Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Lol Lee, I still haven't warmed up since we got back from California. And hope you weren't in the city yesterday when the "big Stink" came over from Belgium phew.
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ What did I miss? Only got back in this afternoon. Thankfully got a week or so in London (I've barely had a handful of days at home this year) before heading back out to Glendale.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Yesterday there were strong winds that blew the smell of manure all the way from the fields of France and Belgium and stunk out the city. It was pretty foul and there were loads of calls to 999 concerned about chemical attacks. Lol.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> So you just go to WDW to get drunk and laid, right? << I normally lay down after getting drunk at WDW. >> don't think so. ... Besides, no one has ever started a war in my name or committed atrocities in my name, << That's only because this is a Disney forum on the internet., But there sure has been some hot, and heavy discussionsw with, and about you, and TDLFAN. >> Not a question of couldn't more a question of couldn't justify the cost since our dollar will soon be worth less than Monopoly money thanks to that great man in the White House, but being a rightwing, redneck, wackjob you already know that ;-) << That's why I converted my life savings over to Disney Dollars. >> Splurge was the title and it was clearly aimed at the affluent travelers Jay wants so badly ... << I hope not, next thing you know the parks will be crawling with all that "Mansion Trash".
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Not to defend anything subpar at Disney, but can you look around you and not see the same sad decline in the rest of the places you go to? Not just in theme parks, but banking, shopping for most any product, schools, government, hospitals, you name it, quality has become less and less important. $$$$$$$ is all that matters. << That's what makes it doubley bad bobbelee9. I think we all expect better freom Disney than everywhere else. They set the standard now they are failing to live up to it. They are much better than most places, but they need to raise the bar higher for themselves not lower it.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 ^^^True, but for some sad reason, we always seem to gravitate to the lowest level possible. That is just so much easier than trying to improve ourselves. That is just not right, but it's becoming more and more acceptable. So maybe if we try to get Disney to strive for higher, the rest of the world will improve too??? Slow process, but it has to start somewhere.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Agreed bobbelee. For me Disney used to be a bastian of hope, a reassertion that the world is good, and we have much to look forward. Sad is it may sound, when I see nothing but toons, rather than smile, it makes me very sad.
Originally Posted By leemac Not much to add beyond what has already been announced. The regional entertainment center continues on its development track and promises to be an interesting concept for OLC and Parks & Resorts. Within the parks WDI continue to proceed with the Kobe earthquaking standards that have been added to Pirates, Space and now the Tiki Room. Other refurbs are on the agenda. Nothing substantial beyond Monsters Inc. as of yet. TDS have some minor stuff coming including Turtle Talk with Crush (the first LCP attraction at TDR) in the SS Columbia next year. OLC are finally beginning to wake up to the fact that they are facing an uphill struggle to grow their TDR business - the population is ageing coupled with a negative birth rate and the stock price is stagnant. They are going to have to look beyond Maihama for future growth. The third theme park continues to get raised and this week OLC indicated that they will look beyond the shores of Japan for future development - this will put them firmly up against other real estate companies across the region and more tellingly The Walt Disney Company itself.
Originally Posted By MPierce It sounds like quite a bit is going on, thanks for the report. Just a few more questions that I'm interested in if you don't mind. Does Disneyland have as strong earthquaking standards as the Kobe standard in Japan. What is a realistic projected opening date for the third park? Is the OLC looking into Dubai as a likely place to expand their market or are they keeping their cards close to the vest?
Originally Posted By leemac <<Does Disneyland have as strong earthquaking standards as the Kobe standard in Japan. >> Sorry - I'm not in construction so can't comment on that. My understanding is that many of TDL's buildings are not Kobe-compliant hence the opportunity for WDI to go in and refresh the show at the same time. I don't know DL's codes but I know there have not been significant structural improvements at DL for some time. <<What is a realistic projected opening date for the third park?>> Would only be speculation at present as they are far from agreeing the location and the conceit. <Is the OLC looking into Dubai as a likely place to expand their market or are they keeping their cards close to the vest?>> Ugh - I hate seeing those evil five letters. I would doubt that OLC would be interested in UAE.
Originally Posted By MPierce I don't see the reasoning behind Dubai as what it is being projected to become either. It does look like some people with big money are trying to turn it into the luxury get away capitol of the world. So you think the OLC is more likely to expand in Asia?
Originally Posted By leemac <<It does look like some people with big money are trying to turn it into the luxury get away capitol of the world.>> Some people=Dubai's government (they effectively control both of the main real estate players in the Emirate). They have virtually no oil left so need to find something else to support their economy. Can't think of anything worse than visiting a theme park in Dubai. It is regularly over 45 degrees from April to October.
Originally Posted By leemac <<So you think the OLC is more likely to expand in Asia?>> I can't be specific or speak on behalf of OLC but if they wish to grow they will need to look overseas - the Japanese market just isn't going to be capable of providing blockbuster growth in the region. That said Disney want to be in the region themselves - and OLC's licencing agreement does not give them any first-look rights in Asia. If OLC present an opportunity to Disney that they themeselves are not interested in then I would expect that to go through. However I would not expect Disney to enter into any third party agreements in the near future in Asia. Bob wants to be there - and he has an incredible ability to get what he wants.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Can't think of anything worse than visiting a theme park in Dubai. It is regularly over 45 degrees from April to October. << I get all the heat I need right here where I'm at! A theme park doesn't make since to me either, but the rumor's still persist. If I wanted a tropical island getaway, I'm sure I could find a better spot to spend my millions than Dubai. >> Disney want to be in the region themselves - and OLC's licencing agreement does not give them any first-look rights in Asia. << That seems like a tactical mistake on the OLC's part not securing first right specifics in Asia. Anyway thanks for all the information leemac, it's always great to see you post. Enjoy your brief stay home. I hope the weather improves for you.
Originally Posted By leemac <<That seems like a tactical mistake on the OLC's part not securing first right specifics in Asia.>> You have to remember that when the company was founded (if I recall correctly OLC was created in the late sixties) it was purely to exploit some land (and they didn't even know where it would be initially) in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. They never anticipated having the rights to Disney theme parks across the region - and frankly Japanese companies were very inward in those days. I think it is a moot point - just because OLC has managed to fulfil a niche in its home market does not necessarily mean that will translate into success elsewhere.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Anyway thanks for all the information leemac, it's always great to see you post. Enjoy your brief stay home. I hope the weather improves for you.>> Thanks MPierce. I wish I had more time to post these days or could even comment on some other posts (especially the iasw debate) - but I'm prohibited from doing so. Enjoy reading everyone else's comments though! It is always fascinating to me that not more people join into these types of conversations.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***TDS have some minor stuff coming including Turtle Talk with Crush (the first LCP attraction at TDR)*** Cool. My daughter loves that show! What's LCP?
Originally Posted By irishfan Living character.....and I cant for the life of me remember what the P stands for. Program?
Originally Posted By leemac Living Characters Program. Think Turtle Talk/Stitch Encounter and Lucky the Dinosaur/Muppet Mobile Lab.
