no more Disney World?

[JepMasta]

Hey guys, right now I am depressed beyond belief. Should this Comcast deal do through, I fear that there will be no more disney world. I have been planning going back in a year or two as a personal Graduation present. Now I hear this, and I am scared and saddened because I might be going back to what was a shadow of a park. I am scared because when I go back, the bloody comcast logo will be plastered onto everything. I am scared because of the fact that the great wonderful name of "Disney World" will be gone. could someone please tell me if I am overreacting or underreacting? Will there be a Disney World or will it be "Disney World, a division of Comcast Media"

thanks for listening

Brian A. Henegar

 

[PhotoDave219]

Chill some.

ABCnews said it would take at least a year for this to be negotiated. That and if you read the deal proposal it doesnt make much sense financial, as well as there's no benefit for WDC. No need to panic, yet.

 

[Disney2002]

Don't Worry

Comcast has already asserted that they would invest in the parks, since they account for 1/3 of Disney's overall revenue. A sale of the parks, after an acquisition, has already been determined to be infeasible, as the requirement of licensing the properties in perpertuity would be prohibitively expensive.

While Comcast may not be the best company for a buyout, there may be new bids in the next few days from other companies better suited. In all honesty, with Disney's low stock price and current internal management problems, I'd totally advise a takeover.

 

[ranster]

responding to ComCast and Brian

Brian, I only sorta understand your concern. I'm a first-timer waiting for a first time. My trip is planned for the end of the month with four days to pack in all the possible glee that Walt D has to offer.

Saying that, knowing that I'm awaiting the magic I've wondered about for years, hearing the ComCast announcement wasn't the prettiest bit of news.

I understand the nature of business and understand that in the case of Disney it's a case of pleasure-turned-business due to the nature of competition. Not just in theme parks, that would be narrow for me to see, but in a corporate entity as a whole. What began as a dream grew as large as WalMart did. And now with branches of business that once helped GROW WDW, it's only natural for some of those limbs to weaken. I wasn't alive when the park was "just a park in Cali with a b/w show to support it and some animated shorts playing before a feature film," but I can imagine the complicated simplicity of its original form. Here is where my mind goes - with Disney as the pappa of ABC and its diversity in film production and distribution it's only expected for the cliche of "the bigger they are, the bigger they fall."

Part of me feels that ComCast appropriately preyed upon the weak-yet-strong company that has, in ways, reformed America. Look at what happened when the mouse moved to NYC. From hookers and pimp 'kings' on the corner of 42nd we now have Lion King. Tourists. Commerce. Why wouldn't a media giant want to grow bigger than Clear Channel by capitalizing on image and the international emotional connection associated with Disney? It's like the second most popular guy FINALLY getting the homecoming queen.

I think Disney should fight this offer. This should, at best, encourage the international giant to reinvent itself. Headlines about the departure of Pixar with Nemo now in the running for the golden Oscar should also stimulate some massive consideration of a Disney Renaissance. They're fighting press releases, copycat studios and publicly offensive offers ... it's time to regroup.

I'm no expert on Eisner. I'm only a single guy who has always loved Disney and, when I was younger, felt that any decision they made was perfect. Not so. This is where the pleasure park turned business decision has become exposed. Fortunately it's not like we're seeing the mechanics behind how Copperfield or Blaine pulls of a magic trick. We're seeing a national family member publicly experience a tough time in evolution of audience taste. Having YET to visit the park I can't give a compare-contrast opinion of their costal property. Give me a few weeks and I'll at least have my first impression. I have seen the company, yes it's hard to admit it's a company, struggle to maintain its national image.

All I'm saying is that I dislike the thought of an American-now-international dominating image taking a tumble and allowing someone else to help it up from the ground. I can't honestly believe that ComCast would preserve the Disney brand as an independent segment of the conglomerate. Instead I fear ComCast would gradually redefine Disney as its child company with taglines eventually reading ComCast Disney. That, as you state, is a concern that I share.

I would get more into this but I realize I've written way too much instead of simply stating "I hope this shakes up the leadership at Disney to reduce the risk of any more companies offering to take its debt off its hands, instead I want to see Disney reinvent itself while paying attention to its roots." Much easier written than executed, I'm not waking up tomorrow in M.E.'s boots. Instead of M.E. I'm just me.

Thanks,
Randy

 

[Disney2002]

Won't See Anything for a Year

Don't worry about vacations. A deal like this is about 1 year away from anything concrete. No changes will be visible for a long time.

 

[civileng68]

?

First off, Comcast would not put 50M into something to destroy it. Also, you'd see no more Comcast logos running around than you do ABC logos right now. Remember Disney is also affiliated now with ABC through Eisner, so no, I dont think you'd really even notice much difference other than I think there would be more of a committment to putting money into the park.

 

[Scar4king]

Comcast said on a interview with Cnbc That the parks account for about 15% of the overall picture. But I wouldnt be to concerned The parks are still a cash cow and with all these new rides commin and of coures stich encounter (love it or hate it)
Alot more people will be comming to check it out so Even if Comcast got DIsney I think that the parks will have a very healthy future.............I hope

 

[JepMasta]

a follow up on my post

Hey guys, I have had a day and a half to let this all sink in, and I have come to an educated conclusion. I believe that it would be financially unwise for comcast to simply get rid of the parks, or un-"Disney-fy" them. Here are the points I want to make.

(1.) Disney Parks are an American institution.

Over the past 50 years since DL opened, a slew of Theme parks have opened and while some have been successful, none can match the sucess that the Disney parks can show. When a big family vacation is planned, If the state of Florida is mentioned, the first thought we have is "Disney World!" All over the country, and even the world. The Disney parks, are the ultimate Vacation Destination. It is that one elusive place we dream about and wait to go to, since our youth. We all dream of meeting Mickey & Minnie, going on "It's a Small World", and (for me anyway), getting into the WWTBAM? hot-seat. Comcast knows this, and they know that if they got rid of the parks, Not only would they lose money, but Americans would let loose an outpouring of hatred and disdain we have never seen before. Besides when was the last time you saw a football player say "I'M GOIN' TO BUSCH GARDENS!"?

(2.) The parks are on the upswing.

After 9-11, the theme park industry began to take a serious nosedive. Now, about 2 1/2 years later, Americans are beginning to climb out of the house and get back on the road. Last year Disney saw a huge profit gain. The revenue of the parks are improving, and Attendance is going back up. Why should the Comcast company shut something down that is making them tons of cash.

(3.) There are too many plans in the works.

Look at the project calender for Disney World. There are new rides and attractions that are scheduled to open well into 2005. And even then, Imagineers are already planning new shows and rides even past that. And in the communique sent a few days ago, Comcast has been committed to investing big bucks into the parks.

In closing, this is a scary and heady time to be sure. But I personally believe that this may be the dawn of a new age of Disney. Tell me what you think.

Thanks for listening

Brian A. Henegar

 

[Pixie Duster]

Any business / tourism source will tell you that Disney holds all top 5 spots for most attended theme parks IN THE WORLD. We are the king of theme parks, it was Disneyland that was the first ever theme park.

 

[bears163]

COME ON THINK ABOUT IT. IF COMCAST WOULD BUY DISNEY DO YOU REALLY THINK THEY WOULD CLOSE IT. THERE WOULD BE SUCH A PROTEST AGAINST COMCAST THAT THEY WOULD GO UNDER.

 

[niteobsrvr]

To split the Original DIsney divisions up would make no financial sense whatsoever. The themepark business without the Disney name and Characters would be all but worthless except for the land and infastructure they sit on.

However, Other Divisions like ESPN and ABC could be spun off and the Disney stores are currently looking for a buyer anyway.

One major change I feel would happen is the rebranding of the resorts. I dont think any company, including the current one, really wants the economic exposure of all of those hotel rooms in one place. I am not sure building them all in the first place was a smart thing as they siphoned off money that could have been spent on entertainment and modifications/upkeep at the parks. I could see the non vacation club properties being ran by companies like Hilton, Sheraton, Four Seasons, etc. in the future while paying DIsney or whoever owns it royalties and lease fees. In this scnenario, the land owner would be sure to get a steadier flow of income than they currently do with the ups and downs of the tourist seasons and the economy.

 

[Shaman]

Re: responding to ComCast and Brian

Originally posted by ranster
Brian, I only sorta understand your concern. I'm a first-timer waiting for a first time. My trip is planned for the end of the month with four days to pack in all the possible glee that Walt D has to offer.

.......

I would get more into this but I realize I've written way too much instead of simply stating "I hope this shakes up the leadership at Disney to reduce the risk of any more companies offering to take its debt off its hands, instead I want to see Disney reinvent itself while paying attention to its roots." Much easier written than executed, I'm not waking up tomorrow in M.E.'s boots. Instead of M.E. I'm just me.

Thanks,
Randy

Great first post!!! Welcome aboard.....:wave:

 

[imagineer99]

Originally posted by niteobsrvr
I dont think any company, including the current one, really wants the economic exposure of all of those hotel rooms in one place. I am not sure building them all in the first place was a smart thing as they siphoned off money that could have been .

The building of resort hotels was a HUGE money maker for Disney world. By keeping guests on property, people are less likely to leave Disney world. Thus, every time they are not in the parks, they are still spending money on Disney product. It's genius!

Consdering that the hotels are constantly full (and they are not cheap to stay at), I'd say that building them was an incredible idea.

I know that Comcast won't get rid of the Disney Theme Parks. However, they may lose interest in creating beautiful and orginal rides and scenery. Pretty, soon the "Dinorama" look could be all over Disney World. That's a scary thought.

 

[Shaman]

Originally posted by imagineer99
I know that Comcast won't get rid of the Disney Theme Parks. However, they may lose interest in creating beautiful and orginal rides and scenery. Pretty, soon the "Dinorama" look could be all over Disney World. That's a scary thought.

Even scarier is the thought of having huge non-themed coasters destroying the skyline of the parks...

I wish I was more optimistic...

 

[civileng68]

?

What is everyone smoking here? Why do some of you think that Comcast wants to spend over $60M on Disney to close it? Why would they want to "UnDisney-fy" it when it is the biggest name in the world?

People, do you not realize that Disney is not run by just Disney loving people, there are so many companies with their name on Disney as well.

Comcast wants this because they know they can make more money with it. I dont want this to happen simply because of the unknown, but I assure you, if they came aboard, they'd probably still pump more money into the parks for the short term than Eisner is now.

However, I dont care for Eisner's decisions and I also am not big on this Comcast thing. Sure this Comcast thing could bring back the Disney we all know, but, it may not make it any better either.

However, stop thinking the parks will close or change names. It's crazy to think someone would spend that kind of cash to close it or change the name. That name is the biggest out there. What do you think makes more money?...................Walt Disney World.........or COMCAST World? That's my point.

Also, just because they buy the company the Disney board would still be there to make finals calls on things. Walt set it up well when he created the whole "board" feature. It keeps one person from having too much power, unless your board fears you and agrees with everything you say........................sounds familiar.

 

[imagineer99]

Re: ?

Originally posted by civileng68
What is everyone smoking here? Why do some of you think that Comcast wants to spend over $60M on Disney to close it? Why would they want to "UnDisney-fy" it when it is the biggest name in the world?

If Comcast goes through with the takeover, I have no doubt that they will keep the parks open...HOWEVER, i think that it is a realistic fear that Comcast could UnDisney-fy the parks. Frankly, building rides, theme parks, and scenery in a way that Walt would've have liked is not very cost effective. Thus, the things that make WDW so amazing could eventually no longer exist.

Just think of giant 400ft. coasters towering above Cinderella's Castle.

 

[DisneySaint]

:lol: ROFL some of you people get your undies in a bunch with this stuff. Disney World will never shut down, unless attendance just ceased and wasn't enough to pay the bills. Disney World is as popular as ever right now and even the most rock-brained coporate big-wig would not march in and shut it down.

The situation, I'm sure, is under control and everything will go one way or another. The Florida parks are safe.

 

[civileng68]

?

No way Comcast would "un Disney fy " the parks. First off, all they would do is supply funding to the parks in the proper manner. They would not push anything in the departments. The imagineering, not Comcast would be designing the rides. Imaginnering's only problem lately has been the budget cut backs.

Comast is not wanting this deal for the parks at all. The deal is much bigger than that. They want it for the ESPN and Disney. I happen to work in a company that broadcasts programming nationally from satellite and can tell you that ESPN makes MILLIONS upon MILLIONS from Dish Network to put their prog. on Dish. Comcast is wanting this for channel reasons. They would be able to put ESPN and Disney on their Networks for no additional costs and then make the extra money by charging their big competitor Dish Network for the programming.

I dont know if it made sense but I happen to work in management at a company my father in law owns in South Florida. it's based here and is very famous nationally and we get calls worldwide asking questions. We work in direct affiliation with Charlie Ergin (CEO of Dish Network). My father in law meets with him on occassion for different purposes and reasons, but, the point is, it's about the TV channels MUCH more than the parks.

 

[DisneySaint]

Exactly what the guy above me said.
They aren't looking to just come in and rain hell down. They will probably change some upper management and reallocate funds, but that's it. The parks will remain the same and so will like 99% of the staff of 55,000. It's not the invading German army, we're talking about here. No, I do not LIKE the idea, but then again I don't want to rule it out - it could be beneficial to Disney simply because of a better source of funding.

 

[civileng68]

Yes

Yes,

Like I said, Im not in favor of it for several reasons. One of which being I dont support anyone, even Eisner, who comes in and wants to have Disney affiliated with so many other companies. I wish more focus was placed on Disney and support a Disney Company with pure interests in Disney. It may not happen, and likely never will but I wont support Comcast coming in for that reason.................because this is about ESPN and the Disney Channel more than any park.