The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[CaptinEO]

So, Destination D23's Parks presentation ended hours ago. Nothing has changed. Josh may be a genuinely nice person, but he's got nothing of any substance planned for the American parks. He's not moving the needle at all. They're lost.

The Disneyland Resort segment was brief and vague. Yet another announcement that they'll build an E Ticket, eventually someday, in the expansion pad of Avengers Campus they've been publicly talking about an E Ticket for since May, 2017.

No new parades or night entertainment or Hyperion show was announced for Disneyland Resort.

Looking at the paltry list of "announcements" made for WDW today, they are truly lost. These are executive leaders who don't know how their parks work and don't know what it's like to be a paying customer trying to use them in the 2020's. It's all rethemes and reskins of existing WDW stuff. None of this adds capacity to WDW parks that have been woefully short on capacity for decades. The true acreage expansions were just another round of vague concept art for stuff that might get built sometime later this decade, or might not get built.

No bulldozers are arriving on Monday in either WDW or Disneyland Resort to start anything. It was all vague allusions to future ideas that may or may not happen.

Josh still wears tight pants. And they think we're idiots. Nothing has changed at today's Destination D23. They're lost.

I don't get this. It's embarassing. I skimmed through the conference video.

It was presented like a Late Night TV comedy show with the host(s) interacting with the band but all the comedy is so forced and awkward. So glad I didn't watch this live and could skip over the cringe parts.

The company last year talked about magic kingdom and animal kingdom concepts that they may or may not do, and this year seemed to have done the same thing. What have they been doing for a year? And why is this worthy of a presentation (let alone one people pay to attend)?

 

[CaptinEO]

So my 7 year old son who picked my uncles pool over Disneyland a couple months ago randomly muttered to me last night… “I don’t like Knotts.” I started laughing and asked why. It came down to the fact that Disneyland has better rides and Knotts doesn’t have “any characters to love people.” Of course it doesn’t help that we often have DL Vlogs playing on TV or his dad has a Disneyland shrine in his office constantly serving up reminders of his favorite place. It also probably didn’t help that I framed Knotts as as a sort of DL replacement while we take a break.

My daughter also frequently points at the TV and says “Daddy you take me dere, peeease?” Of course my wife looks over at me with that look saying you “made a mistake” as she was the one who wanted me to renew. 3 weeks and already the whole family has FOMO. I feel the most regret for my daughter as she was just really starting to love the place. My son, wife and I have had our fill for a while.

Another idea would be to plan a trip there for later this year for your family (and tell them the date) to look forward to while taking a break from passes.

Even a multiday ticket can be used 13 days apart, like a miniature annual pass.

I have a theory the AP system is going to get significant changes. The lawsuit was settled yesterday and then they stopped selling all keys.

I'm sure many with August renewal dates (from when MKeys went on sale in both 2021 and 2022) chose not to renew so I'd imagine Disney is looking to fill their spots. The lawsuit being done also frees them up to make more changes without it impacting an ongoing case.

 

[TP2000]

I don't get this. It's embarassing. I skimmed through the conference video.

It's like a bad sales convention, isn't it? Where some big plumbing company hires a talent group to make their annual executive address in the St. Louis Hilton seem "entertaining" and "Fun".

What's scary is that this is actually produced by an entertainment company that's allegedly good at entertainment.

The company last year talked about magic kingdom and animal kingdom concepts that they may or may not do, and this year seemed to have done the same thing.

Shh... you aren't supposed to remember that, much less mention it.

What have they been doing for a year?

Apparently.... nothing.

And why is this worthy of a presentation (let alone one people pay to attend)?

It isn't. And it makes you wonder why people still do. How much longer can they pull this off and get a crowd?

 

[CaptinEO]

It's like a bad sales convention, isn't it? Where some big plumbing company hires a talent group to make their annual executive address in the St. Louis Hilton seem "entertaining" and "Fun".

What's scary is that this is actually produced by an entertainment company that's allegedly good at entertainment.

You're right about that. This is like a bad corporate work event. Even scarier is the parks division of the company is what performs the best and this is what they came up with? An awkward late night theme and showing the muppets but with their pupeteers in plain view of the camera and audience?

It isn't. And it makes you wonder why people still do. How much longer can they pull this off and get a crowd?

There's no way that brand new fans are being made from these recent showcases. These are people who are in love with what the company used to be. I can't imagine a young person watching this presentation and saying "wow! I wish I was there!"

Next year theyre doing this panel at the Honda Center too. I expect we only get updates on abandonned projects like the Tommorowland Entrance and Avengers E Ticket.

All I gathered from this D23 is no decisions have been made which also means no budget has been approved. WDI is giving their unfunded pitches out to paying customers.

 

[Disney Irish]

It's like a bad sales convention, isn't it? Where some big plumbing company hires a talent group to make their annual executive address in the St. Louis Hilton seem "entertaining" and "Fun".

What's scary is that this is actually produced by an entertainment company that's allegedly good at entertainment.



Shh... you aren't supposed to remember that, much less mention it.



Apparently.... nothing.



It isn't. And it makes you wonder why people still do. How much longer can they pull this off and get a crowd?

Now this gets into conspiracy theory territory, but my gut feeling tells me they haven't been doing nothing. They likely have projects ready to go for WDW but haven't gotten the green light due to whats happening right now in Florida. I won't get into the political side of it, but safe to say they don't want to make major capex project announcements until they know which way the winds will blow regarding CFTOD legal stuff is going to go.

Its like last year they had the TL Redo project ready to go to announce, as indicated by GiveMeTheMusic at the time, but became gun shy for some reason at the last minute.

So we'll see what happens next year in Anaheim for any big announcements.

 

[TP2000]

There's no way that brand new fans are being made from these recent showcases. These are people who are in love with what the company used to be. I can't imagine a young person watching this presentation and saying "wow! I wish I was there!"

That's another good point.

This latest D23 thing disappointed fans in general, and even angered some of the older fans (over the Country Bear Jamboree being sent to a DEI re-education camp). A year after their last D23 thing did the exact same thing.

But what's scarier to think about is this is certainly not the caliber or importance of an event that could gain them fans.

 

[mickEblu]

Another idea would be to plan a trip there for later this year for your family (and tell them the date) to look forward to while taking a break from passes.

Even a multiday ticket can be used 13 days apart, like a miniature annual pass.

I have a theory the AP system is going to get significant changes. The lawsuit was settled yesterday and then they stopped selling all keys.

I'm sure many with August renewal dates (from when MKeys went on sale in both 2021 and 2022) chose not to renew so I'd imagine Disney is looking to fill their spots. The lawsuit being done also frees them up to make more changes without it impacting an ongoing case.

Yeah we might do something like that but then you think If I’m going to spend 1k on multi day tickets I may as well spend 3x as much for the whole year. Lol. Plus they re used to going every 2-3 weeks so that trip may just reignite the flame. Might be better to just let it fade away in that case.

I think you’re right in that APs will come back soon and I’m guessing they’ll be less guest friendly. That seems to be the trend.

 

[Disney Irish]

You're right about that. This is like a bad corporate work event. Even scarier is the parks division of the company is what performs the best and this is what they came up with? An awkward late night theme and showing the muppets but with their pupeteers in plain view of the camera and audience?



There's no way that brand new fans are being made from these recent showcases. These are people who are in love with what the company used to be. I can't imagine a young person watching this presentation and saying "wow! I wish I was there!"

Next year theyre doing this panel at the Honda Center too. I expect we only get updates on abandonned projects like the Tommorowland Entrance and Avengers E Ticket.

All I gathered from this D23 is no decisions have been made which also means no budget has been approved. WDI is giving their unfunded pitches out to paying customers.

Any yet every year these events sell out. So clearly they are doing something right to have these fans spend money on these events.

 

[CaptinEO]

Yeah we might do something like that but then you think If I’m going to spend 1k on multi day tickets I may as well spend 3x as much for the whole year. Lol. Plus they re used to going every 2-3 weeks so that trip may just reignite the flame. Might be better to just let it fade away in that case.

I see what you mean. Hope I didn't persuade you into making a wrong choice.

I know for my wife and I getting rid of APs for a year at one point actually made us like and appreciate the park even more and it was a refreshing break. In addition all the home projects we had been neglecting finally got attention.

We did during this period get a Universal pass but only ended up going twice total and opted for other fun non themepark day trips.

I think you’re right in that APs will come back soon and I’m guessing they’ll be less guest friendly. That seems to be the trend.

I think the Inspire Key replacement may gain some benefits or price cuts. Disney could not move those at all it seems. The other keys sold out in a day and this was available for months before they axed it yesterday.

I can see why, imagine paying 1600 and not being able to visit during Christmas time?

 

[mickEblu]

I see what you mean. Hope I didn't persuade you into making a wrong choice.

I know for my wife and I getting rid of APs for a year at one point actually made us like and appreciate the park even more and it was a refreshing break. In addition all the home projects we had been neglecting finally got attention.

We did during this period get a Universal pass but only ended up going twice total and opted for other fun non themepark day trips.

I think the Inspire Key replacement may gain some benefits or price cuts. Disney could not move those at all it seems. The other keys sold out in a day and this was available for months before they axed it yesterday.

I can see why, imagine paying 1600 and not being able to visit during Christmas time?

No I was pretty confident in my decision not to renew. It was the right decision for me. Just not sure it was the right decision for my kids… or wife lol. If you’re not spending money there you’re spending it somewhere else. It mostly came down to my grudge with Disney and some of their recent decisions and just feeling burnt out. But it’s funny how fast you go from burnt out to missing it. It’s equally as funny that if I were to get a pass tomorrow I’d be feeling that same burnout rather quickly. I also wasnt anticipating my kids (especially my son) missing it so soon but I probably should have.

 

[No Name]

They’ve never announced a new ride at any Destination D23 presentation in the past. Arguably today’s had the most substance of any they’ve done.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

For awhile, I thought Josh was a legit Disney park fan in the mode of Matt Ouimet. I'm starting to think he's just a good people person whose put in a position of authority and knows how to put on a show when needed.

 

[mickEblu]

For awhile, I thought Josh was a legit Disney park fan in the mode of Matt Ouimet. I'm starting to think he's just a good people person whose put in a position of authority and knows how to put on a show when needed.

Same here. Although you have to wonder how much of these execs reputation come down to timing.

 

[Rich T]

DD23 happened and, man, I’m excited about…Epic Universe.

 

[ParkPeeker]

Speaking of epic universe, why doesn’t Hyperion theater have something like httyd at Universal Beijing

 

[Rich T]

Speaking of epic universe, why doesn’t Hyperion theater have something like httyd at Universal Beijing

That would be fun, but which IP would you base it on? Maybe Avatar…

Or how about a Bourne Stuntacular-style Marvel Battle— though the Hyperion’s seating probably doesn’t have the right sight lines to create those kinds of illusions…

 

[TP2000]

Wishing everyone a respectful and reflective Patriot's Day today.

I remember that day as if it was two weeks ago, especially the part when I woke up and heard what my clock radio was saying instead of just playing music. Then I turned on the TV...

I thought it was nice that Michael Eisner came down to Disneyland a few days later and gave a speech under the American flag on Main Street. We needed stuff like that then, someone to say that it was going to be okay and that Disneyland and America would go on. Thank God that we did.

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

My first WDW trip in 10 years is on for January... looking forward to experiencing everything I've missed in the past decade (going to Universal too) and how much WDW has changed. Not looking forward to the unbelievably expensive cost, which is more than going on vacation to another continent.

 

[mickEblu]

Wishing everyone a respectful and reflective Patriot's Day today.

I remember that day as if it was two weeks ago, especially the part when I woke up and heard what my clock radio was saying instead of just playing music. Then I turned on the TV...

I thought it was nice that Michael Eisner came down to Disneyland a few days later and gave a speech under the American flag on Main Street. We needed stuff like that then, someone to say that it was going to be okay and that Disneyland and America would go on. Thank God that we did.

That was a terrible surreal day. Yes thank God we did.

I think Labor Day should be retired as a federal Holiday and 9/11 should take its place. Does anyone even know what Labor Day is?

 

[Consumer]

That was a terrible surreal day. Yes thank God we did.

I think Labor Day should be retired as a federal Holiday and 9/11 should take its place. Does anyone even know what Labor Day is?

Labor Day is a bunch of commie gobbledygook.