Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=1375" target="_blank">The Latest: Latest: Where Dreams Come True Going up at Walt </a>
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Lame to say the least. Gimme a huge 35th anniversary celebration instead.
Originally Posted By CTXRover ^^Personally, I think its best not to have a huge 35th anniversary celebration. I think these so-called "celebrations" every 15-18 months back to back is already too much, but they are understandable from a simple marketing perspective. The big anniversary celebrations need to be kept limited so they don't lose their special appeal. Only the big milestone birthdays should have a "huge" celebration, like the 5th, maybe the 15th, 25th, perhaps the 40th and obviously the 50th. A nice mention of the 35th in the park would be nice, but I don't expect it and simply don't think it should be used for a marketing tool. If they started celebrating a park's anniversary every 5 years with a big marketing push, it wouldn't be effective anymore. The year of a million dreams is basically just a marketing gimmick. A clever, if not complex, marketing tool to try and get more people through the turnstyles during a typical year. Marketing is a crucial key to the resort's success, even if people don't like that or somehow twist it to make it seem like a bad or lame thing. At least this has more substance than the lame-brained "Magical Getherings" celebration. That really provided no reason to visit again and I still don't know why they had special banners in the parks for it.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "If they started celebrating a park's anniversary every 5 years with a big marketing push, it wouldn't be effective anymore." I think they just don't want to confuse people who saw WDW turn 100 a couple years ago, 50 last year, and then 35 this year. Most people have no idea how old WDW is, and the marketing is just adding to the confusion. If they actually celebrated things that were stand-alone celebrations (one of the few things I like about the Year of a Million Dreams), then it would be easier to celebrate anniversaries. But when there is an anniversary every other year, people can get confused really easily.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>If they started celebrating a park's anniversary every 5 years with a big marketing push, it wouldn't be effective anymore.<< DL has been doing just that every 5 years for 50 yrs, so your point doesn't make sense at all. Besides, the only reason why it may not be effective at WDW is because they started dreaming up all these stupid celebrations that have nothing to do with WDW whatsoever, so of course it would seem idiotic!! But then again, we all know it's just lame attempts to bring the people into the parks, and sadly, most guests fall for them gimmicky dreams/100 yrs/happiest steal/magical bothering-type celebrations with no substance or relation to WDW.
Originally Posted By CTXRover <<DL has been doing just that every 5 years for 50 yrs, so your point doesn't make sense at all>> I think my point makes perfect sense, even if you disagree with it. They (WDW) have already over-celebrated themselves imo, and as you suggest, and if WDW wants to continue to use actual anniversaries for "huge celebrations", then they should not be celebrating every 5 years of the park as you suggested. DL and WDW attract two different audiences and their past marketing strategies do not translate to each other. Unfortunately, they are trying to market both resorts the same way now with these "global" celebrations, which have people on here complaining. That approach has its advantages and disadvantages. These big anniversary celebrations need to be kept special or they lose their effectiveness, which they are already on the brink of doing, which you also suggested. Maybe if they hadn't already done two anniversary-type celebrations within the past 6 years my opinion on a 35th would be different. However, coming off the very successful "50 years of theme parks" with a "35 years of WDW" would NOT be an effective marketing strategy. Again marketing is a key ingredient to the success of the nonlocal tourist-driven WDW resort. We can call them gimmicky or lame, but it is simple and necessary marketing. A huge anniversary-driven celebration every 5 years is too much imo.
Originally Posted By CTXRover On top of that, we may likely see another anniversary driven marketing campaign late next year with Epcot's 25th. Some think it will be big, some don't. Personally, I think a 25th anniversary deserves a nice marketing push, even if it ends up being Epcot specific. If that happens, we will see 3 anniversary driven celebrations within a span of 7 years. A 35th MK celebration right now would be overkill. A nice nod in the park, sure, but nothing to sustain any type of a marketing campaign.
Originally Posted By idleBrain Don't hold your breath for Epcot's 25th. The Year of a Million Yawns will actually run until January 2008. I highly doubt Disney would officially celebrate Epcot's silver anniversary before this new splashy marketing blitz is finished. And from what a little birdie told me... Team Rasulo essentially "forgot" about Epcot's 25th when putting together Year of a Million Yawns. OOPS!
Originally Posted By CTXRover <<I highly doubt Disney would officially celebrate Epcot's silver anniversary before this new splashy marketing blitz is finished>> You mean the way they basically cut the hugely successful HCOE 2 months short in order to prepare and start said marketing blitz? By October 2007, the YOAMD will be 80% over. Most of the big prizes will likely already be given out and I don't necessarily believe that it will completely nullify a potential 12-15 month Epcot-centered celebration that could go through all of 2008. Perhaps that there is a reason though it may not happen right?...it doesn't have "global" appeal. However, I don't expect a huge global celebration from Epcot. But I do expect something.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Anyone who visited WDW when it celebrated meaningful anniversaries like its 10th, 15th and 20th, will tell you there was loads of substance. The 25th Anniversary Celebration ... i.e. You Bettah Remember The Magic for 18 months ... oops we mean 21 months due to popular demand ... because we aren't going to give you any new magic was the WDW version of jumping the shark. From then on everything was style and marketing BS and very little, if any, substance. You almost can't tell them apart ... from the Millennium to 100 Years of Milking Walt to Where Magic Lives to Magical Gatherings to Happiest Homecoming to now Year of a Million Lanyards. There just isn't anything to this. Any rational, thinking Disney follower should see this. I was going to start a thread about seeing the BIG plans for WDW's 35th Anniversary tonight, which I did BTW. How the plans pay homage to everything from WDW's amazing Bicentennial Celeb to the Tencennial (A Year Long and a Smile Wide) to EPCOT Center's birth etc ... all of this is true. It's all out there for anyone to see. WDW's 35th Anniversary has begun. So you're waiting for the catch,right? You are a smart bunch. Here it is. What the Spirit saw tonight was a disgusting bunch of LE pins on sale at DD that celebrate WDW's 35th Anniversary thru the many milestones in the past. That's it. Just like I've been telling you for the past two years (here and in exile at my other home). There is no 35th because that would take away from globalization and branding. I just don't know what else to say because it's really disheartening even though I've been told a new E-Ticket is definitely headed to the MK in 'the near future.' WDW is bigger than ever, but so much lesser a place in so many ways. Yeah, I love the place but it's not the same. I wonder if Bob Iger truly gets it that Jay Rasulo doesn't ... for all the lovers of Disney parks let's hope he wakes up to the harsh reality that his exec team stinks more than a busload of hot, sweaty tourists after a day at Epcot!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>On top of that, we may likely see another anniversary driven marketing campaign late next year with Epcot's 25th.<< You may like you NOT see much at all. But then again... Take a look at the other side of the spectrum.. Over at TDL, every year (that's EVERY YEAR on 4/15th) they do some special event to kick off a new entertainment offering at TDL as part of their yearly anniversary day and thru late spring. They even have a different theme and merchandise for every birthday every birthday, and still go all out for their big celebration every 5 yrs. The 25th coming up in 2008 should promise some fun at TDL, just like the 5th has delivered some massive additions to TDS this month. And what's WDW doing? Selling a limited edition pin set. Some fun that is. >>Anyone who visited WDW when it celebrated meaningful anniversaries like its 10th, 15th and 20th, will tell you there was loads of substance.<< Exactly!!! My most magical memories from the MK involve the Tencennial Celebration and the 20th Celebration launch events. The MK just don't do stuff like that anymore, unless you happen to be some press qualified person or have inside friends who invite you into these events.. like the case with some people here. It's extremely sad, especially when they take so much dough from tourists and they give back so little in return. >>The 25th Anniversary Celebration ... i.e. You Bettah Remember The Magic for 18 months ... oops we mean 21 months due to popular demand ... because we aren't going to give you any new magic was the WDW version of jumping the shark.<< The best part is.. they don't even have to paint the castle pink to make a big deal of the milestones. Just offer a brand new parade and pass the new Nemo show and Nemo ride as part of the celebration!! Slap some cool "35th" banners all over and presto. Who cares about their stupid castle suite that most no one will get to see? Unless of course I happen to run into Prince Phillip at Parliament House and I get invited.
Originally Posted By hopemax >Here it is. What the Spirit saw tonight was a disgusting bunch of LE pins on sale at DD that celebrate WDW's 35th Anniversary thru the many milestones in the past. That's it. And they even dropped the ball on that one. They've got Stitch on the "If You Had Wings" pin. How about using a character that was at least around during that attraction's lifetime, and save Stitch for some more recent. They could have used someone like Pluto, who they didn't use at all in this promotion. So much for Disney's reaffirmation of their love for Pluto, they demoted him long before the astronomers did.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN And yet, Pluto gets his own Halloween float in this year's TDL Halloween parade.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Actually, there is some news about Epcot's 25th that I cobbled together and will post later. But don't get all excited either. <<Exactly!!! My most magical memories from the MK involve the Tencennial Celebration and the 20th Celebration launch events. The MK just don't do stuff like that anymore, unless you happen to be some press qualified person or have inside friends who invite you into these events.. like the case with some people here. It's extremely sad, especially when they take so much dough from tourists and they give back so little in return.>> That's true. And I share your memories from those anniversaries. But don't feel too badly about their parties. They aren't what they once were either. I actually turned down an invite to the LMA Party at MGM last year because that scene just isn't me. It's also not legit journalists either anymore, for the most part. Just junket whores who can guarantee glowing coverage of whatever crap the Mouse puts out in exchange for airfare, hotel stay, food and lots of drink, and some swag. Then you have the hangers-on and the consultants etc ... <<The best part is.. they don't even have to paint the castle pink to make a big deal of the milestones. Just offer a brand new parade and pass the new Nemo show and Nemo ride as part of the celebration!! Slap some cool "35th" banners all over and presto.>> Yep. That would have made a lot of sense. Maybe have a 35th stage show at the castle too. And you do have the Monsters Comedy Floor or whatever they're calling it debuting in January, so you could toss that into the mix as well. They could have done all of the above for a very small investment. Maybe get Steve Davison to create a new fireworks show too ... but they just don't care. ~the spirit knows~ Does Bob Iger get it that Jay Rasulo doesn't?
