News Round Up

[lockedoutlogic]

All the resorts would be built like prison cells and ghettos.

Not quite...

But there would be far fewer amenities.

Ft wilderness - for example - lots to do on a budget...who never have been built.

 

[rteetz]

Marketplace causeway update

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...-marketplace-causeway-construction-update.htm

 

[rteetz]

A look at the hangar construction

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ction-of-the-the-hangar-at-disney-springs.htm

 

[faneuil]

I agree the monorail is very costly system and we all know disney doesn't like to spend money when they don't get a direct return.

I have a fun thing to think about imagine if today's management was the management in charge of building and opening WDW in 1971 what would it look like today?

It's so silly, but gosh how I love the monorail. Obsession might even be accurate.

I realize it's costly, and not very effective - but gosh. The excitement I'd feel going down World Drive and seeing the monorail before the parents even paid for parking.

But yeah, probably down the road, it'll become a relic. And I'll be sad.

 

[rteetz]

Apparently on a Disney CM site the reason given for cancelation of the tower of terror 10 miler is due to a backlot expansion...

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

It's so silly, but gosh how I love the monorail. Obsession might even be accurate.

I realize it's costly, and not very effective - but gosh. The excitement I'd feel going down World Drive and seeing the monorail before the parents even paid for parking.

But yeah, probably down the road, it'll become a relic. And I'll be sad.

The day they close the monorail will be a day with huge negative ramifications. I know it's argued that, by then, they will have sold a bunch of MK area DVC's and they can say "tough cookies" but what about cash guests to the MK Resorts? That's huge. People that love the ease of going back and forth between Epcot and MK? The cost of removing all those miles of track?

 

[wallrock]

The day they close the monorail will be a day with huge negative ramifications. I know it's argued that, by then, they will have sold a bunch of MK area DVC's and they can say "tough cookies" but what about cash guests to the MK Resorts? That's huge. People that love the ease of going back and forth between Epcot and MK? The cost of removing all those miles of track?

If the monorails go away I don't think they'll remove the track unless it becomes a hazard. No reason to spend the money if it's not needed. I have a wild notion of what they may do with the track, but there's no real harm in it just sitting there.

As far as transportation, two of the three routes just serve the immediate area around the Magic Kingdom and are a somewhat mode of transportation, but really an attraction. Given that they now have boats going to all three of the resorts and are now testing a bus route tells me that they want to rely on the monorail less and less. Quite simply it's easier to deal with boats and buses than it is the monorail.

Again if they go, and I think they will eventually, the resort loop will be the first to go and the Epcot line will remain in service for as long as possible, probably to the extent that the trains on the resort loop will be put in reserve for the Epcot line should repairs or replacements be needed.

 

[::danielle::]

If the monorails go away I don't think they'll remove the track unless it becomes a hazard. No reason to spend the money if it's not needed. I have a wild notion of what they may do with the track, but there's no real harm in it just sitting there. As far as transportation, two of the three routes just serve the immediate area around the Magic Kingdom and are a somewhat mode of transportation, but really an attraction. Given that they now have boats going to all three of the resorts and are now testing a bus route tells me that they want to rely on the monorail less and less. Quite simply it's easier to deal with boats and buses than it is the monorail. Again if they go, and I think they will eventually, the resort loop will be the first to go and the Epcot line will remain in service for as long as possible, probably to the extent that the trains on the resort loop will be put in reserve for the Epcot line should repairs or replacements be needed.

I agree with this. The Powers That Be will keep the monorail due to its "attraction" nature but by running less trains they will persuade visitors to choose one of the alternative transportation methods.

 

[Maineiak]

I agree with this. The Powers That Be will keep the monorail due to its "attraction" nature but by running less trains they will persuade visitors to choose one of the alternative transportation methods.

FP+ for the monorail or restricted to on-site guests only (via MagicBand scan)?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

FP+ for the monorail or restricted to on-site guests only (via MagicBand scan)?

That won't work due to the main TTC lot

 

[faneuil]

lockedout... just got around to reading your signature.
You should see the Disney merchandise at WalMart and Target down here.
Some of it is far superior to the stuff in the parks.


Oh, and I would totally use a FP+ to ride the monorail. At least to Epcot I would.

 

[rteetz]

Interesting quote from someone on wdwmagic this person is famous there for the statistics they point out

"Iger's failure to properly invest in P&R in general and WDW in particular has resulted in 7 or the company's 10 worst years of P&R gross margin."

 

[wallrock]

Interesting quote from someone on wdwmagic this person is famous there for the statistics they point out

"Iger's failure to properly invest in P&R in general and WDW in particular has resulted in 7 or the company's 10 worst years of P&R gross margin."

I would say that this is a failure if one only looks at the parks and resorts side of the company. Wall Street isn't too concerned when The Mouse generated 45 billion last year.

To me it reinforces what I've suspected and stated here once or twice (and got ripped for it as well) is that Disney isn't really interested in parks much more. Sure they will continue to invest in them, but as little as they possibly can.

Iger and company want to own and manage content, and I'm sure they're looking at other IPs that they can bring into the Disney fold. It wouldn't surprise me if part of the reason for his contract extension is because there's ongoing discussions with another big IP that they are trying to acquire.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I would say that this is a failure if one only looks at the parks and resorts side of the company. Wall Street isn't too concerned when The Mouse generated 45 billion last year.

To me it reinforces what I've suspected and stated here once or twice (and got ripped for it as well) is that Disney isn't really interested in parks much more. Sure they will continue to invest in them, but as little as they possibly can.

Iger and company want to own and manage content, and I'm sure they're looking at other IPs that they can bring into the Disney fold. It wouldn't surprise me if part of the reason for his contract extension is because there's ongoing discussions with another big IP that they are trying to acquire.

Fully agree...

Not only is wdw in the "post expansion" phase...

All Disney parks are being focused on as "profit maximization" and moves are only for that goal.

They will continue to operate and praise themselves in the parks only to the point where that money expands...

If it levels, contracts, or travel changes altogether -which will come someday - then all park and resort operations are then leased to a third party operator

Ultimately...I think they want an OLC type arrangement where they basically collect fees and provide creative and technical support at a price.

That is what they want in china...and wanted in euro - which is failing disasterously at this very minute.

Wdw in particular has not been reinvested in for quite some time.
Defenders scratch their heads and say "how can that be...with all they've built?!?"
But they really haven't when you look at the whole history of wdw and DL in particular. The real indicator is the mothballing and closures, and lack of annual or minimum biannual additions to the themeparks.

That is a fundamental shift in priorities and operations...a harbinger of things to come... A reduction in quality, value, and brand strength...and a much bigger deal than is credited by Disney customers.

The ball is already rolling down hill.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

lockedout... just got around to reading your signature.
You should see the Disney merchandise at WalMart and Target down here.
Some of it is far superior to the stuff in the parks.

Oh, and I would totally use a FP+ to ride the monorail. At least to Epcot I would.

And that stuff is crap...

So what does that tell you?

 

[faneuil]

And that stuff is crap...

So what does that tell you?

That was sort of my point.

Seems to me, Marvel is Disney's focus right now. The films and marketing of such, anyway.

 

[circus4u]

I am not really a follower of the stock market, but have been following all the opinions in this thread. Just read on CNN http://money.cnn.com/2014/10/10/investing/stocks-market-correction/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 about a triple digit loss for the Dow today. If there is any truth in that article, what do you think will be the impact on the rumored changes in WDW now?

 

[wallrock]

I am not really a follower of the stock market, but have been following all the opinions in this thread. Just read on CNN http://money.cnn.com/2014/10/10/investing/stocks-market-correction/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 about a triple digit loss for the Dow today. If there is any truth in that article, what do you think will be the impact on the rumored changes in WDW now?

Well, Disney is actually up half a point today. There have been losses like that - and much larger - in the past and things keep moving along. I don't think the drop will affect any decision the corporate office will make. What will impact it is how much they feel they have to sink long term into Paris.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I am not really a follower of the stock market, but have been following all the opinions in this thread. Just read on CNN http://money.cnn.com/2014/10/10/investing/stocks-market-correction/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 about a triple digit loss for the Dow today. If there is any truth in that article, what do you think will be the impact on the rumored changes in WDW now?

I read the same thing today...

It's coming. The price of oil is in free fall which could crush the global banking system into another recession.

In the 20th century, low fuel costs caused booms of productivity and investment in the Western Hemisphere...
Now...since fossil fuel trading and speculation pollutes the whole system...it could cause market free fall and currency instability.

I'm beginning to see the US and globalized partners in terms of Rome 350 CE

 

[lockedoutlogic]

What will impact it is how much they feel they have to sink long term into Paris.

Almost out of nowhere...what you just said is perhaps the biggest thing to impact DIS in its history...it affects all wdw and DL customers...

Most just haven't realized it yet...nor ever will.

A failing longterm struggle in France completely on Disney's dime (almost a guarantee at this point) will put huge strain on the parks division...

It would be like 3 of the 4 cruise ships disappearing into the Bermuda Triangle on the same day...
Along with castaway key