The Spirit Takes the Fifth ...

[ParentsOf4]

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

MyMagic+ is never going to achieve its profit objectives. It's already grossly overbudget and simply won't be the revenue driver it once was expected to be when the idea was cooked up (I refuse to use the word "imagined") several years ago.

The theme park landscape has changed since then. MyMagic+ represents an idea that is out-of-date, overtaken by WWOHP and Carsland. Rather ironic for a leadership that believes in Blue Ocean Strategy, which is focused on creating new market space.

WDW will derive more revenue from the overflow of tourists in Orlando visiting Diagon Alley than it will ever see from MyMagic+. Universal is doing some wonderful things but it has a long way to go before it becomes a one-stop vacation destination. Until then, WDW will continue to benefit from Universal's wise investments.

MyMagic+ won't succeed until Disney fixes the structural problems it has at Epcot, DHS, and DAK. Until then, WDW is stuck with the simple fact that most vacationers treat 3 of its 4 theme parks as half-day parks.

Don't worry though, there will be plenty of Disney execs trumpeting the success of MyMagic+, claiming MyMagic+ is a MAGICAL elixir, completely ignoring how what's happening at Universal and to the economy in general are improving growth.

Wall Street views WDW as a cash cow yet has been questioning the entire MyMagic+ strategy for some time. Disney's corporate leadership simply can't afford to look like idiots that don't know how to run their company's most valuable physical asset.

 

[RSoxNo1]

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

I'd argue that putting on all these attraction photos is making Photopass more worth it. I don't think I'll be buying it anytime soon, but it's a step in the right direction.

 

[danv3]

WDW will derive more revenue from the overflow of tourists in Orlando visiting Diagon Alley than it will ever see from MyMagic+.

QFT.

 

[Andyjshort]

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...

As well as the magic bands I seem to remember that facial recognition was part of MM+, tracking people agaist their wristbands at the park entrances to make sure everyone had "tapped their band".

If the band told them you were on a ride the facial recognition software could identify you in the photo and add it to your photopass account.

Apparently Tesco (UK Supermarket) are starting using facial recognition at petrol (gas) pumps to give personalised adverts while you fill up your car. Big brother gets everywhere.

 

[marni1971]

Let's say that I got to do some testing last night at MK

Thats the one. Splash as well?

 

[scout68]

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.

We just returned from a two week stay and opted out. In the down time of lines and waits I was obsessed with trying to find people without a band. Mass movements of the clueless. You won't find a foil hat in my house but I was deeply affected on a level that hasn't been accessed since I was a child consuming the fear and wonder of Mr. Orwell. Weird.

We used our APs and payed cash for the very few trinkets we hunted for that were as close to new and different as it gets in this Magical era. This will be the WDW travel model going forward. That being said...

We average 1 to 2 trips per year for the last 10 or 12 years but have been going since the mid 80s. This will be the last visit for the foreseeable future (and we have a modest DVC contract).

I left the "Happiest place on earth" quite sad. My family has reached an age that will allow me to Show them the REAL Italy, Japan, rain forests etc. IN PRIVATE!

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Planes has got to be one of the most underwhelming films I've seen in a long time. To call it a Cars ripoff would be a compliment. I'm struggling through it as I type this....it's not easy.

At least they're not trying to tie this into the parks.... Except the unfortunate eyes on Walts plane.

Is the HP2 opening next June? I'd imagine with that opening, plus unis new hotel, that will impact wdw hotel occupancy numbers.

 

[tissandtully]

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

Not at all, we can argue the definition of professional till the cows come home, but, when you look at the other options, it's definitely the best deal. Have you seen what wedding photographers charge for a 4x6? $25-$50!

 

[COProgressFan]

Wall Street has been questioning the entire MyMagic+ strategy for some time. Wall Street views WDW as a cash cow. Disney's corporate leadership simply can't afford to look like idiots that don't know how to run their company's most valuable physical asset.

But the truth hurts, doesn't it?

 

[rael ramone]

Worse.

A Disney Princesses Meet and Greet (think EPCOT version of what just opened at MK with Frozen characters leading the way.

No, I am not kidding.

Actually, this could be quite exciting.

They are finally combining their two sole target audiences in one place:

The (likely sheltered) Princess addict and their multiple stroller/ECV family, and

The World Showcase Drunk.

This sounds ever-so-MAGICal.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jimmy-kimmels-china-joke-why-657425
Of Disney's many interests in China, perhaps none is nearer to Iger's heart than mainland China's first Disney resort, the $4.4 billion Disneyland Shanghai, scheduled to open at the end of 2015. Disney also is planning to open its first China store in Shanghai in 2015, covering a massive 53,000 square feet. And the studio wants to retain access to China's movie screens. (It made changes to Iron Man 3 -- including toning down the lead villain, The Mandarin -- and the film grossed $121 million there.)
...
The industry also seems to have varied opinions on whether Kimmel has been pushed too far as Disney attempts to defuse the controversy. A longtime talent rep who sees the gag as "offensive" says Kimmel could have apologized and left it at that, but excising the bit and dropping the Kids' Table concept appears to show too much willingness to appease China. "Succumbing to corporate interests and to the will of a reprehensible government -- that's a bad day for [Kimmel]," he says. Industry sources predict major fallout for Disney is unlikely because of its powerful ties to the country. Its partner on the theme-park project is the government-owned Shanghai Shendi group, and Disney is working with the Hong Kong government on the park there.

Given these ties, an executive with extensive experience in China is surprised and baffled by the government's decision to keep fanning the flames. "The initial apology -- that I can see happening," this person says. "But this follow-up -- I don't know what's going on."

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Not at all, we can argue the definition of professional till the cows come home, but, when you look at the other options, it's definitely the best deal. Have you seen what wedding photographers charge for a 4x6? $25-$50!

But that's a photo from your wedding, where you look your absolute best and is arguably the most important day of your life. We're talking about tourists in culottes in theme parks posing with college students in rubberheads.

And while there are certainly some talented PhotoPass photographers, most of them are not at the level of your average professional wedding photographer. Their job at Disney is to churn and burn, not take time and effort to ensure the best photos ever taken of you come from their camera.

Sorry, $14.95 for a digital copy of one PhotoPass photo is beyond ridiculous.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

On another note, did anyone else see Iger's appearance on The View Monday morning to celebrate Mickey's birthday at Disneyland? One of the hosts awkwardly let Iger know she had heard that he refuses to wear mouse ears - he answered by saying some stilted thing about people "not taking him seriously."

I'm not entirely anti-Iger (many good things have happened since he took over), but really? You're the CEO of Disney and you won't be caught dead in mouse ears? Get over yourself.

Barbara Walters was happily wearing one of the ugliest pairs of mouse ears I have ever seen. If Barbara Walters can stoop so low as to wear mouse ears, Iger certainly can.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

On another note, did anyone else see Iger's appearance on The View Monday morning to celebrate Mickey's birthday at Disneyland? One of the hosts awkwardly let Iger know she had heard that he refuses to wear mouse ears - he answered by saying some stilted thing about people "not taking him seriously."

I'm not entirely anti-Iger (many good things have happened since he took over), but really? You're the CEO of Disney and you won't be caught dead in mouse ears? Get over yourself.

Barbara Walters was happily wearing one of the ugliest pairs of mouse ears I have ever seen. If Barbara Walters can stoop so low as to wear mouse ears, Iger certainly can.

With his political aspirations, that would be great fodder for an opponent's ad campaign. Instead, they will just use $2B Mouse Arrest Tracking Bracelets.

 

[lazyboy97o]

On another note, did anyone else see Iger's appearance on The View Monday morning to celebrate Mickey's birthday at Disneyland? One of the hosts awkwardly let Iger know she had heard that he refuses to wear mouse ears - he answered by saying some stilted thing about people "not taking him seriously."

I'm not entirely anti-Iger (many good things have happened since he took over), but really? You're the CEO of Disney and you won't be caught dead in mouse ears? Get over yourself.

Barbara Walters was happily wearing one of the ugliest pairs of mouse ears I have ever seen. If Barbara Walters can stoop so low as to wear mouse ears, Iger certainly can.

Iger is happy that he is CEO of a large multinational conglomerate. Which one is of little importance.

 

[ThemeParkJunkee]

Iger is happy that he is CEO of a large multinational conglomerate. Which one is of little importance.

Well Said!

 

[TP2000]

On another note, did anyone else see Iger's appearance on The View Monday morning to celebrate Mickey's birthday at Disneyland? One of the hosts awkwardly let Iger know she had heard that he refuses to wear mouse ears - he answered by saying some stilted thing about people "not taking him seriously."

I'm not entirely anti-Iger (many good things have happened since he took over), but really? You're the CEO of Disney and you won't be caught dead in mouse ears? Get over yourself.

To be fair to Mr. Iger, Walt Disney also refused to wear mouse ears and repeatedly denied photographers requests to don a pair for a photo. He is reported to have used the phrase "over my dead body" regarding wearing the iconic hat.

There is only one known photograph of Walt Disney ever wearing mouse ears, and the photo was taken without Walt's knowledge. Walt was tricked by his grandson who put the ears on grandpa during bedtime storytelling when a photographer from the Saturday Evening Post, who was covering the Disney family for an upcoming article, snapped the photo quickly.

I can not think of any other photographs of other senior Walt-era executives wearing mouse ears; Roy Disney, Card Walker, Richard Nunis, etc.

 

[britain]

To be fair to Mr. Iger, Walt Disney also refused to wear mouse ears and repeatedly denied photographers requests to don a pair for a photo. He is reported to have used the phrase "over my dead body" regarding wearing the iconic hat.

There is only one known photograph of Walt Disney ever wearing mouse ears, and the photo was taken without Walt's knowledge. Walt was tricked by his grandson who put the ears on grandpa during bedtime storytelling when a photographer from the Saturday Evening Post, who was covering the Disney family for an upcoming article, snapped the photo quickly.

I can not think of any other photographs of other senior Walt-era executives wearing mouse ears; Roy Disney, Card Walker, Richard Nunis, etc.

So Eisner is the anomaly, eh? Thanks.

 

[TP2000]

So Eisner is the anomaly, eh? Thanks.

Apparently, yes. I have a list of criticisms of Michael Eisner during his tenure at Disney, but he apparently took himself less seriously than Bob Iger does, or his predecessors at Disney.

 

[Jakester]

Thats the one. Splash as well?

Yes, both with the lights on. I have also gotten to do the Haunted Mansion tour as well. It's just amazing seeing how much goes on to make the magic happen.