News Round Up 2017

[sachilles]

They did say they were temporary tents after all. Price is a factor I'm sure. I'm sure they got feedback from those renting, and may very well alter the structures so they are more useful.

That being said, especially about a contemporary room, heck it would make more sense to have a secured quarantine area at Contemporary, where there could be direct access to the park. You have all the lodging amenities in place already, and the staff trained to do it. If it was simple walk there. Life would be good.

 

[TwoMisfits]

The area really wasn't being used by guests before. It's tucked away in the back by Space Mountain. It's not really Space they could turn into something useful.

I think a LOT of families would find a nice big bench area very useful - those with kids who need less stimulation, those with grandma who just wants to sit in quiet, those with babies who need a nap, those who want to actually have somewhere to sit and eat (especially if they brought food in), those who want somewhere to meet up that everyone can find and it will be easy to spot everyone, etc. Instead of charging $649 for the privilege, Disney could actually HELP its own guests enjoy their day. Out of the way is exactly why it's perfect for that type of seating area...

 

[crazy4wdw]

Anna Kendrick in Talks to Play Female Santa Claus for Disney Movie

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/anna-kendrick-play-female-santa-claus-disney-movie-963638

 

[crazy4wdw]

Disney India to Cut Jobs Amid Exit From Bollywood Productions

The Hollywood giant's India unit could reduce its staff by 15 percent as Walt Disney International chairman Andy Bird says a "re-balancing and re-calibration" is needed "to reflect local market realities." Walt Disney India will reduce its staff in India as part of a restructuring following the company's announcement last September that it was pulling out of local productions.

The company didn't detail the number of layoffs, which functions would be affected or its target for annual cost savings, but sources said that 90 jobs could be axed. That would amount to about 15 percent of the company's total Indian staff of about 600. The job cuts come at a time when the studio's latest Bollywood release, Dangal, is dominating the Indian box office.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-india-cut-jobs-exit-bollywood-productions-963059

 

[mikepizzo]

The area really wasn't being used by guests before. It's tucked away in the back by Space Mountain. It's not really Space they could turn into something useful.

Was this the area to the left of Space Mountain, near the path that connects Tomorrowland to Storybook Circus? I'm having a hard time visualizing where near Space Mountain these things were.

 

[rteetz]

Was this the area to the left of Space Mountain, near the path that connects Tomorrowland to Storybook Circus? I'm having a hard time visualizing where near Space Mountain these things were.

These are on the right side of space Mountain if you are facing it. They are tucked next and and sort of behind the bathrooms.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Disney in Talks With David Dobkin to Direct Toy Store Movie ‘Overnight’

http://variety.com/2017/film/news/disney-toy-store-adventure-movie-overnight-1201953586/

 

[lockedoutlogic]

These things affect all pricepoints...don't be naive

 

[dlavender]

I think a LOT of families would find a nice big bench area very useful - those with kids who need less stimulation, those with grandma who just wants to sit in quiet, those with babies who need a nap, those who want to actually have somewhere to sit and eat (especially if they brought food in), those who want somewhere to meet up that everyone can find and it will be easy to spot everyone, etc. Instead of charging $649 for the privilege, Disney could actually HELP its own guests enjoy their day. Out of the way is exactly why it's perfect for that type of seating area...

Amen

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I definitely get the idea of an area to take a break ... I like the concept of the DVC lounge in EPCOT a lot better though - maybe they can do something like that and also allow people to buy a "day pass" to it or something

And I can see that...make a "Walt's museum" type location with a pay per fee for use...that's a different story.

$600 tents is ridinkulous

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I can only imagine how many brides were infuriated by this.

Generally speaking...they were spoiled brats...just saying

(What?!? Are we pretending that there are a lot of "budgets" involved in disney weddings?!? When did that start?)

 

[skier_pete]

Not that I personally care for them, but they'd need to be there for a while longer than they have been for Disney to draw any useful conclusions.

They did say they were temporary tents after all. Price is a factor I'm sure. I'm sure they got feedback from those renting, and may very well alter the structures so they are more useful.

My bet is a combination of these two things - not selling very well, and very likely guest feedback was not very positive. As I said before, you are catering these things to the wealthiest of your customers, yet you are providing something that wouldn't be OK to most middle class customers. I'm sure they got numerous complaints along the lines of "I spent $700 and you put me in a circus tent?"

 

[mikepizzo]

Generally speaking...they were spoiled brats...just saying

(What?!? Are we pretending that there are a lot of "budgets" involved in disney weddings?!? When did that start?)

As a couple that is paying their own way through the joy of getting married through Disney Fairytale Weddings, I can tell you that the budget is real. It may not be the cheapest option, or the lowest budget, but when you compare ours to other couples who have spent 20k on JUST characters...

I also find it kind of hard to knock on anyone being disappointed by having to have pictures with them and that cake...regardless if it was wedding pictures or not.

 

[Travis B]

I personally have two issues with the "Dumbo" project....

1. It's DUMBO...my absolute #1, no-holes-barred, childhood favorite movie that still makes me cry when Dumbo goes to visit his mother after they jailed her for trying to protect her son. It also became the favorite of my daughter, especially when she was pregnant with our grandson...I just don't think I can handle them messing with my memories....
2. Not a fan of Tim Burton - never liked Nightmare, wasn't wild about Alice...or most of the others of his that I have seen.

Now, I'm not living in a bubble here, and I understand that the world doesn't revolve around my likes and wants. But after the successes of the non-IP remakes, I'm just having a hard time with them continually returning to the well of remaking all the animated classics from my childhood into live action...and...

Come on, man, IT'S DUMBO!!!

Probably best for you to skip this one, then. Silver lining - it will bring a character you love back into public consciousness, and perhaps more people will watch the original again. And there's always the remote chance you might like it.

I believe this will be more along the lines of Maleficent than Cinderella. It's not going to be a straight up remake. It won't be a prequel like Maleficent, but I think they will use the original story arc as a base for an additional storyline.

I can see a ton of potential here in terms of material. I suspect I know the direction they're looking to take it, but they're probably not even 100% yet.

And just to play devil's advocate, even the classics are pretty much all re-tellings or reinterpretations of material that already existed, albeit in a different medium. I'm not really mad at the remakes, especially since they're making high-quality, entertaining stuff. For me it re-energizes these stories it rather than diminishing them.

 

[Travis B]

Generally speaking...they were spoiled brats...just saying

(What?!? Are we pretending that there are a lot of "budgets" involved in disney weddings?!? When did that start?)

That's a little bit harsh.

And even if the budget is 50k, or 200k, or 500k, there's always a budget.

 

[Travis B]

My bet is a combination of these two things - not selling very well, and very likely guest feedback was not very positive. As I said before, you are catering these things to the wealthiest of your customers, yet you are providing something that wouldn't be OK to most middle class customers. I'm sure they got numerous complaints along the lines of "I spent $700 and you put me in a circus tent?"

An over-the-dessert table, backyard wedding rental tent.

 

[rteetz]

I have to be honest, I am loving what I am seeing out of Festival of the Arts. I wish I was still there and getting to experience this. Oh well maybe next year...

 

[skier_pete]

I'm not really mad at the remakes, especially since they're making high-quality, entertaining stuff. For me it re-energizes these stories it rather than diminishing them.

I have no issue with the remakes - especially when they are good quality as most of them have been.

EXCEPT that it means that it cuts back on the number of original ideas that get made. While I am sure I will really enjoy B&tB - it will still be something I've already seen. Something wholly original gives the most pleasure.

 

[goingthedistance]

I have to be honest, I am loving what I am seeing out of Festival of the Arts. I wish I was still there and getting to experience this. Oh well maybe next year...

Next year Marathon weekend will be too early (assuming all things remain about the same timeframe). Marathon weekend 2019 could match up with the Festival of the Arts but a lot can change between now and then.

 

[rteetz]

Next year Marathon weekend will be too early (assuming all things remain about the same timeframe). Marathon weekend 2019 could match up with the Festival of the Arts but a lot can change between now and then.

I know. Disney could extend the dates for festival of the arts if its popular though. The food and wine and flower and garden have been extended several times over the last few years.