The Spirited Sixth Sense ...

[ford91exploder]

Disney is applying their own Imagineering to this simple principle by increasing scarcity to drive up revenue.

The role of MM+ is to make desired attractions more scarce, spread the visitors across less popular attractions and eventually to upcharge for desired attractions.

It's all a race to see if they can attract enough unsophisticated customers to make the strategy pay off.

You are more cynical about TWDC's motives than I and that's saying something!

 

[Gabe1]

Ugh, spring break is going to be....a challenge ?

This was Presidents weekend, notorious for being super busy.

 

[Gabe1]

Correct but the popularity of HISTA already began to decline even when the attraction was in development. Does not matter if they worked on it a year or five years after the first film. It should not have been made based on the declining popularity.
.

So this principal applies to Avatar? The theory seems to indicate Avatar would be a flop. Other than on Disney Boards I never hear anyone in my reality life discussing Avatar.

 

[ford91exploder]

Between snow, rumors of snow, and really cold weather, every week they have called off at least one day each week. Granted it has been cold but in my day that meant layer up, walk fast, and don't stay outside. And we have snow, I have so much snow that I have rabbits eating out of my bird feeder. (and the rabbits are not exceptionally tall).

Same here mailbox has a hole about 3' down from top of snowbank on side of road, I'm really tired of winter.

 

[Gabe1]

Between snow, rumors of snow, and really cold weather, every week they have called off at least one day each week. Granted it has been cold but in my day that meant layer up, walk fast, and don't stay outside. And we have snow, I have so much snow that I have rabbits eating out of my bird feeder. (and the rabbits are not exceptionally tall).

I feel so bad for parents continuing to have to find other arrangements for their kids, it is a hardship and usually at the 11th hour.

Ive been a board member for our elementary school district for many years, we gauge most of the decision to open or close on the buses. Not only if the buses can get the students to school but if the buses can get back to take them home. Here in N. IL we have battled snow but incredibly cold temps with wind chills to -30 and -40. Buses take longer in the cold and those little tykes waiting and waiting on the corner, frostbite can set in at the 10 minute mark. My worst fear other than a bad accident obviously is the students being stranded at school. Our schools are not set up to feed students multiple meals, our students brown bag it. Only the disadvantage students have brown bag lunches provided. Our buses take the high school students first, then the elementary students so early dismissal isn't an option. So glad the decision is ultimately up to the Superintendent and not the board.

 

[Gabe1]

Same here mailbox has a hole about 3' down from top of snowbank on side of road, I'm really tired of winter.

lol. I'd like to see a photo of that, it is a bit abstract for me. Out of all the homes I've lived in our mail is always delivered to the front door never a box along side the road.

 

[raymusiccity]

So this principal applies to Avatar? The theory seems to indicate Avatar would be a flop. Other than on Disney Boards I never hear anyone in my reality life discussing Avatar.

'Reality' is an elusive approach when considering a concept for a ride experience. Taking your approach, Disney never should have considered any further development of Sorcerer Mickey. Fantasia wasn't much of a success in its initial release. I'm sure others can add to the list of luke warm concepts that went on to future success. Look at how long 'FROZEN' has been in development!

 

[Gabe1]

'Reality' is an elusive approach when considering a concept for a ride experience. Taking your approach, Disney never should have considered any further development of Sorcerer Mickey. Fantasia wasn't much of a success in its initial release. I'm sure others can add to the list of luke warm concepts that went on to future success. Look at how long 'FROZEN' has been in development!

Nope. If you follow the chain of posts, it wasn't my approach, I too was questioning a post. Time for a re-read.

 

[Next Big Thing]

You have a LOT of weeks of school off.

Same as everywhere else, just spread out differently.

 

[DisneyGentleman]

You are more cynical about TWDC's motives than I and that's saying something!

I've been a regular visitor since EPCOT opened - long enough to see the changes and patterns. I'd like to think I'm more of a realist than a cynic.

Back when they closed all the grand old Futureworld attractions, everyone talked about upgrades. I've always believed the real reason for the changes was to dump all the maintenance-intensive animatronics from WoM, Horizons, Imagination, The Land, and such. I remember when a custom glass door entrance to Kitchen Cabaret was broken by a guest and it was replaced by a perfect match within minutes while the guests were still in line. Those were the good old days.

There has always been a bottom line to everything TWDC does. Sometimes it's been hidden, and sometimes it's obvious.

Another big trend has been the decrease in upkeep at DVC. I always said I'd sell when the "Disney glow" went away. It has, and I've departed. It's no longer the value it once was.

Now the parks are being metered. I think we've only seen the beginning of an "upcharge for anything good" experience. Just wait until you have to pay for Mickey to say your kid's name, or live with the default silent Mickey (and loud child) mode.

It's a business, after all. And when the business side becomes more obvious, the veneer of magic fades away.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

HKDL announces a new hotel and record attendance.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hong-kong-disneyland-sets-revenue-680730
HONG KONG – Hong Kong Disneyland reports record revenue, attendance, hotel occupancy and guest spending for the 2013 fiscal year -- the fourth consecutive year of gains for the resort.

The resort announced the plan to build a new hotel, which will increase the total number of hotel rooms in the resort by 75 percent to 1,750. The new hotel, slated to open by early 2017, is dedicated to the spirit of exploration and celebrates exotic locations across the globe.

The new hotel’s total investment of $547 million will be funded by a combination of operating cash of Hong Kong Disneyland, cash equity injection from The Walt Disney Company, along with a partial conversion of the existing Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government term loan to equity on a dollar-for-dollar basis, and new term loans from The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong government.

"We are excited about the new hotel project, as we are always looking to expand upon the guest experience. This new hotel will add to the various immersive experiences we offer for guests, while also adding to the diversity of Hong Kong’s offerings for tourists from around the world," Andrew Kam, Managing Director of Hong Kong Disneyland said in a statement.

The resort also plans to bring in new attractions, which include a brand new nighttime spectacular called “Disney Paint the Night” in 2014, 10th anniversary celebration offerings in 2015 and a new themed area based on Marvel’s Iron Man franchise in late 2016.

"Hong Kong Disneyland is an integral component in supporting Hong Kong’s position as one of the world’s top cities for leisure tourists and business visitors. Expansion plans are in place to sustain the momentum of growth and capture increasing demand especially in the light of growing tourism taking place in the region," said Kam.

A new attendance record was set during the 2013 fiscal year, with 7.4 million guests visiting the park. The results are attributed to expansion efforts, strong marketing, effective management strategies and positive tourism growth during the fiscal year.

Overall hotel occupancy also broke records at 94 percent for fiscal 2013, while guest spending marked a 6 percent year-over-year increase.

The opening of Mystic Point in May of 2013 marked the completion of the 2009 expansion, which has increased the Park’s total size by about one-fourth and brought the total number of attractions and entertainment offerings to over 100.

Hong Kong Disneyland is owned by Hongkong International Theme Parks Limited, which is a joint venture 52 percent owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and 48 percent owned by a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.

 

[Funmeister]

While not the same as an official release on DVD or other media, full video of basically every attraction in a park is freely available to all of us at home (Youtube) anyway, so I'm not sure how much of a difference its going to make. Any film-based attraction, like HISTA, is a different matter than a ride through of Space Mountain or something, but it can still be argued than seeing video "previews" of attractions (even completely presented attractions) will build interest to experience the actual attraction just as much as the idea that it lessens the experience by having seen it at home.



Thirteen extra days are added to the school calendar around here; They've missed 15 this year so far.

This was not a preview of the attraction. This was the movie itself. There is a difference between people seeking out ride videos and those purchasing a movie with an "add on" that ends up being the attraction movie itself. So you do not think there would be any disappointment unknowingly watching a movie that ends up being the actual attraction movie? You may not. I may not. Some people do care.

 

[Funmeister]

I understand that but (is this thing on) I believe I said that I go to it every time I visit Uni. What's the difference EXCEPT that instead of just watching it, it's in 3D and there are special effects. I don't see it as a significant problem or at least not sufficient enough to be called a bad business decision. It's been very popular and it is still there (at least for now) so it couldn't have been all bad.

No...you are not going to change direction again. Please explain how "taste" plays into this scenario. You failed to follow up with that explanation.

 

[Funmeister]

So this principal applies to Avatar? The theory seems to indicate Avatar would be a flop. Other than on Disney Boards I never hear anyone in my reality life discussing Avatar.

If you want to apply that principal I guess you could.

 

[Nemo14]

Changing the subject completely here for a moment:

We are staying for a month here at a condo about 10 - 12 minutes from Disney. The onslaught of President Week visitors arrived over the weekend, and I have met many of them on my morning walks around the lake. The conversation usually leads to questions about where they are from and what parks they are going to visit, etc. Without my encouraging or discouraging, I have found that the vast majority of them are not going to WDW or if they are, they only plan one day there because they feel it's too expensive, or not geared for kids older than 5 or 6. I find that pretty interesting.

 

[asianway]

Changing the subject completely here for a moment:

We are staying for a month here at a condo about 10 - 12 minutes from Disney. The onslaught of President Week visitors arrived over the weekend, and I have met many of them on my morning walks around the lake. The conversation usually leads to questions about where they are from and what parks they are going to visit, etc. Without my encouraging or discouraging, I have found that the vast majority of them are not going to WDW or if they are, they only plan one day there because they feel it's too expensive, or not geared for kids older than 5 or 6. I find that pretty interesting.

Disney doesn't want honest feedback. It's like the f&b survey they ask you to take on the way out of the park. If you didn't eat anything they never try to find out why you're leaving without eating.

 

[Goofyernmost]

No...you are not going to change direction again. Please explain how "taste" plays into this scenario. You failed to follow up with that explanation.

Sorry, I didn't think that needed explanation. Taste is what you like or don't like in my definition. You don't like it so you think it's a mistake. I like it so I don't. Different tastes! And different outlook, if that word is more to you liking.

 

[michmousefan]

I would not call them great at all.

That's OK; I'm still watching SHIELD so we might not agree on such things.

 

[WDW1974]

Just a drop in for a few over a beautiful holiday weekend in paradise ...

You know, it's also a holiday weekend at DLR. The park where in addition to Splash Mountain being closed, fellow E-Tickets BTMRR and Small World are also closed, and Space Mountain has seen some down time this weekend as well.

Now, imagine that scenario at the MK. You don't think MK still has a HUGE capacity problem? Don't worry ... oh, they aren't going to add attractions, shows, dining and entertainment venues to attract you. Nah, they're just going to try and make visiting so miserable, time intensive and something that requires spreadsheet planning that unless you have a severe pixie dust addiction, you'll just go elsewhere. ... Like that amazing UNI resort up I-4.

It's true: one of my insane friends is visiting DL just to be part of the Soarin' filming. You just gotta love them and not think about it too hard.

OK, Walking Dead. You got me to stay through the end of the season with two superb episodes to kick off the second half of the fourth season.

Yep, it is official: HKDL is getting a third resort (told ya) and a new night spectacular (told ya) and other stuff that hasn't been announced yet (but I'll tell you before they do!)

I admit on such a WONDERful weekend that I did think it would be nice to be out in the theme parks. What can I say?

Reading that Mickey Monitor was painful. Amazing how dumbed down a product versus AP newsletters that came in the 80s and 90s.

Anyway, just a brief interlude. Will see you all a little later ...

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Just a drop in for a few over a beautiful holiday weekend in paradise ...

You know, it's also a holiday weekend at DLR. The park where in addition to Splash Mountain being closed, fellow E-Tickets BTMRR and Small World are also closed, and Space Mountain has seen some down time this weekend as well.

Now, imagine that scenario at the MK. You don't think MK still has a HUGE capacity problem? Don't worry ... oh, they aren't going to add attractions, shows, dining and entertainment venues to attract you. Nah, they're just going to try and make visiting so miserable, time intensive and something that requires spreadsheet planning that unless you have a severe pixie dust addiction, you'll just go elsewhere. ... Like that amazing UNI resort up I-4.

It's true: one of my insane friends is visiting DL just to be part of the Soarin' filming. You just gotta love them and not think about it too hard.

OK, Walking Dead. You got me to stay through the end of the season with two superb episodes to kick off the second half of the fourth season.

Yep, it is official: HKDL is getting a third resort (told ya) and a new night spectacular (told ya) and other stuff that hasn't been announced yet (but I'll tell you before they do!)

I admit on such a WONDERful weekend that I did think it would be nice to be out in the theme parks. What can I say?

Reading that Mickey Monitor was painful. Amazing how dumbed down a product versus AP newsletters that came in the 80s and 90s.

Anyway, just a brief interlude. Will see you all a little later ...

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!

That's interesting, about hkdl. I wonder what they are planning on doing for the new park. I hope it's done right, whatever the plan may be.

I don't watch TWD but my girlfriends on Facebook are all but foaming at the mouth over it.


Do you know if anything is coming to DHS ? Anything at all? :/ I understand everything is on hold but do you think it'll ever enter the "off hold" phase?