Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2023 Edition

[Tom_E_D]

The rooms actually have windows. I think they are just covered by screens but available for emergency exit. View attachment 744782

My mistake.

 

[TikiRob]

They need to break apart the storyline and sell these offerings a la carte. They could charge a pretty penny for just the overnight accommodations if people aren't required to pay a packaged price for everything. Provide transportation between GE and the hotel and sell dining experiences for $99/per person, light-saber training and other options for various pricing. Look how hard it is to book Space 220, Savi's and Oga's. Many people would take a piece of the Starcruiser, but most just can't justify the commitment to the entire thing.

 

[starlite_]

No, I don't think so. Office workers like to look out the window once in a while. From the outside, this building has been described as looking like a warehouse. Maybe that's its fate.

Disney isn't holding ppl hostage tho, folks can go out the door if they want.

 

[JC1984]

The rooms actually have windows. I think they are just covered by screens but available for emergency exit. View attachment 744782

Looks like a prison.

 

[sachilles]

Starcruiser has always been a bit of mystery for me. Cool concept.

Other than the access to galaxy's edge, it really could have been done anywhere.
To retain access to a star wars themed land, they could have built in california away from the park and shuttle folks in just as easily. I think it might have had a better reception there.
I think it could have worked offsite in any major metro area in North America as easily as Orlando as weather is less of a factor.

To save what they have, I think they need to have day trip excursions for folks staying elsewhere on property, If you want to stay overnight in the whole experience pay that extra for it. I think like a 6 hour day trip experience might be a better use of the property. In essence, start in galaxies edge, get transported to the hotel, enjoy a nearly full day and get transported back to hollywood studios in time for a dinner experience etc.

 

[TikiTikiTikiTom]

I want to buy DVC but am sooooo confused where to start even looking to plan.

Since this is my "home thread," I'll ask if anyone has advice where to start?

I started listening to The DVC Show podcast when I was thinking of buying. Their earlier episodes go over the basics, but they have a lot of other information, too

 

[OppR2nist]

If they expanded the Halcyon experience (Excursions to other planets, seasonal stories that make the experiences more unique, etc.) it would still be too pricey. I'd love to see those things, but they need to make the price more attainable for more moderate income fans.

 

[TikiRob]

I started listening to The DVC Show podcast when I was thinking of buying. Their earlier episodes go over the basics, but they have a lot of other information, too

DVC Fan has some short "101" episodes that cover things like Use Year, points, etc.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL70Qs9qdxDuAdubvIqBBqQ_2wHIsoEZlI

 

[OKW Lover]

I wonder how easily they could transform the star cruiser to other IP's that are present in DHS. Something connected with Toy Story? Or old Hollywood? Indiana Jones?

 

[Gusey]

I do wonder if this a way for them to make a better profit to actually have full "cruises". If it does fail though, they can easily do what they did with The Art of Marvel at DLP. Still keep the themed rooms and dining area, and the lightsaber training etc, become recreational activities for you to book. At the Art of Marvel Hotel, they have a superhero academy that you can book that is included in your stay and only for those staying at the hotel. That way, you can have the restaurant and bar open to non-resort guests, whilst also having something exclusive for hotel guests with very little rejigging

 

[wabbott]

A bit of good news, I think.

https://www.thewrap.com/bruce-vaughn-walt-disney-imagineering-return-cco/

Bruce Vaughn Returns to Walt Disney Imagineering as CCO
Vaughn last held a position at Airbnb after leaving Disney in 2016
Drew Taylor | March 7, 2023 @ 1:40 PM

Walt Disney Imagineering, the secretive unit responsible for Disney theme parks, cruise ships and shopping experiences, has reclaimed one of its own: Bruce Vaughn, who left the company in 2016, will return to Disney.

Vaughn will be installed as chief creative officer, working alongside Barbara Bouza, president of Walt Disney Imagineering. They will both report in to Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products (known internally as DPEP).

“Together, Bruce and Barbara will partner closely to connect visionary creative thinking with project opportunities and flawless execution and delivery,” D’Amaro said in a memo to staff. “With significant developments under way and more on the horizon, this dedicated focus toward creativity and innovation will help us deliver next-level experiences well into the future. To best accomplish this, they will be working together to swiftly identify the most effective way to structure Imagineering.”

Vaughn joined Walt Disney Imagineering in the early 1990s. At the time Vaughn was working for Associates & Ferren, led by his mentor Bran Ferran, a special effects house who worked on “Star Trek V,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and Brian De Palma’s “The Untouchables.” At the time, Associates & Ferren were helping WDI on a new attraction for the Florida parks – The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror. The work must have been pretty phenomenal, because Disney (at the time led by Michael Eisner and Frank Wells) bought them outright.

From there, Vaughn rose in the ranks. As D’Amaro described in his memo, Vaughn spent “two decades in leadership roles including with WDI R&D,” the highly technical, even-more-secretive group that was established by Wells around the same time that Disney purchased Vaughn’s old company. For nine years Vaughn served as chief creative executive, eventually leaving in 2016 after overseeing ambitious projects like the Shanghai Disneyland resort and the overhaul of Disney California Adventure, including the construction of Carsland.

In 2016 Vaughn WDI left to become CEO of virtual reality start-up Dreamscape and in 2021 joined another WDI vet Catherine Powell at Airbnb as part of an initiative to develop more “immersive” experiences.

Vaughn’s re-hiring comes at a time when WDI is in desperate need of seasoned creative talent and those with what has been described to us as “institutional knowledge” of how the unit, originally formed by Walt Disney himself, can operate in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

During the pandemic, WDI suffered major layoffs and a wave of “retirements” from key staff. Most of the most talented, most readily identifiable Imagineers are no longer at the company and those that have stayed are being forced to relocate to Lake Nona, Florida, away from the Imagineering headquarters in Glendale, California, down the street from the corporate headquarters in Burbank.

Universal is planning to open a huge, cutting-edge and wildly ambitious new park called Epic Universe in Orlando in 2025, just down the street from Disney’s vacation kingdom, with two more standalone experiences planned for the future – one family-friendly park in Frisco, Texas, and another horror-themed experience in Las Vegas, Nevada. Disney needs some firepower and rehiring Vaughn seems like a good idea. Not only does he have the institutional knowledge of how the building works but he could also sway other ex-Imagineers to return.

Vaughn starts on March 20.

 

[KayMichigan]

Any thoughts as to what they might do with this facility when they finally stop the "flights" altogether? It's not really large enough to turn into a regular hotel. Perhaps just office space?

It'll just be a Star Wars themed Disney hotel, maybe they'll keep some of the aspects of it but they'll drop the role playing or only have it on a limited basis. They won't do the two-day excursions any more. It'll be like the other resorts except it'll have characters roaming around and there won't be a pool (unless they add one). It's really the only thing they can do with it, other than just close it down.

 

[PolyRob]

Disney could do what it always does when rooms don't sell... convert it to DVC

 

[rangerxenos]

Good Morning, it's been a rough week.

 

[mickey916]

Good Morning, it's been a rough week.

Good morning! Same here...hoping ours both get better!

 

[rangerxenos]

Good morning! Same here...hoping ours both get better!

Well, the storm they were talking about early this week for Saturday looks to be mostly missing us, so that's something!

 

[NJlauren]

Happy Wednesday but also happy international women’s day!

 

[rangerxenos]

Happy Wednesday but also happy international women’s day!

View attachment 744886

 

[cellomom]

Speaking of women...

FYI-
Disney Springs - Instagram
Celebrate HER Story with Ashley Eckstein & friends at Disney Springs! Join us for a panel discussion, hosted by @ashleyeckstein, in honor of Women’s History Month and the launch of the new Star Wars Women of the Galaxy Collection. Come hear from Ashley and the panelists about the power of female friendships and the importance of supporting and lifting one another up – and check out this stellar new collection! This event will take place on March 16 at Waterview Park (located next to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar) from 10-11 a.m. Weather permitting. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

 

[flipflopmom]

Good Morning, it's been a rough week.

I told my principal this morning that this week has been a long year.....