For $2 Billion Disney could have built 16 major attractions instead of fast pass+

[typhoonlagooner]

Want an "apples to apples" comparison for the luscious Toyko Disney to WDW? Go to you tube and look at each night parade. Sure Electric light parade is nostalgic.....but wait till you see the Genie float alone in Tokyo Disney's parade....don't even need to see the rest.

This is a perfect example of maintenance, update and park management between the two park systems.

TDL is not even owned by Disney. They're actually owned by The Oriental Land Company... who license the theme.

The parks upcoming expansion, expected to start next year and stretch over a span of 10 years is estimated at 4.6 billion dollars.

Guess how much 'Disney' is paying?

$0.

 

[Laketravis]

Whoooa! That's Awesome!

You know the biggest thing that I noticed as a stark difference between WDW and your TDL video?

Everybody in your video is smiling.

See my Japan films.

I think Im turning Japanese
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7brMX8Y9sk


Japan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIFx6gvqfys

 

[Laketravis]

And if anyone thinks the Disney corporation wouldn't gladly sell that division off at the right price in a heartbeat under an arms-length arrangement that permits the continued use of the Disney name in return for royalties and franchise fees, you're mistaken.

I wish they would…to the Japanese! Wouldn't that be somethin?

TDL is not even owned by Disney. They're actually owned by The Oriental Land Company... who license the theme.

The parks upcoming expansion, expected to start next year and stretch over a span of 10 years is estimated at 4.6 billion dollars.

Guess how much 'Disney' is paying?

$0.

 

[Suvadoo]

What? No way. Starbucks should stop putting money into these digital payment systems. How does that help the customer - Do they get more coffee? NO. All it does is help them take more of my money, faster! Starbucks raised their prices and spent a boatload on payment systems and doesn't even give the customer more coffee? And there's longer lines since it's even more popular than ever?

Starbucks sure better go back to a paper system over this newfangled technology stuff... or they're doooomed! doomed I tell you! I will not go, and I'll post on the internet about it (then go anyways).

Oh wait - what? Starbucks stock is up 4-fold since 2010?

Erm...

Oh um. Well then they're lying. This sucks! Cut trees! Burn your smartphones! Maybe if I protest... we can get Starbucks-- and Disney to stop moving forward with technology and being the best most profitable forward-thinking companies in their respective markets.

Why do you think people visit WDW? Do you think everyone is panting to use the MDE new App? I think it is safe to say that majority of WDW guests are visiting the Theme parks for the RIDES. I can go to restaurants, golf, horseback ride, etc... at other places. But I can only go on rides at Theme parks?

What I find really interesting is your assertion that Disney is so forward thinking for implementing MDE. However imagineer Tony Baxter thinks technology should be used in the Disney theme parks to "plus" attractions. In listening to his interview with Lou Mongello, I was left with the impression that he wasn't thrilled with MDE

http://www.wdwradio.com/2014/08/show-372-interview-disney-legend-imagineer-tony-baxter/

Also for the people who are disgusted with all of the posts about MDE, this is obviously the hottest topic on the boards. It's not going away. This thread was opened this morning and 6 hours lates it's 7 pages long. So obviously, people want to discuss this topic.

 

[typhoonlagooner]

This might still be a rumor, but I've heard more than once that a third Potter land, Ministry of Magic, is in the planning stages.

I'm pulling for your rumors because mine don't look nearly as promising

 

[tim123]

Whoooa! That's Awesome!

You know the biggest thing that I noticed as a stark difference between WDW and your TDL video?

Everybody in your video is smiling.

You won't find a kernel of pop corn on the ground, a chipped square inch of paint anywhere, a cheap ill prepared meal.. quick service or sit-down ..OR a bad attitude from a single CM... if you searched all day long for it.

What you will find is a first class Disney experience and CMs who literally bow to you and hand you things with both hands and sincere apologies if you should have to wait a minute or two for someone at one of the onsite hotels to speak to about your visit.

The Japanese are VERY service oriented to the point of insane.
I feel very lucky I had the opportunity to visit TDR this year.
Glad you enjoyed the film.
Her is my film from WDW this September.

WDW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCDjdbRcEHU

 

[fbb]

I'm basing this off of Wikipedia which states that Everest cost around $100MM to build. Adjusting for inflation that would be around $120MM in today's dollars so spending $2B could have instead meant 16 major attractions (16.7 to be exact!)

$2B is a lot of coin. Think about what the Imagineering crew could have done with that. Endless possibilities. But we got an app. What a waste...

Meh. The Imagineering crew was given $600MM and came up with new Fantasyland.

 

[MrInfinity]

Why do you think people visit WDW? Do you think everyone is panting to use the MDE new App? I think it is safe to say that majority of WDW guests are visiting the Theme parks for the RIDES. I can go to restaurants, golf, horseback ride, etc... at other places. But I can only go on rides at Theme parks?

For the rides... yes. For the thrill rides... no. Remember WDW is marketed to families with kids 3-9. Older than that, teens and pre-teens start to seek out independence and become the prime target of Six Flags and Universal. A 14-year old would be happy spending a day at SF. A parent of 3 young kids, not so much. They want Disney.

I'd say people visit Disney World because it is a happy, fun, extremely kid-friendly VACATION. The parents are on vacation, enjoying their family and their kids. Their kids want to ride, but are really thrilled just to be there and see stuff and play on the less than E-ticket rides that their parents feel compelled to get them on without a wait.

There are locals who go primarily for the rides, but they are a tiny minority in Orlando.

Really I could go to probly 10 theme parks w/in a few hours drive from Chicago, many of which have some of the greatest roller coasters in the world, for a fraction of the price I pay to take the fam to WDW. Yet, here I am, going to WDW. So clearly it is *not* the rides, else I'd go to Cedar Point and ride their two world-renown mega coasters. Or I'd go to Six Flags SL and ride Mr Freeze, or I'd go to my very own Great America and ride the new Goliath. All are amazing rides that dwarf Disney rides.

Cuz Disney's draw is not, has never been, and will never be the thrill rides. It is the little things that they do which makes a theme park vacation with little children FUN. They have so much to do and see... Cuz at Six Flags? Our 3- would be bored once we leave the kiddie area. But in the kiddie area, we'd be bored and thinking these are silly carnival rides. It's all about the kids.

At WDW, a parent and a little child can enjoy POTC, HM, SW, Tiki Rm, Mermaid, BTMRR, Space, Splash, SDMT -- together. Plus you're on vacation and when you're not riding a ride, you're meeting a character, or something else magical.

Also for the people who are disgusted with all of the posts about MDE, this is obviously the hottest topic on the boards. It's not going away. This thread was opened this morning and 6 hours lates it's 7 pages long. So obviously, people want to discuss this topic.

Concur. It is the hot topic, and even tho I may not agree w every post, it is interesting to hear perspectives and debate.

 

[Laketravis]

You won't find a kernel of pop corn on the ground, a chipped square inch of paint anywhere, a cheap ill prepared meal.. quick service or sit-down ..OR a bad attitude from a single CM... if you searched all day long for it.

Whoa, wait... what? Oh, you almost had me there. LOL. I thought you were talking about when WDW first opened.

 

[Laketravis]

Remember WDW is marketed to families with kids 3-9. Older than that, teens and pre-teens start to seek out independence and become the prime target of Six Flags and Universal. A 14-year old would be happy spending a day at SF. A parent of 3 young kids, not so much. They want Disney......

......It's all about the kids

Yep. And I'm bettin' those 3-9 year old kids are just totally blown away by MM+

Disney hit it's target demographic spot on.

 

[MrInfinity]

Yep. And I'm bettin' those 3-9 year old kids are just totally blown away by MM+

Disney hit it's target demographic spot on.

You have some interesting posts. I don't know if you really don't get it, really think MM+ is being sold to the kids, or are just trying to be confrontational for the sake of it.

Obviously MM+ is designed to enhance the vacation experience and draw out more money. Leave your wallet at home. Have fun. Spend. Worry about it later, for now you're just swiping your band. Oh forgot your wallet in the room can't buy a soda? No look at that it's right there on your arm. You can spend any - time - you - like. It is really brilliant for Disney.

I don't see why it bothers you so much. So Disney put in -- at their own expense -- a system that helps them maximize profit. There is nothing wrong w that. It's no worse than Starbucks writing a system to put your reward card on your phone.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Meh. The Imagineering crew was given $600MM and came up with new Fantasyland.

Some may not like it, but NFL is a far better park investment than some new IT.

 

[tim123]

You have some interesting posts. I don't know if you really don't get it, really think MM+ is being sold to the kids, or are just trying to be confrontational for the sake of it.

Obviously MM+ is designed to enhance the vacation experience and draw out more money. Leave your wallet at home. Have fun. Spend. Worry about it later, for now you're just swiping your band. Oh forgot your wallet in the room can't buy a soda? No look at that it's right there on your arm. You can spend any - time - you - like. It is really brilliant for Disney.

I don't see why it bothers you so much. So Disney put in -- at their own expense -- a system that helps them maximize profit. There is nothing wrong w that. It's no worse than Starbucks writing a system to put your reward card on your phone.

Thats if the MB works when you go to buy a soda. Personally I always carried my ID and Amex….and wouldn't ya know its a good thing I did.
Not the end of the world for me. I like the new system…but I would never trust it to work 100% of the time and doubt it ever will. Both visits had glitches at some point during my stays in October 2013 and September 2014.
Always carry your ID and a credit card or you will more than likely be inconvenienced at one point….from my experience.

 

[Davey Jones II]

You have some interesting posts. I don't know if you really don't get it, really think MM+ is being sold to the kids, or are just trying to be confrontational for the sake of it.

Obviously MM+ is designed to enhance the vacation experience and draw out more money. Leave your wallet at home. Have fun. Spend. Worry about it later, for now you're just swiping your band. Oh forgot your wallet in the room can't buy a soda? No look at that it's right there on your arm. You can spend any - time - you - like. It is really brilliant for Disney.

I don't see why it bothers you so much. So Disney put in -- at their own expense -- a system that helps them maximize profit. There is nothing wrong w that. It's no worse than Starbucks writing a system to put your reward card on your phone.

It was also at our expense. Because we know what they could have done instead. That's the original point of this thread, remember?

By the way, I believe Laketravis was being sarcastic.

 

[MrInfinity]

It was also at our expense. Because we know what they could have done instead. That's the original point of this thread, remember?

It's not one bit at your expense. You paid to go to WDW, after that it's Disney's money. You got full value for it in the vacation you enjoyed.

Would you go up to a car dealership when you bought a car last year and say "no you shouldn't invest in a new garage, you should buy me a pie". No? What? You're going to invest in things to better the future of your business? But how does that help me! It doesn't. I'm a loyal customer you should spend the money I gave you on things I want. After all it's my money you're spending.

Erch. back up. Nope. Not your money any more.

That's why it shouldn't bother ppl so much that Disney is furthering their own cause with money they earned from you, and me, and every other guest.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

What? No way. Starbucks should stop putting money into these digital payment systems. How does that help the customer - Do they get more coffee? NO. All it does is help them take more of my money, faster! Starbucks raised their prices and spent a boatload on payment systems and doesn't even give the customer more coffee? And there's longer lines since it's even more popular than ever?

Starbucks sure better go back to a paper system over this newfangled technology stuff... or they're doooomed! doomed I tell you! I will not go, and I'll post on the internet about it (then go anyways).

Oh wait - what? Starbucks stock is up 4-fold since 2010?

Erm...

Oh um. Well then they're lying. This sucks! Cut trees! Burn your smartphones! Maybe if I protest... we can get Starbucks-- and Disney to stop moving forward with technology and being the best most profitable forward-thinking companies in their respective markets.

I can't tell if you're using sarcasm with or against me... Either way, I enjoyed the post.

 

[Laketravis]

You have some interesting posts. I don't know if you really don't get it, really think MM+ is being sold to the kids, or are just trying to be confrontational for the sake of it.

I was being sarcastic. (Bad caveman. Bad)

Earlier in the thread I made the comment that guests care primarily about the entertainment value of the parks. Many disagreed, including you to some degree.

Then several posts later you correctly pointed out that Disney's primary market is 3-9 year old kids who really only care about fun little attractions. "It's all about the kids".

Ergo, my comment about them being totally blown away by Disney's $2B investment and how that hit the target dead center. Not.

Maybe I should forget about a career in stand-up........

 

[Hokie2000]

Yep. And I'm bettin' those 3-9 year old kids are just totally blown away by MM+

Disney hit it's target demographic spot on.

Well...my kids use our bands from last year as collars for their Canada pavilion stuffed husky dogs. They fit perfectly.

The bands do make it easier on me as the mom of three 5-9 year old kids. It's really a small thing, but not having to disperse, collect, and keep up with KTTW cards is nice.

 

[Hokie2000]

It was also at our expense. Because we know what they could have done instead. That's the original point of this thread, remember?

By the way, I believe Laketravis was being sarcastic.

How is Disney's spending at our expense? Buy a ticket or don't buy a ticket. How can they cheat you when it's completely optional? Disney does not have a monopoly on entertainment or theme parks.

 

[jade1]

How is Disney's spending at our expense? Buy a ticket or don't buy a ticket. How can they cheat you when it's completely optional? Disney does not have a monopoly on entertainment or theme parks.

Agreed. And I think they will (and have been) spend/ing $2 Billion on attractions-every one adding to the reservation pool as they open.

Plus $2 Billion is under the assumption they system/s will never be used in any other parks around the world. I'm not so sure about that. Even 1 other location cuts the cost in half.