News Round Up

[pilferk]

I think it's a case of they don't want to go back to HiSTA because it would involve re-redesigning the theater space, so they are basically stuck with EO. My guess is everytime there is a budget meeting for Epcot they ask for money to do something about EO (and the Imagination space in general) and everytime it gets shot down, so it's just stuck in limbo. (Anyone that works for a big company can tell you about a project or two that this happens to. They don't want to spend the money to reconfigure, but they don't want to spend the money to do it right either.)

Anyways, my hope is that the rumored big-budget makeover that includes rumored funds for Epcot means funds for Imagination, because holy cow it needs it. (Yes - EO is every worst piece of EIGHTIES nostalgia rolled into one. It should be called: "Captain EO - you should've seen the prequels coming". It's possibly the only thing in WDW I will NEVER do again.

May the Gods help me...our kids like it. We've seen it a few times now...and, the other night, they asked about it. I told them I thought it had been closed. We go in October. I pray it will have finished it's run by then, but, I'm thinking we're probably sitting through it again. Well....maybe by the time we take our 2017 trip, I guess.

 

[rteetz]

Who says Imagineering can't do cool stuff anymore.

They can when the money is there and they are allowed to.

 

[rteetz]

New arrivals to the Tower of Terror merchandise line

Checking Out Latest Arrivals to Hollywood Tower Hotel Authentic Collection at Disney Parks

 

[luisov]

They can when the money is there and they are allowed to.

True. Though in Disney's defense, creative minds can be quite difficult to work with. It's a bit concerning how expensive Disney rides are becoming these days, specially considering that other theme parks around the world are building great stuff with a lot less.

 

[DDLand]

True. Though in Disney's defense, creative minds can be quite difficult to work with. It's a bit concerning how expensive Disney rides are becoming these days, specially considering that other theme parks around the world are building great stuff with a lot less.

There needs to be balance. There was always Roy to Walt's more frivolous ideas, and those two made Magic together for millions of guests. Though I do think that generally when creative is allowed more leeway the company is better off. However, as you point out, Imagineering isn't very adaptable at all. That needs to change.

 

[rteetz]

There needs to be balance. There was always Roy to Walt's more frivolous ideas, and those two made Magic together for millions of guests. Though I do think that generally when creative is allowed more leeway the company is better off. However, as you point out, Imagineering isn't very adaptable at all. That needs to change.

Eisner had wells and others under him. Iger doesn't seem to have that tandem like previous execs have had.
Today I think there are still great minds in imagineering but everything needs to be IP based which is not something the imagineers like especially those of the Joe Rohde kind.

 

[luisov]

There needs to be balance. There was always Roy to Walt's more frivolous ideas, and those two made Magic together for millions of guests. Though I do think that generally when creative is allowed more leeway the company is better off. However, as you point out, Imagineering isn't very adaptable at all. That needs to change.

I agree. I consider myself a creative mind, so I understand how difficult it must be for Imagineers to be on a tight budget and still be careful about detail and authenticity. That's why some people have mixed feelings about Imagineers like Joe Rohde. He makes beautiful stuff, but at the same time, he makes a trip all the way to Nepal just to make sure a certain pattern is as authentic as possible. Which is good, don't get me wrong, but does elevate costs.

As you say, it's just a matter of creating a balance.

 

[rteetz]

I agree. I consider myself a creative mind, so I understand how difficult it must be for Imagineers to be on a tight budget and still be careful about detail and authenticity. That's why some people have mixed feelings about Imagineers like Joe Rohde. He makes beautiful stuff, but at the same time, he makes a trip all the way to Nepal just to make sure a certain pattern is as authentic as possible. Which is good, don't get me wrong, but does elevate costs.

As you say, it's just a matter of creating a balance.

I have to think tho what would it be like if imagineers didn't get the details down right to the small patterns on things in a queue or something. I'm one who loves the little details so if Disney didn't do that I just don't know what it would be like.

 

[DDLand]

I agree. I consider myself a creative mind, so I understand how difficult it must be for Imagineers to be on a tight budget and still be careful about detail and authenticity. That's why some people have mixed feelings about Imagineers like Joe Rohde. He makes beautiful stuff, but at the same time, he makes a trip all the way to Nepal just to make sure a certain pattern is as authentic as possible. Which is good, don't get me wrong, but does elevate costs.

As you say, it's just a matter of creating a balance.

I have to think tho what would it be like if imagineers didn't get the details down right to the small patterns on things in a queue or something. I'm one who loves the little details so if Disney didn't do that I just don't know what it would be like.

Not to totally derail this thread, I'll stop after this, but I do feel like there is something to be said about those research trips.

We may be able to joke about them, and tease the Imagineers for their "research trips" as I've often seen them written, but the product does show results. Everest feels like you've just stepped into a totally different world, (especially when it's raining) and DAK in general is beautiful in this simple yet sophisticated way.

I don't begrudge them that, what does tick me off is when they're wasting the budget with infighting and bureaucracy. It wasn't because of a study trip to Italy that some beach balls, speakers, and Italian Flags cost 1 million dollars. (at least as far as we know ) It was due to complete organizational incompetence. That's what ticks me off, is when we the guests lose out on an awesome effect or detail that would just make us go whoa. That's what makes me upset.

I'm fine if they spend money on research trips, but please don't waste it on politics and infighting.

 

[luisov]

I have to think tho what would it be like if imagineers didn't get the details down right to the small patterns on things in a queue or something. I'm one who loves the little details so if Disney didn't do that I just don't know what it would be like.

I'm with you on that. Details are what make Disney so distinctively unique to other theme parks in the business. However, Disney has allowed costs to elevate way too much for one reason or the other (not necessarily research trips). We've seen lots of very detailed and authentic attractions that didn't cost the fortune that NFL cost (most notably WWoHP). My main point is, rides have become too expensive, and that's an issue Disney should definitely address if they want those 3 billion to be worth something.

 

[Reddog1134]

I agree. I consider myself a creative mind, so I understand how difficult it must be for Imagineers to be on a tight budget and still be careful about detail and authenticity. That's why some people have mixed feelings about Imagineers like Joe Rohde. He makes beautiful stuff, but at the same time, he makes a trip all the way to Nepal just to make sure a certain pattern is as authentic as possible. Which is good, don't get me wrong, but does elevate costs.

As you say, it's just a matter of creating a balance.

I have to think tho what would it be like if imagineers didn't get the details down right to the small patterns on things in a queue or something. I'm one who loves the little details so if Disney didn't do that I just don't know what it would be like.

I appreciate the little details, too. But it's been said that the cost of Joe's excursions to Nepal to get those details are the reason we ended up with Camp Minnie-Mickey and Dinoland.

 

[rteetz]

I appreciate the little details, too. But it's been said that the cost of Joe's excursions to Nepal to get those details are the reason we ended up with Camp Minnie-Mickey and Dinoland.

Come to think of it tho AK didn't have a large budget 900 million to build a park isn't much by today's standards. In 1998 maybe but a couple billion is what I would think to build a complete theme park.

 

[luisov]

Come to think of it tho AK didn't have a large budget 900 million to build a park isn't much by today's standards. In 1998 maybe but a couple billion is what I would think to build a complete theme park.

Yeah, it's rather shocking that nowadays we are talking of billions not to build a park, but to update it. It's crazy to think that back in the day 17 million could buy you Disneyland.

 

[rteetz]

Flex theater construction from poster on wdwmagic

 

[rteetz]

Yeah, it's rather shocking that nowadays we are talking of billions not to build a park, but to update it. It's crazy to think that back in the day 17 million could buy you Disneyland.

And the original budget for Disneyland was 10 million.

 

[umichigan10]

Flex theater construction from poster on wdwmagic

View attachment 111504 View attachment 111505 View attachment 111506 View attachment 111507

Basically what I saw yesterday but with far better shots and quality than I could have ever gotten

Wonder how long it'll take them to finish

 

[rteetz]

Basically what I saw yesterday but with far better shots and quality than I could have ever gotten

Wonder how long it'll take them to finish

Probably not long if they want it to be usable next year

 

[rteetz]

Characters are meeting guests in the hub area

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/07/characters-meeting-guests-around-magic.html

 

[rteetz]

DHS just looks kind of sad in this update

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/07/hollywood-studios-update-frozen-summer.html

 

[rteetz]

You can opt out of getting another magicband if you already have a working one

http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/mymag...site-addresses-common-magicband-complaint.htm