Just got back and heard a couple of interesting rumors from CMs

[Merandab4]

I just wanted to chime in here........ DH and I were watching a Disney Documentary the other day on TV and they interviewed an imagineer at WDW who said that they were in the process of imagineering more theme parks. I do remember something about them wanting to have three more parks built with one of them being a thrill park.

Now I love Disney just as much as the next person, but after seeing this show, I said to DH that I really didn't think that Disney should open more theme parks because........ In General, the average family vacations for about 7 days, and I know when we went this past time we did not even get to do everything in every park in that time period. We didn't get to go to any of the water parks, Did not go to Animal Kingdom, and only spent a small amount of time at Disney Quest ( I know thats not a theme park), but it was closing and we wanted to go back again during our trip but never did. Anyway, By Disney adding more theme parks, I am sure the price of the park hopper ticket will increase. I can't even get in all the attractions now let alone going to a few more theme parks, or even one more park. I know this is all Disney's big idea to get people to come back again so they can do the things they missed the first time, or to even stay longer. I know my family, and probably others out there really can't afford to be going to Disney for more than 7 or so days at a time. When I go to Disney, I am really take my time going through everything and don't just buzz through, so I know I would never get to do all the parks plus the new ones without feeling rushed.
Okay, I know some of you will not agree with me, (Please don't flame me) I am just sharing my opinion.

Now, About the Swan and Dolphin.... I have the Swan and Dolphin on my list of resorts I want to stay at on one of my future trips because of it's proximity to Epcot and MGM and the fact that it is a Deluxe Resort at a fair price. If this Resort Officially becomes a Disney resort I would think the prices would probably double to be as much as the BC. And probably no more discounts. Also, if the Swan or Dolphin was designed to have the monorail pass through it, wouldn't it make sence for the YC and BC to also have the monorail run through it. It almost doesn't make sence for the monorail line to run to Swan or Dolphin and just bypass the guests at the Y and BC. Or maybe they are all suppose to meet at one resort to take the monorail? Okay, just my thoughts! Thanks for listening.

 

[Moobooks]

The Swan and Dolphin were NOT designed to have the monorail run through them--this is a myth perpetuated by a dark shape on the exterior of one of the hotels that is simply a design element.

 

[Disney Debbie]

While I agree that they need to add more to the parks they have - especially AK - I'd like to point out that park hoppers - or whatever they currently call them! - will go up no matter what. I will say that I was pleasantly surprised with this new ticketing they have now. For someone like me, who lives close enough to just go for a few days at a time, but doesn't go enough to buy an annual pass - the 10 day MYW ticket is a real bargain.

The reason those leases were given out on the Swan & Dolphin was because Eisner reneged on deals with the builders and hotel chains who were orginially building official "Disney" hotels. They gave them those leases instead and built & managed the "official" hotels themselves.

What is the difference between Sea World and Disney Seas? I assumed they were similar but from the comments others have had here I'm guessing I'm wrong.

 

[SoCalKDG]

What is the difference between Sea World and Disney Seas? I assumed they were similar but from the comments others have had here I'm guessing I'm wrong.

Oh, about 15 rides and the most amazing theming around.

Check it out.

http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tds/index_e.html


This would be a great WDW resort.

 

[Nebsky]

Just gotta love the bus drivers...

Returned on 3/27 from 9 days in the parks. 2 different bus drivers said Disney will be building 2 more parks, both at the same time.

1st one is Epcot 2. Walts true vision of the future
2nd one is a combination of Six Flags, Universal Studios and Paramount. Thrill rides only.

 

[Grumpy92]

The company that built the Swan & Dolphin was originally promised the next hotel on the monorail by the previous CEO before Eisner. Ofcourse Eisner came in and built GF. The development company was then given options for other sites and that is how they were built there.
Disney would love to get there hands on those hotels, especially with all the convention business they bring in. I have worked for both companies so I know this is true.

 

[sc9500]

Just gotta love the bus drivers...

Returned on 3/27 from 9 days in the parks. 2 different bus drivers said Disney will be building 2 more parks, both at the same time.

1st one is Epcot 2. Walts true vision of the future
2nd one is a combination of Six Flags, Universal Studios and Paramount. Thrill rides only.

There's probably a secret meeting once a month .... " Ok boys (and girls) what new rumour do we start this week? ... ideas.... anyone? Yes... in the back... Mr M. Raton ... yes what is your idea? '

 

[Plus4206]

..... but since most of these rumors keep cropping up every so many years, I'm fairly certain the drivers are using the Dart Board method or possibly even the Wheel of Wumor.

 

[Moobooks]

Tokyo DisneySea and the Disney's Hotel Miracosta cost three BILLION dollars to build. Attendence is not great because the Japanese prefer Tokyo Disneyland (a somewhat similar situation to Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure).
You will NEVER EVER see that happen anywhere where Disney has to pay for it!
The Disney company now builds parks by starting with half a park or less of attractions and then building it up over the next 10 to 15 years. This what's happening in both Paris and Hong Kong.
You will NEVER see them build a three-billion dollar fully-realized park if they have to pay for it.

 

[DancingBear]

The reason those leases were given out on the Swan & Dolphin was because Eisner reneged on deals with the builders and hotel chains who were orginially building official "Disney" hotels. They gave them those leases instead and built & managed the "official" hotels themselves.

Wrong, the deal to allow these convention hotels to be built and operated by others preceded Eisner. Eisner tried litigation to break the contract. When that failed, he negotiated to get control of the design, so we ended up with designs by a world-class architect (whether you like 'em or not) instead of generic Downtown-Disney style mid-rise convention hotels.

 

[SoCalKDG]

Tokyo DisneySea and the Disney's Hotel Miracosta cost three BILLION dollars to build. Attendence is not great because the Japanese prefer Tokyo Disneyland (a somewhat similar situation to Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure).

Actually attendance at Disney Sea is almost as good as Tokyo Disneyland, and better than Epcot, AK, DMGM.

Tokyo Disneyland, despite a marginal attendance increase of 11,000 to 13.2 million, slipped a notch to No. 3 worldwide as Disneyland in Anaheim moved up one position to capture second place on the strength of nearly 13.4 million visits. The original Walt Disney Co. park had drawn about 12.7 million guests in 2003.

Tokyo Disney Sea, meanwhile, drew 12.2 million in 2004, virtually flat compared to the 12.174 million it sent through its gates last year. The park drew 12 million when it opened.



2004 Attendance in U.S.

1. Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando, 15.1 million, 8 percent increase
2. Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., 13.3 million, 5 percent increase

3. Epcot at Walt Disney World in Orlando, 9.4 million, 9 percent increase

4. Disney MGM Studios at Walt Disney World in Orlando, 8.2 million, 5 percent increase

5. Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando, 7.8 million, 7 percent increase

6. Universal Studios in Orlando, 6.7 million, 14 percent increase

7. Islands of Adventures in Orlando, 6.3 million, 13 percent increase

8. Disney's California Adventure, 5.6 million, 6 percent increase

9. SeaWorld Orlando, 5.6 million, 4 percent increase

10. Universal Studios Hollywood, 5 million, 8 percent increase

 

[Moobooks]

Sorry, but I don't buy the numbers.
I've been there and seen it twice during the past two years: Tokyo Disneyland packed and Tokyo DisneySea empty.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

I used to live in Northern Virginia and was really bummed when locals stopped Disney from putting the American history-themed park there. Now it tickles me to know that instead they built tens of thousands of houses and now the traffic is truly unbearable. Hence, we moved to NJ.

.....where the traffic is always truly unbearable!
But at least we've got Jersey Week....

 

[bearzabout]

Just a few things I heard in the rumor mill.

Universal's parent company, MCA, was looking for investors in its Florida project in the early 1980s. US Hollywood was already giving tours. They showed the plans to the head of Paramount, Michael Eisner, who passed on the project.

Once joining Disney in 1984, he remembered what he saw on the race to open the Studios was on. MGM Studios opened May 1, 1989 (before many attractions were complete). Universal opened in June 7, of 1990 and struggled in the beginning. I'm sure the competition didn't help Universal.

I also heard that the early Celebration literature mentioned how close they would be to the fifth park. I heard the land was even cleared (I think it was the land just south of 92 and construction trailers still sit on the site) but I may be wrong. AK was Disney's attempt to steal some Busch Gardens traffic and the fifth park was supposed to be similar to Seaworld.