Originally Posted By mousermerf Miceage is reporting that the Year of a Million Dreams is canceled and some folks have confirmed it.. What's going on?
Originally Posted By figment1986 the world might have to wait for Monday or Wednesday to know... personally I think they are toning down the big celebration, and keeping the smaller prizes to give away. and attempt to keep the personal touches present.
Originally Posted By Roger55 Mice Age changed the mini report to just say at DLR the YOAMD decorations will start to be removed. Not cancelling the entire promotion.
Originally Posted By pheneix YOMD is gonna play out its original run like it was intended to, but it will NOT be extended, so in that respect it has been "cancelled." Now, the Disney Parks marketing with the "Where Dreams Come True" taglines blanketing the airwaves and theme parks, that crap is history. The entire "globalization" of the Disney Parks and Resorts division is about to get tossed out too. Jay Rasulo better have one hell of a resume handy, because I think he is gonna need it!
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Could this be a good sign for EPCOT and the 25th anniversary? This week, when the announcement of the Wand Removal was made, the new EPCOT VP talked about the 25th Anniversary. With YOAMD taking the background (Some things, like the dreams/prizes will remain until the end of the year), can EPCOT get some quality time???
Originally Posted By bayrr326 While YOAMD may have been successful at WDW, according to marketing surveys which we know can be made up to get whatever answer they want, it has been a failure at DL. When it comes down to it, it was a lame promotion thought up by Rasulo and his whole global marketing initiative. It has showed that you cannot market both resorts(DL and WDW) the same. Personally, I think they would have had a lot more success with a 35th anniv celebration for WDW than some stupid made up gimmick and then they could have gone into a celebration of Epcot's 25th and hey they could have come up with some catchy slogan like "World Homecoming". But what do I know I am just an Annual Pass holder not part of the management team that continues to suck the magic out of WDW.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 This absolutely is simply the result of a major behind the scenes power struggle. And here's a very obvious guess: Jay Rasulo and his absurd branding/homogenization marketing schemes have pretty much run their course. Frankly, I wouldn't have bee surprised to see Jay resign to spend more time with his family this week with the holiday in the middle, everyone seemingly on vacation and the business press not paying much attention to Disney beyond the BO of its latest Pixar presentation. It didn't happen. But that's just putting off the inevitable. The political environment in Parks and Resorts is changing just like the Studios last year and WDI recently ... the fact Jim MacPhee was able to make a very STRONG statement to the 'purists' by getting the wand removed and then ahead of schedule, going to the media himself and being honest (so unlike past Epcot VPs and the weasel at the MK) and even still trying to get something done for the 25th speaks volumes ... he isn't a Rasulo puppet. And the fact he is so bold and in your face about this, and not get slapped back, again speaks volumes about what's going down behind the scenes.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Oh, and do you think Phil Holmes prays every night that John Lasseter keeps not paying attention to what's happened to the MK? If I were him, I'd get that resume polished up and maybe get a new photo too!
Originally Posted By bayrr326 After spending 2006 getting the rest of the company in order I was wondering if Iger would finally turn his attention to the parks this year and it is appearing that he finally is. I think Lasseter has his ear now. I think Spirit of 74 is right and the power struggle is over. I don't know if it will happen as fast as you think but I wouldn't be surprised if JR is shown the door before the year is out. And maybe, just maybe Lasseter and Iger have been paying attention to WDW and don't like what they see.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ok ... Another thing that makes you go hmmm ... I just got a third email in the past few hours that has mentioned that WDW resort booking for the next 3-4 month are 'much softer' than expected and that right now it looks like 'substantial' discounts could follow the already announced deals thru early Oct. ... could people not be dreaming about visitng Disney Parks: Where Dreams Come True and during The Year of a Million Dreams Disney CMs are Making Even More Magical Dreams Come True Every Day?
Originally Posted By Skellington88 Look the bottom line is people come to parks for RIDES...amazing rides like Indiana Jones and Pirates and Haunted Mansion! They don't come for marketing gimmicks and free prizes. Why can't they hire a Parks & resorts leader who understands that ?
Originally Posted By dsnykid Marketing Gimmicks like "Neverending" free sodarefills, Skellington? No I can't think of anyone who takes advantage of free gimmicks like that.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I just got a third email in the past few hours that has mentioned that WDW resort booking for the next 3-4 month are 'much softer' than expected and that right now it looks like 'substantial' discounts could follow the already announced deals thru early Oct. ..< DVC'ers got email to try and convince friends to come and stay at studios in SS - OKW. Although I have nto yet stayed in onemy understanding is that usually Studios ( and grand villas) are the first to go- so reservations have to be light for that period "Your family and friends have heard your stories about Disney Vacation Club Resorts, now they can experience the magic themselves! For a limited time, they can take advantage of a special Member "Friends and Family" rate of $164 per night plus tax for a Studio at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa or Disney's Old Key West Resort—that's a $115 savings per night! For an additional cost, an upgrade can be made to a one-bedroom or two-bedroom Villa, with a full kitchen, whirlpool tub and more. Offer is valid most nights for travel from July 29 through September 29, 2007. This offer is sure to be popular, so spread the word today! "
Originally Posted By bayrr326 I am beginning to wonder if bookings are down, too. I have been a few days this summer and it didn't really seem that busy. 4th of July week was def. down this year. I know the weather wasn't great but the resort simply doesn't seem as packed as it was last year. Also, they have offered AP discounts on lodging this summer. I don't remember that last year. Could it be the downturn in the economy (ie-home market crashing, foreclosures thru the roof and cost of goods, food increasing(milk at the local Publix is now $4.19 up $.80 since last year) and of course fuel)no matter what the govt. says Wall St. may be doing well but the avg. American isn't) is finally hurting the resort. Or do people not feel the need to come back as often because of DME and MYW tickets people stay at the resort longer so repeat customer may not feel the need to come back as often since they get their fill when they go? But I think things are down or maybe bad word of mouth is starting to bite them in the ass. My parents have had two of their friends families come back from a WDW vacation recently and they both had bad times at the resorts they stayed at.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^I think it's likley a combination of things. Our economy is really a house of cards right now, only George Bush, the institutional investors and oil companies feel otherwise, and it would only take one small blip to send up crashing toward the recession we're avoiding. But vacations are the last things people usually cut, so when WDW resorts are struggling to hit 70% capacity in July you've got to wonder if having stale parks, poor upkeep and consistently higher prices might be convincing folks to head to Yellowstone (where I'd like to be right now!) instead. But I'll be visiting soon and I'll report on the state of the World.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Look the bottom line is people come to parks for RIDES...amazing rides like Indiana Jones and Pirates and Haunted Mansion! They don't come for marketing gimmicks and free prizes. Why can't they hire a Parks & resorts leader who understands that ? >>> Oh, I think they understand that well enough. It's a matter of cost. I think they've managed to get a big E-ticket down to $100 million (as they did with EE). How much do you think YOAMD cost? I'd be surprised if it was 1/10th that, excluding advertising and promotion costs. Keep in mind that they advertise and promote the parks anyway each year: either they can promote a new attraction, promote special event (such as YOAMD), or do just generic promotion. If it was felt that YOAMD could draw people as well as a new attraction, and for a fraction of the cost, well that's how decisions like that get made.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Jay Rasulo better have one hell of a resume handy, because I think he is gonna need it! << What I've been reading, there seems to be a few indications that JR will soon resign to spend more time with his family. That sure sounds familar. I can not say for sure though if the people saying this have the facts, so I still consider it just a very strong rumor. It does seem to fit in with a pattern we've seen developing at WDW lately. It also seems YOAMD will end prior to 2008, no extension. What I find the most exciting is that the world marketing of the Disney resorts generic presentations will come to an end. They will be marketed as individual resorts, as they should have been all along. That cannot be a good sign for Mr. Rasulo. It would seem his mates are abandoning his ship as they see the handwriting on the wall. It is only speculation on my part, but I feel Mr. Holmes days are numbered also. Things sure have been moving fast lately, it's hard to get a rumor going before it becomes fact. I really believe we are in for some very interesting times ahead. I just wish Spirit could tell us what all he really knows.
Originally Posted By jmuboy I have several friends in the theme park industry. Theme park attendance is without a doubt down across the country - Disney, Cedar Fair, 6 Flags are all seeing delines. It these times when sitting on your laurels (see the MK as a good example) can hurt your bottom line. People can more esily say "nothing new at WDW - we can wait a few more years before we go back." I hear the Gap needs staff. Maybe Phil and Jay can get jobs folding polo shirts!
