Where's the big news?

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

It's nearly 3:00 WDW time... where's the breaking news of today's much anticipated "big announcements?" Where and what are the new rides? Where's the new park going to be, China? What's going to be the next DVC?

The rumor mill has been promising us these answers on October 1st for months.

 

[Werner Weiss]

It's nearly 3:00 WDW time... where's the breaking news of today's much anticipated "big announcements?" Where and what are the new rides? Where's the new park going to be, China? What's going to be the next DVC?

The rumor mill has been promising us these answers on October 1st for months.

Yes, the rumor mill has been promising a big announcement fest on October 1, 2006, but Disney hasn't promised such an event.

October 1 is the start of Disney's 2007 fiscal year, but that's really just a financial matter, not something for which Disney turns up the marketing machine.

Also, October 1 is the start of the "Year of a Million Dreams" marketing event, in which Disney is trying to promote the global "Disney Parks" brand. But Disney already had a media event for that a few months ago.

Somewhere, I read a believable item that there's a Disney media event in New York in a week or so. Typically, media events are efforts by the company to get free, favorable publicity for things that Disney is trying promote ($$$) at the time. Media events are not announcements of future projects.

For example, when Disney Vacation Development thinks the time is right, they will issue a press release about the next DVC resort. It will be printed by some newspapers and, of course, by many Disney fan websites. The timing will probably be based on when Disney can't wait any longer, such as when Disney starts to file regulatory paperwork with state governments or when Disney begins actual construction. The real hoopla for the new DVC resort will start when points go on sale, 12-18 months or so after the press release.

 

[crazy4wdw]

It's "rumored" that a press event is scheduled for Wed., October 4.

It's also "rumored" that the press event will be broadcast on Good Morning America on Wed. morning.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

How about October 18, 2006, according to this blog?

It looks like the purpose of the event is to get some ink about the "Year of a Million Dreams" and the Finding Nemo musical at DAK. Anyone who expects big, exciting announcements about wonderful new theme park attractions, a spectacular DCL fleet expansion, and "magical" new DVC resorts in Florida, California, and Hawaii is likely to be disappointed.

 

[mitros]

Since it is Sunday, maybe Disney is resting. Maybe tomorrow. I'll be watching our 2 Orlando TV stations, and I will be waiting with baited breath.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Since it is Sunday, maybe Disney is resting. Maybe tomorrow. I'll be watching our 2 Orlando TV stations, and I will be waiting with baited breath.

You can watch the Orlando TV stations with bated breath all day if you wish. Just don't hold back your breathing too much.

There is no reason to expect any big announcements on Monday, October 2.

 

[safetymom]

Oct. 4 is when the family that won gets escorted to the different lands to ride before everyone else. There will be plenty of CM's out and the TV stations will be there.

 

[mitros]

Oct. 4 is when the family that won gets escorted to the different lands to ride before everyone else. There will be plenty of CM's out and the TV stations will be there.

The family that's won what?

 

[yalegracey]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1221391

 

[safetymom]

They won the prize to ride the rides without anyone else in that section. Once the family leaves an area they will open it up to guests.

 

[Tink's Tormentor]

There is a media event at MK on October 4th and another one in NYC on Oct 18. Please don't expect too much in the way of major announcements. Expect a Laugh Floor opening date, Nemo information, and more YOAMD information. That is really it. Nothing special.

 

[MJMcBride]

There is a media event at MK on October 4th and another one in NYC on Oct 18. Please don't expect too much in the way of major announcements. Expect a Laugh Floor opening date, Nemo information, and more YOAMD information. That is really it. Nothing special.

I would think they would announce a new DVC resort too. But nothing major.

 

[Tink's Tormentor]

I would think they would announce a new DVC resort too. But nothing major.

Yea, that's right.. That too... For the Contemporary... But I thought they were with holding the announcement until Saratoga Springs is sold out?

 

[MJMcBride]

Yea, that's right.. That too... For the Contemporary... But I thought they were with holding the announcement until Saratoga Springs is sold out?

Could be. I had heard they were close to selling it out though.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Yea, that's right.. That too... For the Contemporary... But I thought they were with holding the announcement until Saratoga Springs is sold out?

Disney will announce a new DVC resort some time in the next 0-6 months, well before Saratoga Springs sells out. They'll announce before construction begins — otherwise the construction essentially is the announcement. After all, it will take somewhere around 18 months from the announcement until occupancy. They need to have something to sell when Saratoga Springs sells out. Disney can pre-sell before completion to some degree (as was the case when Beach Club Villas sold out before Saratoga Springs was ready for occupancy), but they have to be able to promise occupancy within a reasonable time.

There's a big difference between an announcement (such as a press release) and a media event. The anticipated October 4 and October 18 media events are likely to focus on generating publicity aimed at the public at large to encourage WDW vacations over the next 12 months — Year of a Million Dreams, Finding Nemo ride at Epcot, Finding Nemo show at DAK — and a rehash of things that are relatively new — Soarin' at Epcot, Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show at D-MGM, and Expedition Everest at DAK.

I don't think a DVC announcement will be part of this month's anticipated media events. But it's possible that DVC will be publicized too. I think, however, that any mention of DVC at the media events is likely to focus on how Saratoga Springs is now adding its final phase. After all, Disney wants to sell Saratoga Springs, and "media events" are really all about selling.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Did anyone watch GMA this morning? Was there an announcement from WDW? I set my DVR to record GMA this morning but will not have a chance to watch it until after work this afternoon.

 

[safetymom]

No big announcement. They just show the Spanglers the winning family standing on Main Street. Many CM's and characters ran out of the shops. That was all they showed.

 

[crazy4wdw]

No big announcement. They just show the Spanglers the winning family standing on Main Street. Many CM's and characters ran out of the shops. That was all they showed.

Thanks! Looks like the rumors of the DVC announcement were not valid after all.

 

[buckylarue]

The day is young, more may be announced later on...

They did also show some concept sketches of the interior of the Cinderella Castle suite; looks pretty fine!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Thanks! Looks like the rumors of the DVC announcement were not valid after all.

I still think there will be a DVC announcement (press release) in the next zero to six months.

However, I don't see why people expect a "Year of a Million Dreams" promotional media event to be used to make a statement about a real estate project that won't be ready for occupancy for two years or so.