Originally Posted By wahooskipper I guess I would be a 4. I grew up near Disneyland and now I live within a relatively short drice to Walt Disney World. And, of course, I worked at the Magic Kingdom. To me it is about nostalgia and being in a place I am comfortable. Also, Disneyland was an escape for me when I was a kid. My parents went through some tough times back then and when things got particularly difficult one of them would pile us into the car and drive us up the park for the day. I guess it was a little therapy. Good question dave.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Cool, thanks for adding some perspective guys, very interesting stuff.
Originally Posted By cheesybaby #1. Even when I was a kid, I implicitly understood that #2 was a subset of #1, just as FaL is a subset of DL. TL was the place where Disney blew me away with detail and scope in the direction of the future. FrL was the place where Disney blew me away with detail and scope in the direction of the Old West. FaL was the place where Disney blew me away with detail and scope in the direction of favorite childhood stories. I've always enjoyed #2, but I always understood even as a kid that #2 was merely one of the many parts of #1. #1 was always the whole, the big idea that was DL. I think TWDC stills gets that BUT it just so happens that - just like in the movie biz - "pre-existing built-in brand awareness" is less risky than "brand new property." And "less risk" is always preferable to "risk." That's what The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Tron and Cars 2 are - less risk. I think they know that #1 is always the goal, and that #2 is merely one way among countless others you can go to get to #1. So... if you're going to put up the money and risk to pay for #1, you might as well be fiscally conservative and take the #2 path toward #1. That's what CarsLand is - #1 in a #2 wrapper. I don't think WDI and DP&R are "clueless" that we want #1. Not at all - how many times do they say "immersive" at D23 or in the Blue Sky Cellar? They get it. They are just risk-averse. A #2 wrapper is the only way we are going to get #1 for a while. A long, long while.
Originally Posted By friarthe Dave, I agree with your point, and suspect that at least subconsciously, everyone who loves the parks love them for #1. Trouble is, you can't easily market solid atmosphere, but you can market iconic characters (and even lame ones). Disney's lazy strategy with the parks is the same as what's causing Hollywood to pump out endless remakes, reboots, and adaptations of existing properties instead of taking risks on original films. Okay, now I'm depressed. I'm going home to my non-character-infested, yet highly-themed house.
Originally Posted By iamsally I was disappointed that I got to this party late. I wanted to vote 1. I think you, Dave, know that I have always agreed with you on the *dumbing down* of the Parks thing; though I have not always been as vocal as you about it. >>>>>the idea of going to another place that takes us to another place and time, and wraps us up in it<<<< This is very well well stated and very much how I feel and have alway felt. Thank you for the interesting, thought provoking thread.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo No worries Iamsally, we are kindred when it comes to the park. Thought of you the other day in Chessington, not quite the park I love, but I loved it as the park I was in ;-) FWIW - I do quite like Chessington - for any interested, there is a trip report with pictures up in the Other Theme Parks section. I am worried because I have been getting hate mail from a European site for criticising the new Toy Story Playland, and two key people here who are insiders claimed I was out of touch. My little survey shows it is LP who seem out of touch. Ironic, what made us all faithful customers in the first place? #1
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <I don't think WDI and DP&R are "clueless" that we want #1. Not at all - how many times do they say "immersive" at D23 or in the Blue Sky Cellar? They get it. They are just risk-averse. A #2 wrapper is the only way we are going to get #1 for a while. A long, long while.> I think you nailed it.
