Press event Tuesday, Jan. 18th.

SeaCastle

Well-Known Member
THREAD DRIFT:
I got caught at a resort yesterday for a survey, and was surprised to see questions that plainly asked whether the food and merchandise were too expensive. Needless to say, I said yes. Plus, one question asked if the resort needed more merch variety. It was like a fanboy's dream come true.

This touches upon a great point, as the merch problem is company wide, from Orlando to Anaheim to Tokyo. Besides the AKL gift shop, we didn't spend a dime anywhere else, because there was quite honestly nothing interesting to buy.

If I'm not mistaken, the CFO of Parks and Resorts, Jim Hunt, is responsible for the institution of making every corner of Parks and Resorts profitable, so if unique-selling shops are operating at a loss, they'll be filled with homogenized merchandise so they can be made profitable. Sid Cahuenga's at MGM and most of the World Showcase shops still sell unique goods, but who knows how much longer that will last.
 

WDWFigment

Well-Known Member
THREAD DRIFT:
I got caught at a resort yesterday for a survey, and was surprised to see questions that plainly asked whether the food and merchandise were too expensive. Needless to say, I said yes. Plus, one question asked if the resort needed more merch variety. It was like a fanboy's dream come true.

I think everyone likes to bang on this drum because it's a popular one, but I think merchandise has gotten exponentially better in the last two years. To be sure, it's not as good as it was from 90-98, but we have noticed more ride and land specific items (take a look in the Space Mountain gift shop--Tomorrowland AND Space Mountain items! Not just High School Musical!) and the more generic merchandise was more clever, better designed, and generally better.

Merchandise still has a ways to go, especially in location (HSM stuff doesn't belong in Tomorrowland, period), but I think the corner has been turned.

(This probably would make a good independent topic...off to start one...)
 

TheBeatles

Well-Known Member
I think everyone likes to bang on this drum because it's a popular one, but I think merchandise has gotten exponentially better in the last two years. To be sure, it's not as good as it was from 90-98, but we have noticed more ride and land specific items (take a look in the Space Mountain gift shop--Tomorrowland AND Space Mountain items! Not just High School Musical!) and the more generic merchandise was more clever, better designed, and generally better.

Merchandise still has a ways to go, especially in location (HSM stuff doesn't belong in Tomorrowland, period), but I think the corner has been turned.

(This probably would make a good independent topic...off to start one...)


Agreed.

The additions of Vinylmation and D Street are exciting future prospects. Both are unique and offer items that are not only stylish, but can only be found (conveniently) at the parks and resorts.
 

Lee

Adventurer
Yup..and even tomorrow we will only know what we know tomorrow. If tomorrow isn't everything we all want to hear, it doesnt mean there isnt another day..time...place for other announcements.
Yes, there is still that D23 thing coming up.
I fully expect some FLE information wedged in with DCL and the marketing campaign, but that's really all. Anything else would just be gravy.
Possibly some very good gravy, though...

If it gets announced would it be something like Monsters which has been rumored for several years or something not as widely known.
I have no expectations of anything other than MK projects being discussed tonight.

Hmmm so, Shanghai gets announced with the mine coaster, but the mine coaster for FLE isn't announced.. But we can expect to see a similar mine coaster in FLE from the concept art for Shanghai...
Not very exciting honestly...
More like, something(s) get(s) announced for MK that will also be going into Shanghai. They won't say it like that, of course. Shanghai won't be announced at WDW, that'll happen in China.

I hope so... That is really the only information I am looking forward to, as I am not expecting any suprises or anything huge.... Well, the mine coaster can be considered huge, but we already know it is coming, just not officially...
There is one other possibility. One you might consider huge, I know I would.;)

THREAD DRIFT:
I got caught at a resort yesterday for a survey, and was surprised to see questions that plainly asked whether the food and merchandise were too expensive. Needless to say, I said yes. Plus, one question asked if the resort needed more merch variety. It was like a fanboy's dream come true.

Seriously. I would have asked the survey taker, "How much time you got?":lol:
 

jt04

Well-Known Member
Here are some more direct quotes from Tom Staggs and additional exerpts of what he said from the same article you have cited:

“We took a hard look at it amongst a number of us and said, ‘Can we make the appeal broader? Can we make it even better?’

Staggs said much of what was included in the original plans will be incorporated into the final product and that the changes are “improving it on the margin.” He characterized the revisions as part of any creative project’s natural evolution. As an example, Disney cited Hong Kong Disneyland, where early blueprints included an area dubbed “Glacier Peak” that was eventually replaced with a section themed around the company’s Toy Story film franchise

“One of the things that I thought the early design did fantastically was delivered on that princess experience. And that does tend to skew towards girls. … We’ve kept that intact — not exactly, necessarily, the way it was presented, but that appeal is there,” Staggs said. “I think we’ve added some things that aren’t just princess-focused, and that’s a good positive.”

Staggs said planners are also reviewing the Fantasyland expansion with an eye toward blending “aspirational rides” — rides that offer thrills or tension — with attractions designed for guests of all ages. And he said they want to ensure that the additions are flexible and can be updated or adapted over time.

Staggs said the project’s price tag will “not materially” change with the revisions, though a slight increase is likely because of certain additions. He would not provide specific figures

So while you chose to cling to one phrase from the article and use it out of context, the rest of us choose utilize information from the entire article to draw our conclusions. The conclusion which can be drawn from these quotes are as follows, with a few questions:

-Something will be added to the original design which makes it better and broadens the appeal.

-As a part of the revision, a ride will be built that provides family friendly thrills.

-If assuming the "on the margin" additions are not referring to any attraction (although the article directly disproves this notion anyway), then what can be added that is not princess focused and will broaden the appeal significantly enough to warrant a revision and consider the revision to broaden anything? Also, when speaking of the aforementioned revisions "on the margin", an example was given of an entire land being changed for the Hong Kong expansion.

-If the fantasyland expansion at least includes a BatB counter service and elaborate sit down restaurant, the little mermaid ride, circusland with dumbo, and maybe one of the previously mentioned meet and greets, then could one additional attraction be considered "on the margin" relative to the rest of the area?

-Whatever is being added may cost a little more than what is being removed (rumored to be some meet and greets and pixie hollow, which would have to make it relatively big).

-At least one thing that was added still involves a princess but does not nessisarily focus on said princess :animwink:

It also seems that there may be a little more than what we are currently expecting since multiple changes are referenced.

As I have said I hope your take is right. And I will be happy to find out I am wrong about my take on it.

THREAD DRIFT:
I got caught at a resort yesterday for a survey, and was surprised to see questions that plainly asked whether the food and merchandise were too expensive. Needless to say, I said yes. Plus, one question asked if the resort needed more merch variety. It was like a fanboy's dream come true.

I'd be happy if they returned Future World into the cohesive whole it once was. And I would be glad to pay a premium for my chicken fingers and fries if that would make it possible.

Put that in a survey. :lol:
 

Figment82

Well-Known Member
Agreed.

The additions of Vinylmation and D Street are exciting future prospects. Both are unique and offer items that are not only stylish, but can only be found (conveniently) at the parks and resorts.

Not to thread drift even more, but there are now Disney Stores selling Vinylmation, along with Disney Store exclusive sets (like the new villain series). And there are also Disney Parks online store exclusives as well. Totally agree with you about how they are a unique souvenir/collectible option (I've been addicted since they came out), but they are not park exclusive either.
 

MichWolv

Born Modest. Wore Off.
Premium Member
I think everyone likes to bang on this drum because it's a popular one, but I think merchandise has gotten exponentially better in the last two years. To be sure, it's not as good as it was from 90-98, but we have noticed more ride and land specific items (take a look in the Space Mountain gift shop--Tomorrowland AND Space Mountain items! Not just High School Musical!) and the more generic merchandise was more clever, better designed, and generally better.

Merchandise still has a ways to go, especially in location (HSM stuff doesn't belong in Tomorrowland, period), but I think the corner has been turned.

(This probably would make a good independent topic...off to start one...)

In December, I was quite impressed with some of the merchandise as well. More ride-specific stuff, and even some thought given to minor things. I wound up buying a SM on-ride photo in part because it came on a monorail car USB drive. And although there is still a lot of stuff that is the same resort-wide, the quality and diversity of that stuff seemed better.
 

Lee

Adventurer
Are they moving the Adventurers Club to Adventureland in the MK :drevil:
Sadly, no. No, AC news...:(

I would like to just what you are eluding to. This is driving me nuts!!! :hammer:
I'd love to post it, but even though I'm 90% confident...I'm not ready to go out on a limb just yet. The project I'm alluding to would be a couple years down the road (like much of FLE) and it's announcement would cause a lot of :eek:.
I'm gonna play those cards close for the moment....;)
 
S

stphnbogert

Waiting right now is killing me. lol. I hope someone there is going to at least record the event and post it on here (along with the concept artwork!) :sohappy:
 

SeaCastle

Well-Known Member
Sadly, no. No, AC news...:(


I'd love to post it, but even though I'm 90% confident...I'm not ready to go out on a limb just yet. The project I'm alluding to would be a couple years down the road (like much of FLE) and it's announcement would cause a lot of :eek:.
I'm gonna play those cards close for the moment....;)

On a scale from retro EPCOT pins to the construction of Western River Expedition, how much will my inner fanboi explode with excitement?
 

djkidkaz

Well-Known Member
Lee, is this HUGE "thing" part of Fantasyland? Or is it elsewhere in the MK?

And where is Steve ( wdwmagic ) in all of this? Is he going to be covering this on the site with updates and photos?
 

wizards8507

Active Member
I know this is probably taboo to ask, but are the legit insiders' identities and credentials known by others on this board, or are folks like Lee just trusted because of a strong past track record?
 

DocMcHulk

Well-Known Member
I'd love to post it, but even though I'm 90% confident...I'm not ready to go out on a limb just yet. The project I'm alluding to would be a couple years down the road (like much of FLE) and it's announcement would cause a lot of :eek:.
I'm gonna play those cards close for the moment....;)
The Speedway is getting replaced?
post-616-1213322002.jpg
 

DocMcHulk

Well-Known Member
I know this is probably taboo to ask, but are the legit insiders' identities and credentials known by others on this board, or are folks like Lee just trusted because of a strong past track record?

A little bit of both depending on the person.

I know in a situation like myself, I am working on developing a source, but i wouldn't expect anyone around here to believe my inside info until I have a good track record.
 

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