Originally Posted By Lee hisownself >>Careful with your choice of language there. << Good point. I need to double check what my source meant. I may have misunderstood. He was quite clear on the costs, though. And the phase 2 part.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>And...in just around three months of operation...it's paid for itself. Phase two is on the way.<<< PHASE II!?!??! Does this mean another trip? I reeeeally hope so.
Originally Posted By MousDad Phase II? Kick the Mouse while he's down, why don't you, Uni.!!??!! [btw - need a pair of good steel toed boots?]
Originally Posted By DlandDug Hmm. I see that gushing fans aren't confined to the Disney theme parks alone...!
Originally Posted By dshyates "Any idea on when we'll hear about Phase II, Lee?" My money goes on "Spring 2012". When is the FLE supposed to open?
Originally Posted By MousDad >>Hmm. I see that gushing fans aren't confined to the Disney theme parks alone...!<< Spirit needs to come up with a Uni equivalent of "clutching the plush." Everything that comes to my mind involves the term "wand," and it might just be better if I don't attempt it.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Both ways work, as we've seen, but I don't want them killing WDI's legacy of they just consolidate them into a very small branch. << My concern as well.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> WDI's legacy won't die. WDI will still be the people coming up with the concepts. They'll just have people doing the implementation. << I know how it works, I just don't like the concept. I like the fact that people have a long History with the Disney Corporation, and have worked with each other on numerous projects. Does anybody really feel that they have a Disney CM driving the Mears bus coming from MCO?
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Not sure if I like that... I would think that it would be better for the product if it was all done by the same people. << I'm with you EE!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Doing it the way Uni does it cuts down on cost without cutting too many effects. It has to. Just look at Potter. All that for 230 mil. With WDI's overspending, Potter would have cost them 400 without half the cool stuff. << Disney needs to address the cost issue, not follow others leads.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Boy Hokie, you got that right. And it wouldn't be as good either. << Since you were there wouldn't you agree that this is an internal issue that has been needing addressing for a very long time.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Just heard a couple days ago.... Forbidden Journey came in at just UNDER $90mil. Between $220-$240mil did the whole thing. And...in just around three months of operation...it's paid for itself. Phase two is on the way. << I believe there is little doubt that it has been a total success so far. The question still remains can it hold the publics attention long term?
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I don't think it is a clear-cut as that. I won't comment on the Potter budget as I've heard that the main attraction alone cost more than that but there is this notion that WDI is a big bloated full-service organization which isn't the case. WDI has always tried to keep specialties in-house from creative to delivery. That is still the case. << It seems we are either complaining about an inflated budget or complainig about budget cuts. We are a fickled bunch. >> An attraction like Toy Story Midway Mania is a good case in point. All of the creative from concept design to show writing to show production was executed in-house. However the game design was outsourced to a vendor who followed the creative instructions. The ride system was outsourced to a Japanese manufacturer (who are exceptional now as this type of conveyance). Then you have the usual list of A/V equipment, sound, lighting, set design, millwork, drywall, concrete, ironwork, rigging, general contracting etc. that is all farmed out to vendors. << I'm not against farming out the ride design at all. I just think concept, back-story and themeing should be done in house. >> Granted WDI could do with more generalists - folks who are multi-skilled rather than specialists - particularly on the delivery side but the problem is that no-one else in the industry designs and executes attractions on the scale of WDP&R - not even Uni Creative - so you need to decide what is the value of having that talent in-house. << Priceless I think. Maybe I have an unrealistic view of what I feel Disney should be.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I'm not against farming out the ride design at all. I just think concept, back-story and themeing should be done in house.>> Concept, back-story, and theming are done in house at Universal Creative, from what I understand.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> Spirit needs to come up with a Uni equivalent of "clutching the plush." Everything that comes to my mind involves the term "wand," and it might just be better if I don't attempt it. << Lord ADMIN's ears just perked up.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Concept, back-story, and theming are done in house at Universal Creative, from what I understand.>> Nope - they do outsource some creative. There are plenty of firms like Thinkwell, Hetema Group, BRC Imagination Arts etc. that have all supplied attractions to Uni Creative. I think all of the new attractions at Universal Studios Singapore had outsourced creative - and that hasn't worked out at all.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Spirit needs to come up with a Uni equivalent of "clutching the plush." Everything that comes to my mind involves the term "wand," and it might just be better if I don't attempt it.<<<< Er... Um... Riding the Bench? Yow.
