Siemens ends sponsorship with Disney

[lockedoutlogic]

Also MK beams are more easily accessible (sort of but in crowded areas too) and it probably helps to keep those looking nice for the people who spend hundreds of dollars at the monorail resorts running it.

I'm just spitballing here

Don't think that matters...we're not talking paint...we're talking pilings and structural integrity

 

[umichigan10]

Don't think that matters...we're not talking paint...we're talking pilings and structural integrity

Probably not. Accessibility for maintenance work could still be a factor (although I don't know if it's better or worse the Epcot beams are generally in the middle of the woods)

 

[lockedoutlogic]

True. I am surprised Disney of 1980 would do that, I mean that wasn't Disney of today.

They were in complete disarray due to epcots budget then...

I can all but guarantee there were fierce boardroom battles over whether to proceed with the Epcot connector at all and probably to do it was the unpopular choice.

 

[Goofy2015]

I just hope they don't go on the deep end and get rid of Spaceship Earth.

 

[loves to dive]

Is it bad that I'm not unhappy that Illuminations might be going? I've never liked that show, I think it's the big globe coming out with the projections, I like the rest of it. As far as SSE, I've seen it change sponsors so I'm not too worried. Which ride was it that had the policeman hiding behind the billboard and the caveman blowing on his feet? I could have sworn that was SSE but not I'm thinking it might have been World of Motion? I loved that ride. I know it was sponsored by a car company.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I just hope they don't go on the deep end and get rid of Spaceship Earth.

Ok...how might they "do" that?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I find it interesting that the MK beams are in better shape considering they are older. The MK beams were built offsite in Washington. The Epcot line was built on site so I wonder if they is a big reason for the difference.

well, they are concrete, and concrete is made by mixing in water, and Florida water is pretty terrible

It's also a further distance so wonder if they are made any different (i.e., less quality) to try and save some money (not saying Disney made them less safe but if the original ones were 200% of what was needed than required, maybe these are only 150%)

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Is it bad that I'm not unhappy that Illuminations might be going? I've never liked that show, I think it's the big globe coming out with the projections, I like the rest of it. As far as SSE, I've seen it change sponsors so I'm not too worried. Which ride was it that had the policeman hiding behind the billboard and the caveman blowing on his feet? I could have sworn that was SSE but not I'm thinking it might have been World of Motion? I loved that ride. I know it was sponsored by a car company.

I share some of those sentiments but with caveats:

Illuminations 2000 is the best show Disney has ever done...not the globe part...but the best absolutely.

I mean...I've liked others...the original, fantasy, sorcery, world of color, the Star Wars one...but they are all brought down by reliance on Mickey and princesses doing showtunes. Originality wins.

I believe you're referring to world of motion...which closed for test track in 1995

 

[lockedoutlogic]

well, they are concrete, and concrete is made by mixing in water, and Florida water is pretty terrible

It's also a further distance so wonder if they are made any different (i.e., less quality) to try and save some money (not saying Disney made them less safe but if the original ones were 200% of what was needed than required, maybe these are only 150%)

I think you're right on both ends

 

[Madonna3]

See, I'm only seeing this on WDWNT. You think something this big would be announced elsewhere. I'm calling shinanigans. For now.

Even if Siemens doesn't sponsor it anymore, it's a giant ball at the entrance of the park. They will NOT tear it down or anything. I think Spaceship Earth is safe. Journey into Imagination, however... I'm not so sure. I'm kind of hoping they say something about it at D23 about how beloved Figment is and how their bring back Dreamfinder and making a more up-to-date version of their ride from the 80s.... a girl can dream.

It was posted somewhere else that an employee of Siemens received an email announcing it.

ETA:
Sorry, I see that was already said.

 

[anthony2k7]

Ok...how might they "do" that?

how would they get rid of it? in the usual Disney style.

1. close it, say something great will replace it
2. leave it empty for a decade or two
3. rip it down and replace it with something people dont really want.

 

[WayTooExcited]

how would they get rid of it? in the usual Disney style.

1. close it, say something great will replace it
2. leave it empty for a decade or two
3. rip it down and replace it with something people dont really want.

.....I'm curious. What else have they done this with?

 

[bladiator]

Is it bad that I'm not unhappy that Illuminations might be going?

Yes. Very very bad.

I think it's the big globe coming out with the projections

I've mentioned this in other threads, but would it make it better if you could actually tell what was on the screens? If they could just put some curved 4K video screens on that thing as an upgrade, I think it would make a load of difference. If you just are bored by that part altogether, then I can understand that. I like the serenity of that middle portion and the way it glides out to the music ... gives the show a little downtime, and I think that's what I like about it.

After seeing it on a youtube video up close, I really enjoyed the video clips they had on there. I think they really work for the show, but I couldn't have told you any of what was happening after a dozen viewings. Except maybe a gazelle running and turning into a cave drawing at some point.

Be careful what you wish for, they could always replace it with something Frozen or likewise!

"We hope you enjoy our show: Ruinations: Refractions of Perth" (brought to you by Advanced Explosives Demolition Inc)

 

[huntconn]

While losing sponsorship is a big deal for sure, why are people worried that this will result in a loss of the entire SE attraction? Has this ever happened in the past at WDW? I don't recall them ever closing an entire attraction because of sponsorship loss. Correct me if I'm wrong of course. Besides, Siemens hasn't always been the sponsor so they have obviously lost sponsorship in the past at some point right?

 

[bladiator]

While losing sponsorship is a big deal for sure, why are people worried that this will result in a loss of the entire SE attraction? Has this ever happened in the past at WDW? I don't recall them ever closing an entire attraction because of sponsorship loss. Correct me if I'm wrong of course. Besides, Siemens hasn't always been the sponsor so they have obviously lost sponsorship in the past at some point right?

As a newbie to WDW history, I'm thinking Wonders of Life is the biggest example of this.

 

[Elizabeth Smith]

The sponsorship officially ends in November.

This is a bummer. I hope that in the meantime they find a new sponsor because SSE is such a classic. It is the first thing you see as you come in. I remember being awed as a kid that there was a ride in there! I'm headed back for the first time in 10 years with my husband who has never been. I don't want him to have to miss out on this.

Illuminations, I don't have any particular attachment to. A fireworks/projection show is a fireworks/projection show, as far as I'm concerned. I enjoy fireworks launched on a redneck's driveway as much as I do fireworks launched anywhere else, honestly.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

While losing sponsorship is a big deal for sure, why are people worried that this will result in a loss of the entire SE attraction? Has this ever happened in the past at WDW? I don't recall them ever closing an entire attraction because of sponsorship loss. Correct me if I'm wrong of course. Besides, Siemens hasn't always been the sponsor so they have obviously lost sponsorship in the past at some point right?

As a newbie to WDW history, I'm thinking Wonders of Life is the biggest example of this.

Wonders of Life is definitely the most blatant but there have been a lot (mostly in EPCOT) where the sponsor left and then nothing was done to the attraction and it ran in a lesser state or close entirely (World of Motion, Horizons, etc.) and then later something totally different replaced it

 

[ucfknight]

While losing sponsorship is a big deal for sure, why are people worried that this will result in a loss of the entire SE attraction? Has this ever happened in the past at WDW? I don't recall them ever closing an entire attraction because of sponsorship loss.

You don't even have to leave Future World to find multiple examples.
Wonders of Life (3 attractions in 1 building) when MetLife sponsorship ended
Basically all of Innoventions when various sponshorships ended

 

[TheMaxRebo]

This is a bummer. I hope that in the meantime they find a new sponsor because SSE is such a classic. It is the first thing you see as you come in. I remember being awed as a kid that there was a ride in there! I'm headed back for the first time in 10 years with my husband who has never been. I don't want him to have to miss out on this.

Illuminations, I don't have any particular attachment to. A fireworks/projection show is a fireworks/projection show, as far as I'm concerned. I enjoy fireworks launched on a redneck's driveway as much as I do fireworks launched anywhere else, honestly.

personally I think a lack of sponsor won't lead to the closure of SEE - but i think it means we go down one of two paths: (1) it just stays as is and doesn't get any updating and less maintenance, etc. than it currently does or (2) it does (1) for a while and then they change it to something completely different that they think is more of a draw / more merchandise (and likely less edutainment / more IP)

 

[DLgal]

Well the obvious next sponsor is Apple. SSE is about communication after all. And we know Apple and Disney already have close ties.

The rejection of the monorail offer might be purposeful, to get Siemens to pull out of sponsorship so another company can step in...