The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[GoofGoof]

Since you mentioned both domestic capital spending and stock buybacks, let me give you what I consider to be the most incredible indictment of Iger's administration.

Since Iger took charge in 2005, Disney has spent $11.1B on domestic capital investments.

Over the same period, Disney has spent $38.3B on stock buybacks.

Seriously, is anyone willing to suggest that Iger and his minions couldn't find a way to spare a couple of billion to fix WDW?

At this point I think you say "your honor, we rest out case"

 

[PhotoDave219]

Part of what you describe as the problem (I think?), I see as the beauty. I don't want people who have real 'legitimacy' (whatever that is these days) on social media. To me, that means a script and a careful narrative because they want to target their "fans" in some careful and often dubious way. I want the ones who are real. I know rough does not equal real, but it seems to me these venues are more conducive to real than most legacy ones. I like real, even if it means some content that doesn't interest me.

So, short version - you want the people who arent afraid to tell the emperor has no clothes on?

 

[Bairstow]

The movie with

Spoiler

a semen joke and the line "The green is my friend." And tons and tons of violence.

Yeah, a seamless fit into Magic Kingdom...

I would post an image/clip of the heart-removal scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as counter-argument, but I don't want to get reported.

 

[Mike S]

I would post an image/clip of the heart-removal scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as counter-argument, but I don't want to get reported.

Don't forget the face melting and head exploding.

 

[TalkingHead]

Well, to be fair, I doubt the Parkscopers are scintillating speakers. I've wanted to meet Michael for years, Sean has his issues with me (for what I am not quite sure since we think very alike on most things related to the parks) and I don't have a clue who the other two dudes even are.

I just would be interested in hearing what you had to say. I may try and listen again over the weekend, although I have loads of reading to be done.

So who's got the scoop on Parkscope Sean deleting his Tweets? Nothing like some juicy Twitter drama to pass the time before the good college football games start.

 

[TalkingHead]

So, short version - you want the people who arent afraid to tell the emperor has no clothes on?

Which could happen, but rarely does since podcasters tend to be the fanboiest of the fanbois. There are exceptions, but generally speaking...

 

[dhall]

I'll try... NextGen has allowed Disney to remain competitive with Universal without having to get into a costly attraction building war.

I don't think that's right at all. Disney is competitive because they had a huge lead. Universal's playing the long ball, getting spectacular scores and closing the gap. NextGen is Disney running three-and-outs then punting.

The big problem is that in this game, there is no clock to run out.

 

[TalkingHead]

While we're at it, this OS story on Disney's proclivity for upcharge events features a quote from a famous Lifestyler:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...ks-upscale-experiences-20140906,0,55217.story

She was quoted in the NYT a month ago and now this? Is she to new go-to fan when a "journalist" needs a quote on Disney? (I'm impressed she and Tommy can make $70-80k selling old theme park crap to obsessive fans.)

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Seriously, why can't people understand obvious sarcasm.

I thought maybe it was sarcasm. But that really is the talking point Disney fans are using, so I wasn't sure.

 

[dhall]

You're right, I fall into that category.

You hadn't before: sometimes it gets a little hard to remember who's on team gloom & whose on team pixie dust.

 

[Tigger1988]

It's funny, the only time I ever hear about these people it's from posters who claim to "hate" them.

Sounds like some of you enjoy following their every move.

 

[AEfx]

Since so many people seem to be opposed to "cloning" between the two American parks They should stick with Star Wars in Orlando and Marvel in Anaheim. Being that the parks are 2500 miles apart I personally don't see the issue with "cloning" heck half the MK in Orlando is "cloned"

That's a fanboy rant point, nothing more. To the general public, they think it's more weird that a ride would be at one MK style park and not another. The tiny amount of folks who visit multiple Disney park locations in their lifetime is, well, tiny, let alone anyone who visits more than one site regularly. Clones are great, IMO - the "every attraction needs to be a special snowflake exclusive to it's park" thing is just silliness.

I don't think that's right at all. Disney is competitive because they had a huge lead. Universal's playing the long ball, getting spectacular scores and closing the gap. NextGen is Disney running three-and-outs then punting.

The big problem is that in this game, there is no clock to run out.

In the larger scheme, though, it's just incredible to believe it's even happened. Ten years ago, Universal was the "little park that couldn't" up the road with it's one-hit-wonder Spiderman who no-one, and I mean, no-one, ever thought could be any type of competition for the Mouse, whatsoever. It's absolutely astounding how they were able to jockey themselves into this position so quickly, and by doing what we all knew all along could be done but didn't believe anyone ever would again - just build new, quality, immersive, incredible attractions/lands and they will come.

 

[AEfx]

Same thing with Jim. Genuinely loves Disney, especially seeing how the corporate side works. Incredible work ethic. And a really nice guy.

Sorry, Len, but I don't know how you can say that with a straight face. You are talking about Hill, right? The man who has never finished anything pretty much ever - who begs people for money to buy himself a new laptop so he can finish all kinds of articles he promised to return to and finish, and then vanishes? (Not that I can think of one single project he every started that he did follow through with, anyway, so it shouldn't have been a surprise.) The guy who made up stuff in an attempt to get more mainstream recognition (and failed), and who once he got "cred" (insert eye roll) by being picked up by the HuffPost he pretty much abandoned any community he had? Who now has returned to his old tricks, feigning relevance by showing up once in awhile on Lifesyler "podcasts" cribbing notes from posts here and then summarizing/embellishing them so he can pass them off as "insider" information?

That is not "incredible work ethic" - that's about as far from it as possible. I will say you are an incredibly good friend, though, because I don't know if I could even defend my own grandmother like that in the face of such overwhelming evidence otherwise.

 

[GoofGoof]

That's a fanboy rant point, nothing more. To the general public, they think it's more weird that a ride would be at one MK style park and not another. The tiny amount of folks who visit multiple Disney park locations in their lifetime is, well, tiny, let alone anyone who visits more than one site regularly. Clones are great, IMO - the "every attraction needs to be a special snowflake exclusive to it's park" thing is just silliness.

I agree on this. I've been to DL and will visit again some day, but I have no problem with cloning anything good from there to WDW. I'd rather have the option to experience an attraction more frequently then have something new or unique for the once in a while I happen to be in CA and visit DLR. Plus, from a practical standpoint, it makes it much more likely that WDW will actually get a new ride if it's a clone since it will be cheaper to build. Sad but true. We will always have EPCOT (or what's left of it) as a unique experience.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I don't think that's right at all. Disney is competitive because they had a huge lead. Universal's playing the long ball, getting spectacular scores and closing the gap. NextGen is Disney running three-and-outs then punting.

The big problem is that in this game, there is no clock to run out.

You hadn't before: sometimes it gets a little hard to remember who's on team gloom & whose on team pixie dust.

Stop it, just stop.

 

[1023]

You hadn't before: sometimes it gets a little hard to remember who's on team gloom & whose on team pixie dust.

There are Teams here? Slitherin vs Huffelpuff? Heroes vs Villains? Gloom vs Pixie Dust?

It appears to me that many folks here have a balanced approach to their comments. I try to identify the positive and the negative. I just don't overly promote the positive. It is much easier right now to be negative or cynical when it comes to something many of us have had a life long investment in.

Why is it easier?

The lack of new investments in tangible entertainment experiences for us and our families. In another thread, a recent poster is holding up the idea that replacing one thing with another similar or identical thing is a win. A parade for a parade or a show theater for the same show theater. Are new queue features during a re-furb really a win? I don't think so.

Just so I/we can differentiate these teams, I propose outlining their platforms starting with the following definitions:

Team Gloom - Does not believe the status quo is good enough anymore. They want attraction development and tangible new entertainment experiences.They want added attractions with few removals and barring that they want vastly superior additions when subtractions are made. This team wants attractions not meet and greets. Did I mention this team wants attractions? They have no problem pointing out short-comings.

Team Pixie Dust - This team thinks that while there may be room for improvement, everything is okay as it is. This team thinks if you can keep it clean and running even with diminishing or non-operational features, it's okay. This team is okay with attractions being removed and replaced with meet and greets. This team thinks meet and greets are attraction additions. This team doesn't like others pointing out short-comings of the thing they love.

Needless to say, both groups love WDW and the other Disney parks. They love it so much, they visit a fan website to participate in a forum. They will argue their point of view because the love Disney. Did I mention both groups love Disney?

Feel free to criticize freely as usual. I now return you to your football weekend.....

*1023*

 

[GoofGoof]

There are Teams here? Slitherin vs Huffelpuff? Heroes vs Villains? Gloom vs Pixie Dust?

It appears to me that many folks here have a balanced approach to their comments. I try to identify the positive and the negative. I just don't overly promote the positive. It is much easier right now to be negative or cynical when it comes to something many of us have had a life long investment in.

Why is it easier?

The lack of new investments in tangible entertainment experiences for us and our families. In another thread, a recent poster is holding up the idea that replacing one thing with another similar or identical thing is a win. A parade for a parade or a show theater for the same show theater. Are new queue features during a re-furb really a win? I don't think so.

Just so I/we can differentiate these teams, I propose outlining their platforms starting with the following definitions:

Team Gloom - Does not believe the status quo is good enough anymore. They want attraction development and tangible new entertainment experiences.They want added attractions with few removals and barring that they want vastly superior additions when subtractions are made. This team wants attractions not meet and greets. Did I mention this team wants attractions? They have no problem pointing out short-comings.

Team Pixie Dust - This team thinks that while there may be room for improvement, everything is okay as it is. This team thinks if you can keep it clean and running even with diminishing or non-operational features, it's okay. This team is okay with attractions being removed and replaced with meet and greets. This team thinks meet and greets are attraction additions. This team doesn't like others pointing out short-comings of the thing they love.

Needless to say, both groups love WDW and the other Disney parks. They love it so much, they visit a fan website to participate in a forum. They will argue their point of view because the love Disney. Did I mention both groups love Disney?

Feel free to criticize freely as usual. I now return you to your football weekend.....

*1023*

Your teams are off. They are much more extreme than that.

Team Doom and Gloom: Dislikes anything new no matter what it is or at least finds a negative. WDW has gone to crap. TDO sucks. It's all because the pixie dusters accept everything and never complain.

Team Pixie Dust: loves everything new no matter what it is or at least they buy the company line on why it is good. Thinks WDW is great as is and getting better every day. They can't understand why the doom and gloomers would spend so much time and money at a place they hate or on an online forum about a place they hate.

There are about 5 people who post here who actually fit these descriptions (yes, I'm talking about you) and the rest of us are somewhere in the middle. It's probably just silly to even talk about.

 

[Next Big Thing]

Seriously, why can't people understand obvious sarcasm.

It didn't seem that obvious to me. If you didn't say something I would've thought you were 100% serious.

 

[bhg469]

There are Teams here? Slitherin vs Huffelpuff? Heroes vs Villains? Gloom vs Pixie Dust?

It appears to me that many folks here have a balanced approach to their comments. I try to identify the positive and the negative. I just don't overly promote the positive. It is much easier right now to be negative or cynical when it comes to something many of us have had a life long investment in.

Why is it easier?

The lack of new investments in tangible entertainment experiences for us and our families. In another thread, a recent poster is holding up the idea that replacing one thing with another similar or identical thing is a win. A parade for a parade or a show theater for the same show theater. Are new queue features during a re-furb really a win? I don't think so.

Just so I/we can differentiate these teams, I propose outlining their platforms starting with the following definitions:

Team Gloom - Does not believe the status quo is good enough anymore. They want attraction development and tangible new entertainment experiences.They want added attractions with few removals and barring that they want vastly superior additions when subtractions are made. This team wants attractions not meet and greets. Did I mention this team wants attractions? They have no problem pointing out short-comings.

Team Pixie Dust - This team thinks that while there may be room for improvement, everything is okay as it is. This team thinks if you can keep it clean and running even with diminishing or non-operational features, it's okay. This team is okay with attractions being removed and replaced with meet and greets. This team thinks meet and greets are attraction additions. This team doesn't like others pointing out short-comings of the thing they love.

Needless to say, both groups love WDW and the other Disney parks. They love it so much, they visit a fan website to participate in a forum. They will argue their point of view because the love Disney. Did I mention both groups love Disney?

Feel free to criticize freely as usual. I now return you to your football weekend.....

*1023*

Looks like I need to change my signature.

 

[PhotoDave219]

It's funny, the only time I ever hear about these people it's from posters who claim to "hate" them.

Sounds like some of you enjoy following their every move.

I just want one of them to bring me beer

 

[PhotoDave219]

There are Teams here? Slitherin vs Huffelpuff? Heroes vs Villains? Gloom vs Pixie Dust?

It appears to me that many folks here have a balanced approach to their comments. I try to identify the positive and the negative. I just don't overly promote the positive. It is much easier right now to be negative or cynical when it comes to something many of us have had a life long investment in.

Why is it easier?

The lack of new investments in tangible entertainment experiences for us and our families. In another thread, a recent poster is holding up the idea that replacing one thing with another similar or identical thing is a win. A parade for a parade or a show theater for the same show theater. Are new queue features during a re-furb really a win? I don't think so.

Just so I/we can differentiate these teams, I propose outlining their platforms starting with the following definitions:

Team Gloom - Does not believe the status quo is good enough anymore. They want attraction development and tangible new entertainment experiences.They want added attractions with few removals and barring that they want vastly superior additions when subtractions are made. This team wants attractions not meet and greets. Did I mention this team wants attractions? They have no problem pointing out short-comings.

Team Pixie Dust - This team thinks that while there may be room for improvement, everything is okay as it is. This team thinks if you can keep it clean and running even with diminishing or non-operational features, it's okay. This team is okay with attractions being removed and replaced with meet and greets. This team thinks meet and greets are attraction additions. This team doesn't like others pointing out short-comings of the thing they love.

Needless to say, both groups love WDW and the other Disney parks. They love it so much, they visit a fan website to participate in a forum. They will argue their point of view because the love Disney. Did I mention both groups love Disney?

Feel free to criticize freely as usual. I now return you to your football weekend.....

*1023*

I'm team Franklim: bring me all the cash.