Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Ah ... that is the question I'd like to ponder as we all get ready to feast tomorrow and give thanks that we still have something to be thankful for! So ... here's the question ... what moves, decisions, choices, additions, changes to WDW since the 21st century dawned (we'll use the Y2K year, even if folks are still arguing that DL really opened on July 18th not on July 17th .... but, oops, wrong date debate) would you (any of you, don't be shy) consider to be visionary ... and why? Anything goes here? If you think a shrimp dinner somehow is visionary toss it in here ... if you think MILF is a visionary attraction toss that in ... if you think Fastpass or the DDP somehow show vision this is the place to say so. The reason I'm asking you guys and gals is because someone asked me this question earlier today (on my way to see Bolt, which I really rather enjoyed!) and I honestly couldn't come up with one aspect of WDW's business since 2000 where true visionary thinking and leadership has been shown. Maybe I'm wrong ... maybe my standards are too high and my definition too strict. But I don't thinks so ... Your thoughts?
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 The only thing I can think of right now would be TSMM. I'm hoping there are more.
Originally Posted By -em I think I thought of one good thing they've done (dont think I'd put it in the visionary category though) that I've been impressed with is the cast health center they opened a few months ago. Its a great addition esp with the amount of College and Internationals they have. I havent visited (as my health problems are managed by my own med team) but I can see it being used even by me when needed...
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad I think it is hard to have visionaries in large corps because radical thinkers are suppressed as not team players and new ideas are often blocked as they climb up the corporate ladder.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad for example....xerox was shunned by Kodak and the quartz watch by Swatch. The corporations are great at purchasing the new ideas but they rarely originate it (for example PIXAR). The corp lacks the insight to see the visionaries finished product and believes their business model is the only model.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo CDD makes a good point. WDW's vision is to try and trap guests on property with as little expenditure as possible (and I hate it). To be fair though, the attempts to plus DAK with EE (ok doesn't work as designed) and the Nemo Musical (not fully to my taste, but well produced) shows there is still so vision. But I am saddened by what I see of their target operating model and do wonder what the business case looks like.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip In this economy Disney can't afford vision. I would be perfectly happy if they just did a better job of maintaining what is already there. I see the DVC Contemporary addition as pretty visionary. I know it po's the purists, but I think it will be one of the most enormously successful properties at WDW. Where else, including the existing Contemporary and Polynesian, can you get a suite that will accommodate nine people while having an unbelievable view of the MK? It will be the "must have" location for family reunions, celebrations, etc.
Originally Posted By dshyates It has been visionary how WDW has decided they are a Real Estate Co. with convenient access to some amusement parks.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Which has been a pretty darned good business decision. Park attendance has been pretty flat since 2000. The DVC sales have been huge. It also helps assure continued Disney vacations in the future. The kids of the boomers have grown up. Not as many little ones any more. Disney has used DVC to get the boomers to continue going to WDW even after the kids are grown.
Originally Posted By dshyates Park attendance has been flat because they have had most of the major expenditures in real estate development. They haven't added a major to MK in 16 years. The fact attendance has remained flat is a miricle. Now they have added nothing to draw folks, and with home equity drying up, I predict that DVC is going to be a drain instead of an asset. I don't think the relience on real estate instead of what WDW is about has been smart at all. The amount of DVC for resale right now IS huge.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip No, attendance has been flat because theme park attendance everywhere has been flat. Universal Florida has probably done a better job than anyone at adding first rate new attractions and they are sucking air. The fact that DVC resales are available means nothing to Disney. There ARE NO Contemporary resales, and that place will sell out the minute it opens. Lack of home equity shouldn’t impact DVC. It isn’t really that expensive to buy in. If people were doing it using home equity they certainly shouldn’t have been.
Originally Posted By MPierce I'm sorry Spirit. I was sitting here listening to Gary Puckett, and the Union Gap sing "Over You", while watching a video tribute to Lada Edmund Jr.. What was the question again?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip The minimum (I believe) is 150 points. At the current price of $104 (I think) that makes minimum buy-in at $15,600. I would guess most people buy in at about 200 points. That will give you a one bedroom for a week at most times of the year or a studio for at least two weeks. That would cost $20,800. Not chump change, but not something I would sacrifice my home equity for either. Not when Disney will finance the thing with 20% down at a very reasonable interest rate.
Originally Posted By dshyates "Universal Florida has probably done a better job than anyone at adding first rate new attractions and they are sucking air." 2007 saw record attendance and record spending resulting in record profits. 2008 hasn't been as kind. But I am not sure what you are talking about them sucking air. And right now they have a new themed high tech coaster for 2009, and 3 new Harry Potter attractions for 2010. They also have a 16 story Hollywood/Art Deco themed moderate resort under construction. Everybody keeps talking about what a cash cow DVC is for Disney, and they haven't built a major at MK in 16 years? So what good is it. I don't give a crap if the DVC Execs can get more expensive sparley paint on the new 7 series bimmer. But my guess is that with the economy tanking, (I know trippy, what economic problems!?!) I predict Disney is really regretting focusing on real estate and adding nothing of significance in 3 years to ANY of their parks. Or just instead of million dollar bonuses, MAYBE reinvesting in....ohh......the parks? I declared in 2006 the Disney was going to have to RE-earn my patronship. So far? Nada. And Sprit and Davewasbaloo are now echoing my sentiments. You guys can have it. I want to give Disney my money, but they seem bound and determined to NEVER get me back.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA $20k is a HUGE amount to invest in anything -- let alone what is essentially a hotel room for a vacation. It seems that Time Share purchases would be impacted just like other aspects of the economy.
Originally Posted By -em I thought of another one today- that while not visionary is one of those "doesnt add to the bottom line but they still did it anyway" those new character heads that blink and move. They are fascinating to watch (well I havent gotten bored yet) -em
