Tom Staggs D23 Expo Comments

[ADP]

Tom Staggs recently released a statement about the lack of Disney World announcements at the D23 Expo during the Parks & Resorts Update.

"Thanks to all of you for your responses. Your passion, energy and affection for our parks and resorts is the reason we do what we do so I appreciate your feedback. I know many of you were hoping for announcements regarding new projects from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, especially at Walt Disney World Resort, so I wanted to take a moment to address those comments.

The projects we’ve already announced represent the largest period of growth ever in Disney Parks’ history. We’re working hard to create new and exciting experiences for our guests around the world and while the timing isn’t always right to announce another big project, we like to use opportunities like the D23 Expo to update fans like you on the great progress we’re making. We have several incredible projects currently in the works and look forward to sharing more information with all of you in the weeks and months ahead, including new details regarding Downtown Disney in Florida."

It sounds like we maybe hearing more about Downtown Disney in the near future.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I hate to be a Negative Nelly, but I'm not holding my breath. I feel that they have made some major mistakes with DTD in FL over the past five years or so. Hopefully they'll take a hint from Disneyland's and improve it somewhat.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Thanks Aaron for posting that interesting comment by Tom Staggs. Many of the people (including myself) were incredibly disappointed there were no major announcements from Parks & Resorts at the D23 Expo. I heard lots of people voicing frustration about that - sounds like that feedback was heard.

 

[jcb]

What Staggs is forgetting is that, on August 9, 2011, Iger said (as he has said before) that "Fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2012 will be peak years for our Parks capital spending given the timing of a number of projects that were approved independent of each other over the past five years." Page 4 of http://a.dolimg.com/investorrelations/webcasts/Q3_FY11_Earnings_Transcript.pdf

If you are going to tell investors you have approved "capital spending . . . independent of each other" over the past five years, don't turn around just 13 days later and tell your biggest affinity fan group that the "timing isn’t always right to announce another big project."

I agree with Nikki, but more so. For my money, Disney should bulldoze almost all of DTD and start over. I can experience that kind of monotonous shopping experience by driving 30 miles from my house. I expect more from Disney.

 

[k5jm]

Tom Skaggs snikkered as he walked off stage and said to his assistant:

Responding to Guest demand, DTD will become the first interactive Multi-level parking garage with the most advanced vending machines in the world. In additiontin to the Best Buy kiosks, we will also have a make your own T-shirt Kiosk sponsored by Hanes, a Automated Refillable mug station, An automated Counter Service Station, A Claw game for grabing Legos, and a DVC Aulani Point purchasing station. These will all work with your Next-Gen Wrist-band to the World.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I know that this has been discussed so often that it's essentially cliche by now, but Disney really made a mistake when it closed Pleasure Island as it was once known. There is absolutely nothing for adults to do at night now. Sure, you can go to Yee Ha Bob's or to dinner, but that's just not enough. Their first mistake was taking down the gates to the Island; their second was closing it altogether. Much more could have been done to advertise the area and bring in larger crowds if money truly was the issue (which I don't think it was). It's really a shame.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I read an article just today that the Disney's budget for upcoming NextGen projects (yet, to be announced apparently) is 1 BILLION dollars. I'm not holding out much hope for DTD after reading that.