News Round Up 2016

[Maineiak]

Wall Street Journal is reporting a story on how costly it may be to replace Staggs. Headline is "Disney Could Face Costly Search for Successor". In essence, reports are they are looking outside of the company and they may have to pony up more money to entice someone to join. At issue is a common clause where should they not be promoted to CEO by a certain date, there'd be a big payout to that person.

Also, WSJ has a brief video on Shanghai's soft opening.

I'd post both here, but I know it's paid subscription.

 

[rteetz]

News

The Invictus games kicked off yesterday and athletes were in a pre parade.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...-a-heroes-parade-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

This is really a cool event. I watched the opening ceremonies yesterday.

 

[rteetz]

News

Pluto now appearing at Disney Junior Meet and Greet at DHS

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...et-and-greet-in-disneys-hollywood-studios.htm

 

[sachilles]

Curious to see how close to "on time" avatar land will end up being, and if phased openings will be put on the table is one portion is not ready on time. Can't really tell what is going on in the buildings, but the exterior mountains seem to be moving along nicely. I seem to remember the exterior hardscape of 7dmt was far later in the game for that. Though I think the hardscape for Avatar isn't necessarily in the way of building the "attractions".

 

[luisov]

It's ironic how when Harry Potter world came to Universal many bemoaned how it would have such a negative impact on WDW attendance. While it had an impact I think WDW handled it fairly well. Now Disney studios just surpassed Universals records for the 1B-2B-3 Billion marks. Wonder if the people at Universal studios are getting nervous about Disney studios. Also wonder if this was a "shots fired" moment for Disney and they made a concerted effort to "attack" Universal on their home court.

It's a really interesting phenomenon. While Comcast has upped its game to clearly compete with Disney, Disney is still doing massively well, record profits and all. It's the long-term what Disney should be worried about, though. Keep cutting costs and increasing your prices and perhaps this will no longer be the case in 10 years.

 

[mikepizzo]

Since we are talking about money now, I figured I'd leave this here. I always figured Disney lost money on video games, but I didn't think they lost that much money. Drop in the bucket overall but still...

Also, I think it's interesting that Studio Entertainment more than doubled between 2013 and 2014.

 

[rteetz]

Curious to see how close to "on time" avatar land will end up being, and if phased openings will be put on the table is one portion is not ready on time. Can't really tell what is going on in the buildings, but the exterior mountains seem to be moving along nicely. I seem to remember the exterior hardscape of 7dmt was far later in the game for that. Though I think the hardscape for Avatar isn't necessarily in the way of building the "attractions".

Yeah the rock work for avatar and the rides are really two separate things. I don't think there will be a phased opening.

 

[sachilles]

Any studies to show florida visits to Olrando and whether folks cross shop universal and disney in the same trip? My gut tells me that Universal's development benefited Disney more than hurt it. If you are planning a week vacation, with Universal as your prime focus, you'll likely still have a spare day or two to give to Disney. It's a little harder to go the other way. The airport definitely seems busier, Disney seems busier, the entire area seems busier. For the increased visits, Disney has been able to allow Universal to spend a larger portion. We give disney a hard time for not developing more in the last decade, but they haven't needed to. They've turned Orlando into a huge vacation destination, and that investment is bearing fruit 10 fold.

 

[Flyerjab]

News

STK opening date and contact information available for reservations.

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/05/stk-orlando-opening-date-announced-reservations-now-open/

 

[experiment_6two6]

On this Instagram account the person posted the first two minutes of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Shanghai. I really want to see a full ride through of this one.

https://www.instagram.com/shdisney/

Wow... It looks amazing. He has 6 minutes up now, but he's only posting based on follower count. Kind of annoying. But from what I've seen, simply stunning!

 

[pepperandchips]

I want to wish all of the mothers out there a Happy Mothers Day! I know without my mom I wouldn't be where I am today and I definitely wouldn't love Disney like I do without her. I also get to share this day with her as its my birthday.

Happy belated birthday, Ryan!

Also Tom Bricker needs to get to China as soon as possible!

I also can't wait to see the bricker-ized Shanghai photos

Paging @WDWFigment - your services are required...

 

[skier_pete]

Curious to see how close to "on time" avatar land will end up being, and if phased openings will be put on the table is one portion is not ready on time. Can't really tell what is going on in the buildings, but the exterior mountains seem to be moving along nicely. I seem to remember the exterior hardscape of 7dmt was far later in the game for that. Though I think the hardscape for Avatar isn't necessarily in the way of building the "attractions".

I seriously doubt there will be a phased opening here. They have no firm date other than "2017". Unless they really run into a problem with one of the rides, I think they simply wait and open it all at once.

Any studies to show florida visits to Olrando and whether folks cross shop universal and disney in the same trip? My gut tells me that Universal's development benefited Disney more than hurt it. If you are planning a week vacation, with Universal as your prime focus, you'll likely still have a spare day or two to give to Disney. It's a little harder to go the other way. The airport definitely seems busier, Disney seems busier, the entire area seems busier. For the increased visits, Disney has been able to allow Universal to spend a larger portion. We give disney a hard time for not developing more in the last decade, but they haven't needed to. They've turned Orlando into a huge vacation destination, and that investment is bearing fruit 10 fold.

Not to toot my own horn (OK I do) but back before HP open and everyone was screaming about how Disney HAD to react to Harry Potter or they would lose all this business...I would stand up and say what you said here - and I said that Disney knows it to. Harry Potter driving people to Universal is only GOOD for Harry Potter. From a % standpoint, Universal has gained more than Disney, but from an actual # of guest standpoint, they are nearly marching hand in hand.

In 2009 (the year before Harry opened) Universal had 10.16 million visitors. Disney World had 47.5 million visitors.

In 2014 (last year #s are currently available Universal had 16.40 million visitors. Disney World had 51.5 million visitors.

Universal gained 6.24 million visitors, which is a massive 61 % of gate, but Disney gained 4 million visitors as well. It's a mere 8.4% of gate, but on shear numbers, it means Universal only gained 2.24 million visitors on Disney. If US were to somehow sustain these gains at this rate, it would take them 78 years to "catch" Disney. And without Harry Potter to boost numbers further, I doubt Universal paces Disney. And in fact, when Star Wars opens, I would bet the gap widens again.

 

[DDLand]

It's ironic how when Harry Potter world came to Universal many bemoaned how it would have such a negative impact on WDW attendance. While it had an impact I think WDW handled it fairly well. Now Disney studios just surpassed Universals records for the 1B-2B-3 Billion marks. Wonder if the people at Universal studios are getting nervous about Disney studios. Also wonder if this was a "shots fired" moment for Disney and they made a concerted effort to "attack" Universal on their home court.

Keep in mind most of those movies have been in the pipeline for years, so Disney has been readying this fiscal year for sometime. Universal's big year last year was not assured, so this wasn't Disney planning to make Uni look bad. This is just Disney doing well at the box office. This speaks volumes about the effectiveness of franchises and remakes. Jurassic World and SW were instrumental in the accomplishments of both studios.

It's a really interesting phenomenon. While Comcast has upped its game to clearly compete with Disney, Disney is still doing massively well, record profits and all. It's the long-term what Disney should be worried about, though. Keep cutting costs and increasing your prices and perhaps this will no longer be the case in 10 years.

Things look increasingly stable on Disney's front. Disney can continue to build out their parks to be more effective competitors. People obviously love Disney. That's unlikely to change.

 

[rteetz]

Wow... It looks amazing. He has 6 minutes up now, but he's only posting based on follower count. Kind of annoying. But from what I've seen, simply stunning!

Yeah it is kind of annoying.

 

[rteetz]

Happy belated birthday, Ryan!





Paging @WDWFigment - your services are required...

Thank you!

I didn't even know he had an account here.

 

[rteetz]

News

STK will open on May 25th, reservations are available today!

http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/stk-...tk-orlando-and-reservations-now-available.htm

 

[rteetz]

News

Mike Tirico replacement for Monday Night Football announced

http://www.laughingplace.com/w/news...pn-sean-mcdonough-call-monday-night-football/

 

[rteetz]

News

Morimoto Street Food will debut on May 15th

http://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2016/05/09/morimoto-asia-launch-new-go-concept-may-15/

 

[rteetz]

News

Shanghai Disneyland will have photopass. The app is available on the app store today.

 

[Irish_Mike]

CNN ran an article today on how ESPN continues to hurt Disney. Nothing new, but a pretty good read - and it does go a little bit into the CEO debacle that is now unfolding, including namedropping Steve Burke as an option.

Read here