If you had to choose which way would you have spent the billion dollars?

[bcrook]

A major new attraction like Expedition Everest can cost $100 Million, give or take.

A "copy" (different version) of an existing attraction can cost much less.

So, I'd have duplicated Cars Land from DLR/DCA
and built a second version of TSM with a
theme that was different than Toy Story (maybe, WALL-E)
and built a second version of Soarin' (different subject for the film,)
and had a new thrill attraction built at Epcot
(like a "Matterhorn-like roller coaster "Mt. Fuji" at the Japan Pavilion)
and rebuild Mr. Toad at Epcot's UK.

And, had a LOT of money left over for MAINTENANCE of existing attractions.

And there are quite a few estimates now looking at $500,000,000 to a billion in cost overruns. How could you spend another half billion?

Good list by the way.

 

[flicx]

And there are quite a few estimates now looking at $500,000,000 to a billion in cost overruns. How could you spend another half billion?

Good list by the way.

Very interesting indeed. If that were true I guess I would have to rephrase the question to 3 park refurbs or fp plus!

 

[vcgirl925]

At least one high tech ride. Disney needs an attraction that can beat or break even with the technology used in HP, transformers, or even Spider-Man. What about a frozen attraction that simulates being in Norway with Anna and Elsa. Elsa uses her powers and you feel like you're frozen, warmth of a fire to get thawed out, slip and slide on the ice that Elsa creates? Could be fun!

Love Robos ideas of duplicating Carsland. At the very least a cars attraction.

More big ticket attractions in animal kingdom (but not avatarland) and Epcot. Love the idea of putting toad and the Matterhorn in world showcase.

Updating existing attractions.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I don't really need more rides or attractions. I can head across town for that. I just wish that WDW rides and attractions were better maintained, and that Disney got back in the business of delivering superior service. Outages are now the norm, not the exception. Customer service is now not much better than anywhere else that we vacation.

These things have not greatly reduced my enjoyment of WDW, but I long for the days when I really felt that Disney went out of its way to make every customer feel special. Now they just serve the masses, not individuals.

 

[surferdave]

A major new attraction like Expedition Everest can cost $100 Million, give or take.

A "copy" (different version) of an existing attraction can cost much less.

So, I'd have duplicated Cars Land from DLR/DCA
and built a second version of TSM with a
theme that was different than Toy Story (maybe, WALL-E)
and built a second version of Soarin' (different subject for the film,)
and had a new thrill attraction built at Epcot
(like a "Matterhorn-like roller coaster "Mt. Fuji" at the Japan Pavilion)
and rebuild Mr. Toad at Epcot's UK.

And, had a LOT of money left over for MAINTENANCE of existing attractions.

Perfect! Together with the AK Pandora expansion (which isn't as smart as any of your ideas but a needed addition to AK nonetheless) this could spread crowds effectively and relieve the congestion at MK and the top attractions at the other parks much nicer than a high tech prodding system.

 

[2Tiggies]

Epcot could use some updating on the Future World side. It also wouldn't hurt to have an other headliner in the same league as TT and Soarin'

Actually DHS and AK could also really use another headliner each - at least. I know Avatarland it coming and although not my choice of theme, I think the expansion is a good move.

Of course the monorail system could do with some TLC too .....

I think the New Fantasyland has largely been a success. I am not likely to spend a whole lot of my MK park time there, but on the whole, I think it was a worthwhile investment for the park.

MDE - I think some form of this had to come at some point eventually, but the FP+ system sucks

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

I easily voted for adding value to the parks, versus adding new technology to compensate for the fact that WDW doesn't have enough to entertain the masses.

They are treating the symptoms of the disease without really addressing the cause of the disease. And what ideas they have for helping the cause is akin to putting a Band-Aid on a sucking, gaping flesh abdominal wound.

I've said a lot of things at WDW but I am pretty sure "Gee, there isn't anything to do." is most definitely not on that list.

 

[FireDancer]

I'd invest in NextGen over another park or even park improvements. Fastpass+ is a very small part of what they are investing in and no where near a billion dollars of the NextGen budget is going towards it.. The real investment is in better data for marketing, forecasting, and CRM in general along with the technology to offer a more personalized experience (all for a price of course).

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I would have done both.

I love this FastPass+ system.

I would have expanded and remodeled DHS. I would have added another show. Updated the Great Movie ride to add scenes from Pirates,Roger Rabbit, Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and Enchanted.

I would take the car Show out and I would expand the DISNEY JUNIOR Area and an official greeting area for Characterpolozza with back drops that fit the characters. The American Idol area is awful! It needs to go.
.

 

[DisneyDetective]

i think the money could have been invested in Hollywood Studios and EPCOT as they need serious upgrading (only my opinion). As a EPCOTFan i feel there has been little done to the park for example the majority of the pavilions need changed or rethemed (if that makes sense) and PLEASE do something with the old Odyssey counter service and Imagination pavilion. i know this is quite a general idea but with the knowledge and expertise of Imagineering, i wish they would remodel the facades as some of the buildings look stuck in 1982.
Hollywood Studios is dying for a major ride and Star Wars-Carsland could be the answer. i would be intrigued about a Lucasfilm area with Indiana Jones being replaced with a actual ride like the one found in California/ i also thought something like a Spiderman type ride but themed as Disney Infinity would be awesome.

 

[Minnesota!]

I do like Magic Bands better than the old KTTW. I hate FP+, though. I think the system, as it was, was fine. I would have liked to have seen the FP system stay the same, but the Magic Bands roll out. Just have a touchpoint at the FP machines (vs inserting the KTTW). Same concept, better execution. Maybe touchpoint areas throughout the park to scan your MB in case you need to remember your FP return times?

But I think, thus far, FP+ has been one giant cluster failure.

I would have liked to see the billion go towards at least one expansion (DHS or Epcot getting another country or three), and then the Magic Bands.

 

[clsteve]

A major new attraction like Expedition Everest can cost $100 Million, give or take.

A "copy" (different version) of an existing attraction can cost much less.

So, I'd have duplicated Cars Land from DLR/DCA
and built a second version of TSM with a
theme that was different than Toy Story (maybe, WALL-E)
and built a second version of Soarin' (different subject for the film,)
and had a new thrill attraction built at Epcot
(like a "Matterhorn-like roller coaster "Mt. Fuji" at the Japan Pavilion)
and rebuild Mr. Toad at Epcot's UK.

And, had a LOT of money left over for MAINTENANCE of existing attractions.

Robo, Excellent List! Yes to all (with maybe some STar Wars thrown in).

But you've got to think Bigger - more like an Executive!

So, how about 2 more DVC's and another huge Value/Mod Resort Complex instead....

 

[catra121]

If I were running Disney...I would have done whichever would have made me more money...they are still a business after all and have to get some return on their investment. If they believe that the MM+ system will give them that return on their investment...then I understand why they did it.

Park expansions will still happen...in the future. And while as a guest I would love to see those things sooner rather than later...if MM+ is successful in making Disney more money then in the long term it is the better decision for them to implement it FIRST. Look at all the threads about how there is no "slow" time of year to go anymore...Disney must be making the right decisions.

What I don't know...are the exact projections when it comes to any/all of this. I'm sure the people making the decisions have seen these projections and that's what they based their decision on...and that they chose the option that would be the most profitable. In their shoes...I would do the same. All speculation of course...I supposed it's possible that they did not choose the option that would give them the greatest return on investment...in which case I don't think I would have done the same...

 

[Robo]

Robo, Excellent List! Yes to all (with maybe some STar Wars thrown in).

But you've got to think Bigger - more like an Executive!

So, how about 2 more DVC's and another huge Value/Mod Resort Complex instead....

Sorry, I lost my head there for a minute.

More ROOMS, of course!

 

[Robo]

I'm sure the people making the decisions have seen these projections and that's what they based their decision on...and that they chose the option that would be the most profitable.

In their shoes...I would do the same.

All speculation of course...I supposed it's possible that they did not choose the option that would give them the greatest return on investment…

in which case I don't think I would have done the same...

You must attend a lot of business meetings.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

A major new attraction like Expedition Everest can cost $100 Million, give or take.

A "copy" (different version) of an existing attraction can cost much less.

So, I'd have duplicated Cars Land from DLR/DCA
and built a second version of TSM with a
theme that was different than Toy Story (maybe, WALL-E)
and built a second version of Soarin' (different subject for the film,)
and had a new thrill attraction built at Epcot
(like a "Matterhorn-like roller coaster "Mt. Fuji" at the Japan Pavilion)
and rebuild Mr. Toad at Epcot's UK.

And, had a LOT of money left over for MAINTENANCE of existing attractions.

Yes!

I never, ever would have thought about going to Universal but of course HP got us there. The WWoHP is the best ride I have ever been on and it isn't at WDW.

DHS needs another headliner. WS needs another attraction.

 

[Luscien]

[*]Bean counters see some attractions with long lines, others with no lines at all.

[*]Bean counters objective is to squeeze the last ounce of profitability from aging nostalgic equity.

[*]Bean counters convince C-level that it is smarter to use technology to equally distribute guests throughout the attractions and parks instead of building new, popular attractions.

[*]Bean counters assume that guests will be okay with being diverted to attractions that they had little interest in before and will fall for the artificially created illusion of demand.

[*]Bean counters say Oooops.

This argument would only make sense if they were charging per ride. If it were the bean counters saying "generate more revenue" related to the parks, they'd be focusing on how to get more people through the gate, not spread across all the rides.

I do think accounting is driving some of this, but not the way you describe in this post.

 

[Laketravis]

This argument would only make sense if they were charging per ride. If it were the bean counters saying "generate more revenue" related to the parks, they'd be focusing on how to get more people through the gate, not spread across all the rides.

I do think accounting is driving some of this, but not the way you describe in this post.

You don't have to charge per ride for it to make sense. Spreading people across all rides can get more people thru the gate.

Bean Counters love Yield Management. It means they can force higher utilization of existing resources without having to spend money on new ones.

 

[W.E.D.]

A major new attraction like Expedition Everest can cost $100 Million, give or take.

A "copy" (different version) of an existing attraction can cost much less.

So, I'd have duplicated Cars Land from DLR/DCA
and built a second version of TSM with a
theme that was different than Toy Story (maybe, WALL-E)
and built a second version of Soarin' (different subject for the film,)
and had a new thrill attraction built at Epcot
(like a "Matterhorn-like roller coaster "Mt. Fuji" at the Japan Pavilion)
and rebuild Mr. Toad at Epcot's UK.

And, had a LOT of money left over for MAINTENANCE of existing attractions.

I had my own answer, but

what Robo said!!!

 

[ucfknight]

If I had a billion dollars to spend, I'd build more DVC properties. That's what WDW really needs.