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Vivendi Universal
- Thread starter Lofatrules
- Start date
>>>I could see where they were supposed to be... hoses were sticking out of the water.<<<
Figures can jump in and out of service for no reason whatsoever. The same thing happens at Universe of Energy (where they left the Ellen AA fighting NOTHING for half a year) and CTX. It's bad show, but there is not much you can do about it. The problem is when they are left out of service for months at the time, which Disney has been infamous for doing that very thing.
Figures can jump in and out of service for no reason whatsoever. The same thing happens at Universe of Energy (where they left the Ellen AA fighting NOTHING for half a year) and CTX. It's bad show, but there is not much you can do about it. The problem is when they are left out of service for months at the time, which Disney has been infamous for doing that very thing.
garyhoov
Trophy Husband
Thanks DMC-12! That's some key information! While Disney may have some financial issues, they should have at least as much capital (or the ability to raise the capital) as those companies, and they've got a much higher motivation (If I was on the board, I would be drooling at the opportunity to buy up my most serious competitor).
At first, I wondered if the FTC might prevent such a deal, but, while I see Disney World and Universal as the two major "Theme Parks" most people would consider them both to be just two of many "Amusement Parks" ( along with Six Flags, Busch Gardens, Sea World etc.).
The possibility of this actually happening seems much more likely to me now then when I first heard about this. It will be interesting to watch.
Hey! Anyone want to buy a theme park? I'll kick in 20-30 thousand if anyone else is interested.
At first, I wondered if the FTC might prevent such a deal, but, while I see Disney World and Universal as the two major "Theme Parks" most people would consider them both to be just two of many "Amusement Parks" ( along with Six Flags, Busch Gardens, Sea World etc.).
The possibility of this actually happening seems much more likely to me now then when I first heard about this. It will be interesting to watch.
Hey! Anyone want to buy a theme park? I'll kick in 20-30 thousand if anyone else is interested.
wee-haggis
Member
I heard tonight that Vivendi has been granted a multi million $ loan to bail them out.
Their stock also rose steeply today indicating confidence in the move.
Their stock also rose steeply today indicating confidence in the move.
kevinwyld
New Member
According the the Orlando Sentinel, things seemed to have changed again:
http://www.orlandosentinal.com/business/nationworld/orl-asecsale20082002aug20.story?coll=orl%2Dhome%2Dheadlines
Who knows what to believe?:veryconfu
http://www.orlandosentinal.com/business/nationworld/orl-asecsale20082002aug20.story?coll=orl%2Dhome%2Dheadlines
Who knows what to believe?:veryconfu
cymbaldiva
Active Member
Hey Mr P -
All I meant about Buzz is that it was a pretty cheap overhaul - it was pretty kewl when it first opened, but when I was back several months later guns were broken, stickers were peeling and it was already in a state of disrepair...pretty sad for a Disney ride, don't ya think?
I'm still with John - Give peace a chance! Not his fault he had a crazed fan/stalker!
All I meant about Buzz is that it was a pretty cheap overhaul - it was pretty kewl when it first opened, but when I was back several months later guns were broken, stickers were peeling and it was already in a state of disrepair...pretty sad for a Disney ride, don't ya think?
I'm still with John - Give peace a chance! Not his fault he had a crazed fan/stalker!
garyhoov
Trophy Husband
Kevinwyld, thanks for the info
I couldn't get the link to work, so I went straight to the Orlando Sentinal site and saw they are mentioning Dreamworks as a potential buyer.
It would make sense for Dreamworks to be interested, but the idea must really bug Michael Eisner on a personal level. I wonder if he will be more motivated to persue the aquisition from his end if he is worried that Dreamworks might snap it up?
I couldn't get the link to work, so I went straight to the Orlando Sentinal site and saw they are mentioning Dreamworks as a potential buyer.
It would make sense for Dreamworks to be interested, but the idea must really bug Michael Eisner on a personal level. I wonder if he will be more motivated to persue the aquisition from his end if he is worried that Dreamworks might snap it up?
Terp02
New Member
Ok, let's look at this situation logically. First of all Disney does not have the cash to buy the theme parks, the only way they would is to sell off some of their other ventures, which I think should be done anyway. Second, Disney can't operate all of Universal Studios and a good amount of IoA since they're copyrighted to Univsersal/MCA. That would mean that either they would have to pay Universal to use the names of the movies or redo the whole park, which would not be sensible. Third, it's not logical for Disney to buy the park. Well, it is businesswise, but then how are they going to pull off transporting visitors who stay on the different properties to the other one? Basically, besides knocking out a competitor, buying Universal is not a smart move or a profitable one.
As for other buyers, Dreamworks is the most logical since Spielberg made a good handful of the movies at the parks and Katzenberg would probably love to try to stick it to Eisner another time. Fox would be another logical investor since I don't believe they are in the business yet, and this could be a good way to break into it. As for AOL/Time Warner, they own Six Flags, I believe, or have a major stockholding in it since there are AOL kiosks everywhere and every movie tie-in is a WB movie.
A question, if Vivendi plans on selling off the theme parks, does that mean ALL of the theme parks? I mean they have a bunch besides the one in Fla. I know they have Cali and Spain, and I think they have another one or two. This would be a MAJOR sale if all the parks were sold.
As for other buyers, Dreamworks is the most logical since Spielberg made a good handful of the movies at the parks and Katzenberg would probably love to try to stick it to Eisner another time. Fox would be another logical investor since I don't believe they are in the business yet, and this could be a good way to break into it. As for AOL/Time Warner, they own Six Flags, I believe, or have a major stockholding in it since there are AOL kiosks everywhere and every movie tie-in is a WB movie.
A question, if Vivendi plans on selling off the theme parks, does that mean ALL of the theme parks? I mean they have a bunch besides the one in Fla. I know they have Cali and Spain, and I think they have another one or two. This would be a MAJOR sale if all the parks were sold.
I believe that Disney shouldn't buy the Universal Parks. The competition is good for them. Without competition Disney could name their own prices and slack off with the new attractions. Which would be bad news for us. 
Look what happened when WWE bought WCW, no competition and now the whole industry is going under.
Look what happened when WWE bought WCW, no competition and now the whole industry is going under.
Lord Alfred
Member
Originally posted by WDWKing
I believe that Disney shouldn't buy the Universal Parks. The competition is good for them. Without competition Disney could name their own prices and slack off with the new attractions. Which would be bad news for us.
Look what happened when WWE bought WCW, no competition and now the whole industry is going under.
Look, competition is usually good, but so far it hasn't done anything for Disney. I haven't seen any evidence whatsoever that WDW has improved dramatically since Universal has been there. In fact, things have gone downhill in the period since then. I think Disney has acted just like they would have acted regardless of Universal's parks, which is sad.
BTW, WWE's shows have dramatically improved over the past few weeks.
if disney buys universal it would give them the rights to all those movies, etc. so that wouldn't be an issue. Buses can transport them over. I personally think disney can do better with IOA and Universal Studios then universal is doing. the parks were great but still not as good as disney.
MKingdom25
New Member
I agree with someone else said. It all depends on whether you want a thrill ride or a ride that is more of an experience. I would agree that non-Disney parks have more thrill rides. Disney, although, I think has more rides that are more of a overall, start to end event that gets you completey engulfed.
I think SM should not change at all. Living Seas could change a little, but nothing drastic. I think it has to keep with the aquarium theme and have no rides.
As far as Star Tours 2, if you mean refining the ride I agree with that. But if you mean adding a new ride, not sure the reason for that.
I think the main point being made here was not that Disney is only in theme parks, but that is a MAJOR part of their business. I heard on TV last night up to 100,000 people come thru the doors each day at all the Disney parks. Disney has been doing theme parks for over 45 years. I think it has always been a backbone of the company.
And lastly, regardles of all the reports, buying Universal just doesn't make logical sense to me on a basic level. Thats my take on things!
garyhoov
Trophy Husband
Terp, you make some good points, and I agree it is unlikely that Disney will buy Universal, but I don't think the points you make are deal breakers.
On the cash issue, any potential buyer will have to borrow the cash. I'm sure Dreamworks doesn't have 20 Billion lying around. The key is, whoever wants to go for it will have to convince their creditors they can make it work. I think either Disney or Dreamworks could find people willing to lend them the money.
On the copywright issue, I'm sure that will be part of any deal. After all, Dreamworks doesn't own the copyrights either. The point here is Vivendi may be more willing to turn over the rights to Dreamworks than Disney.
Transportation is something that would be worked out as a minor detail. I would love to be able to take Disney Transportation to Universal, but they may choose to operate it autonomously. Even though they own it on paper, they could choose to run it very much as it is now.
Thanks for the thoughts
. As I mentioned, I think you raise some interesting issues, and while your points may illustrate why it's unlikely for Disney to buy them, it doesn't make it impossible.
MKingdom25
New Member
Just a note to add in: According to Vivendi Universal, "Following the many rumors about possible asset disposals, Vivendi Universal would like to again emphasize that no statement or comments will be made on disposals before their completion."