Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[PhotoDave219]

The demand was also because it was only held on one night. I think we all recognize that if this was multiple nights it wouldn't have been anywhere near as crazy.

Last night's DHS events represented a convergence of several factors:

1. Closure of MK to a hard ticket event on a weekend night, causing both locals and guests to seek alternative entertainment.
2. Fireworks at DHS.
3. A one-time special event.
4. The appearance of rarely seen Disney Villains.

By comparison, the Magic Kingdom was a ghost town with the hard ticket MNSSHP.

IMHO, it simply shows that onsite attendance is low (not surprising for mid-September) and locals don't like paying for specially ticketed events.

Villians: Free with regular park admission for a special event that was promoted since January.

MNSSHP: $60 per person.

 

[Cody5242]

7 books and 20+ hours of movies. There is still plenty of material. Off the top of my head, the flying car has a lot of potential as a stand alone ride. How about escape from Azkaban? A dark ride where you help Sirius escape the dementors. A whole dark forest area would be cool too. Giant spiders, unicorns and other mythical creatures from the movie.

If they were doing another land, the dark forest would be the only left to choose from I think. I guess phase 3 could be a stand alone attraction

 

[WDW1974]

Spirited Saturday Musings ...as I sit here watching UCLA and Nebraska battle it out.

Folks that look at last night's LTM villains event and read into it future hard-ticket parties aimed at a more adult demo are going to be crying in their Pixie Dust. As I stated on the thread regarding last night's giant CF, many people within the company have tried to sell management on a concept for just said an event. At least three different times that I am aware of over the last 14 years. They are shot down every time. Disney doesn't want anything that could remotely offend a special needs six-year-old or arrested development adult and/or compete with MNSSHP.

I am very, VERY glad these people never get to visit HKDL and see what Disney can do for Halloween.

So, Robert Niles says Car Land is dead for Florida? I do not have any confirmation on that, sightings are strongly leaning in that direction. Of course, they looked even worse for Pandora and that's going up as we ...oh, still no construction ...but lookout all the amazing artwork and mode....oh, I see.

Disney's dining price points have finally reached a point of absurdity where even the DDP isn't doing enough to bail them out. How so?

Well, CMs have had a 40% off lunch and some breakfasts too (for them and their parties) deal for the last few years at locations that were relatively slow like The Wave, Olivia's, Trail's End, Captain's Grille and Sanaa among others.

Well, that discount just got kicked up to included DINNER and added more prestigious locations including Artist Point, Citricos, Jiko, Boatwright's, Shutters and Tusker House. Well, if you take 40% off those places, they are priced about right, so I guess I'll be dining at WDW more often again. But this reeks of a desperation move. Sorry, George and Co, but Orlando's not a destination that can command $30-50 price points like your consultants keep selling.

My advice to you all is make a few CM friends and take them to dinner every so often!

 

[flynnibus]

The demand was also because it was only held on one night. I think we all recognize that if this was multiple nights it wouldn't have been anywhere near as crazy.

No - that explains the density of the crowds... Not why they showed up in the first place.

The point about keeping it more exclusive I addressed in the post before - don't millionaire it.

The point if this post was how interested people are in what is extremely cheap to produce. In sure they don't like it because its labor vs Capitol expense... But it is also extremely easy to ramp up and expand the offerings in the parks.

It would not take 4 years to add wandering entertainment

 

[ParentsOf4]

Villians: Free with regular park admission for a special event that was promoted since January.

MNSSHP: $60 per person.

Last night's LTM Villains special event at DHS wasn't enough to cause out-of-staters to plan special trips to WDW. It seems apparent (at least to me ) that it would appeal to locals because, lord knows, WDW has added so little in recent years that, understandably, locals would show up for anything even remotely original.

The fact that Disney management completely bungled planning shows how much they think of locals, you know, the ones that kept WDW open in the post 9/11 economy.

 

[flynnibus]

IMHO, it simply shows that onsite attendance is low (not surprising for mid-September) and locals don't like paying for specially ticketed events.

But locals didn't have to be at wdw... They liked what was lured in front of them. Proven by people willing to wait hours in line and putting up with the crap just to get there.

If it was just 'nothing better to do...' They would not have to tolerance for the miserable waits and would have aborted.

 

[WDW1974]

It really isn't a concept park in the same way EPCOT or Animal Kingdom is. The California theme was just so half-baked and poorly thought-out that you have to discard it and I think that is what they are doing and it seems to be working.

I would disagree. Almost any concept can work and work well in themed entertainment IF it is fleshed out well and done with quality.

Anyone who enjoys Soarin, and I certainly do, sees all of these amazimg places and possibilities that could have been brought to life in new and unique ways in DCA. They weren't.

EPCOT isn't a particularly wonderful concept right now. Most that enjoy it do because they are living in the past and the buildings sorta look like EPCOT Center or are conditioned to a lower quality product (i.e ''my first visit to WDW was in 2002 and it has never been better') or they go there to eat, drink and shop ...and peoplewatch.

California as a theme is a great one. The 2001 execution was more than half-baked, though.

 

[flynnibus]

They totally stole that design from MGM Studios

It was done by the same Wdi lead. Bob w

They revisited many of their ideas they had for MGM ... The building recreations... The trolly... Etc

No stealing... Same dudes!

 

[PhotoDave219]

Last night's LTM Villains special event at DHS wasn't enough to cause out-of-staters to plan special trips to WDW. It seems apparent (at least to me ) that it would appeal to locals because, lord knows, WDW has added so little in recent years that, understandably, locals would show up for anything even remotely original.

The fact that Disney management completely bungled planning shows how much they think of locals, you know, the ones that kept WDW open in the post 9/11 economy.

My full detailed report is in the Villans thread.... it was 80% locals/Cast/Passholders.

Which could have been fully exploited if upper management viewed any of them as a viable source of profit. Instead, we're ignored.

 

[WDW1974]

Well you missed my addendum on to that one Disney lifestyle or/blogger who got arrested and his ography connections…

care to share again? Or just send me a note ...

But answer me this. Was this guy on Disney's approved list?

 

[WDW1974]

Also, any truth to a minor rumor heard around these parts that you get strapped to a door?
Or is it just a fanboy/girl wish list?

That was a long ago concept that as far as I know was dropped.

 

[WDW1974]

That comes very close to summarizing everything from page 1 to now.

I have to wonder what type of person would read 457 pages of nothing.

I think that is insulting to myself and the other intelligent posters here who have been carrying on numerous interesting discussions. You sure spend an awful lot of time here ...

 

[WDWDad13]

Disney needs to take the section proposed for Carsland and turn it into a Hollywood Villans land

Last night alone was proof this would be a huge draw. Could have some scarier teen-adult thrill rides and some dark family rides that are more for little kids without the scary side. Could be very cool

 

[WDW1974]

Don't encourage him. He's probably just out on day pass.

Love it!!!

I think he found out that he just is no longer relevant here anymore ...there's a lesson for Disney in that too.

 

[Goofyernmost]

They totally stole that design from MGM Studios

That's nothing. Disney blatantly built a dark boat ride copied after the Pirates of the Caribbean Movie. Don't they have a conscience?

 

[PhotoDave219]

Spirited Saturday Musings ...as I sit here watching UCLA and Nebraska battle it out.

Folks that look at last night's LTM villains event and read into it future hard-ticket parties aimed at a more adult demo are going to be crying in their Pixie Dust. As I stated on the thread regarding last night's giant CF, many people within the company have tried to sell management on a concept for just said an event. At least three different times that I am aware of over the last 14 years. They are shot down every time. Disney doesn't want anything that could remotely offend a special needs six-year-old or arrested development adult and/or compete with MNSSHP.

I am very, VERY glad these people never get to visit HKDL and see what Disney can do for Halloween.

So, Robert Niles says Car Land is dead for Florida? I do not have any confirmation on that, sightings are strongly leaning in that direction. Of course, they looked even worse for Pandora and that's going up as we ...oh, still no construction ...but lookout all the amazing artwork and mode....oh, I see.

Disney's dining price points have finally reached a point of absurdity where even the DDP isn't doing enough to bail them out. How so?

Well, CMs have had a 40% off lunch and some breakfasts too (for them and their parties) deal for the last few years at locations that were relatively slow like The Wave, Olivia's, Trail's End, Captain's Grille and Sanaa among others.

Well, that discount just got kicked up to included DINNER and added more prestigious locations including Artist Point, Citricos, Jiko, Boatwright's, Shutters and Tusker House. Well, if you take 40% off those places, they are priced about right, so I guess I'll be dining at WDW more often again. But this reeks of a desperation move. Sorry, George and Co, but Orlando's not a destination that can command $30-50 price points like your consultants keep selling.

My advice to you all is make a few CM friends and take them to dinner every so often!

Some thoughts: First, City of Orlando has their magical dining promotion happening. Three courses, $33/person. http://www.visitorlando.com/magicaldining/

So if you want real nice places, real good food without any the Honey Boo-Boo crowd, there ya go. Runs through the end of the month.

The Disney Dining Plan would be worth it if the food was any good anymore but Morton's/Ruth's Chris/Seasons 52 for under $40? WINNER.

Second, last nights LTM was operationally a ClusterF but entertainment-wise a fantastic success. Alas, I see upper management screaming "if it was all cast members, block the main gate" rather than exploiting the idea of how to further make money off the locals/cast. They forget in the dark times of 2002-2004, it was the locals/cast that kept the parks in business.

It was edgy. If Villians arent your thing, you can pay $60 for MNSSHP and get candy.

Moving on... a fantastic birdee told me that A long-time Disney-Specific media outlet got removed from the media list for asking direct and pointed questions about Avatar (and a bunch of other things.)

As for Star Wars? As long as they try and do it right... which after New Fantasyland, I have little hope for.

 

[WDW1974]

Pushed by Sid Bass (whose family owned close to 20% of Disney stock at the time), Eisner viewed WDW as underdeveloped real estate with incredible potential. Consequently, WDW went through a building boom from the mid-1980s until the late 1990s. Understandably, many view this as WDW’s Golden Era.

However, let's not forget what else Eisner gave WDW:

• Skyrocketing ticket and food prices.
• 2 half-finished theme parks (DHS & DAK) that even today many complain aren't full-day parks despite numerous additions.
• Thousands of acres of sold off property, including Celebration.
• An obsession with quick-money schemes such as Disney Vacation Club.
• A willingness to cut maintenance and quality to the bone in order to boost immediate earnings, resulting in long-term structural issues.

Although I appreciate Eisner awakening Disney from its slumber, Eisner also morphed the company into something representative of what's so wrong with corporate America today.

Even as a fan of Michael's , I do not disagree with that at all.

That's when I start acting like the typical fanboi and blather on about what if Frank hadn't of died and what if Jeffrey let his ego go and ...

Everything there is to love or hate about today's Disney largely has ME's fingerprints all over it, something that bothers the ego .driven Weatherman every day of his life.

 

[ParentsOf4]

But locals didn't have to be at wdw... They liked what was lured in front of them. Proven by people willing to wait hours in line and putting up with the crap just to get there.

If it was just 'nothing better to do...' They would not have to tolerance for the miserable waits and would have aborted.

Sure, that's possible.

What exactly was so special about last night? Fireworks? They have that nearly every night at other parks. Villains? As you suggested in an earlier post, it's "fur+fabric covered college aged kids"; they have that every day at every park. A DJ? I won't even bother with that one.

IMHO, the only thing special was it was something different; a break from the norm.

Furthermore, without MNNSHP at MK (which was poorly attended), DHS would have been less crowded. Alternatively, imagine if last night's MNNSHP was free for all AP holders and CMs. I suspect DHS' crowds would have been appreciably diminished.

IMHO, locals showed up because it was essentially free and something different, not because it was something special.

People throughout the country put up with a lot more every 4th of July just to see 15 minutes of free fireworks.

 

[WDW1974]

While I think it would have been nice to see Disney remain involved, I can forgive selling off the Celebration land. After Walt died, there was never any sort of real plan to significantly use holdings in Osceola County and they wanted more of a cut in the money flowing into the area.

I preferred Celebration pre-1995 when it was the home of many acres of cows that I had to pass every visit to WDW because the Osceola Parkway was but an urban planner's wet dream.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I have to wonder what type of person would read 457 pages of nothing.

I think that is insulting to myself and the other intelligent posters here who have been carrying on numerous interesting discussions. You sure spend an awful lot of time here ...

It's just amusing to see how many ridiculous things can be discussed is all. Besides I'm retired, remember, nothing else to do. I didn't spend days catching up, I have just followed it anxiously waiting for some real information since it started. But it is nice to know that you care about my motivations, Mr. Spirit, sir! I'm honored!