LIVE UPDATES: D23 Expo - WALT DISNEY PARKS AND RESORTS Presentation 6:30pm EDT

[Pioneer Hall]

I think that in today's world of social media and news hitting you instantly, it is good that he took the time to respond to fans. Even if the news isn't in your face positive, it shows that they hear what people are saying. I am a firm believer that the execs need to be on the level with their fans in order to make the best business decisions and Tom is showing that he can do that.

 

[menamechris]

Good for Staggs. He proved to be the mature adult so deserving of his position, and shoved a much-needed pacifier in the pie-holes of the WDW cry-babies.

How unfortunate that you can make what would be otherwise intellectual comments in the most immature, juvenile manner possible. Kudos...

 

[Did Knee]

More specifically, it sounds like Hyperion Warf as we know it is dead.

Watch out Thrill Seeker! You're gonna rile up JT04! :ROFLOL:

 

[devoy1701]

How unfortunate that you can make what would be otherwise intellectual comments in the most immature, juvenile manner possible. Kudos...

I think you're stretching on the intellectual part.

a $5B investment over a 5-year period for a division that makes up about 20% of the company isn't that much...especially when $1B of that is going towards a -park that was considered "flawed" upon opening and was in DIRE need of the expansion.

hey...we have 2 of those parks here in WDW too! :wave:

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

Condorman: Condescending much? And oversimplifying it to boot.

 

[dreamscometrue]

I think that it was great, and encouraging, for Staggs to post that response. His statement, along with the call I received recently from the Meg Crofton rep, really suggests to me that they 'hear' our opinions, and actually care. Perhaps that's a bit naive on my part, but I like to believe that most people are caring and take pride in what they do. (If that is naive, I like being that way...it makes me happy being positive nearly all the time).

 

[menamechris]

I think you're stretching on the intellectual part.

I was being generous and kind...ha!

 

[boufa]

+1 except you forgot to add that every other defunct attraction should be brought back too. Horizons, Mr. Toad, etc. Lets just tear down the parks, and rebuild them like they were on ___________ (fill in the blank with the date that you first went to Disney World)

 

[asianway]

I did get the feeling that they would probably wait to announce WDW stuff at WDW's own celebration in October; I think most of the people at the Expo were SoCal Disneylanders and cast members. :shrug:

If there was to be a 40th celebration this would have the time to announce it-don't expect anything on 10-1 , announcement, ceremony, cupcake...

 

[TropicalFig8]

Tom Staggs "responded" to the negative posts on the Disney Blog page:

Thanks to all of you for your responses. Your passion, energy and affection for our parks and resorts is the reason we do what we do so I appreciate your feedback. I know many of you were hoping for announcements regarding new projects from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, especially at Walt Disney World Resort, so I wanted to take a moment to address those comments.

The projects we’ve already announced represent the largest period of growth ever in Disney Parks’ history. We’re working hard to create new and exciting experiences for our guests around the world and while the timing isn’t always right to announce another big project, we like to use opportunities like the D23 Expo to update fans like you on the great progress we’re making. We have several incredible projects currently in the works and look forward to sharing more information with all of you in the weeks and months ahead, including new details regarding Downtown Disney in Florida.

Not what I was expecting but I'm glad he responded. At least they respect the fans.

 

[lebeau]

Not what I was expecting but I'm glad he responded. At least they respect the fans.

Yeah, they could have easily let fans' disappointment go unacknowledged. That's what I was expecting and I think that's what most companies would have done. This is classy.

My only gripe is that it doesn't address the real weakness in the presentation. At least in my book, the problem was the delivery, not the material. I wasn't expecting any kind of announcements. I would have been happy with a livelier look at what we already knew was coming.

But still, class move.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Kudos to Staggs... His response at elast is an acknowledgement that Friday night's presentation was a disaster... Glad he took the time out to respond and in a round about way apoligize for it being the most biring presentation ever put on by Disney... At least someone in management acknowledges the Disney fans...

 

[TropicalFig8]

Yeah, they could have easily let fans' disappointment go unacknowledged. That's what I was expecting and I think that's what most companies would have done. This is classy.

My only gripe is that it doesn't address the real weakness in the presentation. At least in my book, the problem was the delivery, not the material. I wasn't expecting any kind of announcements. I would have been happy with a livelier look at what we already knew was coming.

But still, class move.

Yeah me too.

He only focused on DTD and not EPCOT,DHS,or AK. We already know about DTD and would really like to know some projects going on in the other parks besides MK. But it's good that he took care of it.

 

[TalkingHead]

Not what I was expecting but I'm glad he responded. At least they respect the fans.

Keep telling yourself that.

 

[TearDownTheHat!]

As nice of a message this is, it's just a corporate way of saying shutup and enjoy what you have.

 

[dreamscometrue]

As nice of a message this is, it's just a corporate way of saying shutup and enjoy what you have.

Wecome to the boards.:wave:

I disagree. I think it's more of a message that they are working on things...constantly, and have been since the 50's. We just have a society now that is so, so impatient and so into 'what's next?', that I believe he thought it best to remind us that they are spending money worldwide, and are working on projects for WDW as well.

 

[devoy1701]

Wecome to the boards.:wave:

I disagree. I think it's more of a message that they are working on things...constantly, and have been since the 50's. We just have a society now that is so, so impatient and so into 'what's next?', that I believe he thought it best to remind us that they are spending money worldwide, and are working on projects for WDW as well.

I completely disagree with you. His comment provided absolutely nothing more than the actual event itself did... it was nothing more than a PR move to calm people down. Imagineers ALWAYS have projects "in the works" so his tidbit comment doesn't tell us anything we don't already know. And his reference to Downtown Disney (funny that he didn't mention/call it Hyperion Wharf) also gives me the impression that things have once again changed...which will be (more or less) the 4th misstep with this particular project.

He's hoping this whole thing will roll over and the fan community will forget about it. It's not a matter of us going "what's next"...it's a matter that there is atlest one park in WDW that NEEDS an expansion, and 2 others that also need some help.

Remember that this project that they're working on at WDW was shoved down the throats of WDW...and the project in Anaheim was a necessity. So I for one am still waiting for that "WOW" project for WDW. Not the ho-hum we're doing this because we need to project.

 

[Master Yoda]

I completely disagree with you. His comment provided absolutely nothing more than the actual event itself did... it was nothing more than a PR move to calm people down. Imagineers ALWAYS have projects "in the works" so his tidbit comment doesn't tell us anything we don't already know. And his reference to Downtown Disney (funny that he didn't mention/call it Hyperion Wharf) also gives me the impression that things have once again changed...which will be (more or less) the 4th misstep with this particular project.

He's hoping this whole thing will roll over and the fan community will forget about it. It's not a matter of us going "what's next"...it's a matter that there is atlest one park in WDW that NEEDS an expansion, and 2 others that also need some help.

Remember that this project that they're working on at WDW was shoved down the throats of WDW...and the project in Anaheim was a necessity. So I for one am still waiting for that "WOW" project for WDW. Not the ho-hum we're doing this because we need to project.

I fear you will be waiting a long time for that, if it ever comes at all. This is not to say that WDI does not have some "wow" projects in the works, but the chances of the news breaking at D23 or any of the other myriad of Disney press conferences is next to zero. At best, conventions like D23 do nothing more than confirm and add a little detail to projects that have already been talked about online for some time. Expecting something groundbreaking at one of these things is just a guaranteed way to set yourself up for disappointment.

 

[devoy1701]

I fear you will be waiting a long time for that, if it ever comes at all. This is not to say that WDI does not have some "wow" projects in the works, but the chances of the news breaking at D23 or any of the other myriad of Disney press conferences is next to zero. At best, conventions like D23 do nothing more than confirm and add a little detail to projects that have already been talked about online for some time. Expecting something groundbreaking at one of these things is just a guaranteed way to set yourself up for disappointment.

agreed. I mentioned on Friday that i'm not expecting a new announcement until the Spring/Summer of 2013 (after most of FLE is opened). Though with the Mine Coaster not opening until 2014, they might be able to push that back even further.

Having said that...they most definitely should use these events to make big announcements like that despite that most diehard fans talk about this stuff on the internet well before these events. That's why "most" companies hold these types of events, and that is why people LOOVE when these type of events come around.

 

[misterID]

Okay, I'll say this. I don't think he was talking about DTD specifically, as in that's what they're aiming to take care of. I think he was addressing WDW as a whole, meaning every park, and saying that it included DTD, too.

And I'm sure they went in knowing they weren't going to announce anything that was going to WOW anyone. A reason probably they were very tight lipped over D23.

What I appreciate is that Staggs responded, which says a lot because I can't see anyone else in his position, or part of Disney brass saying anything to the fans. It would have been a, "So what?" type of response of silence. Add to the fact that he actually publically acknowledged and addressed the negative comments and disappointment of WDW fans, which I haven't seen from Disney before.

Our insiders have said as much that there are some cool things planned. So, I'm holding out hope that it comes to fruition, not just some empty promises for attractions that end up just being some really nice blue sky artwork that ends up on someones coffee table.