The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[RSoxNo1]

Do you have a specific location where these would be?

I think they would make sense at the attraction entrance or exit.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Are you suggesting that the hundreds of millions that every Marvel movie makes don't suggest some degree of popularity among adults?

I don't ever attempt to explain the actions of the populace. Hundreds of Millions... really? Could be... don't care that is my opinion and nothing has been said to change my mind no matter how many people like it. I don't!

 

[Goofyernmost]

Nah, he's just saying he doesn't like Marvel...It's like that guy who hates the Muppets.

Except that I have only said it once and will not argue about it any further.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I can think of a few joke responses to this that might get me banned.

That was about #5 or 6 on my list of things to say.

Lest I post something and have my phone ring 30 seconds later and have the mouse yelling about it.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I think they would make sense at the attraction entrance or exit.

No I meant where are they backstage.

 

[doctornick]

Nah, he's just saying he doesn't like Marvel...It's like that guy who hates the Muppets.

I suppose, but it's an odd way to put that by basically indicating that no adult should like it. Especially since the movies and, really, even the comics aren't aimed at children. Maybe they are accessible to families/young children, but the target audience for comic book stuff is teens/young adults.

(Some of the animated TV stuff is aimed for younger kids and is thus significantly dumbed down.)

 

[RSoxNo1]

Remember this?

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trw-disney8-2008aug08-story.html



Or This.

http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/dis...unces-collaboration-first-lady-michelle-obama


Or this.

http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/dis...ealthy-families-disney-launches-magic-healthy


Or This.

http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/dis...ds-food-advertising-kids#sthash.pyKBZ6e6.dpuf



Or this.

https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/bl...k-makes-nutritious-eating-more-simple-and-fun

I'm sorry, but now we're just complaining to complain. Yes, it's unhealthy, and no, I probably wouldn't eat it. But when I'm on vacation I'm not going to be eating healthy. Not every food item needs to be healthy for you.

FYI, I know you're not the only detractor of this - I just happened to quote your post.

 

[Californian Elitist]

How funny that Marvel is thought of as kiddie, but somehow, Disney isn't. I'd argue Marvel has a much more mature tone than Disney.

 

[WDW1974]

I know a gentleman that has known the family forever and a day. The law firm was a very successful firm when sold. (My Sis is a main partner in a leading lawfirm in her city and is in the process of buying the founder out. A good lawyer and a solid firm earns oodles of money, hers mainly deals with sports teams athletes.) Lou authored a college text book that is still in circulation that is amazing having to do with technology law if I am remembering correctly. He also was in on some type of new launch in IT back at the beginning of the dot com era setting up something for the medical field if memory serves.

I don't know enough to comment beyond saying I know people who have written textbooks too ... and they are of varying intellectual and social levels.

The man (skip the personality) seems to have quite the business sense and the ability to know when to venture and when to exit. His original books of trivia sold well, I have no idea about the one that came out last year or his audio tour guides of the quirky tid bits of WDW. Now if all that sweetness is genuine I am not sure. Attorney's tend to pick there words carefully and are generally well crafted words. He has that mastered so never having a conversation with the man it is difficult to put a finger on how genuine he is with his business Disney ventures.

Ah, but you can't skip the personality when his personality is so much a part of his schtick ... and I know my schticks (just ask Andy Castro!)

Anyone who is a good self-promoter like Lou has a degree of snake-oil salesman in them. Selling himself doesn't look like it's ever a problem. Not saying he is a con man, just that he's good at convincing petople that he is an expert on a subject that, quite frankly, I don't think he knows much more about than any other Lifestyler out there. The fact he was trained as an attorney means he is a skilled liar. Point blank. He knows how to twist things to get an outcome that may well not be just.

When he was first brought to my attention (in 2011 on a wonderful thread on Social Media and Disney on anotherdisneyplace) I looked him up and one of the first things I saw was him walking around MSUSA's shop with a box around his neck and two individuals in his posse of regulars (I believe a Scott Otis was one and a Beci something was another ... I'm quite sure they are regulars in the Lifestyler circles). ... He oozed slimebag to me, but I have had many dealings with PR people, lawyers, Disney execs, Hollywood players and, even, a few government officials, so I can smell the type coming from miles away. He walked into the Cinema Shop on MSUSA and started interviewing a CP CM, who very obviously had no idea what to make of him, and was making her very uncomfortable. Now, CMs are not allowed to speak to 'media' under threat of losing their jobs and media aren't generally allowed to simply start interviewing people in the parks (I KNOW this and I KNOW people who have gotten around this and then had to deal with Disney Legal making all sorts of threats ... it's why you'll never see an O-Sentinel Disney beat writer simply buy an AP and spend time in the parks. Almost everything they do is coordinated with Dr. Blondie's cohorts at CP, which makes breaking any real news about the company virtually impossible.)

So, what Lou did that very first time I 'tuned' into him was something that would have gotten most REAL reporters, or even Lifestylers, in very hot water with Disney, possibly resulting in a Tresspass Warning issued. Yet, with Lou, it is a complete hand's off policy. He acts like he owns the place and the CP staff facilitate his every whim or need. He plays top BRAND advocate and they contribute to building the Lovable Lou BRAND. Quid pro quo and all that stuff.

I think he is quite genuine when with people. When they are supporters or can help him, he is as nice as can be and will spout whatever Waltism he pulled up that morning while sitting on the toilet. ... But if you are critical of him or want to simply know why the staff at Dixie Landings will comp a $400 bar tab for his group without blinking, well, send an email to Dr. Blondie, which she'll ignore.

I find him a bit intriguing in what he manages to pull off with Disney and his podcast and blogging ventures too. He seemed to quickly climb to the National level of that blog world and has been keynoting at some impressive places. My fascination, for lack of a better word is more what he has been able to pull off by a relatively young age. It does help I guess coming from a prominent family and his father obviously mentored him well in climbing the business world successfully and quickly. Even for the short time he has been in Orlando he has managed to break through barriers in the Mouses House like nobody else. My friend that knows him well from a young age and remain good friends says this is him in real life. He certainly is a social butterfly. If you write the book, I'd read it, he is unique character.

You misunderstood. I had no desire to write about Lou (and he'd come after me with Disney's aid if I attempted to on my own). I was trying to figure out his game. I have lots of information on Lou. But I was interested in knowledge. How did he get in with Disney? Who greased the wheels? What exactly is his arrangement with them? Why can he do things that would get my pal Jim Hill arrested (any opinion @lentesta since you are pals with Jim ... wondering if you guys ever run into Lou and have thoughts ... oh, and feel free to send them privately if you don't wish them to wind up in public)? And how come for a guy that is married and has kids do you never see them at WDW with him? (seems a bit bizarre unless he's into fanbois on the side)

 

[PhotoDave219]

I'm sorry, but now we're just complaining to complain. Yes, it's unhealthy, and no, I probably wouldn't eat it. But when I'm on vacation I'm not going to be eating healthy. Not every food item needs to be healthy for you.

FYI, I know you're not the only detractor of this - I just happened to quote your post.

Yes, I do plenty of unhealthy things. I eat plenty of unhealthy things.

I just have to draw a line somewhere.....

 

[RSoxNo1]

Would it feature a weather pavilion?

It really is a wonder (of life?) that he hasn't put a weather pavilion in Epcot.

 

[WDW1974]

There currently isn't a RNRC in California, I think the ride would be built from the start with the intent of being Marvel driven. I'm not sure if te track layout would be identical or if the ride would be similar to RNRC, Spirit can perhaps speak to that better.

Would be identical. They have sorta plans to redo RnRC in Paris to a Marvel theme (likely Spidey).

 

[WDW1974]

Without naming names, because I respect him, but the last guy to become the go-to online source for WDW info and build up a cult following has done very, very well for himself. True 1%er, maybe even 0.5%er. Better than any lawyer who isn't an ambulance-chaser with ads on daytime TV or on a partner track at a white-shoe firm in a major city. I don't think Lou was either. He was probably comfortably well-off but I bet he's making more money now. Not to mention the ego boost of being a semi-celebrity.

Don't worry because I have no clue who you are speaking of. I may know what goes on inside parts of these companies from time to time and I understand the entertainment business probably better than anyone who regularly posts here ... but I just don't follow the Lifestylers in any meaningful way.

I recall when someone mentioned the dude behind the DIS and I had zero clue who he was ...

Mongello has been a 'name' in Lifestyler circles for about a decade, yet four years ago I'm not sure I had even heard of him.

 

[misterID]

How funny that Marvel is thought of as kiddie, but somehow, Disney isn't. I'd argue Marvel has a much more mature tone than Disney.

Hey, he's got his role and he's going to play it up.

 

[misterID]

Would be identical. They have sorta plans to redo RnRC in Paris to a Marvel theme (likely Spidey).

Martin is not going to be happy.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Here's an interesting Memo from The Archives.

Katzenberg wrote a long memo to Eisner & Wells about thoughts on the blockbuster/tentpole film.

Worth a read, it applies more today than in 91.

http://www.lettersofnote.com/2011/11/some-thoughts-on-our-business.html

I find it interesting that Iger has gravitated towards the blockbuster movies and has shown a willingness to be bold on that front with flops like Mars Needs Moms, John Carter, Tron and Lone Ranger, yet in theme parks he is 100% risk averse. Aside from Mission: SPACE, what was the last $100 million theme park failure? Even that attraction has some value, it just didn't get subsidized with clones around the world.

 

[WDW1974]

Speaking of the Marvel rights in WDW I've had a suspicion for a while now that has only grown since my latest visit to the world. Remember the whole deal with the Avenge-O-Rail and how it couldn't enter Epcot? Well, a huge honking Gaurdians of the Galaxy poster currently sits on the backside of the Great Movie Ride clearly inside a Disney theme park east of the Mississippi. This just has me thinking that should they want to do it a GotG attraction would be good to go since it doesn't seem to be covered in Uni's contract with the whole "families" thing. If you could clear this up it would be appreciated.

Edit: Also that whole appearance of Star Lord and Gamora at the Villains party.

There's nothing to clear up. GoTG can be used at WDW, which is why we had the preview. Captain America, for instance, can't be, which is why Disney couldn't have pimped that film at WDW.

Very simple. Doesn't reflect anything new or any changes. There are things Disney can do with Marvel in Florida, but they are extremely limited. And they can't advertise them as being part of MARVEL, which certainly doesn't make you think Disney will do much more than it currently has.

 

[Darth Sidious]

I think that is what keeps them from having an issue all thought I personally think that they have gone as far as they can go in the parks without renegotiating the agreement.

I think that if it was a cut and dry argument, we would've seen more in the studios. However, we saw a one time thing during a one time hard ticket event.

That being said I have two specific thoughts here.

First, there is no way in hell that this licensing agreement goes away. It will continue lawn again and again and again because it is in the best financial interest of both companies. Disney is making money off of Marvel in Orlando without having to make any capital expenditures. That's as far as you have to look there.

Second, it's likely that the lawyers will behind-the-scenes work to clarify the ambiguity in the agreement that we have seen publicly.

Either way, Star Wars is the future of Disney's Hollywood Studios, not marvel.

Agreed 100% with what you wrote here. Plus you know Disney has to love the WDW Marvel situation, it's like a god send... We can promote just enough of our films but we get paid by our top competitor to not build anyhing and sell our movie merch. That's like a TDO dream.

 

[Sue_Vongello]

Spirited Friday Night Quickees (because we all know they are the best kind)
Subtitled Can We Talk? in honor of another great one gone too soon:

Where's the action in the theme park business in 2014? Exactly where anyone with a global perspective would expect: China.
http://www.latimes.com/travel/themeparks/la-trb-china-theme-park-expansion-20140903-story.html

Interesting that Brady MacDonald is now moving to a late 2015 or early 2016 opening for SDL. Guessing he also has heard what I and the Micechat bois have.

Shame about Joan Rivers. She was a comic great and a trailblazer for women in comedy. First, Robin Williams and now Joan ... someone has no sense of humor.

I returned (briefly during a few minutes of utter boredom) to Twitter and all I can say is: Do these 20 and early 30 somethings not get that their employers, prospective employers, friends, enemies, neighbors can read all of that inanity? Just why ...

So, we have a thread here about TSMM getting a 'third track' ? Well, I haven't heard that, but it does sound exactly like something I'd do if I were one of the mindless folks running WDW today. I'd love to be in on those meetings where stuff like this gets tossed out over actually adding new reasons for guests to visit.

A Frozen short in front of Cinderella? Yeah, the goal is to make sure that Cindy does much better than even Maleficent did this year.

More MNSSHPs now than ever before ... and just think, this was an event that didn't exist until 1995. An event that was very small scale for the first few years.

One of the worst thing WDW ever did, was actually something that was done to give guests something extra, something special. What was that? Nightly pyro at the MK.

Yes, most of you probably don't realize that before October of 1996 nightly fireworks were NOT part of an MK visit for a quarter of a century. Sure, they were nightly in summer, generally the two weeks around Easter and the two weeks around Christmas and New Year's. There were times when MK would be open late with no fireworks because that was simply how it always was done.

The 25th Anniversary was a bit short on substance, especially with EPCOT getting the big new attraction, so the decision was made to have Fantasy in the Sky every night (sometimes as early as 6:30 for 7 p.m. closes). And when that two-year never-ending celebration ended, Disney just kept nightly pyro at MK (while killing it at TPFKaTD-MGMS).

So, let me get this straight (no fanboi jokes, please), but Disney is selling Pleasure Island and Adventurer's Club tees?!! Who the (blank) is buying this (other blank) and what the (blank) is wrong with them? ... How do you reward a company that destroyed what you love by giving them money for doing so?

Is Adam Sandler's career over? Yeah, I sorta think so.

I really hope some human beings (or the Disney equivalent) read my DLR/Marvel survey responses today. I do so like to educate and entertain.

When did arrogance become more important than neutralizing a force that could greatly harm your business? If I could spend $1 to solve a problem by hiring it versus spending $10,000 everytime that problem reared its head, I'd shove my pride up a fanboi's and pay that $1.

Congrats on United for getting the first commercial 787-9 Dreamliner. But I'm not getting on that plane if the only place it's headed is Down Under.

Do you ever think Disney runs its O-Town operation based on what it sees in the Twitverse? Whether a love for the Orange Bird or Dole Whips, retro tees or rare foamheads, it sure seems like Dr. Blondie's daily briefings go right to Georgie and Meg and then on to Tom and Jay.

Here's a Marcy quickee ...

The extinct attraction tees are insulting because the company is acknowledging the affection and looking for the absolute rock bottom way to profit off it (and I keep buying them.)

P.S. That D23 merch? Really? That's the best design? I've seen better adventurers club tees on redbubble.

 

[Darth Sidious]

As I understand the contract, Disney is specifically prohibited from using the "Marvel" name (or logo) even in instances where Marvel characters/properties may be used in Walt Disney World. In other words, while Disney presumably can use "Guardians of the Galaxy", it can't be "Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy".

IV. B. 1. a. 1. iii. East or West of The Mississippi - permitted uses shall be limited to the use of specific Marvel characters and Marvel may not permit a licensee to use the name “Marvel” as part of the attraction name or marketing.

I actually figured as much, I didn't read up on that agreement as it doesn't matter because there won't ever be Marvel WDW attractions. That being said I wanted to also take shot at the obsessive branding.