Might not see new attractions until 2018-20? Wall Street wants to scale back park investment?

[Did Knee]

As a corporate manager, don't you normally invest in things that are winning for you? http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/08/06/walt-disney-earnings/2625121/

 

[doctornick]

I'm hearing not. Way I hear it, the Studios Star Wars additions will be further out with construction not even starting for quite a while. Possibly not opening until 2017-18.

But again, all of this is still awaiting final approval and could all change.

So, is nothing going into DHS any time soon? That's surprising to me if the rumors about the poor attendence numbers (in terms of number of visits and length of stay in the park) there are true.

 

[GLaDOS]

Why is anyone even remotely surprised nothing will be coming to DHS before 2017? Disney announced Avatar 2 years ago and they haven't even begun construction. Even if they announce Star Wars tomorrow what would make it any different? Disney just does not move fast on their projects.

I would have been floored if they had a substantial Star Wars attraction open before that timeframe.

 

[Did Knee]

Disney announced Avatar 2 years ago and they haven't even begun construction.

I hate to quibble on this, but I think it depends on how you define the beginning of construction. They are building the new theater for FOTLK, and there is only one reason for doing that: To make room for Avatar. They cant really begin until it moves.

 

[aladdin2007]

Sounds like we might as well get use to the Hat for another decade at the studios.

 

[GLaDOS]

They cant really begin until it moves.

Sure they can. There is PLENTY of open space back there to begin preliminary construction.

And even then, why'd they wait 2 years to move the theater? Point is they don't go fast.

 

[Did Knee]

I agree GLaDOS that Avatar is taking a long time, but I think there are good reasons for it that are unrelated to any real intention to delay investment due to wall street pressure. Avatar opening needs to be timed to coincide with the release of the new movies. Also, it probably makes more sense economically and logistically to do the ground work on the whole plot at once, thus the delay until the theater is moved. If you want an example for delay in investment by the WDC in the parks, disco yeti for instance is a much better example.

 

[GLaDOS]

I agree GLaDOS that Avatar is taking a long time, but I think there are good reasons for it that are unrelated to any real intention to delay investment due to wall street pressure. Avatar opening needs to be timed to coincide with the release of the new movies. Also, it probably makes more sense economically and logistically to do the ground work on the whole plot at once, thus the delay until the theater is moved. If you want an example for delay in investment by the WDC in the parks, disco yeti for instance is a much better example.

Or New Fantasyland, a land with 2 new rides that's taken 5 years. Or the new meet and greet in Fantasyland that's taken longer than Transformers to build. There are sadly many examples of why this isn't a surprising turn of events if true.

 

[Victor Kelly]

They are moving slow because they probably only had scribbles on paper for plans and ideas. But they could also be having technology issues with Avatar, seeing how the flora and fauna was so..............unique, I guess the word .

Nextgen is not that popular and is hugely expensive. RFID junk is not working too great. FP+ does not seem to be popular or versatile. The only thing positive is FLE. Because even though I have not seen FLE in person, it looks beautiful from the pics I have seen.

 

[Lee]

So, is nothing going into DHS any time soon? That's surprising to me if the rumors about the poor attendence numbers (in terms of number of visits and length of stay in the park) there are true.

We're over halfway through 2013.
By the time Star Wars additions for DHS are approved and the plans get finalized, it'll be into 2014.
Then factor in removal of existing structures, land prep, construction, test and adjust, and the pace Disney builds at...3-4 years is minimum.
2017-2018 is my guess.

Could it be sooner? Sure.
But I doubt it.

 

[DVCOwner]

Here is the bottom line as I see it. Disney can be working on expanding Fantasy Land, building Avatar, rebuilding Downtown Disney, working on plans for other attractions at Walt Disney World and the I love Universal more people will continue to say Disney is doing nothing. I for one think Disney is doing so much right now; but I look at not only Walt Disney World but at what all that Disney Parks as a whole as to offer. Disneyland Resort is greatly improved (planning trip there in 2014), the two new cruise ships are unbelievable (just got back from a cruise), and a new park is being built in Shanghai (plan on being there opening day). I do think that Universal did a one up on Disney with Harry Potter and will again make a splash with Harry Potter II, but Disney and Walt Disney World still improve with every trip there. So I am getting a little tired of every posting on this web site is turning into a marketing tool for Universal.

 

[GLaDOS]

We're over halfway through 2013.
By the time Star Wars additions for DHS are approved and the plans get finalized, it'll be into 2014.
Then factor in removal of existing structures, land prep, construction, test and adjust, and the pace Disney builds at...3-4 years is minimum.
2017-2018 is my guess.

Could it be sooner? Sure.
But I doubt it.

Exactly. Well said.

 

[MagicMouseFan]

I don't deal in rumors and internet based speculation.

Based on this company's history with capital investments in the past 10 years, they're going to be loathe to spend anything after the MM+ disaster.

According to my insiders, nothing is happening with a DHS Star Wars expansion. Meaning its likely stuck in committee/bureaucracy.

I agree, Disney needs

I don't deal in rumors and internet based speculation.

Based on this company's history with capital investments in the past 10 years, they're going to be loathe to spend anything after the MM+ disaster.

According to my insiders, nothing is happening with a DHS Star Wars expansion. Meaning its likely stuck in committee/bureaucracy.

I agree with you...we have heard rumors now since the start of last Football season, and here we are in the same place we were last year and that is, rumors of possible new attractions to parks in Florida(Parks that haven't gotten love in what seems like 10 years).

How about Disney starts building, and doesn't talk about what they are doing...instead of not doing anything and talking about it.
I'm talking about attractions here, not hotels or shops. The only new ride in Florida is Little Mermaid...Mine Train still isn't finished yet they have been talking about it since 2011.

Epcot...nothing new since 2006? Refurb of Test Track doesn't count...that is expected with rides...keep them running and up to date.
Animal Kingdom...nothing new since 2006? Have been talking about Avatar since 2011...said was to start construction in 2013...Nothing...
DHS...nothing new since 2008? Again talking about rides, not shows or restaurants, or gift shops. Talking about expansion...but it has only been talk. You know they talked about something called Fire Mountain and Bald Mountain once upon a time...nothing.

I expect Disney to make a big splash here..A big splash! If I hear the time isn't ready for it from Disney to show what they have planned. I will just laugh. The time hasn't been ready for the last 7 years for Animal Kingdom, DHS, and Epcot. Will their ever be an appropriate time to build something new at those parks?

We will find out at D3!

 

[MagicMouseFan]

So, is nothing going into DHS any time soon? That's surprising to me if the rumors about the poor attendence numbers (in terms of number of visits and length of stay in the park) there are true.

Looking more and more like nothing new in Florida (Epcot, DHS, Animal Kingdom) until 2020...Wall Street wants Disney to cut back on its park spending. Unbelievable!

Hope I'm wrong and this thread dies a very quick and painful death over the weekend.

 

[MagicMouseFan]

We're over halfway through 2013.
By the time Star Wars additions for DHS are approved and the plans get finalized, it'll be into 2014.
Then factor in removal of existing structures, land prep, construction, test and adjust, and the pace Disney builds at...3-4 years is minimum.
2017-2018 is my guess.

Could it be sooner? Sure.
But I doubt it.

And that's if it gets approved over the weekend. The way Disney works, they might wait to see how the new Star Wars Movie performs at the box office and then green light construction in 2015.

We have been talking about the re-design of DHS since before the start of last years football season. A super bowl champion has been named (congrats Ravens!)...and we are now into the start of this years season.
Still just rumors floating around...nothing new.

Disney has a huge event to flex it's muscle...lets see if it delivers!! I'm rooting for Disney's parks...show us your vision for the next 5 years...and a picture of the bulldozer that will get things off!

 

[MagicMouseFan]

Here is the bottom line as I see it. Disney can be working on expanding Fantasy Land, building Avatar, rebuilding Downtown Disney, working on plans for other attractions at Walt Disney World and the I love Universal more people will continue to say Disney is doing nothing. I for one think Disney is doing so much right now; but I look at not only Walt Disney World but at what all that Disney Parks as a whole as to offer. Disneyland Resort is greatly improved (planning trip there in 2014), the two new cruise ships are unbelievable (just got back from a cruise), and a new park is being built in Shanghai (plan on being there opening day). I do think that Universal did a one up on Disney with Harry Potter and will again make a splash with Harry Potter II, but Disney and Walt Disney World still improve with every trip there. So I am getting a little tired of every posting on this web site is turning into a marketing tool for Universal.

I'm by no means a marketing tool for Universal. I do love to rides, that is why I go to parks. I'm a little dumbfounded that Disney hasn't built new rides in Animal Kingdom (2006), DHS (2008), Epcot (2005)...that is a long time for parks to not have a new ride to advertise.

Rebuilding Downtown Disney doesn't jump start me to get on a plane and fly to Disney World.
Cars Land will make me fly to a park.
Harry Potter Land and it's expansion will make me fly out to a park.

A new ride in the imagination pavilion, or universe of energy will get me to a park.
A rating of a 7 on Little Mermaid isn't going to get me to a park.
A rating of a 9 for RSR will.
Hope they kick Mine Train out of the park, so far looks like a great ride. Hope it's a 9...that could get me to the park.

Disney is a beautiful park...but I've been there many times...it's the same place. It's like watching your favorite movie over and over and over again. Eventually, you want something new. Something exciting to bring you back.

Am excited for the New Star Wars movies...I would love to be excited about the new DHS expansion.

 

[WDW95]

I find it interesting that Disney spent $1.1 billion+ at Disneyland Resort, $900 million for Disney Fantasy, $900 million for Disney Dream, $800 million for Aulani, etc.

Yet WDW only got a $500 million expansion.

Doesn't seem fair that the largest property in Disney's portfolio got the smallest budget for projects in the past couple of years. I don't think it is necessary for them to spend a billion dollars but spending $100-$200 million for a great e-ticket at DHS, Epcot, or, DAK could really go a far way rather than spending exuberant amounts for whole new lands.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Al Lutz reported that the Star Wars expansion to DL's Tomorrowland (Star Tours upgrade, 3D show in the current Captain Eo bldg, speeder bike coaster) is happening and that it would be copied in DHS. He seems pretty secure in that and has good sources. Do you think that only DL is approved and DHS is still in the air?

Thats what I'm thinking.

 

[GLaDOS]

Thats what I'm thinking.

Especially with Iger hinting at a big DL announcement

 

[jensenrick]

I think many of you will be surprised in the next 5-10 years

I'm sure many will bash that and say that's not good enough, but whether we like it or not they are still running a business and not building their theme parks specifically for us complainers on wdwmagic

Oh, I'm sure WDW will have built something in 10 years. So that's nice. See you in teh year 2023!