WDW in 35 more years

[rascalmom]

I think it depends on what Disney puts out creatively over that time period & whether they create "new" nostalgia for future generations. For dh & I, - the Disney classics were a part of our childhoods - Peter Pan, Snow White, Cinderella, etc. are strongly related to our childhood memories. For dd's, they had the "newer" generation of Disney classics - The Lion King, Beauty & the Beast, Aladdin. Each of those creative pieces have translated into an attraction or ride at the parks & create a nostalgia for them - even though they are only 18 & 14, they relate those movies to their childhoods. So, the magic has continued well between the generations. Hopefully, Disney will continue to be able to expand their creative properties to keep the magic in the parks. Part of the experience is the "trip down memory lane" for visitors, not just the destination. Other vacation destinations have great hotels and restaurants, some have great rides. For Disney, it's a total package not offered anywhere else. Keeping that viable will be the challenge for Disney over the next 35 years - and beyond.

 

[Granny]

rascalmom...that's exactly the kind of feedback I was searching for. You make a great point....it was easy to get my currently teenage daughters hooked on Disney because of Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast, Alladin, etc. It was perfect timing for my little princesses during their early years.

And you're right...it will be a challenge for Disney to creatively snare new generations of Disney fanatics. After all, there's only so much that can be passed down through genetics!

And as they go for the new generations, will they alienate the old ones? There are still people upset about "losing" Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Horizons and other past attractions. Will they be able to keep the nostalgia for us older folks while attracting the new ones?

Thanks for all who are bearing with me. I guess I've been thinking about this way too much!

 

[Buckalew11]

I think one of those "4 new parks" they'll be building will need to be a park of "retired" attractions!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We go to WDW as a couple for very specific reasons like the Flower Show and Christmas activities. We enjoy the Halloween/F&W festivites as well, but they haven't been the draw that the other 2 have been for us over the years.

We, (maybe it's mostly I, but DH comes along with me and enjoys himself) especially enjoy the music concerts. I was amazed at the wide range of ages at Herman's Hermits concerts last week and for Davy Jones previously. We, and I did ask DH, are so glad the Four Tops will be there when we're at F&W. Disney does seem to be targeting the Baby Boomers music for now, and there are groups that I don't remember, so it's all of the generation, or maybe the next younger one as well.

There are so many festivals that we're not interested in, but others are, the fitness people have their Marathons, the present Star Wars weekends, and whatever else, Night of Joy.

The generation that our children are in, (they are 31 and 29) have different ideas than we do. For instance, I am amazed that there is a Bibbiti Bobbity Boutique that seems to be so popular. I had sons, so maybe that has something to do with it. Disney does seem to be able to find a hook that draws people in.

Time and time at MCO, I hear things like, Universal is OK, but it's a 1-2 day/visit park, you know we really like to go to Disney there's more to see/do, many more times than I hear statements the other way. And also, because I have sons, I do wonder why they seem to cater more to little girls than little boys, or maybe they don't but it seems that way to me.

During our recent trip, DH and I went to the campground for Chip n Dales campfire/movie. They still sing campfires songs like B I N G O, or maybe they changed the name, I don't remember. I love campfires, and apparently so do lots of other people! We didn't stay for all of Lizzie McGuire, but I finally know who Hillary Duff is.

I guess Disney has to keep my DS and DDiL interested, we have the points, we'll bring them if they want to go. Our 3 yr. old DGD knows all of the Princesses, and she hasn't even gone yet, and it's not coming from me, we live far away and see them every few months, the next time is in 2 weeks, yeah!

I hope they do succeed. I don't own any stock, but DH does.

Bobbi

PS. Another thing, the Mother's Day brunch, not something that many people travel huge distances to get to seemed to be a huge success with locals. We have friend from Tarpon Springs who have made it a tradition to go to WDW every Mother's Day. So local people need to be hooked in too.

 

[*elaine*]

I think one of those "4 new parks" they'll be building will need to be a park of "retired" attractions!

I've been to Disneyland probably around 40 times. This May was my first trip to WDW. It was so exciting to see some of my retired (from Disneyland) favorites housed at WDW - Country Bear Jamboree, Carousel of Progress.

I will have to say, thought, along the lines of what Granny is talking about - my dh, mother and I all absolutely HATED, DETESTED, LOATHED the remake of the Tiki Room. Even my 6 y.o. was disappointed, because we have the soundtrack and play it at home and also because he saw the REAL Tiki Room at Disneyland 3 years ago (although I guess they redid that one too).

 

[bpmorley]

I think one of those "4 new parks" they'll be building will need to be a park of "retired" attractions!

It would have to be a big park.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think one of those "4 new parks" they'll be building will need to be a park of "retired" attractions!

PLEASE don't bring back Captain EO!

Bobbi

 

[rascalmom]

One smart thing I think Disney has done is targeting to a market that is able to financially & logistically make visiting (and spending) at their resorts feasible. DH & I are mid/late 40's with disposible income & discretionary vacation time. We like to be able to visit WDW & still have the time to relax and unwind. We have taken our kids over the past almost 10 years & will continue to do so for for at least 6 or 7 more while our 14 year old is still part of the household. Then we hope to take a few grandkids in future years - Disney for us has held interest across the generations. My parents have also visited with us - they are mid 60's. My mom grew up with the original Mickey Mouse Club, so she relates to Disney too. I don't think Disney quite reached my MIL's generation - she is mid 70's. DH grew up next to Anaheim, but she never took her kids. Just no interest there - so did Disney miss that market? Look at GMR - lots of movies from our generations represented. Older generations maybe not so much & future generations remain to be seen. I think Disney has a bit of an interest "gap" with the mid-20's- they are young enough to kind of fallen between the successful runs for Disney - any one out there have a perspective on that? Are those people over at Universal now? Will they move to WDW after they start to have kids?

Will Disney develop creatively beyond Pixar's contributions to keep the magic going for the future?

 

[spiceycat]

In hindsight, I should have bought Google stock and eBay stock....that would have easily paid for any DVC contracts.

no I am mad that when Microsoft when down I didn't get some shares there....

but I was having money problems....

did anyone really believe that Bill Gates was not going to bring it back.... well I guess they did or the stock won't dropped so much.
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Granny, Disney - Walt Disney died before WDW broke ground....It doesn't matter to day if the kids remember him or not. they do remember his movies.... Hey when I was at the Pop even some little kids knew Tramp when they sawy him....

Disney has been around a long time. Not ever movie is hit - but they have enough hits that it should be around for the next 50 years...

I am surprised how many little girls know the princess like Bobbie say....

When Winnie the Pooh lost its attraction - Disney was smart enough to go with the next one - Disney Princess.....