No Pirates??!?!?!

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

Got your attention?

Good. Just wanted to make sure no one was sleeping. (wide awake here, thanks for asking)

No, I am not talking about WDW closing the Cliff Notes version of PoC.

I am speaking of why if WDW is the 'flagship' resort and the MK is the #1 theme park in the world ... how come TWDC has held four PoC film premieres at DLR and none in O-Town?

Before people bring up geography as an excuse, realize this is a company that is quite capable of putting folks on planes and flying them around the world.

I'll also point out WDW staged the world premiere of Dick Tracy in 1990 at a star-studded event ... I wasn't part of that, but was at a media event for the opening of the Dolphin and the expansions of Disney-MGM Studios, so it's not like it has never happened or couldn't.

Yet ... it doesn't.

And WDW/TDO execs wanted the premiere ... badly.

Now ... I know why they won't have one here, but why do you guys/gals reckon the MK doesn't host an event of this magnitude for the company.

~Yo Ho, You Ho ... ~

 

Originally Posted By Manfried

Because the original attraction was built at Disneyland, and its also a lot closer to Hollywood. So, a better chance of getting celebrities to show up.

 

Originally Posted By Labuda

Also, the DLR Pirates is vastly superior to the WDW version, and the weather is much better.

 

Originally Posted By Manfried

Also, when WDW starts doing more for its parks, and less on building more hotels, then they will deserve something more.

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

I would guess that the location of TWDC, and the location of Hollywood would be the deciding factors.

Lets face it. When you think of a Movie premiere you think of California, not Florida.

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

I would also guess that the park layouts are a factor. At DL, Pirates is right next to the most expansive area in the park, which is routinely home to huge crowds watching a performance across the way, so it's perfectly suited for an event like a film screening (even if they do completely modify the regular set up for it). The MK's Pirates is in a nice plaza, but it's hardly a space that would be suitable for any large scale event like this. They could set up a screen on the River like in DL, but there just isn't any sort of stage-like spot on the island where it would fit nicely. There are some other places they could do it (directly in front of the castle, in the huge area in front of Space Mountain and COP), but at that point, it's far enough away from the ride that it could be just about anywhere. And if you're going to do it in some random place (even within WDW), there are far better venues for it than anywhere in the MK.

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

Anyone who says the Hollywood types won't trek it to Orlando for a big premier obviously weren't paying attention to the Wizarding World grand opening. They had John Williams leading an orchestra and everything.

 

Originally Posted By Manfried

Then there's that lovely weather in Florida. So conducive to outdoor events....

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

All great excuses, but none are why the event was in Anaheim.

At the risk of sounding Lutzian, Burbank has no faith in TDO being capable of handling an event of this magnitude.

The MK is certainly capable from a logistics standpoint of doing something along the RoA ... and the fact the actual attraction is a bit further walk isn't a factor.

Weather in May isn't either.

And while a convenient excuse might be that Anaheim is closer to celeb central (LA), the reality is many celebs live all over the world and could come to O-Town just as soon as Anaheim.

Nope. This is just another example (although a quiet one) that Burbank knows that Walmarted Disney World and its bad management couldn't pull off an event like this without making the company look bad in the process.

TDO lobbied very hard for this premiere, after doing likewise for the At World's End debut. They were shot down at every turn.

But I'm sure Anthony Edwards will be enjoying that BW room in a few weeks! that's about what TDO can handle ...

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>Then there's that lovely weather in Florida. So conducive to outdoor events....<<<


It rained at the DL premiere.

 

Originally Posted By GOB

Why doesn't Burbank do anything about a Walmarted WDW if it's become that much of an embarrassment?

 

Originally Posted By skinnerbox

I'm guessing they're waiting for a specific revenue loss to hit first. Burbank is mostly reactive, not proactive.

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

>>Weather in May isn't either.<<

During my trip in May 2 years ago, it rained over 25" during our 10 day vacation. I would think that weather would be at least a minor concern (though WDW has far better indoor venues, from the Contemporary convention space to the main room in the Universe of Energy building that can be fitted with a false floor and dozens of other places across property).

>>Why doesn't Burbank do anything about a Walmarted WDW if it's become that much of an embarrassment?<<

Meh. It's just too expensive. It's way easier to just hand out free dining packages.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

WDW is run in a strictly reactive mode.
And, as EE pointed out, it actually rained (albeit lightly) in Anaheim last night.

WDW isn't going to be run any differently until either business drops radically ... or management changes from the top down.

And with Danny Cockerell being groomed for a larger role, it sure looks like they haven't figured out that more of the same isn't the answer.

 

Originally Posted By leobloom

>> But I'm sure Anthony Edwards will be enjoying that BW room in a few weeks! that's about what TDO can handle ... <<

I liked him in "Zodiac". One of my favorite movies.

TDO seems to do a good job with celebrity photos at the parks. Seems like they have a new one every week. I think the last one I saw was Dwight Howard (soon to be formerly of the Orlando Magic) outside Star Tours with Chewbacca.

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

simple ( one event for HP notwithstanding and I still would think the guest list in DLR was much deeper) - you're a movie star - tv star - international celebrity -- are you more likely to want to visit LA or Orlando. Duh

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

Grass is always greener on the other side. Some celebs like WDW, too...

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

1 in 10 ? maybe

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

doesn't mean I necessarily agree with them -- but they prefer LA to Chicago also- and many also prefer LA to NY -- so this is not an Orlando slam ( well not a big slam) - but there's a reason so many stars live in LA-- hell Oprah moving there from Chicago

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

Please, let's not act like a celebrity wouldn't go to Antartica if there was a chance they'd be on a magazine cover. A plane ticket to Orlando is like ordering from the dollar menu at McDonald's for us. They'll come as long as there are people ready to drool all over them there.