News Round Up 2016

[Spacedog1975]

The next ten years has to be about SPREADING out the crowds. And I believe that's what they will try and do. Draw people to spend more time at DAK and DHS and then hopefully EPCOT. If they can bring the MK #s down while still increasing the overall numbers, I think that would be ideal.

I doubt that the MK numbers are going to come down. But by making DAK and DHS more popular destinations, the future guest increase will be dispersed to these parks. More capacity and attractions at both will help a lot with the guest experience. If a Frontierland expansion follows, that will also help.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

If this is going down the path of "they HAVE to build more because of the crowds..." Then you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

Honestly - I'm beginning to really think this is about Comcast and their full frontal assault. Maybe Disney finally did decide they aren't invincible?

 

[skier_pete]

If this is going down the path of "they HAVE to build more because of the crowds..." Then you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

Honestly - I'm beginning to really think this is about Comcast and their full frontal assault. Maybe Disney finally did decide they aren't invincible?

I do wonder if the purchase of more land and the hint of a 3rd park over there would really do it. As long as Universal generally can't attract people for an entire week they aren't truly a problem. The minute they can draw people away from Disney completely in large quantities is when they become a problem.

 

[sachilles]

I honestly think they are in a bit of symbiotic relationship right now. They benefit from each other. Orlando is the key destination for family vacations. If Universal begins take a greater share of a finite capacity, then undoubtedly that will be a concern.
If I were to guess, I think you start to see some lodging wars. Both entities know that if you get them to sleep on your property, you'll take 90% of their vacation money.
If it becomes convenient to split stay between Universal and Disney, without a rental car....then it's a new game.

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

3/14-20, so just missing you. Darn

Shucks. Maybe next time!

I'll high five you on your way out

I'll already be home by that time. Oh well!

 

[twebber55]

I not sure how you argue that - the facts are against you:

View attachment 150436

MK: 13 % increase, Epcot: 5 % increase, DHS 7 % increase, DAK 9 % increase over the last 7 years. Considering if anything there are LESS attractions in Epcot, DHS, and DAK than there was in 2008 - MK is the only park that has added significant ride capacity since 2008. I can't say how you can argue that the parks aren't more crowded.

Now "crammed to capacity" - that's certainly not the case. But pretty crowded is a good bet. If you take MKs numbers, they are averaging 53,000 people a day in that park. That's crowded. I think a lot of people that complain about crowds are specifically complaining about crowds at MK. DAK and DHS are averaging 28,000 a piece.

And that's the big problem they have. MK continues to grow as a draw disproportionally. FLE was really a mistake in that it focused on the wrong park. They do the FLE to increase capacity at the park, but all it does is draw MORE people there. Look at the attendance increase from 2012 to 2014 - a 10% bump on it's own due to FLE. Meanwhile they probably increased capacity in the park by only 5 %, so really now the park only feels MORE crowded.

The next ten years has to be about SPREADING out the crowds. And I believe that's what they will try and do. Draw people to spend more time at DAK and DHS and then hopefully EPCOT. If they can bring the MK #s down while still increasing the overall numbers, I think that would be ideal.

And where you and I agree - there is going to be a breaking point coming - where the parks see a slowdown. Where that happens, who knows. Perhaps the current economic climate of strong US dollar will cause the start of it, you could see a small slide this year with foreign travel cutbacks, but in the end attendance is really driven domestically.

What I really hope is if the slide starts in the next year or two, Disney doesn't respond by cutting these expansion projects. The good news is the AK one is close enough to done that they really can't cut anything there, but DHS good still get cutbacks. They likely won't cut Star Wars land, but if they end up JUST doing TSL and SWL, then that park isn't much better off than it was before they started closing everything.

Basically saying, let's hope the course correction sticks, and it continues to them doing something at Epcot as well.

some times facts can get in the way

nighttime at MK is rough
next year with the expansion at DAK wrapping up this will help and then when Star wars gets built we should really get some balance in the parks
in 4 years Epcot could literally be the least attended park

 

[rteetz]

Princess half marathon merchandise preview is out

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...r-disney-princess-half-marathon-weekend-2016/

 

[Eoghann]

As far as ESPN goes...I think the writing is on the wall. If they sign the new NBA contract - they're fools.

And if they thought they could sell ESPN standalone...you be damn sure they would be moving to do it already.

They don't necessarily have to sell it, they could spin it off. It's a common trick used to protect a company from its "negative assets".

The problem is that right now ESPN isn't a negative. It's a huge revenue source and will be for at least 5 years. Only in the absurd world of Wall Street is this a reason to jump out of windows. If the board of directors wasn't so dependent on shareholders they would adjust earnings forecasts down, implement a strategy to expand revenue in other areas over the next decade to compensate and everyone would applaud their rational approach to business. Unfortunately they are dependent on shareholders so we'll get stock buybacks, firings and other stupidity.

Eventually though, spinning it off would be my bet for what happens.

 

[Eoghann]

I agree. At least around where I live our family and friends aren't cutting cable yet. I don't know anyone who has done it yet.!

It's niche still but a growing trend. You wouldn't see things like CBS announcing a streaming only Star Trek or Dish offering it's SlingTV streaming bundle (which includes ESPN) if it wasn't inevitable how things are going.

This is actually a far bigger problem for ESPN than the quality of its programming. A huge proportion of ESPNs income comes from people forced to pay for the channel who never watch it at all. As soon as they get the option that money is gone.

 

[Budshark]

balance in the parks

I see what you did there young padawan.

On a lighter note... WE HAVE ARRIVED!!! Woohoo. On ME now. If anyone wants a pic or update of anything specific let me know and I'll disappoint you like I do my wife.

 

[Spacedog1975]

It's niche still but a growing trend. You wouldn't see things like CBS announcing a streaming only Star Trek or Dish offering it's SlingTV streaming bundle (which includes ESPN) if it wasn't inevitable how things are going.

This is actually a far bigger problem for ESPN than the quality of its programming. A huge proportion of ESPNs income comes from people forced to pay for the channel who never watch it at all. As soon as they get the option that money is gone.

I might consider going to streaming for everything when Google gets to town (soon). I'm not a fan of every outlet creating their own stream. I'd like to have Netflix, Amazon, maybe Hulu. I'm not enthusiastic about having dozens of accounts from different providers. I will likely subscribe to the CBS feed and unsubscribe when Star Trek isn't new.

 

[Eoghann]

I might consider going to streaming for everything when Google gets to town (soon). I'm not a fan of every outlet creating their own stream. I'd like to have Netflix, Amazon, maybe Hulu. I'm not enthusiastic about having dozens of accounts from different providers. I will likely subscribe to the CBS feed and unsubscribe when Star Trek isn't new.

It's going to be messy for the next few years as everyone rushes to set up their own shop, but I think bundles will re-emerge at some point. SlingTV is essentially a bundle of existing cable channels over the internet. Ideally though those bundles will be less limiting than the current cable model.

Currently I have Hulu and Netflix and that actually covers a good 85% of my tv watching. I can definitely see subscribing to things like HBO or CBS for 1-2 months at at time, rather than year round.

 

[skier_pete]

I know this is super-off-topic, but my guess is once streaming services actually start hurting the cable companies, I think you'll see them go to a more al a carte selection. We have Netflix and Amazon Prime but the two issues with them are (1) the content is constantly shifting, so you never know when something is going to disappear and (2) at least where we live we only have DSL and at times the service is not strong enough for the stream and we get drop outs. I've started watching several series on Amazon Prime only for them to be pulled partway through. For now, the combination of DirecTV and a DVR can't be easily beat.

As to ESPN - I mostly watch Football and Hockey, and I NEVER watch ESPN. All those talking head shows are as useless to me as the talking head shows on CNN.

 

[rteetz]

I see what you did there young padawan.

On a lighter note... WE HAVE ARRIVED!!! Woohoo. On ME now. If anyone wants a pic or update of anything specific let me know and I'll disappoint you like I do my wife.

Any pics of anything going on would be appreciated.

 

[rteetz]

Frozen/Norway construction update

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...yal-sommerhus-meet-and-greet-construction.htm

 

[jade1]

Bunch of ROL but nothing new.

 

[skier_pete]

Is it just me - or is that shot of ROL seating seem like they decided to add more seating after the fact. The first tier of seating is nice rock face benches, though I am thinking they may add some sort of seating plate. The back rows is standard wood and post bleacher seats.

 

[rteetz]

Is it just me - or is that shot of ROL seating seem like they decided to add more seating after the fact. The first tier of seating is nice rock face benches, though I am thinking they may add some sort of seating plate. The back rows is standard wood and post bleacher seats.

Yes and no. I think it very well could be that first tier is FP or dining packages and then the back is standby.

 

[rteetz]

Episode 8 has begun filming

http://www.insidethemagic.net/2016/02/star-wars-episode-viii-has-officially-started-filming/

 

[sachilles]

Is it just me - or is that shot of ROL seating seem like they decided to add more seating after the fact. The first tier of seating is nice rock face benches, though I am thinking they may add some sort of seating plate. The back rows is standard wood and post bleacher seats.

It may the construction technique. The rock facade, is likely going in after the bench is mounted.