Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=3160" target="_blank"><b>Latest: davewasbaloo analyzes Disney theme park economics</b></a> Long-time LaughingPlace.com member davewasbaloo has started a new blog. His first post has an in-depth analysis of theme park economics around the world given current economic and competitive conditions and how Disney may or may not prosper as a result. <a href="http://intobserver.blogspot.com/2008/06/international-disney-economics-for-uk.html " target="_blank">Click here</a> to read this very interesting new blog, the <strong>International Observer</strong>.
Originally Posted By MPierce A very interesting articel. May I quote you here Dave. ' mainly the UK versions of red necks while the real spenders will go elsewhere (unless they are culturally or linguistically prudish, which upwardly mobile people tend not to be). ' Give me a good old fashion RedNeck any day over a upwardly mobil sophisticated snob. Maybe some upwardly mobile Brits may enjoy spending their money in the desert heat, but I suspect most will not. I never could understand why so many Brit's came to WDW when DLP was so close to them anyway. There must be a reason for that. Dubai is certainly out of the reach of the vast world community. So therefore only the well to do can afford it. I seriously doubt that the culturally elite would find much to do at WDW anyway. It's an interesting concept though. I guess only time will tell how things will turn out.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 Wow Dave you really say some profound statments.... It hard to think about it but it may be the hard truth. :{
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I enjoyed the article Dave. But I don't understand this... <<<Pretty soon WDW will have mainly the UK versions of red necks while the real spenders will go elsewhere >>> What do you mean there? It in now way offends me, I'm just curious what it means.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad If they look to the past, look further back than the last 15 years, to a time where... ...(Michael Eisner had the company working with him instead of against him)... ...where quality sold and can sell again. I hope we once again find the laughing place. Excellent finish! I think you really nail it down well from a UK point of view, providing forecasts of what the UK vacaationer will likely do. Well done.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks guys. By the way, I do not mean the culturally elite. From the UK, flights to Dubai are the same if not cheaper than flights to Orlando or LAX. These pieces have had some interesting responses which will go into a future blog piece. I had gastric flu earlier this week and while building my strength back up, I thought it would be fun to do a blog. I realy appreciate the feedback. And Doobie, thanks for the great intro.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 OK Dave you complain about the Florida heat. My son is in the Navy, in 2005 & 2007/8 he was deployed (submarine) to the Persian Gulf/Bahrain area. He hated everything about it. He said at night it maybe got down to 100. So would all those parks/places be totally a/c'd? 2003/4 he was deployed to the Med Sea/Indian Ocean. He loved everything, (food, weather, & people) about the Med.
Originally Posted By MPierce Sorry to hear about your battle with gastric flu. I had that one time. I was in bed for three days straight, and weak as a kitten for the next two weeks. Looking forward to your next article.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hey Bobbee, different kind of heat. I was in Dubai in June 2004. It was hot, but an arid heat. It's humidity and heat together that kill this native Californian (where we had 120 degree summers, but no humidity).
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Gotcha, son never mention any humidity. Gotcha, son never mentioned humidity.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks MPierce. I will get something up next week, I am sure.The bug was the pits. My mom is giving me a hard time because my brother was only down for 2 days, me (4). But I had to remind her he is 21 years younger than me.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<A very interesting articel.>> I assume you meant article, so I won't take a cheap shot I found it fascinating. And a very interesting/unique perspective on things since Dave has such a unique background (both personally and Disney speaking). << May I quote you here Dave. ' mainly the UK versions of red necks while the real spenders will go elsewhere (unless they are culturally or linguistically prudish, which upwardly mobile people tend not to be). '>> I love that quote. I see more and more of the UK version of rednecks all the time. They have no fashion sense (as my buddy TDLFAN would certainly point out), no fear of skin cancer and are approaching US (super)size. <<Give me a good old fashion RedNeck any day over a upwardly mobil sophisticated snob.>> Hey, you're biased on that one. Don't you guys have a club? <<Maybe some upwardly mobile Brits may enjoy spending their money in the desert heat, but I suspect most will not. I never could understand why so many Brit's came to WDW when DLP was so close to them anyway. There must be a reason for that.>> My take on it, which I KNOW you've been waiting for at the keyboard, is that many UKers view Orlando as some kind of heaven and seem to like baking in the sun. Clearly, many Brits also still think it's the 14th century and have a good dislike for the French and certainly wouldn't think of going to DLP in two hours when they can fly across the Pond to WDW. As I told Dave when I saw him last month, my first Disney 'image' of London came on a bus shelter close by the London Eye and Big Ben ... but it wasn't for DLP or an ice show or anything like that ... nope it was advertising good, old, stale WDW. The company knows its audience. <<Dubai is certainly out of the reach of the vast world community. So therefore only the well to do can afford it.>> That is certainly true. <<I seriously doubt that the culturally elite would find much to do at WDW anyway. It's an interesting concept though. I guess only time will tell how things will turn out.>> I'm more interested in seeing what happens if the economy keeps tanking and we keep making it more oppressive for visitors to enter the country. Lots of nervous execs in Orlando (at all three major themed entertainment companies) feel the same way.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Sorry, didn't realize my dish was on the enter key.>> Nah ... you just wanted to get us all excited. Tease.
Originally Posted By dshyates "mainly the UK versions of red necks while the real spenders will go elsewhere (unless they are culturally or linguistically prudish, which upwardly mobile people tend not to be). '>> That's hilarious, while in Otown last summer my brother went to the MK and noticed a lot of large sweatshort clad brits. He said they looked like they were from Alabama but they had funny accents. HaHaHa "Hey, you're biased on that one. Don't you guys have a club?" Yeah, girlfried. Leather/Levi.
Originally Posted By dshyates Oh, I wanted to add, that I wouldn't be surprised to se the UAE start to supplement their airline industry to get tourist there on super cheap airfare.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Yep, or in UK just market better. It is about the same price to fly to UAE as Orlando and is a slightly shorter flight. As for the UK rednecks, yep, you can spot them a mile away, shorts with dark socks (ok this is all Brits since white socks are not a very good choice in a country with so much mud, rain and salt for the ice) - they will where them in even 40 degree temps because by golly, they are in Fla. The have on a football strip (soccer shirt) or something with English ST George's cross or Union Jack on it. Thank god they where these. When they are in grease or spain, they never where their shirts. The complection is a mix of pasty white and lobster red due to having not bothered with sun block. And sadly obesity is creeping through the UK now too. I am sure you have seen these all over. These same folk love to inhabit I Drive or Kissimme, and then tell me WDW is much cheaper than DLP (and get mad when I say they didn't stay at WDW). This blog has had over 2000 hits so far and the feedback has been interesting and amusing. My updates this week are going to look at the love hate relationship people have with France (DLP) and Orlando.
Originally Posted By X-san ***When they are in grease or spain*** Okay, I'm guessing either Greece or Spain, or else grease or stain? Good blog Dave. Hope to hear more!
