Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney OK, so I'm traveling and away from my beloved Central Florida. I check in with LP.com knowing the crack staff will be on any major developments coming out of the Everest opening and what do I hear? Nothing. Nothing of subtsance. Nothing that hasn't been known or talked about for months or longer. Nothing about Timekeeper's replacement or a new parade for any park. Nothing about WDW's upcoming 35th Anniversary (which will be marked by LE pins and nothing else, likely). Nothing about Epcot's rumored big 25th next year. Nothing about a replacement for WoL. Nothing about rumored attractions for the Studios and MK ... not even a new playground (that's for VBDAD55). Instead we get 'news' about the Nemo show that's been out for months. And the Nemoization of the Living Seas, which has been known about for well over a year. Oh, and something about Jack Sparrow coming to the Pirates of the Caribbean, which no one saw coming ;-) Then we get the sales pitch for the so-scary-it could give you night terrors, Princess and Pirate rooms at WoD. The requisite pitch for Magical Express. Am I forgetting anything? Oh yeah, 'news' about Disney's new rooms at the Poly and Contemporary that people have been staying in since last fall. These Disney media 'events' have always been about marketing, but they used to at least offer a tinge of news about the future. Not stuff that's already happened or is happenning now.
Originally Posted By CTXRover The problem is that by the time Disney ever has a press event, what will be announced is already leaked in some form or another on fan sites like this one, so nothing is ever going to be a surprise again probably. Two relatively major announcements were made today that have not been officially recognized by Disney until now, whether we here knew about them or not, including "The Seas with Nemo and Friends" at The Living Seas and "Finding Nemo-The Musical". Both announcements finally gave us some real info and confirmation on these NEW additions to WDW opening this fall. Both sound intriguing and exciting imo. As for all the rest of the stuff you were hoping to hear...they will ALL come in due time I imagine(with the possible exception of a celebration for WDW's 35th, as it will overlap with Epcot's 25th...assuming they go that route). In October, another big press event will be held to open the two new Nemo attractions. At that time, expect some of the answers to your other questions to be given. But by that time, we will probably have a good idea what to expect and again people will be disappointed because the newest rumor being discussed at that time was not talked about.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney ^^Disney is quite good at keeping things under wraps if it chooses. But now, it seems to go out of its way to not announce things until they are long known and then act like its news. Anyone who knows anyone working at The Living Seas, has known what's been going on in there for over a year. It would be nice to see the magicians at Disney pull a rabbit out of their hats every once in a while instead of just trying to sell their current products.
Originally Posted By CTXRover ^^Many of us here already know there are plans for the things you mentioned, including Epcot's 25th, a new parade for MGM next year, and that Timekeeper is closed with signs and warnings to cast members that only Imagineers and construction workers can be in that area or risk termination of their job. The announcements for these will come when its a little bit closer and more relevant. They like to have stuff released in phases to keep your and the press's interest. If they announced everything you hoped for today, there wouldn't be anything left for this October's press events.
Originally Posted By CTXRover ^^Plus, they don't want to overshadow the very fact that they just opened a HUGE new attraction at AK. Big announcements for other new additions/celebrations at this time could potentially overshadow Everest's opening....Then again, it wouldn't be unprecedented since it didn't stop them from announcing Soarin' and LMA! at Mission:Space's opening press event.
Originally Posted By mrichmondj <<< It would be nice to see the magicians at Disney pull a rabbit out of their hats every once in a while instead of just trying to sell their current products. >>>> Since marketers are supposed to sell current products, why would you expect anything different? Disney marketing's job is to get guests into the park sooner, not give people a reason to postpone their visit a couple more years when the next big E-Ticket opens. That would be like Chrysler telling potential buyers to wait a few years until the next model comes out while the current car model languishes on the lot.
Originally Posted By CTXRover <<Disney marketing's job is to get guests into the park sooner, not give people a reason to postpone their visit a couple more years when the next big E-Ticket opens.>> Excellent comment/observation.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney "Disney marketing's job is to get guests into the park sooner, not give people a reason to postpone their visit a couple more years when the next big E-Ticket opens. That would be like Chrysler telling potential buyers to wait a few years until the next model comes out while the current car model languishes on the lot." If Everest can't stand on its own to get people to visit, then it is a failure. Announcing other things they know are coming, or even hinting at them, doesn't keep people in Peoria from coming. And, as CTX astutely pointed out, Disney has done it many times before. Like when they announced major additions like Soarin, while unveiling a $200 million attraction in Mission Space. Oh, and I'm not really sure Disney needs to have two major media parties, because that's what they really are, in six months when they could have just one mega-event and really shine the spotlight on the place and get the headlines. Most major news outlets in the USA that are going to write/cover Everest already have done so. They weren't waiting for a giant cocktail party to do so.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney And rest assured, not one reporter there on Disney's dime asked "How come you guys aren't doing anything for the big 35th anniversary this fall?" Not if they want to come back in October.
Originally Posted By mrichmondj <<< Most major news outlets in the USA that are going to write/cover Everest already have done so. They weren't waiting for a giant cocktail party to do so. >>> During my morning run on the treadmill at the gym, various stations were tuned to the morning news programs. I counted 3 separate programs that were broadcasting from Everest. So, I guess they were waiting for the cocktail party, lol.
Originally Posted By TheRedhead "Anyone who knows anyone working at The Living Seas, has known what's been going on in there for over a year." How many people know someone who works at the Living Seas??? This is how jaded we've become. I remember the days when I would tape all the evening news to catch announcements like these. I'd wait for new guide books to come out hoping for some inside info. But now beans are spilled months or years in advance - how is this Disney's fault? "Most major news outlets in the USA that are going to write/cover Everest already have done so." Good Morning America spent the whole show cutting to Everest. Obviously they waited for today. It's a big deal. "And rest assured, not one reporter there on Disney's dime asked "How come you guys aren't doing anything for the big 35th anniversary this fall?"" I know this was another swipe at leemac, et al, but seriously...it's not a White House debriefing! Disney is pushing fluff, and the media is passing this very non-earth-shattering fluff to the masses. Yeah, we (who represent the tiniest fraction of the tiniest percentage of this country) spend our days searching for news like this. Joe Tourist doesn't. Perspective.
Originally Posted By WALT DISNEY WORLD why is mgm geting a new parade the only park i think that should change parades is the magic kingdom and ak and mgm should stay the same forever
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney "During my morning run on the treadmill at the gym, various stations were tuned to the morning news programs. I counted 3 separate programs that were broadcasting from Everest. So, I guess they were waiting for the cocktail party, lol." And do you happen to live in the Orlando area?
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney "How many people know someone who works at the Living Seas???" Not the point. It's the fact the info has been out there for a good year if not 18 months. It's been written about all over the Internet, including on these boards. "This is how jaded we've become. I remember the days when I would tape all the evening news to catch announcements like these. I'd wait for new guide books to come out hoping for some inside info. But now beans are spilled months or years in advance - how is this Disney's fault?" I never said it was Disney's fault, or anyone else's for that matter. But Disney could certainly limit info. a lot more if it chose to. Much of the info is leaked purposefully to judge the reaction of Disney's big fans. "Good Morning America spent the whole show cutting to Everest. Obviously they waited for today. It's a big deal." GMA is ABC produced. Disney owns ABC. Today I watched a ridiculously blatant attempt to shill WDW on General Hospital complete with plush, ridiculous hats and even WDW shopping bags. You think that was just by accident? <"And rest assured, not one reporter there on Disney's dime asked "How come you guys aren't doing anything for the big 35th anniversary this fall?""> "I know this was another swipe at leemac, et al, but seriously...it's not a White House debriefing! Disney is pushing fluff, and the media is passing this very non-earth-shattering fluff to the masses. Yeah, we (who represent the tiniest fraction of the tiniest percentage of this country) spend our days searching for news like this. Joe Tourist doesn't. Perspective." No. It wasn't a swipe at Leemac, although I'm sure he appreciates you standing up for him. It was for all the people who ''covered'' Everest's opening. And mainstream press have a heck of a lot more impact than an Internet webmaster. It's not as if Leemac is Al Lutz.
Originally Posted By mrichmondj <<< And do you happen to live in the Orlando area? >>> Nope. Norfolk, VA.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Agreed, I can't think of any company that would have just spent $500M on something, have a scheduled press conference, then do anything to upstage the investment. I have seen a marked improvement in communications as well as honesty of direction ( and past - e.g. Iger's comments on last 10 years of Disney animation) - that I have a much renewed faith in what they are doing....I do not necessarily need to know everything they have in the works - however i do acknowledge the fact that due to the world being smaller because of the internet- it is harder to be surprised by anything - anywhere anymore..
Originally Posted By trekkeruss LuvDatDisney, you should take the Nerd, Geek, or Dork test that avromark posted. I am pretty sure you are 100% Geek.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney "Agreed, I can't think of any company that would have just spent $500M on something, have a scheduled press conference, then do anything to upstage the investment. " I didn't post the thread to be 'negative' any more than I posted it to be 'positive.' I posted it because I was genuinely surprised that nothing of note came out of this media bash. Of course, I wouldn't expect anything to upstage Everest. But I have some history on my side. I've been to similar events dating back to the 1980s. Usually, at least something comes out that leaves you wanting more ... looking forward to the future. Kinda like when Mission Space opened, which cost a whole lot more than EE as unbelievable as that may be, WDW used the opening to announce Soarin amongst other things. WDW's 35th B-Day is in October. At DL, the 35th was a huge event. It appears that WDW's 35th is going to be special edition pins and nothing else. I find that very sad. If that makes this thread negative, then maybe you guys are right. "I have seen a marked improvement in communications as well as honesty of direction ( and past - e.g. Iger's comments on last 10 years of Disney animation) - that I have a much renewed faith in what they are doing....I do not necessarily need to know everything they have in the works - however i do acknowledge the fact that due to the world being smaller because of the internet- it is harder to be surprised by anything - anywhere anymore.." I also feel that Iger has brought some honesty and integrity to the job that wasn't there recently. Even on things I don't like, like not showing more programming for adults on TDC, or not releasing Song of the South. I don't feel I need to know everything about WDW's inner workings. I already know more than the vast majority of rabid fans and, sadly, a lot of CMs too. It just would be nice to hear some direction for the future. Like when Eisner revealed plans for the Disney Decade ... ah ... wait, I think I just defeated my own argument
