Originally Posted By Malin <<< Last years OLC turnout was not that good, and they were expecting more guests this year I think because of the anniversary, but I wonder? It's kind of disappointing so maybe some people will skip it this year. Maybe the year won't be as great as they hope! >>> I was consideing a trip out to Tokyo later this year but have now gone against this idea and will be visiting WDW instead now. I really enjoy TDR but nothing about the Anniversary has me that excited and I would personally rather sit it out until Monsters opens next year. Jubilation looks good but is not worth the trip alone to see from the video and pics that are up on the LP site.
Originally Posted By X-san It really is too bad they didn't go "all out" like they have in the past...and especially considering what a bash WDW put on for the 25th, I was really hoping TDR would top it (though since things have gotten more and more low key, I didn't really expect that).
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^WDW put on a bash?!?! How did I miss it when I was there at least every other month during a marketing campaign that never ended 'due to guest demand' according to PR? All I recall is a horrible pink paint job on a castle and a parade (of all of five floats, so they could do show stops, which took the place of say another 8-10 floats) that invited you to 'Remember the Magic Because We Aren't Gonna Make Any New Magic For You!' and ... and ... what else? Oh yeah, Test Track opened over a year late and constantly broke down and that was not at the park celebrating 25 yrs. Really X, what did WDW do for its 25th that was so great? (Of course, that was when they started year round fireworks at the MK ... big deal)
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 I think it was the vibe of WDW's 25th more than the actual events. Although, EPCOT got into the act with "IllumiNations 25", so it was more than just a parade and pink castle. Still, nothing like TDL's 15th. But, the marketing for WDW's 25th was pretty good. It was all over the country, and everybody knew what it was. There was no muddled message about "dreams" or celebrating some random event. It was very clear it was WDW's 25th, and ONLY WDW's. So, I can see where there would be some fondness for it, even if the events weren't up to the hype.
Originally Posted By X-san I wonder if that ended up being bad for the company though, or at least bad for Anaheim? The way they were promoting the heck out of it, I'd imagine there were a good number of left coasters that year that skipped Disneyland in favor of a big trip to Orlando. So maybe that's why they promoted Disneyland's 50th as "Disney Parks"?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I think it was the vibe of WDW's 25th more than the actual events.>> It may just have been that never-ending Remember the Magic theme. I wouldn't call it a vibe though. As someone who was at WDW during its 10th, 15th and 20th anniversaries and DL during its 35th, 45th and 50th ... well, WDW's 25th was just lacking in any substance whatsoever. <<Although, EPCOT got into the act with "IllumiNations 25", so it was more than just a parade and pink castle. Still, nothing like TDL's 15th. But, the marketing for WDW's 25th was pretty good. It was all over the country, and everybody knew what it was.>> That much is very true. People did know WDW was 25 ... <<There was no muddled message about "dreams" or celebrating some random event. It was very clear it was WDW's 25th, and ONLY WDW's. So, I can see where there would be some fondness for it, even if the events weren't up to the hype.>> For me, that event/marketing scheme was my seminal 'WDW has jumped the shark' moment. Because it was at that point (with the notable exception of DAK) that Disney began regularly disappointing me instead of wowing me.It was also at that point that the wholesale gouging of guests started and the WalMarting of the parks and resorts began. Sure, it was a slow process ... but I can easily point to the 1996-98 neverending 25th as when it began.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones Are special events and merchandise really that important? I could live if a Disney park never had another seasonal event ever again. I generally don't buy merchandise except for the occasional book here and there. What matters to me is the day to day operation of a park and TDR beats every other Disney property by a fair margin.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Are special events and merchandise really that important? >>> That's a great question. I used to shun the shows, parades (except MSEP) and special events, thinking that the permanent offerings (especially the E-ticket rides and overall experience of the parks) were the most important aspects. I haven't been a "local" to a Disney park since I was 10 years old, and even then, my family went to DL only one day a year. So, special events simply were not important to me as I was growing up, and shows and parades (except for MSEP) were just boring distractions from the reason we were really there for. However, in the last few years, especially because of TDL, I pay much more attention to the parades, shows, and special events. They definitely drive my attendance in certain situations. Some are lackluster, some are okay, and some are outstanding. But they are definitely something I now pay attention to.
Originally Posted By Malin <<< Are special events and merchandise really that important? I could live if a Disney park never had another seasonal event ever again. I generally don't buy merchandise except for the occasional book here and there. >>> I like to refer to these events at TDR as merchadise events. And yes there are very important to the day to day operations of the TDR. Visit the Resort during Halloween or Christmas and you will notice a huge attendance surge from locals and other guest wishing to enjoy the new entertainment offerings and merchadise. Now out of the gate OLC need to pay up Disney's 10% fee, plus any other licensing fee's to Disney, Pixar, Amblin and Lucas for use of the characters in the park. Where you throw in OLC's high quality in maintenance and the number of Cast Members it employs, it really leaves nothing left in the pot. Thats why the merchadise from the sales of such special events as Christmas, Anniversary or Halloween really help to turn a positive profit at this park, and help cover some of the money loosing devisions of the Resort like Ispirari. Special Events play an important part of the Resort and without them many guest would probarely not visit so often and you could say bye to a lot of people who are paying a stupid amount of money each year for a Annual Passport.
Originally Posted By X-san ***you could say bye to a lot of people who are paying a stupid amount of money each year for a Annual Passport*** Not so sure about that. Many if not most of those Japanese passholder whackjobs would rather lose a finger than lose their annual pass.
Originally Posted By Malin That statement sounds absolutely ludicous, but sadly I think it would be true.
Originally Posted By X-san <===witnessed the insanity once again first hand just yesterday. These are not your ordinary "Disney fans", that much is certain. I had to ask at least half a dozen of them to please stop blocking my FOUR YEAR OLD'S view of the electrical parade (we had sat and waited patiently for over 40 minutes, and had an excellent seat), with their obsessive picture taking and overall oblivious nature as to the people around them!
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones "However, in the last few years, especially because of TDL, I pay much more attention to the parades, shows, and special events." I didn't focus much on TDL during my visit so I can't speak accurately on the entertainment in that park (though their version of the electrical parade was awesome). TDS was the real reason I was there, and for what it lacks in number of attractions, they more than make up for it in big budget shows. As someone who finds the entertainment at Disneyland pretty lackluster and lame, I was floored by the offerings at TDS.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Many if not most of those Japanese passholder whackjobs would rather lose a finger than lose their annual pass. >>> What if you're yakuza and lose your boss's annual pass?
