The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[Irie]

Still impressive!

Definitely

 

[seascape]

Going to assume you know more insider info than me, but I think you missed my point. OF COURSE Disney wanted to kill the story. It can only harm their bottom line. They may be very active in combatting the problem (even though their response in the piece was as affirming as a family of chickens working at KFC) but we do not know, hence the response. In short, it seems like this article was a hit job focused mainly on Disney when the issue is SO MUCH LARGER. Would rather have seen CNN go all in and really cover the issue as a whole.

. While I disagree with the way this particular story was presented I definitely agree with 1974 that the issue is extremely important and should be discussed much more than it has been. I think him for that.

 

[Suspirian]

Strange choice, but ok

 

[marni1971]

Lots of fun around Orlando at the moment.

IF - big if - things pan out there could a lot of fun to be had over the next 5-10 years.

Even more than at the moment.

And hopefully someone else would be forced to get their act together.

 

[WildcatDen]

Lots of fun around Orlando at the moment.

IF - big if - things pan out there could a lot of fun to be had over the next 5-10 years.

Even more than at the moment.

And hopefully someone else would be forced to get their act together.

So, you are implying that the fun is mainly focused down the street? Nothing withing the walls of WDW other than Pandora?

 

[GLaDOS]

I had already posted that they were not investing in Asia and that their next new international park would be in Russia. Gee how could I be right?

Except Universal Studios Japan just announced they're putting in a bid to build a second theme park, and Universal is building in Beijing. Nice try though.

The Korean park has been a dead project since day 1. Don't expect to see the Russia project happen either.

 

[GLaDOS]

IF - big if - things pan out there could a lot of fun to be had over the next 5-10 years.

Not that big of one, if I had to wager

 

[bhg469]

Lots of fun around Orlando at the moment.

IF - big if - things pan out there could a lot of fun to be had over the next 5-10 years.

Even more than at the moment.

And hopefully someone else would be forced to get their act together.

Someone else only caters to the lowest common denominator, I would love for them to go after people who aren't easily impressed but its just not likely. If you could make billions while not trying, why would you put in any effort? Did I just call Disney commies?

 

[bhg469]

Not that big of one, if I had to wager

OMG This IF sounds amazing!!

 

[Rodan75]

Can you provide a link? I just checked Fox News and did not find the story. I did find this story interesting, though... The UAE is planning a 2025 Mars mission... http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/07/16/uae-plans-first-arab-spaceship-to-mars-in-7-years/

I'm not normally a 'link provider' on things you could easily google in half the time it took me to copy and paste. But... http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ti...s-other-media-merger-possibilities-2014-07-16

It was a major News story yesterday, but you would have gone to a news or entertainment site to find it. (Couldn't resist)

 

[Rodan75]

I would expect to see Disney pursue AMC if anything. Companies like Viacom have too many assets that overlap the preexisting Disney business that they'd need to sell them (ex. Nickelodeon). If the TW-Fox deal happens Disney could be the eventual acquirer of CNN from the combined company since they'd sell it as part of the merger. I wonder if the TW-Fox deal would also cause Fox to sell Disney-Marvel back the movie rights to Fantastic Four and X-Men since they'd have DC Comics. I'm intrigued by this potential deal for sure.

Edit: as for Sony Entertainment, I wonder how Kaz views that segment. It hasn't been what they'd like but it has potential and various synergy opportunities with their PlayStation brand.

Kaz has stated that it is in their intent to keep the entertainment assets, however, I wonder if 2014 will change their minds.

I think there would be fewer overlaps with either TimeWarner or Viacom than one would think. You don't always have to spin out assets that reduce competition, just when you eliminate competition. You could even say that Fox could keep CNN and Fox News because MSNBC exists (although that seems doubtful).

But I agree I think AMC, Starz or Discovery is much more ripe for a Disney acquisition than TimeWarner or Viacom.

 

[71jason]

Considering the popularity of Star Tours simulator.
I wouldn't be surprised if they do something similar but using STAR TREK.

Star trek vs the borg (where you are aboard the Sovereign class or the USS defiant)

I'm barely a Star Trek fan, but even I know if Uni goes through with this, the land/ride is at least 50% Klingons.

 

[seascape]

The Fox Time Warner deal was talked about this morning on Bloomberg and they said the deal made sense even at $95.00 a share. They expect it to happen. As far as Disney acquisition a go I would rather see them buy Mattel. That would allow them to make their own toys. Although they way this thread is going Paramount would be an interesting purchase. They could then make a deal with Universal and trade Star Trek for Marvell but I don't see it happening.

 

[bhg469]

I'm barely a Star Trek fan, but even I know if Uni goes through with this, the land/ride is at least 50% Klingons.

I think klingons are just trek fans that no longer fit in the uniforms.

 

[71jason]

Strange choice, but ok

I don't see it as strange at all. Fair amount of crossover between hard core fans of HHN and FaceOff. Allows Universal to develop five mini Scare-zones with original, iconic horror characters while also promoting a show on an NBC-owned station (synergy!). And HHN has at least 3 or 4 FaceOff alum already working at the event anyway.

 

[flyerjab]

Lots of fun around Orlando at the moment.

IF - big if - things pan out there could a lot of fun to be had over the next 5-10 years.

Even more than at the moment.

And hopefully someone else would be forced to get their act together.

I am assuming that the 'big if' was referring to stuff that WDW might - big might - be doing. By that I mean to infer that at the current time, UNI simply does what they set out to do and there is always an 'if' associated with the stuff WDW might do.

 

[schuelma]

I am assuming that the 'big if' was referring to stuff that WDW might - big might - be doing. By that I mean to infer that at the current time, UNI simply does what they set out to do and there is always an 'if' associated with the stuff WDW might do.

I took it different- that UNI has tentative plans that go beyond what is already rumored and that this expansion would be on such a level as to hopefully force WDW's hand.

 

[lobelia]

How about "The Running Man?" Possible ABC crossover!

I guess I need some new knowledge. I'll go and check out The Running Man. Did know your pinball reference. Most women my age know that one.

Awesome that Face Off is going to HHN. I would love to see it. Clever Universal.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Kaz has stated that it is in their intent to keep the entertainment assets, however, I wonder if 2014 will change their minds.

I think there would be fewer overlaps with either TimeWarner or Viacom than one would think. You don't always have to spin out assets that reduce competition, just when you eliminate competition. You could even say that Fox could keep CNN and Fox News because MSNBC exists (although that seems doubtful).

But I agree I think AMC, Starz or Discovery is much more ripe for a Disney acquisition than TimeWarner or Viacom.

I would have to say that Starz would be unlikely. It does not have many international assets like AMC or Discovery and their pay TV with TWDS ends in 2016. The strange thing about the Fox-TW tie up is that it is only about market share. From what we have seen Bob do in the past, a Netflix acquisition seems more likely because they are essentially a Pay TV channel that understands there is a future beyond the cable bundle. If you keep buying more cable channels to increase your leverage with the cable channels, what happens if the cable bundle is struck down by Congress or the Supreme Court much like the vertically integrated (Production-Distribution-Exhibition) studios from the golden age of Hollywood? Do you want to be over intrenched in a dying business model like MGM or moving forward like Universal?

If Disney, or rather Bob, wants to buy Netflix, they should probably do so soon because the FCC's Net Neutrality "rules" and their deals with cable providers have plateaued their stock price. It's also worth noting that it would be seen as Bob's equivalent of the ABC-Capital Cities merger so there's that.

 

[Mike S]

Japan and Singapore already exists and are being crushed by Disney and just wait until Shanghai Disney opens. As far as Beijing it's 2018 if it gets done.

So because they already exist they don't count? Wow. That must be some powerful dust you're snorting.

Except Universal Studios Japan just announced they're putting in a bid to build a second theme park, and Universal is building in Beijing. Nice try though.

The Korean park has been a dead project since day 1. Don't expect to see the Russia project happen either.

I wonder what will happen first, their second park or our third. If theirs opens first I also wonder how far along our park would be at that time. Does anyone know where this new park would go?* I can't help but wonder if a certain Alley could be part of it (would rather we kept it exclusive but oh well, business is business I guess).
*Edit: I just looked it up and it's going to be built on a man made island 3km from the current park along with a casino and I think some kind of entertainment complex.