Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for discussion of the March 18th article on the Grand Opening Ceremonies for the Walt Disney Studios Park in Parist: <a href="News-ID505690.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/News-ID505690.asp</a>.
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct Thanks LEE! Were there any announcements for upcoming WDS or DL expansions? Or will that be saved for the 12th? How was the new show in Discoveryland? Any other tibits of info? THANKS AGAIN!!!! I look forward to me April trip.
Originally Posted By x-TDL-character Man, talk about low key! Even the opening ceremony sounds boring! When I was looking through the pics I couldn`t help thinking only Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, and Goofy, Chip & Dale invloved? Why didn`t the rest of the gang burst out with the cast members or SOMETHING! And those dieter-style dancers, what`s UP with that? Check out these pics for a different idea about opening ceremonies... <a href="http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/disney/" target="_blank">http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/disne y/</a>
Originally Posted By themeparklover "Not every celebration needs to be a huge shabang." Why not? Disney has a great tradition of big, splashy, expensive openings. Disney still being cheap in the 90's and into the new millinium...
Originally Posted By barryb Excellent photos, thanks again Lee. I was really disappointed with the overall coverage. BBC News, Sky News and Euro News were the only pieces I saw and even their coverage was so-so. I can't believe that the Disney Channel didn't show anything either. Still I too am looking forward to seeing the place on April 15th to 18th.... Thanks BarryB. <a href="http://www.barrybedford.com" target="_blank">http://www.barrybedford.com</a> - Now showing over 60 minutes of TDR Videos.
Originally Posted By euroiswe =Man, talk about low key! Even the opening ceremony sounds boring!= Actually it wasn’t boring at all. It had a simple elegance about it, and I much preffered this to the opening of TDS, where the dignitries were aloof to the public, and using very little originality just utilising the water carnival floats. Eisner was heavily criticised when the original Paris park opened for his aloof posturing. The First Families from across different European nations ended the Ceremony properly, and these people seemed genuinely happy at being given this honour. I am sorry for the company when all people want is more more more. The castmembers clapped people as they entered through the Front Lot and seemed happy that their second park was now finally open.
Originally Posted By x-TDL-character >>>The castmembers clapped people as they entered through the Front Lot<<< Just like at all the corporate special events in the Florida parks? Sounds nice, but not particularly original to me (in keep with the water carnival floats comment). On a side note, you must have some cool connection to Disney to be at all these opening ceremonies. That`s nice, I`d think it must be tough to be invited to them (or is it just the first people through the doors, I have no idea). : )
Originally Posted By euroiswe I have no real connection with Disney, just been lucky. I was a member of the public for both Animal Kingdom’s and TDS’s opening - just right at the front ot the gates on both occassions, given VIP/Guest status for DCA (don’t ask me how, but I also got a suite at the Grand Californain too...) and I was Press for the WDS...
Originally Posted By DisneyFreak23 The opening was boring like the park is . so i think that goes together.
Originally Posted By OrlandoBoi Tell us how you REALLLLLLY feel! ; ) But I DO agree. Forget all this "It will be GREAT in five years" nonsense, just for a second. I WAS planning to visit England to see relatives in late '03. I was planning to get across the channel with a mate and do the two parks at the DLR over a three day period. What do I have to look forward though? A lacklustre studios and ANOTHER %$#!@@! ToT!!!!!!!! For me, at that time, the WDS just DOES NOT cut it and DOES NOT deserve the amount of money I would have to spend to get there. Just becase Disney opens a park somewhere, it DOES NOT guarantee them a flock of tourists. They have to EARN my hard earned money. In this case, they are gonna have to work VERY hard, since movie studio theme aprks are what I consider some of the weaker parks. "Oooooooo I REALLY believe they shot Gone With the Wind and Patton here!!!!!" Silly.
Originally Posted By ParrotHead This review of the opening was so upbeat! The opposite of what an acquaintance said when I asked her how it went: " It was an unmitigated disaster. Lost reservations, dirty rooms, rude cast, bad sound system so that we couldnt hear Michael and Roy -- there wasnt one thing that went right in the 10 hours I was at the Park. And that is just the Readers Digest version -- there is more. For example, when I could not hear Roy and Michael, one cast member helpfully suggested that it was because their remarks were meant for the VIPs and members of the press - not the ordinary guests . . . I left early because I was too heartbroken to stand it anymore. The hundreds of dollars I lost is the least of my worries at the moment. Thank goodness I am still in Europe-- I would have sold my stock by now had I been home." Ouch!
Originally Posted By leemac Guests were kept off to the side, queuing from the ticket booths back towards Fantasia Gardens. The Grand Opening was reserved for V.I.P.s and their guests. There were JumboTrons broadcasting the event, but the sound system was just for V.I.P.s Grand Openings are a really tough call. TDS was an unmitigated disaster as guests were pushing and shoving all over the place to get a view of the ceremony. It was very unpleasant. However, DCA was perfect as it was just for V.I.P.s (like me!). The ceremony was very cool. If the guests for the day had been there, it would just not have been possible to accommodate everyone. The Grand Opening ceremonies should be reserved for invited guests only. It ensures crowd control and maximum press coverage for the new park. I feel very fortunate to have been involved in all three of the park openings in the past year, and can understand the frustration of ordinary guests, but Disney has never promised that they would see the ceremony anyhow. At DCA, they even made a point of encouraging guests not to turn up early. The same occurred for the 25th birthday celebrations at the Magic Kingdom, when WDW advised guests to watch the JumboTrons or attend another park.
Originally Posted By ParrotHead Well, that's a shame. Disney parks are for GUESTS, not VIPs or the media. It's not the VIPs or media who make the parks a success.
Originally Posted By OrlandoBoi I agree Parrothead(and fine work with the site btw-you are actually getting some changes happening, no matter how small they DO matter). I also noticed this poster's elitist attitude about being one of these "privilleged few". V.I.P.s(like me!) Pity. From what we have heard of this park, it does not need ANY MORE bad publicity.
Originally Posted By x-TDL-character >>>TDS was an unmitigated disaster as guests were pushing and shoving all over the place to get a view of the ceremony. It was very unpleasant.<<< Perhaps you meant to say "it was very unpleasant for important people such as myself, who should not be degraded by having to share the event with all the commoners". I re-checked my link (in post 3 folks, check it out), and it looks to me like a nice sized crowd smiling and waving and enjoying the big event. I mean, it doesn`t look like a stones concert or something. Perhaps you were just angry over having to actually find a good view yourself with no throne and red carpet provided. >>>At DCA, they even made a point of encouraging guests not to turn up early.<<< And from what I read, they did a GREAT job there. In fact, lots of people didn`t turn up at all! Slick move, Disney. Hey, we wouldn`t want Mr. Eisner to feel uncomfortable, you know how he hates crowds so! Maybe that`s why he was out in a boat in Tokyo! Funny, now it seems like they`re doing just about anything to get people in the door. >>>I feel very fortunate to have been involved in all three of the park openings in the past year, and can understand the frustration of ordinary guests<<< "And now I`d like to thank, the little people. It is you who have helped me to become the extraordinary person who now stands before you." "I`d like to thank you all for coming to the annual company event. The event is now over. Get off my property. Smithers, release the hounds....." Wow.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I remember when grand opening celebrations were meant for the paying guests, and not just the undeserving "VIP'S", having been a veteran myself of such grand spectacles such as the EPCOT Center and D/MGM openings, the WDW 15th, 20th and 25th opening ceremony celebrations, DL's 30th, TDL's 10th thru 18th and other major events in Disney Theme park history. What a pity that Disney now cares to the freeloaders in the press and the goverment, without garranty of them VIP's giving back to the company like we, the fans, really do. It's such a low class way to butt-kiss your way into the minds of the consumer.
Originally Posted By leemac Guess you guys don't run a business then. It is the press and media that help spread the word about the new park, featuring it in print, T.V. and radio. That is how most guests find out about events at Disney parks. They provide a great deal of service to the company and reach a far bigger audience than the Disney geeks do. TDS was a joke for a whole magnitude of reasons. People queuing overnight in front of the turnstiles is not safe and far from advisable at any park. TDS was a mad crush as people surged forward and then ran to Meditterranean Harbor. It was typical of the Japanese public, who for some unknown reason, have no problem with being trampled on. Guess it is just part of their life, especially for commuters on the JR and metros. TDLFAN, you mention the 25th at WDW.....HELLO? No guests were allowed anywhere near the castle on that day, and most were not even bothered to watch on the two JumboTrons. Guests were shuffled off of Main Street. I don't have an elitest attitude about these events. I like to enjoy them in comfort and without hordes of people. That is just plain common sense. Perhaps it is you that needs to descend from your high horse, and realise that Disney geeks are not entitled to any more privileges than other guests and that is the way it should stay. Anyhow, jealous green is a very unflattering colour...........
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