When is it fair to report on the upkeep of New Fantasyland?

[Pixiedustmaker]

Link to that insider's quote. ( It may have even been me, back when I couldn't get my head around the numbers I was hearing.)
Can't be any more clear.
The final bill for MK's Mermaid ran to nearly $100mil. Everything included. That's nearly the cost of FJ, which was/is the point.

It wasn't you, but some other insider and I'll try to find the post.

But just based on an eyeball comparison of TSM and Mermaid at DCA: TSM has an all new ride system, an expensive Mr. Potato Head, and comes in at around $40 million, while DCA's Mermaid *recycles* the omnimover/clamshell system. Has three advanced animatronics, a big clunky showbuilding, and costs around $50 million. I would guesstimate that MK's costs around $70 to $80 million, given the more extensive exterior queue.

There is no way that DCA's Mermaid costs around $100 million! Though that is what Disney wanted to imply with the marketing. Yes, they in essence lied. $50 million for DCA's Mermaid, and the FLE version obviously got some expensive extras added on the outside.

 

[danlb_2000]

The footprint of the ride show building really had to be made to work in DCA given limited space, and special architectural considerations. Technically, MK has no such limitations. They could have designed a custom show building for Mermaid, utilizing the expansion pad. As is, Mermaid's show building is awkward in FLE, I hear that they are trying to cover up sight of it from around Gaston's! Another element, of course, was keeping the old wall from 20,000. But they didn't need to do this, the land north of this area is 100% suitable for development.

Not sure what point you are trying to argue? There is no question that WDW could have built something different if they wanted to spend the money to do so, the point is they didn't.

 

[Tim Lohr]

I think your analogy is an exaggeration, as is Lee's assertion that the Wardrobe going down means close the ride.

Here's what little girls love/want to see with ETwB:

1. Belle face character.
2. Storytime with Belle
3. The Beast
4. Lumiere
5. Inside of the castle, which I guess would include Wardrobe, though she sure isn't the headliner.

See how far down the Wardrobe is? Sure, she is a great part of the pre-show, but this attraction is different from others in that you get 99% of the magic which happens in the room with Belle. I personally think Lumiere's effect is much more wowing, and magical, than the Wardrobe who is a little over the top. Plus, if a castmember can perform the same role, big deal. I would guess that most guests unaware of the Wardrobe's role would still think the attraction is great.

It's not so much an analogy as a matter of fact... If your job is to provide entertainment for people, and after a month the entertainment breaks, you're not doing your job very well

 

[Rose&Crowner]

So Patricia, did you write your letter yet?

 

[wm49rs]

So Patricia, did you write your letter yet?

I wouldn't expect a reply from him. Just a FYI.....

 

[MKCP 1985]

So Patricia, did you write your letter yet?

I wouldn't expect a reply from him. Just a FYI.....

:lookaroun

 

[Rose&Crowner]

I wouldn't expect a reply from him. Just a FYI.....

Why, did she (he?) leave the forums?

 

[flynnibus]

I wouldn't expect a reply from him. Just a FYI.....

well the account is active again - it disappeared entirely for awhile.. and reappeared a few days ago

 

[wm49rs]

well the account is active again - it disappeared entirely for awhile.. and reappeared a few days ago

Then perhaps you should reach out to him then.....

 

[wm49rs]

Why, did she (he?) leave the forums?

About a month ago.

 

[Rose&Crowner]

About a month ago.

Too bad, she was a fun sparring partner.

 

[GoofyCathy]

We just came back from WDW and experienced Ariel's Grotto for the first time and I couldn't stop thinking-"Much ado about Nothing!". It is a very low-rent, low-creativity ride. What are the Imagineers doing there? It compared so unfavorably to Haunted Mansion-very creative, imaginative, the Three Cabilleros ride at Mexico--enchanting and fun, even It's a Small World. I think we expect more as time goes by-certainly not less-from the Imagineers at Disney. And this was so highly anticipated. Even your little ones will be disappointed. Just really bad.

 

[GoofyCathy]

We just came back from WDW and experienced Ariel's Grotto for the first time and I couldn't stop thinking-"Much ado about Nothing!". It is a very low-rent, low-creativity ride. What are the Imagineers doing there? It compared so unfavorably to Haunted Mansion-very creative, imaginative, the Three Cabilleros ride at Mexico--enchanting and fun, even It's a Small World. I think we expect more as time goes by-certainly not less-from the Imagineers at Disney. And this was so highly anticipated. Even your little ones will be disappointed. Just really bad.