DHS Frozen -- I don't think I get it!

[Disneylover99]

And whether you love Frozen or not, MY OPINION is that Disney really cheesed out on these attractions, just to capitalize while they can. I don't blame them. They're making money hand over fist with this stuff and good for them. But it seemed like a lot of hype and not much follow through as far as the DHS events go. I look at the video of that parade and think, "Huh, that's it???" Five minutes???? The build a snowman area? They threw down a bunch of fake snow with some sand pails and shovels. If the little girls are loving this, great! I don't begrudge them going to any of it. But I DO think Disney could have done better.

I don't think it was ever billed as a parade. It was called a processional and I think that's exactly what it is. As for the build a snowman area....I don't know, but I prefer the fake snow to the real snow after the winter we had.

 

[gericoronado]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3299622

 

[MrsDuck]

I'm not a fan of Frozen and I'm not sure if I think DHS is the right park for the girls but honestly - I'm for anything that means moving forward and drawing guests into the parks/selling merch, etc.

 

[Missyrose]

I watched the show and parade via YouTube yesterday and I'm less sad the event will be over before I get there. I know these things are aimed at kids, but it seems kind of rinky dinky. I did think the Arendelle a Historians were funny. For a mid-summer hard ticket event,I think money would be better spent on a behind the scenes tour.

Except this ISN'T a hard-ticket event. Everything (but the dessert party) is open to anyone with valid park admission to DHS.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

No you're not alone. I enjoyed Frozen and I really liked Elsa and Hans. However I don't understand the Frozen hype - the movie simply wasn't THAT good. The hype has really overkilled it for me. We would actually avoid DHS during this event so I'm hoping they don't extend it.

 

[BlondeAppetit]

Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinions!

I am drinking the Frozen kool-aid because I can't help but live vicariously or more accurately be influenced to like the movie by my 4, almost 5, year old daughter. She loved seeing the movie at the theatre on MLK Day. It had not won any awards yet and we drove straight over to a local Walmart and bought a dress right on the spot. As a matter of fact, there was an ENTIRE Frozen section full of merchandise and the movie had been out for weeks.

Then it won all of those awards for the music, etc and the hype went through the roof. I truly think that it is the parents that go crazier than the children about the merchandise and if their children can get this or that Frozen opportunity.

My daughter and her girlfriends- just like a million little kids out there - know all the words to the songs, the movements of the characters in the movie, etc. The theme is about siblings and children can obviously relate to that message. The kids get so much joy out of this movie! It is so fun to watch them come out of their shells!

Mania like this is nothing new - think back to Star Wars premiers, ET, Cabbage Patch Kids, Tickle Me Elmo.....it is always something. This is Disney so it can't help but be larger than life! I remember seeing ET and the Goonies at the movies for the first time and my imagination was forever changed.

Frozen seems to inspire little children - especially little girls. And the music..it is powerful. SO.....it really depends on your situation. If I did not have a 5 year old daughter - my opinion may be completely different.

I would literally go bananas if Disney extended the Frozen activities at HS since I know how much my daughter would enjoy it on her first trip to WDW.

Every business has a goal to make money. However, this is a "free with ticket to the park" event with a premium ticketed element. I think that the prices are very fair. I watched the processional, the sing-a-long, and the fireworks show online and thought that it seems very nice. The seasonal element makes it even more compelling. However, I have not seem one advertisement on Disney or Disney Jr announcing this event. I do not think that is to compete with that Diagon Alley thing. I don't have a clue about that park, etc. I think that it is marketed to totally different audiences.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Well - you and the probably half a dozen other people who have started threads saying the same thing in the last week.

Maybe everyone (but you) hasn't become a crazy Frozen-obsessed zombie. Maybe people just like having new things to do?

I loved Frozen. That said, I just like to have something new to do. We went to Harambe Nights and I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. It definately exceeded expectations.

 

[hopemax]

And whether you love Frozen or not, MY OPINION is that Disney really cheesed out on these attractions, just to capitalize while they can. I don't blame them. They're making money hand over fist with this stuff and good for them. But it seemed like a lot of hype and not much follow through as far as the DHS events go. I look at the video of that parade and think, "Huh, that's it???" Five minutes???? The build a snowman area? They threw down a bunch of fake snow with some sand pails and shovels. If the little girls are loving this, great! I don't begrudge them going to any of it. But I DO think Disney could have done better.

What your missing is Disney's motivation. IMO, it's not being done to make money. It's a purely reactive, thrown together at the very last minute move, as a reaction to what is going on across town at Diagon Alley. They did something similar when Hogsmeade opened. They called it Summer Nighttastic, and they added a new drop sequence at ToT, and brought back the Electrical Parade and ran the fireworks from the Pirate & Princess Party at the Magic Kingdom. But at least that was announced in March for events starting in June, so they had time to implement something bigger.

Diagon Alley is in the Studios park at Universal, so undoubtedly uncomfortable comparisons will be made between their Studios park, which has recently seen the additions of Transformers, Despicable Me and a refreshed Simpsons area in addition to Harry Potter, and Disney's. And of the 4 parks Hollywood Studios is probably the Disney park that is in need of the most help.

They did the only thing they could which was reformulate the Star Wars Weekends stuff, which the park was already set up, and they lucked out that they did have a property that was capable of generating this sort of reaction. I don't think any of this would be happening if Diagon Alley wasn't opening this summer. I don't think the Frozen Frenzy would have been enough to have motivated Disney to do anything on this scale. And I think, if they knew several months ago that this was in the works Anna & Elsa would have never moved to the Magic Kingdom, and their new home would have been in the Studios instead.

 

[FLchick415]

I really don't think it has anything (or VERY little) to do with trying to combat Diagon Alley. It's apples and oranges.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

What your missing is Disney's motivation. IMO, it's not being done to make money. It's a purely reactive, thrown together at the very last minute move, as a reaction to what is going on across town at Diagon Alley. They did something similar when Hogsmeade opened. They called it Summer Nighttastic, and they added a new drop sequence at ToT, and brought back the Electrical Parade and ran the fireworks from the Pirate & Princess Party at the Magic Kingdom. But at least that was announced in March for events starting in June, so they had time to implement something bigger.

Diagon Alley is in the Studios park at Universal, so undoubtedly uncomfortable comparisons will be made between their Studios park, which has recently seen the additions of Transformers, Despicable Me and a refreshed Simpsons area in addition to Harry Potter, and Disney's. And of the 4 parks Hollywood Studios is probably the Disney park that is in need of the most help.

They did the only thing they could which was reformulate the Star Wars Weekends stuff, which the park was already set up, and they lucked out that they did have a property that was capable of generating this sort of reaction. I don't think any of this would be happening if Diagon Alley wasn't opening this summer. I don't think the Frozen Frenzy would have been enough to have motivated Disney to do anything on this scale. And I think, if they knew several months ago that this was in the works Anna & Elsa would have never moved to the Magic Kingdom, and their new home would have been in the Studios instead.

Even if that premise is true, it still comes down to money. The reason they want to compete with other parks is money! Pure and simple. And judging by the crowds I saw in that Frozen merchandise area, they're raking in plenty of it!

 

[hopemax]

How much more money is being generated by selling all the Frozen merchandise property wide in one park, mostly in one store vs selling it property wide? They pulled all the Frozen merchandise from the other shops that sold it except Sir Mickey's, being at the end of the M&G. All the merchandise Oaken's is selling, could have been sold just as well at the Emporium, Mousegear, etc. How much money do you subtract from the costs of adding the sing-a-long, parade, fireworks? The labor for those things isn't cheap. How much in just crowd control? Let alone the shows themselves. Is the limited number of $60 packages really enough to compensate?

IMO, this is about bodies entering the Studios. People frequently ask, about the possibility of skipping a park due to time constraints. People will be motivated to visit Universal this summer, so how do people do it? Adding a vacation day, or swapping in Universal for something else? Disney doesn't want "a day at the Studios" to be the "something swapped out."

 

[Aurora0427]

I didn't realize people would get so defensive!!!

Never did I say, "You can't like Frozen because I don't." My family happens to love the Stitch ride at MK! Boy, if someone wants to get defensive about being beaten up on....

I was simply trying to see if I'm the ONLY person who doesn't get it. If you do, great. But it seems with all the hype, there are very few of us on the other side. I intentionally started my post by saying that I have older boys and that's probably a big part of it. But even so, it feels like people look at you sideways if you're not over the top in love with everything that is Frozen.

And whether you love Frozen or not, MY OPINION is that Disney really cheesed out on these attractions, just to capitalize while they can. I don't blame them. They're making money hand over fist with this stuff and good for them. But it seemed like a lot of hype and not much follow through as far as the DHS events go. I look at the video of that parade and think, "Huh, that's it???" Five minutes???? The build a snowman area? They threw down a bunch of fake snow with some sand pails and shovels. If the little girls are loving this, great! I don't begrudge them going to any of it. But I DO think Disney could have done better.

My post wasn't defensive, I was simply trying to explain the hype. I never understood the hype with beanie babies, Pokemon, or Power Rangers. However, I think the message behind Frozen is more profound.

I do agree that some of the activities at DHS seem a little rushed. I think I have just seen a thread like this over and over about Frozen, or comments on threads about people not getting Frozen, and I think it's just getting kind of old.

 

[mom2rtk]

IMO, this is about bodies entering the Studios. People frequently ask, about the possibility of skipping a park due to time constraints. People will be motivated to visit Universal this summer, so how do people do it? Adding a vacation day, or swapping in Universal for something else? Disney doesn't want "a day at the Studios" to be the "something swapped out."

Or maybe it's about trying to disguise the fact that there's so little to do at DHS. Especially when Idol closes. Or if the rumor about Indy pans out.

Not sure what they'll do when summer is over though. I'd say there's a good chance they'll leave the Frozen stuff there if they can keep up with merchandise demands, and if that demand continues. I do recall that MSEP was introduced as part of the Summer Night promotion back several years ago, and that piece of it remained when the promotion was over.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

How much more money is being generated by selling all the Frozen merchandise property wide in one park, mostly in one store vs selling it property wide? They pulled all the Frozen merchandise from the other shops that sold it except Sir Mickey's, being at the end of the M&G. All the merchandise Oaken's is selling, could have been sold just as well at the Emporium, Mousegear, etc. How much money do you subtract from the costs of adding the sing-a-long, parade, fireworks? The labor for those things isn't cheap. How much in just crowd control? Let alone the shows themselves. Is the limited number of $60 packages really enough to compensate?

IMO, this is about bodies entering the Studios. People frequently ask, about the possibility of skipping a park due to time constraints. People will be motivated to visit Universal this summer, so how do people do it? Adding a vacation day, or swapping in Universal for something else? Disney doesn't want "a day at the Studios" to be the "something swapped out."

I understand what you're saying about getting people in the Studios. But the point of having bodies there is making money! That's what I'm trying to say. Disney drawing more people in is about money. Disney competing with Universal is about money. Disney offering something different to stir interest is about money. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Disney is a business and that's what businesses do. But, trust me, Disney is not doing this just to be kind to its guests and offer something new. They're not doing it just to increase numbers of bodies. If those bodies weren't spending, Disney wouldn't pay them any attention.

Trust me, they're not losing money on this or they wouldn't be doing it!

 

[jade1]

MY OPINION is that Disney really cheesed out on these attractions,

They're making money hand over fist with this stuff.

judging by the crowds I saw in that Frozen merchandise area, they're raking in plenty of it!

I understand what you're saying about getting people in the Studios. But the point of having bodies there is making money! That's what I'm trying to say. Disney drawing more people in is about money. Disney competing with Universal is about money. Disney offering something different to stir interest is about money. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Disney is a business and that's what businesses do. But, trust me, Disney is not doing this just to be kind to its guests and offer something new. They're not doing it just to increase numbers of bodies. If those bodies weren't spending, Disney wouldn't pay them any attention.

Trust me, they're not losing money on this or they wouldn't be doing it!

Actually-I'm starting to think you DO get it.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Actually-I'm starting to think you DO get it.

Well, I get that part of it!

Still don't understand the hype but don't blame Disney for capitalizing on it!

 

[jade1]

Well, I get that part of it!

Still don't understand the hype but don't blame Disney for capitalizing on it!

I blame/thank the "I want more Frozen" patrons, not WDW. If the demand was not there-neither would this stuff. Hard to argue with the success you witnessed/reported on.

 

[TinkerElsasMom]

I'm not sure why there has to be blame for anything. I'm not sure why people are getting so upset. If you don't like Frozen don't do the Frozen themed stuff. There are things that people dislike about Disney. That's fine, just don't do the,. I don't understand why something you dislike has to be a rant. I don't enjoy Space Mountain. I think it's a horrible outdated coaster that is a complete waste of time to do. But I'm not going to dedicate an entire thread to my hatred of a ride. I'm not a huge Star Wars fan. I enjoyed the movies but the idea of spending my weekends at the park absorbed in Star Wars is not my cup of tea. But other people are Star Wars freaks and absolutely love it.

My daughter chooses to be obsessed with Frozen, therefore we will be doing all of the frozen stuff. It's her cup of tea... So we will drink the tea together.

 

[KanataDad]

We've got 2 girls (DD3 and DD6) and they love everything frozen. If you have boys that don't like Frozen then it's ok - there is so much more to do at Disney World.

So let others enjoy this while it lasts. Many say it's not worth the time or the money. Some people say it's not worth paying extra for shows, or staying on site due to cost that is double staying off site, or eating at Disney restaurants, or purchasing Disney Merchandize at the parks.

Everyone should stay where they want, do whatever attractions or parks they like. If you're spending your own money to purchase Disney merhandize, or stay on site, or see some shows that's entirely up to you. Everyone should spend the time and money on what they think will bring smiles to their kids - and not worry about what other people think.

My girls did not get Star Wars before they went to Disney in December 2013. I gave the older one the opportunity to try out the Jedi training school and she loved it. She still plays with her light saber that she built/purchased at DHS. We got one for the younger one as well even though she was too young for Star Wars training. She's looking forward to when she is old enough to go on stage and do what her older sister did.

You have every right to post that you did NOT enjoy something from personal experience - but don't focus on the fact that you don't get why others like it so much and spend money and time on it. Try to discuss your own experience (informative) instead of questioning why this is such a big deal for other parents who love to see the smiles on their kids faces.

We're going back in December and we hope that they will extend this past September for the little Frozen fans.

I hope you have a Magical vacation.

 

[KanataDad]

I'm not sure why there has to be blame for anything. I'm not sure why people are getting so upset. If you don't like Frozen don't do the Frozen themed stuff. There are things that people dislike about Disney. That's fine, just don't do the,. I don't understand why something you dislike has to be a rant. I don't enjoy Space Mountain. I think it's a horrible outdated coaster that is a complete waste of time to do. But I'm not going to dedicate an entire thread to my hatred of a ride. I'm not a huge Star Wars fan. I enjoyed the movies but the idea of spending my weekends at the park absorbed in Star Wars is not my cup of tea. But other people are Star Wars freaks and absolutely love it.

My daughter chooses to be obsessed with Frozen, therefore we will be doing all of the frozen stuff. It's her cup of tea... So we will drink the tea together.

Well said!!!