ScreamScape 11/22: More DTD Rumors

[wm49rs]

Is Screamscape even relevant anymore?

They appear to want to remain so, no matter what the rumor (or its source)......

 

[Jrn14]

Is Screamscape even relevant anymore?

No reason to hate... Screamscape is a great cliffnotes site that updates not just Orlando but the whole country.

 

[CBOMB]

Wow I know you don't like DTD, but to say there is no added value of being there is crazy.

Disney bring in millions of guests to your doorstep each year and promote your business around the world. Having an inbuilt guest base for being atDTD is massive.

I agree with the premise of the foot traffic, and advertising advantages that is associated with having a location on WDW property. However House of Blues as well as Cirque du Soleil have long complained about their locations.

I really don't think either one of them will be moving anytime soon though. They would be hard pressed to find as good a location off property.

 

[CBOMB]

Maybe they'll start selling actual Harleys. :lol:

The expense of having to pay hazardous material cleanup crews to come in to take care of all the oil leaks would be to great.:lol:

 

[Master Yoda]

The expense of having to pay hazardous material cleanup crews to come in to take care of all the oil leaks would be to great.:lol:

Favorite discussion overheard at a Harley Dealer

Mechanic: "Is it leaking oil?"
Customer "No."
Mechanic: "Are you sure there is still oil in it?"

 

[jt04]

Is Screamscape even relevant anymore?

Not really when it comes to Disney rumors. I'd bet the source is Amusement Insider of some other such internet blog with no track record. The trolly rumor debunks everything after that. Steve gets accurate information and even exclusive concept art. That is making some people a bit kooky IMO. :lol:

Anyway, this is my last post in this thread. It is just getting too obvious what is going on with these "rumors".

 

[nor'easter]

No reason to hate... Screamscape is a great cliffnotes site that updates not just Orlando but the whole country.

Beg to differ. With respect to Disney (I don't care about Six Flags or Dollyland or Bubba's Backyard Go-Karts) their info is cannabalized from other sites or is stupid guess work that is invariably wrong.

 

[joe80x86]

I can't see HOB leaving, they get customers they definitely wouldn't get off Disney property. Heck I would never have eaten there otherwise.

As far as the trolley where would they put it?

 

[bugsbunny]

I never understood why name the place House of Blues when there is NEVER a blues act playing there? I've been in or around the ones at DtD at WDW or DL 3 times. The bands were the Goo Goo Dolls, KC & The Sunshine Band, and some goth punk band that was super entertaining. Not in their music, but by the crowd they brought in. That was something to see!

Regardless, George Carlin was on to something when he talked about the travesty in naming the place! :ROFLOL:

 

[ChrisFL]

I kind of sounds like they are getting their information from this forum. The trolley idea is being discussed here, and the Virgin Megastore minimall thing is being discussed here as well.

That's the first thing I thought when I read that as well

 

[JeffH]

Dtd is perfect for House of Blues

I

, I think a lot of businesses are starting to realize there is no added value whatsoever to being "at Disney" as opposed to any other retail area locally.

Businesses at dtd have typically been the most successful outlet of that business,e.g.Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Cafe,VirginMegastore, even when the chain was threatened with bankruptcy. I would think this is due to the fact that wdw guests consist of a wide variety of people looking for different and interesting things to do while on vacation, which most of the establishments at dtd ( except Mcdonalds, RIP) provide, especially HoB. Whereas when people shop at a mall, they are looking to buy shoes, not blues.
One of my favorite memories was surprising my darling daughter with a Mitchel Musso concert on her birthday at the House of Blues.

 

[BrerFrog]

Megastore converting into a mini-mall... hmmmm, where have I heard that before?

 

[ABigBrassBand]

I kind of sounds like they are getting their information from this forum. The trolley idea is being discussed here, and the Virgin Megastore minimall thing is being discussed here as well. Now if HOB or any other businesses continue to pull out of DTD it won't be good for attracting tenants to HW.

Your avatar intrigues me...any reason behind it?

 

[TP2000]

"A Screamscape source tells me that along with the introduction of the Hyperion Wharf concept to Downtown Disney, there are also plans in the works to add a small trolley system to run along the lengthy complex, very similar to what is being added to the California Adventure park.

They saw my idea for this in the other thread! :ROFLOL:

Seriously, at this point I'm pretty sure Screamscape "sources" just troll message boards rounding up unsubstantiated rumors from anonymous sources, with a dash of the latest legit scoop from an Al Lutz update at Miceage sprinkled on top. :hammer:

 

[s8film40]

I don't know.........I think you might be off on this. DTD visitors are on vacation and come armed with cash. It's not a traditional mall in the sense of the kind of businesses that do well, but I bet their sales per sq foot ranks with the best in the region. The issue would be occupancy costs. I don't know what the terms are, but Disney isn't losing money at DTD. New Restaurants seem to be doing fine. The Virgin Megastores lasted longer on Disney property then anywhere else. It's the small, extremely expensive boutiques that seem to struggle in today's economy and I bet they would be struggling anywhere.

I have visited the HOB in Chicago, which is supposed to be quite successful, and never have seen the crowds that I have seen at DTD. It would surprise me if they left unless there was another mega-development like the old Church Street Station that was coming. I could see that.

Disney does have to play a bit of catch-up tho. They have let DTD deteriorate in terms of the offerings and atmosphere. I am glad to see the new plan.

I guess you've never been to the FL Mall area BestBuy when the bus comes to pick up all the Brazilians who are each carrying bags with well over $1000 of merchandise each.

Different businesses do better in different areas. At the time HOB was put in it was the right choice. As it is now with PI closed and the condition of that area (Virgin Megastore closed, no more west end bus stop) as well as the recent shift of nightlife to downtown Orlando and other areas I think there are many locations (downtown Orlando would be a good one) where HOB would do much better than at DTD. Everyone in this thread who has said that they went there because it was at DTD and wouldn't have otherwise has mentioned the restaurant. This is perfectly in line with what Disney is doing focusing more on restaurants, but HOB is primarily a dance club and concert venue. This is why I think a move for them would make sense.

 

[s8film40]

Your avatar intrigues me...any reason behind it?

Yes, but I wouldn't want to get off topic.

 

[wishesjake]

Yes, but I wouldn't want to get off topic.

Now I'm intrigued also. What does it mean?

 

[dreamfinder]

I can see it, I think a lot of businesses are starting to realize there is no added value whatsoever to being "at Disney" as opposed to any other retail area locally. If HOB moved they would still attract the same level of business if not more the only difference is they could probably pay less rent. I think if Disney wants to keep DTD going they are going to have to start looking at it on the same level as any other retail area and get rid of the it's on Disney property so it's worth more attitude.

I doubt completely that they would get the same level of business elsewhere. The music venue, perhaps. And admittedly HoB as a chain seems to be putting much more towards that part of the business than the restaurant aspect. But I cannot see the restaurant doing the same level of business elsewhere. A vast majority of tourists do WDW and Universal, and thats it. They don't venture downtown, or other places. So if you aren't at either location, then you won't see the same level of business. Just look at all the smaller parks, off site entertainment etc that is struggling for business. An outlet mall supporting HoB? No way. Perhaps the outlet mall will carry a Ruby Tuesdays or something similar (that is what I usually see). And as mentioned before, look at Planet Hollywood. Despite closing most of the other locations, they do enough business to keep the DTD location open, and heck, even has multiple merch spots (unless they closed the DHS location).

I never understood why name the place House of Blues when there is NEVER a blues act playing there? I've been in or around the ones at DtD at WDW or DL 3 times. The bands were the Goo Goo Dolls, KC & The Sunshine Band, and some goth punk band that was super entertaining. Not in their music, but by the crowd they brought in. That was something to see!

Regardless, George Carlin was on to something when he talked about the travesty in naming the place! :ROFLOL:

Don't they still do the blues/gospel brunch on Sundays?

 

[WDWFigment]

No reason to hate... Screamscape is a great cliffnotes site that updates not just Orlando but the whole country.

But when those Cliff Notes are assembled by scouring internet forums (which appears to be the case) and re-packaging the hopes and 'gee wouldn't it be cool if...' statements of individuals not in the know as if they were legitimate rumors, that is not only misleading, but worthless.

 

[DVCOwner]

I think Disney needs to look at a Trolly System that would run from EPCOT Monorail station to Downtown Disney. Could have stops at Boardwalk, Disney Hollywood Studios, Etc. on the way.

This might greatly reduce bus traffic.