The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[CDavid]

Horizons, WoM and Journey into Imagination did draw big crowds for the first 13 years of their existence. However, when the boredom factor hit, it hit them hard and most repeat guests avoided those attractions. Disney learned their lesson that too many Omnimovers in close proximity is not a good thing.

If they were successful for 13 years - and indeed they were (for years longer still) - then too many omnimovers wasn't a problem. Actually, how could it be, when the omnimover is simply a ride vehicle which takes you through widely varied attractions (Horizons, Mermaid, Haunted Mansion, etc.). Would it be reasonable to argue that either Epcot (with 4, and plans for more) or the Magic Kingdom (with 5, and 4 more since shuttered) have too many boat rides?

Attractions in a Future World park are by definition going to require regular updates; Disney largely failed to do that, even in the heyday of the 1990's. It wasn't sudden boredom but rather years of stagnation which became a problem; Even then, those attractions continued to attract guests (lack of an apparent line at a high-capacity attraction proves nothing, as most people know, yet it still tends to be erroneously associated with lack of popularity).

 

[flynnibus]

If they were successful for 13 years - and indeed they were (for years longer still) - then too many omnimovers wasn't a problem. Actually, how could it be, when the omnimover is simply a ride vehicle which takes you through widely varied attractions (Horizons, Mermaid, Haunted Mansion, etc.). Would it be reasonable to argue that either Epcot (with 4, and plans for more) or the Magic Kingdom (with 5, and 4 more since shuttered) have too many boat rides?

The thing about having all those omni movers is you have so much capacity concentrated to gather that it takes an enormous amount of demand to saturate. Then you end up with no lines and everyone can do everything that they want and just a short amount of time.

Even if something is your favorite attraction you will only ride it so many times. No waits means you were done future world very quickly and then you become bored very quickly.

Waits also serve as filler in the parks you don't want a park with zero waits everywhere if you can avoid it...

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Variety ‏@Variety 4m4 minutes ago
Bob Iger to Extend Contract at Disney through 2018 http://on.variety.com/1tkqveU

Argh...

This could could bring new options for the replacement of Iger since Rasulo was supposed to be the replacement. The fact is no one in their right mind want Jay Rasulo in charge of the company based on what he did with Harry Potter,The Original new Fantasy Land Plans, and My Magic Plus. The New Fantasy Land was originally was supposed to be Little Mermaid Ride, Dueling dumbo's and a ton of meet and greets including Pixie hallow.

This is more about Iger wanting the stuff he wanted to be done before he leaves in terms of his legacy. We all know Iger's Legacy is bad in Walt Disney World at this time although Bob is not a hands on theme park person like Eisner was.

He expects the Animal Kingdom Expansion aka Avatarland to be done by than. Disney Springs is going to be completely by than. The start of the Disney Hollywood Studios Redo would be re completed by then. This also has him there for Shangahi Disney Land and the Opening of the Iron Man attraction.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

"Just because someone has a big office doesn't mean they're an idiot" - Double Indmenity

 

[BrerJon]

Even then, those attractions continued to attract guests (lack of an apparent line at a high-capacity attraction proves nothing, as most people know, yet it still tends to be erroneously associated with lack of popularity).

Line length isn't an indicator, but how full the cars are is.

If an attraction has a short line, but cars are always full (Great Movie Ride, Spaceship Earth pre-Fastpass+), it's a sign it's still popular but well designed. If the cars are pretty much empty (Imagination pre-Fastpass+), it's a sign that popularity has dropped.

 

[BrerJon]

Waits also serve as filler in the parks you don't want a park with zero waits everywhere if you can avoid it...

This is entirely the opposite to current Disney strategy. The whole point of Fastpass+ and MyMagic was to minimise, or even eliminate, time spent in lines. When guests were asked 'would you spend more in shops and restaurants if you spent less time in line' the answer was a resounding yes, so Disney knows short waits = more money spent on merch.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

I don't doubt any CEO's ego, but it doesn't sound like a smart political strategy and could easily be mocked by competitors.

I mean, how does acquiring 3rd party IPs (his major claim to fame at Disney) really demonstrate the ability to run and manage a state?

In America, qualifications aren't required for public office. All you need is a poop ton of money to win an election.

 

[Beholder]

In America, qualifications aren't required for public office. All you need is a poop ton of money to win an election.

The sad thing is that it's this way because a large amount of people simply don't care. And it's getting worse.

 

[dhall]

This could could bring new options for the replacement of Iger since Rasulo was supposed to be the replacement. The fact is no one in their right mind want Jay Rasulo in charge of the company based on what he did with Harry Potter,The Original new Fantasy Land Plans, and My Magic Plus. The New Fantasy Land was originally was supposed to be Little Mermaid Ride, Dueling dumbo's and a ton of meet and greets including Pixie hallow.
...

I half expect Jay to start missing his family in the next couple of years.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

I half expect Jay to start missing his family in the next couple of years.

Jay wasn't going to be the next CEO anyway.

 

[dhall]

I don't doubt any CEO's ego, but it doesn't sound like a smart political strategy and could easily be mocked by competitors.

I mean, how does acquiring 3rd party IPs (his major claim to fame at Disney) really demonstrate the ability to run and manage a state?

The only part of his business with significant infrastructure is P&R, and its probably also has the biggest head count as well. Based on his record, imagine what he'll do to a state's roads, schools, and administration.

 

[danv3]

Rasulo and likely Staggs will leave within the next 12 months. They've both effectively been passed over for promotion and it's hard to imagine either of them getting the top job now. They'll both be looking for other opportunities.

 

[GoofGoof]

Rasulo and likely Staggs will leave within the next 12 months. They've both effectively been passed over for promotion and it's hard to imagine either of them getting the top job now. They'll both be looking for other opportunities.

They didn't leave the last 2 times they delayed Iger's retirement. Maybe 3rd time is a charm

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Jay wasn't going to be the next CEO anyway.

Not true, based on the articles earlier in the year and even WDW1974 posted that Jay was supposed to be in the next leader. WDW1974 posted it in his The Spirited Sixth Sense thread.

Proof of WDW1974 posting that: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-spirited-sixth-sense.879918/page-335#post-6016211

 

[danlb_2000]

"Just because someone has a big office doesn't mean they're an idiot" - Double Indmenity

No, but it's a good indicator.

 

[aladdin2007]

Not true, based on the articles earlier in the year and even WDW1974 posted that Jay was supposed to be in the next leader. WDW1974 posted it in his The Spirited Sixth Sense thread.

Proof of WDW1974 posting that: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-spirited-sixth-sense.879918/page-335#post-6016211

Agree, it was getting very close. In a way Im glad mr banker banks is staying on, only for hopes that in the meantime they take their eyes off rasulo, or he goes some other direction (good riddence), or someone else comes into the picture all together hopefully. Im sure hes boohooing.

Sure I would much rather someone who cares the way Eisner did in his first years etc, but those days are over.

 

[BrerJon]

Agree, it was getting very close. In a way Im glad mr banker banks is staying on, only for hopes that in the meantime they take their eyes off rasulo, or he goes some other direction (good riddence), or someone else comes into the picture all together hopefully. Im sure hes boohooing.

If Iger staying on for a couple of years means we avoid having Staggs, Rasulo or Crofton as CEO, but instead get someone - possibly from outside the company - who really cares and understands theme parks in charge from 2018, I'd be on board with that.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Not true, based on the articles earlier in the year and even WDW1974 posted that Jay was supposed to be in the next leader. WDW1974 posted it in his The Spirited Sixth Sense thread.

Proof of WDW1974 posting that: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-spirited-sixth-sense.879918/page-335#post-6016211

Okay.

 

[Phil12]

If they were successful for 13 years - and indeed they were (for years longer still) - then too many omnimovers wasn't a problem. Actually, how could it be, when the omnimover is simply a ride vehicle which takes you through widely varied attractions (Horizons, Mermaid, Haunted Mansion, etc.). Would it be reasonable to argue that either Epcot (with 4, and plans for more) or the Magic Kingdom (with 5, and 4 more since shuttered) have too many boat rides?

Attractions in a Future World park are by definition going to require regular updates; Disney largely failed to do that, even in the heyday of the 1990's. It wasn't sudden boredom but rather years of stagnation which became a problem; Even then, those attractions continued to attract guests (lack of an apparent line at a high-capacity attraction proves nothing, as most people know, yet it still tends to be erroneously associated with lack of popularity).

They grew very boring and unpopular. It had nothing to high capacity. GM got rid of WoM because it no longer attracted an audience. GE bailed on Horizons due to low attendance. Kodak demanded an update to Journey Into Imagination due to low attendance. Both GM and Kodak would have pulled their sponsorships without major changes. Had Horizons still been able to draw a decent audience, GE would have stayed on as a sponsor as well. There is nothing erroneous about those attractions being unpopular toward their respective ends.

In their late stages it was easy to go on any of those attractions and be the only person on the ride from start to finish.

 

[BrerJon]

In their late stages it was easy to go on any of those attractions and be the only person on the ride from start to finish.

Can someone more familiar with the timelines than me explain what else was drawing the crowds when they weren't going to Horizons anymore? Soarin and Test Track weren't open then, and while I don't doubt for a second that Horizons was often empty - it was an amazing ride, but dated by the end - I can't think what else the guests would be doing instead before the E-tickets opened to make them skip such a great attraction.