Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Yup, and that explains why Fantasmic has NO Sorcerer Mickey OR Dragon right now because the lift broke. I guess not having a replacement lift or getting your hands on a back up lift is an example of how Disney plans on getting ahead in presenting entertainment.<<< If it's not on a screen, it won't work. See Disco Yeti VS Star Tours.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Me thinks Disney is very confuzzled.<<< Nope, they've moved beyond confusion. Disney is lost, at the moment.
Originally Posted By CDF2 "In the coming years, we'll introduce a broad set of systems and tools that will help us create a more seamless and personalized experience and help guests get more out of their visit with us" Sounds like the Ministry of Truth from the novel 1984 spinning a statement which really means "help us to get more out of our guests from their visit with us". Yes - we all understand how it is important from Disney's perspective to have their brand expand into as many areas as possible aside from the obvious TV, Movies and Theme Parks (ships, vacation clubs, resorts and now tour operations). But somewhere in the depths of the corporate culture you must have some core values that persist otherwise the company risks losing the identity or path that led to their success in the first place. Not to wax too much into nostalgia but as far as theme parks go, Walt Disney's personal attention to detail in terms of presenting the fully themed environment and then his willingness to experiment with new and interesting technologies that furthered that thematic/theatric presentation to his customers is what made his original Disneyland park and then other parks later on so appealing and successful on such a large scale. Disney has certainly not stopped in terms of presenting some new concepts and new attractions nor have they stopped providing upgrades in technology or seasonal presentations to older existing attractions - but they certainly seemed to have dialed back the emphasis on those items to some extent in order to invest their time and effort into their hotels and other properties. When one looks at those unofficial reports about theme park attendance you certainly see Disney parks as the leaders and frankly, aside from some obvious increases at IOA in Orlando due to the HP phenomenon, Disney dominates the theme park world in a manner that would make most corporations envious. But for those of us that view the theme parks as the only Disney offerings we really care about, it seems like there is some slippage in that attention to detail or in that willingness to provide new and exciting attractions in some parks. Then again, perhaps we are just spoiled children wanting more candy when we should realize that it can't be Christmas every day and that as the Disney Corp continues to grow we can't expect the concern for the theme parks to be the same now that the parents have other newer children that will demand more of their attention.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 well said- and I believe the last paragraph does sum up some stark reality...and most of us don't like it, however some of us are able to separate the emotional tis of decades- generations from harsh business reality. I too wish it dodn't work like that, but as a publicaly held corporation, revenue/profit drives the engine..in all corporate models- no exceptions
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<well said- and I believe the last paragraph does sum up some stark reality...and most of us don't like it, however some of us are able to separate the emotional tis of decades- generations from harsh business reality. I too wish it dodn't work like that, but as a publicaly held corporation, revenue/profit drives the engine..in all corporate models- no exceptions>> I have to disagree with this conclusion. We are consumers first and Disney fans 2nd. The proof is that many people if not most people staying in Orlando are now breaking up their vacations and spending time at Universal and not exclusively WDW despite the ongoing efforts of Disney to entice people ( with free transportation, free meals, Extra Magic Hours ) to stay on property. Disney is betting Harry Potterland is a flash in the pan. It is not and so far after a full year of being open the public's intrest, it's fans and Universal's expenditures on it keep growing. People are still taking vacations. And because WDW's parks offer nothing new in the rides/ attractions Dept many folks are opting on spending their vacation time and dollars elsewhere.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom You vote with your pocketbook and many people are doing just that with WDW.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>You vote with your pocketbook and many people are doing just that with WDW.<<< I certainly am... once my passes are dead, that's it..
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I certainly am... once my passes are dead, that's it.. << That's been my policy for quite awhile, EE. If I don't get free tickets, I don't go.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>That's been my policy for quite awhile, EE. If I don't get free tickets, I don't go.<< I see no reason. It's the same thing every time, and I like it, but it's too damn expensive.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I see no reason. It's the same thing every time, and I like it, but it's too damn expensive. << To be fair, the Fantasyland quail tiles are worth the price of admission. But other than that...
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I really enjoy WDW. However since there isn't much new in the parks and what is new and has been updated ( Star Tours ) isn't compelling enough for me to make a week long Trek to WDW. I might as well wait till the Fantasyland reclaimation project is complete. I'm going to try not to dwell on the negative here. But there really isn't much of a compelling reason for me to visit WDW. If there was something exciting and "new" then sure I could justify dropping the cash on Disney for a week. So it is not the prices keeping me away. It the staleness of the parks.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Where I disagree is that most people here are Disney fans..yes some have soured, but the reason sites like this have heavy traffic is the emotional connection between people and Disney. The movies, the history, for many boomers- much like the Beatles, Disney represents part of the soundstrack/video track of their loives. If Disney was Uni or anyone else in the theme park biz they may not have survived a number of periods in the parks histories. I see many of the same peole who talk about park visits, talk about collectibles, talk about the movies in general, talk about their non animation...this is not someone who goes to King's Island for some thrills
Originally Posted By danyoung Then there are those travelers (like me) who don't need something new every time. I don't base my Florida vacation on what's new in what park. I just go, and have continued to visit twice a year for about 15 years now. And what's there is terrific, and I always have a great time. Now, do I enjoy it when they open a new attraction? Of course. But is new stuff a critical component? Not at all.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo New attractions are not a deal breaker, but high quality service and maintenance is, as well as quality changing entertainment. Over those 15 years (30 trips), think of how many high quality, and in some cases better experiences you could have had. Each to their own, but since the degradation in the late Eisner and the Iger years, we have sought fun elsewhere, and had a better time than our last WDW trip. And DLP; while fun, was our least enjoyable of the 8 other theme park trips this year. I really want Disney to be the world leader in entertaining innovation, and keep coming on here in hopes of seeing improvements. But sadly, unless their is a radical change of leadership. As it is, I am disappointed I have our Easter trip to DLP booked, I'd rather go to Italy, but as it is the 20th anniversary and the kids are getting older. But after that, I am not sure when we will go to another Disney park unless it is in Asia.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>To be fair, the Fantasyland quail tiles are worth the price of admission. <<< True. I plan on spending some quality time with them in December... I think that'll be the last time I see them!!! ((((
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>New attractions are not a deal breaker, but high quality service and maintenance is, as well as quality changing entertainment. Over those 15 years (30 trips), think of how many high quality, and in some cases better experiences you could have had.<<< Not only that, but the fact is, that they ripped out a TON of my favorite rides, too.
Originally Posted By danyoung >Over those 15 years (30 trips), think of how many high quality, and in some cases better experiences you could have had.< For what it's worth, I did a lot of traveling as a musician, and have seen all 50 states as well as many other countries. As a single guy, I just don't want to go to Rome or Paris or Hawaii by myself. WDW gives me a great time as a single, and as a vacation destination it still works extremely well for me.
