News Round Up

[skier_pete]

It is crazy how much support Frozen gets from Disney Parks. Yet, there is very little Big Hero 6 and Inside Out to be seen in the parks. Both of those were successful movies, I personally thought were more enjoyable movies to watch.

End of rant.

Frozen gets support because it sold and still is selling tons of merchandise. I agree it's overload, but one thing to point out is that very few of the places that they are installing Frozen - outside of Norway - are very permanent. Even the Frozen Sing-A-Long at DHS is just a theater makeover away. We checked it out last trip, and the theater was fully loaded, showing that the popularity has not yet waned.

I would assume that the thought in California is that the Frozen sing-a-long just doesn't have staying power, and if they were to put a Frozen stage-show in Aladdin's place it will last longer, then they'd take out the sing-a-long.

 

[circus4u]

27 Little-Known And Kind Of Weird Facts About Disney Parks
http://www.swifty.com/attractions/9...-of-weird-facts-about-disney-parks#slide/23/0

 

[rteetz]

Chinese theater work continues

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ntinues-on-the-great-movie-rides-exterior.htm

 

[rteetz]

Speedway demolition continues

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...f-the-walt-disney-world-speedway-underway.htm

 

[thepops]

Watto's grotto is embarassing...

What idiot decided to call attention to what is the low point in the franchise? What's next?

Midichlorian musical review starring jar Jar binks?

Maybe they can use Jar Jar Binks to upgrade Cosmic Rays in MK ?

 

[smitch425]

Maybe they can use Jar Jar Binks to upgrade Cosmic Rays in MK ?

Leave Sonny alone!

 

[rteetz]

Tom Staggs spoke to the Merrill Lynch 2015 Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference this morning and talked about many of the topics that have been discussed on the boards.

- Disney is and will continue to repurchase stock to benefit shareholders and upped their plans during recent downturn
- Disney's not worried about Shanghai despite China economy because it is a long-term investment and more than 330 million "income qualified" residents live within a 3 hour drive of park.
- Disney also is considering future expansion in China beyond Shanghai
- Star Wars Land construction will start in 2016 for both parks. Both SW lands will feature a cantina and allow guests to pilot the Millennium Falcon. He would not give an opening date, of course.
- Toy Story Land will open before Star Wars (no surprise, but first time I've heard that mentioned by Disney)
- Disney is working on more Marvel projects beyond Hong Kong, but not ready to disclose
- Disney has 11 franchise with over $1 billion in retail sales

 

[skier_pete]

- Star Wars Land construction will start in 2016 for both parks. Both SW lands will feature a cantina and allow guests to pilot the Millennium Falcon. He would not give an opening date, of course.

Good news - tells me we are not waiting until 2020 for these things.

- Toy Story Land will open before Star Wars (no surprise, but first time I've heard that mentioned by Disney)

I would expect an opening year to be announced pretty soon on this one! Still think 2018 most likely.

- Disney is working on more Marvel projects beyond Hong Kong, but not ready to disclose

DCA - right?

- Disney has 11 franchise with over $1 billion in retail sales

A challenge - name them:
1) Frozen
2) Cars
3) Toy Story
4) Princesses
5) Marvel/Avengers
6) Star Wars
7) ????

I'm stuck at 6...

 

[rteetz]

Good news - tells me we are not waiting until 2020 for these things.



I would expect an opening year to be announced pretty soon on this one! Still think 2018 most likely.





A challenge - name them:
1) Frozen
2) Cars
3) Toy Story
4) Princesses
5) Marvel/Avengers
6) Star Wars
7) ????

I'm stuck at 6...

I'm sure the princesses account for more than one and marvel.

 

[rteetz]

http://www.latimes.com/entertainmen...t-disney-s-star-wars-plan-20150910-story.html

 

[DDLand]

Good news - tells me we are not waiting until 2020 for these things.



I would expect an opening year to be announced pretty soon on this one! Still think 2018 most likely.





A challenge - name them:
1) Frozen
2) Cars
3) Toy Story
4) Princesses
5) Marvel/Avengers
6) Star Wars
7) ????

I'm stuck at 6...

Winnie the Pooh remains strong, as does Mickey and Friends. I'd wager Pirates is actually a contender too, between swords and other merchandise.

 

[skier_pete]

I'm sure the princesses account for more than one and marvel.

Marvel could possibly be more than one (perhaps Spiderman counts as it's own thing). But I am not sure about the Princesses. They aren't really considered individuals anymore, more all piled together.

Winnie the Pooh remains strong, as does Mickey and Friends. I'd wager Pirates is actually strong to between swords and other merchandise.

I almost put in Mickey and Friends - wasn't sure if it was considered a franchise, but probably right. I threw in the Fairies franchise, which is questionable at a billion, but could be....

1) Frozen
2) Cars
3) Toy Story
4) Princesses
5) Marvel/Avengers
6) Star Wars
7) Winnie the Pooh
8) Mickey and Friends
9) Fairies/Tinkerbell (?)
10) Pirates

Just missing one...

 

[DDLand]

Tom Staggs spoke to the Merrill Lynch 2015 Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference this morning and talked about many of the topics that have been discussed on the boards.

- Disney is and will continue to repurchase stock to benefit shareholders and upped their plans during recent downturn
- Disney's not worried about Shanghai despite China economy because it is a long-term investment and more than 330 million "income qualified" residents live within a 3 hour drive of park.
- Disney also is considering future expansion in China beyond Shanghai
- Star Wars Land construction will start in 2016 for both parks. Both SW lands will feature a cantina and allow guests to pilot the Millennium Falcon. He would not give an opening date, of course.
- Toy Story Land will open before Star Wars (no surprise, but first time I've heard that mentioned by Disney)
- Disney is working on more Marvel projects beyond Hong Kong, but not ready to disclose
- Disney has 11 franchise with over $1 billion in retail sales

Credit to Teddyinmo for that: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/a-spirited-perfect-ten.894588/page-1346#post-6893099

Also of note, insider Givemethemusic had something interesting written in just underneath post... Well worth a look.
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/a-spirited-perfect-ten.894588/page-1346#post-6893214

Here's another story from Variety about the conference:
http://variety.com/2015/film/news/disney-coo-tom-staggs-espn-star-wars-attractions-1201589852/

You can tell it was a bit rushed, last time I checked DCA didn't have 8 billion patrons... Hopefully they'll fix that.

Apparently they're looking at Cars Land level results at DAK from the "animated" (Cameron would die) movie land.

Also they're saying each SW land will be the single biggest investment in parks in their entire history. Bigger than Cars Land, which is in the 600 million range reportedly. That's big.

They also wanted to open it "Really Really soon," but they let cooler heads prevail... Darn.

Finally from Deadline:http://deadline.com/2015/09/disney-tom-staggs-wall-street-overreacted-espn-1201520439/

They're not giving up on Hong Kong, and expect continued growth.

Also there's this thing I keep hearing about... ESPN? Staggs says this is nothing to worry about, and to move along.

 

[DDLand]

Marvel could possibly be more than one (perhaps Spiderman counts as it's own thing). But I am not sure about the Princesses. They aren't really considered individuals anymore, more all piled together.



I almost put in Mickey and Friends - wasn't sure if it was considered a franchise, but probably right. I threw in the Fairies franchise, which is questionable at a billion, but could be....

1) Frozen
2) Cars
3) Toy Story
4) Princesses
5) Marvel/Avengers
6) Star Wars
7) Winnie the Pooh
8) Mickey and Friends
9) Fairies/Tinkerbell (?)
10) Pirates

Just missing one...

If had to make a guess I'd go with Spider-Man. We know that it's considered a separate franchise and that it's huge. I'd round it off with that.

Fairies didn't come to mind, but I think fits well. Muppets was bigger but has faded in recent years.

 

[Goofy DVC]

Marvel could possibly be more than one (perhaps Spiderman counts as it's own thing). But I am not sure about the Princesses. They aren't really considered individuals anymore, more all piled together.



I almost put in Mickey and Friends - wasn't sure if it was considered a franchise, but probably right. I threw in the Fairies franchise, which is questionable at a billion, but could be....

1) Frozen
2) Cars
3) Toy Story
4) Princesses
5) Marvel/Avengers
6) Star Wars
7) Winnie the Pooh
8) Mickey and Friends
9) Fairies/Tinkerbell (?)
10) Pirates

Just missing one...

How about ESPN? It is Disney

 

[Reddog1134]

A little outdated.

Estimated Retail Sales of Top 10 Licensed Entertainment/Character Properties, U.S. and Canada, 2012 (Dollars in millions)

1. Disney Princess, Disney, $1,518
2. Star Wars & The Clone Wars, Disney/Lucasfilm, $1,467
3. Hello Kitty, Sanrio, $1,080
4. Cars, Disney/Pixar, $931
5. Pooh, Disney, $929
6. Mickey & Friends, Disney, $774
7. WWE, WWE, $596
8. Angry Birds, Rovio, $590
9. Peanuts, Iconix/Peanuts Worldwide, $542
10. Toy Story, Disney/Pixar, $530

 

[rteetz]

How about ESPN? It is Disney

ESPN isn't a movie franchise.

 

[rteetz]

Credit to Teddyinmo for that: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/a-spirited-perfect-ten.894588/page-1346#post-6893099

Also of note, insider Givemethemusic had something interesting written in just underneath post... Well worth a look.
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/a-spirited-perfect-ten.894588/page-1346#post-6893214

Here's another story from Variety about the conference:
http://variety.com/2015/film/news/disney-coo-tom-staggs-espn-star-wars-attractions-1201589852/

You can tell it was a bit rushed, last time I checked DCA didn't have 8 billion patrons... Hopefully they'll fix that.

Apparently they're looking at Cars Land level results at DAK from the "animated" (Cameron would die) movie land.

Also they're saying each SW land will be the single biggest investment in parks in their entire history. Bigger than Cars Land, which is in the 600 million range reportedly. That's big.

They also wanted to open it "Really Really soon," but they let cooler heads prevail... Darn.

Finally from Deadline:http://deadline.com/2015/09/disney-tom-staggs-wall-street-overreacted-espn-1201520439/

They're not giving up on Hong Kong, and expect continued growth.

Also there's this thing I keep hearing about... ESPN? Staggs says this is nothing to worry about, and to move along.

ESPNs troubles spawn from people switching from cable to things like Netflix and Hulu. I could very well see Disney looking into their own Netflix type programming of sorts. A la carte seems the way the future of TV will be.

 

[916chipndale]

Star Wars construction starting next year is great news. Now the question is the beginning of 2016 or end.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Star Wars construction starting next year is great news. Now the question is the beginning of 2016 or end.

Agreed...

It never made sense to wait/stretch this out...not when you have 6 movies in production In some form to cross promote...

And if the movies are good...which is the job that even disney understands it HAS to do to secure the future merch sales and ROI...then the park components will be popular forever and drive sales in the billions.

Unlike any one cartoon/ princess genre property...

Yes...it's time to admit that frozen is not "one of a kind" and is back squarely in the pack next to the little mermaid and beauty and the beast.

... As it was always gonna be. Star Wars never was/will IF...they make good Star Wars and not things that are offensive to basic human intelligence/imagination...


This is the part where I thank george and Rick mccallum...now a weekly feature