Just a thought on Epcot's 25th...

[Connor002]

but before now, none of WDW's other parks had had any anniversary worth mentioning, unless somthing else was already being celebrated

not including before disney began it's fixation of having somthing to celebrate and market every year

 

[Number_6]

but the anniversary campaigns have never been for 1 park (even when MK was 10 years old...and the only park at WDW)......it has ALWAYS been advertised as the XXth anniversary of "Walt Disney World"

But that's because the entire property has always been called "Walt Disney World." That's part of the reason there are people that still think that Magic Kingdom is WDW and everything else is just everything else. The dedication plaque in Magic Kingdom says "Walt Disney World." So if on the 20th anniversary, they said it was the anniversary of the Magic Kingdom, that would be selling the property short. I think they might just do a celebration, or at least something special, for the 25th anniversary of Epcot. Just because the original idea behind it partly embraced the future and partly embraced the idea that all nations can exist in a state of friendship. It could be a "global" celebration and could really draw a good crowd if handled right.

 

[speck76]

but before now, none of WDW's other parks had had any anniversary worth mentioning, unless somthing else was already being celebrated

not including before disney began it's fixation of having somthing to celebrate and market every year

WDW has almost always, since the opening, had some type of yearly celebration.

an anniversary celebration has NEVER followed an anniversary celebration.......they are not "different" in the eyes on the general tourist....nad there is nothing like watering down something that is actually supposed to be a celebration like doing it constantly.

So, if every anniversary is going to be celebrated.....

2005-6 DL's 50th
2007 Epcot's 25th
2008 DAK's 10th
2009 MGM's 20th

How does that bring more guests to the park?

What are the themes of each celebration? (as that IS the most important part of the campaign)

DL's 50th is "Come home to the happiest celebration on earth"
WDW's 25th was "Remember the Magic"
WDW's 20th was "The Surprise Celebration"


Other things, like the character's (and Walt's) birthdays, have been used to. (BTW, Mickey and Minnie's 80th is coming in 2008....which would probably run 10/08-12/09, if it were to be done)

Things as simple as "Magical Gatherings" have even been used.

 

[speck76]

But that's because the entire property has always been called "Walt Disney World." That's part of the reason there are people that still think that Magic Kingdom is WDW and everything else is just everything else. The dedication plaque in Magic Kingdom says "Walt Disney World." So if on the 20th anniversary, they said it was the anniversary of the Magic Kingdom, that would be selling the property short. I think they might just do a celebration, or at least something special, for the 25th anniversary of Epcot. Just because the original idea behind it partly embraced the future and partly embraced the idea that all nations can exist in a state of friendship. It could be a "global" celebration and could really draw a good crowd if handled right.

The original idea for EPCOT never made it off the drawing board.....the original idea for EPCOT Center has been paved over, and is really no more.

To debate your point, if they celebrate Epcot's 25th, are they not selling the property short? Will the anniversary of 1 park be enough to get a "non-fan" to come to Orlando? (as you MUST realize the majority of the park's guests are simple vacationers.....NOT fans).....will the campaign steal guests from the other Disney parks (which would do WDW no favors)?

 

[Number_6]

The original idea for EPCOT never made it off the drawing board.....the original idea for EPCOT Center has been paved over, and is really no more.

To debate your point, if they celebrate Epcot's 25th, are they not selling the property short? Will the anniversary of 1 park be enough to get a "non-fan" to come to Orlando? (as you MUST realize the majority of the park's guests are simple vacationers.....NOT fans).....will the campaign steal guests from the other Disney parks (which would do WDW no favors)?

I misworded what I had meant about the park concept. Since the original idea for EPCOT had been Walt's City of Tomorrow, yes, that never did make it any further than the drawing board and a nice scale model. But what it turned into, the park that opened in 1982, that was the concept I was speaking of. I'm not necessarily saying that they would design an entire campaign just on Epcot, but possibly make some sort "Global Themed" celebration with Epcot being the "host park" so to speak, since it will have it's 25th and is home to World Showcase. AK could easily be adapted to a celebration like this since it already has "Asia" and "Africa." The Studios could bring in a celebration of foreign cinema and something about location shooting around the globe. And with the themed lands of Magic Kingdom, I'm sure something could be done there. Maybe a new stage show outside Cinderella's Castle with the Disney Princesses celebrating their different heritages while celebrating that even though they come from different backgrounds, they are all really not that different in the end. I don't know, what do you think? Something like that may work.

 

[KumbaRider]

I misworded what I had meant about the park concept. Since the original idea for EPCOT had been Walt's City of Tomorrow, yes, that never did make it any further than the drawing board and a nice scale model. But what it turned into, the park that opened in 1982, that was the concept I was speaking of. I'm not necessarily saying that they would design an entire campaign just on Epcot, but possibly make some sort "Global Themed" celebration with Epcot being the "host park" so to speak, since it will have it's 25th and is home to World Showcase. AK could easily be adapted to a celebration like this since it already has "Asia" and "Africa." The Studios could bring in a celebration of foreign cinema and something about location shooting around the globe. And with the themed lands of Magic Kingdom, I'm sure something could be done there. Maybe a new stage show outside Cinderella's Castle with the Disney Princesses celebrating their different heritages while celebrating that even though they come from different backgrounds, they are all really not that different in the end. I don't know, what do you think? Something like that may work.

I agree. And to argue the fact that everything has always been celebrated on a level of WDW turning "something" doesn't deny the right to celebrate Epcot. After all, it is one of the most visited parks in the world, and a "global" themed celebration could easily be incorporated throughout the other parks.

 

[CaptainMichael]

To debate your point, if they celebrate Epcot's 25th, are they not selling the property short? Will the anniversary of 1 park be enough to get a "non-fan" to come to Orlando? (as you MUST realize the majority of the park's guests are simple vacationers.....NOT fans).....will the campaign steal guests from the other Disney parks (which would do WDW no favors)?

Nice point! I guess we'll see what happens, but I have to agree with you. It wouldn't make good business sense, they need a better gimmick. Now, if they want to make special merchandise, go for it. You can't help but sell merchandise.

 

[JLW11Hi]

Plus, when you discuss "anniversaries", for Walt Disney World in general, the 10th , 20th, 25th etc were probably needed to create a "celebration" of sorts to get people to come there. Well, I think with any anniversary, the best years to celebrate come in divisions of "25ths",as in the 25th, the 50th, or the 75th. In other words, while Epcot's 10th and 20th anniversaries may not have been that special, Epcot is the first "other" park ever to be celebrating a 25th, besides Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, which, regardless of what park it is, is a special anniversary. The first of its kind, really.

Disney already held Epcot as its "home base" for the Millenium celebration, and after Animal Kingdom gets its attention for the opening of Everest, I think it will be Epcot's turn again for some more attention (after MGM was home base for Walt's 100th, and MK was home for Magical Gatherings)

 

[speck76]

I misworded what I had meant about the park concept. Since the original idea for EPCOT had been Walt's City of Tomorrow, yes, that never did make it any further than the drawing board and a nice scale model. But what it turned into, the park that opened in 1982, that was the concept I was speaking of. I'm not necessarily saying that they would design an entire campaign just on Epcot, but possibly make some sort "Global Themed" celebration with Epcot being the "host park" so to speak, since it will have it's 25th and is home to World Showcase. AK could easily be adapted to a celebration like this since it already has "Asia" and "Africa." The Studios could bring in a celebration of foreign cinema and something about location shooting around the globe. And with the themed lands of Magic Kingdom, I'm sure something could be done there. Maybe a new stage show outside Cinderella's Castle with the Disney Princesses celebrating their different heritages while celebrating that even though they come from different backgrounds, they are all really not that different in the end. I don't know, what do you think? Something like that may work.

Well, that would not be a "25th anniversary of Epcot" celebration then......would it?

 

[speck76]

Plus, when you discuss "anniversaries", for Walt Disney World in general, the 10th , 20th, 25th etc were probably needed to create a "celebration" of sorts to get people to come there. Well, I think with any anniversary, the best years to celebrate come in divisions of "25ths",as in the 25th, the 50th, or the 75th. In other words, while Epcot's 10th and 20th anniversaries may not have been that special, Epcot is the first "other" park ever to be celebrating a 25th, besides Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, which, regardless of what park it is, is a special anniversary. The first of its kind, really.

Disney already held Epcot as its "home base" for the Millenium celebration, and after Animal Kingdom gets its attention for the opening of Everest, I think it will be Epcot's turn again for some more attention (after MGM was home base for Walt's 100th, and MK was home for Magical Gatherings)

Since Walt's 100th, Epcot has gotten MS and Soarin'.....much more investment than what is going into DAK with EE.

If you look at the last few marketing campaigns

1996-98 25th Anniversary of WDW (Remember the Magic)
-HQ park = MK

1999-2000 WDW Millenium Celebration
-HQ Park = Epcot

2001-02 Walt's 100th Birthday Celebration
- HQ Park = MGM

2003-05 Magical Gatherings
- HQ Park = None

2005-06 Happiest Celebration on Earth
-HQ Park = None

Take a look at how this played out. WDW as a whole saw record attendance in 1997.....but no park saw a larger increase than the MK, which had over 17million visitors in 1997. NO NEW ATTRACTIONS WERE ADDED IN 1997!!! The campaign was never a "MK-focused" campaign, but none the less, MK saw a large increase in attendance. Test Track was to open at Epcot, but was delayed.

In 1998, DAK opened, and Epcot and MGM had a MAJOR decline in attendance......so......what does WDW do, but focus on these parks for the next few years.

Epcot saw TT finally open, JII redone (which failed), and the Millenium Celebration.

MGM saw RnRC open, and hosted Walt's 100th.

Attendance has finally become rather stable....the 4 parks are no longer competing with eachother (which is a good thing).......so why is there any reason to promote any 1 particular park (which is probably why the last 2 campaigns have not been focused on a particular park).

 

[CaptainMichael]

Attendance has finally become rather stable....the 4 parks are no longer competing with eachother (which is a good thing).......so why is there any reason to promote any 1 particular park (which is probably why the last 2 campaigns have not been focused on a particular park).

Another great point. :sohappy: Disney has seen the error of their ways with past celebrations.

 

[speck76]

Another great point. :sohappy: Disney has seen the error of their ways with past celebrations.

well, that was not the point

The point was Epcot and MGM were hurt by DAK, so they needed focus at that time.

Now, no 1 particular park needs focus.

 

[CaptainMichael]

well, that was not the point

The point was Epcot and MGM were hurt by DAK, so they needed focus at that time.

Now, no 1 particular park needs focus.

Ok, I understand now. Thanks for keeping me in check.

 

[Number_6]

Well, that would not be a "25th anniversary of Epcot" celebration then......would it?

It all depends on the way in which they market it. Really, I'm not one of the executives at WDW and I'm not an Imagineer. Therefore, anything I may or may not suggest here really has no bearing on what they may or may not decide to do. They can celebrate the 25th of Epcot without having to have it be the 18-month celebration that everything else seems to get. If they did the "Global Celebration" it could be "Featuring the 25th Anniversary of Epcot." Therefore not necessarily focusing on one park, but giving Epcot a nod for reaching 25 years.

 

[speck76]

It is funny to re-read the 2yr old speculation on Epcot's 25th

 

[Rayray]

Ooh its got that nostalgic old thread smell.

 

[speck76]

no....that was me...

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=38482

 

[pheneix]

well, that was not the point

The point was Epcot and MGM were hurt by DAK, so they needed focus at that time.

Now, no 1 particular park needs focus.

Not even MGM in your opinion? That park has been lagging WAY behind the other three in guest thoroughput. On any average day if you wander off from the Sunset/Hollywood complex you can have the park to yourself.

 

[speck76]

Not even MGM in your opinion? That park has been lagging WAY behind the other three in guest thoroughput. On any average day if you wander off from the Sunset/Hollywood complex you can have the park to yourself.

it was still the number 3 park last year (although that surprised me, and with what I have seen lately, I expect it to fall to #4 this year)

I feel the problem with MGM is product... if the shows were not all dated and old, if the park was more than just ToT and RnRC, it would be much more popular....

 

[pheneix]

it was still the number 3 park last year (although that surprised me, and with what I have seen lately, I expect it to fall to #4 this year)

Yeah, those estimates were not correct for the WDW parks. Then again, they rarely are. Those people still use the last public number Disney ever admitted to as the basis for their estimate (17 million at the Magic Kingdom in 1997), and just use the quarterly reports that Disney releases to guide their guesswork along. I guess that would be fine, but the 17 million figure was a marketing gimmick so Disney could claim they had the most attended park in the world that year.

MGM is significantly below Animal Kingdom. This spring break is another clear example of that, where AK was the only park that had any significant chance of hitting phase 1. Since MGM and AK have about the same capacity, one would expect MGM to have been in the same situation if the attendance estimates had that park actually outdrawing AK.

I feel the problem with MGM is product... if the shows were not all dated and old, if the park was more than just ToT and RnRC, it would be much more popular....

Agreed. They were also expecting LMA to be a big draw for the park. That never happened.