Spirited News and Observations and Opinions ...

[Disneyhead'71]

I disagree.

I do not think any of what you said is true at all.

Things WILL change for the better. We just need to be patient and optimistic. And I think EMH reductions WILL lead to increased maintenance at the parks.


P.S.: To anyone who says that there's not enough meat on the new Fantasyland... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! The new Fantasyland has LOTS of meat...and it will have even more of it when the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Princess Fairytale Hall open!

Pork Shanks don't count.

 

[GoofGoof]

i...truthfully don't know what this means, but i implore everyone to not let '74's wonderful thread drift into an alcohol in the resort debate. PLEASE!

back on topic, i've never understood the shift to TDO's strategy to court the once-in-a-lifetimers, yet keep building and selling DVC like it's going out of style. aren't those two things diametrically opposed? if you're breeding new DVC members, doesn't it make sense to keep the parks well-maintained, fresh, and state-of-the-art so that guests want to keep returning?

i still say DVC members hold the key to getting this thing back on the right track.

DVC profits are made in the initial sale. They have some incentive to treat members well to hope they buy some add on points though. I have posted this before, but it is on topic so worth repeating. 30,000 on property rooms but only 3,000 are DVC rooms so 10%. If the split between on property and off property guests in the parks is 50/50 then that means DVC members only make up 5% of guests any given day. Unfortunately, not a large enough vocal minority to move the needle yet.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Methinks the Bear has been drinking too much of the Koolaid.

Kool Aid spiked with what? LOL....

 

[Cody5242]

What are the odds of there actually being an actual big announcement at this years D23 Expo?

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Actually I believe there is a really good chance of major announcements coming at D23. And by major I am talking Pixar Place Expansion for WDW/ Stark Expo for DLR.

 

[GoofGoof]

What are the odds of there actually being an actual big announcement at this years D23 Expo?

I'm no insider, but they have to have some decisions made by then, right? There are so many juicy rumors about things almost being green lit if none of it is official by this summer that will be disappointing, but it will set very high expectations for D23.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I am under the impression that by Summer, construction will be underway at DHS, so they will probably spill the beans at D23.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

P.S.: To anyone who says that there's not enough meat on the new Fantasyland... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! The new Fantasyland has LOTS of meat...and it will have even more of it when the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Princess Fairytale Hall open!

Gotta ask: Where's the beef??? In the little cloned plasticated c-ticket with the queue that spanks the attraction and effects that aren't working consistently less than 2 months in? Is it in the glorified story time thing with Belle where --oops-- we're also getting reports that things aren't working right? Oh, I get it. Must be the restaurant that only the most dedicated of fanbois-n-gurlz even have a prayer of visiting because they are the ones who will book their reservations at 6:00 am 6 months out and/or stand in line for lunch starting at park opening. Meanwhile, the rest of the MK & WDW suffers the plague of indifference from its keepers who would love nothing more than to continue to bask in their self-made illusion of substance. Some folks see past it, I suppose.

I'm trying to reserve my final thoughts for next month when I see FLE in person but I'm not going in with very high expectations. That's prob'ly safer. If you expect less you'll be disappointed less, I suppose. If there's a 50 minute wait to see a story told I'm thinking I won't be seeing that. I had no inclination 5 months ago that I'd be at the MK on 1/22 as a port day on a Disney cruise we're taking out of Galveston. Its sounding like I'll be SOL for seeing BoG. Well, there goes 2 out of 3 things. Hmmm...maybe I should ditch the $500 for the private cabana on Castaway Cay and use that money for a rental car and quality attractions at other Central Florida parks I haven't seen that I can actually access. The wheels are turning...

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I'm no insider, but they have to have some decisions made by then, right? There are so many juicy rumors about things almost being green lit if none of it is official by this summer that will be disappointing, but it will set very high expectations for D23.

Doesn't really matter what gets announced at D23 because TDO has a disappointing habit of prematurely announcing things that either never happen or end up different from the initial announcement. Depressing, ain't it?

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Gotta ask: Where's the beef??? In the little cloned plasticated c-ticket with the queue that spanks the attraction and effects that aren't working consistently less than 2 months in? Is it in the glorified story time thing with Belle where --oops-- we're also getting reports that things aren't working right? Oh, I get it. Must be the restaurant that only the most dedicated of fanbois-n-gurlz even have a prayer of visiting because they are the ones who will book their reservations at 6:00 am 6 months out and/or stand in line for lunch starting at park opening. Meanwhile, the rest of the MK & WDW suffers the plague of indifference from its keepers who would love nothing more than to continue to bask in their self-made illusion of substance. Some folks see past it, I suppose.

I'm trying to reserve my final thoughts for next month when I see FLE in person but I'm not going in with very high expectations. That's prob'ly safer. If you expect less you'll be disappointed less, I suppose. If there's a 50 minute wait to see a story told I'm thinking I won't be seeing that. I had no inclination 5 months ago that I'd be at the MK on 1/22 as a port day on a Disney cruise we're taking out of Galveston. Its sounding like I'll be SOL for seeing BoG. Well, there goes 2 out of 3 things. Hmmm...maybe I should ditch the $500 for the private cabana on Castaway Cay and use that money for a rental car and quality attractions at other Central Florida parks I haven't seen that I can actually access. The wheels are turning...

If the choice is between Potter (have you seen it yet?) and the NFL. Well, one is an amazing offering, the other is "nice".

 

[GoofGoof]

Doesn't really matter what gets announced at D23 because TDO has a disappointing habit of prematurely announcing things that either never happen or end up different from the initial announcement. Depressing, ain't it?

He only asked what would be announced at D23, not actually built

 

[lazyboy97o]

Kool Aid spiked with what? LOL....

Whatever it is, he should keep drinking. It's better than the Caps Lock posts calling others liars with the angry emoticons. (But maybe not as amusing.)

 

[marni1971]

I'd assume some people that are easily pleased don't know the WDW parks of the 80s and early 90s.

And choose to ignore other brands.

I'd be surprised if *something* wasn't announced at D23. Even if not for Orlando.

 

[Clever Name]

Patience and optimism. Yep. That'll do it.

It's no wonder that Jiminy Cricket has retired.

 

[BlueSkyDriveBy]

Disney hasn't conceded anything. They are way too arrogant. The fact so much is on the table right now speaks to the realization that they are going to lose a significant amount of guests/revenue (even from streams they count on, like DVCers who may stay at Disney and play elsewhere) if they don't do something. The problem, as it always is, is a slow snail's pace to make decisions, budget things and start work. They're looking at major things coming in 2017-2020. ... That is soooo too late. And they aren't stupid, despite the outside appearances, they realize that 'New Fantasyland' -- with or without the kiddie coaster -- isn't going to draw significant guests either newbies or returnees.

I said this here six months ago and will repeat it. Things will get better, but not before getting worse.

Sorry, but I'm going to politely disagree with you, Spirit.

I strongly believe that behind closed doors in Burbank, the Powers That Be Mouse have quietly conceded to themselves, that they've run out of time to avoid the proverbial cliff with regard to WDW's continued death grip on the Orlando market.

But don't misunderstand what I mean by that statement. "Quietly conceding" doesn't mean that they'll stop developing new things for the parks. Projects will continue to be cranked out, but in the typical slower-than-molasses fashion. I was referring to embracing the light-a-fire-under-our-butts mentality that needs to take hold at Disney corporate, in order to permanently stem the financial bleeding that's certainly heading their way.

Instead, Disney has decided to trim their budgets and reduce costs by alienating their most loyal, ardent customer base, and focus only on short-term gains. Certainly a recipe for disaster for the long haul. But Iger is a short termer now. He'll be gone by the time the true cost of such austerity measures are felt. So he obviously doesn't care, as long as his compensation and golden parachute gives him enough millions to run for political office.

Disney had a narrow window of opportunity to create their Potter Swatter and keep those Orlando vacation dollars on property where they've traditionally been spent. But now with Potter 2.0 breaking ground and SW's Antarctica opening next year -- while a huge chunk of the FLE is still under construction -- that window is almost fully closed, waiting to be nailed shut. Disney let slip their one opportunity to catch up and gain back their top dog status. They fumbled on the one yard line while their quarterback got knocked out with a concussion and the coach got caught mouthing the F word on national television.That's how badly I perceive their screw up to be.

It's inconceivable to me that Disney let Uni take this much of their market share away from them so easily. They knew the enormous potential Potter would have with theme park visitors. And the fact that they're not lighting that proverbial fire under their butts to rectify it as quickly as possible speaks volumes. That's what I meant by "conceding" the Orlando market. They had their shot to regain lost ground but didn't take it, all because of the stupid, stupid arrogance that permeates the Mouse.

On that part we agree, Spirit.

The massive Disney corporate ego that once was their blessing has now become their curse.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

It's no wonder that Jiminy Cricket has retired.

He gave up, too. LOL!

 

[PurpleRose]

You're probably too young to recall, but there was a time that every land in the MK had a meaning, a story, a purpose ... and that purpose wasn't shilling the Disney BRAND or now the Pixar or Marvel or Lucas BRANDS. Now, everything is watered down and the entire package is a lesser one.

Oh, I recall. I miss that. I long for those days. It's a shame my young neices will never know the Disney I grew up with.

 

[nytimez]

It's no wonder that Jiminy Cricket has retired.

That's actually true. Iger forced him to take a buyout in '06.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Sorry, but I'm going to politely disagree with you, Spirit.

I strongly believe that behind closed doors in Burbank, the Powers That Be Mouse have quietly conceded to themselves, that they've run out of time to avoid the proverbial cliff with regard to WDW's continued death grip on the Orlando market.

But don't misunderstand what I mean by that statement. "Quietly conceding" doesn't mean that they'll stop developing new things for the parks. Projects will continue to be cranked out, but in the typical slower-than-molasses fashion. I was referring to embracing the light-a-fire-under-our-butts mentality that needs to take hold at Disney corporate, in order to permanently stem the financial bleeding that's certainly heading their way.

Instead, Disney has decided to trim their budgets and reduce costs by alienating their most loyal, ardent customer base, and focus only on short-term gains. Certainly a recipe for disaster for the long haul. But Iger is a short termer now. He'll be gone by the time the true cost of such austerity measures are felt. So he obviously doesn't care, as long as his compensation and golden parachute gives him enough millions to run for political office.

Disney had a narrow window of opportunity to create their Potter Swatter and keep those Orlando vacation dollars on property where they've traditionally been spent. But now with Potter 2.0 breaking ground and SW's Antarctica opening next year -- while a huge chunk of the FLE is still under construction -- that window is almost fully closed, waiting to be nailed shut. Disney let slip their one opportunity to catch up and gain back their top dog status. They fumbled on the one yard line while their quarterback got knocked out with a concussion and the coach got caught mouthing the F word on national television.That's how badly I perceive their screw up to be.

It's inconceivable to me that Disney let Uni take this much of their market share away from them so easily. They knew the enormous potential Potter would have with theme park visitors. And the fact that they're not lighting that proverbial fire under their butts to rectify it as quickly as possible speaks volumes. That's what I meant by "conceding" the Orlando market. They had their shot to regain lost ground but didn't take it, all because of the stupid, stupid arrogance that permeates the Mouse.

On that part we agree, Spirit.

The massive Disney corporate ego that once was their blessing has now become their curse.

I honestly believe they sorely misunderstood the "Potter Demographic". All that rhetoric about "Rising tide raises all boats" was 100% wrong. TDO wrongly thought "No one is going to come to Orlando to see Potter without spending the bulk of their vacation at WDW". As they found out, Potter Fans have zero interest in WDW. But to be fair, Uni misjudged that demo also. Uni was stunned that not only are Potter fans not interested in WDW they aren't even interested in the other rides in the same park as Potter. Fortunately, with the crowds causing them to restrict access to Hogsmeade, the Potter fans had little choice but to explore the rest of the resort while waiting to get into Potter. And they have enjoyed what they have found so much that they are returning to actually just enjoy the resort as a whole.
Now with Uni opening the moderate family suites resort, Disney is going to lose the few that were using WDW as a base camp for their Potter trip. Only those DVCers who are basically pre-paid will be using WDW for that purpose.

 

[celluloid]

Exactly. Disney has saturated that market to where they do not book up all their value hotels anymore. Universal is finally tapping into that market with the Cabana Beach resort.
What also hurts the rising tides raise all boats concept is that WDW had not built anything substantially new since many last visits when Potter first opened. New Fantasyland is not really drawing many away either.

With Potter expanding and its construction well under way along with the new hotel, Universal is going to have its biggest maket draw expand, others that have been will return and explore the resort again as well as broaden their market to those who could not afford to visit before.

With no serious groundbreaking going on at anything besides the finishing items of New Fantasyland, Disney is may be taking another hit by 2014-2015.