it is all aimed at creating a much bigger/bolder WDW with many more employess. Just wanted to add that disclaimer before I get hate IM's....:lookaroun...if I accepted IM's :lookaroun:lol:



Good, lets send them all the Stitch stuff.

When I was trying to think of ideas I was trying to be cautious about eliminating jobs. Automated QS ordering came to mind but that would leave tons of CMs without a position. Obviously a few CMs would still need to assist the technologically un-inclined with ordering, but I am wondering how the remaining CMs could be re-purposed.

 

[FigmentJedi]

I think it's a testament to how terrible Great Escape is that it's made people hate Stitch this damn much, despite the movie being the last really really good thing before Eisner's rampage ravaged the animation studios.

 

[jt04]

When I was trying to think of ideas I was trying to be cautious about eliminating jobs. Automated QS ordering came to mind but that would leave tons of CMs without a position. Obviously a few CMs would still need to assist the technologically un-inclined with ordering, but I am wondering how the remaining CMs could be re-purposed.

The way I'm approaching this is that any displaced CM's would be easily assigned to new jobs, at least in the mid to long term. Of course any short term losses would more than be made up for with new construction jobs.

 

[jt04]

It begins.....

As I mentioned, I think the Universal Orlando parking complex and people mover system is briliant.. It moves thousands an hour very efficiently. Parking garages are not cheap but they last forever, never need repaving (just occasional steam cleaning) and can actually be revenue generators. In addition, I think Disney could design garages that save on overall operating, maintenance and security costs. Also, they can greatly enhance the guest experience as I will detail. I will start with the MK resorts and parking and their difficult and obsolete parking and transportation complexities. I believe the problems could be solved with three garages each different in form and function. These will bring other benefits not immediately apparent but which I will detail over time.


First up, a garage for on-site guests and premium pass holders. But that will be in the next installment...

 

[JungleTrekFan]

Automated QS ordering came to mind but that would leave tons of CMs without a position. Obviously a few CMs would still need to assist the technologically un-inclined with ordering, but I am wondering how the remaining CMs could be re-purposed.

They use 1/2 automated ordering and 1/2 cashiers at Pecos Bill, in Frontierland. I think it works well because the automated machines only take credit card, making it very quick and easy. While people who want to pay in cash or exact change, or are afraid/unsure how to use the computers, have to go to a person.


My idea would be to put motion sensors in very low trafficed areas, so when there is someone there the light would turn on and when theres not, the lights would be off. I think this could work best in the hotel hallways.

Also they could use light sensors, like on most streetlights, for areas with windows that already let in a lot of light in during the day, like behind the Fountain View Cafe and the character M&G. There really is no need for those lights to be on all day.

 

[jt04]

They use 1/2 automated ordering and 1/2 cashiers at Pecos Bill, in Frontierland. I think it works well because the automated machines only take credit card, making it very quick and easy. While people who want to pay in cash or exact change, or are afraid/unsure how to use the computers, have to go to a person.


My idea would be to put motion sensors in very low trafficed areas, so when there is someone there the light would turn on and when theres not, the lights would be off. I think this could work best in the hotel hallways.

Also they could use light sensors, like on most streetlights, for areas with windows that already let in a lot of light in during the day, like behind the Fountain View Cafe and the character M&G. There really is no need for those lights to be on all day.

I used the screens at the Poly when they were first installed. Very nice system with tons of potential for the future.

Skies the limit for lighting technology. Not just savings by using lower wattage devices but even more savings in reduced maintenance costs. Gold mine.

 

[jt04]

As I mentioned, I think the Universal Orlando parking complex and people mover system is briliant.. It moves thousands an hour very efficiently. Parking garages are not cheap but they last forever, never need repaving (just occasional steam cleaning) and can actually be revenue generators. In addition, I think Disney could design garages that save on overall operating, maintenance and security costs. Also, they can greatly enhance the guest experience as I will detail. I will start with the MK resorts and parking and their difficult and obsolete parking and transportation complexities. I believe the problems could be solved with three garages each different in form and function. These will bring other benefits not immediately apparent but which I will detail over time.


First up, a garage for on-site guests and premium pass holders. But that will be in the next installment...

I had a bit of an epiphany. I realized the new consolidated kennel should be opening soon which will mean the TTC facility will likely be closing. Which means I need to take my slide rule and abacus and return to the drafting table. But I will retrurn soon.

I'm just wondering though if Disney is building the new pet care facility at least partly because they intend to reimagine the TTC and parking. Because removing the existing facility really does create possibilities. Hmmmmm... :lookaroun

 

[RandySavage]

Some of my suggestions involve cutting jobs (but as you mentioned, the money saved could be used for physical expansion in the parks (new rides/lands) where new jobs could be created).

First, I would cut live guides at Great Movie Ride, Jungle Cruise, Kilimanjaro Safari.

This might sound like blasphemy but hear me out. A great live guide in an attraction can often enhance the experience, BUT a great live CM guide is a very rare thing (maybe 1 out of 40 are actually great. Most are "decent" to "middling" to "weak" and detract from the attraction, at least in my experience).

GMR: Use the voice that says "You are aboard the Spaceship Nostromo" to narrate the entire ride and rework the scenes that involved the switcheroo (giving the attraction a much-needed freshening up).

Jungle Cruise: The guide's bad humor has become the ride's staple, yet it becomes tired after a while and breaks "the third wall" by mocking the theme park experience (Universal-style). I would convert Jungle Cruise to a humorous, River Queen-like adventure with a pre-recorded, non-self-aware, spiel along the lines of Pirates & HM, freshening up a decades old ride.

Kili Safaris: I find that the best part of the ride is when you are traveling through elephant country just listening to the African music on the radio and not the guide talk about Big Red & Little Red. A voice-over airborne ranger (perhaps more understandable than Wilson) could make comments about the various animal along the way, but most of the time, the guest experiences the savanna without listening to a moment-by-moment tour guide. The vehicle would still require a driver, so perhaps he/she could ID a few animals along the way (but much, much less narration). So I suppose it wouldn't eliminate the cost, after all.

***

A smart, automated monorail expansion (see Dubai Metro) would involve huge upfront costs, but could be a long-term money-saver in terms of fuel prices, man-power required, vehicles (buses), traffic and guest experience.