The Spirit Takes the Fifth ...

[Travel Junkie]

Spirited Wednesday Musings:
At the risk of burying news, there have been delays in the Studios Star Wars project for multiple reasons, but understand the biggest one is the same thing that has kept Pandora in BLUEprints only: cost overruns on MM+. The BoD will not OK any new project for WDW (see Imagination) until NGE starts to earn back its billion dollar spend. Absolutely nothing has been OK'd beyond Pandora and that was greatly delayed -- and may well be further pushed back -- because of this boondoggle. So, those of you who love your MAGIC Bands? You can ride them instead!

Let me repeat there are two kinds of WDW fans: Those who experienced EPCOT Center and the rest.

It seemed a little too good to be true that WDW would be financing My Magic +, Disney Springs, Avatar and another large scale project within a small period of time, especially with MM + going over budget. I could see WDW's eventual Star Wars land be inspired by the upcoming J.J. trilogy while DLR's uses the original trilogy.

So it is completely plausible that Disney will off both coasts with their decisions on Star Wars. WDW fans are mad that they get nothing for the time being and jealous of Anaheim, while the local Anaheim crowd is up in arms they replaced the vision and ideals of one of Walt's original lands with Star Wars.

 

[choco choco]

It comes down to culture. I worked and lived in China multiple times for months at a shot. I loved it, but that's another discussion.

What you say about it being a problem at HKDL was not largely what I experienced as a local who visited the park weekly. I honestly take it much like the criticism of the guests and cast in Paris or the Brazillian tour groups at WDW, on some level it's a 'these people are foreign and don't act like us, so they're bad' deal.

Things are worse in the Mainland, but if WDW let its guests do whatever they wanted ...nevermind.

Reading back over my post, I think I may have given the wrong message, so let me make a public service announcement:

I had a wonderful time at the Shanghai World Expo. Experiencing cultural shock is one of the great joys of traveling, and I definitely encourage people to travel to China or any other foreign land. Feel free to ask me about exotic destinations, I have been to all six inhabited continents. I've been to two Olympics. Please don't let fear of foreign culture keep you from going anywhere, you have no idea what you are missing out on.

I actually was just trying to make a small point that if Disney wants to keep their reputation as a keeper of parks that sparkle, they will have a considerably harder time of it in mainland China than anywhere else they've been so far, and I hope they're ready for it.

 

[ford91exploder]

If MM+ increases net revenue by $200MM/yr, over 10 years when accounting for base interest.

somehow i think that increase is going to be hard to come by...

 

[71jason]

I would guess far more of these folks lean toward mentally unstable then the other side.

Trust me, Spirit, after my brief interactions with someone heavily rumored although not confirmed to be a poster in your last thread (although, same child-like writing style and who else would really care about some random lifestyler), I know why you value your anonymity. I reported her to Twitter, but could have had her brought up on cyberstalking, libel and assault charges if I cared enough to try to prove her identity.

Seriously, though, as careful as you've been ... be more careful. I'm at best a spirited minion, I can only imagine their seething hatred for you (based solely on things you write on an online message board).

 

[Calvin Coolidge]

Since it's not in theaters yet ... what does a guy who takes pictures of theme park attractions and bathrooms know about film criticism to score an invite to the preview?

It's pretty easy to get tickets to preview screenings of most movies. There are clubs you can join for not too much money, radio contests, special promotions (I got early Lincoln tickets from an undergrad I knew whose U.S. history class was given tickets). I saw Wreck-It Ralph early last year, in a theater full of other people who were nobody special.

 

[RandySavage]

First, thanks, Spirit, for that comprehensive Shanghai list!

One thought: Toy Story Land cannot open in Shanghai until November 11, 2016 according to the Hong Kong Exclusivity Agreement - a year after planned park opening. Wonder what's going on there? Maybe, if the land is totally different there is a loophole. But if that happens, HK is still going to feel finagled... again. I'm at least happy to see that if it does come, the two sightline-wrecking rides (Parachutes and RC Racer) appear to have been dropped (although they were on leaked plan).

Anyone care to weigh in with SDL attractions? Here is what I pulled out as C, D, E attractions (minus shows)

Roaring Rapid, Soaring Over the Horizon, “Once Upon a Time” Adventure, Hunny Pot Spin (Teacups), The many adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan’s Flight, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Dumbo, Carousel, Tron Lightcycles Power Run, Buzz Lightyear planet rescue, Rex’s Racers, Slinky Dog Spin, Pirates of the Caribbean


Not quite sure about Voyage to the Crystal Grotto (walkthrough or ride?), Siren’s Revenge, Jolly Gypsy...

Seems to really match the plans leaked oh so long ago.

My take on that list, alongside the leaked plan:
E tix:
-Roaring Rapids (Adv Isle)
-Soarin over the Horizon (Adv Isle)
-Tron Lightcycles (Tomrlnd)
-PotC (Treasure Cove)

D tix:
-Voyage to the Crystal Grotto (Fntylnd)
-Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster (Fntylnd)
-Once Upon a Time (ride or show?) (Fntylnd)
-Walt Disney Theater (Mickey Ave)
-Arena E Stage (Tomrlnd)
-Stunt Theater (Treasure Cove)

C tix:
-Many Advt Pooh (Fntylnd)
-Peter Pan's Flight (Fntylnd)
-Buzz Lightyear (Tomrlnd)
-Evergreen Playhouse (Fntylnd)
-Storybook Castle Stage Show (Gardens)
-Camp Discovery Challenge Trail (Adv Isle)
-El Teatro Fandango (Treasure Cove)
-Explorer Canoes (Treasure Cove)
-Westside Perf. Venue (Gardens)

B tix:
-Dumbo (Gardens)
-Carousel (Gardens)
-Hunny Pots (Fntylnd)
-Jet Packs (Tomrlnd)
-Stitch Encounter (Tomrlnd)
-Alice Maze (Fntylnd)
-Jolly Gypsy (pirate ship?) (Treasure Cove)
-Shipwreck Shore (explore) (Treasure Cove)
-Slinky Spin (Toy Story)
-Rex's Racers (Toy Story)
-Woody's Roundup (Toy Story)

The above list seems too long to actually come to pass.

 

[lazyboy97o]

One thought: Toy Story Land cannot open in Shanghai until November 11, 2016 according to the Hong Kong Exclusivity Agreement - a year after planned park opening. Wonder what's going on there? Maybe, if the land is totally different there is a loophole. But if that happens, HK is still going to feel finagled... again. I'm at least happy to see that if it does come, the two sightline-wrecking rides (Parachutes and RC Racer) appear to have been dropped (although they were on leaked plan).

Maybe the Iron Man Experience is an attempt to soothe the anticipated displeasure. Disney knows the Government of Hong Kong will play hard ball and has no trouble letting it be known that they are displeased.

 

[RandySavage]

Maybe the Iron Man Experience is an attempt to soothe the anticipated displeasure. Disney knows the Government of Hong Kong will play hard ball and has no trouble letting it be known that they are displeased.

Interesting thought... maybe part of an already-done backroom deal to allow Toy Story in Shanghai. I've read TSL, despite my dislike of what it does to the sightlines from Mystic Point and Jungle Cruise, is popular with the visitors.

 

[tissandtully]

And yet I refuse and will never pay for an overpriced picture from Photopass+.

Honestly $14.95 for a digital file that includes rights to do as many reprints as you want isn't that bad of a deal at all

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Honestly $14.95 for a digital file that includes rights to do as many reprints as you want isn't that bad of a deal at all

You're being sarcastic right? $14.95 for a photo taken by a minimum wage worker in a non-studio environment is ABSURD.

 

[WDW1974]

Just a quick recommendation on great reading. Check out Robert Niles (Theme Park Insider) interview with Tony Baxter. Great and fascinating insight and close to what Tony gives you one on one.

It's three parts and part three went up yesterday. Tony is quite blunt and honest about things calling Harry Potter a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity (blown for Disney) as well as saying franchise based IP isn't the problem that fanbois think it is. He also gave Efteling Park in the Netherlands some big props.

As someone who has been lucky enough to talk with Tony in private numerous times, this interview gives a truer glimpse into the mind of the man than any of the PR fluff Disney put out while he was in its employment.

EDIT: Apologies to @Virtual Insanity who posted about this before me. Just saw your post. I'm leaving this here, though, as it is worth repeating and some folks don't get to keep up (like say ... ME!!!)

 

[WDW1974]

This post goes out to all the tin foil hat wearers out there, but thought it would be interesting for people to digest here, or at least tell me how this happened;

My family was a wdw last week and on 2 rides with ride photos, Dinosaur and Splash Mountain, the photopass photos on the ride showed up in my photopass account without any use of a magic band or photopass card?!?

On Dinsaour, me and my son got a ride swap pass so he could go with his mom on it after we went. He decided to skip riding a second time, but it was him an I tht used the ride swap pass first, no magic band scanning, no stopping at the ride photo booth to load it onto our phtot pass card! It just showed up?!?

Now splash is the creepy one. We were at the Xmas party on Friday, no line at all for splash, I literally walked the que and wa on the ride! Again, no magic band scanned or photopass card swiped to get a picture but it ended up on my photopass account?!?

How did this happen? I know someone on here should have some knowledge but I found it a bit creepy...lol

Btw I only used my phtot pass for my band once to meet Ralph and vanelope, my wife with her own Disney account kept track of all the photos on her band. I know our TT photo showed up on my account but thts because I scanned my band to make a car...

Funny how that happens, isn't it? ... But no one is tracking you. Much like no one is watching what you do on the web to target banner ads at you. Just always conincidences that things you think are private are anything but.

 

[WDW1974]

Ah ok, I thought that was the Once Upon a Time, Adventure... So what is that?

I should have said B through E, basically I was listing every "ride" sans main street vehicles.

I believe that is the interactive meet and greet experiences with the Princesses that is taking a piece of the huge castle. Think Belle's deal at MK or Cindy's experience at TDL and add them all in with Princess Hall at MK and some new tech and you get the idea.

No, it isn't based on the Gay Lost TV show ...BTW, Snow is preggers by Charming ... in real life ... REALLY!!!

 

[lazyboy97o]

Just a quick recommendation on great reading. Check out Robert Niles (Theme Park Insider) interview with Tony Baxter. Great and fascinating insight and close to what Tony gives you one on one.

It's three parts and part three went up yesterday. Tony is quite blunt and honest about things calling Harry Potter a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity (blown for Disney) as well as saying franchise based IP isn't the problem that fanbois think it is. He also gave Efteling Park in the Netherlands some big props.

As someone who has been lucky enough to talk with Tony in private numerous times, this interview gives a truer glimpse into the mind of the man than any of the PR fluff Disney put out while he was in its employment.

The audio of the interview is also available for download as a podcast, also in three parts.

It's not so much franchises that is the problem. It is the reasons why they are chosen now and that he downplayed those differences is something I found disappointing to hear.

 

[WDW1974]

Brilliant! This made my day!

So, does anyone have any suggestions on writing letters to corporate bigwigs? Or an proof the letters actually reach their intended addressees?

I am sure someone else can get you them ... email is usually Meg.Crofton@Disney.com style (that is her public account). Execs do have readers, but some folks like Georgie K and certainly someone smalltime like Erin Youngs read their own stuff and then delegate responses.

But EVERY letter or email will be read.

 

[WDW1974]

The audio of the interview is also available for download as a podcast, also in three parts.

It's not so much franchises that is the problem. It is the reasons why they are chosen now and that he downplayed those differences is something I found disappointing to hear.

Oh, lazyboy, you know I am an old fart/Spirit. I hate listening to podcasts. I don't even think I knew what one was until 3-4 years ago!

I don't think Tony was downplaying anything. I think he was just pointing out that original IP in the way many fans think simply never truly existed.

No, he didn't bash the rampant synergy when everything is suddenly Stitch or Princesses or Pirates or Marvel, but his concern has always been about story. When he talks about building attractions that can be enjoyed on a 20th ride or a 58th ride, he's quite implicitly talking about how much of what Disney is now doing today isn't about that. Much like some Spirited posts, Tony often speaks to multiple audiences with the same words, knowing that different folks will take things differently.

I so want to pick his brain about SDL, knowing that Bruce and Craig have likely kept him as far away from that project as they could.

 

[WDW1974]

You dont want email, you want real mail. Email is easy to dismiss... people who actually take the time to write a letter are taken very seriously.

Email is actually fine, so long as it follows the same professional guidelines you'd do in a letter. They will read and respond. You just don't want 'Joan'. Seriously. Condescension down to a MAGICal art form as she 'handles' many of the email/letters from the online community ... it is her role.

 

[WDW1974]

Never forget that WDW was slated to get Pooh's Hunny Hunt before it was built at TDL.

Not really.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Garcia just tweeted that Disney fired two IT VPs today.

Can't imagine why, since MM+ is an unqualified success.

Like when a football team fires the offensive coordinator right before the start of the season... it's never good and it's usually someone higher up trying to deflect blame for what's to come.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Not really.

Ok.