The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[Kman101]

I have no doubt the exterior will be impressive (well, it should be). But it's what's on the inside ... as "New" Fantasyland has proven. The exteriors are great (though they do all look plopped there with no actual forest to tie them together) but the insides are lacking.

 

[DinoInstitute]

I have no doubt the exterior will be impressive (well, it should be). But it's what's on the inside ... as "New" Fantasyland has proven. The exteriors are great (though they do all look plopped there with no actual forest to tie them together) but the insides are lacking.

Yah, I've never understood how the little mermaid belongs in the forrest...

But we do need some quality on the inside to make people enjoy the park and land for SW and DHS
I think what helped to the disappointment of TLM ride was that the outside and queue was so much nicer and it was deemed as an exciting part of an exciting new land, which it really wasn't

And when are they gonna stop marketing Fantatsyland as "New Fantasyland"??

 

[Bolna]

I come to this thread just like everyone else....but if I see something that doesn't make sense from anyone and they walk like a duck and quack like a duck....well

Well, the ability to understand what is written always helps for things to make sense.

Let's look at what @WDW1974 really said:

there are people at high levels of both WDW and TWDC that are afraid that Star Wars only attracts certain fanboi demos and that they are 'concerned' it won't appeal to the demos they are most after (Mommies and their 'wittle princesses).

The word "most" does not mean exclusively - which you try to make it out by using the word "just":

Ok that 74 post is bull - if Disney was all about just trying to attract "Mommies and their 'wittle princesses'" the someone please explain Carsland and Pandora, 2 of the biggest and most recent or current expansions taking place

And by changing that one word, it is quite easy to explain Carsland and Avatar: As long as they feel that they have enough for the main demographic they are after, they are then trying to round out the offerings for the second rate demographics (families with little boys). Especially taking into account the first part of the sentance, that they fear it ONLY attracts fanbois (and I think with that they think of single males in their 20s), this is a demographic that certainly is not ranking as second tier, but as a tier that is not even on their mind at all! In the thinking that @WDW1974 mentions Avatar might even be the reason for being hesitant towards Star Wars as it would be considered too much the same. Can't have two things that are considered to be more "male" and grown-up in their appeal happening at the same time...

 

[FigmentFreak]

And no ride... the TDO way!! I'm ready for my Olaf bathrooms... why aren't you running?

Olaf bathrooms: I can see it now his carrot nose is the toilet handle and as you flush he sings of snow in summer and melts to make the water that flushes.

 

[Rasvar]

And when are they gonna stop marketing Fantatsyland as "New Fantasyland"??

I think "New" has a six to seven year lifecycle in Disneyspeak.

 

[Hyperspace Hoopla]

Disney didn't just buy Star Wars so they could make a few movies. Nearly 40 years after it's original release, Star Wars is still one of the largest and most lucrative IP's in the world.

Avatar, Frozen and Harry Potter are all great IP's, and in 30 years we can have the discussion about which is the best (assuming any of them are still around).

 

[Captain Chaos]

Well, the ability to understand what is written always helps for things to make sense.

Let's look at what @WDW1974 really said:



The word "most" does not mean exclusively - which you try to make it out by using the word "just":



And by changing that one word, it is quite easy to explain Carsland and Avatar: As long as they feel that they have enough for the main demographic they are after, they are then trying to round out the offerings for the second rate demographics (families with little boys). Especially taking into account the first part of the sentance, that they fear it ONLY attracts fanbois (and I think with that they think of single males in their 20s), this is a demographic that certainly is not ranking as second tier, but as a tier that is not even on their mind at all! In the thinking that @WDW1974 mentions Avatar might even be the reason for being hesitant towards Star Wars as it would be considered too much the same. Can't have two things that are considered to be more "male" and grown-up in their appeal happening at the same time...

And with one post, Disney Daddy was burned...

 

[ABQ]

Disney didn't just buy Star Wars so they could make a few movies. Nearly 40 years after it's original release, Star Wars is still one of the largest and most lucrative IP's in the world.

Avatar, Frozen and Harry Potter are all great IP's, and in 30 years we can have the discussion about which is the best (assuming any of them are still around).

I just don't "get" Hello Kitty. Some of the people I've seen with cars slathered in the mouthless cat's image, steering wheel covers, seat covers, license plate covers, never mind the purses, bracelets and pendants are driven by adults who I just worry about when I see them.

 

[twebber55]

I just don't "get" Hello Kitty. Some of the people I've seen with cars slathered in the mouthless cat's image, steering wheel covers, seat covers, license plate covers, never mind the purses, bracelets and pendants are driven by adults who I just worry about when I see them.

to me that's no different than the 40 year old dude who wears a jedi outfit and has his own light sabor

 

[ScoutN]

Good morning WDW Magic... Sorry to interrupt the fun, but I have something actually worthwhile to contribute.

Made the pilgrimage out to HKDL, no movement yet on the new hotel...

The Hollywood Hotel is in the midst of adding something? in its backyard.

And the first (that I've seen at least) pictures of the Ironman construction site, starting to go vertical. Had to brave Autotopia for these and I'll hide them just in case anyone cares about that sort of thing...

Spoiler

From what I can gather at least the actual show building is in the background and the ride entrance/shop juts out from the left. I'm curious how they plan on rejiggering the Autotopia queue, it will probably start from the Ironman promenade instead of just at the train bridge.

There's a few more and the full res can be downloaded from Flickr: BrianLockha's photostream

That is a place HIGH on the todo list. After @WDW1974 described the arrival process to the resort over a good meal at a great private seafood eatery in the Olde Country and how truly MAGICal it is I MUST see it as soon as possible.

 

[pwnbeaver]

I don't see him having put out anything. He teased, which he does frequently. I believe you should hold back if you can't release anything.

I think everyone is on the same page that some SW work will begin in 2015 (that puts opening in the 2018-19 range) and there are many folks trying to push that agenda out this summer considering what UNI is debuting ... I am still waiting for one solid piece of evidence. But talk to someone with Disney and you'll get an earful. I just don't think HTF is doing fans a solid on this one. He does have an account here and uses to post semi-regularly ... maybe someone will summon him here.

Yeah, I agree. I usually love HTF and all of the little bits and pieces he trickles out through tweets and such, but this whole thing is rubbing me the wrong way. He's being vague in the worst way, saying that something is coming but he won't tell what. Saying that is like a presidential candidate saying they will increase jobs; it's something everybody wants, but what are the details, how are you really going to accomplish it?

It seems to me that HTF is playing into Disney's hands by hyping them up right when Uni is ready to knock the doors down for a few months, exactly like you warned. It's something I would never expect from HTF but I'm suspicious, especially since he's typically the Universal source and I can't remember him ever really getting a Disney scoop. HTF doesn't strike me as someone who would play ball so easily, but...

 

[ABQ]

to me that's no different than the 40 year old dude who wears a jedi outfit and has his own light sabor

Good point. They both worry me.

 

[GoofGoof]

Just like 74 asking questions about Horizons West and Compass Rose, the money for it was scattered, smothered and covered better than a plate of hashbrowns at Waffle House. In other words "a riddle wrapped in a rhyme, shrouded by an enigma."

I love a conspiracy theory as much as the next guy, but it's far more likely that a large chunk of the money is just internal transfers for people working on the project. A whole bunch of CMs were assigned to guest relations to deal with all of the MM+ issues. Their costs were charged to the project instead of their original department. Spirit's last post said they were moving a lot of these people off of the project and back where they came from. I'm sure there were some execs who got nice bonuses by "cutting" their department's costs by allocating as many of their people's costs to the project as they could get away with. I've personally seen this happen with large projects and/or acquisitions in my career.

They also did bring in a bunch of consultants as well as pay for the physical hardware for scanners and registers. I'm not sure what benefit there would be to hiding or covering up the trail on where the money was spent. Of course they won't publicly release a breakdown of the costs, but that doesn't mean there is some underlying conspiracy or coverup.

 

[BrianLo]

That is a place HIGH on the todo list. After @WDW1974 described the arrival process to the resort over a good meal at a great private seafood eatery in the Olde Country and how truly MAGICal it is I MUST see it as soon as possible.

Absolutely, I was going to follow up the photos with some thoughts (dealing with unending jet leg sleep requirements) and this was the first one I had jotted down.

It's easily the best arrival of any Disney resort (sorry WDW but a Highway arrival isn't the same), helped in part by the sub tropical climate and lushness that transports you somewhere decidedly un-North American. The subway system here is top notch and gets you to SunnyBay within about 30 minutes from anywhere in HK. The resort line transports you and you really come off feeling like you are secluded. And all for only about 2.50$, and it's not even a Monorail!

Checked out the Disney hotels as well, but given availability of some many great hotels that are "on rail access" simply by virtue of the MTR system, it doesn't make sense to pay Disney prices.

A 2 day ticket is only 75USD and can be used for any two days (don't even have to be consecutive) within 7 days of one another.

At the current rate of expansion and with a second park inevitable there may be a time in the not too distant future that some will consider this the best Disney resort (even above TDR).

 

[baymenxpac]

the scary thing is this: those of us who grew up on WDW of old knew it was a place with a soul. not just for kids who wanted to see their favorite characters, but a place that was multi-faceted with many aspects to attract to all age demographics. remember the walt disney world resort? a place you could do it all: get an educational experience (epcot center), see an active film studio (MGM), party (pleasure island), golf, pool hop, etc.

the fear over the last few years i've had personally is that it's turning into a place for arrested development. no offense to any other fanbois, but i don't really fit that demo. i like my adult life, even if i had countless of happy memories at WDW in my childhood. and this latest star wars nugget confirms it. unless you're a mommy with a blog that's willing to gush about anna and elsa and drop thousands on plush while doing it, they don't want you. that's pretty damning to that brand as far as i'm concerned.

 

[marni1971]

(Edited for clarification)

And with one post, Disney Daddy was burned...

Ooooooo!

 

[Cesar R M]

No, Google was in the parks giving feedback as recent as last month. Someone reported it on here SOMEWHERE... and my tip of the hat to you.

Palantir. Thats interesting. Its been rumored. @WDW1974 first brought it up. They could be involved for the analytical database examinations? They could be a mere consultant? They could be doing anything. Honestly, repurposing their database technologies to examine the analytics captured with the magic bands seems perfect for what they do. This is all just speculation of course. I cant find any ties between Disney and them.

my question would be.. did Disney willingly tested Palantir inside the park premises?
or did someone else sneak it with the purpose to suck information and metadata secretly?

 

[PhotoDave219]

my question would be.. did Disney willingly tested Palantir inside the park premises?
or did someone else sneak it with the purpose to suck information and metadata secretly?

I just dont know. Its all speculation.

 

[JediMasterMatt]

All that's very well and good, but maybe their problem is that adding New Fantasyland and advertising the bands is working too well?
Couldn't attendance just be higher than expected?

I would find it very hard to believe that even TDO would be suprised that attendance would go down by adding anything. After all, they are the ones making the choice not to add capacity. They are the ones that are continuing to coast on the resorts legacy of being a world class destination and not reinvest by expanding (their existing capcity, not necessarily adding another gate filled with a 1/2 day worth of activities). What each park needs is "more". More things to occupy peoples time when visting. New things to get people to come back the next time.

Either the above is true or else TDO was secretly planning on MM+ being such a spectacular failure that attendance would drop. That would certainly help with the capacity woes.

Anyone ever stop and wonder if Disney built two new E-tickets at MK it might mske the park even more crowded than it already is?

E-ticket or B-ticket doesn't really matter at the world's busiest theme park gate, people are spending a day there no matter what. MK needs more attractions like Mermaid that can chew through the large crowds. Adding an attraction with the capacity of TSMM or Soarin' would be nightmare inducing as it would get more people into the park than what it would be able to handle. Of course the real issue is that as time goes by, the less similar MK becomes from Disneyland. At DL, there are almost 60 years worth of rides and attractions that have a wide range of capacity. The low capacity attractions help offset the need for more high capacity ones through their sheer volume.

At the heart of WDW's issue is that it's growth from a capacity perspective gets alloted across the entire resort, which has the 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and the resorts to fill. DLR has been getting growth just across 2 gates and that is why both of those gates can better handle their respective loads.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Kids..... lets not feed the trolls. If someone's being horribly disruptive over and over, hit the report button.

Steve & Marcia will handle it accordingly.