Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<There are serious dangers ahead if WDI regresses to that type of operation. R&D isn't cheap and should be targeted on achievable goals rather than burning cash on projects that are either impractical or unachievable. The cost of developing technology like EMV (for IJA) and Test Track was hugely expensive and the company hasn't really benefited substantially from that. Both are also extremely costly to maintain (Journey at TDS is allegedly the most expensive attraction to maintain in the world). I always found Bran to be a kooky individual. I'm happier knowing that the R&D team are now a much smaller group that are concentrating their efforts on projects like the Living Characters Program.>> So are you saying that Indy (and Dinosaur) and Test Track (and Journey) never should have been built? The cost doesn't equal the returns? Because if you or anyone at Disney believe people would rather go to the parks to 'interact' with Crush in Turtle Talk or Stich in 'Stitch Encounter' or Kim Possible or the Monsters Inc crew or Lucky the dino marketing tool vs. riding thrilling attractions (even though I don't like Test Track, I appreciate that most folks do) like the ones you listed, I can only say that's delusional. I sincerely hope the folks at Disney aren't that stupid to think the Living Characters program is ever going to replace real 3D thrills. They tried the same tact with simulators and movies ... and that wasn't the reason people visited the parks any more so than to listen to Crush yell 'Dude' 195 times in five minutes.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Why is it always the locals at fault? Whether it's Tokyo, Paris or, now, Hong Kong? Why isn't it ever the fault of TWDC?>> Sorry I should have explained. Disney deliberately hired HK/Chinese nationals in most of the key roles (except MD) as they had "experience" in the market. They were still Disney CMs.
Originally Posted By leemac <<So are you saying that Indy (and Dinosaur) and Test Track (and Journey) never should have been built? The cost doesn't equal the returns?>> No I'm not. But the true cost of developing that technology was phenomenal (significantly more than the attraction development and construction costs). My point is that spending tens of millions of dollars on one form of technology that is then only used twice in a decade or so isn't the right approach. WDI R&D used to burn cash like it was going out of fashion. A new business model was required that balanced the risks and the rewards. Also ask OLC if they are happy to have an attraction that is as expensive to run at Journey. I can tell you that they aren't. It is a very expensive attraction to run and maintain.
Originally Posted By idleBrain <<I always found Bran to be a kooky individual.>> You say that like it's a bad thing. 8^P Bran Ferren and Danny Hillis were probably two of the best "visionary" creatives that Imagineering ever had. Their company, Applied Minds, is like a turbocharged high tech toy company for adults. This was the direction WDI could have and should have pursued. Think of the marvelous E-Tickets that could have been built, from the licensing of all this cool technology. Pity. Wired article about Applied Minds: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/brhb4" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/brhb4</a>
Originally Posted By leemac Having just broken a wine glass I think I need to explain what I meant! I'm not convinced by the argument that WDI should be building ride delivery systems unless there is a commitment to roll it out wherever possible. The problem with EMV was that it was almost prohibitively expensive to develop and then we have only seen 3 uses of it. Even OLC turned down the opportunity to use the technology at TDL a few years back. I think WDI should be working with outside vendors to develop the ride delivery systems and then layer Disney story-telling and some other tricks on top. Allow someone else to swallow up the R&D costs if they can sell it to multiple vendors. But then I also believe WDI should have been used as a profit driver itself ie. third party contracting particularly in the restaurant/retail sector where it had such a good track record. I never understood why they couldn't peddle their services to the highest bidder. It would have saved very expensive redundancy cuts when they had no parks under development.
Originally Posted By leemac The crux of it is whether guests love IJA because of the EMV "thrills" or because the ride puts you right inside the movie.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<No I'm not. But the true cost of developing that technology was phenomenal (significantly more than the attraction development and construction costs). My point is that spending tens of millions of dollars on one form of technology that is then only used twice in a decade or so isn't the right approach. WDI R&D used to burn cash like it was going out of fashion. A new business model was required that balanced the risks and the rewards.>> Oh, I don't disagree that WDI hasn't been run well financially. And if you're going to create a system like the EMV it sure should be used more than three times. Especially when the biggest cost factor is development. It's why when DL built its embarassingly bad Pooh attraction when it could have used TDL's ride system, it made no sense to me. <<Also ask OLC if they are happy to have an attraction that is as expensive to run at Journey. I can tell you that they aren't. It is a very expensive attraction to run and maintain.>> If it breaks down anything like Test Track, I can understand why. At least Indy and Dinosaur aren't down all the time.
Originally Posted By leemac <<If it breaks down anything like Test Track, I can understand why.>> It is. Almost twice as often. Plus more planned maintenance than any other attraction at TDR.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<The crux of it is whether guests love IJA because of the EMV "thrills" or because the ride puts you right inside the movie. >> I don't think it's an either/or proposition. It's both.
Originally Posted By idleBrain <<Anyhow I'm heading west for a few days so enjoy the debate folks! >> Dare I ask? North or South?
Originally Posted By idleBrain <<^^ Ah that would be telling. I'm hopeful it will be a fruitful trip.>> You're buying dying peach orchards in Central Valley for condo development?
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror >>>Do people like Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton know how to build an attraction or develop a show?<<< You might want to learn a little more about them... or get to know them. At least Docter. Little doubt you'll see him getting more involved with WDI in the next few years.
Originally Posted By idleBrain <<Little doubt you'll see him getting more involved with WDI in the next few years.>> YES!!! WDI needs more creatives like Pete! Imagineering is definitely in his blood. When you convince your family to haul oodles of bamboo from Santa Barbara, California, all the way to Minnesota, tied to the top of the family van, just so you can transform your bedroom into the Tiki Room... the Clue Phoneâ„¢ is ringing right off the hook! 8^D
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Imagineering's biggest problem right now is the man heading the parks and resorts division.
Originally Posted By idleBrain <<Imagineering's biggest problem right now is the man heading the parks and resorts division.>> Given his Executive Committee, "Sharks and Consorts" would be more apropos.
Originally Posted By Skellington88 EMV has been used more than three times... Indiana Jones & Forbidden Eye Rocket Rods Indiana Jones & Crystal Skull Journey to the Center of the Earth Test Track Dinosaur
Originally Posted By FerretAfros What exactly is EMV (and what does it stand for)? I can see a similarity in how Indy and Test Track run, since they both have the hidden drive mechanism under the track, but the Rocket Rods had it above the track, running on a single steel tube. It may be a similar system, but it just seems to be very very different in its different uses.
