Clever Name
Well-Known Member
It's only been about 30 pounds and as long as I hold my stomach in tight and wear shirts that don't tuck into my pants...
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Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV
- Thread starter WDW1974
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ShookieJones
We need time for things to happen.
Dont let them get to you, you still look great. Theyre just jealous because they werent the ones who threw the last minute touchdown to beat Ridgefield in '86. Go wildcats!
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Sped2424
Well-Known Member
We have had this argument before and last time yours fell flat.Well, that was fun.
Oh, and as to the Muppets' profitability:
The unit's revenue for the quarter was $1.6 billion. That was roughly the same as a year earlier but shy of the $1.8 billion analysts had expected. Disney said DVD and Blu-ray sales of "John Carter" and "The Muppets" fell short of last year's sales of "Tron: Legacy" and "Tangled."
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/08/business/la-fi-ct-disney-earns-20120808
Oh wow, John Carter! Well at least the puppets are in good compan...oh, wait...
1023
Provocateur, Rancanteur, Plaisanter, du Jour
I said, I'd never join another social media tool. I guess I lied to myself on that front and joined this place. The quoted text from LongHairBear was the final straw that got my hat back in this ring. I was content to lurk as a non-member and suffer or cheer in silence on rumors and verified facts, but no more. The true irony is that it was Spirited's sprinkled morsels that kept me reading all the pages of this thread. ( Yeah, I know, the quoted post was from yesterday.) But here goes....
The truth is over the last few years, I have invested more in Disney than they have in me. While I drank he Kool-Aid almost at birth (thanks mom and dad) I have been giving Disney more than just my vacation dollars. I am the demographic they should fall all over themselves for and NGE will make it appear as I am the least. I am a Disney Premier Passholder (have been for years despite huge price increases), I own at 2 DVC resorts including the new GFV, (I can here many of you booing now), I have Tables in Wonderland, I am over 40, financially secure, and have visited WDW more in the last 5 years than ever before (despite a horrible economy that is not getting better). Despite all of this, I am about to be considered a "Drain" on their resources.
Why am I a "Drain"? I have no kids. I travel with adults on most visits (although not on my next one). I stay in my DVC resort. I go off property to purchase groceries and reasonably priced beer (24 pack for the price of 3 bottles on property). I make my own coffee in the morning. I cook at least 1 meal a day in my room (usually breakfast). I rent a car ( to avoid a horrible bus system and a monorail system with continuing issues). I only occasionally make ADRs, prefering to walk up and get reservations same day. I Park Hop. Some days I use 8 or more FastPasses. Some days I ride no attractions. I buy 1 or 2 items from a shop per trip. And the thing they hate every time, I have Owner's Locker to keep all the things they want to sell every time ( ponchos, sunblock, light coat, etc...).
It seems that in their eyes, I will be the worst type of "drain". My Premier Pass takes care of parking fees, entry (over 30 days worth on both coasts this year), Golf on the 9 hole ( way fun), DisneyQuest (not way fun), "water parks and more". Those 30 days this year is bad for them. Everything they will see is money lost:
1) They want to sell me 3 10-day MYW tickets with "Park Hopper" & WP&M.Plus get the no expiry if possible.
2) They will see are losing money on every breakfast I (and my party) eat in my room.
3) They lose money on every overpriced beer and bottle of water they don't sell me.
4) They can't sell me that poncho or umbrella every visit.
5) They can't sell me a coat or sweatshirt.
6) They can't count on me to eat at Tepan Edo on a certain day and time.
7) They can't count on me to be trapped in one theme park so they can staff lighter everywhere else.
8) You get the point......
I am a tech guy, hence the reason I try to avoid the obvious data mining tools (i.e. social media). As such, I am usually thrilled with tech that improves the world. I do not usually fear change. But I think everyone in this thread can identify some elements fear with NGE.
My fear..... two polo wearing, iPad armed, "Band" members approaching me to escort me from the parks because I didn't meet my purchase quota or rode on too many E-tickets that day.
Regardless, sorry for "wall of text" but hey, When I jump in it's with both feet.
*1023*
Captain Neo
Well-Known Member
Magenta Panther nodded off to sleep. It would soon be time for the same nightmare he had every night. As if on queue, Panther was overcome with sleep paralysis as the muppets slowly began surrounding him pushing him facedown on his bed.
"Go ahead do your worst" Panther said to the manically laughing puppets
"OH today we have something special planned for you! Wakka Wakka!" boasted Fozzie Bear
Suddenly an iconic mechanical breath could be heard coming from outside his room. Panther went completely silent to listen again as if he misheard. No...the sound of breathing through a respirator occurred again. Suddenly a familiar silhouette stood in the doorway....it was Darth Vader.
"No...you aren't a real Disney character go away". Vader just proceeded towards him
"I'm not afraid of you!" Panther shouted in a desperate attempt to ward off Vader
Darth Vader proceeded towards him pulling out a plastic lightsaber from behind his cape.
"Oh you will be" proclaimed the Dark Lord "...you will be"
Panther hoped his alarm clock would go off soon.
"Go ahead do your worst" Panther said to the manically laughing puppets
"OH today we have something special planned for you! Wakka Wakka!" boasted Fozzie Bear
Suddenly an iconic mechanical breath could be heard coming from outside his room. Panther went completely silent to listen again as if he misheard. No...the sound of breathing through a respirator occurred again. Suddenly a familiar silhouette stood in the doorway....it was Darth Vader.
"No...you aren't a real Disney character go away". Vader just proceeded towards him
"I'm not afraid of you!" Panther shouted in a desperate attempt to ward off Vader
Darth Vader proceeded towards him pulling out a plastic lightsaber from behind his cape.
"Oh you will be" proclaimed the Dark Lord "...you will be"
Panther hoped his alarm clock would go off soon.
Soarin' Over Pgh
Well-Known Member
Can we all just change our avatars to photos of us/ our pets/kids/random things wearing tin foil hats?
Because... I'm so IN if that's the case. I just bought a new roll of tin foil. Let's do this.
... LOL thanks for that mental image, as this stupid workday comes to a slow, painful crawl towards the finish line.
Soarin' Over Pgh
Well-Known Member
You are exactly who Disney doesn't want anymore. You're not a walking dollar sign. Sad to say that.
On another note, welcome to the forum.
nytimez
Well-Known Member
I'd call it more of a cannonball. Great first post & welcome.
Sped2424
Well-Known Member
Can we have a thread dedicated to this?
Soarin' Over Pgh
Well-Known Member
^^^^^ yes please
fillerup
Well-Known Member
Hmmm - can spell, understands grammar, uses paragraphs, understands punctuation including parentheses and commas.
Impressive. Meant seriously.
Clever Name
Well-Known Member
I fear it would end with Dexter having his way with the Panther with magenta all over the room.
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senor_jorge
Barbara Eden+? Bring it!!
It's hard not to look cool in white cleats.
njDizFan
Well-Known Member
I'm sure the show is just a slap in the face to real journalists, just like maybe House or ER was in turn to a real physican. But I really love that show. It's core ideals are laudable(at least IMHO)
Progessives Unite!!
the.dreamfinder
Well-Known Member
I wish I could do what Sloan did to that guy last Sunday to Iger/Rasulo/Staggs.
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Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
You indeed make some good points and with the exception of the Premier Pass and the DVC you are doing what I do. I, though, do not fear technology as it relates to Disney. Governmental yes, Disney no! I have to live in this country or uproot and go someplace else that isn't any better. I don't want to see this country falling in that sinkhole. Disney...MEH! Try as they might they cannot milk an unwilling nickel from me. I don't mind the data mining because I feel certain that the mining being done by Disney benefits or attempts to benefit Disney alone. As long as I go in there knowing that is what they are doing, I have nothing to fear. Ask the question were they intending to keep all of that a secret...well maybe, I don't have anyway of knowing. I do think that the money group that everyone seems to think they are targeting, didn't get to be the money group by being stupid. The only ones that can be duped to any degree, and I don't even know if that is possible, would be those other lower life forms, like myself, that are not holding up their financial weight in the eyes of Disney.
Nothing in my mind will melt the Disney "magic" quicker then deception and manipulation. Independently the financial drags probably don't add up to much revenue, but collectively they represent a large portion of it and although frugal, out of necessity, are proportionately spending the same percentages as the big rollers. Lose that revenue and who has to make it up? That's right the big spenders. At what point do they say, hey wait, is this really worth it? I suspect not to long after the mouse has emptied their pockets a couple of times.
I'm not worried about it on Disney level because I can control just what happens. If I never set foot in a Disney park again, their little electronic tricks will not touch me. I might give up something that I used to love, but their actions have taken that affection and loyalty away. In an extreme example, like a cheating spouse will sometimes destroy love. If they use that information in the way that most service and merchandise companies would, like crowd and inventory control, personnel management, future planning and having a handle on what to anticipate. I don't see that as a problem for me. In fact, I see that as a possible plus for me.
Whatever the situation is, I refuse to run around yelling the sky is falling, when the only thing that as actually happened to this point is a few clouds have moved. The only bad things that have been brought up are not reality, but are products of group collective imagination. Maybe that is what they could put in the imagination building. A large discussion panel where, "their going to get you" theories can be bantered about without anyone having the nerve to say...only if you're weak enough to let them!
Thank you for kicking NGE square in the b*lls. Then you hit it with the right, left, uppercut combo to boot. Bravo & Welcome to the forums!
1023
Provocateur, Rancanteur, Plaisanter, du Jour
Alas, hoisted on my own petard. I must not have clearly stated that what those commenting on this thread are doing is an expression of fear. I can see this from both sides and understand the fears many have (security issues being of gravest concern). Fear can be a good thing.I thought I stated my fear as being rousted from the parks by the iPad armed, "Band" toughs for not spending to my allotted quota or meeting their perceived notion of my "reserve price" ( I like that term).
More of the point I was trying to drive home (other than my gross materialism), was my investment in Disney is not being returned by their investment in me. By that, to be clear, they have removed incentives and perks from the programs they promoted at a fairly steady rate. In order to receive those perks, (especially in WDW as DLR is very different), you must now purchase them. A primary example of this is table service discounts only through Tables in Wonderland.
In the lack of investment in maintenance of existing attractions, development of new attractions, and improvements in transportation systems, P&R is failing many different groups of people at WDW. Specifically, they are failing stockholders (critically in the long term), they are failing their real estate investors (DVC is a managed capital investment), they are failing the varying forms of pass holders and their future visitors. I fit into three of the groups listed.
It seems clear to me (thanks to those disclosing these details), that Disney sees me as a "data point" to be tracked and re-purposed or re-directed if possible. (I am sure they see every living creature that way but that is for another thread I am sure.) They are spending upwards of 2 billion dollars to do it. If they applied NGE in a way to enhance my experience, as Tony Baxter espouses, I would be over the moon in support of it. If they apply it in a way to turn me upside down to shake out my loose change too, not so much. Navigating around these new guest enhancements and technology upgrades shouldn't be too difficult. I am sure I will be able to ignore my "iDevice" telling me there is a 5 minute wait at Maelstrom when I am 20 minutes into a 40 minute line at Test Track. I know the "value" curve. I do not perceive many here that are weak enough to fall victim to "guest experience adjustment". I have been lurking in the wings reading.
Manipulations and misrepresentations aside, this program sounds like it's full potential will never be realized. I will take pleasure in using new vernacular on my next visit. Greetings "data point", have you achieved your "reserve price" for the day? I am sure the "Band" geeks ( get it? I am not entirely humorless.) will look quizzically at me.
As an aside, I will be staying in the new GFV very near it's opening day. I'll be happy to share my perspective and photos if desired. (I know, off-topic. I'm sorry.)
More of the point I was trying to drive home (other than my gross materialism), was my investment in Disney is not being returned by their investment in me. By that, to be clear, they have removed incentives and perks from the programs they promoted at a fairly steady rate. In order to receive those perks, (especially in WDW as DLR is very different), you must now purchase them. A primary example of this is table service discounts only through Tables in Wonderland.
In the lack of investment in maintenance of existing attractions, development of new attractions, and improvements in transportation systems, P&R is failing many different groups of people at WDW. Specifically, they are failing stockholders (critically in the long term), they are failing their real estate investors (DVC is a managed capital investment), they are failing the varying forms of pass holders and their future visitors. I fit into three of the groups listed.
It seems clear to me (thanks to those disclosing these details), that Disney sees me as a "data point" to be tracked and re-purposed or re-directed if possible. (I am sure they see every living creature that way but that is for another thread I am sure.) They are spending upwards of 2 billion dollars to do it. If they applied NGE in a way to enhance my experience, as Tony Baxter espouses, I would be over the moon in support of it. If they apply it in a way to turn me upside down to shake out my loose change too, not so much. Navigating around these new guest enhancements and technology upgrades shouldn't be too difficult. I am sure I will be able to ignore my "iDevice" telling me there is a 5 minute wait at Maelstrom when I am 20 minutes into a 40 minute line at Test Track. I know the "value" curve. I do not perceive many here that are weak enough to fall victim to "guest experience adjustment". I have been lurking in the wings reading.
Manipulations and misrepresentations aside, this program sounds like it's full potential will never be realized. I will take pleasure in using new vernacular on my next visit. Greetings "data point", have you achieved your "reserve price" for the day? I am sure the "Band" geeks ( get it? I am not entirely humorless.) will look quizzically at me.
As an aside, I will be staying in the new GFV very near it's opening day. I'll be happy to share my perspective and photos if desired. (I know, off-topic. I'm sorry.)
Magenta Panther
Well-Known Member
Nope. Look, of all of Disney's unnecessary acquisitions, the Muppets are easily the weakest. Which is one reason there's a very strong possibility the puppets are getting kicked out of their theater at DCA and probably at WDW. And if that happens, it's likely they're not moving to a bigger better attraction. They're probably going to be downgraded and their presence in the parks reduced. Because they're so "profitable".
Soarin' Over Pgh
Well-Known Member
I hope I'm reading this wrong, but how can you say you're ok with disney data mining you and in the next breath say nothing melts your magic quicker than deception and manipulation when this entire program is doing just that?
And if I read that wrong, I'm truly sorry. It's been a long day and I'm considering what kind of wine I should drink for dinner.
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