Tom Staggs at WDW

[Atomicmickey]

Prediction: when the groundbreaking for the media happens, naysayers here will say "oh, yawn. You know, a while back things started with balloons over DAK, this is old news."

 

[JWG]

I believe nothing until there's a ladder sighting.

 

[jt04]

Prediction: when the groundbreaking for the media happens, naysayers here will say "oh, yawn. You know, a while back things started with balloons over DAK, this is old news."

Thank you for noting this and welcome to the light!

Their routine does get so tiresome due to the stale predictability.

PS The only difference I have is that I think it is 50-50 at best there will ever be a formal press event until the land actually opens.

 

[Brewmaster]

PS The only difference I have is that I think it is 50-50 at best there will ever be a formal press event until the land actually opens.

DCA's Cars Land had a traditional ground breaking ceremony, complete with press coverage:
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/07/today-in-disney-history-cars-land-groundbreaking/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/barrywallis/7389790122

Most all construction projects still have these "ceremonial" activities, it's a great photo op for all the execs involved (and I would think Cameron would be all over this to keep Avatar in the headlines)

 

[RSoxNo1]

And of the three minor announcements by George K for DL(return of extinct attractions like America the beautiful & Tahitian terrace, tea with your choice of a princess, and the new PFF) only one has started, one year later.

The returns were special one time things for AP holders. I believe they have already happened.

 

[asianway]

The returns were special one time things for AP holders. I believe they have already happened.

Negative-there have been a couple such as the Soundsational mng and Fantasmic 20th, but not the ones specifically mentioned as resurrecting attractions. Al Lutz added color as to how the AP population would be targeted

 

[Lee]

PS The only difference I have is that I think it is 50-50 at best there will ever be a formal press event until the land actually opens.

I think the chances are better than that. No way Bob and Jim will pass up the huge amount of press they could generate by doing a large, over-the-top ceremony. Likely to have blue people there with shovels.

 

[WDW1974]

I posted this in the latest Avatar thread, but do you suppose he was
there for the first shovel of dirt on Avatar-land? Kevin Yee just
tweeted: "Joe Rohde reportedly said that "PANDORA-The World of Avatar" starts construction today"

(apologies if similar info in two different threads is a social faux-pas around here.)

Kevin was a bit mis-informed or, more to the point, apparently used a source who was ...

 

[WDW1974]

No, but the billion-plus they're putting towards this system (and other Next Gen projets) could certainly go a long way toward some new rides and attractions.....

And there's been plenty of discussion on this project, and its future, on this site before now. If you're so unhappy with the tone, I'm certain there are happier destinations you could find.

Yes ... too much talk over nothing but new ways to make a WDW vacation more of a chore ... planning APPS and Fastpasses for almost every attraction at the MK (and then the other parks too) ... that is so much better than actual reasons to visit, like new attractions, shows, parades, entertainment etc.

How does any fan with an ounce of sanity justify this? And why am I wasting time asking? (My lunch 'group' isn't ready yet!)

 

[WDW1974]

Where has Raven been dropping hints?

I saw mention in Al Lutz' column, but not here. (Not that I have the time to read even a small percentage of all posts, lol.)

Raven hasn't said much of anything in months beyond vague comments about DD's new parking garages and how it will be an even more pleasant Disney shopping mall than it is today ... methinks someone has come down on him and told him to seal his leaky trap or risk having to head over to UNI to apply for a new position.

 

[WDW1974]

For 57 years, Disney has succeeded by enhancing our experience at the park with new attractions. It works.

Well, if you are talking about places that don't begin with a FLO ... and end with a rida, then I would agree.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Well, if you are talking about places that don't begin with a FLO ... and end with a rida, then I would agree.

Adding new attractions in Florida works, they just don't do it.

 

[WDW1974]

Ground breaking ceremonies are media events. Tom Staggs wouldn't fly all the way to Orlando to do a shovel-dig that wasn't a photo-op. And sometimes they don't even happen. Disney usually only does these when they want to flaunt to media and fans their impressive connection to some other company or individual. When Iger, Tom Staggs, James Cameron, and all the local media are in DAK, then we can assume it's a ground breaking.

... hey, pals, ... read the above because it is exactly how Disney orchestrates major events (and even minor ones too!)

 

[WDW1974]

It was actually my aunt saying there was a lot of chatter on the touringplans app. It sounds like it's not anything we're not already discussing.

In today's social media era, all it takes is one Twit to tweet and the world picks it up and runs with it like it's a football.

Chatter about nothing is just that. Of course, in the Disney fan community that is largely what you get on Twitter.

 

[WDW1974]

What was all this nonsense about a "ground breaking." Is this the last thing you can latch on to or something? Also good job to all the "insiders" on never alerting us of stuff before it actually happens. I trust however that construction on Avatar has began.

Good, you are a very trusting ... um ... ah ... kitty.

So ...

Construction has also begun on the WRE, Spain pavilion for EPCOT and Muppet Studios too ... oh, and about 11 DVC resorts too!

 

[WDW1974]

The entire point I made previous is that they no longer make announcements through the old media. Hello? Anyone home?

Yep, you made that point.

Now, it may well be totally 100% incorrect (it is!), but you did make it and are standing up for it like the Chik-Fil-A Prez.

You gotta admire that. So, Frankie, you been to WDW or DL in the 21st century? Just wondering ...

 

[WDW1974]

Considering the actual announcement had so little substance to it, I believe the story that it simply "wasn't ready". If I remember correctly, the length of the presentation was shortened by 30 minutes relatively late in the game.

What's impressive is that we don't know any more than we did 10 months ago, and now there is still speculation that the project isn't going to happen. I understand they wanted to get out in front of the story, but so far all it's done is agitate a fan base for 10 months.

True, but to be fair, I was agitated before they made this dumb knee-jerk deal/announcement and I'm agitated now and I'll probably be so in the future.

Today, I am extremely agitated by rich kids that have no concept of money, earning it or that others actually have to work for their toys or trips to DLR.

 

[WDW1974]

And of the three minor announcements by George K for DL(return of extinct attractions like America the beautiful & Tahitian terrace, tea with your choice of a princess, and the new PFF) only one has started, one year later.

I don't recall if those were actual prounouncements by Georgie K or simply things he or his spinners spun to Al Lutz.

 

[WDW1974]

I think the chances are better than that. No way Bob and Jim will pass up the huge amount of press they could generate by doing a large, over-he-top ceremony. Likely to have blue people there with shovels.

I didn't even think about that ... but I am sure it would be so Pandorian politically correct to have some N'avi (is that where the apostrophe goes? don't know my blue alien languages as well as I should!) digging up the NATURAL enviornment to build some fake plastic-y theme park one ... am I the only one who notices these things?

BTW, one thing no one has mentioned, but if there had been a groundbreaking that just the social media and fan sites were clued in on, doncha sorta think that this one, being one of the biggest and best, just maybe, just might have been informed that a little something was going on?

Can you tell I'm getting more ornery while getting more hungry? (Never make a slightly overweight Spirit wait for food ... bad idea, VERY bad idea!)

 

[WDW1974]

Thank you for noting this and welcome to the light!

Their routine does get so tiresome due to the stale predictability.

PS The only difference I have is that I think it is 50-50 at best there will ever be a formal press event until the land actually opens.

Yes, hunger makes one waste their time with Frank the Predictable New Mexican.

I can guarandamntee you that IF Pandora-the World of the Giant Blue Sex Kittens That US Military Types are Trying to Murder To Steal Their Unobtanium (so many teen jokes are running through my head now!) ever gets built for DAK, you will see a huge unveiling with a very large media contingent and it will be timed for maximum exposure.

That's a 100% Spirited Guarantee ... not only will you get your money back if I am wrong, but I'll also include a 2007 WDW LE CM Easter pin too with Pooh and Friends!