Spirited Spring Break News, Observations & Thoughts ...

[Ignohippo]

The shelving of Star Wars expansions is really contrary to everything else that is going on. It seems more likely to me that they are doing a Disney Springs/Hyperion Wharf kind of thing here and taking the time to save the $$ on the books for a couple of years while expanding the plans at the same time.

Instead of getting the Cantina and one ride in two years (at a time when TDO doesn't want to spend the money anyway), we may get a full Star Wars land as it should be in five or six.

It fits with the timeline of Avatar starting to slow as well.

 

[Rodan75]

sorry, I mean Hong kong.

But you are correct, those three parks are all closer to one another than DLR and WDW are to each other. But aren't there still big cultural issues that would prevent Chinese and Japanese tourists from traveling with one another?

 

[Rodan75]

The shelving of Star Wars expansions is really contrary to everything else that is going on. It seems more likely to me that they are doing a Disney Springs/Hyperion Wharf kind of thing here and taking the time to save the $$ on the books for a couple of years while expanding the plans at the same time.

Instead of getting the Cantina and one ride in two years (at a time when TDO doesn't want to spend the money anyway), we may get a full Star Wars land as it should be in five or six.

It fits with the timeline of Avatar starting to slow as well.

Then really should be able to do a major project in at least two parks at a time and a hotel/DVC project at the same time. I think Springs is hurting attraction construction more than NGE. And heaven knows if that will ever turn a positive ROI.

 

[Kman101]

Yeah, I mean they have construction ongoing in AK (Harambe extension for Lion King), MK (the hub project) and DTD (numerous projects). The way Disney staggers this projects because of costs, I don't believe for a second if they wanted to do construction in DHS and Epcot that anything would stop them. It's like they're afraid to bite the bullet on anything for these parks. And not to mention the Poly DVC stuff.

I do buy that Next Gen overruns have prevented funding from being approved for future projects right now, but that doesn't mean there couldn't be walls in every park once the project/funding is approved.

 

[kagacins]

I had an observation that I had to share, and initially I was disappointed that no one I know would understand the reference - that is, until I thought of this forum:

I don't have forensic proof, but I'm pretty sure that Cousin Orville in the Carousel of Progress is Donald Sterling (soon-to-be-former owner of the LA Clippers).

 

[Rodan75]

That Miceage paragraph is so depressing. They're basically saying nothing new for any
of the North American parks, and what has been announced is being cut back.

So, people here are questioning the credibility. But--honestly--has anyone, including our
much beloved insiders here, had a great track record, lately? Disney has been doing a
great job keeping things sealed as tight as a drum, it would seem. Or information isn't
being divulged due to, perhaps, a climate of fear surrounding the leakers?

Even our beloved Spirit had a post about a large Star Wars announcement a while back,
and nothing materialized. And his track record is pretty solid. It seems the sands shift
far too quickly these days.

And perhaps we just have to get used to the parks being considered 'a mature business' that
Disney feels can bring in money without any major additions. Epcot is a giant restaurant and
shopping mall (Spirit's comparison calling it 'Pleasure Island' had a sickening resonance), DHS
waits for, I don't know, some Star Wars cash to come in, MK is done for many years, DAK
gets one Avatar ride, and oh, did we mention a new shopping mall is getting lots of love,
because it's basically all rental property. DVC for restaurant and retail chains.

I try to be optimistic. I sneak in a few drops of pixie dust here and there to try to keep my
glass half full, but Disney does their best to evaporate them faster than I can add them.

Heavy sigh.

It could be a trap set by the mouse to route out the mole. Avatar land cutbacks are realistic enough to be believable and juicy enough to get attention.

 

[djlaosc]

If Avatar really is cut down to 1 ride, can we not just have it added to DHS instead?

 

[Malin]

They said the subs were going down for good and right now it looks that way. Empty lagoon with no work whatsoever being done. Companies change their minds all the time and Bob "promising" the subs will come back doesn't mean they will or won't. I'm not sure what excuses you think they need to make with info they report and think is correct at the time.

We also thought there would be a big Star Wars announcement park wise for both coasts quite a while ago and it didn't happen. Does that mean someone should be making excused for why it didn't? No, this company has had to make a lot of changes lately due to the MM+ expense and until that is cleared up, don't be surprised with a good number of changes in information that is shared by insiders.

If you read today's article it states it is not sure for certain if the Subs will be staying or leaving. Until the Disney Parks Blog and Iger statements the Subs were definitely going according to MiceAge. Now the site is trying to save face by saying its unsure what the outcome to the Subs will be and this is only one of the many false and inaccurate facts and lies that has been stated lately by MiceAge. The evidence is online, you decide if you wish to believe them or not but right now I very much doubt much written by them to be true. And yes actual plans do change but how it's written on MiceAge is set up to scare and upset people. If you read how the plans have change here on these forums by other insiders the tone is not so dramatic.

 

[Malin]

He was on a podcast recently claiming that Disney hadn't announced an opening date for Dwarfs Mine Train because of the possibility that Disney could be sued.

Now, that sounded totally bogus to me. The fine print on the tickets clearly says that attractions may be closed when you visit. Not to mention the whole Test Track fiasco in which the opening date was pushed back a couple of times.

He didn't exactly project credibility on that podcast -- but, then again, maybe I'm just over the whole podcast thing. It was interesting to listen to some of these theme park shows for a few months while I exercised. And, clearly, the hosts of the podcasts are enthusiasts, but some of them just don't need to be playing radio talk show host for 90 minutes every week.

Busch Gardens recently pushed back the opening for Falcon Fury. You are right it does sound a bit bogus. Disney are most likely waiting to find out the opening date for Diagon Alley before giving its own date. I know MiceAge has burned a lot of people within in the company in the past. So might be part of the reason the news is much more sketchy. I also wouldn't be surprised if he's being leaked bad information and is himself failing to double check its accuracy.

I do like the odd Disney Podcast but you are right and the market is overcrowded with every blogger having his own show.

 

[Rodan75]

Anyone else wondering how much longer Katzenberg can keep DWA a solo company? http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-takes-57m-impairment-699590

How much longer can he keep giving the same spiel? And who would buy him out? Fox, Sony and Uni all see to have placed their bets on other horses.

 

[Figments Friend]

What I still have...I haven't seen my Pitfall cartridge since ET got buried...
View attachment 52148

Oooo. 'Spider Fighter'.
Forgot about that one...i have it also, but it stopped working years ago.

A challenging and fun game...with some clever graphics for the time.

 

[Malin]

And, to me, if someone has a comments section, then ALL comments (within reason of course) should be allowed. Good and bad. IMO. You may not like what's said but it's called feedback for a reason. Why have a comments section when all it's all positive? Constructive criticism isn't a bad thing. It's like how Disney monitors and doesn't allow anything really negative. And clearly he didn't like someone questioning him. Why so defensive if you're so sure of what you wrote about?

Exactly I understand why Disney censors comments. But because of the content involved you don't expect it from MiceAge. I honestly believe Dusty realises the site is no longer viewed as an credible source of information like during the Lutz days. And he's trying to hide it from Disney by blocking out all negative comments. Although credit because this time neither him or Fishbulb have gone on the defence and attacked people like the last time. Maybe they have realised how unprofessional it comes across to people reading the site.

 

[flynnibus]

Miceage is incorrect regarding at least one executive move. The french guy is not taking over Disneyland Resort Paris. He will be in charge of operations at the resort and Philippe Gas is still the CEO of Euro Disney.

I think you're reading into that too much. They didn't say he was taking over the corporate entity.. just running the parks... same as others like George K did in the past.

 

[PirateFrank]

Continuity? The film takes place after Jedi, Obi Wan is dead and wouldn't have looked like Ewan anyway.

Continuity in universe....

Obi Wan being alive or dead is not a factor. He was dead after A New Hope, yet his character was represented in 5 subsequent movies by two different actors (one who eclipsed the other in screen time considerably). Not sure how you can say Obi Wan wouldn't have looked like Ewan - he was cast in the role for 3 movies for a reason....makeup and CG could have *easily* gotten Ewan the rest of the way.

My use of the word Continuity has far more to do with anchoring the universe across the 6 films. The very same reason they are casting the original actors and instead of merely referring to the characters. To me, it made sense to give the job to one of two people still alive who represented the character on screen. It is going to be odd to have the character represented by yet a third person -- just to avoid stigma of the prequels. I think SW fans are smart enough to recognize Ewan's contributions to the prequels and separate it from the negatives associated with them. So my use of the word continuity speaks to that. Having a third guy in the role is going to be quite jarring to me, even if that guy is an accomplished actor like Von Sydow.

 

[Tigger1988]

And there's zero proof he's been cast as Obi Wan. As someone else said, Obi Wan would not be a principle member of the cast in this film.

 

[Malin]

I think you're reading into that too much. They didn't say he was taking over the corporate entity.. just running the parks... same as others like George K did in the past.

That comment caused quite a bit of speculation earlier among European fans. Not sure if it was intentional but it was easily read by many fans and websites to suggest Daniel might taking over the CEO position. The comment wasn't very clear and I am not surprised to see people confused.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Anyone else wondering how much longer Katzenberg can keep DWA a solo company? http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-takes-57m-impairment-699590

How much longer can he keep giving the same spiel? And who would buy him out? Fox, Sony and Uni all see to have placed their bets on other horses.

Their status as an independent publicly traded animation studio causes a lot of unnecessary pressure. Not every film is a huge hit, and their shareholders seem to expect that. I could have told you Mr. Peabody & Sherman wasn't going to be a big hit - it's pretty obvious.

All of this will be calmed when Dragon 2 is released in June and is a huge hit, but they would certainly do well to be purchased by a huge studio. Would get the dogs off.

 

[spacemt354]

And there's zero proof he's been cast as Obi Wan. As someone else said, Obi Wan would not be a principle member of the cast in this film.

Maybe it was because I glanced over the article, but I didn't see any of the cast mentioned alongside the character they were playing? Of course we can assume the returning cast are reprising their roles, but other than that, wasn't it just a list of names?

 

[Tigger1988]

Maybe it was because I glanced over the article, but I didn't see any of the cast mentioned alongside the character they were playing? Of course we can assume the returning cast are reprising their roles, but other than that, wasn't it just a list of names?

Exactly. Assuming anyone is playing Obi Wan is jumping to major conclusions.

 

[flynnibus]

That comment caused quite a bit of speculation earlier among European fans. Not sure if it was intentional but it was easily read by many fans and websites to suggest Daniel might taking over the CEO position. The comment wasn't very clear and I am not surprised to see people confused.

The CEO of the publicly traded company being swapped would not go without official acknowledgements and notices. I think that should be telling enough