Disney to make a Major Announcement Next Week

[asuburbanman]

According to www.screamscape.com:

"Disney has sent a mystery invitation out to the media regarding a major new theme park related announcement they will be making on September 18th at noon, somewhere in New York City. As stated in the invitation, “You’re invited to join Disney Parks for a special announcement -- so big we’re bringing the news to New York.” The announcement gets a little strange here as it promotes “New, breakthrough insights about how American families travel will be shared by Peter Yesawich, Chairman & CEO, YPartnership, one of America’s leading travel trend-watchers. Following that, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo will unveil exciting plans for 2009--including a first in the history of the Walt Disney Company.”

My gut instinct is to say that this event could include that long rumored post-Olympic announcement about the new Disney park project for China, in addition to whatever big celebration Disney has planned to roll out to both coasts for 2009. This could be that “Celebrate Today” rumor, though we’ve heard that the focus may be on Disney pushing the big family trip, reunion or large gathering concept once again as part of this.

I also have to wonder if Disney might be ready to make some kind of announcement about that Premium Park concept in development for Walt Disney World, previously being called Disney’s Night Kingdom but has since been changed to Disney’s Jungle Trek. Anyone know more about what kind of rabbit Disney is going to pull out of the hat? Last time it was Oswald…"

Any thoughts on what this could be for? My guess is that they will announce the China park and the 2009 celebration theme. It is too early to talk about Jungle Trek or the new Monsters Inc. ride.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Any thoughts on what this could be for? My guess is that they will announce the China park and the 2009 celebration theme. It is too early to talk about Jungle Trek or the new Monsters Inc. ride.

A China park announcement might be possible, but that doesn't really fit in with the statement that "New, breakthrough insights about how American families travel will be shared." I think the 2009 theme is a defininte possibility. And some people online are guessing that Rasulo may be announcing the "location-based entertainment" mini-resorts that he's talked about in the past. There's also that big building next to the Contemporary that paperwork was recently filed for.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

My guess is that this media event won't be that different from similar events held by Disney in New York in recent years. The reason they're held in New York is because that's where the news media of the United States are most concentrated. The purpose is to get free publicity for Disney Parks & Resorts in East Coast newspapers and national publications.

The news media people get a fun event with free food. Jay Rasulo gets to feel really important. And there will be some press releases and publicity pictures that even lazy reporters can fashion into a feature story.

As I recall, in 2006 the big news was the Year of a Million Dreams, even though it had already been announced a few months earlier. And in 2007, the big news was that Disney was extending the Year of a Million Dreams through 2008.

This year, the big news is likely to be whatever their next marketing push will be called.

The "first" could be the first Disney Vacation Club on the Monorail system -- especially if sales of the Villas at Disney's Contemporary Resort will begin soon.

Disney does not typically hold big media events to announce far-off future projects that won't generate revenue until a few years later and that don't need free publicity in the Travel sections of various newspapers and magazines.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

A And some people online are guessing that Rasulo may be announcing the "location-based entertainment" mini-resorts that he's talked about in the past.

Americans are definitely taking shorter, weekend-based but more numerous trips. Putting a number of Disney resorts in various cities around North America would sure be tapping into that type of market.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Condorman]

Announcing the Shanghai park is a definite possibility, but I wouldn't be surprised if Disney had decided to build a new DVC location in NYC. After Hawaii, it would be the next logical spot outside their theme parks, and it sounds like that's what they're hinting at.

I would not expect to hear anything about expansions in Anaheim, Orlando, Tokyo or Paris.

 

[rebecca06261]

Americans are definitely taking shorter, weekend-based but more numerous trips. Putting a number of Disney resorts in various cities around North America would sure be tapping into that type of market.

BobK/Orlando

Oh Goodie! Disney's going to lease it's name to HoJo!

I bet they put a Airbrush-Hanes stand in the lobby... right next to T-Rex To-Go

 

[Twilightlover]

I think it has to do with whatever they have planned to go against Universal with their Harry Potter Wizarding World opening in 2010.

 

[rutgers1]

I know many here think that Disney could care less about Universal, but I don't see it that way at all. I am expecting something huge to be announced sooner or later. Considering I have never even considered a Universal trip before and I am DEFINITELY going next year and now have plans to split my trips between Disney and Universal (with the bulk at Disney), I am sure that many others are thinking likewise. That will affect Disney, and they know it. They are going to fight this war, I guarantee it. I don't quite have faith that they have anything in their arsenal to combat the Harry Potter land at Universal, but then again, I hope I am wrong.

 

[daber]

"Year of a Million Dreams- The Third Year is the Charm"

 

[Nie0214]

"Year of a Million Dreams- The Third Year is the Charm"

I'm sure it's just an annoucement of what the theme is for 2009, and possibly what the secret Contemporary building is. It's a good thing they announce it in September because you have to book Disney vacations 5687013598 days in advance.

 

[Squidrific]

I think they are going to announce the new DVC at the Contemporary (DVC's worst kept secret). The timing of the press conference is the same as the timeframe for:

The end of the current DVC buy-in incentives, the same time as a "rumored by guides" point price increase, guides are calling and making contact with customers, same time as the members cruise, and DVD has begun making inventory declarations with Orange County comptroller.

There will probably be more to the announcement, but I think the DVC announcement will go along with this quote: “New, breakthrough insights about how American families travel will be shared by Peter Yesawich, Chairman & CEO, YPartnership, one of America’s leading travel trend-watchers."

 

[zulemara]

I have some very credible sources stating they will announce the new theme for the year. I think the rumors about "Disney celebrations" are pretty strong

That's really all I can say

 

[joshsmom]

"Year of a Million Dreams- The Third Year is the Charm"

They could extend it into another CENTURY and I STILL wouldn't get a pair of ears!!!!

 

[Twilightlover]

I know many here think that Disney could care less about Universal, but I don't see it that way at all. I am expecting something huge to be announced sooner or later. Considering I have never even considered a Universal trip before and I am DEFINITELY going next year and now have plans to split my trips between Disney and Universal (with the bulk at Disney), I am sure that many others are thinking likewise. That will affect Disney, and they know it. They are going to fight this war, I guarantee it. I don't quite have faith that they have anything in their arsenal to combat the Harry Potter land at Universal, but then again, I hope I am wrong.

I so agree. We are planning our '10 trip to be 5 days Disney, 2 days US. We are going to stay on the Disney grounds the whole time, keep Park Hooper for 7 days so we can go for magic hours when we we get back. But we are going to US because we are HUGE HP book and movie fans. I don't think that another year of a million dreams isn't going to do it. Maybe infinity? It has to be a new park, our something for families.

 

[Metro West]

"Year of a Million Dreams- The Third Year is the Charm"

 

[JJP]

How about the purchase of Seaworld and Busch

 

[zulemara]

How about the purchase of Seaworld and Busch

oh boy wouldn't that just send a buzz through the industry!


Personally I'm a fan of "year of shattered dreams - I went to PI and all I got was this lousy t-shirt" as the next promotion.

Kudos to rob for that one

 

[Lavender_Blue]

I think it's mostly to announce what's replacing the Year of a Million Dreams, since I believe this is the last month for it if the next fiscal year is Oct. 1st.

I think they also might make a few other announcements about what they plan to do next with their theme parks...but I don't expect to be entirely blown away by what they're going to announce. I dunno...with all the cutbacks they've made, I really am a bit wary of what they're now going to say.

On another note, have they explained yet why they had to cancel that one MNSSHP night yet? I've been curious about that.

 

[jrgutknecht]

Think it has anything to do with this post ??

It looks like Disney is hitting the road and bringing some magic to select cities across the U.S. and even into Canada.

Disney Parks is bringing the magic of Disney in an interactive way to 30 cities this fall and winter. Colorful vehicles roll out the fun from town squares to Times Square, featuring a massive distribution of thousands of free Mickey Mouse balloons with a chance for consumers to win a celebration vacation to a Disney Park.

9/25 Minneapolis 9/24 Toronto 1/19 Vancouver
9/29 Chicago 9/29 Boston 1/21 Seattle
10/1 Milwaukee 10/1 Providence 1/23 Portland
10/3 Detroit 10/3 New York 1/26, 27 Sacramento
10/6 Pittsburgh 10/6 Hartford 1/30, 2/2 San Francisco
10/8 Cincinnati 10/8 Philadelphia 2/4, 5 Fresno
10/10 Indianapolis 10/10 Wash. DC 2/9 Las Vegas
10/14 Dallas 10/13 Baltimore 2/11 Salt Lake City
10/16 Houston 10/15 Charlotte 2/16 Denver
10/20 New Orleans 10/17 Atlanta 2/19, 20 Phoenix

 

[cowza]

Disneyland Dubai!

Hahaha!

You never know...

I think it is likely to be about a fifth theme park at Disney World though. Not 'Jungle Trek' or 'Night Kingdom' though... all rumours that someone has planted...