Is Disney Phoning It In?

[The Interpreter]

...So what's Mickey Mouse pulling out of his hat to woo vacationers this summer? Not much. There have been a few stage shows added to Disney's (NYSE: DIS) Florida parks over the past year, but little else. Taking the year off from making any significant upgrades could be problematic, especially with Sea World Orlando and Universal Studios Florida set to debut some new marquee thrill rides.

Instead, Disney is responding by discounting resort stays, offering free birthday admissions, and … well, laying off staff. This isn't the response one would expect from the premium brand in theme parks, but if it can happen to Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX), why not Disney?...

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2009...ning-it-in.aspx

[Hoeter]

Great story Terpy, thanks for sharing.

[CoastersRZ]

I too am a little surprised by the lack of new signature attractions down at Disney`s Florida complex. It seems most of their attention is on DCA. I would have thought they would have tried to have a signature new attraction in place at WDW to combat Islands of Adventure`s Harry Potter themed area, which will surely be a hit.

[Avatar]

I seen this coming last year and questioned it, the Disney forums members are perplexed about the nothing new this year too but are loving the discounts. While planning or annual Disney trip this year I took in account that nothing new would be coming so we are set to visit the other Orlando area parks this year and we are looking forward to those parks more than we are Disney.

[CoastersRZ]

Correct me if I`m wrong, but the only major thing that is underway at the four Disney parks right now (at least that has been publicly announced with construction underway) is a major overhaul of Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom.

[KIfan1980]

Well, I've got to say I think the story is a little harsh on Disney.

Stating Cedar Fair and Six Flags despite huge debts "can add material attractions to their parks, why not Disney" misses a few key points.

- These rides were likely in the planning stages for a while before the economic downturn

- Looking historically, Disney tends to have a pretty decent "masterplan" while the same can't be said for CF and SIX

- In this environment, I'm not convinced parkgoers wouldn't be just as happy with discounts versus new rides

- Shareholders are probably a lot happier with Disney's plan (its currently trading in middle of 52 week range) than FUN or SIX (oops SIXF.OB) at the moment

[DeLorean Rider]

Correct me if I`m wrong, but the only major thing that is underway at the four Disney parks right now (at least that has been publicly announced with construction underway) is a major overhaul of Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom.

Correcting.

Currently underway at WDW is:

The complete overhaul of the Hall of Presidents. (I thought everybody knew this)

Construction in Pixar place adding the interactive animatronic Luxo.

Refurbishment of Space Mountain

Refurbishment of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority

Stitch's Super Sonic Celebration in Tomorrowland

Annual Star Wars Weekend's just began

Paradiso 37 Resturant

Star Tours II is currently in filming (here)

four Seasons under construction

Bay Lake Tower (hello?)

The Sum of All Thrills by Raytheon in Innoventions East

Refurbishment of the San Francisco facade

Cat Cora's restaurant to replace Spoodles: Kouzzina

Western Beltway Expansion

Recently completed projects:

Backlot Tour just came back from rehab

Ellen's Universe of Energy just came back up from refurb

Recent opening of the American Idol Experience (did everyone simply forget about this?)

Recent overhaul of the Country Bear Jamboree

Recent debut of the Kim Possible World Shocase Adventure (which is awesome btw)

Two new parades at Magic Kingdom ("Celebrate a Dream Come True" and "Move it Shake it Celebrate it")

The new (and very nice) Frontierland fry resturant (that no longer sells McDonalds frys :-) )

Completion of Spaceship Earth Descent

The Jungle Cruise just went digital (big undertaking though guests would never know)

The Great Piggy Bank Adventure in Innoventions

Characters in Flight at Downtown Disney

Kidani Village DVC at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Among other things...

[The Interpreter]

Delirium Guy in fact posted about going to the new American Idol experience, so I don't think he forgot about it...though I *tried* to.

Terpy, no fan of television...

[Avatar]

DeLorean Rider thanks for the wonderful well thought out post your love and understanding for Disney World shows in posts like that. I myself as you know am a huge Disney World fan for a variety of reasons and the biggest is the theme they immerse guests into. So to be fair as guests that have gone the past 3 years and one scheduled for this fall my perspective is still similar to the articles perspective and here is why I feel this way (I'll be using your list to aid me)

Since we are talking about the parks I am going to stick to them because we both know the whole that has bee created from removing Pleasure Island and recently closed Virgin Mega Store. So well leave the downtown Disney stuff out of this list. Also I am going to leave out past years completed park projects

Paradiso 37 Resturant

Characters in Flight at Downtown Disney

Again since we are talking about Parks and not other Disney divisions we need to take out the movie project and Resort time share projects.

Star Tours II is currently in filming (here)

four Seasons under construction / (which is not a Disney resort)

Kidani Village DVC at Animal Kingdom Lodge / Time Share

Bay Lake Tower (hello?) / Time Share really new to park guest?

Cat Cora's restaurant to replace Spoodles: Kouzzina / not in a park but in resort area

Western Beltway Expansion / State deal helps the local area to go through

Also I am going to leave out past years completed park projects

Completion of Spaceship Earth Descent New for 2008

Disney is a year round park and often have their rides in Rehab like seasonal parks do but mostly done in the slower months and carefully making not to much at one time. I am glad they do this but those are always on going and the Space Mountain one is long over due but will fall way short of the overhaul the one in Disneyland got. Here is what I I feel should be off my list and why

Refurbishment of Space Mountain / will not be done until winter

Refurbishment of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority / not open till Winter, you can not have a ride going through a construction zone. What rehab other than minor work

Refurbishment of the San Francisco facade / I consider routine like everything else I have seen pictures of the rework and it looks very much the same

Backlot Tour just came back from rehab / whats new about this attraction now.

Ellen's Universe of Energy just came back up from refurb / this attraction goes into rehab when crowds thin out and comes back during the summer and x-mas season to help with crowd disbursement.

Recent overhaul of the Country Bear Jamboree / Whats new here

Annual Star Wars Weekend's just began / That is a yearly event like coaster mania

The new (and very nice) Frontierland fry resturant (that no longer sells McDonalds frys :-) ) / A cart food refreshment stand does not motivate me to make a trip down there.

One you left off the list is the major overhaul of Typhoon Lagoons wave pool / I look forward to see this one, much needed.

That leaves the rest here, I will give my own opinions about them

The complete overhaul of the Hall of Presidents. (I thought everybody knew this) / I give you this one and because of the change of presidents it was going to change so they did what they needed to do. I will enjoy seeing this one

Construction in Pixar place adding the interactive animatronic Luxo. / This is a good one too and was supposed to be with the opening but was held back because of work delays.

Stitch's Super Sonic Celebration in Tomorrowland / I like shows but with out it why would we go to that area? I have seen the video and I will reserve commit but at least it is better than nothing.

The Sum of All Thrills by Raytheon in Innoventions East / who's paying for this, and the reviews are boring.

Recent opening of the American Idol Experience (did everyone simply forget about this?) Yeah I forgot about this one and in fact looking forward to it the problem with it is that they now severely have limited the Fantasmic show because of it ( rumored to help get crowds to go to AIE)

Recent debut of the Kim Possible World Shocase Adventure (which is awesome btw) / I don't know enough to comment one way or the other

Two new parades at Magic Kingdom ("Celebrate a Dream Come True" and "Move it Shake it Celebrate it") / these are just replacing the older and out dated ones, I am looking forward to seeing something different. Albeit the Move it one is bigger than the family parade.

The Jungle Cruise just went digital (big undertaking though guests would never know) / Great crew and love the attraction but if I don't know something is new then why get excited about it.

The Great Piggy Bank Adventure in Innoventions / Again who is paying for this attraction and please do not read the reviews about kids going to EPCOT to learn to save money.

Look I am not complaining about Dismay's lack of new supper draw attraction but in four parks and even with the list you so thoughtfully posted, I am not that excited about going this year like I have in the past. I still love Disney and still want to go especially AI and Typhoon Lagoon. What I am super excited about is going to Sea World this time to ride Manta and to Universal to ride Rip Ride Rocket otherwise I would not go to those parks this year and wait until next year for Hairy Potter whole new area.

Like I said I love Disney and I am a huge fan but I still agree this year there is little for this fan to get excited about. Now to be honest (hurts to say this) if it was not for the Free Dinning Plan deal which makes it cheaper to stay on Disney property than to stay at my brother for free, We would not be going to Disney this year at all but doing other Central Florida tourist activities. That is the honest truth, so as the article says Disney is only really offering the big deals, thats the draw for this family this year.

Keep in mind this is only my take on it as I have been going for several years now, so others may find it all new and exciting. Disney needs to do what they need to do, I do not fault them on that but as a regular, there just not much there for me this year.

[standbyme]

...and we are looking forward to those parks more than we are Disney.

J.D. falls over from shock!

[RailRider]

Very interesting arguement from both sides. Coming from someone who has been to Disney just a few times I am amazed at the lack of new attractions most of the time or between visits. When I think of an attraction I think of something like Expediditon Everest not a new show or resturant. Honestly those do not draw guests to the parks, major attractions do.

And Jesse Im not sure if you have experienced the Revenge of the Mummy or not, but that is one of the most amazing attractions ever, better than anything Disney has produced. Also I think you will find the quality of BGT and SeaWorld above Animal Kingdom. Enjoy...

Plus Disney usually takes a few years to construct a new attraction and Im pretty sure nothing major is going on right now, while Universal is set to open, HRRR and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Disney continues to rely on the fact they are Disney.

Dont get me wrong, I love Disney and the experience and cannot wait to take my daughter, but I am disappointed by their usual lack of major new attractions.

[UnrealNightmare]

And Jesse Im not sure if you have experienced the Revenge of the Mummy or not, but that is one of the most amazing attractions ever, better than anything Disney has produced. Also I think you will find the quality of BGT and SeaWorld above Animal Kingdom. Enjoy...

Agreed Mummy is one B.A. ride. The only part I don't like is the second half of the ride I feel they could have done a little more with it.

[Avatar]

OK J.D. Get off the floor now, your the one who reminds me to be honest for credibility sake. As I said in my first post of this thread, I seen this coming last year and with the other park announcements I knew it would be wise to change things up for this year. I have been looking at Sea World/Busch Gardens Passes and Platinum Passes and noticed if we buy them in Florida it will cost us $429.00 per person (good for 2 years) to go to all the parks (9 nation wide) with excellent perks. But for the same pass bought in San Antonio TX Sea World it only costs $199.00 per person (good for 2 years) with the stipulations you need to activate it in TX. So I calculated the cost savings of $230 x 4 = $920.00 then subtracted what it would cost for the difference of airfare plus car rental and hotel for 2 nights and we ended up still saving over $100.00. Thats like getting two extra days of vacation and going to a park I probably would never go to plus save an extra $100 so we are seriously thinking about adding this to the front of our trip. Problem is we would need to make a adjustment of either not going to Daytona beach for a couple days or drop a couple Disney days, which would cut into a couple Eat to the Beat concerts I'm looking forward too.. Well see what happens

Edit to add; Yeah last year when I went to the Horror Nights at Universal I got to do the major attractions including Revenge of the Mummy. I loved it and wish I had time to have done it again before I left. I have said many times that I thought I new what a dark ride was until I went to Universal, now I long for Kings Islands next major attraction to be a great dark ride.