Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for discussion of the May 11 article: DL @ 50 at <a href="News-ID508310.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/News-ID508310.asp</a>.
Originally Posted By irishfan Thanks lee for another great article. Interesting to note they have decided to change DCA's street bash, into a more traditional parade. Its probably for the best really. Regarding the new parade at Disneyland, you mention that it will also run after dark. Will it have special lighting effects etc for its nightly run?
Originally Posted By Mr X Thanks for the article! One question (and PLEASE don't take this as a slam or anything, it's just a question), you mentioned a few months back that you were pretty sure that the DisneySea version of Tower of Terror was not gonna happen. As I recall, this was even AFTER the company announced the go-ahead plans. You seemed to have your doubts regardless, though. I might have missed something (or maybe I was wrong about the timing of your statement?)...but did you hear something from someone that just wasn't correct, or were you just going on instinct (that it didn't seem likely based on whatever you'd heard)? Just a question, out of curiosity. Seems like they're doing some work over there, and you confidently mentioned in this article that *3* Disney parks would have Tower but not WDSP (which needs it, obviously...though still doesn't take care of the kids needs!), so it's pretty obvious that it's gonna happen in the near future here in Tokyo. If what you say is true (about OLC not wanting to be a part of the 50th bash), that's pretty sad. Not surprising though. I'm getting a little fed up with the Japanese "company" way of doing things, not to mention the oft times ridiculous Japanese government policies (do you know, it's practically impossible to drive a car in Japan now as a foreigner without learning Kanji and paying 3 thousand dollars...all since last year!). If you click on the Tokyo American Embassy, you can almost hear the sarcasm and frustration in THEIR tone on the website (like...sorry folks, check out how ridiculous this sounds, and IS!). It wouldn't surprise me if OLC was going down the same path, since they recently REDUCED their starting wages by about a buck an hour (while boasting about record breaking revenues!). As for the DL Buzz thing, that sounds interesting (the interactive gaming thing)...might entice some teens into persuading (begging) their parents to make that trip to DL!! Good idea! Personal opinion here, do you (Lee or Lindsay, whoever) think that the 50th will live up to expectations? Based on what you saw, I mean. Also "the TDL fans will bitch about the scaled down Cinderellabration" (sorry, paraphrase) LMAO!! It's already started, don't worry!
Originally Posted By leemac Hi X My point about Tower was that it was already behind schedule. It has definitely been greenlighted and Tony Baxter indicated that he personally prefered the look of the building (if you have seen his gothic mansion in LA you would know why!!) but that the actual show was likely to be closer to DCA's, as again, space is limited. My understanding is that construction has still not commenced, although I guess you and the rest of LP's TDL crew would know better than me! The point was that Tower was not mentioned in TDR's 50th announcment, therefore suggesting that the attraction will not open within the 18 month celebration (which concludes November 2006). I had heard that OLC wanted the attraction to open for the 5th, but I guess that is unlikely now. Maybe Christmas 2006? The OLC thing has been brewing ever seen Ikspiari was conceived. The failure to engage Disney whatsoever (despite them offering to develop a Tokyo version of Downtown Disney) and the actual result which has been very underwhelming financially did not please Parks & Resorts or WDI. However, I've only ever heard the Glendale/Burbank take on things, so it might be skewed a little! The failure to invite Michael Eisner or any of the execs to the 20th anniversary last year also did not help relations. It will be interesting to see how the plans for the third park turn out. My take on the 50th is actually pretty positive (no great surprise coming from me though!). They unveiled more than I had expected and although we would all love a new $100m+ E-ticket for DLR, there just isn't the business case for it now. I do enjoy a good parade (like Disney Dreams on Parade) and I'm glad to see them address those issues. I'd still like to see more nighttime entertainment, whether shows like Blazing Rhythms or LuminAria to give people a reason to stay in DCA at night (and spend in the excellent dining facilities there). Hopefully, Block Party Bash will help, but if it runs throughout the day, the nighttime shows just won't be popular. Everest looks amazing. I've seen quite a lot of Rohde's concept work and I seriously believe it will be the best E-ticket at WDW since Tower. I just get the feeling it will be a huge draw for tourists. I would have liked to have seen a common show/parade across all four resorts to tie it all together, but I guess that just wasn't feasible. At the end of the day, the 40th at DL was one of my favourite ever Disney experience, it all just worked. I hope this will too.
Originally Posted By leemac Also, I was surprised that the idea of bringing old DL shows from the last 50 years back to other resorts was dropped. It sounds like a good idea of nostalgia to me. I guess that could always change! Yup, I could not resist with the Cinderellabration comment. Providing that the complaints aren't just about scale, I'll be happy. People just have to realise that TDL is a whole different beast when it comes to these shows. They have the AP and regular guest base that WDW doesn't & the hub just isn't designed for this type of show. I wonder if the arrival of this show has less to do with Cinderellabration and more to do with Spectro. I'm sure TDLFAN is mulling over his thoughts about the whole thing!
Originally Posted By fabdisbabe Lee: You just get better and better with time. And you were great to begin with. If Bruce is doing the DL retrospective, it will be as good as if anyone else in the universe were given ten million dollars. It will be fantastic, and you can take that one to the bank. Fab
Originally Posted By MrMonorail Great info as always, but is it just me or does the whole 50th anniversary celebration seem rather lackluster? It appears there is more "celebrating" going on at the other parks rather than at Disneyland. It also doesn't seem like much emphasis is being placed on the 50 years of history of the park. And are there any plans like the great gift machine. A souvenir E ticket as park pass would be a nice idea.
Originally Posted By leemac Hey Fab STOP! You will make me blush! I did not see Bruce at the events, but other WDI staffers said that he was involved in the project. It does seem to be his forte these days! Hope Hawaii is treating you well! We are back off to California tomorrow for Art Classics! MrMonorail, do you mean the gift giveaway they did for the 35th? I had heard rumours that this was coming back, but it seems that attendance figures have been so good for the first three months of 2004 at both US resorts that they have decided there is no need. If the economy tanks again, then I'm sure they will revisit it!
Originally Posted By idleHands "I did not see Bruce at the events, but other WDI staffers said that he was involved in the project. It does seem to be his forte these days!" Since both Dave and Bruce did the Walt exhibit at MGM, do you know if any DL-specific elements from that exhibit will find their way to Anaheim? And will we finally be getting back Walt's office?
Originally Posted By leemac Hi idleHands No idea yet I'm afraid. Possibly, but WDI was most exciting about the stuff never seen before. On the office front, I doubt that it will return to DL for the 50th, but you never know. The cost of transporting it was pretty high, so I'd guess it will stay put now.
Originally Posted By Clark_Griswold Great report Leemac! I'm a Space Mountain fan and can't get to California very often and must visit during school holidays owing to my two children, so we may wait until 2006 for our visit. Presumably the parade, fireworks, retrospective exhibit etc. will be running in the years following 2005. By the way do you (or anyone else for that matter) know of any plans for commemorative books/DVDs/CDs etc.?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I'm sure TDLFAN is mulling over his thoughts about the whole thing!<< Actually, I agree with you on this so why do you say this? Besides, over at the WDW, I have been saying the same you said here...(quote) <<People just have to realise that TDL is a whole different beast when it comes to these shows. They have the AP and regular guest base that WDW doesn't & the hub just isn't designed for this type of show.>> Only those of us Disney's World Travelers would know that.
Originally Posted By leemac I know, TDLFAN! Clark_Griswold, there are plans for a commemorative book, currently being compiled by Tim O'Day (again). Although a few people have suggested that he will miss the May 2005 publishing date, despite the book being in the works for ages already. Crazy. The 50th is due to run 18 months, so conclude just before the last year of Haunted Mansion Holiday and the Merriest Place on Earth celebrations.
Originally Posted By idleHands "Clark_Griswold, there are plans for a commemorative book, currently being compiled by Tim O'Day (again). Although a few people have suggested that he will miss the May 2005 publishing date, despite the book being in the works for ages already. Crazy." Over at MP yesterday, Adrienne had a brief report on the Walt Disney Art Classics convention that took place over the weekend, at the Disneyland Hotel. She mentioned that Tim O'Day was working on this new commerorative book with Bruce Gordon, who's obviously also working with Dave Smith on the DL history exhibit for the Opera House. Bruce is a talented writer and editor; I was encouraged about the outcome of this new 50th book, when I read Adrienne's article. But hearing this bit of news, it doesn't sound promising. Even with Bruce's help, why would they miss the May 5 publication date? Perhaps this is why Bruce was brought on board, in order to speed things up?
