The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[alissafalco]

What changed with EMH?

http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/opera...d-for-july-through-to-the-end-of-the-year.htm

 

[Next Big Thing]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/opera...d-for-july-through-to-the-end-of-the-year.htm

It looks to me like they are scheduling a specific day of the week for each park to have EMH in the morning/night and sticking to it throughout the month. @WDW1974 has talked in the past about them wanting to cut back on EMH and this may be part of that.

 

[ParentsOf4]

That is what makes this thread so special. The sheer randomness of it all.

Everyone's participation in this thread is what makes it special.

 

[Darth Sidious]

Random thought: the Chinese don't want American businesses in China unless they can own part of it and reap the benfits of being a 'partner' while the American company manages most of the company, by their various rules of course, and takes in only a portion of the money. Disney falls into this sort of deal with their theme park ownership schemes because China wants domestic ownership. Goldman Sachs owns a brokerage in China where it controls the brokerage but it isn't a fully owned subsidiary. I wonder when China will change these xenophobic rules? Likely not for a very long time.

Somewhat related post but I know there are some people here interested in international business in China. I read an interesting article this morning on the heavy banking regulations the Chinese put on foreign banks in China.

 

[seascape]

Random thought: the Chinese don't want American businesses in China unless they can own part of it and reap the benfits of being a 'partner' while he Anerican company manages most of the company, by their various rules of course, and takes in only a portion of the money. Disney falls into this sort of deal with their theme park ownership schemes because China wants domestic ownership. Goldman Sachs owns a brokerage in China where it controls the brokerage but it isn't a fully owned subsidiary. I wonder when China will change these xenophobic rules? Likely not for a very long time.

Somewhat related post but I know there are some people here interested in international business in China. I read an interesting article this morning on the heavy banking regulations the Chinese put on foreign banks in China.

The question with China and Shanghai Disney is, is it better to own 48% of the highest attended theme park or not. I think it's well worth it. It will help their movie sales especially since China limits the number of foreign movies. This park will help Disney get all the movies they want into the China market.

 

[Goofyernmost]

314 pages, seriously? ok can I get the cliff notes version?

Believe me, with the directions that this thread has gone in, even the Cliff Notes would be the size of War & Peace. Start anywhere and use your imagination to convince yourself that you have been on it all along. You haven't really missed much of any substance.

 

[WildcatDen]

They just remodeled my Tire Kingdom to a very white, sterile, hip feel.

That would make Odd Thomas happy?

 

[DougK]

Wawa update - because it is so relevant to this thread : Hoagiefest is here again! I just had my first $4.79 10" Italian hoagie of the year from Wawa last night. MMMM good!

 

[ABQ]

I refuse to defend Apple, nor its fanbois.

I do enjoy using Apple's products but hate the way they force you to upgrade through not supporting older products.

Yes, they forced me to move to fresh water when I had been using salt water from 1989-1992

 

[FigmentFreak]

Only if you pay me ... OK, just buy me a few drinks!

Spririt does this make you a photodave lifestyler?
Making him buy you drinks to say something good about him?
(for those who can't take a joke, unlike the spirit - I am just kidding)

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Yes, they forced me to move to fresh water when I had been using salt water from 1989-1992

That's awesome.

 

[FigmentFreak]

You need to go to Mall at Millenia then and just TRY to get in the damn store.

Because the market will support it.

and since we all have to be "plugged in" for FP- all the time, just think of all the broken/damaged/OMG I just have to replace this I can't live on vacation without my phone people they'll have flocking to it and won't have to leave Disney property to do it.

I'm giving this to the mouse as a smart move.

Damn just typing that made me throw up in my mouth a little.

 

[Bairstow]

Fanbois, yes, but most Orlando locals who can afford Apple products live a lot closer to Millenia (and aren't coming to Disney no matter, unless it's Food & Wine). This is all about the South Americans, and to a lesser extent various other international guests.

One of my best friends manages a tourist-area TJ Maxx. In busy season he can't keep luggage in stock. The discount on clothing/electronics makes up for the cost of a couple extra suitcases. Not to mention all the sketchy electronics shops that line 535 and I-Drive; there's a reason each one has a Brazilian flag in the window.

I think a downtown Disney apple store also has a lot of value to the company by serving as a showplace for their products and corporate image. Even if the store never sells a single phone, if the store is big and impressive and fun to loiter in it has the potential to influence a lot of guests to consider purchasing an apple product when they go back home.

 

[mgpan]

our seminole hard rock has a Council oaks..pretty nice.

almost as nice as Berns steakhouse food wise

I usually try not to post something that could be called thread drift, but Berns Steakhouse! I'm assuming this is the place in Tampa where you progress up floors for different courses. That is multiple levels for reception and bar, entree and then private wood paneled enclosed booths where you use a phone to order desserts and after dinner cocktails. I remember the tableside Ceasar salad, awesome sides, bananas foster and excellent service. Truly one of my favorite dining experiences and a great surprise. An unbelievable wine (10,000 bottles) and spirits menu (from a few dollars to more than $1,000 for a quarter ounce) Why is there not one of these or something similar at Downtown Disney or CityWalk?

 

[FabulousFigment]

I'm an Iron Maiden fan myself. My first live concert was when they came to South Florida during the Flight 666 tour. What a show.

I saw them in an open air venue in central Jersey a few times. They really put on a great show! There were zip lines and Dickenson was all over the place. He always has the best wardrobe too!

 

[Fe Maiden]

and since we all have to be "plugged in" for FP- all the time, just think of all the broken/damaged/OMG I just have to replace this I can't live on vacation without my phone people they'll have flocking to it and won't have to leave Disney property to do it.

I'm giving this to the mouse as a smart move.

The reality is its important. We just spent the weekend at Hershey Park. My wife and I downloaded the app and it was invaluable for all the reasons it makes sense at WDW. Wait times, closures, re-openings, having smartphones and navigating theme parks makes too much sense, fortunately or unfortunately, however you choose to look at it.

My real concern is the resounding indifference 7DMT is going to have on my 5yo daughter (that is the demo, right) when she's now a veteran of Sooper Dooper Looper. C'mon Disney can we raise the bar just a bit when it comes to our kids?

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

The reality is its important. We just spent the weekend at Hershey Park. My wife and I downloaded the app and it was invaluable for all the reasons it makes sense at WDW. Wait times, closures, re-openings, having smartphones and navigating theme parks makes too much sense, fortunately or unfortunately, however you choose to look at it.

My real concern is the resounding indifference 7DMT is going to have on my 5yo daughter (that is the demo, right) when she's now a veteran of Sooper Dooper Looper. C'mon Disney can we raise the bar just a bit when it comes to our kids?

I haven't been to Hershey in at least ten years. How's that little park doing? Been thinking about taking a drive across state to check it out this summer.

As for WDW apps... I took my ipad into the park one day, then decided it's better off at the hotel and left it there for the rest of the trip. I think I used a wait times app a handful of times. I didn't want to get sidetracked and check my usual haunts (here, huffington post, slate magazine, colossal art, etc etc) instead of enjoying being on vacation. I suspect the same will happen at WDW on my next trip with both phone and ipad locked away in the hotel.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Random thought: the Chinese don't want American businesses in China unless they can own part of it and reap the benfits of being a 'partner' while he Anerican company manages most of the company, by their various rules of course, and takes in only a portion of the money. Disney falls into this sort of deal with their theme park ownership schemes because China wants domestic ownership. Goldman Sachs owns a brokerage in China where it controls the brokerage but it isn't a fully owned subsidiary. I wonder when China will change these xenophobic rules? Likely not for a very long time.

Somewhat related post but I know there are some people here interested in international business in China. I read an interesting article this morning on the heavy banking regulations the Chinese put on foreign banks in China.

I wouldn't call what China is doing "xenophobic" perse, but rather protectionist. If the PRC let the largest multinationals into China with no strings attached, they would decimate domestic businesses which would mean that less wealth reaped in China would stay there. It's more of a you can enter the Chinese market as long as you know that you are a guest here and that we will exert our power over what you can and cannot do. It's funny you brought up Goldman Sachs, aka Cancer, because while they may be held to high standards, the Chinese banking sector certainly is not abiding by them. It does appear that China could experience its first major recession soon thanks to their real estate bubble. Imagine if the Chinese economy is imploding on Shanghai Disneyland's opening day next fall!

The question with China and Shanghai Disney is, is it better to own 48% of the highest attended theme park or not. I think it's well worth it. It will help their movie sales especially since China limits the number of foreign movies. This park will help Disney get all the movies they want into the China market.

Disney, and the other Hollywood majors, don't make money in China. While there is the film import quota you mentioned, the central government only lets the studios take 10-15% of the grosses. For context, studios typically get 50% of the gross here in America and it's in that ballpark in most of the world. To Disney, releasing their films in China are what Alan Horn would call Brand Deposits. Disney wants to establish its BRAND with the Chinese consumer so that they'll buy Disney branded items, send their kids to the Disney English after school program, and yes visit Shanghai Disneyland. The hope is long term that central government will be looser with its restrictions where the Studios get 30-35 percent of the gross and Disney will be able to own a larger chunk of a larger, more developed Shanghai Disneyland.

To TWDC this is all about establishing a beachhead into the country that will soon have the world's largest middle class, but the central government wants to make sure domestic industry has a fair shake.

 

[71jason]

no idea why they would go to disney to purchase apple products. Apple stores are everywhere with their overpriced products.

Taxes. I'm sure they have clothes, too, just much, much cheaper here.

 

[71jason]

Why does this have to be for tourists? An apple store is actual a great get for Disney to get locals to come to Disney Springs. If the Disney Springs Apple Store is the closest store to the consumer, that's where they will go.

Tourists are just extra money.

Two problems with your theory. Most of the people close to Disney Springs make <$10/hour and aren't buying Apple products. And those with money and a proclivity toward buying Apple products in the area are far more likely to want to go to Millenia than Disney World (this is why all Econ majors should be required to take a couple Psych classes).

Not saying there will be no local customers--bound to be a few. But I bet there's at least two green-shirted Cast Members outside the store at all times, and that shows who the target demo is.