News Round Up 2016

[rteetz]

News

Full sounds like summer concert series line up

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...unds-like-summer-concert-series-now-at-epcot/

 

[skier_pete]

To do that you need an SSR to gobble up the last minute bookings. We did this in Florida - but the thing about 2-3 night stays is they have to be flexible (last minute). You don't typically plan a 2-3 night stay 11 months in advance. But, there is never rooms available with 30-90 day notice in California. Adding another 70-100 rooms won't fix that. They need several hundred.

But that is still what's going on in California. When we just got our waitlist at 33 days out, I had talked with several VGC California owners and they said waitlists come through all the time out there, because owners book for weekends well in advance and then cancel as they get closer. Cancelations are apparently much more common at VGC. Owners book those long weekends well in advance. (While it's hard to get in a 7 months as a non-owner, there's actually a LOT of availability typically right up to 7 months - meaning owners often don't book at 11 months, but at 7-8 months.)

I agree they would easily sell a full 200-300 room resort out there - I just don't think it's likely. They make so much money on hotel rooms there that there just isn't the same benefit to Disney for DVC as there is in Florida.

 

[mikepizzo]

That makes sense.... I mean, the world itself was pretty interesting. But I have similar concerns about Pandora as I do about the Star Wars land. I'll use Diagon Alley as an example.

The alley itself is themed immaculately. The employees are all in character and have great costumes. But your still surrounded, shoulder to shoulder, by a bunch of tourists. Diagon and Star Wars can offset this a bit as they are already supposed to be major hubs. I have trouble imagining how one reconciles the supposed majestic beauty of an alien jungle when it is overrun by people in fanny packs and crocs. Snark aside, I'll be curious to see how well Pandora holds uyp when it is brimming with people.

I can see something like:

"Be transported to Pandora...where the Naavi people are welcoming Earthlings to educate them on the majesty that is Pandora..."

Not trying to poke holes at all, I completely agree with you, just saying there probably is and will be a way that this will be addressed. No matter how ham-fisted it is.

 

[twebber55]

The person I spoke with phrased it that it was very much about Pandora the place rather than the characters in the movie and he knows people that were just obsessed with the concept and almost depressed thinking about that they could never go there - so they are over the moon that they will get the chance to do that when the land opens in Disney World

So while it might not be a big group of people it does seems like this is a "new" group of people for Disney to attract

isnt DAK really more so about environments than characters, harambe, Asia etc

 

[twebber55]

Wait, there are such things as "avatar fans"?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bagging on the movie. I thought it was perfectly fine and the best use of 3D cameras to date (at the time of release). But between the fact it came out 7 years ago and ultimately, it's just blue people living in the jungle fighting "the man"... well, I guess it's hard for me to understand where fandom exists in that. Movies like LOTR and HP have huge casts of unique characters based in a world with deep folklore and history. Did any of the Pandorians actually have backstories? Maybe it's more my fault than the movies, but all I remember is Ridley and a dude in a wheelchair jacking into blue bodies and learning the ways of the tribesman. It was great throw away fun, but not exactly a deep world full of history and interest.

After watching Zootopia the other day I pictured Iger kicking himself in the butt for not developing that property sooner and building that instead of Pandora. Not only would they have owned it 100%, but it has a lot more potential for storyline exploration.

Dinoland could always use an overhaul though.... Or heck, just rename EPCOT to EPZOT, Experimental Prototype Zootopia of Tomorrow

Avatar 2,800,000,000
Zootpoia 1,000,000,000 nah he s probably good
besides the fact that Avatars environment adapts to a theme park setting better

 

[Goofy2015]

The whole point of Toy Story Land is to give rides for kids at a younger age. Hollywood Studios is lacking that severely. Star Wars Land will provide the rides with more E-Ticket appeal and more thrilling.

News

Full sounds like summer concert series line up

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...unds-like-summer-concert-series-now-at-epcot/

I hope it doesn't take Disney this long to release the Eat To The Beat series lineup.

 

[rteetz]

News

New Bippidy Boppidy Boutique location at Disney Springs is now open.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/shopping/bi...open-in-once-upon-a-toy-at-disney-springs.htm

 

[eXo]

Universal is going for the same pie and is targeting the Disney genre. Universals goal is to replace Disney as the destination for families in Orlando. They are no longer competing for scraps and overflow as the "secondary" parks did for years. They are looking to disrupt and replace Disney - no doubt about it.

I disagree based on their current build outs. Kong, Jimmy Fallon, and Fast & Furious don't scream "disney genre" to me. They have routinely been closing older, tamer, rides and replaced them with more intense ones. Even the minions ride only has a few seats that little ones can actually sit on (non moving rides). Have you looked at a list of Universal attractions and height requirements? Apart from Seussland and the *very* dated kids zone (supposedly to be replaced with Nintendo stuff), the rest of the parks are geared towards tweens +.

Harry Potter, their biggest success in the past 7 years, is firmly geared and built towards teenagers/adults.

But, I guess the 3rd gate will prove which of us is right. If they aim it at a younger crowd, then I will cede that they are after Disney's part of the pie. If it is a more high tech park with technology underpinnings, which is my current suspicion, then I would say that firmly undermines any argument that they are after Disney's core.

 

[rteetz]

I disagree based on their current build outs. Kong, Jimmy Fallon, and Fast & Furious don't scream "disney genre" to me. They have routinely been closing older, tamer, rides and replaced them with more intense ones. Even the minions ride only has a few seats that little ones can actually sit on (non moving rides). Have you looked at a list of Universal attractions and height requirements? Apart from Seussland and the *very* dated kids zone (supposedly to be replaced with Nintendo stuff), the rest of the parks are geared towards tweens +.

Harry Potter, their biggest success in the past 7 years, is firmly geared and built towards teenagers/adults.

But, I guess the 3rd gate will prove which of us is right. If they aim it at a younger crowd, then I will cede that they are after Disney's part of the pie. If it is a more high tech park with technology underpinnings, which is my current suspicion, then I would say that firmly undermines any argument that they are after Disney's core.

I'm guessing that their 3rd park will be a mix of both. With Dreamworks I would imagine they do some sort of kid friendly area in a new park. I'd also think they will add the high tech rides as well trying to cater the new park to all levels.

 

[eXo]

Avatar 2,800,000,000
Zootpoia 1,000,000,000 nah he s probably good
besides the fact that Avatars environment adapts to a theme park setting better

That's apples / oranges. Avatars numbers includes home release, a much longer time on the market, and the fact it was centered around a very strong 3D gimmick. Even if you didn't care for the movie, it was worth seeing for the technology. That doesn't translate into a future for the series.

Tell me about how successful Avatar is when the second movie comes out. That will be the true test of if people care about that franchise when 3D is no longer the buy-in gimmick.

The short of it is Avatar is one dimensional currently. It's a tribe that loves their planet and boo to the evil corporate giants. I'm *very* curious how they are going to drag that out into 4 simultaneously filmed sequels and maintain *any* interest without also devaluing the brand.

 

[rteetz]

News

More behind the scenes of Soarin around the world.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/06/setting-the-flight-plan-for-soarin-around-the-world/

 

[Eoghann]

I am putting this quote in below from the article I linked earlier as I keep reading all the comments about DVC in DL not selling well or there really isn't a demand because its all locals. I own DVC and all you have to look at is the resale price of points at Grand Californian versus all the other DVC resorts in Orlando that have been sold out for years to see the demand (and this is for DVC now with no extra benefits.) I really think the comment about the tax benefit on hotel rooms and land space available is why there isn't more DVC in DL, not Aulani. It would help Aulani to have more west coast options for people who don't want to go to Hawaii each year but don't want to travel to Florida. It would also help Orlando sales if people felt they had a chance to exchange into DVC in DL. This resort sold out the year after it opened during a recession. I think there was plenty of demand.
"The resort began selling in 2008 and opened in 2009, in the midst of the worst recession the U.S. has ever experienced. Disney Vacation Club sold the last of itsGrand Californianpoints in October 2010. Since then it has emerged as one of the most sought-after properties on the resale market with prices in the neighborhood of $150 per point--a notable increase in value over its initial offering price of $112 per point."

When talking demand you have to define some terms for comparison otherwise it doesn't mean very much.

How many DVC rooms are available at Grand Californian (or indeed Disneyland as a whole)? The high prices are likely in part driven by the very limited availability. That doesn't mean the level of demand is anything like what it is at WDW. To some extent it is in Disney's interest to limit availability enough to keep demand high.

 

[eXo]

I'm guessing that their 3rd park will be a mix of both. With Dreamworks I would imagine they do some sort of kid friendly area in a new park. I'd also think they will add the high tech rides as well trying to cater the new park to all levels.

I suspect it will have a kids section. But to claim they are competing with Disney would require they build a kids park.

I have a hard time understanding how anyone can point to USF/IOA and claim they are competing with Disney when they literally have 4 seussrides and a amalgam of rides/shows based on properties that are 20-30 years old (woody wood pecker, barney, fieval(!), curious george and E.T.) My local six flags has more kids rides than that, and they are based on loony tunes, which are arguably more recognizable.

Just how kid oriented the 3rd gate is will be a bellweather of comcast's strategy for the next decade, and whether they intend to expand the adult themepark market or try to wrestle disney's share of the family market away.

 

[twebber55]

That's apples / oranges. Avatars numbers includes home release, a much longer time on the market, and the fact it was centered around a very strong 3D gimmick. Even if you didn't care for the movie, it was worth seeing for the technology. That doesn't translate into a future for the series.

Tell me about how successful Avatar is when the second movie comes out. That will be the true test of if people care about that franchise when 3D is no longer the buy-in gimmick.

The short of it is Avatar is one dimensional currently. It's a tribe that loves their planet and boo to the evil corporate giants. I'm *very* curious how they are going to drag that out into 4 simultaneously filmed sequels and maintain *any* interest without also devaluing the brand.

if 3D was the gimmick how come its the number 1 home market movie of all time as well
i do think you re right it wont do as well as the original probably more like 1.4 billion

 

[LSLS]

I have to think they are trying to pull some of the semi-older crowd over (7+). Unless they bought Dreamworks only for movie making and have no desire to put the property in the parks, you have to think they are going for a younger crowd.

 

[Budshark]

I suspect it will have a kids section. But to claim they are competing with Disney would require they build a kids park.

I have a hard time understanding how anyone can point to USF/IOA and claim they are competing with Disney when they literally have 4 seussrides and a amalgam of rides/shows based on properties that are 20-30 years old (woody wood pecker, barney, fieval(!), curious george and E.T.) My local six flags has more kids rides than that, and they are based on loony tunes, which are arguably more recognizable.

Just how kid oriented the 3rd gate is will be a bellweather of comcast's strategy for the next decade, and whether they intend to expand the adult themepark market or try to wrestle disney's share of the family market away.

If you are saying Universal wants to compete for the 0-6 year old crowd, I will agree you are probably correct and the answer is they have shown little to no interest.

However, I think we aren't in agreement with markets. I think Universal is going for the 7+ crowd - and succeeding. They are not doing much to pursue the little ones, although that is one of the fastest and easiest markets to cover.

The truth is only MK covers the "little ones" anyways. I'm sure Universal would be glad to give up an MK day and then go toe to toe with the other 3 parks. They'd smoke them. The strategy appears to be make Universal the home base, appeal to the 7+ crowd. Those with mixed families can split the time - throw in an MK day and then spend 3-4 days at Universal.

 

[Budshark]

if 3D was the gimmick how come its the number 1 home market movie of all time as well
i do think you re right it wont do as well as the original probably more like 1.4 billion

Old data... Frozen passed it.

They should do a land in Epcot dedicated to Frozen. Or something.

 

[eXo]

if 3D was the gimmick how come its the number 1 home market movie of all time as well
i do think you re right it wont do as well as the original probably more like 1.4 billion

As budshark mentions, it is no longer the "#1 home market movie of all time".

But what sales it did achieve had a little something to do with the fact it was packed in with tons of 3d bluray players, and others bought it because for a long time it was the only 3d movie on the market that was actually filmed in 3D (and not post processed, which made a huge difference). I own a copy of Avatar. 1 guess how it got into my house. A little trojan horse known as a 3d blue ray player...

Duck hunt was one of the highest selling NES games, but hardly anyone has it on their "best of list". It got that status by being packed in with a ton of systems.

I'm not saying it was a bad movie. I'm saying it had a huge gimmick attached to it.

 

[Iowamomof4]

if 3D was the gimmick how come its the number 1 home market movie of all time as well
i do think you re right it wont do as well as the original probably more like 1.4 billion

Does that include all the copies of Avatar that were sold with 3D blu-ray players? That's the only reason we have a copy, it came "free" with our player. I've never even watched it.

EDIT: Oops, I see eXo beat me to it.

 

[eXo]

If you are saying Universal wants to compete for the 0-6 year old crowd, I will agree you are probably correct and the answer is they have shown little to no interest.

However, I think we aren't in agreement with markets. I think Universal is going for the 7+ crowd - and succeeding. They are not doing much to pursue the little ones, although that is one of the fastest and easiest markets to cover.

The truth is only MK covers the "little ones" anyways. I'm sure Universal would be glad to give up an MK day and then go toe to toe with the other 3 parks. They'd smoke them. The strategy appears to be make Universal the home base, appeal to the 7+ crowd. Those with mixed families can split the time - throw in an MK day and then spend 3-4 days at Universal.

I'm not sure anyone can compete with MK. It's not just about the rides, it's about the familiarity of the characters and the fact these kid's parents grew up watching these movies (or even riding these rides) themselves. Universal has made it clear they don't keep old rides around for nostalgic value.

But yea, if you are saying the "disney genre" is age 7+, then I'd say that is fair game in Universal's plans.

Ultimately I don't think there will ever be a "winner". Just a bigger market place for themeparks, which in turn means more competition and the consumer wins. Either that or they both keep raising their prices to the point no one cares anymore, at which point the market crashes for a bit and all the egos involved end up a bit humbler.