Official 2017 D23 Expo Thread

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Thinking about construction... I was going down the list today with DS12, and it seems like a lot of the major additions are really on the periphery of the park... so less disruptive from this standpoint, no?

The real mess construction-wise seems like it would be the Epcot spine -- though I'm really looking forward to that change! Reminds be of the hub in MK and New Fantsyland... smack in the middle of high-traffic areas and seeming to take forever... ... still worth it!

 

[merry_nbright]

Really happy with most of these - to be honest just happy we are getting so much! But has anyone worked out if the people mover is safe? I love that little ride.

I believe it is! It was in the concept art for Tron!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I believe it is! It was in the concept art for Tron!

If the PeopleMover isn't safe, we riot. Period.

 

[joelkfla]

So if Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is opening in Disneyland first, do we think that means it won't be open for Summer 2019 at Disney World?

The speaker at D23 said DHS would open "later in the year."

 

[PuppyJonathan]

As for burgers and hot dogs, if the spine is removed then the Electric Umbrella might go too. That only leaves the Liberty Inn for such food. Burgers are definitely harder to find nowadays.

My inner chicken nugget enthusiast just had a panic attack reading this. I'm eating them as I type!

 

[joelkfla]

And if they go with the detachable gondolas they will be easy to remove and replace when needed.

I believe all modern continuous load gondola lifts are detachable; that's just what the technology is. The only fixed gondolas I've seen on the web are pulsed gondolas, which have only 4 or 5 cabins close together that are all loaded at once and then sent to the other station together.

They need to be detachable in order to slow down for loading while the rope continues to move at speed.

 

[afan]

Agreed. Never underestimate the power a cardstock bear stapled to a stick and colored with 25 cent crayons has to entertain kids for an entire day. My 6 year old loves WS because she can color. She also loves to talk to the CMs from each country. I've never understood the mentality of Epcot "bores" kids.

How long has Duffy or something been there to color. Or the kim possible\phineus and ferb stuff? Also it all depends on the age of the child. I was 10 in 1990 when we went and wouldn't have wanted to do those.

Though I don't remember a ton about the trip. Mostly I remember not being allowed to go on any roller coasters because he couldn't go on them and couldn't see me the entire time I was on the ride. And I remember the puppeteer that performed at the pizza place at the holiday inn we stayed at. He was hilarious, we had pizza every night because of it. I also came in 2nd or 3rd in the bubble gum bubble blowing contest. There are photos of a stage show with roger rabit and another patriotic show in front of the castle that I don't at all remember.

So take the kids to ws, they may not remember anyway ☺ and there's some stuff for them.

 

[DisFanDad]

I have to admit that I don't understand this thinking at all. Ignores a fundamental reality of how the business world functions -- and with good reason. A profit motive is critical. Just breaking even -- how should that be a goal? I think you're describing a nonprofit.


Agree on every point.

No where did I say making no profit should be a goal. What I said is that people think businesses need to make profit to stay open, and indeed ever increasing profits. They don't. What I was alluding to is that it might actually be in the interest of the company to make less profits for a short term in order to serve the long term interest of the business. Instead of the usual: "well if they are going to spend $500 million to build a new section of the park, guess they need to get that money from somewhere" .... sure they do, from the Billions in profit the parks made last year, and the year before, and the year before, or, from the increased profits that they think the new expansion will bring in. There is no need to increase prices while healthy profits are being made without it. Its also ok for profits to vary from year to year instead of always increasing.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

When did they do this? Sounds nutty to me!

They tinkered with that a few times...I believe that incident was in 01 or 02

 

[DisFanDad]

That would be true if Disney just wanted to stay in business - but their #1 priority is to properly serve their stockholders who don't just want the company to stay in business but want profits to increase and dividends to keep coming and the stock price to go up

Now Disney is a little different in that there is value in the Brand and if they strayed turning off families and stuff that could impact the value of the brand and thus the stock - but that is a long term issue and the vast majority of the stock is owned by institutions which care a lot more about next quarter's earnings than they do about the ratings 10 or 20 years from now

And I agree about the extras that take away from the "baseline" experience - but I think those have been in the minority and usually can be planned around (there are 3 other parks to go to on party nights for example)

I don't disagree, especially about long term vs short term ... but remember, ever increasing profits and dividends aren't needed by the business in ANY way, unless they are going to offer more shares in an attempt to attract investment. It does not help the business to simply chase after stock value, it helps (at least in the short term) shareholders.

When you look at the schedule for parties over the last year, its becoming much harder to "plan around" and even if you do, you are now going to be seeing more and more people crammed into MK on those few non-party nights, again, decreasing the value of your ticket / experience.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The idea of the rumored 50 enhancements for the 50th anniversary is starting to make sense. This is only the beginning.

Time is pretty short for anything major...seems like they are at construction capacity.

 

[rteetz]

Time is pretty short for anything major...seems like they are at construction capacity.

Not all 50 enhancements will be new rides though of course. Refurbs and new entertainment will be considered as part of that 50.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Not all 50 enhancements will be new rides though of course. Refurbs and new entertainment will be considered as part of that 50.

Right...minor

 

[crazy4wdw]

When did they do this? Sounds nutty to me!

Roughly 2001-2002. It was done as a cost saving measure after the drop in tourism following 9/11. However, according to WDW at the time, more guests wanted access to the characters so early entry was replaced with Disney characters in the hotel lobby. The characters would greet guests as they were heading to the parks in the morning.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/just_for_kids/character_caravan.htm

 

[1lilspark]

How long has Duffy or something been there to color. Or the kim possible\phineus and ferb stuff? Also it all depends on the age of the child. I was 10 in 1990 when we went and wouldn't have wanted to.

I know I'm the 90s they had the passports you could buy (still do) and you went country to country and CMs would stamp them and write a little message

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I don't disagree, especially about long term vs short term ... but remember, ever increasing profits and dividends aren't needed by the business in ANY way, unless they are going to offer more shares in an attempt to attract investment. It does not help the business to simply chase after stock value, it helps (at least in the short term) shareholders.

When you look at the schedule for parties over the last year, its becoming much harder to "plan around" and even if you do, you are now going to be seeing more and more people crammed into MK on those few non-party nights, again, decreasing the value of your ticket / experience.

I do agree that they are starting to overdo it with the parties - celebrating Halloween in August seems a bit much for me

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Roughly 2001-2002. It was done as a cost saving measure after the drop in tourism following 9/11. However, according to WDW at the time, more guests wanted access to the characters so early entry was replaced with Disney characters in the hotel lobby. The characters would greet guests as they were heading to the parks in the morning.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/just_for_kids/character_caravan.htm

Imagine if you had to listen to complaints about it at...oh I don't know...yacht club

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I do agree that they are starting to overdo it with the parties - celebrating Halloween in August seems a bit much for me

They've gone way overboard...

Not Just that example...but the "after hours magic"...that's the real canary in the coal mine

 

[TheMaxRebo]

They've gone way overboard...

Not Just that example...but the "after hours magic"...that's the real canary in the coal mine

I have zero issues with those if they truly stay as "extra" and in nights that wouldn't have had regular EMH anyway. I know people that have done them have really liked them. Could it lead to a reduction of the "baseline" experience? Maybe, but for know I think they are good and bring I. Extra money from those that can afford it

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I have zero issues with those if they truly stay as "extra" and in nights that wouldn't have had regular EMH anyway. I know people that have done them have really liked them. Could it lead to a reduction of the "baseline" experience? Maybe, but for know I think they are good and bring I. Extra money from those that can afford it

You should absolutely have a problem with that one...because the magic kingdom daily attendance has risen to a level where a 11-12 close is 100% warranted in the base ticket.

You're being bamboozled there.