The Spirited Sixth Sense ...

[rioriz]

I know. I love DAK after Dark. It is so beautiful. And Disney put in a very pricey lighting package that most people never get to see in use. A bit surprised by the 9 closing, but guessing their projections were very high.

Spirit...I liked this just because it re-enforces that you do love the WDW resort at its core and want better for it. While it will be awhile, I can't wait to experience one of my fav parks in it's full glory!

 

[WDW1974]

Big "yes" to this one.

Wall Street has been questioning MyMagic+ every chance they get.

Repeatedly.

Let’s see if anyone can answer these questions from the last 5 straight earnings calls. I know I can’t after listening to Iger’s and Rasulo’s replies.

February 5, 2013: “On the parks, I guess it was mostly cost-related. Could you clarify on the technology spend -- or MyMagic+ or however you want to refer to it -- how much more to go is -- the press reported it's something like $800 million to $1 billion of spend on that effort. How much more is there to go?”

May 7, 2013: “Bob, if you could talk about the timing of the rollout of My Magic Plus. Is there any way to give us a sense of the potential impact from that initiative? It's not the easiest thing for us to model.”

May 7, 2013: “Perhaps then, Bob, just in terms of timeframe, would that be something where by fiscal 2014 you would think we start to see some impact?”

August 6, 2013: “You didn't mention MyMagic+. Any comment on how that's impacting business at this point?”

November 7, 2013: “And just a follow-up question on the domestic parks. I think in the past, you've sort of called out some incremental expense that we may see in different initiatives. I guess is there something incremental we should look out for in fiscal 2014? I guess, where are you on the spending around Magic+? And then on Magic+ when we might see, I guess, some signs or data points of how it's impacting the business?”

February 5, 2014: “Then for Bob, you guys had talked about the cost of MyMagic+ this quarter, but can you give us some indications of how the rollout's going on revenue and customer behavior, because per capita is really good at this point, so what's going on with MyMagic+?"

February 5, 2014: “Then just my second question on MyMagic+, I know you said the benefit of guest satisfaction, but there must be some benefit to revenue to be able to put a device button, get out of the store, run to doors quickly. Is it showing up in the per cap revenues? On the cost side, how much more is there to go? How much more it is there to go now?”​

Wall Street is asking the same basic question again and again because Iger and Rasulo are not giving satisfactory answers.

You think we are the only ones questioning the wisdom of MyMagic+?

Wall Street is with us on this one.

Big time.

You know you are pretty much my favorite poster here (after myself and maybe @Lee when he has 'net access in the hills!) ... but you sure do seem to have everything (quotes, stats, numbers etc) ready to post at the drop of a hat or a positive comment about MM+.

You must have a very interesting online folder of Disney factoids stored.

Yeah, I'd definitely like to meet you sometime.

 

[Cesar R M]

Whatever addition coming to AK (my fav park) will be welcome...As much as Uni is improving IMHO going through the Oasis, seeing the Tree of Life, spending time in Africa...Uni has a long way to go. Diagon is a start though

I havent been to universal but I love DAK as well, our favorite park.. feels more calm and not need to rush everywhere to move around. (except when you get to dinoland lol)

Well that's because it is. Creating Hotel Row, as it were, was a really smart decision, along with others, on the part of the planners of HKDL with the limited land they have. The existing and forthcoming hotels each have their own unique layouts and themes so I can't see much reason to complain there. After all, they could have been All Stars, but Disney would never want to present that side of itself internationally.
Coming back to your point of the new hotel being compartmentalized, I was surprised to a degree to see the new hotel only takes up half of that expansion pad. I had expected a hotel with a large room count, perhaps one the size of what was announced with room for expansion on the entire plot, that was more spread out with a large themed pool like FQ. When I think of WDW hotels with unique footprints, I tend to jump towards Dixie Landings and Port Orleans with their layouts firmly rooted in their themes in a way the other moderates aren't. I wonder if we'll ever see those themes travel to an international Disney resort like HKDL.

Side Note: I recently came across this image from the nineties of the HKDL landfill master plan. I would love to know more about it and if we'll see them pursue this idea in the coming decades. It's worth noting that Hong Kong International will expand its footprint with the construction of its third runway and terminal expansion.

Hang on, so they're actually reclaiming land form the sea a la Abu Dabi/Dubai ?

I know. I love DAK after Dark. It is so beautiful. And Disney put in a very pricey lighting package that most people never get to see in use. A bit surprised by the 9 closing, but guessing their projections were very high.

I find it interesting when some people mentions "after dark". I was always told that DAK closed at most BEFORE 7.

 

[WDW1974]

I have said for a while that MK and DHS are attraction driven, while DAK and Epcot are ambiance driven.

Absolutely.

And the park that is in a world of trouble is TPFKaTD-MGMS. They don't have enough attractions. They are split between fare only for kiddies and thrill ride fare with some tired shows tossed in. No parade hurts too.

Disney realizes this, which is why there is so much that has been planned and talked about for it. But with none of it happening right now, they are just looking for a HUGE attendance and guest spend drop. And even with Disney's creative accounting and ticketing, that will show up once Potter 2.0 is up.

 

[WDW1974]

Is there a lifestyler who isn't?

I think most Lifestylers are trying to relive the childhoods that never were and never will be. Many of them seem like profoundly sad and disturbed souls. It seems that very few of them are married or have children. They just seem lost ... and find importance in updating their flocks on the new seating area at Casey's, a new FP+ kiosk and things of that ilk.

 

[StageFrenzy]

Hang on, so they're actually reclaiming land form the sea a la Abu Dabi/Dubai ?

They already did.

 

[Mickey_777]

MS at least it kinda blends in with the theme. Epcot however not impressed with at all, its as sterile and bland as can be, they didnt even try to make it unique or special in any way. But then that seems what they are going for anymore with Epcot. Might as well be at the mall really.

Most folks don't like it. I think its cool cause at the very least it looks nothing like the many I've gone to in I dont know how many states/cities.

IMO Uni has to cover all the bases. Even stuff like theming a coffee shop to fit the land. Isn't it the small stuff (when u add it all up) that combines to make the Dis...err I mean Uni difference? They are on that level now.

As a starbucks and IOA fan, I would have liked to have seen some effort placed on theming the interior. Outside looks good though.

 

[WDW1974]

Wall Street is nervous with the Price Leveraging strategy employed by Disney over the last few years. It's one of the reasons they keep asking about MyMagic+; to see that WDW is doing anything to generate new revenue besides just raising prices.

They've already seen the impact of higher prices (actually, less generous discounts) on hotel occupancy, dropping from 89% in 2008 to 79% last year. Keep in mind that WDW hotel occupancy was 76% in the 12 months immediately after 9/11, and that was an abysmal time for WDW.

They know theme park prices can go up only so far until there will be an impact on attendance.

Just keep in mind this chart that I've posted before. WDW really is pushing the limits.

View attachment 46481

I liked your post somewhere recently where you pointed out the absurd ... obscene price increase of a burger at Cosmic Ray's from $7.19 to $10 something. This is WDW. This is TDO. This is Iger, Rasulo, Staggs, Crofton, Kalogridis etc ...

They have already priced themselves out of the deluxe hotel business because they just couldn't make a profit selling 3-star hotels in disguise for $200-400 a night. Nope, they needed to get those prices double and triple. And that's why we have DVC at every deluxe now. Pretty soon, the rubes who stay at the mods will downgrade to the values ...if they don't buy DVC, head off-property or just stay away from O-Town.

Rest assured, they have models that show when they expect/plan that burger to hit $15. Maybe $18 too.

It's all about gouging guests for every last dime.

 

[StageFrenzy]

On HKDL, the new resort will take some design cues from Aulani and DAK Lodge, but it is a very different product overall. A friend termed it 'the Adventureland hotel' and I think that is the best way to describe it.

Soo Loew's Royal Pacific? An amalgamation of RP and AK lodge is what I thought about. The pool seems kinda.. uh small for a property that size.

So, the networks have basically decided not to counter program the Olympics even during February sweeps.

The networks aren't counter programing TAPED DELAYED Olympics. I don't get it, I don't think everyone and their mother is glued to NBC. If someone was hardcore on the Olympics they would have watched it online hours before anyway. Spirit ever read any of the Hollywood Prospectus content over on Grantland?* One of the writers on there insinuates that the old three are usually like three blind mice when it comes to programing.


*owned by ESPN and TWDC

 

[WDW1974]

Was there on Saturday after getting off the Fantasy. The Parks were mobbed. FP+ is creating weird dynamics in the parks. Stand by lines are shorter and FP+ is very slow at checking in at some rides (Everest), super quick at others (Soarin).

Overall felt busier than Thanksgiving week.

How was the cruise? How would you compare the experience to WDW? Did you stay at a WDW resort?

 

[bhg469]

Potter is the last big gun that Universal has, and it will be fired in 2014. Disney has Star Wars, The Avengers, Avatar and Frozen for the future. I also think that the Seven Dwarves Coaster will be a real crowd pleaser in 2014.

Sure it will, and potter is just a fad.

 

[bhg469]

And let them chamber it, because they have to and because they can. Disney has many chambers, more than Uni, but they choose not to use them

They choose not to use them!! So they're choosing to be sub par? They're choosing to sit on star wars in the parksfor another decade? They're choosing to put in princess meet and greets over solid attractions...

I'm sorry I guess that makes perfect sense to someone....

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Hang on, so they're actually reclaiming land form the sea a la Abu Dabi/Dubai ?

Yes, both HKDL and Hong Kong International were formed using land reclamation. It can be quite controversial because it can harm marine life, but they appear to have improved their processes to reduce its impact.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2011-11/11/content_14075978.html
Part one of a documentary on the construction of HKIA


Here's the layout for the HKIA expansion. I wish we had this kind of long term infrastructure planning in the U.S. Of A.

 

[Captain Chaos]

If done right, Avatar will be better than Potter. It will even have it's own unique night time elements. Avatar is number 1 movie in the world and a lot of people liked it. Sure the characters weren't memorable but the world of Pandora was

Keep telling yourself Avatar is better than Potter... One day, you may just believe it... But sadly for you, it will never be reality...

 

[WDW1974]

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?

Right now? No.

Yes, I do think something big (SW) will come to Studios because they have no choice. That park is the weak impala in the herd that is limping severely when the lionesses show up on the hunt. You will see that park in a world of hurt by the fall. It already is the most skipped park at WDW and the one that keeps guests for the shortest span of time.

 

[jt04]

Yes, both HKDL and Hong Kong International were formed using land reclamation. It can be quite controversial because it can harm marine life, but they appear to have improved their processes to reduce its impact.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2011-11/11/content_14075978.html
Part one of a documentary on the construction of HKIA


Here's the layout for the HKIA expansion. I wish we had this kind of long term infrastructure planning in the U.S. Of A.

NIMB's and EPA say you should resubmit your idea another time.

 

[rioriz]

Not hijack the Spirit thread but i have a legitimate question. I have worked and grown up with WDW (and DL). I have never been to WDW w/o first timers or Disney lovers...does that cloud my view of the resort overall? Keep in mind this comes from a Uni passholder...I guess I see the resort in the places I know there are and love or through the pixie dusted eyes of a first timer...

 

[WDW1974]

THIS - I also remember the maintenance which was immediate, This year I've also noticed that the DVC properties are no longer receiving the care they used to and frankly some of them are just downright DIRTY we had moldy carpet in SSR this year - DW demanded a new room.

I am curious how many typical guests (or just folks here) have had subpar rooms at WDW resorts and actually complained and demanded to be moved.

FWIW, the first time that happened to me was at CBR in 2000 (although I came very close at BC a few years earlier) and that's when I really started waking up to the Walmarting of WDW.

Now, they just don't get my money.

 

[jt04]

Keep telling yourself Avatar is better than Potter... One day, you may just believe it... But sadly for you, it will never be reality...

Have they announced details for Pandora? I missed it.

 

[Scuttle]

Right now? No.

Yes, I do think something big (SW) will come to Studios because they have no choice. That park is the weak impala in the herd that is limping severely when the lionesses show up on the hunt. You will see that park in a world of hurt by the fall. It already is the most skipped park at WDW and the one that keeps guests for the shortest span of time.

Is it really? I haven't been following as much lately, but last I remember DHS had a higher attendance than DAK.