Future of Illuminations and Spaceship Earth in Question with Siemens Announcing End of Partnership

[Brenda Kim]

Oh crud. October 9th?

Do they need to close the ride to remove references of Siemens?

I am sure Siemens would let Disney reference us forever, as it would be for FREE!

 

[Farro]

I am sure Siemens would let Disney reference us forever, as it would be for FREE!

Ha! I doubt they give anything for free if they don't have to!

 

[Robo]

Ha! I doubt they give anything for free if they don't have to!

There were on-ride remnants of "AT&T" for a long time following the end of their sponsorship.

 

[Robo]

I don't recall any visuals for SIEMANS during the ride.

There are placards with logos on the exterior of the building that are visible as guests walk up the outdoor ramps before boarding.

There is one SIEMANS logo (shows up in the video on the car's display screen) and a voice track mention at the very, very end of the ride (just before getting out of the cars.)

More presence in the interactive area that serves as the exit for the ride.

 

[bryanb]

I am sure Siemens would let Disney reference us forever, as it would be for FREE!

Were there special benefits for Siemens employees or executives as part of the sponsorship? That would've been cool.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Eh.

Okay, I enjoy Illuminations. But I don't see it as the be all end all of firework shows. I'd be shocked if they don't replace it with something else.

And Spaceship Earth? I think it was 2008? I like Dame Judi Dench, but if I want to hear her, I can watch a movie.

I guess, I just think that it is time for an update.

 

[FastPasser.]

Were there special benefits for Siemens employees or executives as part of the sponsorship? That would've been cool.

Yes, there is the Siemens VIP Center located behind SSE as you walk in. It's for the exclusive use of Siemens employees, partners and customers. The facility is a hospitality and executive briefing center for meetings and small conferences. The lounge has seating and offers soft drinks and coffee throughout the day. There is also a private entrance from the lounge area to the ride that bypasses the day guest Que.

 

[disneydreamer781]

Could this possibly have anything to do with Disney "possibly" planning to go in an entirely different direction with this park and this is just timing. I heard someone suggest maybe Wall-E? If EPCOT is be invigorated then I doubt SSE, the park's icon, will remain stagnant while everything around it is revamped.

 

[Robo]

Could this possibly have anything to do with Disney planning to go in an entirely different direction with this park and this is just timing also. I heard someone suggest maybe Wall-E. If EPCOT is be invigorated then I doubt SSE, the park's icon, will remain stagnant while everything around it is refurbed.

On a scale of 1-10, I'd say B.

 

[Disney_and_Wine]

Could this possibly have anything to do with Disney planning to go in an entirely different direction with this park and this is just timing. I heard someone suggest maybe Wall-E? If EPCOT is be invigorated then I doubt SSE, the park's icon, will remain stagnant while everything around it is revamped.

There is nothing mysterious or unusual about this nor does this have anything to do with a Disney "master plan". Siemens signed a 12 year sponsorship...wait for it...12 years ago. It is over. Expired. Done. And now everyone moves on.

 

[LucyBC80]

There rumors Illuminations will be replaced and dates are expected to be revealed during D23. I Just hope that whatever is decided happens after December.

 

[disneydreamer781]

 

[GPC0321]

These are my two favorite things in Epcot too, but I'm not worried.

Though it wouldn't bother me if for some bizarre reason during the interim between sponsors they reset both Spaceship Earth and the Holiday tag on IllumiNations back to the Walter Cronkite era.

 

[Disney_and_Wine]

Never said there was a master plan

Here's what you said:

"...Disney planning to go in in entirely different direction."

That is the sine qua non of a "master plan".

 

[DLM1980]

I don't understand half of the sponsorships. As a guest I don't go "I need a sylvania lightbulb because they sponsored illuminations" or "good year tires are the best because I see their logo on the moving walkways at peoplemover". We didn't get ATT because they gave money to Disney.

What sort of good does a sponsorship bring to the sponsor? To the sponsoree sure they are getting essentially free money for a logo placement

Does sponsorship at Disney really bring brand loyalty?

 

[Robo]

I don't understand half of the sponsorships. As a guest I don't go "I need a sylvania lightbulb because they sponsored illuminations" or "good year tires are the best because I see their logo on the moving walkways at peoplemover". We didn't get ATT because they gave money to Disney.

What sort of good does a sponsorship bring to the sponsor? To the sponsoree sure they are getting essentially free money for a logo placement

Does sponsorship at Disney really bring brand loyalty?

The illusive pursuit of top-of-mind awareness.

 

[Disney_and_Wine]

Does sponsorship at Disney really bring brand loyalty?

There really has to be the right kind of synergy, and with Siemens, it simply does not exist. They are not a consumer electronics company. But if a company such as Sony sponsored a pavilion and had an area where guests could see the latest and most technologically advanced consumer electronic products, there could be quite a benefit. Once a family has a positive hands on experience with new products, that could very easily translate into future purchases. But a quick perusal of the Siemens website will reveal that there is nothing that they make or sell that a family of four is going to be interested in even after spending an hour in a hands on post-ride area.

In the end, it largely comes down to ego.

 

[disneydreamer781]

Here's what you said:


That is the sine qua non of a "master plan".[/QUOTE}

The fact that they are starting to add their IPs to the park leads me to think that's where they may be heading.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

There really has to be the right kind of synergy, and with Siemens, it simply does not exist. They are not a consumer electronics company. But if a company such as Sony sponsored a pavilion and had an area where guests could see the latest and most technologically advanced consumer electronic products, there could be quite a benefit. Once a family has a positive hands on experience with new products, that could very easily translate into future purchases. But a quick perusal of the Siemens website will reveal that there is nothing that they make or sell that a family of four is going to be interested in even after spending an hour in a hands on post-ride area.

In the end, it largely comes down to ego.

I would guess that the average family of four uses a Siemen's product nearly every day without realizing it, particularly when they're at work or commuting to and from work. Their components are in a lot of electronics and control systems used in commercial buildings and in mass transit. The Siemens/Disney partnership is about way more than SSE and Illuminations, and if the entire partnership is ending, that will have a much bigger impact on Disney than some sign on a ride.

This is an interesting article about the partnership.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/...-and-disney-make-a-magical-team/#1c95dcdb6e1b

 

[Disney_and_Wine]

I would guess that the average family of four uses a Siemen's product nearly every day without realizing it, particularly when they're at work or commuting to and from work. Their components are in a lot of electronics and control systems used in commercial buildings and in mass transit.

The key being "without realizating it". 12 years ago Siemens made many more consumer level products. But no longer.