Originally Posted By dagobert >>>And every time I read about the ED ownership, I continue to be surprised by the lack of a Saudi pavilion at Epcot. I'm sure they don't want to deal with the political/social issues that would come from including the semi-controversial country, but it seems like that prince would probably be willing to fund it<<< I'm also surprised that there is no Arabian Pavilion at EPCOT. Prince Alwaleed is not only an ED SCA shareholder, he has also been a significant shareholder of TWDC, but I think he sold the Disney shares a few years ago. A bad decision if you look at TWDC's current price. >>>It says that Invesco, who previously owned the third largest share (6%) of EuroDisney SCA had dumped their ownership. The article doesn't give much indication of what this means for a future outlook, but it certainly seems like it would be fairly meaningful. If nothing else, it gives Disney a larger portion of the control, which should help them make the decisions that they want to<<< I read about that, but I didn't find it postworthy, just because TWDC has the last word, despite how many shares other investors or persons own. Currently the price of a ED SCA share is so low, TWDC could easily purchase the whole company.
Originally Posted By dagobert Swing Into Spring! <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.disneygazette.fr/saison-printemps-2015-swing-into-spring-news-1655.html">http://www.disneygazette.fr/sa...655.html</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Looks like a great event again, and like they've added a lot of new stuff since last year! For such a short promotion, they really seem to put a lot of effort into it, and it shows I also liked seeing the behind the scenes photos. It just looks so funny to see the dancers rehearsing in rain ponchos and safety vests
Originally Posted By dagobert Here's a new article about the DLP hotel renovations. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneylandparis-news.com/en/the-disneyland-paris-hotels-3-half-of-the-hotel-pole-has-already-been-renovated/">http://disneylandparis-news.co...novated/</a>
Originally Posted By leemac <<If nothing else, it gives Disney a larger portion of the control, which should help them make the decisions that they want to>> It had no impact - they sold them into the market so they are in the hands of other shareholders.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I'm also surprised that there is no Arabian Pavilion at EPCOT. Prince Alwaleed is not only an ED SCA shareholder, he has also been a significant shareholder of TWDC, but I think he sold the Disney shares a few years ago. A bad decision if you look at TWDC's current price.>> Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud had a very small stake in TWDC about 15 years ago - <1% if I recall. Not a substantial part of his portfolio. The Saudis have approached WDW Co. about a pavilion before - the issue comes down to the sensitivity on having a pavilion from that nation at the resort. There is no chance that TWDC would ever consent to a Middle Eastern pavilion. The Israelis were also keen at one stage but it would be a tinder box if it was ever approved.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros The hotel changes look nice. I'm especially impressed with the Sequoia, which matches the style very well while still be subtle enough to relax in >>There is no chance that TWDC would ever consent to a Middle Eastern pavilion.<< Given the sensitivities and political issues with the region, it makes sense, but I think it would go a long way to diversify the World Showcase offerings. I also think that it would be nice to see something from South America or a more prominent Africa presence; sadly it doesn't look like we'll get anything in the foreseeable future unless it can be tied into a movie franchise. I'd rather have nothing new than see a large investment that has no business in World Showcase (Frozen, I'm looking at you!)
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>It had no impact - they sold them into the market so they are in the hands of other shareholders.<<< Disney didn't hold the majority of ED SCA and still had the last word on every decision. Does TWDC have plans to gain full ownership of ED SCA?
Originally Posted By dagobert >>> Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud had a very small stake in TWDC about 15 years ago - <1% if I recall. Not a substantial part of his portfolio.<<< Didn't know that. I thought he owned more. But it seems he is going to keep his 10% on ED SCA.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>The hotel changes look nice. I'm especially impressed with the Sequoia, which matches the style very well while still be subtle enough to relax in<<< We stayed at Sequoia before the refurb. It was okay, but now after the refurb I would like to stay there again. We plan to go to DLP in September, but we will stay off site and get an annual pass, because that is cheaper than getting a package at a Disney hotel.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "Given the sensitivities and political issues with the region, it makes sense, but I think it would go a long way to diversify the World Showcase offerings. I also think that it would be nice to see something from South America or a more prominent Africa presence; " I agree. It's a shame that a Mid East pavilion is off the table. The architecture alone would be cool. But it is understandable.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I wouldn't count on it, unless they can find a sponsor (or consortium of sponsors, like NorShow for Norway) who is will to cover a *significant* amount of the development/construction cost. Given that business doesn't really work that way any more, and the Disney brand no longer has the prestigious allure it once had, I wouldn't bet on it If any country were to be added, Brazil seems like a strong candidate. It has a diverse cultural history that would add a lot to WS, and its companies are really starting to gain international traction. It would be a good fit, but still seems unlikely
Originally Posted By dagobert I wouldn't count on it either, but it would be great. We loved World Showcase, in fact it was our favourite place and we went there nearly every day. The atmosphere was so relaxing and people were enjoying themselves. All other parks lacked this atmosphere. Currently I would rate EPCOT as my favourite park, even before DLP.
Originally Posted By dagobert Today WDSP celebrated its 13th birthday. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneylandparis-news.com/en/walt-disney-studios-park-already-13-years-old/">http://disneylandparis-news.co...ars-old/</a> It's still Disney's weakest park, but after all these years I actually enjoy spending time there. The park doesn't look good, but WDSP has some great attractions, especially ToT, RnRC, Crush's Coaster and one of Disney best shows ever Cinemagique. The weird thing is, that RnRC and ToT are both better than their counterparts in Florida. Recently Ratatouille opened and although I haven't tried it yet, it looks like a great addition. Now all it takes is some placemaking to give the park the Disney standard and it would be a nice half day park. I still think that the park has a beatiful entrance with Front Lot.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Happy birthday! I agree that the park still needs help, but it's certainly moving in the right direction. Now that the Toon Studios side seems like it's about full (though could use better traffic flow), I'd like to see what they could do with the area around RNRC and the car stunt show. It seems like there's enough space over there for some additional attractions, and almost anything would be an improvement over the bleak aesthetics back there And I completely agree that Cinemagique is one of the best productions that Disney's ever done. For something that's basically "just a 2D movie montage", it's incredibly well done and one of the standout attractions of the entire resort
Originally Posted By dagobert The Back Lot definitely needs some attention. I would hate to lose RnRC, but it could easily be changed to a Marvel ride. The whole area could be transformed into a Marvel Land.
Originally Posted By dagobert Here's a new maintenance update on the DLP hotels. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.disneygazette.fr/gazette-discoveryland-santa-fe-cheyenne-newport-b&b-hotel-merchandising-news-1663.html">http://www.disneygazette.fr/ga...663.html</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert Here's a new pictorial update on DLP. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.disneygazette.fr/gazette-portail-sol-scan-printemps-frozen-dumbo-space-cherbourg-newport-ccvde-vn-news-1671.html">http://www.disneygazette.fr/ga...671.html</a> I really hope that they are going to cover the cables at the entrance arch. Otherwise that would look very cheap.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I agree! It looks like there are some exposed structural bolts and screws connecting the arch and column, so hopefully they have something to cover all that stuff up. At the very least, I would expect them to organize the mess of wires more, to help hide them a little And it's great to see the scaffolding up around Space Mountain. Hopefully the refurbishment includes the dome itself, and they finally figure out a reliable solution for the cannon. It looks like there's a lot going on in Discoveryland, so it will be neat to see how it all shapes up
