The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[flynnibus]

Re frozen hate...

Remember not too long ago people were saying Disney should be doing some kind of event like the Gaylord's ICE event??

That's exactly what this reminds me of... The layout... The retail+self paced stuff... Ice skating... The dark background...

The parade is a little weak considering that is what they should have been doing weeks after froZen launched.

The stage show seems fitting for a temp thing and hits what the fans are after.

Seems fitting to give people an experience catered to the hot topic. No it's not a full fledged perm attraction but it's not set to be.

And Disney doesn't turn around new stand alone attractions this quick... Nor do I want them thinking they can predict what are going to be blockbusters and committing to attractions that early. Else we could still be dealing with john carter or lone ranger attractions...

 

[PhotoDave219]

What scares or disturbs me is that this is the result of having business people run the creative show.

Years and years of a financial, cash-cow, milk them dry mindset led the Studios to where it is today.

Disney could be, should be so much more than it is right now and that bothers me. It bothers me, it bothers others, it bothers some cast. Its an institutional, management mindset that can only be changed through senior leadership change.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

New fireworks, ice rink, play area, mini parade and show all put together in 10 days.

When the people complaining can prove they can do better with the same resources, I'll listen.

 

[Stevek]

Yes. Twice. For work. The food is insanely overpriced. Pretty tho.

I was just there in March and absolutely loved it. But as you say, it's muy expensive for food. The other strange thing was the lower drinking and gambling age. 18 I believe though I can guarantee there were quite a few 16 year olds with fake ID's that had more to consume than they should have.

The waterpark alone is worth the price of admission...we spend pretty much 2 full days just floating around the "not so" lazy river and doing the slides.

 

[Travel Junkie]

New fireworks, ice rink, play area, mini parade and show all put together in 10 days.

When the people complaining can prove they can do better with the same resources, I'll listen.

How long has Frozen been out? How long has Disney known the movie was this massive of a hit? How long have they known there was going to be a summer of 2014? More than 10 days I suppose.

 

[Phil12]

Re frozen hate...


And Disney doesn't turn around new stand alone attractions this quick... Nor do I want them thinking they can predict what are going to be blockbusters and committing to attractions that early. Else we could still be dealing with john carter or lone ranger attractions...

...or Dick Tracy attractions.

 

[Joe]

Have you been to Atlantis? I am thinking there is one big thing that would make it unappealing to Disney...the giant casino right in the middle of the resort. The casino makes too much money to just close. Whoever ends up buying the resort will having gaming in some form.

I was there when it was still Merv Griffins Paradise Island Resort and Casino.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

How long has Frozen been out? How long has Disney known the movie was this massive of a hit? How long have they known there was going to be a summer of 2014? More than 10 days I suppose.

How long do you think it takes to put together a parade of the same quality of FoF? Or a show like Hunchback?

Even if they had started work on this in February, I doubt there could have been much more done beyond more CMs for greets and some more character costumes.

It could have been more professional looking, but more substantive? Doubt it.

 

[flynnibus]

How long has Frozen been out? How long has Disney known the movie was this massive of a hit? How long have they known there was going to be a summer of 2014? More than 10 days I suppose.

The movie is not even a year old.. and there is a huge difference between 'a movie having a solid 3-4 weeks in the theaters' to a film showing it's going to be a phenom like this. So figure it's Jan or so before its clear this thing just keeps picking up steam. So maybe 6 months tops. Realistically, what are your expectations for less than 6 months? You aren't getting permanent attractions or full fledged shows like Nemo/FoTLK or even beauty & the beast in less than 6 months.

I'd love to hear what you think they should have by now.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

How long do you think it takes to put together a parade of the same quality of FoF? Or a show like Hunchback?

Even if they had started work on this in February, I doubt there could have been much more done beyond more CMs for greets and some more character costumes.

It could have been more professional looking, but more substantive? Doubt it.

I dunno but if I had a hit movie IP that already belongs to my company on my hands, I would want to give it more respect than a flimsy parade, meet and greet, and cardboard ice rink back drop.

And merchandise? I understand it takes time, but c'mon. A plush snowman hat? and surely someone got a raise for that genius gift of an idea.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I dunno but if I had a hit movie IP that already belongs to my company on my hands, I would want to give it more respect than a flimsy parade, meet and greet, and cardboard ice rink back drop.

Then you can't have it ready for July.

In the long run, something better is needed. For 8 weeks and at no extra charge to guests? This is fine.

And merchandise? I understand it takes time, but c'mon. A plush snowman hat? and surely someone got a raise for that genius gift of an idea.

Some of it's bad, but most of it is fine. It appears people are buying it regardless.

 

[Travel Junkie]

The movie is not even a year old.. and there is a huge difference between 'a movie having a solid 3-4 weeks in the theaters' to a film showing it's going to be a phenom like this. So figure it's Jan or so before its clear this thing just keeps picking up steam. So maybe 6 months tops. Realistically, what are your expectations for less than 6 months? You aren't getting permanent attractions or full fledged shows like Nemo/FoTLK or even beauty & the beast in less than 6 months.

I'd love to hear what you think they should have by now.

The criticism is that this summer event looks like it was created in 2 weeks, something not consistent with Disney's standards.

This backdrop for instance looks like one from a play I was in…in junior high.


As for the actual events, I do have quibbles about the quality of the content but not nearly as much as the quality of the themeing itself. Fireworks...fine, the idea of a skating rink is fine, even if I personally would not use time I payed nearly $100 to get into just to skate on ice that I can do locally for much less. Again personal preference. It’s the quality of the actual end product that is severely lacking in my opinion.

Even for seasonal events Disney used to have a certain standard.

 

[stevehousse]

I'm actually quite shocked they haven't pulled an "Avatar" yet, and just announce that a Frozen attraction or land is coming, and release no details whatsoever...and then make us wait 7-8 years until it actually comes to fruition...

 

[PhotoDave219]

The criticism is that this summer event looks like it was created in 2 weeks, something not consistent with Disney's standards.

This backdrop for instance looks like one from a play I was in…in junior high.


As for the actual events, I do have quibbles about the quality of the content but not nearly as much as the quality of the themeing itself. Fireworks...fine, the idea of a skating rink is fine, even if I personally would not use time I payed nearly $100 to get into just to skate on ice that I can do locally for much less. Again personal preference. It’s the quality of the actual end product that is severely lacking in my opinion.

Even for seasonal events Disney used to have a certain standard.

I'm just gonna go with "See it for yourself." Teh Interwebz photos do not do that room justice.

Also, no one is making you go.

You've made your point. Please dont belabor the issue.

 

[flynnibus]

The criticism is that this summer event looks like it was created in 2 weeks, something not consistent with Disney's standards.

I don't hear people pooh poohing SWW because much of it is setup in a sound stage.

Even for seasonal events Disney used to have a certain standard.

It's funny you mention that. I was thinking people today seem to forget just how cheezy most of the temporary entertainment used for promotions was in the 80s and 90s. The difference was back then things were temporary and changed quite often.. so they don't leave much of a history. Where the company today doesn't have the same cheez... but instead they just run the same entertainment until audience grows up and has kids of their own.

Today we get 'the same thing for a decade'.. back then we got lots of short lived cheezy stuff from entertainment. But at least there was some variety.

And if they could pull this off in 2 weeks... I'd call them geniuses. New shows choreographed and produced... Fireworks designed, setup, and ordered... food offerings lined up and inventoried.. merchandise piled up... And more. Beating the lead times alone would be strokes of genius.

But you still failed to answer the question of what you expect they should have in this short time (that would make you seem they are up to their own standards)

 

[stevehousse]

I wonder if they will end up keeping the ice skating rink open, especially during the holidays, and throw an Anna and Elsa, kristoff meet n greet...

 

[truecoat]

It makes Disney food prices seem reasonable. Drinks were fishing and cpricey too. We found that if you left the resort and walked across the bridge back to the main island there were some dive food places that were cheap and good. A little shady, but that added to the ambiance. The casino was pretty nice. On par with a good Vegas casino. The pools and waterpark were the best part.

A couple guys swimming off a beach downtown were snorkeling and caught a couple things. They let me hold the rock lobster so I could get a pic of it. While walking back to the boat they were cooking this guy among other things on the street and offered to share but I chickened out.

 

[marni1971]

The centerpiece of it was a 7-page typed document on WDC letterhead that detailed all current plans for additions to the resort

Wasn't this was it?

 

[TP2000]

New fireworks, ice rink, play area, mini parade and show all put together in 10 days.

When the people complaining can prove they can do better with the same resources, I'll listen.

Valid points. But still, it's pretty obvious all this Frozen stuff on both coasts is evidence of a company caught completely unprepared to properly support their biggest hit in years. First it was merchandise shortages, then it was three hour waits at a single meet n' greet, now it's slapped together summer promotions that replace the previous summer promotion that was so meaningless that no one could even describe it in a sentence. "Show Your Disney Side"... what the heck does that mean?

But, I will hand it to TDO for at least trying to salvage this summer with a panicky, slapped together Frozen, um, something.

That said, is it just me or should the Frozen girls have been the last float in this underwhelming four minute parade? They get thrown out there first, then it's all downhill with a parade of Precious Special Snowflakes that no one except their parents cares about, then it's a random empty cottage because cottages equal fun, then it's the guy from the movie who isn't the villain at Fun Cottage #2. Filled in with some recalled Christmas Parade dancers doing bland, low-impact choreography while dressed in Norwegian winterwear in Florida in July. And no sight of Olaf or the moose.


To add insult to injury, the "parade" concludes with two faux Norwegians in winter clothes immediately followed by a dozen dorky lower-middle-managers in nametags and unattractive 21st century Business Casual attire that instantly destroys any hint of theme or atmos or vibe that may have been created by the previous four minutes of Frozen stuff.

Seriously, they need to tell the managers in their Dockers and wash-n-wear Target short sleeve shirts to stay on the curb or back in their cubicle. They do nothing for the show and do nothing to improve the theme experience here. Isn't there a TPS report they should be doing instead?

Here's the Disneyland version of the slapped together Do Something Frozen And Quick! summer pre-parade. This float now appears before each Soundsational Parade at Disneyland this summer.


Yeah... Unfortunately, this is Disney caught totally unprepared for a cultural phenomenon.

 

[marni1971]

New fireworks, ice rink, play area, mini parade and show all put together in 10 days.

When the people complaining can prove they can do better with the same resources, I'll listen.

It is commendable. Some of it its tacky but given the enormous pressure to get something done - and we all know part of the reason why this has been done - but they did well. 60 firework shows for no extra charge? Very nice.

Now if it was being done in a park that had been properly expanded, with more expansion taking place as we speak, the would be no room to complain at all. The office has known DHS has an identity, appeal and capacity problem for at least SEVEN years now. And still TSMM was the last new addition. Star Tours was very well done, though mainly because TDO were forced to do it.

This is a very well received and much needed band aid that will fall off again in two months.