Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[raymusiccity]

Disney's dominance ends the moment anyone who's paid for GF or the Contemp sets foot in a Lowe's hotel... or the Waldorf... etc.

There's just no going back after that.

I don't get that comment at all. The lobby of Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom or Contemporary , all have an unequaled 'Wow' factor. (Especially when one has a monorail running through it!).

 

[WDW1974]

I don't know any of the people but thought defending them was worthwhile considering some of the stuff that was being said. I would want someone to do the same for me.

I appreciate that. Really. ...I get out in the middle of the road and grab turtles ...and when a lizard gets in my house, I let it live until I can catch it and get it out. If a kitten is stuck in a drain, I am out there.

But some creatures are not worth the time or effort. ANY of these people (with a few exceptions who were so onerous they were banned, something that seems near impossible here) are capable of joining a discussion and engaging in what social media and the internet is supposed to be about (beyond ).

It isn't like they aren't all reading or having others report in. If they don't want to come and defend themselves it just may be because they feel a little defensive about what they are engaging in.

 

[nytimez]

Whether we are talking about Tangled, Wreck It Ralph, Cars 2, Brave or Monsters U ...they all are targeted at kids. They are in no way deep or multi-layered like the best films both Studios used to put out. That's why while I enjoyed all of the above films none of them stuck with me at all. Sorta like a sugar high that passes and still leaves you hungry.

I thought Tangled and Ralph were terrific - not just kids flicks that I happened to like. I even thought the 3D in Tangled was used with artistic effect, rather than solely as a gimmick.

 

[nytimez]

I don't get that comment at all. The lobby of Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom or Contemporary , all have an unequaled 'Wow' factor. (Especially when one has a monorail running through it!).

Animal Kingdom is one of my favorite hotels on the planet. I probably rank it ahead of any of the Uni hotels, but I wouldn't put the Wilderness Lodge or Contemporary on that same level.

Also, beyond the comparison of the lobbies, Lowes just knows how to run a hotel better than Disney, period.

 

[Ignohippo]

Just got off the phone with my sister who called me to tell me some Disney news she learned today from a patient (she works at a doctor's office). The patient, she says, is a project manager working on NextGen.

She said he told her to forget everything we're told about why Disney is developing it. She said that he said the real reason for it is so that the company could know where all its guests are at all times. For security. She said that he told her that teenage guests were getting into places that they shouldn't be in. This technology would put a stop to that.

Now, I doubt this is the only reason, but its certain a motivation behind the push to develop it. Also, she insists this patient is the PM on it. I doubt that too. A manager at some level nonetheless.

And what would stop the teenager up to no-good from simply sliding the Magic Band off his/her wrist? And what would alert security to someone breaking the law or park rules? It isn't going to see someone shoplift, go where they aren't supposed to, or drop a backpack in a trash can.

Some video cameras would be much more effective and cost-efficient. I'm sorry, but the idea of NextGen being for security really wouldn't make much sense.

 

[WDW1974]

Just got off the phone with my sister who called me to tell me some Disney news she learned today from a patient (she works at a doctor's office). The patient, she says, is a project manager working on NextGen.

She said he told her to forget everything we're told about why Disney is developing it. She said that he said the real reason for it is so that the company could know where all its guests are at all times. For security. She said that he told her that teenage guests were getting into places that they shouldn't be in. This technology would put a stop to that.

Now, I doubt this is the only reason, but its certain a motivation behind the push to develop it. Also, she insists this patient is the PM on it. I doubt that too. A manager at some level nonetheless.

Sure, they are.

Teenagers are great at getting into places (that some feel they shouldn't go), namely other teens' pants.

But, as always, your post was amusing!

 

[ParentsOf4]

I don't get that comment at all. The lobby of Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom or Contemporary , all have an unequaled 'Wow' factor. (Especially when one has a monorail running through it!).

The problem is price.

I just stayed at the Montreal Marriott for about $240/night. That's for a luxury, modern, centrally located hotel in a major city. Oh, and I had a lovely view. I promise you the Marriott is banking a lot of cash at $240/night.

Disney's resort prices are insane.

 

[WDW1974]

I still say, if they were really serious, they should have partnered with Merlin and made sure Legoland was built on Uni property. Adding such a magnet for kids to the Uni resort (and taking ahold of the family demo) would have been the thing to put a nail in the coffin and really put a massive dent in WDW.

They can add as much Lorax, Despicable Me, Smurfs they want, but none of them have anywhere close to the drawing power that Legoland would have.

The lack of space at the resort is a real problem for them. Adding hotels is great, but they really need another gate in order to truly compete with the Mouse.

No, what they really need to compete is the hotel rooms and state of the art attractions- and they getting both.

Beyond that comes a state of the art water park and who knows what they'll do with third gate plans, which they have.

Disney is going to lose tremendous gate at any park not called the MK in the years ahead if they stick to their current business models.

 

[Ignohippo]

Wreck-it Ralph is full of references to 80s and 90s games. Very much geared towards the parents watching the movie with the kid, especially the male demograph Disney coveted in between princessy movies.

Pixar is rubbish lately. Three stinkers in a row, what a disappointment. I blame marketing and commercial pressures, and simply creative lifespan. The well seems dry. Pixar is old and tired. While this could possibly have been overcome if lifespan was the only problem, instead it collapsed owing to the second onslaught of commercial demand.

Tangled is the greatest movie ever! Glorious on my 60 inch 3d Bluray.

I agree with everything you say here, but what were the 3 Pixar stinkers you refer to?

Cars 2 was horrific, Brave was fair (but hardly a "stinker"), Monsters U was outstanding (as far as sequels go). Before that was TS3, Wall-E and Ratatouille.

We'll see just how dry the well is when Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur and Finding Dory come out. I have high hopes for all 3.

 

[WDW1974]

That's it?

I can offer high six figures + freshly baked cookies...

It depends on how good the cookies are. There could be wiggle room in buying me off!

 

[WildcatDen]

You should have seen the things we passed up!

Like a QTIP. Words to live (a new life) by

It is to the point that I do not go to a Bengal's game unless it is free

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think while Disney is off looking for Blue Oceans...one enterprising fisherman found that the Ocean wasn't really red.

It'll be red with blood when Universal is done.

I still say, if they were really serious, they should have partnered with Merlin and made sure Legoland was built on Uni property. Adding such a magnet for kids to the Uni resort (and taking ahold of the family demo) would have been the thing to put a nail in the coffin and really put a massive dent in WDW.

A big part of why we have seen such a change at the Universal Orlando Resort is not just Comcast's acquisition of NBCUniversal, but also the removal of The Blackstone Group from the Resort's ownership. Legoland Florida at the Universal Orlando Resort would have kept The Blackstone Group involved.

 

[Ignohippo]

The problem is price.

I just stayed at the Montreal Marriott for about $240/night. That's for a luxury, modern, centrally located hotel in a major city. Oh, and I had a lovely view. I promise you the Marriott is banking a lot of cash at $240/night.

Disney's resort prices are insane.

Obscene. I always find it surprising that here are so many families that can afford their insanely inflated prices. I'll be happy with my $169 Dolphin hotel room, thank you very much.

 

[WDW1974]

I don't get that comment at all. The lobby of Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom or Contemporary , all have an unequaled 'Wow' factor. (Especially when one has a monorail running through it!).

They are all wonderful resorts. I spent 11 days at DAK Lodge in May and have over 100 nights at both Lodges and a few dozen at Contemporary.

But the service and upkeep etc are not up to the prices the resorts command. And, again, you picked three of my favorites and hotels that generally are better maintained than say BC and YC, which are 3-star all the way.

 

[PeterAlt]

And what would stop the teenager up to no-good from simply sliding the Magic Band off his/her wrist? And what would alert security to someone breaking the law or park rules? It isn't going to see someone shoplift, go where they aren't supposed to, or drop a backpack in a trash can.

Some video cameras would be much more effective and cost-efficient. I'm sorry, but the idea of NextGen being for security really wouldn't make much sense.

I'm just passing on what she told me. But, if you combine cameras with the bracelet, it makes more sense. I believe cameras are included in the NextGen project. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[englanddg]

I don't get that comment at all. The lobby of Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom or Contemporary , all have an unequaled 'Wow' factor. (Especially when one has a monorail running through it!).

I dunno...the lobby at Royal Pacific is pretty darned impressive, as is campus.

I would rate it higher than Grand Floridian by far...but I agree, not as good as AKL or WL. Contemporary, however, I don't think is as impressive...though it's better than Grand Floridian.

When it was new, and a "technological and contruction" wonder...yep, I get that it was.

But, even when I stayed Atrium level (posh) and showed pictures of the hotel / rooms / decor to my parents who stayed there when it was brand new...my Dad's first comment..."Yep, looks pretty much the same"...

While we all know changes have been made, for them (both also Disney fans...though not quite as addicted as myself...) to say that is telling.

 

[WDW1974]

I thought Tangled and Ralph were terrific - not just kids flicks that I happened to like. I even thought the 3D in Tangled was used with artistic effect, rather than solely as a gimmick.

I felt they were the best of the recent lot, but still aimed at the younger set. If parents enjoyed them, fine. But they weren't made for that ... I also felt Tangled's merits were highly overblown as I saw it months after it came out. A lot of folks want to make it on par with Disney's 90s fare and I didn't feel it. I thought it was safe.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

I guess the question for anyone in the know-

Is there any indication for a light at the end of the tunnel for Disney turning things around, what with this obvious declaration of full-on war from Universal? Has Universal's success and WDW's problems sent ANY sort of signal to Disney headquarters and informed them that perhaps their competition is doing something better at the moment?

I do get that Iger and his friends aren't in it for the long haul and intend on cashing in their chips in a couple of years thinking they'll be out of the company before the company really begins to sink. But it sounds like the company may be in for a far rougher time than they expected, and much sooner than they predicted. They may end up being forced into action before they can jump out of the plane with golden parachutes.

I want an all-out theme park war between both companies creatively speaking. And I want it to be a perpetual battle that keeps both sides on track and serving the customers. But to do that, both sides have to fight.

 

[WildcatDen]

New attractions every year? As a fan of great attractions I know where I will be going!!!

Cedar Fair properties???

 

[Ignohippo]

A big part of why we have seen such a change at the Universal Orlando Resort is not just Comcast's acquisition of NBCUniversal, but also the removal of The Blackstone Group from the Resort's ownership. Legoland Florida at the Universal Orlando Resort would have kept The Blackstone Group involved.

Absolutely, but that doesn't mean they couldn't have been partners in the one park. It wouldn't mean Blackstone would have any say in anything else at the resort.

Blackstone/Merlin building Legoland at he old Cypress Gardens site shows how misguided they are. Yeah, they probably saved 30% in construction and real estate costs, but I their attendance would probably be at least 3x higher if they would have built it from scratch in Orlando.

It's way too far out to even be a factor.