Siemens ends sponsorship with Disney

[Moliphino]

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.

It gives the smoke time to clear out between sets of fireworks, too, which is really needed some nights. I would like updates to the globe, but leave the music alone!

 

[JB22]

Hopefully this doesn't mean that they are changing the attraction at all. I love the ride just the way it is, plus I need my Dame Judi Dench fix. I'll be quoting her lines to the cashier at Wal-mart.

"Remember how easy it was to learn your ABC’s? Thank the Phoenicians—they invented them."

Rofl, My 6yo said this to his kindergarten teacher this year and she was befuddled. Nothing like a disney education

 

[bladiator]

Why can't SSE just be sponsored by "all the alcohol sales in the World Showcase"?

 

[ucfknight]

Why can't SSE just be sponsored by "all the alcohol sales in the World Showcase"?

If only Disney did their accounting like that....
If they just took all the Food & Wine revenue each year and poured it back into the park Future World would look like Tokyo Disney Sea.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Why does it need a sponsor to stay open? Is TWDC a charity?

I could see them putting an overlay on it though

 

[rteetz]

Why does it need a sponsor to stay open? Is TWDC a charity?

I could see them putting an overlay on it though

It doesn't need a sponsor but a sponsor does help things.

 

[huntconn]

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

Thanks for the info. Cant believe I forgot about Wonders of Life. I do think Disney will be able to replace the Siemens sponsorship and still do not believe that there is any chance that SE will close because of this loss. Guess we will have to wait and see though.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

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

That's the poster child...but imagination has been a rotting carcass since Kodak collapsed as well

 

[dlavender]

That's the poster child...but imagination has been a rotting carcass since Kodak collapsed as well

That place is a total embarrassment.

 

[bladiator]

That's the poster child...but imagination has been a rotting carcass since Kodak collapsed as well

I hate to see things suffer due to sponsors bailing out, but man ... I remember being 14 years old and watching that Kodak pre-show to HISTA and thinking "this is the worst 10 minutes of my life."

 

[airsdaddy]

Disney Solution: Obviously, gutting and redoing SSE would be expensive. But leaving it makes no sense now that the sponsor is out of the way. The obvious answer here is that you leave the animatronics and the narration, and plus it all with....Disney merchandise! Phoenicians in Mickey Hoodies, Romans with Mickey ears. Synergy!

On a serious note, sponsoring a Disney ride is a poor investment in most cases. Let's just hope that the great things rumored for Epcot come true AND we don't lose other things in the process.

 

[Micca]

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...

I like the idea of Apple getting involved with SSE, good call! And for the monorail, how about Jim Beam?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I hate to see things suffer due to sponsors bailing out, but man ... I remember being 14 years old and watching that Kodak pre-show to HISTA and thinking "this is the worst 10 minutes of my life."

Lmao!

I snarfed...I think that is one of my all time Favorite things at wdw...because the song is so beautiful (a word I shan't use often) and It made the pictures poetry on film...

...True Colors

 

[bladiator]

Lmao!

I snarfed...I think that is one of my all time Favorite things at wdw...because the song is so beautiful (a word I shan't use often) and It made the pictures poetry on film...

...True Colors

Oh you! You DO have a softer side. (Sorry about dissing it) LOL

 

[amberpi]

Exactly. Wasn't AT&T the previous sponsor? I think there's a good chance SSE will float without a sponsor for a bit, and another sponsor will jump in. Now for Illuminations ... that may be the final nail in the coffin

No! Illuminations forever. We may have to pool resources and may a blind trust to support the awesomeness that is Illuminations - but we can go back to Illuminations 2000 too. I'd be down for that.

[/QUOTE] I'm alright with them getting rid of Siemens. It's a weird name to have on the side of a building. I looked up what they do exactly and still don't know. Some jargon about technology, I don't know. I gave up after the first paragraph and looked at some videos of kittens.[/QUOTE]

I'm actually really sad to see Siemens go. As a PP mentioned, they are an incredibly solid firm (and yes, they re such a pervasive tech firm, it would be hard to discuss what they're not in. They're not an absolute product firm and I'm sure that's what the sponsorship gave them - some exposure into consumers who aren't stock watchers, techies, or haven't been exposed to their organization. I worked for the largest risk consulting firm in the world and Siemens was an amazing client, who actually tried to do things right. I was very impressed with the overall "feel" of the organization) which I thought was a perfect sponsor for the innovation that EPCOT is supposed to represent. I'm worried about them making Illuminations into another insipid projection dumpster fire of a show rather than the bold story of humanity that is perfectly set in the World Showcase. And - that ending? Enough said. I'm really perplexed about how this came about. Can't WAIT for additional sources and more info.

Or, I just love it because I'm a bit tipsy by that time of night? Nah, I mean I have to be beyond tipsy to think Fantasmic is worth the time

 

[rteetz]

Latest is Siemens was looking to renegotiate and renew their contract for sponsorship but something made them change their mind...

 

[merry_nbright]

Latest is Siemens was looking to renegotiate and renew their contract for sponsorship but something made them change their mind...

You think Disney has something else up their sleeve? Maybe a bigger name? We know Disney loves dollar signs.

 

[Lee Matthews]

I can imagine Disney has ended this sponsorship in line with future plans to re-imagine a lot of Epcot.

Whether that means getting a new sponsor or go forward without any is anyone's guess

 

[rteetz]

You think Disney has something else up their sleeve? Maybe a bigger name? We know Disney loves dollar signs.

No I don't think that is the issue at least not how I interpreted it.

 

[Planogirl]

Another attraction that died due to lack of sponsor is Maelstrom. Or at least that has been the excuse.

I see Spaceship Earth as the last good example of the original Epcot. If another sponsor steps in who knows if they will respect an older ride for what it is. Disney usually doesn't seem to nowadays.