Hyperion Wharf Dead?

Originally Posted By dshyates

A friend and webmaster was out at DtD over the weekend and is reporting that while the construction walls are still up, all construction has stopped and the concept art has been removed. So my question is, has the project stalled or is it totally dead? I am aware of the "plans" making the rounds on the interwebs. You know the ones. They include doubling the dining/retail of DtD, adding parking garages, and a WOC lagoon show. But that plan seems ludicrous considering they can even fill the stores and restaurants they already have. And dropping a WOC type show in DtD instead of one of the parks reeks of desperation. Not that the Ghost Town Formerly Known As Pleasure Island isn't desperate looking as is.

 

Originally Posted By ReelJustice

Best we can hope for is for someone to buy Parks & Resorts and make the order to reopen PI asap.

 

Originally Posted By wahooskipper

I actually think a WOC type show there makes a lot of sense. Though I have to wonder, is there really an issue of lack of traffic at DtD in the evenings? I typically go in the mornings when it first opens but by 12:00 or 1:00 I'm ready to get out of there as the crowd is building.

If there were really smart they would put in some entertainment at either end of the property and schedule their shows to drive folks back and forth.

As to parking garages, I saw yeah! Long overdue. I'd rather deal with parking at professional sports stadiums than contend with the gauntlet that is the current parking arrangement.

 

Originally Posted By ReelJustice

<<I actually think a WOC type show there makes a lot of sense. >>

It actually makes no sense. Like you said, DTD has no lack of traffic, just a lack of things to do. WoC would be too much of an investment with no return. If Disney didn't want to pay the actors/comedians at the Adventurers Club and Comedy Warehouse when guests were buying tickets, they certainly don't want to do WoC for free.

 

Originally Posted By wahooskipper

Well, how many employees does it take to operate WOC? Would the show have to be on the same scale as out west?

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

^ Right, but for free?

Are they really going to offer this show for free?


If so, it signals a massive change...

 

Originally Posted By dshyates

Out of all the places in WDW that need a nighttime spectacular, DtD isn't one of them. DAK jumps to the front of my mind. That place is so dead at night that it isn't even open.

 

Originally Posted By ReelJustice

After cutting all of the extraneous entertainment at PI (shot girls, concerts, fireworks, etc) how could anyone think they would offer a free WoC show?

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

It could be billed back to the tenants (including Disney), malls do it all the time. I think the tenants would be all for it.

I'm not sold on the positives or logistics of it

 

Originally Posted By ReelJustice

^^Tenants would rather the guests be in their establishments (aka where they would normally be)

Disney would rather them be in the parks: dining or shopping.

People were PAYING to visit the Pleasure Island clubs, yet Disney cut all of the extra entertainment.

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>Out of all the places in WDW that need a nighttime spectacular, DtD isn't one of them. DAK jumps to the front of my mind. That place is so dead at night that it isn't even open.<<<

Agreed. Rivers of Light, please. I have a feeling that I would eat that up.

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

Expo.

Not quite.

Disney sees a % of revenue in rent. They have in the past intentionally tried to influence the guest dynamic to indeed seek out Downtown Disney with shorter park hours in the park.

Restaurant tenants would love to sell dining packages for the show.

Retail and Restaurant tenants go where there is an anchor that drives traffic. WOC would be such an anchor.

I can see the methodology behind it, I'm not sure if I agree with it yet, and I'm not sure Disney could pull it off to completion. But make no mistake Disney has been all about shopping experiences for the last 12 years. They surely would rather see this area bustling than say Future World.

We'll see...

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

Sorry MY BAD!

Not Expo, my message was to Reel

 

Originally Posted By dshyates

Isn't that what La Nouba is for? I saw just get a new Cirque in their theater and save WOC for DAK. And add the river of lights parade.

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

Apparently Cirque is no longer doing enough to sustain the crowds that are needed.

I think it would be a complete disaster to implement this in DAK. Although I would understand the desire, since they do not want to run fireworks. What are you going to do with people at night time, there are little to no activities or dining! You can't just keep the park open for 5,000 people to watch this show.

Now if they could figure an odd way of implementing it at MGM, perhaps. Can't think of any good viewing areas unless they do major reconstructive surgery. This is not a show that can be seen effectively from many vantage points.

 

Originally Posted By dagobert

Does DTD still offer nightclubs for adults, or is it just about restaurants and shops now?

 

Originally Posted By dshyates

Kilimanjaro Safari is the only attraction that can't be run at night. Dinosaur, everything in Chester and Hesters, ITTBAB, Nemo Musical, Everest, Wings of Wonder, Kali, The Festival of the Lion King could all be run at night. So the safari and the Pangini Walking trail are all that would have to close. They could even keep Rafiki's open. So if they added WOC and River of Lights I think that DAK would be fine at night. They could also sell dining packages at Yaking Yeti and whatever it is they call that Buffet in Africa.

 

Originally Posted By ReelJustice

<<Does DTD still offer nightclubs for adults, or is it just about restaurants and shops now?>>

Just restaurants and shops.

There is still a cigar bar, and I think there may be dancing at Bongos. But that's it.

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

Dshyates. I wish you were right, but there is NO way they could handle the crowds that DCA has been having with two full service restaurants, two E-tickets, and some nutty shows.

And I really can't see them being able to pull off a parade and WOC in a park where they can't even keep the trains running on time, literally.

Maybe in 7 years after multiple additions and a new management crew.

 

Originally Posted By dshyates

But they are already handling more people than DCA with all I listed plus 1 more E-Ticket and a walking trail. And no parades or night time entertainment. And I bet they would add at least one more table service restaurant.