The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[CaptinEO]

No kidding! BBQ at Hungry Bear is a great idea.

But, today's TDA is incapable of it. They can do it at Knott's, and they do it at Knott's easily and very well. Just look at that grillmaster in the photo working with pride to produce quality, fresh BBQ for his customers! Bravo Knott's Berry Farm! (I'm also now realizing I'm missing this year's Boysenberry Festival! Dangit!)

But at Disneyland, run by TDA executives who don't actually use or understand their own product? Won't happen. They'd have to buy new kitchen equipment. They'd have to accept lower profit margins. They'd have to get a WDI intern to write a backstory involving a fabulously wealthy Latina woman in 1890 who turned over her successful barbecue restaurant to an employee-owned cooperative.

It would cost too much money for Disneyland to do. They can't do it. They're stuck serving bad hamburgers. Only Knott's can do it.

At the close of the bell today on the New York Stock Exchange...
Knott's Berry Farm parent company Cedar Fair market capitalization = $2.3 Billion
Disneyland parent company Walt Disney Company market capitalization = $179.2 Billion

I still don't understand why Big Thunder Ranch had to go. Why does Galaxy's Edge need 3 extrances? Two of which are a few hundred feet away from eachother.

I don't see any reason why they decided it was necessary to remove Big Thunder Ranch.

They probably thought Galaxy's Edge would be such a big hit that it needed that crazy acreage, 3 entrances, and required the removal of benches and planters all around the park. What a joke.

 

[SuddenStorm]

I still don't understand why Big Thunder Ranch had to go. Why does Galaxy's Edge need 3 extrances? Two of which are a few hundred feet away from eachother.

I don't see any reason why they decided it was necessary to remove Big Thunder Ranch.

They probably thought Galaxy's Edge would be such a big hit that it needed that crazy acreage, 3 entrances, and required the removal of benches and planters all around the park. What a joke.

Had they maintained the Big Thunder Ranch area, themed Galaxy's Edge attractions to the OT with characters from all of Star Wars they'd have a smash hit on their hands.

 

[wdrive]

Oh and the "dining package" makes you line up an hour and a half before the show. What the heck is the point?

Unfortunately the point is to make as much money as possible. Good luck getting a good view of Fantasmic without a dining package these days. All of the center front viewing areas have been hoovered up by the dining packages.

 

[Consumer]

Not sure why anybody would want to watch the current version of Fantasmic, anyway.

 

[mickEblu]

Hungry Bear does have Barbeque.

I had one of the worst meals I've ever had in my life when I went to Disneyland last year and got the 2022 Hungry Bear Fantasmic package. Had never got a dining package before.

In one meal I had the worst ribs, worst broccoli, worst potatoes, worst coleslaw, and worst brownie I've ever had. It was astoundingly bad. I'm not just saying it was mediocre or generic, it was actually disgusting and repulsive.

Oh and the "dining package" makes you line up an hour and a half before the show. What the heck is the point?

It was probably cooked/ packaged at a different location at the park and who knows how long it was sitting in that box. We know they re capable of doing BBQ. At least they were before.

 

[Parteecia]

From the new bill, it looks like Florida really stuck it to Disney.

View attachment 696817

... "Under the [now-former board's] agreement – quietly approved on February 8 as Florida lawmakers met in special session to hand DeSantis control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District – Disney would maintain control over much of its vast footprint in Central Florida for 30 years and, in some cases, the board can’t take significant action without first getting approval from the company.

“ 'This essentially makes Disney the government,' board member Ron Peri said ... 'This board loses, for practical purposes, the majority of its ability to do anything beyond maintaining the roads and maintaining basic infrastructure.'...

..."... the agreement gave Disney development rights throughout the district and 'not just on Disney’s property,' requires the district to borrow and spend on projects that benefit the company, and gives Disney veto authority over any public project in the district. ...

..."DeSantis stacked the board with political allies, including ... Peri, a former pastor who once suggested tap water could be making people gay. ...

..."... the declaration will continue 'until twenty one (21) years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of King Charles III.' DeSantis, after all, frequently refers to Walt Disney World as a 'corporate kingdom.'...

... “ 'Ron DeSantis just got out-negotiated by Mickey Mouse.' ”

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/29/politics/desantis-disney-board-control/index.html

 

[Consumer]

..."In this case, the declaration will continue "until twenty one (21) years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of King Charles III." DeSantis, after all, frequently refers to Walt Disney World as a "corporate kingdom."...

What a bizarre clause

 

[Californian Elitist]

... "Under the agreement – quietly approved on February 8 as Florida lawmakers met in special session to hand DeSantis control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District – Disney would maintain control over much of its vast footprint in Central Florida for 30 years and, in some cases, the board can’t take significant action without first getting approval from the company.

“This essentially makes Disney the government,” board member Ron Peri said ... “This board loses, for practical purposes, the majority of its ability to do anything beyond maintaining the roads and maintaining basic infrastructure.”...

..."... the agreement gave Disney development rights throughout the district and “not just on Disney’s property,” requires the district to borrow and spend on projects that benefit the company, and gives Disney veto authority over any public project in the district."...

..."DeSantis stacked the board with political allies, including ... Peri, a former pastor who once suggested tap water could be making people gay."...

..."In this case, the declaration will continue "until twenty one (21) years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of King Charles III." DeSantis, after all, frequently refers to Walt Disney World as a "corporate kingdom."...

... “Ron DeSantis just got out-negotiated by Mickey Mouse.”

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/29/politics/desantis-disney-board-control/index.html

This is fabulous. And hilarious.

 

[brb1006]

Today is the final day for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Celebration and boy was it a huge letdown. Here are two tweets that perfectly sums up Disney's preparations for WDW's 50th Anniversary and it's execution and general reactions from longtime WDW fans and visitors.



And in video format (replace Mr. Krabs as Bob Chapek, Krabbyland with WDW's actual offerings for the 50th Anniversary, and the fish children as longtime WDW fans and guests)



Here's a rare behind-the-scenes look at TDO's planning session for WDW's 50th Anniversary. Just replace Spongebob asking Mr. Krabs (modern Disney) about "The True meaning of Summer" with him telling Chapek and modern Disney about how "Meaningless and mundane the entire Anniversary feels compared to the 25th Anniversary".



Going to create a multi-part and lengthy recap in this thread from the 50th Anniversary thread that basically recaps the entire celebration. Hope @TP2000 gets a chance to read these upcoming posts.

 

[brb1006]

For those that weren't around during Disneyland's 60th Anniversary Celebration back in 2015. WDW fans were actually impressed with the amount of offerings, decent merchandise, and how Disneyland's 60th Anniversary was mostly executed surprisingly decent. To the point that Disneyland Paris' 25th Anniversary took some notes from Disneyland's 60th such as going for a similar blue and white anniversary outfits for not only Mickey & Friends. But almost every Disney Character wore special anniversary attire during Paris' 25th Anniversary.



After Disneyland's 60th concluded, a lot of WDW fans were hoping Disney might go for something as special as Disneyland's 60th for years until WDW's 50th Anniversary actually teased at D23 2019 by Bob Iger. I remember there was tons of threads and comments talking about their excitement, hopes, and speculations for what Disney was planning for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary for 5 years. Especially since the 50th Anniversary would had been the perfect opportunity on WDW to gain a new electrical parade of its own after the death of Spectromagic. Not another clone or hand-me-down like PTN, MSEP, and Fantillusion (which was moved to Paris since Dreamlight was in development at the time).

Magic Kingdom 50th Anniversary Plans

I tend to lurk more than not (due to being a CM), but this was a piece of news that came my way that I wanted to share. You're welcome to believe it or not. We (the CMs in the part of MK where I work) had a meeting with two of our leaders who were talking about various internal things (high...

forums.wdwmagic.com

Especially this one.

Top 10 Wishes & Ideas For Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary

As we already know this year is Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary, and despite the covid pandemic, there is much I am certain is in store for this event, I made a list a while back before the pandemic occurred last year and was posted on another website, so I would have thought to share it...

forums.wdwmagic.com

Once Bob Chapek became the then-new CEO of Disney in early 2020 alongside COVID only further altering Disney's plans for WDW's 50th Anniversary. All the excitement and optimism for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Celebration was dead on arrival.

The offerings:

* Disney Enchantment was focused on the most recent animated films by Disney and Pixar (which felt like a commercial for Disney+) and instead of Disney's Classic Films wouldn't make it relevant to WDW until near the end of the 50th Anniversary Celebration.

* Kite Tails was a complete joke of a show with Disneyland and Disney fans online having a field day with the execution.

* Harmonious was hated by longtime WDW and especially Epcot fans for the inclusion of Disney IP and the infamous barges. And was planned as a longtime replacement for Reflections of Earth.

* Gold Statues of Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars Characters found at the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom which were later made interactive with guests who had MagicBand+.

* Two cavalcades that felt like a typical character cavalcade ("Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Cavalcade" and "Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade")





* And finally, the entire celebration just felt like an average day for WDW with the special ceremony on October 1, 2021 feeling very low-key.

One of the few actually good offerings Disney made for WDW's 50th was the 50th Anniversary Tag for Electrical Water Pageant, Beacons of Light across all parks at WDW, and the introduction of Points of Light at Spaceship Earth.

 

[mickEblu]

For those that weren't around during Disneyland's 60th Anniversary Celebration back in 2015. WDW fans were actually impressed with the amount of offerings, decent merchandise, and how Disneyland's 60th Anniversary was mostly executed surprisingly decent. To the point that Disneyland Paris' 25th Anniversary took some notes from Disneyland's 60th such as going for a similar blue and white anniversary outfits for not only Mickey & Friends. But almost every Disney Character wore special anniversary attire during Paris' 25th Anniversary.



After Disneyland's 60th concluded, a lot of WDW fans were hoping Disney might go for something as special as Disneyland's 60th for years until WDW's 50th Anniversary actually teased at D23 2019 by Bob Iger. I remember there was tons of threads and comments talking about their excitement, hopes, and speculations for what Disney was planning for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary for 5 years. Especially since the 50th Anniversary would had been the perfect opportunity on WDW to gain a new electrical parade of its own after the death of Spectromagic. Not another clone or hand-me-down like PTN, MSEP, and Fantillusion (which was moved to Paris since Dreamlight was in development at the time).

Magic Kingdom 50th Anniversary Plans

I tend to lurk more than not (due to being a CM), but this was a piece of news that came my way that I wanted to share. You're welcome to believe it or not. We (the CMs in the part of MK where I work) had a meeting with two of our leaders who were talking about various internal things (high...

forums.wdwmagic.com

Especially this one.

Top 10 Wishes & Ideas For Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary

As we already know this year is Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary, and despite the covid pandemic, there is much I am certain is in store for this event, I made a list a while back before the pandemic occurred last year and was posted on another website, so I would have thought to share it...

forums.wdwmagic.com

Once Bob Chapek became the then-new CEO of Disney in early 2020 alongside COVID only further altering Disney's plans for WDW's 50th Anniversary. All the excitement and optimism for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Celebration was dead on arrival.

The offerings:

* Disney Enchantment was focused on the most recent animated films by Disney and Pixar (which felt like a commercial for Disney+) and instead of Disney's Classic Films wouldn't make it relevant to WDW until near the end of the 50th Anniversary Celebration.

* Kite Tails was a complete joke of a show with Disneyland and Disney fans online having a field day with the execution.

* Harmonious was hated by longtime WDW and especially Epcot fans for the inclusion of Disney IP and the infamous barges. And was planned as a longtime replacement for Reflections of Earth.

* Gold Statues of Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars Characters found at the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom which were later made interactive with guests who had MagicBand+.

* Two cavalcades that felt like a typical character cavalcade ("Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Cavalcade" and "Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade")





* And finally, the entire celebration just felt like an average day for WDW with the special ceremony on October 1, 2021 feeling very low-key.

One of the few actually good offerings Disney made for WDW's 50th was the 50th Anniversary Tag for Electrical Water Pageant, Beacons of Light across all parks at WDW, and the introduction of Points of Light at Spaceship Earth.

What a legacy thing to drop the ball on. You only get a 50th anniversary once. It will be 50 years until you have an anniversary that is equally/ more significant. Chapek was terrible. With that said, I have to wonder how much the pandemic changed the 50th plans.

 

[brb1006]

For those who weren't around or never experience Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary (1996-1997). It was most effort Disney put into a major anniversary for the resort (yes even the infamous Castle Cake). Even the 25th Anniversary merchandise was ten times better than the 50th Anniversary merch.

They even made beautifully drawn and color posters just for the occasion.

This was Walt Disney World at it's prime in the 1990s!

 

[brb1006]

More merchandise and videos during WDW's 25th Anniversary.

An uncut TV Broadcast of the Re-dedication Ceremony of Walt Disney World on October 1, 1996 (a huge contrast to the small ceremony from October 1, 2021) featuring Roy E. Disney


A promotional photo for the "Remember the Magic" Anniversary Parade.

The 25th Anniversary Tag for "Fantasy in the Sky" (which was recorded on the exact day of its anniversary)

We sadly won't be seeing WDW throwing a major anniversary celebration for Walt Disney World (with 100 Years of Magic Celebration serving as a follow up WDW's 25th Anniversary) to this degree again for a long way. Say what you can about Michael Eisner, but the Eisner era of Disney was really dedicated to making guests both old and new actually feel special when it comes to major celebrations and milestones for the company and its theme park division. It's one of the few things I genuinely love and miss from Eisner.

The closest to a modern successor to WDW's 25th Anniversary Celebration was "Disneyland's 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration" at Disneyland Resort. Sure there were a few duds such the disastrous opening day and "World of Color: Celebrate" hardly about Disneyland and focusing more on Disney's Animated Films and Star Wars. But the marketing and commercials were sweet and actually cared about guests old and new.

 

[brb1006]

The commercials and marketing for Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary also really struck a cord with audiences. Between 1996 and 1997, Disney created a series of ads featuring families and young adults being super excited to visit WDW.

The most memorable is this ad featuring a baby taking his first steps when she instantly spots Mickey Mouse in Main Street


This commercial titled "Act Your Age" which focuses on a group of adults being openly excited for their trip to Walt Disney World which is aimed at the older demographic. This also tears me up since the ad tells viewers that "Walt Disney World isn't just for children and families". This was back when the Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom didn't gain the reputation as "The Princess/Children's Park".




These two commercials used home video recordings of older and longtime guests showing them at various locations at Walt Disney World when they were young up till present day (1996 and 1997)





These are the type of stuff that's notably lacking in modern Disney. The last time Disney created commercials that captured the same emotional and heartfelt beats as the 25th Anniversary Ads for Walt Disney World was for the "100 Years of Magic Celebration" (since the celebration was hosted at Walt Disney World) between 2001 till 2003.


I can hardly remember any of the ads for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary besides tons of glitter and a short version of "The Magic is Calling" which neither have any emotion and heart as "Remember the Magic".

 

[brb1006]

I remember somebody made a comment explaining why "Remember the Magic" was so memorable and heartfelt compared to "The Magic is Calling" in one of these threads. If I remember correctly, Remember the Magic's song and lyrics was very poetic since it was aimed at both newer and longtime visitors of Walt Disney World and how certain aspects smaller or major can leave a big impressions for the rest of their lives.


The "Remember the Magic Parade" (WDW's 25th Anniversary Parade) used a more energetic variation of the song with some gospel in the mix. Look how energetic the characters and cast members were in the parade.


"The Magic is Calling" (WDW's 50th Anniversary Theme) lacked the emotion and was very repetitive and was notably shorter.


I prefer the "Beacons of Light" version of the theme though.

 

[Disney Analyst]

A promotional photo for the "Remember the Magic" Anniversary Parade.
View attachment 707734

This float lives in my nightmares.

 

[brb1006]

To conclude my posts about how botched WDW's 40th Anniversary is. Even the opening ceremony for WDW's 40th and 45th Anniversary day had much more fanfare compared to the opening ceremony for WDW's 50th Anniversary.




The 50th Anniversary Ceremony was notably short and was treated as a typical morning show.



Not even a special re-dedication was held that morning and was saved for a different event hosted by both Iger and Chapek that evening for television.


Said re-dedication speech also lacked soul and felt more like a PR Speech.

Contrast with Roy E. Disney's speech from October 1, 1996. Which also recreated the entire procession of WDW's opening ceremony from 1971 (which Roy pointed out).

 

[Phroobar]

Do you think we will get anything for DCA's 25th anniversary?

 

[brb1006]

What a legacy thing to drop the ball on. You only get a 50th anniversary once. It will be 50 years until you have an anniversary that is equally/ more significant. Chapek was terrible. With that said, I have to wonder how much the pandemic changed the 50th plans.

Not sure, but I remember when WDW's 50th Anniversary was first revealed at D23 2019. There was some hints that Disney was clearly aiming for the 50th anniversary to be even bigger than the 25th, Especially due since revealed that the anniversary was will to be celebrated at all four parks across WDW.

 

[Parteecia]

What a bizarre clause

..."... attorneys say the Rule Against Perpetuities makes sure no one can control their land forever. Since land is a stable and limited resource, it prevents every single property from having weird restrictions put on them from someone who owned it hundreds of years in the past.

"The rule varies, but most dictate that a person may only influence their land for the life of a living person at the time of a restriction’s creation, plus 21 years. In this case, Disney chose the last living descendent of Charles, which will more than likely be one of his young grandchildren, George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie or Lilibet.

"Disney’s use of the rule invoked what is known as the “Royal Lives Clause,” which is a historical use of the rule and says, as the company did, the restriction in question will be valid until the lifetime plus 21 years of the last living descendent of the current British monarch." ...

Reedy Creek mouse trap: What is the ârule against perpetuitiesâ and why is King Charles involved?

Across the internet Wednesday and Thursday, attorneys rejoiced that a little-known legal concept forced upon them in law school was finally having a real-life application.

www.wftv.com