Originally Posted By leemac <<I went to take a look today but 2,500 yen is a little expensive even for an import magazine. >> Hi TokyoSweets The pricing was determined by OLC. Ultimately they decided it was a book product due to the quality of the paper etc. One of the issues is the shipping - the magazine weighs 300 grams (11 oz) and therefore it is a costly exercise to ship them to Tokyo (plus the import charges etc.). I guess our success at the Gallery will depend on whether guests will see it as a collectible item to keep. We are not a disposable product like Disney Fan. I am amazed at how much time and effort OLC have invested to ensure that both cast members and guests alike are aware of Tales. Lee
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I am amazed at how much time and effort OLC have invested to ensure that both cast members and guests alike are aware of Tales.*** Well, hopefully for you guys they won't put TOO much time and effort into it. ;p (wouldn't want them to dredge up some of the more inflammatory comments made over the years about OLC and the TDR by the Tales crew lol) j/k Congrats on your success guys! I look forward to checking it out in the Disney Gallery when me and my brood take our Christmas trek out to TDL...
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Congrats! That's pretty exciting on being the first non-Disney Disney thing (if that makes any sense) sold in the Gallery. That's really neat, and a very special recognition to recieve. Is there any talk of trying to get Tales in the US parks? I know they weren't interested at first, but now that TDR has picked it up, who knows...
Originally Posted By leemac <<Is there any talk of trying to get Tales in the US parks? I know they weren't interested at first, but now that TDR has picked it up, who knows...>> Thanks for the kind words, FerretAfros. With regards to the US parks - WDW Merchandise had a dissenting POV about where the magazine would be sold within the parks (they also handle media sales for DLR). We didn't feel the locations they were offering were best suited for us so we decided not to proceed. However it does look like all of the non-US resorts will be taking Tales shortly. We are also close to reaching an agreement with Compass Book at DtD Anaheim.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Well, hopefully for you guys they won't put TOO much time and effort into it. ;p (wouldn't want them to dredge up some of the more inflammatory comments made over the years about OLC and the TDR by the Tales crew lol) j/k>> My views on TDR are well-known at both OLC and WDAJ - I've always been honest and forthright in my views (it is probably why we work so well together!). You would probably be surprised at how many cast members actually agree with me. Thankfully Tales isn't feature any op-ed pieces!
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Thankfully Tales isn't feature any op-ed pieces! >>> Well, at least not ones labeled as such! But editorial POV definitely sneaks into the "neutral" coverage from time to time. BTW, congrats again!
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ Possibly. Hopefully it is all positive - Tales exists to celebrate the creativity of the Walt Disney Company. I hope we continue to offer insights into the creative process across the Company.
Originally Posted By mstaft Nice going, guys! You deserve it- your hard work and commitment to quality is obvious.
Originally Posted By Malin <<I went to take a look today but 2,500 yen is a little expensive even for an import magazine. >> Would it not work out cheaper buying them online though the LP Store? << However it does look like all of the non-US resorts will be taking Tales shortly. >> Oh thats a bit of good news, hopely both Paris and Hong Kong will get behind the magazine as much as what the OLC seem to have done. Talking about Paris any plans on running soon a piece on the upcoming Mickey's Magical Party. Also do you know how long its going to be before international subscriptions of Issue 13 are sent out?
Originally Posted By TokyoSweets ^^^ Yeah I think that would be much better. I don't mind paying a little extra for the convenience of buying something right away but not that much extra.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Talking about Paris any plans on running soon a piece on the upcoming Mickey's Magical Party.>> We are working with DLRP on future coverage - the '09 celebration is just one facet of that. <<Also do you know how long its going to be before international subscriptions of Issue 13 are sent out?>> UK and European subscriptions are shipping now. I'd anticipate UK issues being received next week and European subs the following week.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>With regards to the US parks - WDW Merchandise had a dissenting POV about where the magazine would be sold within the parks<<< If I were being flippant, one could say they were worried about the WDW demographic who have never ventured to other Disney resorts would see that quality exists at other places and change their paterns. 8-p
Originally Posted By Mr X No way in hell the WDW demographic will change their plans to venture forth even to Califonia..never mind Paris or (gasp) the Orient. BUT, they might actually start thinking. That's bad for TWDC. ;p As far as publications like this going into all the foreign destinations...it makes a lot of sense. If someone from Hong Kong or Japan were to pick up this magazine and find interesting stuff about other parks and then actually GO there...I would imagine it could only serve Disney in the long run back in the "home parks", since it would potentially increase their enthusiasm. Having never so much as glanced at a copy of "Tales", I can only speculate though. I guess it must be a nice collectors item, if they're selling it at 25 bucks at the Disney gallary!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo They are very good X, especially the newer the issue (they are getting better). Indeed they may not travel more, but their expectations of what to expect in Florida could and should) be raised.
Originally Posted By Mr X I have no reason to think otherwise, Dave. I've sure that their stuff is very good, and even collectible material (I'm just basing this on comments others have made about the magazine). In any case, I wouldn't pay $25 for a hardcover BOOK, never mind a magazine. BUT, just like prime rib at WDW, I'm well aware that others would be happy to do so.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Lol - I think I paid about $150 for my Nickletour Book and $80 for the DLP Hardbound. Good quality publications (like a good meal) I am willing to pay for. Yes, the cover price is not cheap, but my mom was in pulishing, and guessing the circulation numbers, the higher price is justifiable to enable the Tales business case to float. So I am happy to pay it so long as the quality is there (which so far it has been).
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Good quality publications (like a good meal) I am willing to pay for. Yes, the cover price is not cheap, but my mom was in pulishing, and guessing the circulation numbers, the higher price is justifiable to enable the Tales business case to float. So I am happy to pay it so long as the quality is there (which so far it has been).*** Excellent point, and I appreciate your allusion to a meal since that's something I can relate to (I've paid $100, even close to $150 for a very special meal, on occasion...others wouldn't even THINK of doing that)... Anyway, not trying to "dis" the magazine here...as I said it sounds great.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I know. I must have spent about $5000-7000 on books when I did my degree. So books I don't mind spending money on. In fact I am more likely to buy something of quality than buy anything at all. The cheapening of society really annoys me.
Originally Posted By Mr X And yet I actually prefer soft-cover to hard-cover books. Not just because of quality, but they are smaller and lighter and easier to carry around AND I don't feel so bad about opening them up cause they aren't so "collectible". Different stokes.
Originally Posted By Mr X **The cheapening of society really annoys me.** I'd need to hear more on this before I could comment...
