Disney's $1 billion dollar bet on magical wristband - Wired

[lockedoutlogic]

I think you are right about social media. Facebook (I see a bunch of Disney stuff and share with friends) and other media, especially YouTube videos. This has done a great deal to grow the mythos. Disney has a special standing in our culture like no other and therefore social media has magnified this. See what Disney did when they did not stop Frozen fans making videos and such. That was very smart.

I think it has been somewhat gradual, but a definite steady increase after about 2009 when the economy begin to improve. AND it got another spike when everyone was talking about Frozen and... Disney. Love Frozen, love Disney. Hate Frozen, still love Disney.

Long ago it was the Muppets acquisition, now Marvel and Star Wars. This is all going to add to the mythos. And each will cause a synergy of the whole. We aren't talking theme parks or entertainment giants. We are talking the AT&T of old when it was the only thing. There is no other. Movies, games, television, classics, superheroes, space cowboys, books, and on and on. As Disney continues to grow in the cultural consciousness like a black hole, all other theme parks diminish. They are but theme parks. Fun places to visit. But Disney. Disney is so much more now.

Jeez...ease off the sugar there, chief...

Marvel is a comic book franchise... Which have always been on the fringes of pop culture...it's just big in movies right now.

That's a guarantee, huh?

And second...star wars is a licensing juggernaut...but again - they've got alot to prove with that.

If its crap...as Lucas's second go around was...they are going to suffer a heavy backlash...
There will be no benefit of the doubt this time.

I mean...do you work for Disney? The poms are starting to get a little frayed at this point.

This group of clowns on the board and in charge are infallible?
Is that what I'm supposed to buy?

 

[jade1]

"Just lower the price" doesn't compute...if only you believe in economics, socials strata, perception, consumer habits, or gravity...

Did anybody on here say just reduce the price? Not me anyway. But they could. And certainly could bundle some very nice packages.

But with FP+ you could offer 8 for deluxe, 6 mod 4 for everyone else similar to free dining, or with free dining.

Or just 8 for Sept/Oct (example) for everyone. If needed can offer multiple parks or rerides, or no tiers etc.

 

[jade1]

They have the guests "building and maintaining" the hotels.

Vendors are building D Springs.

Could easily have guests build and maintain all future attraction expansion as well-through deluxe stays and app purchase if they wanted.

 

[clsteve]

Yes-my point is they "GAVE ME THE CHOICE" to reserve 3 FP+ in a row each evening (instead of spreading them throughout the day like FP- did "IF" you managed to get any), which tells me they are OK with a subset of visitors "choosing to vacation as they see fit". LT chose offsite stays and dining because he was able to lock down a decent touring plan "WITHOUT" getting an onsite hotel and rushing first thing in the AM.

Our choices are more in line with fishing and golf mornings-and we still prefer to stay deluxe. Disney knows that subset will stay as well.

Jade, don't turn this into a FP-/+ which is better discussion. That wasn't the point.

The point was Plano's post, Lake's thread (minus the dollars) and your pictures and posts pointing out that the new system and method can be used to do the exact opposite of what they planned.

And I'm sure they're ok with the subset they designed for. The key point being - that they designed for. Haven't seen many plans based on human behavior actually over-estimate the subset that beats the maze.

You pretty quickly broke it, as did Lake's thread and others.

Back to the bubble discussion while increasing DVC, etc., that subset changes in size, even without folks like you figuring it out.

 

[jade1]

Jade, don't turn this into a FP-/+ which is better discussion. That wasn't the point.

The point was Plano's post, Lake's thread (minus the dollars) and your pictures and posts pointing out that the new system and method can be used to do the exact opposite of what they planned.

And I'm sure they're ok with the subset they designed for. The key point being - that they designed for. Haven't seen many plans based on human behavior actually over-estimate the subset that beats the maze.

You pretty quickly broke it, as did Lake's thread and others.

Back to the bubble discussion while increasing DVC, etc., that subset changes in size, even without folks like you figuring it out.

It was 100% the point.

LT would not have done that touring style without FP+ (hence the name of the title).

Disney has said it (FP+) will improve flexibility and spontaneity.

My touring did take me offsite a couple times, but we did that before as well ANYWAY. Now it's just dramatically that much better with FP+.

Therefore we will increase or amount of stays, as well as the length of the stays. Pretty sure they knew many of us would feel that way.

I can choose a beach vacation-but cant go into the parks at night.

However I can hit the beach and return to the parks at night with FP+.

Point is, they gave us exactly what we need to vastly improve an already wonderful vacation with FP+-glad to pay more for that.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I don't think there is that assumption by anyone...

But diminishing return...and diminishing attention spans...means that the majority (assumption) of repeat offenders will tire on the same things - and that does affect their travel and spending habits.

I love the haunted mansion...but am I buying tshirts? Hell no.

And even my kids got over the stuff in the pirate dump shop after a year or two (the worlds first dump shop...I might add)...so even the "young at heart" theory doesn't hold.

There is your issue. You and some of the others here I would call VERY frequent visitors. I go every 2 to 3 years now, less frequent in the past. Many people I know are repeat customers but only do the parks every 3 to 5 years. (Some alternate with cruises which are a different animal.)

The majority of real middle class repeat visitors are not multiple times a year or even every year visitors and fall in the 2 to 5 year range. They, like me and many here, are extraordinarily happy. None of my offline discussions about Disney are like the negativity here. You aren't happy. I think your visitation pattern and opinions on Disney are part of a very small minority. They are even in the minority (albeit a very vocal one) here on the DIS where things can get very negative. My suggestion is go less frequently. I have gone twice - January 12 and fall 2013, both for extended stays. Both times I said to myself that things cannot be as good as last time. Both times my expectations were exceeded with a fantastic visit. Loads of fun, clean, great CM's, and plenty of magic. I got to do the things I wanted and loved FP+, loved New Fantasy Land, every other land, and left with my wife and adult kids going, "Wow, that was great!" Why do so many have my experience and you and others have the opposite experience at the same place and time? I can only surmise it is the difference in familiarity and corresponding expectations.

I think Disney knows that the majority of repeat visitors are very happy. And Disney knows you are not, but you are - in my opinion - part of a very small percentage.

Jeez...ease off the sugar there, chief...

Marvel is a comic book franchise... Which have always been on the fringes of pop culture...it's just big in movies right now.

That's a guarantee, huh?

FRINGES OF POP CULTURE!?!? Hahahahahaha! I am very sorry you have been in cryo-storage for twenty years. You and Cap need to catch up to today. Marvel was a comic book franchise twenty years ago. Today it is one of the biggest cultural powerhouses and one of the most successful and revered movie studios. EVERYONE knows Spiderman, Ironman, Hulk, Thor, and now all the Avengers. Not only in the US but around the world! Movies are one of the, if not the, biggest cultural touchstone. Is that a guarantee? Practically!

This is were I think Disney has been the absolute smartest company on the planet. They have joined forces with and then purchased the biggest and/or the most loved and valued cultural icons in Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, Indiana Jones, even the Muppets. (Muppets more loved and less value, but still a positive). This has centered them to be a juggernaut unlike any entertainment company that has ever existed.

P.S. Avengers and Iron Man 3 both sold well over a Billion world wide because they are in the world's cultural consciousness. AND Disney and Marvel have been doing it right. Even the last Captain America movie (thought to be unsellable around the world) made over $700 million. Movies practically ARE culture.

And second...star wars is a licensing juggernaut...but again - they've got alot to prove with that.

If its crap...as Lucas's second go around was...they are going to suffer a heavy backlash...
There will be no benefit of the doubt this time.

Based on recent track record, Disney is going to do it right. If they do it wrong like Lucas did, they will only make a Billion or 2. (Lucas "failure" made many hundreds of millions in profits) If they do it right like Marvel, they will make tens of Billions. So far everything - and I mean EVERYTHING - track record, changes, direction, casting - is pointing to a positive result. If Disney does Star Wars 2 thirds as well as Marvel, in several years Avatar will be the 3rd or 4th biggest movie of all time.

I mean...do you work for Disney? The poms are starting to get a little frayed at this point.

This group of clowns on the board and in charge are infallible?
Is that what I'm supposed to buy?

Haha. No, but I'm thinking about it when I retire. Yes, I am very positive about Disney right now. Perfect? No? Doing a lot right? Absolutely! Making most people happy including me? Yes. I like their focus on media and world expansion. I love their acquisitions. Star Wars in the parks and Pandora are going to be great. Their movies of all types are top notch. The world loves and respects Disney. And I think I am in the majority. Everything other than a small portion of the DIS supports this assumption.

Check out this article. You will hate it. I think it is genius. For the business. And for the fan. http://chiefexecutive.net/how-bob-iger-remade-the-house-that-walt-built

You are so terribly angry and negative about every single thing. (I have never seen a purely positive post.) Again, my suggestion is take a break and visit National Parks for the next 5 years. Then come back. You'll feel differently.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Did anybody on here say just reduce the price? Not me anyway. But they could. And certainly could bundle some very nice packages.

Umm... You did...

"Why can't they lower the price?"

Ummm....UHHHH...hmmmm

 

[clsteve]

It was 100% the point.

LT would not have done that touring style without FP+ (hence the name of the title).

Disney has said it (FP+) will improve flexibility and spontaneity.

My touring did take me offsite a couple times, but we did that before as well ANYWAY. Now it's just dramatically that much better with FP+.

Therefore we will increase or amount of stays, as well as the length of the stays. Pretty sure they knew many of us would feel that way.

I can choose a beach vacation-but cant go into the parks at night.

However I can hit the beach and return to the parks at night with FP+.

Point is, they gave us exactly what we need to vastly improve an already wonderful vacation with FP+-glad to pay more for that.

Jade, back to the point. I seriously doubt that you think Disney spent billions so guests like you can hit the beach or go to Uni or a ballgame.

We know what Disney said in their Marketing - Improve Flexibility and Spontaneity. of course.

Back to the point. It's great for the first timers in a great economy. It would be great for all of us with enough real capacity.

Burst the bubble...

But please. Touting on one DIS board how FP+ and MM+ let you easily do whatever you want to off site with scheduling a tight FP window.

Then here, that not many will do it and it will actually increase days on site......

 

[jade1]

Umm... You did...

"Why can't they lower the price?"

Ummm....UHHHH...hmmmm

Did anybody on here say just reduce the price? Not me anyway. But they could. And certainly could bundle some very nice packages.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Tim,

You just said a day it two ago that discussions with your church group in...Montana...is it? Were positive about Disney.

I mean..I am saturated... And negative...
But boy...Im having a hard time being told what I am.

I mean...I thought I was a resident of the most populace area of the country...and a middle aged professional... Who worked at Disney ( non entry level) in a couple of posts...and study it from a business and logistics standpoint then and ever since.

And I thought I then invested for special occasions...vacation club at a fairly young age...and alot of the children's upbringing to this point there...

And right smack in the middle of probably the highest percentage and patronage of wdw travelers (a five state block not including Florida)...so it "comes up"...like alot.

I mean...I'm not sure what I am...but I'm sure what I'm not.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Did anybody on here say just reduce the price? Not me anyway. But they could. And certainly could bundle some very nice packages.

Ok...but packages and promos are temporary and are NOT price reductions.

Because the street would demand that they end.

That is a big difference. If you're clarifying...I got you.

 

[jade1]

Ok...but packages and promos are temporary and are NOT price reductions.

Because the street would demand that they end.

That is a big difference. If you're clarifying...I got you.

I said not JUST price reductions.

Here is an example I added (3 pages ago) of not "just" price reductions to entice visitors during a recession or slower times with FP+.

But with FP+ you could offer 8 for deluxe, 6 mod 4 for everyone else similar to free dining, or with free dining.

Or just 8 for Sept/Oct (example) for everyone. If needed can offer multiple parks or rerides, or no tiers etc.

 

[jade1]

Jade, back to the point. I seriously doubt that you think Disney spent billions so guests like you can hit the beach or go to Uni or a ballgame.

We know what Disney said in their Marketing - Improve Flexibility and Spontaneity. of course.

Back to the point. It's great for the first timers in a great economy. It would be great for all of us with enough real capacity.

Burst the bubble...

But please. Touting on one DIS board how FP+ and MM+ let you easily do whatever you want to off site with scheduling a tight FP window.

Then here, that not many will do it and it will actually increase days on site......

Your still missing the "choice" part of the equation.

The percent that will "choose" to RD a park (having the evening set at MK for example) is way higher than the ones going to the beach and back, or even the WDW fishing and golf-but it's a choice regardless.

We RD'ed EPCOT in March and had Soarin and TT done by 9:34. Then could have went on either again or selected either one as FP+ at the kiosk.

Point is you could easily RD EPCOT or AK without FP+, do the whole park and have an evening at DHS or MK set with 3FP+/parades/dinner/fireworks-something not possible with FP-.

Or you could fish/golf/shop/sleep whatever-it's all open for choices.

Giving us all of these options is exactly why we will be adding trips and longer stays-much more money for WDW-and very happy to give it. It's by far that much better with FP+.

 

[wallrock]

You said: we can't lower the price

What I am pointing out is, if for 11 years they have raised prices-and you believe LOWERING the prices is off the table-you must believe the price hikes were justified-or they would be on the table.

I have never said they have lowered the prices-only that they could if needed.

But since you think it's off the table-that means the increases were justified.

You're way off base. I indicate that they will never lower prices because Disney wouldn't consider such a move and you somehow translate that into me thinking that the price hikes are justified? Just where do you get that?

Read any of my posts on this forum and see if I justify and back Disney's price increases. You'll get a clear picture of where I stand.

 

[wallrock]

I think you are right about social media. Facebook (I see a bunch of Disney stuff and share with friends) and other media, especially YouTube videos. This has done a great deal to grow the mythos. Disney has a special standing in our culture like no other and therefore social media has magnified this. See what Disney did when they did not stop Frozen fans making videos and such. That was very smart.

I think it has been somewhat gradual, but a definite steady increase after about 2009 when the economy begin to improve. AND it got another spike when everyone was talking about Frozen and... Disney. Love Frozen, love Disney. Hate Frozen, still love Disney.

Long ago it was the Muppets acquisition, now Marvel and Star Wars. This is all going to add to the mythos. And each will cause a synergy of the whole. We aren't talking theme parks or entertainment giants. We are talking the AT&T of old when it was the only thing. There is no other. Movies, games, television, classics, superheroes, space cowboys, books, and on and on. As Disney continues to grow in the cultural consciousness like a black hole, all other theme parks diminish. They are but theme parks. Fun places to visit. But Disney. Disney is so much more now.

Whoa, I wouldn't go this far. Disney is far from being the AT&T of today as you can't monopolize creativity. Plenty of other companies producing entertainment.

And I doubt that Disney is 'growing'. To me, growing would be utilizing their own creative juices to come up with new ideas and not wait until someone else creates something and buy them out. If Disney had created the Marvel universe then I would agree with you. That said, acquisitions are always the easiest route to further success once you've established yourself. Now Disney has joined the ranks of IBM, General Dynamics, Kraft, General Electric and others like them so in a sense they are following the same path as other mature conglomerates. Hardly a mythos.

And that's one of the frustrating aspects I have with Disney - they have the talent to create their own universes and concepts but have decided to walk away from that.

There are new customers out there buying, but they all aren't buying Disney. They're buying the items Disney has acquired. When you buy a jar of Planters peanuts you don't think "wow, Kraft is one special company to make these!" You're buying them because you enjoy them - you've always enjoyed them and you were never concerned if the company was owned by Kraft or Nabisco.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Tim,

You just said a day it two ago that discussions with your church group in...Montana...is it? Were positive about Disney.

I mean..I am saturated... And negative...
But boy...Im having a hard time being told what I am.

I mean...I thought I was a resident of the most populace area of the country...and a middle aged professional... Who worked at Disney ( non entry level) in a couple of posts...and study it from a business and logistics standpoint then and ever since.

And I thought I then invested for special occasions...vacation club at a fairly young age...and alot of the children's upbringing to this point there...

And right smack in the middle of probably the highest percentage and patronage of wdw travelers (a five state block not including Florida)...so it "comes up"...like alot.

I mean...I'm not sure what I am...but I'm sure what I'm not.

What are you not? No, I live in Central Pennsylvania. Dozens and dozens of people at work, church, and other places all talk and love Disney. You are saturated and negative. Every single post. That's stating the obvious. You discuss in an entertaining manner and we have had many an enjoyable exchange. I'm just trying to figure out why you ended up so durned angry and negative. Why? When there is so much good. Frequent visitor, ex-employee, DVC, and too much Disney? How long and where did you work at Disney? You are definitely not the typical Disney visitor. Nor are your views typical. How much does perception and baggage color both our views? My baggage is positive and yours is negative? That is the point of discussions. We all think our view is the truth or at least the majority.

 

[jade1]

You're way off base. I indicate that they will never lower prices because Disney wouldn't consider such a move and you somehow translate that into me thinking that the price hikes are justified? Just where do you get that?

Read any of my posts on this forum and see if I justify and back Disney's price increases. You'll get a clear picture of where I stand.

Sorry-I was just reading what you said.

Wrongly assumed that you meant lowering prices was off the table-to mean "why would they lower prices when the place is packed"?

Many guests (including me) think they should raise all prices further to thin the crowds.

I guess you would lower the price right now if you were in charge-my bad.

By the way-how far would you lower it?

 

[rteetz]

What are you not? No, I live in Central Pennsylvania. Dozens and dozens of people at work, church, and other places all talk and love Disney. You are saturated and negative. Every single post. That's stating the obvious. You discuss in an entertaining manner and we have had many an enjoyable exchange. I'm just trying to figure out why you ended up so durned angry and negative. Why? When there is so much good. Frequent visitor, ex-employee, DVC, and too much Disney? How long and where did you work at Disney? You are definitely not the typical Disney visitor. Nor are your views typical. How much does perception and baggage color both our views? My baggage is positive and yours is negative? That is the point of discussions. We all think our view is the truth or at least the majority.

I don't find all of lockedoutlogics posts negative. Yes some are but he looks at things from a realistic side without any pixie dust. Disney can do wrong and has done wrong they are not perfect neither are you or I or anyone else for that matter. I think lockedout offers a good perspective being a former CM, and a DVC member.

 

[clsteve]

Your still missing the "choice" part of the equation.

The percent that will "choose" to RD a park (having the evening set at MK for example) is way higher than the ones going to the beach and back, or even the WDW fishing and golf-but it's a choice regardless.

We RD'ed EPCOT in March and had Soarin and TT done by 9:34. Then could have went on either again or selected either one as FP+ at the kiosk.

Point is you could easily RD EPCOT or AK without FP+, do the whole park and have an evening at DHS or MK set with 3FP+/parades/dinner/fireworks-something not possible with FP-.

Or you could fish/golf/shop/sleep whatever-it's all open for choices.

Giving us all of these options is exactly why we will be adding trips and longer stays-much more money for WDW-and very happy to give it. It's by far that much better with FP+.

Jade, I'm agreeing with you. You broke the code!

And this discussion has nothing to do with the previous system. That system is gone. No reason to talk about FP- and the rest anymore - don't you think?

Plus, your previous posts, with all of those pictures, will be a huge benefit to a lot of future guests - how to get 3 rides in and then go off to do other things. You and Lake have a lot more in common than you realize when it comes to helping guests maximize their vacation time.

I mean, you have to be one of the first to document a morning in DA, a Bowl Game and an evening in EPCOT with tiered rides. That's good stuff and stuff to keep in mind for maximizing an Orlando vacation.

But, can we just leave the FP- stuff outside the door, maybe have a wake or something....?

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Whoa, I wouldn't go this far. Disney is far from being the AT&T of today as you can't monopolize creativity. Plenty of other companies producing entertainment.

And I doubt that Disney is 'growing'. To me, growing would be utilizing their own creative juices to come up with new ideas and not wait until someone else creates something and buy them out. If Disney had created the Marvel universe then I would agree with you. That said, acquisitions are always the easiest route to further success once you've established yourself. Now Disney has joined the ranks of IBM, General Dynamics, Kraft, General Electric and others like them so in a sense they are following the same path as other mature conglomerates. Hardly a mythos.

And that's one of the frustrating aspects I have with Disney - they have the talent to create their own universes and concepts but have decided to walk away from that.

There are new customers out there buying, but they all aren't buying Disney. They're buying the items Disney has acquired. When you buy a jar of Planters peanuts you don't think "wow, Kraft is one special company to make these!" You're buying them because you enjoy them - you've always enjoyed them and you were never concerned if the company was owned by Kraft or Nabisco.

AT&T is not a good comparison. Too small, only in the U.S., and only somewhat cultural significant. There are plenty of other companies producing entertainment. There is no other company in the same universe as Disney. Disney has monopolized the cultural zeitgeist. Everyone in the US and a huge majority around the world know Disney, love Disney. Just do research on the companies reach.

It matters not if you hire someone to write your script or buy their company. It matters not if it is by acquisition or internal. Marvel is now Disney as is Lucas Films. The mythos is not about the acquisition of businesses, it is about their hold on popular culture. EVERYONE today talks Disney and this is growing as the acquisitions AND original quality content grow. Frozen is the cultural quasar of 2013 and it is original Disney. They haven't walked away from anything. POTC is theirs too. So are the super successful live action movies.

The amazing thing about Disney is that when people buy Marvel they know and talk Disney. Same with SW. Disney is what is talked about.

There can be no denying the obvious ascendancy of Disney in our culture and worldwide. Both as a business and as an entertainment cultural behemoth. There isn't another company close. On the same track. In the same state. On the same continent. Disney has had a special place in America's heart that has grown since the 1940's, but in the last 15 or so years it has grown exponentially and spread around the world. Just Google the term Disney along with several varying other terms and then look at Google news. The articles are endless that talk about the startlingly unique position Disney is in and what is coming in the next few years.