Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Lots of thoughts ... and very little time. Bottom line: much talk over very little. Good moves by Disney, but small scale. Cheap. And things that Disney used to always do in FLA (pre-An Unmagical Decade of Decline: The Walmarting of WDW in the 21st Century -- already copyrighted!) without having giant whorefests of people predisposed to pixie dust intoxication. What we have is George K 'thanking' his old bois network in FLA that saved his Disney career in 2002 (when by all rights it should have ended)in a small way by sending a rehabbed 1972-era parade back to FLA ... and saving the costs of presenting it at DL this summer (NOT DCA) as was planned. And it will be around at least two years, count on it (the press releases at TDO touting it staying due to 'phenomenal guest demand' have already been written). What we have is Disney rebranding the MMM pyro (a great show that blows away Wishes to be fair), which allows them to tie it in to the Summer Nightastic marketing plan with some tinkering to the pyro (shorten the show, eliminate some of the effects, which may be needed because of expansion construction) and add some lame name like Summer Magic, Summer Wishes, Summer Dreams ... or just steal Magical from DL (unlikely). What we have is some new programming for ToT. Something in the works for years and very easy to do. What we have is some extending of DAK hours into the night. To what degree is anyone's guess. Mine says 2-3 nights a week of likely 10 p.m. closings (not on EMH night). What we don't have is anything substantially new in ANY of four parks. No new attractions. No new shows. No new parades. No new fireworks (Sorry, Meg baby, but repackaged magic isn't new magic). Hell, even the new food locations at EPCOT won't be ready for summer. What we don't have is any remote volley to return the shot delieved by WWoHP at IOA. Now, don't get me wrong, I do think these are good things. All of them. It's just they aren't big. They aren't game-changing. They are simply returning to what Disney did in the past (just less so). Oh, and no mention of returning Fantasmic to nightly showings so expect three nights of 7 p.m. closings in summer. And certainly no word of extending EPCOT's hours beyond 9 p.m. where good old George left them after his reign. Take a look at the new Easter season entertainment being offered this spring in Tokyo. Take a look at the new Chinese New Year stuff going on now in Hong Kong. This is all NEW, all ADDED VALUE. Not recycled. Of course, we do have all the goodies being hidden in the NEXTGEN 'lab' ... it's just that RFID bracelets that you can accessorize and use from the minute you land at MCO for your DME pickup to your check in at the Poly to buying gifts at WoD the night you get there that are automatically FedExed to your home to what RFID will do when you enter a park ... ah ... well, apparently they aren't ready to take the wraps off that yet. But I'm not wowed by that either. Disney is counting on the fact the masses aren't me. So, Brandon likes Dinos and when he walks past Chester and Hester's his chip makes a T-Rex display come to life ... so Brittany's B-Day is today and Pooh wishes her a Happy one in her hunny pot ... so Dad likes Pirates and when he walks by the PoC queue his chip raises the Jolly Roger (no double entendres intended) ... so Mom loves Daisy Duck and that chip sends an alert to her iPhone at Donald's love is now signing autographs in Town Square ... and time to turn in ... Stitch and that rotund Hawaiian gal come to life in the mirror and wish them magical dreams ... and what do they have to worry with tomorrow's breakfast at 'Ohana already booked and paid for (thanks to NEXTGEN DDP) and FastPasses for their favorite attractions already programmed into their room key card chips. Oops, did I say too much? I have such a big mouth.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 OK, I've done my part ... soon all Disney news in the fan community will come from The Disney Blog ... or worse ... fanbois, bored housewives and soccer moms. (Thinking of marketing a line of Spirited Disney DVDs showing stupidity in the parks and resorts from guests and cast ... Disney Gone Wild! ... do you think they'd sell?)
Originally Posted By mousermerf I heard ya. I'm just happy Epcot was used for a press event and they've got video of JoeJonas and Demi in front of SSE. That to me is more valuable in the current game. More Epcot publicity means more tweens in the park and more tweens in the park going to Italy and China just because J-Joe was there will mean more reason for Disney to put a ride back there.
Originally Posted By jkayjs You said you were going to start a thread last night & boy did you. Great thoughts & info my dear Spirit.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Is it actually possible that I'm more cynical about this promotion than Spirit? The first thing I thought of when I read about the extended DAK hours was that they would most likely just have more evening EMH. And you think they will actually leave the park open to everybody? I guess that's good news, but it's just blowing my mind that I'm the doubtful one here. Other than that, I agree with your general sentiment that it's all good stuff that's being done (though maybe MSEP isn't the best thing that could be done, at least it's not Spectro), but it just seems like too little too late to really battle Potter. Since all the promotions for WWOHP are just starting to go mainstream, I have no doubt that this was WDW's counter to it, but there's just nothing all that substantial or impressive about it. It's good stuff that I'm sure people will like, but is it enough to call Summer Nightastic? And will this one be any less disasterous than the DL version last year?
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Hey, Spirit, duckling!! Where is Spectro Magic going to if it's being replaced by California's Electrical Parade? I mean, shouldn't Florida be willing to share their magic with California by at least lending out Spectro Magic for West coast ducklings who've never seen it?
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad AK is getting some more push subtly in EMHs. In the week I looked at going in April AK had 3 morning EMHs that week while Epcot only had 1. I know part of that is that I was looking Sat. to Sat. but I would think that is what most people do.
Originally Posted By Disneyday Question: Could it be that WDW's dwindling guest problem has not as much to do with the economy, although that is a part of it, but with the fact that there has been no major attraction built since - what - Everest?
Originally Posted By Socrates Or perhaps it's both? Socrates "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<You said you were going to start a thread last night & boy did you. Great thoughts & info my dear Spirit.>> Yeah. Unfortunately, I have very little interest in following up. This place just seems so dead ... am I missing something?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Is it actually possible that I'm more cynical about this promotion than Spirit?>> It's possible, but it would really hurt my feelings as I pride myself on being the most cynical Spirit in the LP! <<The first thing I thought of when I read about the extended DAK hours was that they would most likely just have more evening EMH. And you think they will actually leave the park open to everybody? I guess that's good news, but it's just blowing my mind that I'm the doubtful one here.>> No, the plan is definitely to keep the park open later for all. BUT ... Mouseplanet this week reported that the hours would be 'extended' to 7 p.m., which I've got to believe is a BIG mistake. Considering DAK has regularly had 7 p.m. NIGHTLY summer closings (hell, it was 8 for years), I was looking at 2-3 nights of 10 p.m. closes for everyone. It doesn't even get dark in Central FLA until 9 p.m. for most of summer. <<Other than that, I agree with your general sentiment that it's all good stuff that's being done (though maybe MSEP isn't the best thing that could be done, at least it's not Spectro), but it just seems like too little too late to really battle Potter. Since all the promotions for WWOHP are just starting to go mainstream, I have no doubt that this was WDW's counter to it, but there's just nothing all that substantial or impressive about it. It's good stuff that I'm sure people will like, but is it enough to call Summer Nightastic? And will this one be any less disasterous than the DL version last year?>> Well, they don't have a fancy new dragon to worry about ... or a kewl Dumbo that can't fly when it gets breezy, so I'm sure it will be nice ... for what it is.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<ORWEN: Hey, Spirit, duckling!! Where is Spectro Magic going to if it's being replaced by California's Electrical Parade? I mean, shouldn't Florida be willing to share their magic with California by at least lending out Spectro Magic for West coast ducklings who've never seen it?>> Best info says it goes nowhere, gets some new lighting, perhaps a new float and comes back glowing as something 'new' in fall 2011 for WDW's 40th. They just love recycling the magic.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Question: Could it be that WDW's dwindling guest problem has not as much to do with the economy, although that is a part of it, but with the fact that there has been no major attraction built since - what - Everest? >> <<Or perhaps it's both?>> I absolutely believe it's both. The economy still sucks and WDW is offering a stale product.
Originally Posted By Disneyday Spirit, On a couple of Disney related sites today they said that they may also add a Beauty and the Beast dark ride to the B and B area. Any truth to this?
Originally Posted By disney pete when the parks swap parades how are all the floats etc transfered say from florida to california or vice versa.
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct <<< WDW is offering a stale product. >>>> I hate to admit it but I agree. I am saving for a trip to CA after CARS LAND open. I want to visit WDW and spend time - I really do - but I can't justify it anymore in this economy. In order to get my dollar during this down time ... they really need to wow me with new offerings. This is now the third year in a row I will be visiting MK only on a one day ticket during my GAY DAYS visit and that's it. This year I will go to Universal to see Potter as well. On a side note - positive and uplifting - I got a joyous earful from a coworker (44) who just got back from a four-day stay at WDW. She and her family (husband and older teen daughter) all had a magical time and was blown away at the experience. She is booking for next year (this time during a warmer time of the year) and bought a WDW planning book so she can learn more about the resort. I haven't had too much time to ask specific questions - I just let her go on with her enthusiasm. She was looking at the pins and didn't want to buy one cause she "would be hooked" so the cast member smiled and said, let me get you started and GAVE HER off his lanyard a Minnie pin. OMG - she was so smitten and gushed about how nice everyone was - no sour pusses - and so on They also loved the dining program. She was hesitant but recommends the meal program. She was taken back the first night that she couldn't get in a lot of places and quickly realized you need to book in advance. She highly praised the concierge at a hotel who booked all her dinner joints for the family's remaining nights. Praise Praise Praise. One of their fav places was a restaurant at the Animal Kingdom Lodge that offered the most amazing Indian food. Animal Kingdom in general was at the top of their list as a park in general. She had more to say ... on and on I really enjoyed listening to her and remembered myself when I used to have that mind set. It goes to show that perhaps there is simply a customer life cycle to the experience of WDW. I have reach the end with the current offerings. And people like my coworker will just take my place and the cycles continue. I want to be that entusiastic - I really do - but their is nothing happening to get me back. I am excited about the new MK's Fantasyland re-do. The idea of strolling through these new richly themed sets make me giddy. A dragon (ala Paris' castle) would really make me squeal. The new Mermaid Eticket has me jazzed. I will wait to re-visit until then. I love the shows and parades. The NEMO show is top notch and one of my favs. Love it. How about Dreamlights at WDW? How about the parade changing with the seasons ... please !!!! why can't the parks rotate the parades and share the expense? How logical is that and why not?!?!? I would love to see the offerings at WDW swapped out more often and bring back those EPCOT arches dammit .. those thing DO indeed matter.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "when the parks swap parades how are all the floats etc transfered say from florida to california or vice versa." According to a late 90's commercial, they drove the MSEP floats across the country all lit up with dancers and everything the entire way. In reality, I believe they partially dismantle them and load them in to trucks and haul them like that. When they get to their final destination, they reassemble the parts that were too big to fit (like the entire flag float at the end, which is just plain too long to make it all in one piece), plug in the batteries, and call it a parade!
Originally Posted By disney pete Thanks ferret i thought maybe thet wacked it all on a big plane and done it that way,whatever way it must cost a few bob but then hey.....they have it
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>> What we don't have is anything substantially new in ANY of four parks. No new attractions. No new shows. No new parades. No new fireworks (Sorry, Meg baby, but repackaged magic isn't new magic). Hell, even the new food locations at EPCOT won't be ready for summer.<<<< For a summer promotion, I'm perfectly fine with that. They've not given us Entertainment for a very long time, and now, it's finally here. I'm very pleased with the news. Good effort for them, for a change. Can' wait to hear MSEP again. :-D
Originally Posted By mousermerf Side note: There's always a 50/50 chance that Epcot will open a new Innoventions exhibit tomorrow/next Thursday/etc. We never seem to know about those but they open them whenever they feel like it and there is always one under construction. So to say "nothing" will be fresh is a bit disingenuous.
