The Spirited Sixth Sense ...

[PeterAlt]

A lot of good ideas. As for MM+, since Disney has spent billions, it's not just going to vanish into the night. If I were put in charge of WDW, I would look at the technology and see how it could be used to IMPROVE the guest experience in ways previously impossible.

If Disney is gathering all of this real-time data, how much of that can be put into guests' hands? Specific information may be of great use to Disney, but general, less-personal information could be passed onto guests. I don't have the exact andswer but all the NGE technology could be very beneficial beyond just data mining and excessive trip planning.

I had the same exact thoughts.

 

[Cody5242]

What is the occupancy rate of the Uni hotels? Are they typically above 70% throughout the year?

 

[Ignohippo]

Jimmys posts (sometimes) contain good content if you sift through the other stuff.

A point he missed with that long post about Potter making Disney have more visitors is that while Potter visitors may stay at a Disney resort, they are buying less days on park tickets to WDW and spending less money at Disney parks on food and merch. You also have the opposite effect once Uni opens more resorts. There will be guests that stay at Uni and visit Disney for just a day or two. Especially people who have visited Disney often in years past. More exciting stuff going on at Uni and Disney knows it. Why else are we seeing Disney ads that are asking people to come visit and participate in their test? Its all they got right now.

Well said. While Uni may bring more guests to Orlando and more guests to WDW, the average amount of days they go to the Disney parks is less and, more importantly, opens up a new line of thinking that you no longer have to stay at WDW to enjoy the Disney and Orlando experience.

It used to be that people would stay at Disney 5-7 days and head to Uni or Sea World one of those days and maybe spend an afternoon in Orlando (if ever). Now, vacationers will stay somewhere in Orlando, spend a couple of days at Uni, a couple of days at the Disney parks and will enjoy everything the entire area has to offer.

So you take someone who has been staying at WDW for 5-7 days (possibly not ever venturing outside of the gates), eating and shopping for every one of those 5-7 days exclusively at Disney, and visiting all 4 of the parks (possibly for multiple days), to now staying off property and maybe visiting 1 or 2 of the parks.

That is an absolutely enormous loss for Disney.

 

[Funmeister]

What is the occupancy rate of the Uni hotels? Are they typically above 70% throughout the year?

Usually occupancy is north of 80% in order to justify an expansion on the scale of Cabana Bay. I am not saying Uni is above 80% but they are expanding. At one time 87%+ over a measured window of time was the gauge for expansion. In addition to build out plans, planned celebrations and capital improvements justifying an expansion.

 

[Ignohippo]

On my FIRST day

1 - Get rid of anyone associated with Eisner's 'Strategic Planning' group
2 - S---can the 'One Disney' garbage
3 - Establish 'Office Hours' where CM's could meet with me one on one to discuss concerns
4 - Eliminate current executive bonus system and implement a profit sharing plan
5 - Halt all NEW DVC construction.
6 - Reduce room prices
7 - IMMEDIATELY schedule FULL refurbishments for signature attractions - Take the hit on attractions now for returns later even if it means slashing room prices
8 - Initiate plans to improve Dining and Resort experiences
9 - Eliminate MM+
10 - Start work on new on site perk with front line CM's taking the lead since they understand Guests BEST
11 - Require all executives to stay 1 week per year at WDW as a Guest.
12 - Require all executives to be in park 1 week per month as a front line CM

Makes for a long day - but doable.

I love this.

Probably out of the scope of your intended idea, but I would add rebuilding DHS to the top of my list. There's too much potential there in draw (SW and Pixar) and expanded capacity to not make that a VERY high priority. If done right, DHS could easily be the #2 gate. Not to mention it's Disney's best shot at nullifying the current surge from Uni.

Besides Tomorrowland and FutureWorld refurbs, I would also convert Pop to more Art of Animation pretty quickly.

I would also put a halt to things (like Golden Oak) that use up WDW property with very little long-term gain.

Requiring all execs to work in the parks as CMs 1 week per month is a bit excessive but I would certainly make them do it one week per 1/2 year. I also would go a bit further and say they need to spend at least 4 weeks staying at Resort hotels (minimum of 4 different Resorts) per year and 14 days as a guest per year in the parks.

I would also require the execs to spend at least 10 hours per week in the parks (lunch and dinners could be part of that). It would also be nice to require them to eat with the employees at least once a week as well.

 

[GoofGoof]

On my FIRST day

1 - Get rid of anyone associated with Eisner's 'Strategic Planning' group
2 - S---can the 'One Disney' garbage
3 - Establish 'Office Hours' where CM's could meet with me one on one to discuss concerns
4 - Eliminate current executive bonus system and implement a profit sharing plan
5 - Halt all NEW DVC construction.
6 - Reduce room prices
7 - IMMEDIATELY schedule FULL refurbishments for signature attractions - Take the hit on attractions now for returns later even if it means slashing room prices
8 - Initiate plans to improve Dining and Resort experiences
9 - Eliminate MM+
10 - Start work on new on site perk with front line CM's taking the lead since they understand Guests BEST
11 - Require all executives to stay 1 week per year at WDW as a Guest.
12 - Require all executives to be in park 1 week per month as a front line CM

Makes for a long day - but doable.

Good post. I missed it amongst the nonsense.

Here is at least 1 guy who agrees with your compensation plan:

"Charlie Munger, vice-chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and chairman of Wesco Financial and the Daily Journal Corporation, has criticized conventional stock options for company management as "... capricious, as employees awarded options in a particular year would ultimately receive too much or too little compensation for reasons unrelated to employee performance. Such variations could cause undesirable effects, as employees receive different results for options awarded in different years", and for failing "to properly weigh the disadvantage to shareholders through dilution" of stock value. Munger believes profit-sharing plans are preferable to stock option plans."

Not bad company to be in

Other than #9 nothing there is unreasonable or impossible to do.

 

[WDW1974]

Spirited Mucus-filled Musings:

(yes, I am ill ... been sick all week ... y'all want to say 'awe...' ? so not going to be lots of posts tonight)

BTW, writing is great for many reasons, not the least of which is I can't really talk right now!

What's on my mind?

Jonah Hill putting the weight back on.

Folks here totally casting aspersions on my character because they can NOT read what is in front of them and think their delusional negative opinions about me make them true. I don't hate fatties ... adults who aren't very smart are another matter.

Entertaining to see @WDWFigment go back and forth on Twitter with Frontier Airlines (another trip, dude?) over paying for everything except oxygen. Faux Top One Percenter tip: if you are going to travel internationally frequently then sticking with one airline just enough to get elite status is worth it. You never pay for luggage. You never pay for premium seats. You board before others. And you may fly upfront for free domestically. And free tickets on alliance partners overseas gets you on much better carriers. Besides, Mrs. Bricker definitely looks like she is a front of the plane gal!

So there's another lifestyler out there, @CentralMorgan on the Twitter, who is trying to make $$$ off of Disney by creating MAGIC band accessories (that are all based on Disney IP). Is she going to get the cease and desist or will she be given the hands-off Jeff Lange approach? As a shareholder, and someone who believes you don't selectively let folks steal from you, I hope Eugene sends her a very nasty letter.

I guess I won't be doing 'Fun With Tweets' much anymore because y'all don't seem to like them.

The changes to Casey's? Godawful. Typical of today's WDW, which touts tiny details in queues of lousy attractions while removing all of the layers of theming that actually exist in the parks. Guess what? Casey's didn't need any additional seating. Since the Plaza Pavilion/Noodle Station/Tomorrowland Terrace is never opened, just place a sign saying 'Additional seating is available across Main Street at ...''

I did get something in the mail from Disney that made me smile. Not saying more.

How many Disney podcasts are there? Anyone have a number?

Before anyone starts it (and one fanboi is likely to and soon), there will be no big surprise announcements of any kind at the Summer Showcase whorefest. And, no, there will be no Pandora details either.

I admit it, being sick this week (first time in six years as I am a tough SOB) has put some things in perspective and I realize something: the majority of people are either crazy, scary or dumb or a little of all the above. In the fan community (Disney AND UNI) that goes up tenfold.

Now that we are marching on to $2.5 billion, does anyone here want to take back any comments about how great NGE will be? How it will revolutionize the theme park business? How MM+ will be Disney's Potter 2.0 swatter? C'mon, there must be someone who wants to be contrary?

Yes, at lunch I was forced to watch Switzerland-Sweden women's hockey. That was painful. Not being able to taste the food was worse.

Glenn Greenwald is my current personal hero.

You notice how quiet things have been on news leaking from Disney (or UNI ... or anyone?) ... nothing just happens without causes.

Sometimes it is easier to promise something than it is to deliver on the promise. That's why you should be very careful who you promise things to and what you promise. It can bite you.

So, I saw a Star Trek tweet that talked about that Paramount Park in Spain. Could it shockingly come to reality?

Ratatouille: The Ride is a lazy, awful name for ... a ride that should be quite good. I liked Remy's Kitchen Calamity better. Of course, I still prefer Forbidden Mountain to EE (the ride, not the No. 24 tweeter in Miami for January!).

At some point, I am going to post about Disney's marketing in France and Germany and what is similar and what is different to the USA. Really ... but I won't promise.

Do you think a lot of people here don't have great senses of humour? Me too.

Working title of SDL's Enchanted Theater show makes me think it will be a best-of musical type show to 'introduce' the Chinese mainland audience to many of the company's best known (i.e. marketable) films and franchises.

Did get a note from a west-coast creative who didn't say much, but isn't sold on Disney's Star Wars concepts for Anaheim. Called them ''lazy and predictable'' ... funny, that's what I call many fans!

Those MK train rumous? More than just steam unfortunately.

I walked into a political rally against a foreign dictator the other night ... no punchline, just truth.

I miss those sausages and pretzels ...

So, Lovable Lou, what are the five best cupcakes at TPFKaTD-MGMS? Other than you when you're around!

 

[WDW1974]

Don't single out WDW, its every theme park around the globe.

Not to mention every shopping mall, big box retailer, theatre, sports arena, etc...

Jimmy Thick- Blanket statements for shock are fruitless.

No, Jimmy, in this case it is not. One theme park company coddles a group of people who live lifestyles in a way that leads to illness and early graves. There isn't another major operator in the business that comes close.

Oh, and I was the king of taglines ... you aren't in my league.

Jimmy Thick: Needs a New Schtick ...

 

[WDW1974]

With one caveat: not around the globe. Obesity is a US epidemic. All the excuses and all the deceit of Big Food and the fat acceptance astroturf movement become instantly meaningless once you board a plane.


Das Boat - two months of steamed veggies and everybody can be a fashion model.

Not quite. It once was, but it is spreading. The UKers that I see in Florida are getting larger all the time. And visiting Germany recently, it was not uncommon to see overweight folks (just not to American morbid standards).

And in France ... well, the typical adult male still has a size 29 waistline ...

But your generality is generally true.

 

[TP2000]

Ratatouille: The Ride is a lazy, awful name for ... a ride that should be quite good. I liked Remy's Kitchen Calamity better. Of course, I still prefer Forbidden Mountain to EE (the ride, not the No. 24 tweeter in Miami for January!).

When I read that's what they are calling the Ratatouille ride I thought it was a joke. It's not, apparently. I can only guess that this is a name forced down WDI's throat by Marketing Gurus, and the same folks who slapped Toy Story Mania! onto the original Midway Mania title? At least in DCA the Imagineers got away with Midway Mania, but all the bus wraps in Orlando went through a cubicle farm inhabited by underworked marketing majors.

The Actual Ride in DCA = Toy Story Midway Mania!

Versus the signage TDO approved for the Orlando property = Toy Story Mania!

Thanks Marketing Team Bozos! How could we ever muddle through without you???

 

[WDWFigment]

Entertaining to see @WDWFigment go back and forth on Twitter with Frontier Airlines (another trip, dude?) over paying for everything except oxygen. Faux Top One Percenter tip: if you are going to travel internationally frequently then sticking with one airline just enough to get elite status is worth it. You never pay for luggage. You never pay for premium seats. You board before others. And you may fly upfront for free domestically. And free tickets on alliance partners overseas gets you on much better carriers. Besides, Mrs. Bricker definitely looks like she is a front of the plane gal!

Hate Twitter all you want (is it really so bad, or is it an easily pointed-to symptomatic element of society?), but one of the great things about social media is that it puts a spotlight on customer service complaints. Had I sent Frontier an email, I would have been blown off. By taking to Twitter, I received an instant (although in my opinion, awful) response. In that way, Twitter empowers consumers in a manner that no other social media network does. Is that not an upside of social media?

I'd never normally fly Frontier, but for this route, it made sense (taking my dad to the Grand Canyon and who knows where else). Normally, we fly a combo of United and Southwest/Airtran depending upon the destination--even though airline status means so much less now than it ever has. Still, flying United means getting put on ANA flights to Asia, which is pretty much the best airline I've ever flown. I have nothing but glowing things to say about both airlines.

 

[PeterAlt]

OK, time to don the tinfoil hats (for the ignorant out there) as we all enjoy faster wifi and downloads thanks to our friends at Disney and AT&T ... nah, this isn't any more a part of the surveillance state than your own personal tracker (thanks Mr. Jobs, the fanbois will deify you as you make the greatest technological leap in destroying personal privacy -- the iPhone!):

http://www.attinnovationspace.com/innovation/story/a7794558

Nah, I am sure this is simply done to pump up your ability to interact with MM+ ... of course, why would you need that boost in Hilton Head or Oahu, let alone Anaheim?

It's this line I found most interesting...

We plan to participate in the deployment of additional cell sites across the Walt Disney World® Resort property, and as this world-renown destination continues to build and expand, we will be there to bring wireless connectivity to each new area.

So, there are unannounced plans to expand beyond Avatar. Hotels, new lands, theme parks...

 

[StageFrenzy]

When I read that's what they are calling the Ratatouille ride I thought it was a joke. It's not, apparently. I can only guess that this is a name forced down WDI's throat by Marketing Gurus, and the same folks who slapped Toy Story Mania! onto the original Midway Mania title? At least in DCA the Imagineers got away with Midway Mania, but all the bus wraps in Orlando went through a cubicle farm inhabited by underworked marketing majors.
Thanks Marketing Team Bozos! How could we ever muddle through without you???

Ratatouille: The Ride is a lazy, awful name for ... a ride that should be quite good. I liked Remy's Kitchen Calamity better. Of course, I still prefer Forbidden Mountain to EE (the ride, not the No. 24 tweeter in Miami for January!)

To be fair the DCA version is off the midway, where HS version is in the middle of the park. Most people in the park probably call it the toy story ride anyway. I agree they could have come up with a better name for the Ratatouille attraction. Most people believe that WDSP much like DHS is a casserole of half-baked ideas and execution. Is Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy no longer the name of the ride?

 

[PeterAlt]

Spirited Mucus-filled Musings:

(yes, I am ill ... been sick all week ... y'all want to say 'awe...' ? so not going to be lots of posts tonight)

BTW, writing is great for many reasons, not the least of which is I can't really talk right now!

What's on my mind?

Jonah Hill putting the weight back on.

Folks here totally casting aspersions on my character because they can NOT read what is in front of them and think their delusional negative opinions about me make them true. I don't hate fatties ... adults who aren't very smart are another matter.

Entertaining to see @WDWFigment go back and forth on Twitter with Frontier Airlines (another trip, dude?) over paying for everything except oxygen. Faux Top One Percenter tip: if you are going to travel internationally frequently then sticking with one airline just enough to get elite status is worth it. You never pay for luggage. You never pay for premium seats. You board before others. And you may fly upfront for free domestically. And free tickets on alliance partners overseas gets you on much better carriers. Besides, Mrs. Bricker definitely looks like she is a front of the plane gal!

So there's another lifestyler out there, @CentralMorgan on the Twitter, who is trying to make $$$ off of Disney by creating MAGIC band accessories (that are all based on Disney IP). Is she going to get the cease and desist or will she be given the hands-off Jeff Lange approach? As a shareholder, and someone who believes you don't selectively let folks steal from you, I hope Eugene sends her a very nasty letter.

I guess I won't be doing 'Fun With Tweets' much anymore because y'all don't seem to like them.

The changes to Casey's? Godawful. Typical of today's WDW, which touts tiny details in queues of lousy attractions while removing all of the layers of theming that actually exist in the parks. Guess what? Casey's didn't need any additional seating. Since the Plaza Pavilion/Noodle Station/Tomorrowland Terrace is never opened, just place a sign saying 'Additional seating is available across Main Street at ...''

I did get something in the mail from Disney that made me smile. Not saying more.

How many Disney podcasts are there? Anyone have a number?

Before anyone starts it (and one fanboi is likely to and soon), there will be no big surprise announcements of any kind at the Summer Showcase whorefest. And, no, there will be no Pandora details either.

I admit it, being sick this week (first time in six years as I am a tough SOB) has put some things in perspective and I realize something: the majority of people are either crazy, scary or dumb or a little of all the above. In the fan community (Disney AND UNI) that goes up tenfold.

Now that we are marching on to $2.5 billion, does anyone here want to take back any comments about how great NGE will be? How it will revolutionize the theme park business? How MM+ will be Disney's Potter 2.0 swatter? C'mon, there must be someone who wants to be contrary?

Yes, at lunch I was forced to watch Switzerland-Sweden women's hockey. That was painful. Not being able to taste the food was worse.

Glenn Greenwald is my current personal hero.

You notice how quiet things have been on news leaking from Disney (or UNI ... or anyone?) ... nothing just happens without causes.

Sometimes it is easier to promise something than it is to deliver on the promise. That's why you should be very careful who you promise things to and what you promise. It can bite you.

So, I saw a Star Trek tweet that talked about that Paramount Park in Spain. Could it shockingly come to reality?

Ratatouille: The Ride is a lazy, awful name for ... a ride that should be quite good. I liked Remy's Kitchen Calamity better. Of course, I still prefer Forbidden Mountain to EE (the ride, not the No. 24 tweeter in Miami for January!).

At some point, I am going to post about Disney's marketing in France and Germany and what is similar and what is different to the USA. Really ... but I won't promise.

Do you think a lot of people here don't have great senses of humour? Me too.

Working title of SDL's Enchanted Theater show makes me think it will be a best-of musical type show to 'introduce' the Chinese mainland audience to many of the company's best known (i.e. marketable) films and franchises.

Did get a note from a west-coast creative who didn't say much, but isn't sold on Disney's Star Wars concepts for Anaheim. Called them ''lazy and predictable'' ... funny, that's what I call many fans!

Those MK train rumous? More than just steam unfortunately.

I walked into a political rally against a foreign dictator the other night ... no punchline, just truth.

I miss those sausages and pretzels ...

So, Lovable Lou, what are the five best cupcakes at TPFKaTD-MGMS? Other than you when you're around!

I've become very forgetful lately. Scary.

Any way, refresh my memory. What is/was Forbidden Mountain?

 

[StageFrenzy]

I've become very forgetful lately. Scary.

Any way, refresh my memory. What is/was Forbidden Mountain?

The working title of Expedition Everest

 

[PeterAlt]

The working title of Expedition Everest

Same ride or what was originally planned?

 

[Gabe1]

"Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people, in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an incorrect or deviant decision-making outcome. Group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative ideas or viewpoints, and by isolating themselves from outside influences."

"harmony or conformity", "minimize conflict", "consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative ideas or viewpoints", yeah that totally sounds like people on this message board.

Dear Lord. You just described our mayor. He desires groupthink and aldermen to be his little soldiers. It does amaze me how intolerant people are to to discussion and debate.

 

[StageFrenzy]

Same ride or what was originally planned?

Yes?

Same ride, look but dont bump it please.
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-dak-eticket-forbidden-mountain.15117/

 

[Cesar R M]

It's this line I found most interesting...

We plan to participate in the deployment of additional cell sites across the Walt Disney World® Resort property, and as this world-renown destination continues to build and expand, we will be there to bring wireless connectivity to each new area.

So, there are unannounced plans to expand beyond Avatar. Hotels, new lands, theme parks...

or could be.. WIRELESS SERVICE IN .... THE BATHROOMS!!!!

so you can navigate MM+ at maximum speed as you use the loo, and to make the talking toilets work as expected... FLUSH(tm) Coming soon....to a themed bathroom near you.

 

[Longhairbear]

Spirited Mucus-filled Musings:

(yes, I am ill ... been sick all week ... y'all want to say 'awe...' ? so not going to be lots of posts tonight)

BTW, writing is great for many reasons, not the least of which is I can't really talk right now!

What's on my mind?

Jonah Hill putting the weight back on.

Folks here totally casting aspersions on my character because they can NOT read what is in front of them and think their delusional negative opinions about me make them true. I don't hate fatties ... adults who aren't very smart are another matter.

Entertaining to see @WDWFigment go back and forth on Twitter with Frontier Airlines (another trip, dude?) over paying for everything except oxygen. Faux Top One Percenter tip: if you are going to travel internationally frequently then sticking with one airline just enough to get elite status is worth it. You never pay for luggage. You never pay for premium seats. You board before others. And you may fly upfront for free domestically. And free tickets on alliance partners overseas gets you on much better carriers. Besides, Mrs. Bricker definitely looks like she is a front of the plane gal!

So there's another lifestyler out there, @CentralMorgan on the Twitter, who is trying to make $$$ off of Disney by creating MAGIC band accessories (that are all based on Disney IP). Is she going to get the cease and desist or will she be given the hands-off Jeff Lange approach? As a shareholder, and someone who believes you don't selectively let folks steal from you, I hope Eugene sends her a very nasty letter.

I guess I won't be doing 'Fun With Tweets' much anymore because y'all don't seem to like them.

The changes to Casey's? Godawful. Typical of today's WDW, which touts tiny details in queues of lousy attractions while removing all of the layers of theming that actually exist in the parks. Guess what? Casey's didn't need any additional seating. Since the Plaza Pavilion/Noodle Station/Tomorrowland Terrace is never opened, just place a sign saying 'Additional seating is available across Main Street at ...''

I did get something in the mail from Disney that made me smile. Not saying more.

How many Disney podcasts are there? Anyone have a number?

Before anyone starts it (and one fanboi is likely to and soon), there will be no big surprise announcements of any kind at the Summer Showcase whorefest. And, no, there will be no Pandora details either.

I admit it, being sick this week (first time in six years as I am a tough SOB) has put some things in perspective and I realize something: the majority of people are either crazy, scary or dumb or a little of all the above. In the fan community (Disney AND UNI) that goes up tenfold.

Now that we are marching on to $2.5 billion, does anyone here want to take back any comments about how great NGE will be? How it will revolutionize the theme park business? How MM+ will be Disney's Potter 2.0 swatter? C'mon, there must be someone who wants to be contrary?

Yes, at lunch I was forced to watch Switzerland-Sweden women's hockey. That was painful. Not being able to taste the food was worse.

Glenn Greenwald is my current personal hero.

You notice how quiet things have been on news leaking from Disney (or UNI ... or anyone?) ... nothing just happens without causes.

Sometimes it is easier to promise something than it is to deliver on the promise. That's why you should be very careful who you promise things to and what you promise. It can bite you.

So, I saw a Star Trek tweet that talked about that Paramount Park in Spain. Could it shockingly come to reality?

Ratatouille: The Ride is a lazy, awful name for ... a ride that should be quite good. I liked Remy's Kitchen Calamity better. Of course, I still prefer Forbidden Mountain to EE (the ride, not the No. 24 tweeter in Miami for January!).

At some point, I am going to post about Disney's marketing in France and Germany and what is similar and what is different to the USA. Really ... but I won't promise.

Do you think a lot of people here don't have great senses of humour? Me too.

Working title of SDL's Enchanted Theater show makes me think it will be a best-of musical type show to 'introduce' the Chinese mainland audience to many of the company's best known (i.e. marketable) films and franchises.

Did get a note from a west-coast creative who didn't say much, but isn't sold on Disney's Star Wars concepts for Anaheim. Called them ''lazy and predictable'' ... funny, that's what I call many fans!

Those MK train rumous? More than just steam unfortunately.

I walked into a political rally against a foreign dictator the other night ... no punchline, just truth.

I miss those sausages and pretzels ...

So, Lovable Lou, what are the five best cupcakes at TPFKaTD-MGMS? Other than you when you're around!

Sorry to hear about the trains, that is just horrible news.