Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=3176" target="_blank"><b>Latest: MiceAge Disneyland Resort update</b></a> MiceAge.com has a large update from Al Lutz on the latest news and rumors from the Disneyland Resort including Toy Story Mania, Disney's Vacation Club, the status of the major updates to DCA over the next few years, a Monorail Update and much more. <a href="http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al061708a.htm" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read.
Originally Posted By Mr Snappy I always love Al's articles. It's a shame that they are not as frequent as they use to be. My only problem with Al is his relentless bashing of any marketing campaign that DL puts out. Al obviously has no business training and is clueless on how such things work. He bashed the 50th until it turned out so well and now he uses it as the standard to judge all other marketing campaigns. But all and all, I enjoy his articles.
Originally Posted By Elderp Al Lutz is too much commentary for my taste. I am not much into commentary type reporting. It kinda becomes "sam ol', same ol'."
Originally Posted By gadzuux It's surprising just how many problems have cropped up with the new monorails - many of which do make you scratch your head. How did they design and build an entire train that couldn't navigate the existing track? Why were they surprised that unventilated trains get hot and stuffy? These are not insignificant little engineering glitches - these are problems that indicate a serious lack of attention to basic requirements. If the issues were surrounding some new technology it might be more understandable, but fundamentals such as the train fitting on the track and ventilation for the passengers is hardly 'high tech'. As for the rest, I agree that Al updates are always fun, but this one wasn't particularly illuminating. Nothing about the DCA upgrades - other than they're still in the pipeline. Nothing about new shows and parades - other than they're in the works. Nothing about the new innoventions exhibit - other than they're scrambling to meet the deadline. All in all - fun but vague. Hopefully Al will be able to provide more specifics in his next outing.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt I guess the ridiculously elaborate back story for the Don Tomas shack should end any discussion on whether or not the California theme is being axed.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "My only problem with Al is his relentless bashing of any marketing campaign that DL puts out." The marketing of this attraction isn't any different than any other new DCA attraction as far as I can see. The ToT ads said Disneyland Resort too. I don't know why this is such a big deal all of a sudden.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "It's surprising just how many problems have cropped up with the new monorails - many of which do make you scratch your head." That's what happens when you try to custom design a train to fit on a 50+ year old non-standard system. They really should just ditch the Monorail or rethink the system and layout. It looks cool but really doesn't serve much of a purpose.
Originally Posted By Elderp "That's what happens when you try to custom design a train to fit on a 50+ year old non-standard system." Good point, just because it looks futuristic doesn't mean it is realistic. The fact that Disney hasn't come up with something better after 50 yrs is telling about the prospects for TL.
Originally Posted By oc_dean I love Al bashing marketing! Where do they come from? The planet Mars? Or perhaps a galaxy far, far, away? Seesh! It is confusing when marketing decides to go against the other departments when the name for the ride is CLEARLY - Toy Story MIDWAY Mania I mean, come on! The point of the ride is you are riding through a "midway" of games .. just like any other old fashion MIDWAY!! Taking shots as you move on to the next MIDWAY game! Paradise Pier has a MIDWAY section .. And the ride sits immediately to the left of the Paradise Pier's MIDWAY. UGH! I find all this just hysterical! LOL
Originally Posted By ArchtMig >>>That's what happens when you try to custom design a train to fit on a 50+ year old non-standard system.<<< Good design and engineering always overcomes challenging situations and conditions. No matter how old the track is, if it is still structurally sound, it is still viable. This whole monorail fiasco sure looks like it was designed by committee with no particular strong hand in charge to oversee and coordinate all aspects of it. If there was indeed someone that was supposed to be doing that, then I would say that person or persons blew it big time. And by the way, to not even call the guy (Bob Gurr) that was involved in designing every Disney monorail system from Mark I through Mark VI (if as reported, he never was asked to be involved) was a big mistake, bordering on professional negligence. The new monorail is screwed up. Heads may roll, but the better course of action is to not point fingers. Just take it off line, redesign some things, fix it, and bring it back ASAP. Enough of this pointless running it around the track empty while waiting for things to fix themselves. >>>They really should just ditch the Monorail or rethink the system and layout. It looks cool but really doesn't serve much of a purpose.<<< Jeez, one little set of challenges and you're ready to scrap the whole thing. Rethink it to what? Replace it with WHAT? Doesn't serve much of a PURPOSE? Are you crazy?? Disneyland without the Monorail is not Disneyland. Period.
Originally Posted By ArchtMig Regarding the marketing not even mentioning DCA's name in the publicity for TSMM... I think that's the best course of action. No matter how good any new addition to the park is, if they come right out and say it is in DCA, it takes a popularity hit. The term "Disney' California Adventure" is pure poison, and anything associated with it is immediately handicapped by it's association with DCA. If I were in charge, I wouldn't waste ad dollars on saying it's in DCA either. They can't redo the park and change the name fast enough. Until all of that happens, and as long as Disney's California Adventure is still Disney's California Adventure, anything new there won't nearly be as marketable as it would be if the equivalent were in Disneyland. DCA is just the wrong side of the tracks.
Originally Posted By 2001DLFan ^^^^ It doesn’t matter WHEN they mention DCA, it will take a popularity hit. At least if the say it up front, people will realize that DCA is actually improving. When they DON’T mention it up front, when people get to the “resort†and find that it was a ploy to get them to buy a Park Hopper pass, it will just agrevate them more, even if they were willing to cut the park some slack because the new attraction improved it.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt “Jeez, one little set of challenges and you're ready to scrap the whole thing.†Yep. This isn’t one little set of challenges. The current system is sluggish, inefficient, and doesn’t have the capacity to be utilized as a real transportation link around the property. In fact, after all these years, it still doesn’t really go anywhere. And it still doesn’t have air conditioning. Ugh. “Rethink it to what?†A real monorail system like those at WDW and TDLR “Replace it with WHAT?†I’m sure that there are all kinds of ideas. That’s why the people who design these places are called Imagineers. “Doesn't serve much of a PURPOSE? Are you crazy?? Disneyland without the Monorail is not Disneyland. Period.†No I am not crazy. And Disneyland would be just fine without it. Anyone who rides public high speed rail transportation in this day and age knows that the Disneyland Monorail System is lacking. I respect your opinion; however, in my view such sentimentality keeps Disneyland from progressing. The Monorail was built as a showcase of future mass transit in the 1950’s – it will be 50 years old next year. It has clearly long outlived its usefulness for its intended purpose. My argument is, if the Monorail is so important to the Disneyland experience, then some serious consideration ought be given to make the thing operate in a 21st century manner.
Originally Posted By kari12177 So does this mean they are putting the electric parade back in DL next year?
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Since Mr. Lutz is a personal friend to a certain coven of witches, we'd like you to know that there are very good reasons as to why his articles don't come out any more frequently than they do. ORWEN: For one thing, he takes a lot of care in making sure his sources are telling him the truth. That takes a lot of time. ORDDU: Any other reasons for the seeming delays in his reports are more personal and are best kept personal. But we assure you he is NOT being a slacker. Just thought we'd share what we knew.
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster I threw Al a fake rumor about seven years ago and he published it. Since then he has been a lot more careful that's for sure.
Originally Posted By jmuboy Al's track record has certainly improved GREATLY overt he last few years. I give his rumors much more consideration than most.
Originally Posted By monorailblue Funny. I've been reading Al for 10 years. His accuracy has always been phenomenal (= better than any of the rest of us). Even the "great" Jim Hill readily admits that Al has sources that every other rumorist is envious of.
