Why is Disney sooooooo slow to build?

[luv]

I'd say Islands of Adventure and Magic Kingdom are also right up there with Animal Kingdom. Though every park has it's weakness... (Looking at you Chester & Hester's, half of Toon Lagoon and "old" Fantasyland)

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Mine is that IoA is prettier, better kept up, sharper and better themed than the MK, but AK is still the prettiest park in Orlando and the one that carries an overall, cohesive theme the best. I may change my mind after they add blasted Avatarland, but I'll have to see.

 

[Thrill]

Because they don't have to be quick.

They can build entire parks in a couple of years. EPCOT Center was built quickly because money was leaving Disney's wallet and none was flowing back in yet. The Fantasyland Expansion took longer because money was still rolling in even without the expansion.

 

[BryceM]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Mine is that IoA is prettier, better kept up, sharper and better themed than the MK, but AK is still the prettiest park in Orlando and the one that carries an overall, cohesive theme the best. I may change my mind after they add blasted Avatarland, but I'll have to see.

Agree wholeheartedly on your assement of IOA. It's really a wonderfully designed park.

And I also agree 100% on AK's theme. It has a overall theme that stays consistent with the park, and it works well. Africa and Asia are just absolutely beautiful.

 

[cheezbat]

Agree wholeheartedly on your assement of IOA. It's really a wonderfully designed park.

And I also agree 100% on AK's theme. It has a overall theme that stays consistent with the park, and it works well. Africa and Asia are just absolutely beautiful.

And then you enter Chester and Hester's Dinorama And your mood just sours.
Every time I'm there I hear a complaint about its tackiness...I get why it's themed that way, but it is very un-Disney-like.

 

[englanddg]

And then you enter Chester and Hester's Dinorama And your mood just sours.
Every time I'm there I hear a complaint about its tackiness...I get why it's themed that way, but it is very un-Disney-like.

I grew up with Disney (check the signature)...but I didn't go back for a long time, and my short stay in the Mid 2000's we only went to Universal and Hollywood Studios.

So, when I brought the kid in 2010, I didn't know what I was walking in to, and Disney had made a LOT of changes in that time.

What's my point? Looking back at how I viewed it in 2010, as a relitivaly "new" guest, and certainly new to AK (it was my first ever visit there)...I hated Chester and Hesters. On the map, it didn't seem so cheesy and cheap, but when we rounded the corner from the Boneyard, and I saw what is basically...a carnival...with another "spinner" (which my kid loves, by the way) and boardwalk games (a la Six Flags)...my heart sank.

NOT what I expected from that area.

Oh, and as far as the story, unless you REALLY slow down and pay attention, or you are a member of a forum such as this, you won't get it. AK is full of crap like that. They focused so much on making the story "subtle"...that the story just doesn't come across.

Here's something fun to try...stand in that section of the park and ask random guests if they even know the name of Chester and Hesters...

I suspect most won't. Much less knowing the convoluted back story behind it.

Just, overall...bad show Disney...BAD show!

 

[Violet]

What's Chester and Hesters?

 

[englanddg]

What's Chester and Hesters?

Chester and Hester's Din-o-rama is the part of the Dinoland, USA area of Animal Kingdom that looks like a cheap traveling carnival.

Here's a great breakdown of the story.

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/08/chester_and_hesters_dinorama.html

If you know the backstory, the area is actually pretty neatly themed and makes sense...however, if you don't, it just feels like a big jumble. And, as far as I can tell...no where is the story "told" to guests. So, unless you walk in knowing it, the odds that you'll figure it out on your own are slim to none, in my opinion.

 

[RandomPrincess]

It seems like Diagon Alley will open before 7DMT. A survey Universal has sent out say Diagon Alley will open in June 2014 and 7DMT is supposed to open the end of 2014.

ETA - I was wrong 7DMT open in Spring 2014

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

It seems like Diagon Alley will open before 7DMT. A survey Universal has sent out say Diagon Alley will open in June 2014 and 7DMT is supposed to open the end of 2014

SDMT opens Spring 2014.

 

[Violet]

Chester and Hester's Din-o-rama is the part of the Dinoland, USA area of Animal Kingdom that looks like a cheap traveling carnival.

Here's a great breakdown of the story.

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/08/chester_and_hesters_dinorama.html

If you know the backstory, the area is actually pretty neatly themed and makes sense...however, if you don't, it just feels like a big jumble. And, as far as I can tell...no where is the story "told" to guests. So, unless you walk in knowing it, the odds that you'll figure it out on your own are slim to none, in my opinion.

Interesting, I had no idea!

 

[RandomPrincess]

SDMT opens Spring 2014.

Sorry my mistake.

 

[luv]

This better be the best kiddie coaster in the history of kiddie coasters! It has certainly been a long time coming!

 

[ShookieJones]

Unless it is a DVC cash cow they look at it as overhead costs and those do not make the shareholders' any money or promote upper management bonuses. Current regime does not understand the declining satisfaction among steadfast followers or perhaps we (the followers) just overestimate our importance which sadly is probably the case.

This. The rate at which DVC property goes up seems like it's 20 times faster than anything I've ever seen at WDW.

 

[JordanNite]

It's quite simple economics. Once attendance figures start dropping they'll reinvest.

If they remain steady and strong there is no real rush to spend money, as terrible as that is.

When the new attendance figures come out, we have to hope we are seeing negative decline in attendances ... it's the only way anything will be done. Or if they can see the massive gains Universal are making, and copy that business model.

What happened to Avatar that was announced ages ago? Is it still in the planning stages. Universal have a new Harry Potter opening, and Tranfsormers opening in super quick time.

What was the last major NEW attraction that opened on the scale of HP or Transformers, or caused hype around the world?

The current regime are a disgrace with the way they have treated the parks.

 

[Violet]

It depends who they want for their customers.

From what I see, WDW is counting on little girls to come, along with their parents' wallets, and they are doing an excellent job at maintaining that appeal. There is no shortage of attractions for six-year-old girls. Look what they just built...New Fantasyland. More princesses. On top of all of the existing character M&Gs and character meals.

 

[Goofyernmost]

It's quite simple economics. Once attendance figures start dropping they'll reinvest.

If they remain steady and strong there is no real rush to spend money, as terrible as that is.

When the new attendance figures come out, we have to hope we are seeing negative decline in attendances ... it's the only way anything will be done. Or if they can see the massive gains Universal are making, and copy that business model.

What happened to Avatar that was announced ages ago? Is it still in the planning stages. Universal have a new Harry Potter opening, and Tranfsormers opening in super quick time.

What was the last major NEW attraction that opened on the scale of HP or Transformers, or caused hype around the world?

The current regime are a disgrace with the way they have treated the parks.

It's beyond being a disgrace to the parks, it's a disgrace to business in general. You can carry the ME generation a little too far. It's what's in it for me now, instead of what it should be, how to I get set up for the future. You don't wait until you have lost business to invest, you do it before that happens and insure that it doesn't.

 

[melflip8]

It seems like Diagon Alley will open before 7DMT. A survey Universal has sent out say Diagon Alley will open in June 2014 and 7DMT is supposed to open the end of 2014.

ETA - I was wrong 7DMT open in Spring 2014

I thought I had read that Spring 2014 would be pushing it for 7DMT, but I can't be sure. Either way..."Spring" is code word for May 31st for me, haha. As far into Spring as you can stretch it.

Either way...too long, for too little. But, they don't have to because they are king. My heart is with Disney because I grew up on their films and going to their parks, so it's nostalgia based for me...in the end though, the competition of Uni will only help light a fire under Disney and we all win with great parks in a 20 mile radius. Hooray for everyone!

 

[luv]

Disney has Apollo Creed Syndrome.