Comcast is reportedly in talks to acquire DreamWorks Animation in a multibillion deal

[PuppyJonathan]

on time and on or under budget

Well duh of course if you just install screens it's going to be that way

 

[rteetz]

Well duh of course if you just install screens it's going to be that way

I think the potter fans might not be happy with you for saying this. I've never been to universal but from what I've seen in pictures they did some great things with potter. Also to put this in perspective, both hogsmeade and Diagon alley and transformers at universal (last three major additions) cost under $500 million total for everything! Pandora is gonna be close to a billion when all is said and done, NFL was over $450 million. Look at what universal is doing for less money. I reserve major judgement though until I experience universal for myself.

 

[ChipnDale79]

If Disney ever topples it will be mostly their own doing, like Kodak or GM.

I do however think that the "plucky orphaned princess/robot/alien overcomes adversity" formula is ripe for the picking, with much box office and theme park remuneration soon to follow. All it is, when you get right down to it, is Shrek or Harry Potter fine tuned down the age ladder to pick up the demo for Toy Story, Finding Nemo et al.

I don't want Disney to topple but I would like there to be two very strong competitors in a similar space ... namely wholesome family vacations for the masses.

Bingo

 

[PuppyJonathan]

I think the potter fans might not be happy with you for saying this. I've never been to universal but from what I've seen in pictures they did some great things with potter. Also to put this in perspective, both hogsmeade and Diagon alley and transformers at universal (last three major additions) cost under $500 million total for everything! Pandora is gonna be close to a billion when all is said and done, NFL was over $450 million. Look at what universal is doing for less money. I reserve major judgement though until I experience universal for myself.

I'm pretty sure the Potter fans already aren't happy with me. Probably because I'm a Disney fan. Honestly I would make the same case statements towards Disney's recent rides if they existed (I'm a little tired of everything has to be an e-ticket).
I think it just bothers me that everyone gloats on Universal's theming but whenever once you get on the ride the theming stops. I keep thinking back to mine train and while that ride may be debatable on quality in comparison to what you mentioned I felt like the theming went through the entire ride. The interiors were just as lavish as the exterior. I keep looking at the what you mentioned with the lights on and for forbidden journey/gringotts they're just giant warehouses past their queues (I don't know about Transformers). Yes that could be argued for any dark ride but these ones I honestly do just think its a smorgasbord of track and screens, with walls separating the scenes. Plus for transformers it already existed in two different parks beforehand so they could've just copied/pasted. Nothing wrong with that, but don't hold it up as a factor in comparing construction habits of the two.
Also according to my sister, gringotts was the exact same ride as the other track-based simulators. She told me she timed the effects once and I forget which one gringotts synced to. Granted that's juts my sister talking, but I thought it was interesting.
The forbidden journey video with the lights on is quite fascinating to see how little is actually there. True with the show lights you don't need that much for the immersion but I'm just saying it's kind of like apples and oranges if you ask me. They're both food but they're two different tastes.
And I didn't know Avatar is going to cost close to a billion. I wish Disney would do some little things like c-tickets so that way everyone wins since they don't have to invest a ton on an e-ticket, and we're happy that there's actually construction/a new ride

 

[rteetz]

I'm pretty sure the Potter fans already aren't happy with me. Probably because I'm a Disney fan. Honestly I would make the same case statements towards Disney's recent rides if they existed (I'm a little tired of everything has to be an e-ticket).
I think it just bothers me that everyone gloats on Universal's theming but whenever once you get on the ride the theming stops. I keep thinking back to mine train and while that ride may be debatable on quality in comparison to what you mentioned I felt like the theming went through the entire ride. The interiors were just as lavish as the exterior. I keep looking at the what you mentioned with the lights on and for forbidden journey/gringotts they're just giant warehouses past their queues (I don't know about Transformers). Yes that could be argued for any dark ride but these ones I honestly do just think its a smorgasbord of track and screens, with walls separating the scenes. Plus for transformers it already existed in two different parks beforehand so they could've just copied/pasted. Nothing wrong with that, but don't hold it up as a factor in comparing construction habits of the two.
Also according to my sister, gringotts was the exact same ride as the other track-based simulators. She told me she timed the effects once and I forget which one gringotts synced to. Granted that's juts my sister talking, but I thought it was interesting.
The forbidden journey video with the lights on is quite fascinating to see how little is actually there. True with the show lights you don't need that much for the immersion but I'm just saying it's kind of like apples and oranges if you ask me. They're both food but they're two different tastes.
And I didn't know Avatar is going to cost close to a billion. I wish Disney would do some little things like c-tickets so that way everyone wins since they don't have to invest a ton on an e-ticket, and we're happy that there's actually construction/a new ride

I don't think everything has to be an e ticket and I don't think everyone feels that way but Disney used to be the biggest innovator in the game. Even Disneys lower ticket attractions were high quality. Mine train for example was supposed to be longer. Disney is also notorious for going over budget lately with everything. Universal can pull off great theming for much less than Disney. Disney used to be able of great quality attractions, built in reasonable amount of times. Look I've never been to universal so I can't say anything more than what I've seen in pictures but most people have forbidden journey and Spider-Man (both universal attractions) as their top attractions in Orlando or even the US.

All rides are essentially giant warehouses with a facade and well done queue. Look at the avatar flight of passage ride building, it's a massive warehouse with millions of dollars of rock work on the outside. TSMM is all screens and its loved and praised by Disney fans.

I just think universal uses their money more appropriately and gets things done in much less time. Avatar 2 rides and a restaurant = over $700 million. Potter, two lands, 3-4 major rides, and a couple restaurants=less than $500 million.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm pretty sure the Potter fans already aren't happy with me. Probably because I'm a Disney fan. Honestly I would make the same case statements towards Disney's recent rides if they existed (I'm a little tired of everything has to be an e-ticket).
I think it just bothers me that everyone gloats on Universal's theming but whenever once you get on the ride the theming stops. I keep thinking back to mine train and while that ride may be debatable on quality in comparison to what you mentioned I felt like the theming went through the entire ride. The interiors were just as lavish as the exterior. I keep looking at the what you mentioned with the lights on and for forbidden journey/gringotts they're just giant warehouses past their queues (I don't know about Transformers). Yes that could be argued for any dark ride but these ones I honestly do just think its a smorgasbord of track and screens, with walls separating the scenes. Plus for transformers it already existed in two different parks beforehand so they could've just copied/pasted. Nothing wrong with that, but don't hold it up as a factor in comparing construction habits of the two.
Also according to my sister, gringotts was the exact same ride as the other track-based simulators. She told me she timed the effects once and I forget which one gringotts synced to. Granted that's juts my sister talking, but I thought it was interesting.
The forbidden journey video with the lights on is quite fascinating to see how little is actually there. True with the show lights you don't need that much for the immersion but I'm just saying it's kind of like apples and oranges if you ask me. They're both food but they're two different tastes.
And I didn't know Avatar is going to cost close to a billion. I wish Disney would do some little things like c-tickets so that way everyone wins since they don't have to invest a ton on an e-ticket, and we're happy that there's actually construction/a new ride

I think that Gringott's is different...

It's possible to enjoy both Disney and Universal. Really. Until Disney started acting so bizarre I had that happy time.

 

[Shmily1]

It is the obvious direction for them to follow. With the decline in cable subscriptions, they really need to expand their brand.

The cable subscriptions probably decline due to their lack of service. Man, they are awful!!

 

[rteetz]

Looks like it's a done deal folks $3.8 billion

http://money.cnn.com/2016/04/28/media/comcast-dreamworks-nbcuniversal/index.html

 

[ChipnDale79]

Looks like it's a done deal folks $3.8 billion

http://money.cnn.com/2016/04/28/media/comcast-dreamworks-nbcuniversal/index.html

Well there ya go.

That's a big move, sounds like Shrek and Donkey have 475 acres for a new homestead.

 

[mikepizzo]

Looks like it's a done deal folks $3.8 billion

http://money.cnn.com/2016/04/28/media/comcast-dreamworks-nbcuniversal/index.html

Well that was quick.

 

[Shmily1]

They even took the CEO out. That's not necessarily a bad thing since they aren't doing so good. Big changes for them coming it seems.

 

[HopperFan]

I could really be excited about a Shrek's swamp full of fairy tale characters, Far Far Away and maybe a dark thrill ride inside of Duloc.

 

[rteetz]

They even took the CEO out. That's not necessarily a bad thing since they aren't doing so good. Big changes for them coming it seems.

Yeah Katzenburg is a free man now that's interesting.

 

[HopperFan]

I don't see him as out ... looks like he will be plenty busy according to multiple reports.

"With this acquisition, DreamWorks Animation CEO and co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg will segue out of management of the company's animated properties to become chairman of DreamWorks New Media, a new company overseeing it's properties, Awesomeness TV and NOVA. Katzenberg is said to have a consultancy with NBCUniveral."

"When the deal is completed, Katzenberg will become Chairman of DreamWorks New Media, made up of the company’s ownership interests in video company Awesomeness TV and its tech company Nova. He will also be a consultant to NBCUniversal."

 

[Lee Matthews]

Like i said before, competition is nothing but good for us at the end of the day

 

[PuppyJonathan]

I could really be excited about a Shrek's swamp full of fairy tale characters, Far Far Away and maybe a dark thrill ride inside of Duloc.

It's coming to Motiongate in Dubai in the fall. I'm eager to see that too

 

[HopperFan]

It's coming to Motiongate in Dubai in the fall. I'm eager to see that too

Bring it to Orlando and I will be going.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

I think that Gringott's is different...

It's possible to enjoy both Disney and Universal. Really.

I agree with you that Gringotts is different, I'm just quoting what my sister said. I took it with a grain of salt when she mentioned it to me but I only brought it up just to defend my (probably lousy) opinion of the Disney/Universal construction/theming debate
I also wholeheartedly agree with you about enjoying both. Honestly I do. I think the Port of Entry is one of the most beautiful lands in any park, and I love the theming of Seuss too, and I'm excited to try Minion Mayhem. I do kind of wish they still kept the Nickelodeon characters around. Whenever I went last to the studios, nicktoon blast was my favorite ride there

Bring it to Orlando and I will be going.

Same here. I'm not at all jealous that they're getting a How to Train Your Dragon ride either

Stupid thought, I wonder what this means for the Russia parks DreamWorks was considering and all the other ties that they have theme park wise?

 

[ColinBlair]

I think Islands of Adventure will see the biggest impact from this purchase in the short term. There have been rumblings that Toon Landing and The Lost Continent both need to be redone, and Toon Landing would be the perfect place for the Classic Media properties to be placed since Ripsaw Falls is already in place.

Personally, I just want a Voltron ride.

 

[rteetz]

I think Islands of Adventure will see the biggest impact from this purchase in the short term. There have been rumblings that Toon Landing and The Lost Continent both need to be redone, and Toon Landing would be the perfect place for the Classic Media properties to be placed since Ripsaw Falls is already in place.

Personally, I just want a Voltron ride.

Toon lagoon was where Nintendo was supposed to go I believe.