The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[Rich T]

I can understand being over Disneyland, but if they're looking to recapture Disney magic at Disney World....uh....that's probably not going to end well. They'd honestly be better off with the internationals. If they have that many Disney trips booked right now they can almost certainly afford it.

As a DL lover recently relocated to Central Florida, I agree WDW is not at its best right now. There are many pockets of greatness in between many big stretches of meh. Lots of great landscaping and views, but attraction-skimpy in every park. Animal kingdom comes the closest to being consistently amazing.

The one Florida park that, for me, is as fun-packed as DL is… Islands of Adventure.

 

[mickEblu]

DCA is the only Disney park without an indoor or themed coaster. No, Jack Jackabobs don’t count. It’s only 1 of 2 Disney parks with out an indoor coaster along with Animal Kingdom.

 

[PiratesMansion]

As a DL lover recently relocated to Central Florida, I agree WDW is not at its best right now. There are many pockets of greatness in between many big stretches of meh. Lots of great landscaping and views, but attraction-skimpy in every park. Animal kingdom comes the closest to being consistently amazing.

The one Florida park that, for me, is as fun-packed as DL is… Islands of Adventure.

As an adult, I have yet to see a WDW that truly challenges DLR for quality of experience in the areas where they are directly comparable.

The only places they win are the things they offer that no one else can touch (ex. quality and quantity of table service restaurants, Animal Kingdom, beautiful hotels and the sheer quantity of them, the water parks, and so on). Oh, and the old flashes of weird Imagineering touches that have endured for eons simply because they get lost in that massive property.

IOA is the gold standard in Florida for now, definitely. I don't think anything else comes close at the moment.

 

[mickEblu]

As an adult, I have yet to see a WDW that truly challenges DLR for quality of experience in the areas where they are directly comparable.

The only places they win are the things they offer that no one else can touch (ex. quality and quantity of table service restaurants, Animal Kingdom, beautiful hotels and the sheer quantity of them, the water parks, and so on). Oh, and the old flashes of weird Imagineering touches that have endured for eons simply because they get lost in that massive property.

IOA is the gold standard in Florida for now, definitely. I don't think anything else comes close at the moment.

Yours and many other reviews helped make the choice of doing a Disney cruise over WDW much easier. In addition, what would my kids, who go to Disneyland 25x a year really get out of WDW that would make it worth the hassle? The trip was for us (wife and I) to be able compare the parks, attractions and go on the WDW signature attractions which are mostly for adults. It wasn’t to go on Dumbo and the Tea Cups at MK.

Not going to lie though the thought of just adding a quick cheap(er) 5 day trip to WDW staying at the POP to the beginning of the vacation sounds kind of enticing. It would sound more enticing though if I booked the cruise out of Port Canaveral instead of Miami.

 

[lazyboy97o]

DCA is the only Disney park without an indoor or themed coaster. No, Jack Jackabobs don’t count. It’s only 1 of 2 Disney parks with out an indoor coaster along with Animal Kingdom.

Neither coaster at Tokyo DisneySEA is indoors and neither is all that great.

 

[mickEblu]

Neither coaster at Tokyo DisneySEA is indoors and neither is all that great.

Ahh man I think I turned off my mental shower exercise right when I got to DisneySEA. You’re right. Ok 1 of 3 then. Not as cool of a stat. Thanks for ruining that with your facts.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

As an adult, I have yet to see a WDW that truly challenges DLR for quality of experience in the areas where they are directly comparable.

The only places they win are the things they offer that no one else can touch (ex. quality and quantity of table service restaurants, Animal Kingdom, beautiful hotels and the sheer quantity of them, the water parks, and so on). Oh, and the old flashes of weird Imagineering touches that have endured for eons simply because they get lost in that massive property.

IOA is the gold standard in Florida for now, definitely. I don't think anything else comes close at the moment.

I would say things like Spaceship Earth, American Adventure, Living with the land, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Tower of Terror are on par

 

[Disney Analyst]

As an adult, I have yet to see a WDW that truly challenges DLR for quality of experience in the areas where they are directly comparable.

The only places they win are the things they offer that no one else can touch (ex. quality and quantity of table service restaurants, Animal Kingdom, beautiful hotels and the sheer quantity of them, the water parks, and so on). Oh, and the old flashes of weird Imagineering touches that have endured for eons simply because they get lost in that massive property.

IOA is the gold standard in Florida for now, definitely. I don't think anything else comes close at the moment.

I know it’s expensive, but imo, Disneyland still has tremendous value in terms of park offerings.

WDW has size, but doesn’t have the ride density. You can do so much more in one day at Disneyland.

 

[PiratesMansion]

I would say things like Spaceship Earth, American Adventure, Living with the land, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Tower of Terror are on par

Right. Things that have no real equal at Disneyland or other Disney parks are about the only place where they truly wow.

But if you compare the average attraction that is shared between the two resorts, the DL version is better and, even now, likely to be better maintained. Also much less frustrating to access simply because there's so much more ride capacity at the California parks.

I know it’s expensive, but imo, Disneyland still has tremendous value in terms of park offerings.

WDW has size, but doesn’t have the ride density. You can do so much more in one day at Disneyland.

Precisely. Disneyland certainly isn't perfect, but overall it's a better value and has so much more going for it than WDW.

I don't want to say Disneyland isn't coasting at all, but they're clearly still trying harder than WDW on average.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

Right. Things that have no real equal at Disneyland or other Disney parks are about the only place where they truly wow.

But if you compare the average attraction that is shared between the two resorts, the DL version is better and, even now, likely to be better maintained. Also much less frustrating to access simply because there's so much more ride capacity at the California parks.

Thats fair, I would argue WDW has a few better counterpart rides but that's subjective. No arguing DL is the best park

 

[No Name]

I went on a Disney cruise 7 years ago and it was nearly perfect. Great food, fun activities, wonderful shows, etc. Unlike the parks, it felt completely untouched by any greedy up-charges or cost-cutting measures. Would 100% recommend.

The one Florida park that, for me, is as fun-packed as DL is… Islands of Adventure.

100%, these two are truly peak theme park.

 

[DrAlice]

While this video is about WDW, I think it does a great job of explaining the overall mindset of the Disney execs right now.

 

[chadwpalm]

I noticed they had already installed the Christmas lights on small world when I was there last week.

Funny story:

I was at the parks with my parents on the 11th and 12th and we rode the train the first day and went past Small World. My dad had noticed the light strings up, but no bulbs. When we actually rode it later that day he pointed it out to me and I was like, "Oh yeah, no bulbs. Weird."

The next day we rode the train again and when we passed by Small World the strands had bulbs in them. They literally put them all in overnight. They must have had a large team pound that out. Seems like a lot of work.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

I went on a Disney cruise 7 years ago and it was nearly perfect. Great food, fun activities, wonderful shows, etc. Unlike the parks, it felt completely untouched by any greedy up-charges or cost-cutting measures. Would 100% recommend.


100%, these two are truly peak theme park.

I haven’t been to IOA in a while so I can’t comment but I do think DAK is the best park overall thematically

 

[iMax]

Thought:
I wonder if Paint the Night thinks about me as much as I think about PTN...

 

[chadwpalm]

While this video is about WDW, I think it does a great job of explaining the overall mindset of the Disney execs right now.

I would recommend watching his video from last night (fast forward to about 12:16). He raises some interesting questions, points, and theories as to why Chapek is being so cheap.

 

[Phroobar]

I would recommend watching his video from last night (fast forward to about 12:16). He raises some interesting questions, points, and theories as to why Chapek is being so cheap.

That is very logical. I think he is totally right. They are paying off debt otherwise the company as whole is in serious trouble.

 

[Disney Irish]

I would recommend watching his video from last night (fast forward to about 12:16). He raises some interesting questions, points, and theories as to why Chapek is being so cheap.

In my opinion this is why you don't listen to financial analysis from Disney Theme Park Vloggers. It lacks the complete understanding of the financials of the TWDC and is using hindsight as a way to push a narrative. Sure that debt load of TWDC increased with 21CF but so did the equity, by double. In fact had the pandemic not happened TWDC very likely would have paid down that debt faster. But the pandemic did happen, something no one foresaw a year prior when the 21CF deal closed. So this idea that TWDC would have continued investing even during the pandemic had they just not bought 21CF is laughable and down right fantasy. There was no way Chapek let alone Iger had he remained would have continued spending Billions on CAPEX during a global pandemic. Sorry but just wasn't happening, with or without 21CF. Belt tightening would have still happened no matter what.

Also it should be noted that TWDC is at the same debt ratio now comparably to 2017. And yet in 2017 it wasn't seen as an issue. Something else not pointed out in the video.

Not saying that the overall sentiment might not have merit, but it lacks the nuance that this discussion needs. But again this is why you don't listen to financial analysis from Disney Theme Park Vloggers.

 

[Phroobar]

In my opinion this is why you don't listen to financial analysis from Disney Theme Park Vloggers. It lacks the complete understanding of the financials of the TWDC and is using hindsight as a way to push a narrative. Sure that debt load of TWDC increased with 21CF but so did the equity, by double. In fact had the pandemic not happened TWDC very likely would have paid down that debt faster. But the pandemic did happen, something no one foresaw a year prior when the 21CF deal closed. So this idea that TWDC would have continued investing even during the pandemic had they just not bought 21CF is laughable and down right fantasy. There was no way Chapek let alone Iger had he remained would have continued spending Billions on CAPEX during a global pandemic. Sorry but just wasn't happening, with or without 21CF. Belt tightening would have still happened no matter what.

Also it should be noted that TWDC is at the same debt ratio now comparably to 2017. And yet in 2017 it wasn't seen as an issue. Something else not pointed out in the video.

Not saying that the overall sentiment might not have merit, but it lacks the nuance that this discussion needs. But again this is why you don't listen to financial analysis from Disney Theme Park Vloggers.

What is TWDC, number one priority then? Paying down debt?

 

[Rich T]

I haven’t been to IOA in a while so I can’t comment but I do think DAK is the best park overall thematically

Definitely one of the best thematically, but it just needs a lot more for guests to do, (including at least one more dark ride and a good family coaster), a reduced Chester & Hester’s (with a smaller footprint, the area would actually be cute), and another land (Australia, Zootopia, Famous Disney animals). DAK is a stunningly beautiful park with unique experiences—and my favorite at WDW—but it needs to spread those crowds out.