I Just Have One Question

[TeriofTerror]

As more of a lurker than a poster, I've been following the MyMagic+ debates with great interest, but have thus far refrained from posting (as it tends to get me into trouble). However, I have decided that the time has come to ask my question: We've had no new World Showcase pavilions at Epcot since 1988, because Disney claims they cannot find a sponsor. If MyMagic+ is running up a tally of one billion dollars, who exactly is sponsoring that?

 

[kathie859]

As more of a lurker than a poster, I've been following the MyMagic+ debates with great interest, but have thus far refrained from posting (as it tends to get me into trouble). However, I have decided that the time has come to ask my question: We've had no new World Showcase pavilions at Epcot since 1988, because Disney claims they cannot find a sponsor. If MyMagic+ is running up a tally of one billion dollars, who exactly is sponsoring that?

Let the explanation of being in business for profit begin.......again.

 

[rteetz]

As more of a lurker than a poster, I've been following the MyMagic+ debates with great interest, but have thus far refrained from posting (as it tends to get me into trouble). However, I have decided that the time has come to ask my question: We've had no new World Showcase pavilions at Epcot since 1988, because Disney claims they cannot find a sponsor. If MyMagic+ is running up a tally of one billion dollars, who exactly is sponsoring that?

That was a good laugh for the day. Well disney is sponsoring it essentially. Most new rides these days don't have a sponsor anyways. I don't think you could really find a company to sponsor this because it's for park entry and ride systems. This is an internal system, its part of the tickets, reservation, and FP. This is far different from a pavilion in Epcot this encompasses the entire disney property in Florida.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

That was a good laugh for the day. Well disney is sponsoring it essentially. Most new rides these days don't have a sponsor anyways. I don't think you could really find a company to sponsor this because it's for park entry and ride systems. This is an internal system, its part of the tickets, reservation, and FP. This is far different from a pavilion in Epcot this encompasses the entire disney property in Florida.

I'm not sure the OP actually thinks the Magicbands are being sponsored by an outside company. I took it more like sarcasm. As in, if Disney's excuse for not being able to build a new pavilion for the last 25 years has been because they can't afford to unless someone else fronts the cash, how were they so easily able to drop a billion on the MBs? I know the answer boils down to profit and ROI, but I think that's the point she was trying to make.

 

[jade1]

I'm not sure the OP actually thinks the Magicbands are being sponsored by an outside company. I took it more like sarcasm. As in, if Disney's excuse for not being able to build a new pavilion for the last 25 years has been because they can't afford to unless someone else fronts the cash, how were they so easily able to drop a billion on the MBs? I know the answer boils down to profit and ROI, but I think that's the point she was trying to make.

Seems to me if WDW just built a pavilion for say....Australia, they prob would do a great job-but you can bet somebody would complain about something not being accurate or authentic.

With a sponsor and input, it would help I would think.

 

[rteetz]

I'm not sure the OP actually thinks the Magicbands are being sponsored by an outside company. I took it more like sarcasm. As in, if Disney's excuse for not being able to build a new pavilion for the last 25 years has been because they can't afford to unless someone else fronts the cash, how were they so easily able to drop a billion on the MBs? I know the answer boils down to profit and ROI, but I think that's the point she was trying to make.

the pavilions in Epcot are different. Most of them are not sponsored by a company they are sponsored by their country. Disney likes when the actual country or someone from that country steps in they like to make it more authentic that way. Your not going to have target sponsor Russia or something like that. Disney
By them selves could have definitely afforded to build multiple countries on their own but they like that sponsorship from the actual country. I don't think you can compare pavilions to mymagic+ to way completely different things. Disney also isn't worried about adding another country. They are focused overseas and on mymagic+ of course! as well as avatar, and DVC construction. The next thing that comes to Epcot will most likely not be another addition to world showcase but something in future world. I think a billion dollars for a new system that encompasses everything you do on property is a fair assessment your not going to get it much cheaper than that.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Seems to me if WDW just built a pavilion for say....Australia, they prob would do a great job-but you can bet somebody would complain about something not being accurate or authentic.

With a sponsor and input, it would help I would think.

I have no doubt Disney could build whatever they wanted to and do a good job. I think the issue is that they just don't want to. Currently, they fill those empty spots with cheap, "temporary" merchandise carts/kiosks/stands. They're still moving product and making a profit, why bother to invest in permanent structures that require more money, infrastructure, and maintenance? We, as guests, may look at the empty pavilion pads and see an "unfinished" World Showcase or a waste of potential, but I'm sure Disney looks at those locations and thinks "They're still making us money and costing very little in overhead. If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

[TipsyTraveler]

the pavilions in Epcot are different. Most of them are not sponsored by a company they are sponsored by their country. Disney likes when the actual country or someone from that country steps in they like to make it more authentic that way. Your not going to have target sponsor Russia or something like that. Disney
By them selves could have definitely afforded to build multiple countries on their own but they like that sponsorship from the actual country. I don't think you can compare pavilions to mymagic+ to way completely different things. Disney also isn't worried about adding another country. They are focused overseas and on mymagic+ of course! as well as avatar, and DVC construction. The next thing that comes to Epcot will most likely not be another addition to world showcase but something in future world. I think a billion dollars for a new system that encompasses everything you do on property is a fair assessment your not going to get it much cheaper than that.

It's my understanding that only Morocco is sponsored by it's country. The other sponsorships are through private companies. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this.

 

[redrosesix]

Seems to me if WDW just built a pavilion for say....Australia, they prob would do a great job-but you can bet somebody would complain about something not being accurate or authentic.

With a sponsor and input, it would help I would think.

Agreed. We stopped going to the Canada pavillion because we can't get Tim Hortons coffee there. It's basically not part of Canada without a Tim Hortons.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

To address the OP's question, it all comes down to having a business case. The capital costs and operating costs must be justified by a plan that shows a healthy profit.

Apparently, the financial planners at Disney were able put together a business case showing that MyMagic+ would be money well spent. Apparently, they haven't been able to come up with a compelling business case for a new World Showcase country.

It's not that Disney can't come up with hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. It a matter of where to invest. And profits earned at the theme parks do not have to be invested back into those parks.

the pavilions in Epcot are different. Most of them are not sponsored by a company they are sponsored by their country.

Not true. Back when Disney was planning and building EPCOT Center, the plan was the countries would sponsor pavilions, just like at world's fairs. However, that never happened. Not one of the original World Showcase countries was sponsored by a national government.

It's my understanding that only Morocco is sponsored by it's country. The other sponsorships are through private companies. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this.

That's true about Morocco being the only World Showcase country sponsored by a national government. Norway had some limited government involvement, but that ended long ago.

Most of company "sponsorships" could hardly be considered true sponsorships. For example, there wasn't anything like "Germany Presented by Lufthansa." It was more like Germany, where the shops sold some branded products from Germany, such as cookies made by Bahlsen; or France, where an outside company operated the restaurants.

Yesterland has an article about World Showcase that includes a list of the original participants: http://www.yesterland.com/worldshowcase.html

 

[ToyStoryMania1]

I am pretty sure in regards to the world showcase they can find some interested parties in Brazil at the least.

I would love to see Brazil, Thailand, South Africa and Australia added to the world showcase.

 

[caisland]

Agreed. We stopped going to the Canada pavillion because we can't get Tim Hortons coffee there. It's basically not part of Canada without a Tim Hortons.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013/12/11/fun-find-tim-horton-products-in-epcots-canada-pavilion/

Actually you can get Tim's in Epcot!!

 

[rteetz]

To address the OP's question, it all comes down to having a business case. The capital costs and operating costs must be justified by a plan that shows a healthy profit. Apparently, the financial planners at Disney were able put together a business case showing that MyMagic+ would be money well spent. Apparently, they haven't been able to come up with a compelling business case for a new World Showcase country. It's not that Disney can't come up with hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. It a matter of where to invest. And profits earned at the theme parks do not have to be invested back into those parks. Not true. Back when Disney was planning and building EPCOT Center, the plan was the countries would sponsor pavilions, just like at world's fairs. However, that never happened. Not one of the original World Showcase countries was sponsored by a national government. That's true about Morocco being the only World Showcase country sponsored by a national government. Norway had some limited government involvement, but that ended long ago. Most of company "sponsorships" could hardly be considered true sponsorships. For example, there wasn't anything like "Germany Presented by Lufthansa." It was more like Germany, where the shops sold some branded products from Germany, such as cookies made by Bahlsen; or France, where an outside company operated the restaurants. Yesterland has an article about World Showcase that includes a list of the original participants: http://www.yesterland.com/worldshowcase.html

ok my main point was that you don't see target sponsoring them it was companies that had a connection. Also mymagic+ and pavilions are so different.

 

[TeriofTerror]

I'm not sure the OP actually thinks the Magicbands are being sponsored by an outside company. I took it more like sarcasm. As in, if Disney's excuse for not being able to build a new pavilion for the last 25 years has been because they can't afford to unless someone else fronts the cash, how were they so easily able to drop a billion on the MBs? I know the answer boils down to profit and ROI, but I think that's the point she was trying to make.

A small attempt at simultaneous humor and a touch of sarcasm, really. It has always stuck in my craw when Disney would claim that they can't afford to create new Epcot pavilions without sponsors (poor Wonders of Life!), and yet funds magically (hehe) appear for something like this. If they try even once to claim that MyMagic+ was created "due to guest demand", however, I may just blow a gasket.