The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[Figments Friend]

On the topic of what Disney offered to J.K. Rowling in regards to their proposed *Harry Potter* themed attraction.....

Midway Mania with wands at DHS and a magical creatures petting zoo. That was the pitch, according to a friend of mine in the company.

I'm sure Tony Baxter could have come up with something much more fitting, but we all know how much work he got in recent years.

Indeed.
That did not stop Mr. Baxter however from coming up with his own concepts for a *Harry Potter* themed Attraction.
He had some interesting concepts indeed for a themed experience....and he has kept them.

Storytime....

Last year someone in the themed entertainment fan community visited his cozy home and talked about a moment when the topic of conversation turned to Universal*s HP areas.
As the topic progressed to what Disney might have done if they had won the right, Mr. Baxter pulled out some papers from his personal collection.
They were concepts for a HP Attraction to be built for one of the Disney Theme Parks....being held in his hand a few feet away from the visitor.

These were, from the impression i received as the story was told, various ideas Tony had come up with and may have been part of the preliminary gathering of concepts.
Said visitor admitted to how awesome a moment it was to see him tease with these, but alas, those concepts were not to be revealed.
The visitor admitted to desperately wanting to see them ....curiosity was just killing him at that moment, but Tony smartly kept those cherished secrets to himself.


Tony Baxter - the ultimate showman, still....knowing full well how to keep a audience entertained and wide eyed, even today.

 

[EpcoTim]

I think everyone hopes you're spot on with this assessment, as that will equate to dollars lost and revenue alone is all that will coax TWDC into being serious about its parks, and not just its hotels, again.

Unfortunately hope and reality rarely cross paths.

 

[ParentsOf4]

Love your level of detail. So, you are saying that when Eisner was in and coming off the Disney Decade, WDW was at 25% and Universal is currently at 26%. What was Universal's during the Disney Decade? Could we be living in the Universal Decade? Lucky for us then.

USF opened in 1990 and IOA opened in 1999. Universal went from essentially no revenue and infinite investment to two full theme parks. Perhaps even more than WDW, the 1990s were the Universal Decade.

Seriously though, from the time Walt Disney started buying land in the mid-1960s until 9/11, Disney's investments in Orlando were impressive, as was WDW's growth both from a financial and a fan perspective.

9/11 changed everything. That's when P&R investment tanked. It was understandable. In 2002 and 2003, P&R revenue declined for the first time, by a total of over 8%. WDW went into survival mode.

When P&R revenue jumped in 2004 and 2005, Eisner once again started increasing P&R investment.

That changed immediately when Iger became CEO. During his first 4 years, Iger slashed P&R investment back down to 2002 levels even as P&R revenue continued to climb.

As we've seen throughout the decades at WDW, DLR, and Universal, investing can produce outstanding returns. The key is investing in the right product.

WWOHP showed that, with the right product, there's still plenty of upside in Orlando. Disney's Big Three should be trying to capitalize on that.

To be successful, the CEO has to have the instinct of what's 'right' and what's 'wrong'. Currently, I sense that The Big Three at Disney don't have that instinct when it comes to P&R.

Throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, P&R achieved gross margins typically in the range of 18% to 24%.

In his 8 full fiscal years, Iger's best year so far has been 16.1%. Considering that WDW is, by far, P&R's single biggest source of revenue, you'd think they'd focus more on WDW. Instead, Iger, Rasulo, and Staggs seem like they are out of their comfort zones with WDW. It seems they're more interested in improving margins the old fashioned way: raise prices, cut budgets, squeeze suppliers, and defer investments.

Universal Orlando will run out of steam. WDW will rebound. Unfortunately, at my age, there's no assurance that I'll be around to see it.

 

[DinoInstitute]

USF opened in 1990 and IOA opened in 1999. Universal went from essentially no revenue and infinite investment to two full theme parks. Perhaps even more than WDW, the 1990s were the Universal Decade.

Seriously though, from the time Walt Disney started buying land in the mid-1960s until 9/11, Disney's investments in Orlando were impressive, as was WDW's growth both from a financial and a fan perspective.

9/11 changed everything. That's when P&R investment tanked. It was understandable. In 2002 and 2003, P&R revenue declined for the first time, by a total of over 8%. WDW went into survival mode.

When P&R revenue jumped in 2004 and 2005, Eisner once again started increasing P&R investment.

That changed immediately when Iger became CEO. During his first 4 years, Iger slashed P&R investment back down to 2002 levels even as P&R revenue continued to climb.

As we've seen throughout the decades at WDW, DLR, and Universal, investing can produce outstanding returns. The key is investing in the right product.

WWOHP showed that, with the right product, there's still plenty of upside in Orlando. Disney's Big Three should be trying to capitalize on that.

To be successful, the CEO has to have the instinct of what's 'right' and what's 'wrong'. Currently, I sense that The Big Three at Disney don't have that instinct when it comes to P&R.

Throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, P&R achieved gross margins typically in the range of 18% to 24%.

In his 8 full fiscal years, Iger's best year so far has been 16.1%. Considering that WDW is, by far, P&R's single biggest source of revenue, you'd think they'd focus more on WDW. Instead, Iger, Rasulo, and Staggs seem like they are out of their comfort zones with WDW.

Universal Orlando will run out of steam. WDW will rebound. Unfortunately, at my age, there's no assurance that I'll be around to see.

Wow thats so...great. true. good job.

The problem is that WDW will not invest in the right thing, even though the right thing id literally right under their noses...screaming at them to invest in it. Example: Why make SWL, when our guests want a Maelstrom overlay for Frozen??

That last point you made, well, I actually just came across that thought the other day. While growing exponentially, Uni still has to catch up to WDW. Therefore, their game plan is to add as much as they can in the next few years to show guests they will have the best experience there. However, that can't go on forever, either they will not have the right attractions, they will "get an Iger", or reach a funding issue. They will lose their momentum. Once this sudden stop comes, Disney will gain the upper hand. Disney is probably playing games to predict when this will happen so they can have best planning. As I said before, 2017 should be Disney's year and the start of a new "era", with Avatar and a very possible SW phase one, with 18 bringing a phase 2 perhaps, and from that point on more EC and DHS adds, like revamped pavilion or new Pixar place ride. At that point, Uni will be "confused", and not know how to respond. Fans will have faith in WDW again, given SWL and A:LoP are awesome, and Uni could very well be in the position that WDW is in now with everyone complaining. Uni would then be thinking that they have to act fast, and create something new that seems rushed, and thats when more people will make the switch back.
Well I managed to turn your little statement into a long paragraph that sounded much better in my head. oh well!


Either all that or Uni will just completely re-theme all their parks to HP

 

[Cesar R M]

It's still way too early to close the book on Dragons 2.
This is a family movie in the summer- it's going to have quite a bit of staying power.
Don't forget that the first movie opened strong, but dropped to second place its second weekend, then third, but then RECLAIMED first place on its 4th weekend.
Universal did a great job positioning this movie. It won't face any real competition until July.

funnily, I'm a few hours away from seeing this movie.

 

[articos]

USF opened in 1990 and IOA opened in 1999. Universal went from essentially no revenue and infinite investment to two full theme parks. Perhaps even more than WDW, the 1990s were the Universal Decade.

Seriously though, from the time Walt Disney started buying land in the mid-1960s until 9/11, Disney's investments in Orlando were impressive, as was WDW's growth both from a financial and a fan perspective.

9/11 changed everything. That's when P&R investment tanked. It was understandable. In 2002 and 2003, P&R revenue declined for the first time, by a total of over 8%. WDW went into survival mode.

When P&R revenue jumped in 2004 and 2005, Eisner once again started increasing P&R investment.

That changed immediately when Iger became CEO. During his first 4 years, Iger slashed P&R investment back down to 2002 levels even as P&R revenue continued to climb.

As we've seen throughout the decades at WDW, DLR, and Universal, investing can produce outstanding returns. The key is investing in the right product.

WWOHP showed that, with the right product, there's still plenty of upside in Orlando. Disney's Big Three should be trying to capitalize on that.

To be successful, the CEO has to have the instinct of what's 'right' and what's 'wrong'. Currently, I sense that The Big Three at Disney don't have that instinct when it comes to P&R.

Throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, P&R achieved gross margins typically in the range of 18% to 24%.

In his 8 full fiscal years, Iger's best year so far has been 16.1%. Considering that WDW is, by far, P&R's single biggest source of revenue, you'd think they'd focus more on WDW. Instead, Iger, Rasulo, and Staggs seem like they are out of their comfort zones with WDW. It seems they're more interested in improving margins the old fashioned way: raise prices, cut budgets, squeeze suppliers, and defer investments.

Universal Orlando will run out of steam. WDW will rebound. Unfortunately, at my age, there's no assurance that I'll be around to see.

You're not allowed to age. You're too darned good.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

You're not allowed to age. You're too darned good.

Truth.

Once we elect you second in line to Photodaves CEO-ship you can't age. It's against the law.

(And you also can't theme another bathroom to a movie franchise)

 

[Nemo14]

Truth.

Once we elect you second in line to Photodaves CEO-ship you can't age. It's against the law.

(And you also can't theme another bathroom to a movie franchise)

not even Star Wars?

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

not even Star Wars?

May the flush be with you

 

[Quinnmac000]

I don't doubt Disney will rebound but the difference between Universal and Disney was Universal didn't invest into family based properties in the past(Dreamworks did most of the work but since 2009, Dreamworks studio went with Disney and Dreamworks Animation went to Fox). Now they have Illuminations Entertainment which is producing all family based films which Universal can add to their arsenal and parks and Laika (Coraline, Paranorman, upcoming film The Boxtrolls) to balance out their parks and pretty much catch up to Disney fast with Comcast focusing on films that can be invested into their theme parks. When they had their press release from acquiring Legendary Pictures, it literally said we can not wait to take some of the future properties and put them into our theme parks around the world.

Not trying to make this Disney Vs Uni but if Universal gets too far ahead and successful, it will be hard for Disney to play catch up especially when right now they are very stagnant. And Disney really should start with their own IPs and then incorporate others, when you have an arsenal that large of family based films use them before going out and buying more.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

His quote about the 7DMT is true IMO, but calling the potter stuff underwhelming is crazy.

It is beautiful and the animattonics are amazing but it's a kiddie coaster... It isn't a thrill ride and cannot be compared to DA or even WWoHP... It will lose every time.

 

[culturenthrills]

Actually, it is my fave as well and it is quite special. It is a masterpiece, which is why an attraction designed in the late 1960s is still hugely popular. Quality ... that is what this ... what most of my discussions are about ... quality. You know it when you experience it.

It's my favorite Disney attraction. Now if I could just experience it without people yapping their traps during the stretch room and make through the ride without it stopping for the first time in years.

 

[dhall]

We almost all got along for nearly a page a while back.

Let's go for a page and a half next time.

That page was deleted by the mods -- too far off topic.

 

[dhall]

Whoa, hey, don't knock a good refrigerator box. That is some high-quality entertainment that no theme park can match! (And I'm only partially kidding...a fridge box is literally all my son asked for from Santa last year!)

Cardboard Box is in the Toy Hall of Fame

 

[Goofyernmost]

It's my favorite Disney attraction. Now if I could just experience it without people yapping their traps during the stretch room and make through the ride without it stopping for the first time in years.

I agree with the first part, but, almost every time it stops it is to either load or unload a disabled person. I think that is a very small price to pay for their ability to enjoy it too.

 

[dhall]

Friendly request:

Could those of you conversing with the trolls, please use the "reply" button when speaking to them directly? It makes it easier for those of us who have them on IGNORE, to pretend they don't exist. While swimming in the ocean you know there are sharks, but if you can't see them....

They probably are using reply -- the forum software hides quotes of ignored posters messages as well as the original messages themselves. I've viewed source of the page a couple times to confirm when @WDW1974 was responding to jt.

 

[NearTheEars]

It is beautiful and the animattonics are amazing but it's a kiddie coaster... It isn't a thrill ride and cannot be compared to DA or even WWoHP... It will lose every time.

It would certainly be silly to compare one attraction to two whole lands for sure.

 

[GoofGoof]

I don't doubt Disney will rebound but the difference between Universal and Disney was Universal didn't invest into family based properties in the past(Dreamworks did most of the work but since 2009, Dreamworks studio went with Disney and Dreamworks Animation went to Fox). Now they have Illuminations Entertainment which is producing all family based films which Universal can add to their arsenal and parks and Laika (Coraline, Paranorman, upcoming film The Boxtrolls) to balance out their parks and pretty much catch up to Disney fast with Comcast focusing on films that can be invested into their theme parks. When they had their press release from acquiring Legendary Pictures, it literally said we can not wait to take some of the future properties and put them into our theme parks around the world.

Not trying to make this Disney Vs Uni but if Universal gets too far ahead and successful, it will be hard for Disney to play catch up especially when right now they are very stagnant. And Disney really should start with their own IPs and then incorporate others, when you have an arsenal that large of family based films use them before going out and buying more.

Disney has the IP and the creative people to get it done. It's just a matter of the execs giving them the opportunity to do great things. I don't think Disney has any fear of falling too far behind or having a hard time playing catch up. They are still building really great things all over the world. Just not enough in FL.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

It's still way too early to close the book on Dragons 2.
This is a family movie in the summer- it's going to have quite a bit of staying power.
Don't forget that the first movie opened strong, but dropped to second place its second weekend, then third, but then RECLAIMED first place on its 4th weekend.
Universal did a great job positioning this movie. It won't face any real competition until July.

Fox is distributing it for the nice folks at DreamWorks who need to turn out more films like it. Within the context of these franchises, HTTYD is sadly a couple notches below the likes of Harry Potter, Star Wars, Spider Man, Transformers, Lord of the Rings among others in terms of box office. HTTYD is an IP that has a world you want to go to, but it still hasn't gotten to the level that would justify a themed land that would do it justice in the eyes of the people who write the big checks. I think a lot folks here would rather visit Berk than Pandora. Too bad Avatar made 3.2 billion and that gives it an opportunity HTTYD may never get.

 

[bhg469]

Disney has the IP and the creative people to get it done. It's just a matter of the execs giving them the opportunity to do great things. I don't think Disney has any fear of falling too far behind or having a hard time playing catch up. They are still building really great things all over the world. Just not enough in FL.

And there is also the stigma on their side that universal is only potter and if you're not a fan, you shouldn't go. Also you need teenagers to appreciate it.