The Rumor Tracking Thread

[mom2rtk]

I just still find it hard to believe that Disney is struggling with money. I mean if you look at the money going into the Fox deal you would think they OWN a small country. Do you think that deal is going to leave Disney with some financial holes?

Apparently a 24% margin in the parks just doesn't buy what it used to.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Apparently a 24% margin in the parks just doesn't buy what it used to.

But again... who is saying they’re “struggling”??

 

[mom2rtk]

But again... who is saying they’re “struggling”??

They don't have to be "struggling" to just not want to spend it.

 

[MommaBerd]

It's too late for them to complain about a monsoon after a drought. The situation is an unfortunate byproduct of neglecting the parks for such an extended period of time. I really don't want to hear how complicated it is to have to all of a sudden play catch up.

I wasn’t using that analogy for Disney; I am talking about me as a consumer.

I’ve not gone back and researched what Disney’s financials were like from 2002-2008, but regardless, the company let the parks go. But 2008-2010 or 2011, no one was spending money. So, yes, they are catching up. I don’t understand people’s bitterness and holding a grudge. It happened; the company is investing now; let’s just move on and look forward to what
Is to come. I*highly* doubt that, outside of another 2008, we will see Disney neglect the parks the way they did previously.

 

[MommaBerd]

But they’re not opening all at once, so I’m not sure I understand the “binge” argument.

I guess I meant if Disney had 5 new attractions opening close in time - let’s say GotG, Coco, Brazil, Rat, UK open over the course of 2 years - and then doesn’t do anything for the next 8 - 10 years vs. spreading those same projects over the course of 8-10 years.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I guess I meant if Disney had 5 new attractions opening close in time - let’s say GotG, Coco, Brazil, Rat, UK open over the course of 2 years - and then doesn’t do anything for the next 8 - 10 years vs. spreading those same projects over the course of 8-10 years.

I see what you're saying. I guess I'd say that 1) they have catching up to do, particularly in Epcot, and 2) we don't know that they won't do anything for 8-10 years after, of course.

 

[MommaBerd]

I see what you're saying. I guess I'd say that 1) they have catching up to do, particularly in Epcot, and 2) we don't know that they won't do anything for 8-10 years after, of course.

Agree with you on point 1), though I would add that there’s only so much catching up they can do at once. As far as point 2), we don’t know for sure, but given the competitive climate in Orlando, I doubt we’ll see stagnation as was previously seen.

 

[jade1]

They are making up for not spending any from about 2002-2010.

Well other than Expedition Everest, Soarin, Toy Story Mania and Mission Space anyway.

If those were the "fillers" leading to what's been opening and what's still on the way-I'm more than happy with the process.

 

[rteetz]

Well other than Expedition Everest, Soarin, Toy Story Mania and Mission Space anyway.

If those were the "fillers" leading to what's been opening and what's still on the way-I'm more than happy with the process.

Four additions in 8 years is not great...

 

[jade1]

Four additions in 8 years is not great...

Never said it was, although that caliber attraction every 2 years isn't that bad IMO, but "not spending any" isn't accurate information.

For me 8 years of nothing would be worth the wait for what they are and have been doing since. Much less 3 of the top rides at WDW.

 

[Flyerjab]

I wasn’t using that analogy for Disney; I am talking about me as a consumer.

I’ve not gone back and researched what Disney’s financials were like from 2002-2008, but regardless, the company let the parks go. But 2008-2010 or 2011, no one was spending money. So, yes, they are catching up. I don’t understand people’s bitterness and holding a grudge. It happened; the company is investing now; let’s just move on and look forward to what
Is to come. I*highly* doubt that, outside of another 2008, we will see Disney neglect the parks the way they did previously.

I agree with the looking forward with what is to come. Aside from the parks, Disney has also been spending on DVC expansions at most of their resorts, as well as the MyMagic+ (whether that was money well spent is another topic), and various road projects. Also, lest we forget, aside from the latest D23 announcements, this is on top of Pandora, Harambe expansion, other DAK park enhancements, and the complete redo of DTD into Disney Springs. I am happy with what they are doing with park additions and am glad to see that they are spending money.

I am also glad that UNI has been doing what they are doing because I feel that is the cattle prod that Disney needed to get out of their complacent position they had in Orlando prior to the arrival of the boy with the lightening scare down the road. Had UNI never acquired that IP, it makes me wonder where we would be with WDW right now. That being said, I am glad there is a Hogwarts off of I4 because Disney needed the push. And UNI isn't stopping, and I expect a huge response to all of the announcements that Disney just gave us with Tron, GotG, Rat, Skyliner, SW:GE, TSL and more expansion at DS, on top of Pandora.

Hoping that Disney also doesn't back down and that there are more shots fired back at UNI. I loving all of this right now and hope that it keeps going.

 

[rteetz]

Never said it was, but "not spending any" isn't accurate information.

For me 8 years of nothing would be worth the wait for what they are and have been doing since. Much less 3 of the top rides at WDW.

Sarcasm or exaggeration is sometimes used on the internet.

Disney/theme parks should not stagnate for so long. It hurts them and we are seeing it right now with so much happening as once. Disney needs capacity for the ever growing crowds and they are playing catch up right now.

 

[jade1]

I agree with the looking forward with what is to come. Aside from the parks, Disney has also been spending on DVC expansions at most of their resorts, as well as the MyMagic+ (whether that was money well spent is another topic),

complete redo of DTD into Disney Springs. I am happy with what they are doing with park additions and am glad to see that they are spending money.

Agreed. Some of the most rewarding improvements for our family.

 

[jade1]

Sarcasm or exaggeration is sometimes used on the internet.

Agreed. Sometimes accuracy is as well.

Disney/theme parks should not stagnate for so long. It hurts them and we are seeing it right now with so much happening as once. Disney needs capacity for the ever growing crowds and they are playing catch up right now.

Not convinced. Again its looking like its been worth the wait IMO.

I certainly don't care its happening at once, if a 10 year improvement is considered "at once" anyway.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Never said it was, although that caliber attraction every 2 years isn't that bad IMO, but "not spending any" isn't accurate information.

For me 8 years of nothing would be worth the wait for what they are and have been doing since. Much less 3 of the top rides at WDW.

I agree with the looking forward with what is to come. Aside from the parks, Disney has also been spending on DVC expansions at most of their resorts, as well as the MyMagic+ (whether that was money well spent is another topic), and various road projects. Also, lest we forget, aside from the latest D23 announcements, this is on top of Pandora, Harambe expansion, other DAK park enhancements, and the complete redo of DTD into Disney Springs. I am happy with what they are doing with park additions and am glad to see that they are spending money.

Before I read @Flyerjab's post above, this was my thought as well! We've been going to WDW 1-3 times a year since 2005 and have experienced new things every trip. WDW's offerings are much broader than just attractions.

Outside of attractions, I had in mind DVC & MDE in terms of major investments. In terms of new offerings, MANY awesome tours (particularly in AK and AKL), new and changing festivals, new shows, new M&Gs, new restaurants, new special events, dessert parties and extras (we love them - sorry, not sorry!), new rD events, etc. Every trip, I make a little list of things that we are doing that we've never done before. There is ALWAYS something, even if our last trip was 6mos. ago.

While the above are on a smaller scale and don't involve the level of investment that the current capex projects do (and do NOT replace new attractions), they do contribute to keeping the parks fresher and catering to their repeat customers.

 

[John Gallagher]

So Wonders of Life is no longer going to be the Festival Center as has been revealed by Disney. With the roof refurb is it safe to say this pavilion is coming back to life?

 

[rteetz]

So Wonders of Life is no longer going to be the Festival Center as has been revealed by Disney. With the roof refurb is it safe to say this pavilion is coming back to life?

Where did Disney reveal its no longer the Festival Center?

 

[rteetz]

Speculation based on a tweet that spotted Imagineering at Epcot...

https://wdwnt.com/2018/02/breaking-...onger-festival-center-new-attractions-coming/

 

[John Gallagher]

Speculation based on a tweet that spotted Imagineering at Epcot...

https://wdwnt.com/2018/02/breaking-...onger-festival-center-new-attractions-coming/

Supposedly they released it to media just a short while ago

 

[BigRed98]

Speculation based on a tweet that spotted Imagineering at Epcot...

https://wdwnt.com/2018/02/breaking-...onger-festival-center-new-attractions-coming/

Is WDWNT saying this because of the executives and imagineers in the park or do they have inside information that it’s no longer a festival center?