Granted that I have no idea what the conversations have ever been like, but Disney really might have to swallow their pride and sit down with George Lucas again. If there was ever a time to really expand the Star Wars Universe, then it certainly would be now. Disney might have to be willing to not eat as much of the profit pie in a deal, but it would be a win for them regardless.
I think an expanded Star Wars presence would be a great move short, mid, and long term.... Star Wars is still going strong since 1977.
Ehh. I'm not crazy about this idea.
Well there were people not crazy about Uni's Potter addition too before it was built... look how THAT turned out over there for Uni! So, apoligies but I think an expanded Star Wars presence is a great idea!
Speculation and ideas are based on the assumption Disney even cares. I was thinking after the official announcement from Universal today that we would hear something at least interesting from Disney, but instead the Disney Blog posted stories about holiday songs being added for selection to American Idol, Japan's remodeled quick service location...oh, and they patted themselves on the back for Wild Africa Trek's success (yet again). Not only were they not exciting articles or announcements - they were unnecessary. Not well played if they have any interest or concern for what is going on over in Metrowest.
What you see on their official blog does not represent what is going on in the Halls of Power at TDO...... that is a Given.
I totally agree here. Also, Disney has built entire parks in the amount of time it will take them to have the Fantasyland expansion complete.
Yep.... thats a fact that always comes to mind when I hear of these several year projects.....of course some of the projects in the MIDDLE of the existing parks could slow it down....but FLE and where we all on here suspect Avatarland will appear in DAK are certainly something that can be worked on with direct access from the perimeter. Disney should put a Blue Sky exhibit in each of the parks that are adding on like this (like DCA did).... people would go from the "look at that ugly construction" with no Blue Sky exhibit to "hey look! Thats the so and so I saw in the exhibit...look at that is that this?" and so on with one to see.....
Disney really isn't leaving Epcot out in the cold anyway. Test Track is going a refurbishment sometime starting in Summer or Fall of 2012 that lasts 6 months with changes.
A refurb of Test Track really does not seem anywhere in the same calibur as these other additions.... EPCOT needs Love for sure.... but here is the thing....they should ADD to EPCOT (and to the other parks) without always deleting something else.
Well, here's a quote from the article referenced a few pages back, but I know I had read it even before they backed out of the DC project. I will hopefully be able to find those references tomorrow.
"At the same time, Disney executives have pledged to investors to reduce capital spending once the company completes a current slate of projects that includes the Hawaiian resort, two new cruise ships and park expansions around the world. Capital spending at Disney's theme park division nearly doubled during the company's 2011 fiscal year — from $1.5 billion to $2.7 billion — and is expected to approach $3__billion in 2012."
Yeah...but how much of that is in WDW... I am Happy for China and for DCA for getting all the zillions of dollars they are getting...but it still does not change the fact that WDW needs major love too... and since it is so big land wise it makes little sense to me that the investments here are usually smaller than everywhere else.....at least that is my perception.
I'm pretty sure Disney feels like they've already announced the competition with Avatarland. Which means they have no idea what to do.
Disney always has a bunch of Blue Sky projects on the shelf..... it is getting the dollars from the cheap accountants (and preventing all the cheap down cutbacks that follow) from trashing or outright denying it.
Disney doesn't care (the business side, anyway) about Potter eclipsing them in ride technology or anything like that, it only comes down to Universal stealing a day or two from them in their tourists, and stopping said tourists from staying in Disney hotels for those 1 or 2 nights.
If it was a one time thing then yes you are correct....but it seems like the other parks are starting to rev up momentum to create rides and experiences that are eclisping Disney in Orlando..... and the problem is that the average tourist has no true loyalty to Disney (unlike most of us!) so the shift in numbers go from a trickle to a deluge with no real reason other than the perception of "Joe Tourist".
I really don't think Disney has much to worry about right now. .
Correct!!! Sadly though it is the Tomorrows that worry me.....
I wouldn't call it "Potterworld". More like Potterland. Just the fact that the Potter area is so small will keep it from being any serious threat to Disney. They can only cram a limited number of guests in there at any point in time. So while Universal is treating guests like sardines, Disney is spreading out their theme parks with the FLE and Avatar. Both will increase their respective parks' guest areas substantially. Universal has issues with space WDW will never need to fret.
If Universal starts to re-imagine their parks using techniques that our friends at Disneyland Resort use then this might be a big shock to you. A lot of us love the "world" of Disney themeing to the parks and resorts....however your average tourist who has no loyalty to Disney is more likely impressed with "Cool Rides" or whatever fits their fancy at the moment.... Disneyland Resort is packed like a sardines can (though it really does not seem like it when you are there and THAT PERCEPTION is truly the only thing that matters to the average tourist!), has almost as many rides as ALL of WDW, and their Non-Local Mix is WAY higher than most people would have you believe!
TDO needs to start expanding the rides at the parks..... the New Fantasyland adds how many rides to the historical number of rides at the MK.....????
-1 removal of Subs
-1 removal of SWSA
-1 Skyway though I am not sure if that was more ride or transport lol
+0 with the toontown coaster since it is repurposed
+0 with Dumbo (adding a spinner adds people capacity though but it is still one ride!)
+1 7 Dwarfs Mine coaster
+1 Little Mermaid
I do think the new Fantasyland will be awesome though...the theming, the new eatery locations, etc... sound to be wonderful additions to the MK!!!!
The real problem is not entirely on Disney either.... the problem today is that the average tourist is stereotyped as impatient, too stupid to have an attention span for more than a few minutes, and that they are "Once in a lifetime visitors" and TDO needs to stop basing their choices on Dumbing stuff down to the lowest denominator of their visitors.... Disneyland seems to be embracing the opposite approach going with quality, lots of frequent changes to entertainment (parades and everything else), and Plussing things even when they didnt need to be (such as the Holiday overlays), etc and it really seems to be working for them.
? I do think, however, that Avatar might need to be pushed up a wee bit on the time table now.
