The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[choco choco]

Frozen attraction budget was somewhere between $70-80 million when last time I heard.

And before you think that is a great sum realize it likely includes the meet-and-greet and that the Monsters redo of Superstar Limo at DCA was around $30 million if memory serves me.

(!)

It's going to take 80 million to retrofit!?!? This is without needing to construct a show building or design/building a ride system?!?!??! This is completely unsustainable. There's no way anything can be cost-effective with that kind of price tag. If this is what it takes to retrofit one of the shortest, smallest dark rides at Disney World, then there is no hope of anything big or ground-breaking ever having the numbers balance out to justify a green-light.

Something is seriously, seriously rotten in the state of Imagineering. If this is the case, where even the smallest of experiences costs more than it takes most parks to put up multiple rides, then the WDI house needs to cleaned out and started over. I don't care what some of our hero imagineers cost, there's no way ethically to justify that kind of spending.

 

[Lee]

Spirited New TV Season musings:

Gotham looked interesting and had a kewl vibe, yet it still is a Batman show without Batman and I have serious doubts about its longevity. It's still better than the godawful homage to the Marvel BRAND on ABC.

The Blacklist started out quite well in Season 2 ... Spader is spectacular. Sleepy Hollow not quite so much, although I did love Ichabod 's take on Founding Father Ben 'likes showing his stuff' Franklin.

Dallas ended its third season in its second incarnation with two great hours. J.R. Ewing may be dead, but Judith Light (who is as warm as anyone in the business in real life) is absolutely eating up the scenery as a female version of a larger than life Texas baddie.

I liked Gotham. If they can sustain the vibe and story long term...I'm in.
Shield was good. Really a different show since last spring's events. Fun show.

Blacklist...I'm about to watch my first episode. I expect good things.
Sleepy Hollow...another fun show. Didn't see the premier yet, but I enjoyed last year.

Eager for Walking Dead.

Upcoming....Farrell and Vaughn in True Detective 2.0. If it's only half as good as last year, it will still be one of the best shows on TV.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Yeah, I'm mostly looking to see if anyone else has heard similar numbers

Yes, but as you can see there were a few that were ready to run with it as if it were cast in stone.

 

[Lee]

(!)

It's going to take 80 million to retrofit!?!? This is without needing to construct a show building or design/building a ride system?!?!??! This is completely unsustainable. There's no way anything can be cost-effective with that kind of price tag. If this is what it takes to retrofit one of the shortest, smallest dark rides at Disney World, then there is no hope of anything big or ground-breaking ever having the numbers balance out to justify a green-light.

Something is seriously, seriously rotten in the state of Imagineering. If this is the case, where even the smallest of experiences costs more than it takes most parks to put up multiple rides, then the WDI house needs to cleaned out and started over. I don't care what some of our hero imagineers cost, there's no way ethically to justify that kind of spending.

Keep in mind, the assault being perpetrated Maelstrom will require a lot of extra costs. Removing existing scenery and props, refurbishing the show building, etc. They can blow through $75mil very easily on a job like this.

 

[ABQ]

I wonder if Becky Quick will have the balls to pin Iger down on his next Sqwauck Box appearance?

You know,I would love to see that and you'd think nbc would, but Becky rarely gets harsh, just ask Buffett, who seemingly adores her for always giving him a soapbox and never giving him pointed questions.

 

[Lee]

couple of weeks ago when i was there they did poll the folks in the bar as to whether Goodell was lying and should he be fired or not..
i get that its all an act but wonder how far they can go with the faux investigative reporting act

Oh, they can investigate Goodell and be critical of the NFL.
My point was, they will steer well clear of any ESPN drama.

 

[Cesar R M]

The things that could've been done with that money........ Makes you want to slap whoever pitched MM+ as a great alternative to actual expansion.

Didnt they confirm already that the repair and upgrade of the entire IT and communication systems of WDW was REQUIRED at all costs?
Still, not very amused that they still insist MM+ alone would "increase client spending".

 

[misterID]

Actually it's trendy to hate Frozen now... too saturated.

People just seem willing to take anything new/changed as 'better' and mix in blind faith that 'its disney, its going to be great'... and the fact the entire concept goes entirely counter to the construct of the land it's going into... makes no difference to them. They happily buy into 'the film has norweigan influences, setting, and styles... so obviously the film fits in World Showcase'

The same justifications that make Aladdin a film about Saudi culture... or the Indiana Jones a film about Germany history

You should review my concept for EPCOT of today... what EPCOT would be if designed today by fans
-----
If EPCOT were designed today with modern fan input... this is what Disney would build

-----------------------------------------
If EPCOT Center were imagined today under the leadership of Bob Iger and today's WDI leaders listening to what today's fans wanted... what would they build?

They would build.. EPCOT Studios

The front half of the park would be Future World with some familar pavilions..

We enter the park under Spaceship Earth..
- Spaceship Earth - where we explore the galaxy learning about the planets from from our own space ranger BuZZZZ Lightyear! You shoot aliens with your light guns as we fly through the galaxy

beyond Spaceship earth we enter.. Stark Expo!
- A permanent exposition of technology and products from all the world's richest corporations!

To the left, we approach the Universe of Energy
- In the Universe of Energy, we are guided through how the world relies on symbiotic relations by Master Yoda

Next, we have The World of Motion
- Ride with Lightning McQueen through the race track with your crew chief Mater!
- Don't forget to purchase all your Cars! merchandise

On the other side of Future World.. we start with The Living Seas
- Ride the EAC with Nemo and friends in your sea cab!
- Meet and interact with Crush the Turtle

Next, we have the The Land Pavilion
- Take a landspeeder tour through Tatooine and see how moisture farmers can feed a population on a desert planet!
- Eat lunch at the Mos Eisley Cantina if you dare!

Next we have the The Force Pavilion
- Come see were your imagination takes you as you build your lightsabers and get instructions from Jedi Master yoda himself!
- See what the force can do in live demonstrations!

Beyond Future World.. we have World Showcase where you can see various countries of the world all in one place!

The Up! South American Pavilion
- Come ride in Carl’s house as you fly to Paradise Falls! (reskinned star tours clone)
- Meet Carl & Russell & Dug characters!
- Take photos of Kevin in a plastic jungle set!

The Norway Pavilion
- Ride with Kristoff and Anna trying to save Elsa in an fast paced sled ride!
- Come join the Elsa in the sing-along
- Meet Olaf the snowman!

The China Pavilion featuring Mulan!
- View ancient armor that inspired Mulan!
- Meet Mulan in your favorate character spot
- View the Mulan film as you never have with stunning 360 images!

The German Pavilion
- Join Indiana Jones as he tries to escape the Germans and Castle Brunwald (no Nazis – can’t have that!)
- There is a pinocchio and geppetto Meet & Greet – that is never staffed
- Eat in the Beirgarten food court!

The Italian Pavilion
- Enjoy the ancient Greek ruins with Hades and Hercules!

The American Adventure
- See Captain America and the Avengers save the USA in the action packed Marvel stunt show spectacular!

Japan Pavilion
- Come eat Sushi in Disney’s high end signature sushi restaurant – Open only for Dinner and FP+ holders who book 200 days in advance

Morroco Pavilion
- Come ride the magic carpet with Aladdin!
- Enjoy pseudo-Moroccan food in the M&G Dinner featuring Jasmin and Jafar

France Pavilion
- Run through the kitchen with Remy in the 3d adventure
- Enjoy food court dining at Remy’s

United Kingdom
- Learn to shoot with Miridia in the virtual archery range!
- Explore the Scottish castle and eat lunch at the local pub

Canada
- Explore the wilderness in this wonderful circlevision film hosted by the cast of Brother Bear!

See, I don't even hate Frozen. I think it could be a cool ride ... but like I said in that other thread the people who seem to be blindly supporting the decision, whether it be they don't care about EPCOT's theme and/or just want something (not really) new, or they get so obstinate about their argument they'll argue against anything... I don't think they even buy their own argument how it fits WS, it's more about them and being the star of the thread, even more so than their blind loyalty towards Disney, tbh.

Your description about WS being designed by today's fan... at least some of them, is pretty on. But I think more than a few do care about theme and, you know, integrity of the park. That's why those fans don't become Imagineers. But sadly, if Imagineers are going to pitch these kind of ideas, I don't see a difference. Is it that they're that out of touch with WDW that they think Frozen Norway is a good idea or are they so driven and ambitious they'll trample WDWs identity in the process. I don't know what's worse.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Yes, but as you can see there were a few that were ready to run with it as if it were cast in stone.

My bad. Thought I was clear about my own speculation....

 

[stevehousse]

Liked Gotham a lot! Dallas has been really good this season as well! Sleepy Hollow, the premiere was good, but I was expecting more! So much tv this week my Dvr is overloaded and I can't wait for more!

 

[Next Big Thing]

I wonder why WDI and TDO TDA does not want to spend money on something like that.
Is it too expensive to have "Adele Daseem" and the other voice actors to narrate?
To animate a few extensions? ( I know they are cheap as they reused the voice of Olaf and the videos by clipping parts of the movie in the summer event)

That whole event was thrown together in a week's time. They had more important things to worry about than getting the voice actors to do things for a limited summer event.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

It's always hard to judge a show by its pilot, but having seen it I think Gotham has potential. Hopefully each villain will get enough screen time to give them their due and not just have bits of scenes in each episode.

Sleepy Hollow's premier was about what I expected. There's supposed to be more episodes this season, so I'm expecting a more drawn out storyline [but headless fan service? lol, I have truly seen everything ].

 

[BrerJon]

I don't care what some of our hero imagineers cost, there's no way ethically to justify that kind of spending.

Do imagineers even do any work nowadays?

 

[Cody5242]

Gotham really surprised me with its quality. The production value is first rate. I think it has a lot of potential

 

[Darth Sidious]

I particularly loathe both cable providers and cell phone service providers for what I see as two of the greatest consumer shakedown industries out there. Comcast may have done wonders for their P&R division but they certainly are a horrible cable company (just like most of them).

I read this on my train into work today:
After Comcast counted Netflix among those making “extortionate” demands, the streaming-video company has fired back. “It is not extortion to demand that Comcast provide its own customers the broadband speeds they’ve paid for so they can enjoy Netflix,” said a statement responding to Comcast’s FCC filing Wednesday. “It is extortion when Comcast fails to provide its own customers the broadband speed they’ve paid for unless Netflix also pays a ransom.”

Another note: I watched Gotham last night and I thought it was very good. I think that the show was well executed and has potential. I also liked the direction of SHIELD in season 2. I've walked through the Gotham set a few times recently so it's quite cool to see it all coming together now and to see a familiar place haha.

 

[bhg469]

Do imagineers even do any work nowadays?

Sure, they tweet all day.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Can we talk about how ridiculous the Bill Simmons suspension is? He called the commissioner of the NFL a liar, and even if Goddell isn't a liar he's at least ignorant. This points to the Adam Carolla game of "Stupid or Liar". Either way, he's not fit to be the commissioner after the Ray Rice incident. For anyone that missed it, here's the full audio of the clip that got Simmons in trouble:
https://sports.vice.com/article/heres-what-got-bill-simmons-suspended

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Can we talk about how ridiculous the Bill Simmons suspension is? He called the commissioner of the NFL a liar, and even if Goddell isn't a liar he's at least ignorant. This points to the Adam Carolla game of "Stupid or Liar". Either way, he's not fit to be the commissioner after the Ray Rice incident. For anyone that missed it, here's the full audio of the clip that got Simmons in trouble:
https://sports.vice.com/article/heres-what-got-bill-simmons-suspended

If I were ESPN, I'd let him, and their other personalities, keep talking. The negative PR surrounding the recent controversies will hurt the NFL's bargaining position when they renegotiate their broadcasting deals. It is in the best interest of all the networks to utilize this to reduce the increases in programming costs. Just a thought.

 

[ABQ]

Can we talk about how ridiculous the Bill Simmons suspension is? He called the commissioner of the NFL a liar, and even if Goddell isn't a liar he's at least ignorant. This points to the Adam Carolla game of "Stupid or Liar". Either way, he's not fit to be the commissioner after the Ray Rice incident. For anyone that missed it, here's the full audio of the clip that got Simmons in trouble:
https://sports.vice.com/article/heres-what-got-bill-simmons-suspended

If I were ESPN, I'd let him, and their other personalities, keep talking. The negative PR surrounding the recent controversies will hurt the NFL's bargaining position when they renegotiate their broadcasting deals. It is in the best interest of all the networks to utilize this to reduce the increases in programming costs. Just a thought.

I've always loved Simmons and as an ex pat from Boston, certainly no small part of that is his bias, however I don't think they'd have suspended him had he just called Goodell a liar and not gone further with a few F bombs and then baiting ESPN to call him on it. Though I appreciated him more when he was a little more toned down on Page 2. Bill has gotten a little too big for himself, maybe 3 weeks off will bring him back down to earth.

 

[Bairstow]

That whole event was thrown together in a week's time. They had more important things to worry about than getting the voice actors to do things for a limited summer event.

Plus, when Disney knew in advance that they were going to need Gad's voice, like for the animatronic Olaf at Disneyland, they had him record several original lines, presumably when they did the work for the film.