News Round Up 2018

[Katrina Y]

They have classic characters at other entrances. I like stitch.

I agree, Stitch is one of the main things my kids loved when going to Disney Springs.

 

[Capang]

I was talking about Stitch being added back to World of Disney...

As for Europa it does have some similar things to Disney yes.

Gotcha. I just looked up the park and saw the Epcot SSE-like ball and watched the on ride video of the pirate ride and it looked pretty similar to WDW version.
I’m glad about stitch, too.

 

[hertamaniac]

The rapid expansion of high end hotels is an interesting move as it seems to speak of Disney's confidence in the US economy as a whole. Many well informed and respected economic minds have shared bubble fears of late. Disney seems to be banking on the overall health of the nation at this time and in the years to come. The last bubble burst hit tourism hard, Disney included. Another burst would slash occupancy rates but this time with a greater raw number impact. Interesting to see the faith they have and the strong decision to move forward boldly. I hope the boldness continues past Star Wars and even more into to the parks for the 50th!

You're absolutely right in that it is interesting. I view it as so long as the resort infrastructures are in place, you can manipulate packages/pricing to drive occupancy (a singular data point on a marketing/balance sheet). So, if there truly is an impending pullback or correction as some economists say, I believe WDW/Universal would much prefer having leveraged a position to ramp-up or ramp-down to satisfy demand.

 

[hertamaniac]

Disney is beholden to share holders. Even if they feel that the economy has potential for softening, they are unlikely to take that stance as it would have a negative impact on stocks. You are right that expansion like this usually means positivity, but we all know that they will halt construction in a second - anyone stayed at Pop Century "Legendary Years"? If the economy goes south in the next year, they can pull the Epcot hotel with little fanfare and even the Star Wars resort. Coronado and Riviera are too far along.

This I'm not sure of. In some cases, a pullback on expansion (or even M & A) and cost controls can have a positive impact on a stock price. In cases I've been part of working for a publicly listed corporation, Wall Street rewarded our stock price as we reduced internal/external costs to temper expectations.

 

[skier_pete]

This I'm not sure of. In some cases, a pullback on expansion (or even M & A) and cost controls can have a positive impact on a stock price. In cases I've been part of working for a publicly listed corporation, Wall Street rewarded our stock price as we reduced internal/external costs to temper expectations.

I suppose that is true. But with outward appearances of a strong economy for the foreseeable future it would be hard to Disney to come out and be pessimistic. In the end - obviously they think all of these hotel expansions will be financially beneficial, or they wouldn't do it.

 

[rteetz]

Looks like the Europa fire started at a nearby warehouse and spread. The park might not open tomorrow as a whole due to the fire.

 

[The Pho]

Disney has let select guests ride the Slinky Coaster the past few days.

 

[rteetz]

Disney has let select guests ride the Slinky Coaster the past few days.

Invited guests or random in the park? They only recently started allowing CMs to ride.

 

[BigRed98]

Disney has let select guests ride the Slinky Coaster the past few days.

Invited guests or random in the park? They only recently started allowing CMs to ride.

Hopefully it’s random because I will be in Hollywood Studios tomorrow.

 

[The Pho]

Invited guests or random in the park? They only recently started allowing CMs to ride.

The person I know that got to ride did not mention how it happened. They rode it on Tuesday I believe and were not alone. They had a picture of them on the coaster. They are Club members, but we weren't offered anything and we specifically asked about this on Monday.

 

[rteetz]

The person I know that got to ride did not mention how it happened. They rode it on Tuesday I believe and were not alone. They had a picture of them on the coaster. They are Club members, but we weren't offered anything and we specifically asked about this on Monday.

So they were likely invited then?

 

[The Pho]

So they were likely invited then?

That's what I would assume if nobody else has heard anything here. But I can't confirm that, I'll have to ask them. Also they did say that they loved the ride.

 

[rteetz]

Photo update from Disneyland from @dina444444

 

[rteetz]

 

[rteetz]

 

[rteetz]

 

[rteetz]

 

[writerguyfl]

Compared to building new rides, the hotels go up in no time.

Well yeah, but that's not something to be proud of!

When I was a Cast Member, I thought the same thing. I asked a manager in Magic Kingdom Attractions about it and she told me it was related to labor. Essentially, there are a ton of companies with the ability to build a hotel. New hotels go up all the time outside of Walt Disney World. They aren't complicated...just a bunch of rectangles with stuff like electrical and plumbing all in the same places inside each each rectangle.

Contrast that against an attractions building. Those structures are all custom-built. It may use technology that is brand new. In Florida, there are (reported) only a small number of sub-contractors that can build these types of structures. And those contractors are also in demand by Universal, Sea World, and occasionally other places like Kennedy Space Center, Legoland, and Busch Gardens.

Side Note: She also explained that Disneyland Resort attractions tend to get build quicker because of access to sub-contractors. The Orlando metro area has about 2.5 million residents. The Los Angeles/Anaheim metro area has about 13 million people. More people means more specialized construction companies.

 

[Fantasia79]

The person I know that got to ride did not mention how it happened. They rode it on Tuesday I believe and were not alone. They had a picture of them on the coaster. They are Club members, but we weren't offered anything and we specifically asked about this on Monday.

DVC or 33?

 

[The Pho]

DVC or 33?

Conveniently both since I forgot to specify. (33 is what I meant though).