Time for Disney to do somethimg huge and wow us all!

[michelleiada]

Anyone else feel like it is time for Disney to do something epic at WDW? I am a huge Disney fan but I feel as though Disney hasn't really kept up with updating the parks or building new parks. They have reported record profits every year but what have they really done to keep us all interested and coming back? They continue to build more DVC villas which will continue to increase park attendance. In my opinion the parks are already too crowded. I'm a DVC member but would rather them invest more money in park enhancements than more DVC. Fantasyland at MK is nice but not anything spectacular. It certainly didn't "wow" me the way I hoped it would. I know they are building Avatar land but I still feel like WDW needs more. EPCOT is in dire need of something fresh and new. And so is Hollywood Studios. I think Disney needs to bite the bullet and sink some serious money into WDW. Stop the corporate greed and give back to your customers. I read earlier today that there may be a third park announced soon at Universal. Universal continues to expand in a huge way and at a very fast pace. Disney needs to catch up! Do something drastic. I would love to see them add to and update existing parks, add a fifth park, and extend the monorail. What would Walt do? What would you do? Would love to hear everyone's thoughts and ideas on what would make WDW much better and keep them on top in the industry. It's time for a Disney "Wow"!!!

 

[ArwenMarie]

I would like them to do some new stuff in Future World and DHS. Even just change out the shows, anything...all they do is take away it feels like.

 

[Disworldluv]

What is Disney's incentive to add new shows and/or another park? With record income and attendance numbers the powers to be may feel NO NEED! I would love to see another new park added. However, the new Avatar attraction for Animal Kingdom will be an exciting new venue. Build it and they will come!

 

[rteetz]

Disney is getting record attendance and profits like you said... Therefore why does disney need to add if they keep getting those numbers without the additions. The make more and more DVC because thats what sells its more money for disney. Don't forget DTD is becoming disney springs thats a total makeover. Epcot stuff will come there are several people that suggest maelstrom is going down in January and frozen is coming to Norway. DHS is the worst park of the four and Star Wars will eventually come... Disney will do it when they are ready. Disney doesn't need to catch up to universal because disney is so far ahead of universal. Universal gets about 7+ million all of disneys parks are 9+ on yearly attendance. Universal is the one trying to catch up because they want to be like disney. Disney is not opening a fifth park anytime soon they need to work on the existing parts first obviously. Extending the monorail would cost disney more that building two new parks so scratch that.

What would walt do, well walt had a completely different vision for WDW that what it is today.

What would I do, revamp tomorrowland at MK, redo the pavilions in future world in Epcot, maybe add a country or two. DHS=Star Wars thats all that place needs. AK I'd continue with avatar I think it's going to be a great land. I'd also continue with DVC. Disney does not need any new full resorts right now.

 

[michelleiada]

Disney is getting record attendance and profits like you said... Therefore why does disney need to add if they keep getting those numbers without the additions. The make more and more DVC because thats what sells its more money for disney. Don't forget DTD is becoming disney springs thats a total makeover. Epcot stuff will come there are several people that suggest maelstrom is going down in January and frozen is coming to Norway. DHS is the worst park of the four and Star Wars will eventually come... Disney will do it when they are ready. Disney doesn't need to catch up to universal because disney is so far ahead of universal. Universal gets about 7+ million all of disneys parks are 9+ on yearly attendance. Universal is the one trying to catch up because they want to be like disney. Disney is not opening a fifth park anytime soon they need to work on the existing parts first obviously. Extending the monorail would cost disney more that building two new parks so scratch that.

What would walt do, well walt had a completely different vision for WDW that what it is today.

What would I do, revamp tomorrowland at MK, redo the pavilions in future world in Epcot, maybe add a country or two. DHS=Star Wars thats all that place needs. AK I'd continue with avatar I think it's going to be a great land. I'd also continue with DVC. Disney does not need any new full resorts right now.

I know that Disney is still ahead of universal, I guess what I meant was universal is putting lots of funding into their parks and Disney, it seems, is just doing the minimum. I agree with you about tomorrowland, it looks so run down and non-futuristic. Time for an update.

 

[Alice Royal]

Disney just put an estimated $2 BILLION into the parks, but most people are too busy complaining about it since it's buggy to notice.

I'd say it's time for them to take a break. Get everyone bored and riled up and come out of nowhere with a huge/groundbreaking update in 3-5 years. I don't foresee a 5th gate anytime soon, but perhaps a re-do of Future World in Epcot will be the next project.

Keeping my fingers crossed for a re-vamped Horizons...

 

[rteetz]

Disney just put an estimated $2 BILLION into the parks, but most people are too busy complaining about it since it's buggy to notice. I'd say it's time for them to take a break. Get everyone bored and riled up and come out of nowhere with a huge/groundbreaking update in 3-5 years. I don't foresee a 5th gate anytime soon, but perhaps a re-do of Future World in Epcot will be the next project. Keeping my fingers crossed for a re-vamped Horizons...

Epcot still gets over 11 million people they need to work on DHS which is hanging in the low to mid 9s. Star Wars needs to be done. But with that said I still don't see Star Wars announced for around two years and building in three to four with completion in six maybe seven years from now so 2020-2021ish maybe.

 

[disneymac000]

Just to be clear Universal already has 3 gates since they now own Wet N Wild. They are comtemplating a fourth gate. But as you scream oh disney is getting record attendance and profit, no empire last forevers especially one that sits at it's laurels.

You say oh my magic plus was innovative, its going to change the theme park industry and its good for us when we go to Disney. So you like being tracked throughout the park. A positive that is 3 fastpass is great don't get me wrong but other then that, there is no real consumer benefit. The charge feature was used to get you to spend money without you realizing you are spending money, the tracking was just for Disney's own personal benefit.

Attractions are what make people want to go to a theme park. Avatarland is a step in the right direction but you got to build it faster, yet not lose quality. You say Disney is going to do Star Wars, however, that rumour has been around for years and they still have done close to nothing to expand on that huge IP.

DVC is the worst thing the Disney company has thought of. Yes, it helps my disney stocks, however, whats the point of going every year/2 years if there is nothing new to see. No new surprises. Disney needs to step it up. Or at least post a 20 year plan to boost morale because even the CMs seem to need a morale boost.

 

[rteetz]

Just to be clear Universal already has 3 gates since they now own Wet N Wild. They are comtemplating a fourth gate. But as you scream oh disney is getting record attendance and profit, no empire last forevers especially one that sits at it's laurels. You say oh my magic plus was innovative, its going to change the theme park industry and its good for us when we go to Disney. So you like being tracked throughout the park. A positive that is 3 fastpass is great don't get me wrong but other then that, there is no real consumer benefit. The charge feature was used to get you to spend money without you realizing you are spending money, the tracking was just for Disney's own personal benefit. Attractions are what make people want to go to a theme park. Avatarland is a step in the right direction but you got to build it faster, yet not lose quality. You say Disney is going to do Star Wars, however, that rumour has been around for years and they still have done close to nothing to expand on that huge IP. DVC is the worst thing the Disney company has thought of. Yes, it helps my disney stocks, however, whats the point of going every year/2 years if there is nothing new to see. No new surprises. Disney needs to step it up. Or at least post a 20 year plan to boost morale because even the CMs seem to need a morale boost.

The tracking is so disney can learn where heavy areas are and where low areas are so they can fix that. Add new things take old things away so its a more even flow. So in the end the tracking is benefiting the consumer because disney is going to use that to fix things. Disney will do Star Wars it's something that just can't not do. It's only a matter of time they have a specific division in imagineering just for Star Wars development. DVC (I'm not an owner family has considered it tho) is not the worst thing they could have done it makes them money thats ten point of a company to make money. Disney would never post a 20 year plan and CMs never know what's going on disney hates when things get released or leaked early if they let CMd know their 20 year plan it's going to get out at sometime. Out of the millions and millions who visit WDW we who know the history and facts that most others see as nonsense are the only ones who see WDW as getting stale. Until disney starts losing revenue or attendance they aren't going to do anything any faster there is no need to. Things at WDW will happen its just when. Avatar and disney springs are what we have right now. NFL just finished, one would think DHS or Epcot is next. Rumors are flying for frozen in maelstrom.

 

[Partytime]

Where does Universal have space for a 4th gate?

Universal might be wise to go after another region of the country. Universal Orlando is pretty much a regional resort that steals some national and international business from Disney during their stay at Disney.

They should hit another region and see if they could prevent some of that national business from that region from going to Disney or at least not going as frequently.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Star Wars needs to be done. But with that said I still don't see Star Wars announced for around two years and building in three to four with completion in six maybe seven years from now so 2020-2021ish maybe.

Oh my gosh that's way too long...but I fear you are correct.

 

[Scottishbrit]

Disneyland needs to step up their game! It's so small, always crowded, No room for improvements, or expansions, on weekends you have to park blocks away and get bussed in...It's seriously getting Ridiculous!! They need to figure out a way to open a 3rd park!

 

[BeentoallDParks]

Just to be clear Universal already has 3 gates since they now own Wet N Wild. They are comtemplating a fourth gate. But as you scream oh disney is getting record attendance and profit, no empire last forevers especially one that sits at it's laurels.

Yup. I do not think there will be as many die-hard Disney fans in 10 years. There are too many people who are fed up! Just this week--negative stories in the LA Times, in Huffington Post, all about how the writers will not go back to Disney world. The brand is being eroded.

All Empires fall, and they do it by forgetting that innovation and quality is what brings people to you. That's what Walt and Roy did -- they nearly went bankrupt time and again just so they could bring people the BEST. It was the quality that mattered, not so much the profit-- but How many people will have that kind of attachment in the future with so much negativity growing and expenses so ridiculously high?

 

[rteetz]

Where does Universal have space for a 4th gate? Universal might be wise to go after another region of the country. Universal Orlando is pretty much a regional resort that steals some national and international business from Disney during their stay at Disney. They should hit another region and see if they could prevent some of that national business from that region from going to Disney or at least not going as frequently.

Exactly they don't have space. But rumors just don't die that another gate is coming. They are expanding in their oversea parks and in Hollywood.

 

[rteetz]

Yup. I do not think there will be as many die-hard Disney fans in 10 years. There are too many people who are fed up! Just this week--negative stories in the LA Times, in Huffington Post, all about how the writers will not go back to Disney world. The brand is being eroded. All Empires fall, and they do it by forgetting that innovation and quality is what brings people to you. That's what Walt and Roy did -- they nearly went bankrupt time and again just so they could bring people the BEST. It was the quality that mattered, not so much the profit-- but How many people will have that kind of attachment in the future with so much negativity growing and expenses so ridiculously high?

But how many of those fed up people are in the 10s of millions that go to WDW? It's a very small percentage it's not going to create a dent. If it did then Disney would definitely do something.

 

[jade1]

WDW is Epic-want to go today. More is always better though.

 

[Andrew015]

I've got a simple solution for Disney to "Wow" us all...........

Drop ticket prices by 25%!

No capital required, immediate implementation, and man - would people pack the parks.

Unfortunately for us, the parks are already packed, so this will never happen. But man, would we be "Wowed"...

I had to pick my jaw up off the floor just at the thought

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I've got a simple solution for Disney to "Wow" us all...........

Drop ticket prices by 25%!

No capital required, immediate implementation, and man - would people pack the parks.

Unfortunately for us, the parks are already packed, so this will never happen. But man, would we be "Wowed"...

The only WDW park that is routinely "packed" is the MK. They could do a LOT more to bring more guests to the other three(at least AK is finally getting some attention). While giving the other three parks a boost it could alleviate the sometimes-unbearable congestion at the MK.

 

[LaidBackDad]

As others have pointed out, the real question is WDW being too complacent. The CEO's of Atari, MySpace, and Blockbuster all thought they were #1 so why bother improving also. The "well WDW is #1 now, so why bother improving" argument doesn't hold water. In today's day and age, the hip / cool factor changes seemingly overnight. Universals recent gains should be raising major alarms with company brass. They need to do more than Avatarland. The fact is that Universal is trying harder to earn peoples discretionary income than WDW is trying to keep it. While magic+ has its benefits, it is more of a bean counters dream than an attraction meant to earn my money. WDW could have used the money spent on magic+ to "wow us" a number of new attractions or even update multiple areas of the park that are in dire need of attention. Once something looses it's "hip / cool" factor it is hard to regain. Right now kids are growing up and seeing Universal as the park trying hardest to earn their business. WDW made its name for itself by ingraining itself into the hearts and dreams of generations of little princes and princesses as the happiest and coolest place on earth. Magic bands and DVC's are not the dreams of most children around the world. Lets hope Avatarland is beyond awesome Star Wars gets going sooner rather than later now that magic+ is supposed to be wrapping up its testing phases.

 

[rteetz]

As others have pointed out, the real question is WDW being too complacent. The CEO's of Atari, MySpace, and Blockbuster all thought they were #1 so why bother improving also. The "well WDW is #1 now, so why bother improving" argument doesn't hold water. In today's day and age, the hip / cool factor changes seemingly overnight. Universals recent gains should be raising major alarms with company brass. They need to do more than Avatarland. The fact is that Universal is trying harder to earn peoples discretionary income than WDW is trying to keep it. While magic+ has its benefits, it is more of a bean counters dream than an attraction meant to earn my money. WDW could have used the money spent on magic+ to "wow us" a number of new attractions or even update multiple areas of the park that are in dire need of attention. Once something looses it's "hip / cool" factor it is hard to regain. Right now kids are growing up and seeing Universal as the park trying hardest to earn their business. WDW made its name for itself by ingraining itself into the hearts and dreams of generations of little princes and princesses as the happiest and coolest place on earth. Magic bands and DVC's are not the dreams of most children around the world. Lets hope Avatarland is beyond awesome Star Wars gets going sooner rather than later now that magic+ is supposed to be wrapping up its testing phases.

WDW has been #1 since it opened, the only thing that gets as much numbers as WDW is other Disney parks like Tokyo and DLR. Universal still has a very long way to catch up to WDW and it would take years for Disney to do nothing and uni to keep building. WDW has avatar and Disney springs going right now. Star Wars will come in the future it's just when. Disney is also focusing over seas right now with Shanghai. Mymagic+ is infrastructure if it wasn't done now they would have spent money on it later. That new system connects everything into the flow of hand held technology that grows everyday. People are always on their phones and tablets. Disney is just connecting to that and making it easier with a band. MK gets more than 10 million more in attendance than Universal....