New Disneyland Parking Garage and Transportation Hub

[NobodyElse]

So welcome to this site, hopefully we should get some good info from the city's Staff Reports when they are hopefully released next week for the public planning commission hearing. So I don't think this thread or I will be leaving anytime soon. Already have scheduled to be at the actual Planning Commission Hearing when it is held.

Your willingness to pour over reports, attend meetings and report on them is enough to make you invaluable around here. The rest is (much appreciated) gravy. Thanks again.

 

[NobodyElse]

Toby's Keith is a chain

http://tobykeithsbar.com/

And here is why they stopped work at AGW

http://www.azcentral.com/story/mone...iens-raise-questions-across-country/71916554/

Yikes. I didn't realize they were down to three locations. (The only one I'd seen was in Las Vegas.)

From that AZcentral story: "They described the shutdowns as part of an aggressive new business plan...". Oh, how I love me some good old fashioned PR spin.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I have a personal request, and that we stop talking about MiceChat. They have made their decisions, and they are allowed to do what they want.

But since I have a history with them, I prefer to not get too much into what has happened after I left in this thread.

I know I need to give some of my history to newer users, but trying to stay mainly on focus on the Disneyland Eastern Gateway project and the interaction between the city, Disney and the other players with skin in the game (non-Disney businesses, etc).

 

[TP2000]

Also, I saw recently that the MouseInfo forum pages are still available online from before DCA opened in 2001, where there are the infamous Marcie vs Darkbeer debates, Marcie was a TDA PR CM who would try to spin higher and faster than anyone has ever been...

Those threads are still available??? Those were some truly epic conversations, although Marcie's spin got even better when DCA opened and fell flat on its face. I always figured it was really Cynthia Harriss posting under a pseudonym, although Marcie continued for awhile even after Cynthia was fired in '03 so who knows.

People don't realize how crazy fun the Disneyland fan Internet was back then.

 

[castevious]

Those threads are still available??? Those were some truly epic conversations, although Marcie's spin got even better when DCA opened and fell flat on its face. I always figured it was really Cynthia Harriss posting under a pseudonym, although Marcie continued for awhile even after Cynthia was fired in '03 so who knows.

People don't realize how crazy fun the Disneyland fan Internet was back then.

Was Marcie the Suzie Brown of back then?

 

[TP2000]

Was Marcie the Suzie Brown of back then?

No, Marcie was a person who posted regularly on MouseInfo, a site that was famously pro-Disney and pro-management at a time they were doing stuff like DCA 1.0 and closing the Country Bear Jamboree for Winnie The Pooh. We didn't know who she was or what she did. She was a poster who obviously worked in TDA and had access to at least a modest level of business knowledge, but she would constantly slam the latest Al Lutz rumor and info and spin the story about how successful everything was and how things were going really well and perfectly to plan.

It was really funny stuff. She disappeared eventually, but that was because the whole business plan fell apart, the replacement executive team publicly admitted they were fixing bad local decisions made in Anaheim, and Bob Iger had to admit they were spending a Billion dollars to fix DCA.

 

[TP2000]

Yikes. I didn't realize they were down to three locations. (The only one I'd seen was in Las Vegas.)

From that AZcentral story: "They described the shutdowns as part of an aggressive new business plan...". Oh, how I love me some good old fashioned PR spin.

I hadn't realized it was such a big chain at one point, and that it was such a disaster.

Poor GardenWalk just can't catch a break. Ever. Work on the new House of Blues seems to be taking forever just by looking in those giant windows, and I can't imagine how they will make their "Fall 2016" announced opening. It still looks like it's six months away from opening.

If/when the JWMarriott gets built, it will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Poor GardenWalk just can't catch a break. Ever. Work on the new House of Blues seems to be taking forever just by looking in those giant windows, and I can't imagine how they will make their "Fall 2016" announced opening. It still looks like it's six months away from opening.

I can guarantee you, no matter how much overtime and new crews are needed, Live Nation will spend the money to get it done by Thanksgiving.

They already have major contracts with NAMM groups attending the conference in Late January 2017 (19th - 22nd), and that would hurt not just in lost business, but in damaged relations, since they are one of the largest concert promoters, controlling over 100 venues, plus also own Ticketmaster, they have to deliver to protect their name.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Let me tell you one quick "Marcie" story.

I was working a special DCA event regarding a Guinness World Record event. I had media credentials from both Disney and from Guinness and the TV production company holding the event. I knew who he was (Yes, it was a male using a synonym, and I knew very shortly after the "debates" started on MouseInfo. A good source showed me a group picture of TDA folks that was taken at DCA in regards to the construction period and one of the contractors. He asked me to play "Where's Marcie?", it took me a few tries until I got the right person. And then was asked not to tell people who he was. And it was confirmed by many others later.

Anyways, he was assigned to the event, and we had to work together, and since we both knew who each other was, but he couldn't admit to it, he was forced to treat me very nicely, though if he offered me a cup of coffee, I wouldn't have taken it, since who knows what would be added to it

So Marcie was known, and as for Cynthia, I think (no proof) that she didn't mind it if this unnamed "Marcie" went into UberSpin, as I know that Cynthia really didn't like Al Lutz and the true info he was getting and reporting on. And since I got some of that info, and also info from other sources, I also wasn't high on Ms. Harriss's list.

But I had the official media contacts, and they really couldn't turn me away from working, so it was an interesting time for all...

 

[castevious]

Let me tell you one quick "Marcie" story.

I was working a special DCA event regarding a Guinness World Record event. I had media credentials from both Disney and from Guinness and the TV production company holding the event. I knew who he was (Yes, it was a male using a synonym, and I knew very shortly after the "debates" started on MouseInfo. A good source showed me a group picture of TDA folks that was taken at DCA in regards to the construction period and one of the contractors. He asked me to play "Where's Marcie?", it took me a few tries until I got the right person. And then was asked not to tell people who he was. And it was confirmed by many others later.

Anyways, he was assigned to the event, and we had to work together, and since we both knew who each other was, but he couldn't admit to it, he was forced to treat me very nicely, though if he offered me a cup of coffee, I wouldn't have taken it, since who knows what would be added to it

So Marcie was known, and as for Cynthia, I think (no proof) that she didn't mind it if this unnamed "Marcie" went into UberSpin, as I know that Cynthia really didn't like Al Lutz and the true info he was getting and reporting on. And since I got some of that info, and also info from other sources, I also wasn't high on Ms. Harriss's list.

But I had the official media contacts, and they really couldn't turn me away from working, so it was an interesting time for all...

Is this one of the reasons why today people accuse people of working for TDA when they post in a certain way on these forums?

 

[Darkbeer1]

Was Marcie the Suzie Brown of back then?

Poor Suzi Brown, I truly feel for her and other "official" Disney spokespersons, and what they have to deal with as part of their job.

I know some of the former spokespersons, and after they left, have stayed in contact. The stories I wish I can tell you about the job.

They are under an extreme set of handcuffs placed by the company, and have regular meetings with company lawyers and high execs to go over "talking points", or should I say NON-talking points. They truly earn their wages.

But it is amazing what I know now about stories that Al Lutz, Jim Hill, myself and others covered and how often we got it right. (Yes, since we reported on future plans, things do change, and yes, Disney has specifically released false info a few times, one for internal reasons, to see if they could identify those leaking the info, and also to throw off those who reported those rumors, even if in reality they were facts that Disney wouldn't confirm.

I think once Disney figured out the amount and varied sources we got from both inside the company, those retired, and from non-Disney vendors and places like non-Disney Hotels, which have regular communications with Disney, they finally figured out the best way was to start their own Blog to try and give their spin.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Is this one of the reasons why today people accuse people of working for TDA when they post in a certain way on these forums?

I can't talk for others, but anyone who works for TDA does sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, and only "official spokespersons" can make statements, which as mentioned, are approved in advance. The official response for a TDA CM to make to a news reporter, I am not authorized to answer that question, please contact our Media Relations department for a response. And this isn't just Disney, but most major companies have the same rules.

But a poster might not be using their "real" name, but a handle, and sometimes they like to let that voice out on the forums.

 

[Longhairbear]

I am enjoying this thread and the folks posting in it, folks who are looking at the entire package, and not just a specific part. Or getting upset that we are dealing with "rumors" and not Disney statements, which we all know have been wrong, and a lot of times misleading. Yes, Disney has business reasons in why they do that, such as spinning the positive and being evasive to not let the completion know what is up, even though everyone knows the info is shared between Theme Park Owners and related businesses.

One quick very recent story, I get a heads up that a senior VP was coming to the area, and that he was open to a conversation. He is in the park in casual clothing, and the vast majority of employees had no idea he was there, and also had no "handlers" with him. (And that no other folks related to Theme Park Rumors has no idea of the visit). When I caught up with him (with my wife), he was using his smartphone taking pictures of a new area. We chatted a bit, then went somewhere for a casual chat out of the way and private conversation. Let just say we discussed the entire Southern California (well, lets say West Coast) Theme Park situation and what is happening. He wanted some of the info I had, and was kind enough to buy dinner and drinks. Of course, the agreement was to keep the info private, but we also know we both didn't say everything we knew, and that the info would be used "behind the scenes". Strange how things change and morph, I just wish "Marcie" (aka shoutout to TP2000) would react to that. But then again, "Marcie" knew I had strong ties to Jack Falfas when he worked for Knott's and Cedar Fair (Since got a strange and weird end to his career that I hope to get permission to write about in the future, but those nasty non-disclosure agreements that protect paychecks and retirement benefits get in the way...)

I miss reading Marcie's banter with Al.

 

[castevious]

I miss reading Marcie's banter with Al.

Did Marcie ever comment on the micechat boards? Because, I am having flashbacks in my head of this happening.

 

[Darkbeer1]

The "Marcie" years had Al Lutz at MousePlanet, and maybe at the end, MiceAge (before MiceChat).We are talking early to mid 2000's

But Marcie only wrote articles at MouseInfo, and posted at their boards.

Michael, the original owner of MouseInfo worked in the industry, and had ties to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, and was good friends with "Marcie". (Michael left MouseInfo and handed off the board to others around the same time the original DCA exec team got the boot (think Pressler and Friends).

But it really was a one way street, I don't think Al ever directly mentioned Marcie, and he didn't post on the boards.

Marcie on the other hand, loved to mention Al and other insiders in her MouseInfo articles, and when she posted on the MouseInfo boards.

Some lackey got to do that instead. What, I am a lackey????? Back then, my primary job was photography and not writing articles, amazing how things have changed.

 

[Longhairbear]

Those threads are still available??? Those were some truly epic conversations, although Marcie's spin got even better when DCA opened and fell flat on its face. I always figured it was really Cynthia Harriss posting under a pseudonym, although Marcie continued for awhile even after Cynthia was fired in '03 so who knows.

People don't realize how crazy fun the Disneyland fan Internet was back then.

OMG yes! We hung out with the MouseInfo crowd back then, and they had a few things to tell in private that did come true, mainly the testing of the subs various makeover ideas, and the final one we have now. We heard about the testing of equipment that brought Nemo to the subs, and EPCOT long before they decided that was the way to go. We always asked who Marcie was, but never got an answer. I'm wondering now if I had actually been standing next to him at the parks from time to time.

 

[Longhairbear]

The "Marcie" years had Al Lutz at MousePlanet, and maybe at the end, MiceAge (before MiceChat).We are talking early to mid 2000's

But Marcie only wrote articles at MouseInfo, and posted at their boards.

Michael, the original owner of MouseInfo worked in the industry, and had ties to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, and was good friends with "Marcie". (Michael left MouseInfo and handed off the board to others around the same time the original DCA exec team got the boot (think Pressler and Friends).

But it really was a one way street, I don't think Al ever directly mentioned Marcie, and he didn't post on the boards.

Marcie on the other hand, loved to mention Al and other insiders in her MouseInfo articles, and when she posted on the MouseInfo boards.

Some lackey got to do that instead. What, I am a lackey????? Back then, my primary job was photography and not writing articles, amazing how things have changed.

When I saw your handle on here I texted my husband and wrote, "Remember Darkbeer1?" OMG yes was the reply. He was thrilled to hear your name again, and it brought up so many memories of that period. We hung out with Michael and his crew for a time, and still see some of them at the parks once in a while. While Marcie could get nasty at times, so could Al. He and I went head to head in the Disneyland.alt.net days. Good times, and I became a fan of his later. We miss his reporting.

 

[Darkbeer1]

When I saw your handle on here I texted my husband and wrote, "Remember Darkbeer1?" OMG yes was the reply. He was thrilled to hear your name again, and it brought up so many memories of that period. We hung out with Michael and his crew for a time, and still see some of them at the parks once in a while. While Marcie could get nasty at times, so could Al. He and I went head to head in the Disneyland.alt.net days. Good times, and I became a fan of his later. We miss his reporting.

Let me just state, Al Lutz officially announced his retirement back in 2013, and that was mainly due to Health Issues, which he had for many years. I don't want to get into that can of worms, but he knew it was time to walk away and take care of himself, he had a long career in the Music Business and had some very high executive jobs with recording companies before he retired a lot earlier than 2013. He basically become his Theme Park Rumor persona after leaving the Music Business, though there was some overlap.

Things change, and people move on. I ended up become a associate producer for TV/Cable production as a new second job, though I even slowed down on that myself recently due to other things going on in my and my family's life, and needing to focus a bit more on "real" jobs to pay the bills.

Please understand why I can't say much more.

 

[Curious Constance]

Yup. Aren't you?

I'll just leave this portrait of my father here to give you an idea of just how fancy I am.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Haha... What's his name?