No New Nightastic According to Al Lutz

[TP2000]

While I agree with you that WDW is starting to the turn the corner slowly, I think if you look at everything coming to DLR this summer, it's quite easy to then look at WDW and be a bit disappointed.

No kidding. The Miceage article today from Al Lutz was full of great news for Disneyland. It's a truly Golden Age in Anaheim now.

It forever fascinates me that when Al dares to mention Walt Disney World in brief passing in one single sentence of a long article, as he did today, that some folks here go absolutely bonkers over it. :lol:

In my humble opinion, Walt Disney World would be a lot better off if they had their own Al Lutz. But I wonder if the WDW fans could take it? I've been reading Al Lutz since the late 1990's, and back when Cynthia Harriss and Paul Pressler were running Disneyland Al could be absolutely brutal with his (much warranted) criticism of their performance and executive decisions. He rarely mentions WDW executives currently, and when he does he never takes the gloves off and barely touches them compared to how he dogged Harriss and Pressler circa 1998-2003.

If Meg Crofton got the full attack that it seems she might deserve, the scorched earth tactics from an Al Lutz type critic would leave people dazed and amazed here.

 

[Krack]

What exactly is Meg Crofton and Team Disney doing in Orlando????

Sitting on big piles of money you give them.

 

[SeaCastle]

So if Disney launches an ad campaign that imports an old parade from Disneyland and rehashes a fireworks show, they're cheap, and if they don't have a summer ad campaign at all, they're still cheap? There seems to be some double standards here...

 

[BigThunderMatt]

Don't forget that in the Paul Pressler/Cynthia Harris years, Disneyland saw its fair share of neglect. I'm beginning to think these things are cyclical.

Disneyland didn't get better until Pressler/Harris were given the boot. Something along the same lines is probably what will happen at WDW down the road. Needless to say I don't think Meg's tenure as President is going to be nearly as long as that of Al Weiss.

 

[wizards8507]

Don't forget that in the Paul Pressler/Cynthia Harris years, Disneyland saw its fair share of neglect. I'm beginning to think these things are cyclical.

Cyclical in the sense that the Walt Disney Company has a large amount of cash, but that number is not infinite. More specifically, HUGE dollars have gone into building two new cruise ships that collectively cost more than a fifth AND sixth gate to build. People tend to forget that little detail.

 

[wolf359]

Cyclical in the sense that the Walt Disney Company has a large amount of cash, but that number is not infinite. More specifically, HUGE dollars have gone into building two new cruise ships that collectively cost more than a fifth AND sixth gate to build. People tend to forget that little detail.

I agree. It is easy to simply call management "cheap" but they do not set their own budget, they have it dictated to them. I have no doubt that if given a chance to freely take from the bottomless pot of cash we'd see all of the things fans are clamoring for happen, but the focus of the big picture spending isn't on Florida right now.

But I think they are still trying to do as much as they can in Florida with the budget they have even though the big money is clearly being diverted to Disney Cruise Line and California Adventure.

 

[WDWFigment]

No kidding. The Miceage article today from Al Lutz was full of great news for Disneyland. It's a truly Golden Age in Anaheim now.

It forever fascinates me that when Al dares to mention Walt Disney World in brief passing in one single sentence of a long article, as he did today, that some folks here go absolutely bonkers over it. :lol:

In my humble opinion, Walt Disney World would be a lot better off if they had their own Al Lutz. But I wonder if the WDW fans could take it? I've been reading Al Lutz since the late 1990's, and back when Cynthia Harriss and Paul Pressler were running Disneyland Al could be absolutely brutal with his (much warranted) criticism of their performance and executive decisions. He rarely mentions WDW executives currently, and when he does he never takes the gloves off and barely touches them compared to how he dogged Harriss and Pressler circa 1998-2003.

If Meg Crofton got the full attack that it seems she might deserve, the scorched earth tactics from an Al Lutz type critic would leave people dazed and amazed here.

Amen. Our trip last week (when none of these new summer offerings were even open, mind you) to Disneyland turned the corner for my wife and made DLR her preference over WDW, and it got me really close. Come July 1st, I think it's safe to say DLR will probably be my preference, too.

We're already planning on switching a trip later this year from WDW to DLR. It may be more expensive to get out there, but with the exception of Tomorrowland, the parks are just nicer out there. Sure, I miss the immersion WDW offers, but DLR does have its strong points, too. Napa Rose is the second-best Disney restaurants I've ever experienced, Club 33 had pretty good food and amazing ambience, and our hotel was a 5 minute walk from the esplanade. Can't beat all that!

I really wish Lutz or a Lutz-like figure would exist for WDW. Some management-apologists here wouldn't be able to take it, but it would be better for the parks.

 

[Krack]

Amen. Our trip last week (when none of these new summer offerings were even open, mind you) to Disneyland turned the corner for my wife and made DLR her preference over WDW, and it got me really close. Come July 1st, I think it's safe to say DLR will probably be my preference, too.

We're already planning on switching a trip later this year from WDW to DLR. It may be more expensive to get out there, but with the exception of Tomorrowland, the parks are just nicer out there. Sure, I miss the immersion WDW offers, but DLR does have its strong points, too. Napa Rose is the second-best Disney restaurants I've ever experienced, Club 33 had pretty good food and amazing ambience, and our hotel was a 5 minute walk from the esplanade. Can't beat all that!

I really wish Lutz or a Lutz-like figure would exist for WDW. Some management-apologists here wouldn't be able to take it, but it would be better for the parks.

Trip report with photos? Where did you stay this time (I remember you hated your hotel in the last DLR trip report)?

 

[DisneyNut2007]

I really wish Lutz or a Lutz-like figure would exist for WDW. Some management-apologists here wouldn't be able to take it, but it would be better for the parks.

You do know that that's a stupid thing to say, right? Lutz and anyone similar to him are truly useless and sorry excuses for human beings.

When things change, they don't deserve the credit. The company does. And the company DOES know when something is wrong!

And just because we don't grouse about people the way you and others do automatically means we're apologists?! Dude, you seriously need to think before you talk!

 

[tecowdw]

to quote chairman l.c. Clench "profit is simply a byproduct we've learned to live with":wave:

:roflol:

 

[MickeyPeace]

And the Memories campaign... while I like the campaign - It is quite boring!!! Disney needs to hire WDWMAGIC people at least we would know what to do!:ROFLOL:

I often have the same realization. Some of the ideas here are great and seem to go beyond what Imagineers are coming up with.

 

[menamechris]

I agree. It is easy to simply call management "cheap" but they do not set their own budget, they have it dictated to them. I have no doubt that if given a chance to freely take from the bottomless pot of cash we'd see all of the things fans are clamoring for happen, but the focus of the big picture spending isn't on Florida right now.

But I think they are still trying to do as much as they can in Florida with the budget they have even though the big money is clearly being diverted to Disney Cruise Line and California Adventure.

I understand your points, and there is no denying that there are budgets and cashflow issues in any company. But like many companies, I am sure all branches of Disney (DLR, WDW, Cruise Line, etc) are in basic competition for corporate money. It is the job of management at WDW to make the case that they are in need of that money. Knowing how to apply pressure up the ladder to get results and revenue at their resort is critical. Right now, it seems they are more interested in clocking in and out of work to collect their paycheck - and in fact, seem actually resistent to any change or progress at the resort. Heaven forbid, that may require them to go to a few extra meetings. Just my two cents...

 

[WDWFigment]

Trip report with photos? Where did you stay this time (I remember you hated your hotel in the last DLR trip report)?

We stayed at Desert Inn and Suites. Nothing to write home about to be sure, but it's one of the closest hotels to DLR. We were pleasantly surprised for the price!

I'll have a trip report coming in a couple weeks. I still have tons of photos to edit, but I've already posted some on Flickr (link in signature).

 

[Biff215]

While I really enjoyed the different fireworks show last year, what else would Nightastic really have to offer this year? The MSEP was a big deal last summer, but the other additions seems half-hearted (ToT?). I'm not sure they really have anything worth promoting other than the fireworks.

Am I a little disappointed? Sure. Will it ruin my vacation or send me elsewhere? No way!

 

[wolf359]

I understand your points, and there is no denying that there are budgets and cashflow issues in any company. But like many companies, I am sure all branches of Disney (DLR, WDW, Cruise Line, etc) are in basic competition for corporate money. It is the job of management at WDW to make the case that they are in need of that money. Knowing how to apply pressure up the ladder to get results and revenue at their resort is critical. Right now, it seems they are more interested in clocking in and out of work to collect their paycheck - and in fact, seem actually resistent to any change or progress at the resort. Heaven forbid, that may require them to go to a few extra meetings. Just my two cents...

I know the laundry list of things that need improvement is pretty long, but it isn't exactly accurate to say they aren't doing anything at all. The problem is that list is prioritized, and obviously if even one thing is done ahead of something else, whoever thinks that other thing should have been done first is going to be disappointed.

As far as bargaining for additional funding goes, while Florida has some big charity cases I don't think any rival the need of California Adventure.

And getting back to the actual Nightastic issue, taking into account we'll still have the Main Street Electrical Parade and Star Tours will be a significantly bigger draw than the alternate Tower of Terror the only tangible thing missing will be the alternate fireworks. Considering I like Wishes and the regular Tower of Terror more than the summer variations, I'm okay with what's happening this summer.

 

[menamechris]

I know the laundry list of things that need improvement is pretty long, but it isn't exactly accurate to say they aren't doing anything at all. The problem is that list is prioritized, and obviously if even one thing is done ahead of something else, whoever thinks that other thing should have been done first is going to be disappointed.

As far as bargaining for additional funding goes, while Florida has some big charity cases I don't think any rival the need of California Adventure.

And getting back to the actual Nightastic issue, taking into account we'll still have the Main Street Electrical Parade and Star Tours will be a significantly bigger draw than the alternate Tower of Terror the only tangible thing missing will be the alternate fireworks. Considering I like Wishes and the regular Tower of Terror more than the summer variations, I'm okay with what's happening this summer.

You're right - it is not an issue of nothing happening. It's more that what is being done is happening out of necessity. And while I will concede that California Adventure was a mess and needed the renovation - I could never see that sort of attention being given to FL. HS could use serious work and attention, and the company responds by repainting floats for the afternoon parade, and carbon copying an attraction that wouldn't have happened without California. EPCOT was in need of a boost a few years ago - they again duplicate an attraction developed for California and change the name. AK needs serious TLC, and they develop an exclusive tour to cater to people willing to pay over twice the general admission ticket price to go on (in addition to paying the general admission ticket).

And given that any real projects are announced years in advance - it would seem that WDW is barely on any sort of priority list at all. All the while, every other division of the company is full speed ahead.

As far as Nightastic goes - Wishes is awesome, and if you are going this summer, I am totally glad you will get to see it again. But I don't see anything wrong with doing a show other than Wishes for a couple months out of the year. Believe me, even Wishes can get stale after awhile. Those who were able to go last summer saw an example of how Disney can choose to go above and beyond (and yes, spend a little extra money) for the guest...

 

[RSoxNo1]

We stayed at Desert Inn and Suites. Nothing to write home about to be sure, but it's one of the closest hotels to DLR. We were pleasantly surprised for the price!

I'll have a trip report coming in a couple weeks. I still have tons of photos to edit, but I've already posted some on Flickr (link in signature).

I stayed there the last time (and will stay there again in August). Price and Proximity to the park make it a great value. It's clean, it's probably a 3 star resort, and it's a 5 minute walk from the gates.

 

[nemofinder22]

Summer Nightasic! fireworks were so amazing! well besides the dialog and name of the show, still amazing though.

Its to bad WDW isnt getting Nightastic! again. It offered a nice change up of the normal offerings. And you didn't have to pay more.

As for Let the Memories Begin, it seems to have died upon its arrival at DLR, and now the esplanade is stuck with a "broken parade float"(hey WDW do you want it :lol: ). And the Magic, Memories and You show at DLR I think suffers from being at small world yet at the same time Soundsational Summer seems to not want anything to do with that show and its newer than ElecTRONica!

 

[DDCT4U]

would have LOVED to see ElecTRONica at the Studios.... such a HUGE opportunity they are missing out on. shame on them, to be honest!

 

[wolf359]

You're right - it is not an issue of nothing happening. It's more that what is being done is happening out of necessity. And while I will concede that California Adventure was a mess and needed the renovation - I could never see that sort of attention being given to FL. HS could use serious work and attention, and the company responds by repainting floats for the afternoon parade, and carbon copying an attraction that wouldn't have happened without California. EPCOT was in need of a boost a few years ago - they again duplicate an attraction developed for California and change the name. AK needs serious TLC, and they develop an exclusive tour to cater to people willing to pay over twice the general admission ticket price to go on (in addition to paying the general admission ticket).

Well, ever since both resorts have existed, there has been the back and forth game being played. Growing up in California in the 80s it definitely seemed like Walt Disney World was getting ALL of the cool stuff while Disneyland got kid-sized copies at best. I was on the east coast by the 90s but I can imagine any west coast Disney fan that watched the second, third, and fourth theme parks go up, along with two more water parks and the resort hotel explosion probably thinks the recent TLC sent Disneyland's way was long overdue.

But overall I agree. While Magic Kingdom is getting a good share of attention right now Hollywood Studios is just a hot mess as far as I'm concerned. I'm hoping once the current construction projects are finished they'll channel that momentum into other locations.

And given that any real projects are announced years in advance - it would seem that WDW is barely on any sort of priority list at all. All the while, every other division of the company is full speed ahead.

When you consider they have literally billions of dollars worth of projects currently under construction I suppose it makes sense to them not to compete with themselves too much. Hawaii, the new cruise ships, a big investment at Disneyland, Marvel Comics; it is easy to dismiss all of that (or blame it for keeping more from happening at WDW) if the concern is solely on Florida but they need to strike a balance between keeping each unit's audience happy, while at the same time entice you to try another slice of the Disney pie with something new somewhere else.

Disney Cruise Line seems like a license to print money, so I can't begrudge them for making a huge investment there. Same with the Vacation Club. And the massive re-investment in California Adventure seems like a bigger example of spending out of desperate necessity than anything Florida could show. But I don't see too many other major distractions keeping them from concentrating on Florida left. Once California Adventure 2.0 is up and running and Tomorrowland gets some (much deserved) work I feel like Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom should be next.

But as the song goes the waiting is the hardest part...

As far as Nightastic goes - Wishes is awesome, and if you are going this summer, I am totally glad you will get to see it again. But I don't see anything wrong with doing a show other than Wishes for a couple months out of the year. Believe me, even Wishes can get stale after awhile. Those who were able to go last summer saw an example of how Disney can choose to go above and beyond (and yes, spend a little extra money) for the guest...

I have to be honest: I liked the Nightastic fireworks, but I'm just not a fireworks guy at all, so of all the elements I could possibly be upset about missing out on with no Summer Nightastic happening this year, this one is just plain dead last. I'm happier that we're NOT getting the summer Tower of Terror again, and honestly the whole Nightastic name is pretty silly, so if not doing it this year is simply a cost cutting move (and I really don't think it is) it's one I can agree with.