WDW Social 'Media' and Conspiracy

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

Tom Baker said it.... my guess is that Lucas ripped it off from Dr Who. And the actual quote was "who is more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him". Sorry for the embelishment.

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

<<If you step back and think of this, but in perspective, you really see how far they have fallen when it comes to pushing the envelope for their guests. Delivering.>>

Hold on, when it comes to Fantasyland, Disney believes they are giving guests exactly what they want; more meet and greets. Initially the "new" Fantasyland redo was going to be all Princess meet and greets. Disney knows who their audience is.... little girls. I can't blame Disney for answering that call. I have never questioned adding more Princess meet and greets. I have always questioned the logic of taking away precious space around the castle, tearing out rides/ attractions to put in a meet and greet than can be done anywhere ( preferable indoors since this is central Florida we are talking about ). Add Princess meet and greets sure do it anywhere else except dedicating the entirity of Fantasyland to Princess meet and greets. The entire idea was so "un Walt Disney" who wanted to build a family friendly park. The key word there is "family friendly". You don't shut out boys and men to cater to your target audience especially while making it blantantly obvious who you target audience is. Then again this is Disney we are talking about so anything goes and logic doesn't seem to apply.

DCA gets tow-mater spin..... MK gets Princess meet and greets.... You can't get more obvious than that....

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

>>Indeed - and the sad thing is that they try to substitute creating new content with hyping the emotions about existing - as well as past - content in order to try to stay relevant.

<<

And ridiculous implementation of technology to overlay existing infrastructure.

Interactive Queues, FP, Kim Possible, Photopass

 

Originally Posted By Bolna

<<And ridiculous implementation of technology to overlay existing infrastructure.

Interactive Queues, FP, Kim Possible, Photopass>>

Oh, yes. You would think that they are afraid to do something new, to create. Why???

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

Sure, Tom, but my bigger issue is not the content of the expansion as much as what lengths they go to deliver the content.

If you are going to do a replacement Snow White attraction in lieu of a dark ride that 40 years of guests already have an expectation towards, then at least make sure that replacement delivers in all categories. A tricked out junior coaster train is novel, but shouldn't be a complete replacement for offering a few doses of Snow White and co. Combine that with the fact that this coaster will end up being the centerpiece to the expansion, it will even be more egregious.

If you are finally going to do a Little Mermaid attraction and tens of millions of dollars are spent on site work, show buildings, queues, lighting, etc. Don't cheap out with the climatic Ursula scene. It's really frustrating to see the hard costs of these giant projects and see that after all is said and done, the end result of the show is somewhat dampered because an extra 4% wasn't spent to plus something.

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

>>Oh, yes. You would think that they are afraid to do something new, to create. Why???<<

Because a lot of the current folks at WDI are out of gas, even with a budget. It's the same old tired retread concepts, themes, and presentation formats. Budgets affect a lot, but they don't necessitate chili burbs, skunk smells, or guest provided knock-knock jokes.

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

>>Oh, yes. You would think that they are afraid to do something new, to create. Why???<<


Because they don't want to spend 100 million dollars on another failure like Mission to Mars. Disney is afraid to spend any money on anything that isn't a guaranteed success. The DVCs are guaranteed successes.

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>EPCOT still have a few of them, Energy, Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land.

I had thought one complaints with Epcot Center was that it was over the top E ticket omnimovers laddened with AAs. Now it's all movie screens.<<<

SSE is the only one left, LwtL and UoE have scenes and screens, but no AAs.

LwtL has plants, though! ;-)

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>My point is that 30 years ago they were willing to go to those lengths for one pavilion, while at the same time, spending billions on the other dozen and a half pavilions for opening day. But now, today, for this 'historic' Fantasyland expansion the best they can muster up with all of their limited resources is was show scene for SNOW WHITE. Not some generic transportation theme, but SNOW 'STARTED IT ALL' WHITE. And not only is it the big new addition, but it is a replacement for a SNOW WHITE attraction that was nothing but show scenes.<<<

I agree totally, don't worry! LOL. Just sayin'...

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

I'm not worried EE. But -just sayin- is a pretty large 'pass' and an indication of how low our own expectations have been conditioned to go.

As an admission paying guest, it is now our responsibility to understand the economic pressures of running a financially successful theme park. I don't think so.

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

Universe of Energy has all the Dino AAs. Better than Countdown to Extinction in my opinion.

 

Originally Posted By sjhym333

Plus a terrible looking Ellen AA

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

I have a weakness for UoE. Even in its current shape. We all have our vices or irrational attachments to things that have fringe appeal. UoE is certainly mine.

To truly understand the technology behind its operation, the timing, all of the moving pieces occurring in harmony with each other... Well, it's like I said my own irrational affection.

It screams NYWF'64 to me, the dinosaurs, the large show spaces, the unique building. The 'moving theater' ride vehicle. The diorama, all the now disabled effects... It was an epic creation, it was something out of the ordinary. I dig it.

Now consider most of this stuff was designed and implemented thirty years ago and it fascinates me even more.

I wish they would update the theaters and overall presentation. I really think the show framework is still conducive to presenting a great pavilion to guests. The topic of Energy itself remains as topical, if not more.

I have little hope Disney will go to the lengths to keep the framework of this 40 minute presentation format when they decide to reinvent the pavilion.

So, in my irrational way, I go into it to still enjoy what it is - even with the bad Ellen AA.

 

Originally Posted By sjhym333

I love UOE. When something goes amiss in our family someone will say...Stupid Judy, Stupid Energy.

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

The new show is an improvement in some areas over the original. It shouldn't have been a reason to let a lot of the Diorama effects fall by the wayside though.

I really, really like the score for the new show. The old show had fun music, but it was time to update. I think the score for the new attraction is quite possibly the best thing about the update (funny saying 'update' considering its, what 15 years old)

I wish they could keep simple things like the 2nd theater's curtains working and light levels on the projectors correct. This place should be an easy sell to an energy sponser and it should be easy to just update with a complete new film. I understand that probably will not be the direction taken when the time comes.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<I'd rather have nostalgia than the real thang.

I should've signed my post, "Love, Your Average D23 Member.">>

I just posted about this on another thread, but it sure seems that Disney has replaced nostalgia for taking people to different places and times (both based in reality and imagined) with a nostalgia for taking fanbois back to past decades when it actually gave a damn about adding new quality offerings.

How often do I hear fanbois drooling as they speak of 'retro' merchandise? How often do I hear talk of the CoP belonging in a museum? How often do I hear talk about 'bringing (fill in the blank) back?'

All the while, WDW gets staler and UNI moves further ahead in the building of truly innovative and cutting edge rides and experiences.

This is WDW where they can't even put out a new parade every 2-3 years.

But I've heard that some podcasting dudes think WDW has never been better ... ;-)

~GFC~

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>>I am also a mom blogger for the Little Rock Mamas in Arkansas<<

<<Wow. That sentence right there gives me the creeps for some reason....>>

I'd bet those Mamas would think you are one fine Daddy ... you could supply the testosterone for the group as you whore your way to a free week's stay at the lovely BLT!

~GFC~

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<This kind of fits what Doug posted in the discussion about DCA, how self referential Disney has become.>>

Yes. I loved that. Need to find that quote ... I think it's the smartest observation Doug has ever made here ;-)
But it's all about making people believe (have an unhealthy connection?) with the Disney BRAND. The MK feels so crass these days. Like a giant outlet mall of Disney with some attractions thrown in.

And the absolute least amount of investment possible.


<<I understand that D23 is about the history of the parks to a large degree, and I love history and think knowledge about it is important in so many ways.

But I get the impression that with Disney parks the history is being used more and more to distract from the present. As important history is to understand where we come from (and I would say this is way more important with regard to society as a whole than for theme parks), life is happening now. If one starts to live more in the past than in the present, it is a huge sign that there is something wrong.>>

Nailed it again, Bolna. I so like converting people over to the Dark Side (otherwise known as reality!)

I enjoyed the parks in the past, but I don't want to go back. I enjoyed UNI's parks in the past. The thing is they are adding and improving and Disney isn't (mostly in Florida, to be fair, but I live here ... these are MY parks!) What I want is Disney to keep improving them and making them better ...and they aren't, Social Media whores aside, they are heading in the opposite direction.

And they absolutely are playing on nostalgia as a way of co-opting the fanbois ... I don't care about the EPCOT logo, watching 1972 era parades, the Orange Bird or a retro CoP line of merchandise ... what I want are new reasons to keep visiting. They are failing miserably at creating those for me and many others.

~GFC~

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<I wonder how much Disney pays the Orlando Sentinel for its The Daily Disney page?>>

What is the deal with that? Online only, right?

I am disappointed that Jason Garcia seems unwilling/unable to push Disney on serious issues. It may not be his choice, but the local paper should be more than simply a PR wing for WDW.

If I heard the BoD was at WDW for four days, including the dying Steve Jobs (who always is NEWS when he is spotted anywhere), I might have at least a blurb on it.

If I heard that Disney was paying bloggers and podcasters for coverage and using all of these new social networking tools to spread the Pixie Dust, then you'd like to think that might be worth a story too.

If I heard the monorails were down almost as much as they were up (on the heels of a death that was traced to Disney cutting corners), then I might be writing something along those lines instead of a PR piece on DAK Lodge's 10th anniversary.

Hell, if I had the job I might even have written about GF DVC or looked in depth at why MAGICal fanbois are starting a campaign/fan site about WDW's attractions falling apart.

But I know nothing about media and what's newsworthy ...

~GFC~

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<If you step back and think of this, but in perspective, you really see how far they have fallen when it comes to pushing the envelope for their guests. Delivering.

This is why some of us give Universal slack. At least they are trying to top themselves.>>

I said this during your time away from the LP pond, but it is worth repeating.

UNI is trying to deliver the best possible product in themed family entertainment to its guests, while WDW is trying as well ... trying to deliver the absolute least it possibly can ... and it has been doing so right through the last Decade of Decline.

When did Disney last raise the bar in O-Town? ToT in 1994? KS in 1998? Anything this century?

Didn't think so ...

~GFC~