New Blue Sky Meetings

[ThreeCircles]

Hello all--

I've just returned from my fifth cruise on the Disney Magic (Eastern) and have a little tid-bit for everyone to do with as they will.

On the ship they offer a series of talks with one of the Imagineers from California. Her name was Joni. Anyway, she talked about a TON of stuff but one interesting little bit of information that she shared with us concerned a series of Blue Sky meetings that have recently concluded. She mentioned that these were organized by Al Weiss and that he liked many of the ideas presented. Although she doesn't have access as to what attractions will end up with the green light, she said that she strongly believes many will. She specifically mentioned some new changes for Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, and Disney-MGM.

Just an FYI.

 

[DMC-12]

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
She specifically mentioned some new changes for Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, and Disney-MGM.

Ummmmm... Great! :sohappy: But what are these "changes"? :veryconfu

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

Thats cool. One question . . . . WHAT ARE THEY? WHAT ARE THE CHANGES? What are some of the attractions mentioned? TELL ALL!

 

[DarkMeasures]

Hmm... All Epcot really needs is a new color scheme.

 

[cherrynegra]

Why do people who post something very interesting ALWAYS forget to give us the details?:hammer: This person had me hook, line, and sinker. It's like having the last fifteen minutes of a movie where the killer is to be revealed interrupted by news reports of the prices of corn falling.:lol:

 

[MagicalMonorail]

And nothing new for Animal Kingdom? Go figure.

 

[ThreeCircles]

Sorry all. Didn't mean to sound like I left out all of the good things!

No specifics were mentioned by the Imagineer. Basically, she stated that during the Blue Sky meetings many new ideas and concepts were presented to Al Weiss and that he liked many of them. She went on to say that there was strong indication that several of these concepts would be given the green light.

No specific ideas were presented, as I'm sure it's way too early for that.

Another interesting thing that she talked about was the "battles" that occur between the Imagineers and the budget department. (Can't remember the specific name for this department although I'm sure she mentioned it.) She said that cost is, of course, always a factor in the implementation, design, and development of new attractions and that WDI has won some battles on this front and lost some. She also talked about how many people "knock" this process but that it is very similar to some of the "discussions" that Walt and Roy used to have. And, as she mentioned, even Walt conceded to Roy on many issues. (Compare the Disneyland Resort's Pirates of the Caribbean to the Walt Disney World sister attraction. Much more was spent on the latter.)

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by MagicalMonorail
And nothing new for Animal Kingdom? Go figure.

Well, considering a major construction effort is underway at DAK right now I'm thinking they were looking into additions for the other parks.

 

[Bill]

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
And, as she mentioned, even Walt conceded to Roy on many issues. (Compare the Disneyland Resort's Pirates of the Caribbean to the Walt Disney World sister attraction. Much more was spent on the latter.)

Huh? What are you talking about? LOL

1st off, they were both dead before the Pirates here in WDW ever opened.

2nd, Pirates in DL had much more funding then the one here in FL.

3rd, Pirates in DL was big. Had a big budget

4th, At one point, Roy decided Walt knew what he was doing and kinda stopped cutting out Walt's plans.

I mean, I'm sorry to correct ya, but that's just way wrong. No hard feelings I hope.

 

[Bill]

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
Although she doesn't have access as to what attractions will end up with the green light, she said that she strongly believes many will. She specifically mentioned some new changes for Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, and Disney-MGM.

Bill's coming attraction list based on rumor & fact:

Magic Kingdom: Harry Potter & a Pooh meet and greet & expansion of Toon Town.
Epcot: Rapids Ride & a yet un-named roller coaster
Studios: Indy Adventure & something really cool in the backlot.

 

[General Grizz]

Re: Re: New Blue Sky Meetings

Originally posted by Bill
Epcot: Rapids Ride & a yet un-named roller coaster

Where was your latest source for the coaster?

BTW - Down with Pothead!

 

[1stStarIC2nite]

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
Well, considering a major construction effort is underway at DAK right now I'm thinking they were looking into additions for the other parks.

The thing I want to see most in the AK (other than Beastly Kingdom, but that's a whole 'nother story), is a night show. I figured they could build a stadium (similar to Fantasmic!) behind Everest so it could serve as a partial backdrop. The show would feature fountain, light, fog, and fire effects. But one thing that I think would rock, is if they took the "Transformation" scene from Brother Bear and projected it into the sky. Wouldn't that be awesome? They could also do some Northern lights things, and a projection of Mufasa on the sky as well like in the Lion King. I think it would be great.


(Btw, if you haven't seen Brother Bear, you should! It's awesome, and next time, imagine a night show based off the part where Kenai becomes a bear. Just watching it gives me chills! )

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by Bill
Huh? What are you talking about? LOL

1st off, they were both dead before the Pirates here in WDW ever opened.

2nd, Pirates in DL had much more funding then the one here in FL.

3rd, Pirates in DL was big. Had a big budget

4th, At one point, Roy decided Walt knew what he was doing and kinda stopped cutting out Walt's plans.

I mean, I'm sorry to correct ya, but that's just way wrong. No hard feelings I hope.

1. First, Roy Disney did not die until December 20, 1971. The Magic Kingdom opened to the public on October 1, 1971 and both he and Lilly gave a public speech about Walt Disney World on October 25 of that year. (Sorry, no hard feelings, I hope.)

Second, while Walt's main focus was soon on EPCOT he was actively involved in the early planning stages of both WDW and the Magic Kingdom. In November of 1966, Walt spoke with Roger Brogger about the similarities and differences between the two Pirates rides.

2. Interesting but I'm curious as to where you obtained this "information" from.

3. I'm sure that Pirates in Disneyland did have a big budget, although I wonder if it was still not as large as the one for the sister ride in Florida. For instance, in a video about the attraction development Walt speaks about one of the pirate animatronics at the "Dunking Scene." In CA, that pirate has only one moving arm compared to the original plans that called for both hands and arms to be free-moving. The reason why this never came about? Budget. However, in the FL attraction, the pirate has both hands and arms free-moving.

4. I think this is a misconception. Both Walt and Roy wee an inseperable team. It is commonly known that Walt and Roy often disagreed and that this, in part, is what made the team such a success.

As for your "coming attraction list", sounds interesting! But I'm doubtful that Harry Potter will end up in the MK.

 

[Bill]

Re: Re: Re: New Blue Sky Meetings

Originally posted by General Grizz
Where was your latest source for the coaster?

BTW - Down with Pothead!

I've heard it from various sources... and all have a different coaster. rainforest, Mt. Fuji, even one based on the body as a replacement for body wars. However, the coaster is pure rumor. I've never seen any proof of any of them even being thought of, with the exception of the rainforest one that Jim Hill talked about a while ago. However, I do know that Epcot is a big focus right now. I don't know, it seems likely I guess. lol.

 

[General Grizz]

Jim's rainforest coaster was indeed thought of, but from what I last hear, the focus has shifted to the rapids. In essence, the rapids is a "replacement" of this idea.

Next to the Land, several more "permanent" areas for holding sharks and a sea turtle MRI are coming in.

 

[Bill]

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
1. First, Roy Disney did not die until December 20, 1971. The Magic Kingdom opened to the public on October 1, 1971 and both he and Lilly gave a public speech about Walt Disney World on October 25 of that year. (Sorry, no hard feelings, I hope.)

Don't be sarcastic with me... WDW didn't have Pirates upon opening. Wasn't even planned for WDW. Western River Expedition was, but not Pirates.

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
Second, while Walt's main focus was soon on EPCOT he was actively involved in the early planning stages of both WDW and the Magic Kingdom. In November of 1966, Walt spoke with Roger Brogger about the similarities and differences between the two Pirates rides.

What are you talking about??!? That's just plain wrong. Perhaps he was talking about the Wester River Expedition. Not Pirates though.

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
2. Interesting but I'm curious as to where you obtained this "information" from.

Dave Smith quite a while ago. Plus, Pirates in DL had an extended budget. It included the lagoon, the Blue Bayou, and the construction of 2 ride buildings... yes, the one built first under New Orleans Square was too small. The animatronics were the most advanced Disney had at the time.

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
3. I'm sure that Pirates in Disneyland did have a big budget, it was not quite as big as the one in Florida. For instance, in a video about the attraction development Walt speaks about one of the pirate animatronics at the "Dunking Scene." In CA, that pirate has only one moving arm compared to the original plans that called for both hands and arms to be free-moving. The reason why this never came about? Budget. However, in the FL attraction, the pirate has both hands and arms free-moving.

Card Walker would have never added a larger budget. Go look into the man.

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
4. I think this is a misconception. Both Walt and Roy wee an inseperable team. It is commonly known that Walt and Roy often disagreed and that this, in part, is what made the team such a success.

Walt said this in his own words. Right about when Mary Poppins opened.

Well, that's what I have to say.

 

[General Grizz]

When the master planning of WDW kicked into high gear, after Walt's death and the securing of vital legislation from the Florida senate that granted Walt Disney Productions autonomous control over its 43 square miles of property, the company had no intention of building a Pirates of the Caribbean for their new venture.

http://home.cfl.rr.com/omniluxe/wre.htm - A reference to the Western River/POTC issue.

 

[ThreeCircles]

Ah, I misread your original post about the opening of Pirates. Inserted WDW for Pirates. I apologize.

As for the point of Walt conceeding, I'll stand by the statement. Walt did not get everything that he wanted during the construction of Pirates in CA and in the rest of the park. As I mentioned in my previous post, some things were left out of POTC in CA that were later worked into POTC in FL because they had the money.

This is discussed extensively in An American Original: Walt Disney by Bob Thoman and The Disney Touch by Ron Grover.

 

[Bill]

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
Ah, I misread your original post about the opening of Pirates. Inserted WDW for Pirates. I apologize.

That's okay! Don't be sorry! But, your apology has been accepted though.

As for the point of Walt conceeding, I'll stand by the statement. Walt did not get everything that he wanted during the construction of Pirates in CA and in the rest of the park. As I mentioned in my previous post, some things were left out of POTC in CA that were later worked into POTC in FL because they had the money.

This is discussed extensively in An American Original: Walt Disney by Bob Thoman and The Disney Touch by Ron Grover. [/B]

I'm really not sure what you're saying there... Walt died before Pirates in WDW was ever built. And the budget was less in WDW... WDW's pirates is much shorter. Sure there are some advanced parts, but the actual ride in WDW was built with half of the attraction cut out.

 

[ThreeCircles]

Hmmm... I think we're missing each other on some level. Anyway, the thread has kind of gotten off topic. Perhaps we can move it back in that direction.

I just wanted to share information that was presented on the Disney Magic last week. I did not intend to start a debate about attraction budgets and/or the personal interactions between the Disney brothers! :hammer: