Originally Posted By SpokkerJones "People are eventually going to realize they aren't getting what they pay for at a Disney park." I hope so. But revealed preference is more telling than stated preference. We may decry certain creative decisions in the parks, but the fact of the matter is that the parks are still extremely busy. For example, I complain about too much Pixar, pirates, pixies and princesses in the parks. However, I was lucky enough to be signed into Disneyland and DCA twice in the past two weeks, and the crowds are ridiculous. Clearly, the public has revealed their preference, and that's all that matters to bean counters. DLR itself is really well maintained though. WDW sounds like its in worse shape in that regard.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer <<It probably won't change anything, though. The Disney theme park brand is so strong because of what Walt Disney and WED did that people will continue to go no matter what Disney does. Going to Disney World is just something people do. It's so ingrained in the American psyche. It's not a matter of Disney building and maintaining a quality product, but putting Disney on the label.>> I have to agree with this in a sense... It is still the Vacation Kingdom of the World. People do go there. They want to go there. It's ingrained, as Spokker said. That said, it means Disney doesn't have to promote with synergy. It shows that they can do something that is new and already have the brand attached to it.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<That said, it means Disney doesn't have to promote with synergy. It shows that they can do something that is new and already have the brand attached to it. >> Ah, but they don't want to do something new. Iger wants the parks to be a big commercial for Disney.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Ah, but they don't want to do something new. Iger wants the parks to be a big commercial for Disney.<<< Honestly, that's fine. For certain areas of the Studios and Fantasyland. The rest needs to be unique to WDW. Don't they realize that that uniqueness is marketable, too?
Originally Posted By TTA <<Ah, but they don't want to do something new. Iger wants the parks to be a big commercial for Disney.>> Iger/Staggs & Co need to find a healthy balance of synergy and original ideas. Look at DL/WDW when thry opened. 90% synergy in F'Land(Small World excepted), yet original attractions in HM, POTC and a few years down the road in BTMR, Space Mtn, If you had Wings, etc. You need to create NEW experiences, with ideas not seen in movies to keep things fresh. How many times can you throw the same character into different attactions before TDO realizes it doesn't work (I'm looking at you Stitch).
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^I know that. you know that. They don't care. if they can sell merch with it, they're going to build it.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones What Disney forgets is that character-driven and film-based attractions weren't the only things that made Disney theme parks successful. I would wager that the original attractions had the most impact. I wrote about original attractions using World of Color as a jumping off point: <a href="http://redskydisney.blogspot.com/2010/06/why-be-afraid-of-originals.html" target="_blank">http://redskydisney.blogspot.c...als.html</a> Are they afraid they won't make money with original rides or something? That's what made the parks what they are.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^First of all, terrific article there, which sums up my feelings on World of Color from everything I've seen so far, although I'll hold off on making an actual decision until I see the show. <<Are they afraid they won't make money with original rides or something? That's what made the parks what they are. >> I don't think it's that at all. I think it's because they think they can make more money with synergistic rides.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Posts like that always leave me wounding if WDW will ever improve --- something we all may have to come to grips with -- much like a lot of things in the country right now- the best days may be past - at least for foreseeable future and maybe forever. not doom and gloom, maybe just fact
Originally Posted By vbdad55 . With the attraction looker smaller/cheaper than I first imagined it to be, the ROI on this one could be huge. ---------------- with the economy what it is - the ROI on anything doesn;t look rosey...people have less to spend, even at WDW
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<with the economy what it is - the ROI on anything doesn;t look rosey...people have less to spend, even at WDW>> The (completely uncomfirmed, so take it with a helping of salt) numbers on Harry Potter say it's generating 10,000 a day in merch. i have no idea how that compares to Disney's stores, btu still, something to chew on.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 >>> This is why people should stop blindly throwing money at the mouse and try something new. Go on a cruise, go to Europe, go to the beach(if the oil leaves any of them), hell if you really want to go to a theme park in Orlando take a joint Uni/Sea World/Busch trip. Just STOP throwing money to the mouse.<<< -------------- sorry this tired argument just doesn't work. People stopped throwingmoney at Riverview ( Chicago's Coney Island) so they let it fall into total neglect and closed it..- the same goes for many different things in the last 20 years.. Voice your opinion yes but this 'boycott' mentality doesn't really work for anyone, anywhere. The latesst one I love is the call to boycott BP. Well gee that would be great on top of the other financial issues they have. Remeber there are many states - 3 very large ones come to mind that own over 900 million shares of BP that is tied up in their teachers pension funds. These funds already underfunded, now BP loses 50% of their value ( and I totally understand the sentiment) - so the states are even more broke. And by law you know who has to make up that public employee pension shortfall-- you and I - Joe Taxpayer. Be careful what one wishes for because sometimes once you start down a path there is no return. by the wat been to Uni /IOA/SW also - not enamored with any of them, but they are worth a visit every few trips. And although we do take other vacations, the family overall is happiest at WDW
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<sorry this tired argument just doesn't work. People stopped throwingmoney at Riverview ( Chicago's Coney Island) so they let it fall into total neglect and closed it..- the same goes for many different things in the last 20 years.. Voice your opinion yes but this 'boycott' mentality doesn't really work for anyone, anywhere.>> Which is why DCA is getting 1.5 billion dollars, right? Sorry, but if the revenue drops, changes come. DCA is just one example of it.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 On a side note...why the hell does the Dolphin have fish on the top? I've never been able to figure that one out... --------- not eerything named Dolphin in the ocean looks like Flipper
Originally Posted By TTA <<Sorry, but if the revenue drops, changes come. DCA is just one example of it.>> But with DCA, was the revenue ever there? I thought it fell flat on it's face from opening? I could be wrong.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<But with DCA, was the revenue ever there? I thought it fell flat on it's face from opening? I could be wrong.>> True, but they obviously wanted to change that to bring in the money they were missing. If WDW's revenue dropped, you better bet they'd try their hardest to get it back.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^ I'm not sold that is true, how about they just cut back what's already here to make more money ? You're trying to reason with bean counters ? - that's a losing proposition if quality is what one seeks - they work in a work of black and white quantity/ROI
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I've lived in the belly of the beast for 33 years in corporate HQ....what you say makes sense...but the solutions would start in the board rooms nowhere near what you are seeking
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper << I'm not sold that is true, how about they just cut back what's already here to make more money >> Well they're already doing that, so I doubt they would reason that more of the same would bring people back.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> ^^That's nice. I'd love to see Martin and Tirian and a few of the other sane folks over there, join us here. << Me too. Both quality guys that add to a Disney forum.
