Possible Test Track overhaul in 2012!

[tjkraz]

This sounds interesting but I think they need to work on updating some of the other attractions @ Epcot

Yeah, since there's a sponsor involved, it's a unique situation. These changes appear to be a condition of GM extending its sponsorship for at least another 10 years.

GM doesn't sponsor the Imagination pavilion, Wonders of Life, etc. GM dollars wouldn't be spent on those areas, and Disney spending their own $$$ to improve those pavilions wouldn't do anything to encourage GM to re-up their contract.

 

[norm&linda]

I hope Disney will carefully walk the line between GM's sponsorship of an improved attraction and GM in your face. Personally, I've always found the car display a bit much.

 

[DCTooTall]

I hope Disney will carefully walk the line between GM's sponsorship of an improved attraction and GM in your face. Personally, I've always found the car display a bit much.

You must've hated World of Motion then with all the GM vehicles throughout the ride.... and for that matter.... even the classic SpaceShip Earth with the big AT&T board at the end and all their fiberoptics.

The post Show for Space Mountain must've also sucked.... you know... with RyCA one followed by the FedEX shipments.

 

[nytimez]

You must've hated World of Motion then with all the GM vehicles throughout the ride.... and for that matter.... even the classic SpaceShip Earth with the big AT&T board at the end and all their fiberoptics.

The post Show for Space Mountain must've also sucked.... you know... with RyCA one followed by the FedEX shipments.

I get the sponsorship thing... but I think the big SIEMENS projection across Spaceship Earth after Illuminations is super cheesy.

It's tough to get upset over corporate branding in Disney World though... I mean, Disney IS corporate branding. It's like arguing over whether you got your peanut butter in my chocolate... or I got my chocolate in your peanut butter.


Image from Yesterland... for the few who haven't seen it:

 

[ChrisFL]

Whats the problem with projecting Siemens on a large ball?

 

[DCTooTall]

I get the sponsorship thing... but I think the big SIEMENS projection across Spaceship Earth after Illuminations is super cheesy.

It's tough to get upset over corporate branding in Disney World though... I mean, Disney IS corporate branding. It's like arguing over whether you got your peanut butter in my chocolate... or I got my chocolate in your peanut butter.


Image from Yesterland... for the few who haven't seen it:

Traditionally, Disney has done a good job of creating interesting attractions for their sponsors that both gave the sponsor much desired exposure, but didn't beat your head over it. some nice examples would be World of Motion (GM) , the original Universe of Energy (EXXON) , Wonders of Life (Met-Life), Norway (Norway Tourism), AT&T era Spaceship Earth, Dreamflight (Delta), If you Had Wings (Eastern Airlines), Space Mountain (RCA / FedEX), Small World (UNICEF), Carousel of Progress (GE)..... etc etc etc


I gotta admt though.... the name thrown on the side of the ball is kinda obnoxious.

 

[Figment632]

Word is work on the ride will not begin till April.

 

[howardlee2]

test track is an awesome ride! the holding area needs to go as it is very annoying.

 

[howardlee2]

I get the sponsorship thing... but I think the big SIEMENS projection across Spaceship Earth after Illuminations is super cheesy.

It's tough to get upset over corporate branding in Disney World though... I mean, Disney IS corporate branding. It's like arguing over whether you got your peanut butter in my chocolate... or I got my chocolate in your peanut butter.


Image from Yesterland... for the few who haven't seen it:

hard to believe it took Disney 40 years to figure out how to squeeze $$ out of the outside of the ball!!!

 

[rodkenrich]

,,

 

[Figment632]

Not sure how they are going to make it more like WOM because most of the work is ride rehab and pre and post show.

 

[Sweettears]

Sounds interesting, but I have a hard time believing it. Despite the problems TT has had, it regularly has some of the longest waits in Epcot, second only to Soarin'. Why dump all that cash into something that draws? Does GM have money burning a hole in its pocket all of a sudden?

Refurb, I can see... but gutting the ride and starting all over? Sounds a little far-fetched. You never know, I guess.

Actually, recent disclosures show that among US corporations GM ranks in the top three for cash on hand.

 

[nytimez]

Actually, recent disclosures show that among US corporations GM ranks in the top three for cash on hand.

This is hysterical. You know where any "cash on hand" GM has comes from, don't you?

 

[ASteelersMidget]

So this is official Now?

 

[Sweettears]

This is hysterical. You know where any "cash on hand" GM has comes from, don't you?

Absolutely. Can you spell TARP?

 

[nytimez]

Absolutely. Can you spell TARP?

Thank you.

Actually, technically, they repaid TARP by taking out a different government loan -- and then claimed to have paid back the government.

My original point stands, in any case. This is not a company that should feel its cash on hand is burning a hole in its corporate pockets, since they have pretty much negative dollars once you remove U.S. taxpayer contributions...

A theme park ride sponsorship is something of a luxury in terms of ad/PR dollars, and I'm not convinced this is a luxury GM can continue to afford. But then again, they're not exactly known for their corporate wisdom.

 

[Sweettears]

Thank you.

Actually, technically, they repaid TARP by taking out a different government loan -- and then claimed to have paid back the government.

My original point stands, in any case. This is not a company that should feel its cash on hand is burning a hole in its corporate pockets, since they have pretty much negative dollars once you remove U.S. taxpayer contributions...

A theme park ride sponsorship is something of a luxury in terms of ad/PR dollars, and I'm not convinced this is a luxury GM can continue to afford. But then again, they're not exactly known for their corporate wisdom.

I'm with you on this. Wasn't suggesting otherwise only pointing out how ridiculous the situation is.

 

[nytimez]

I'm with you on this. Wasn't suggesting otherwise only pointing out how ridiculous the situation is.

Gotcha -- figured as much once you mentioned TARP... but isn't it amazing how many people actually believed the ads GM ran when they claimed to have paid the government back? Crazy...

 

[Sweettears]

Gotcha -- figured as much once you mentioned TARP... but isn't it amazing how many people actually believed the ads GM ran when they claimed to have paid the government back? Crazy...

The public face of TARP is that we (the goverment) made a profit. They don't mention the companies (including GM) that they let off the hook in the spirit of public good.

 

[Figment632]

The public face of TARP is that we (the goverment) made a profit. They don't mention the companies (including GM) that they let off the hook in the spirit of public good.

That's why I bought a Ford I refuse to drive a bailout mobile!

2012 Ford Mustang!