DHS Pixar Expansion/Sound Stage 1

[Nick]

I think this summer really showed Disney that they do need to do something. Attendance was down in all parks except MK which had the most recent addition. I originally thought DHS attendance was not effected because of Frozen event, but I was recently given some information that tells me that DHS was effected and the attendance numbers were inflated by AP holders and employees. They are well aware of the profits going down for the parks this summer. While they are not in panic mode because Disney is a large company and well diversified, they are not taking this lightly. I think that is why we are hearing so many different rumors. I don't think EVERYTHING is going to happen at once, but I do see them moving on more things and more quickly. They took a drastic hit this summer in attendance and if it continues to trend down, they are not going to be in good shape. Plus remember attendance decrease means less money in hotels, food, and merchandise. So less people hits them pretty hard. It doesn't help that the park down the street did not see the same decrease, in fact Uni attendance went up. Sea World went down, but no one wants to compare themselves to Sea World right now since they are having their own issues for other things.

That hit that the park took this summer could be the reason they decided to close the BLT so suddenly. That attraction is not cheap to run at all. The trams, Catastrophe Canyon, etc are all very expensive. Shutting it down and possibly not even starting work on the area until early next year saves money that they lost this year from fumbling attendance.

 

[IzzyB]

That hit that the park took this summer could be the reason they decided to close the BLT so suddenly. That attraction is not cheap to run at all. The trams, Catastrophe Canyon, etc are all very expensive. Shutting it down and possibly not even starting work on the area until early next year saves money that they lost this year from fumbling attendance.

I think it will take more than one ride to recover the costs from this summer. I have heard cuts in other areas too. But I agree it probably is the reason for the quick shutdown along with the quick Frozen overlay. I don't think Disney expects next summer to be any better than this summer and they know that nothing is going to change until they offer more for their ticket prices. So they are trying to find quick ways to do some stuff without costing them a ton of money. We all talked about there was going to be a breaking point and a point where what Uni was doing was going to effect their bottom line. I think that day has come and Disney is finally taking notice. I also think that point came faster than any of us thought and I also don't think anyone predicted the hit Disney would take this quickly. From everything I am hearing this summer was just plain awful and they can't blame the economy since the economy is no worse than it was last year or the year before.

 

[Nick]

I think it will take more than one ride to recover the costs from this summer. I have heard cuts in other areas too. But I agree it probably is the reason for the quick shutdown along with the quick Frozen overlay. I don't think Disney expects next summer to be any better than this summer and they know that nothing is going to change until they offer more for their ticket prices. So they are trying to find quick ways to do some stuff without costing them a ton of money. We all talked about there was going to be a breaking point and a point where what Uni was doing was going to effect their bottom line. I think that day has come and Disney is finally taking notice. I also think that point came faster than any of us thought and I also don't think anyone predicted the hit Disney would take this quickly. From everything I am hearing this summer was just plain awful and they can't blame the economy since the economy is no worse than it was last year or the year before.

It doesn't help that with confused as people get with USF and DHS, USF is seriously kicking DHS' butt. I think that's a major reason behind why the "Studios" aspect of the park needs to go as well. They want to stop confusion between DHS and USF.

 

[IzzyB]

It doesn't help that with confused as people get with USF and DHS, USF is seriously kicking DHS' butt. I think that's a major reason behind why the "Studios" aspect of the park needs to go as well. They want to stop confusion between DHS and USF.

That could be an excuse if attendance wasn't down in AK & Epcot too. I think that confusion has always harmed USF more then DHS because of the amount of people who stay on property at Disney. But yes, I think getting as far away from the studios theme is the best thing for Disney right now because then they are not in direct competition and comparison to Universal.

 

[natespf]

Some great points folks. I do love the hilarious irony of "People are not going this dated park anymore...quick let's give visitors less to do." LMFAO

I may be in the minority because I love the idea of a studio park, the problem is how cheesy it has been implemented in reality. But I guess that is what happens when you build the studio for the park instead of the park for the studio (ala USH). MGM did have studios for a while, but that did not last long.

Trying to catch up it is great that they are adding a 3rd RV to Toy Story. I never got a chance to ride that one because of the wait times. But it does seem fortunate that it is physically possible to add another.

Also if Cars comes here with a different ride, then just think of it as a different ride for the same IP. I mean Test Track is in the park right next door.

 

[Nick]

Some great points folks. I do love the hilarious irony of "People are not going this dated park anymore...quick let's give visitors less to do." LMFAO

I may be in the minority because I love the idea of a studio park, the problem is how cheesy it has been implemented in reality. But I guess that is what happens when you build the studio for the park instead of the park for the studio (ala USH). MGM did have studios for a while, but that did not last long.

Trying to catch up it is great that they are adding a 3rd RV to Toy Story. I never got a chance to ride that one because of the wait times. But it does seem fortunate that it is physically possible to add another.

Also if Cars comes here with a different ride, then just think of it as a different ride for the same IP. I mean Test Track is in the park right next door.

Well, in the beginning, USF and MGM were both built with the Studio first, park second. When both parks/studios opened there was optimism of Orlando becoming a sort of Hollywood East. It just never happened and as things began to fizzle out, DHS, lost it's vision. It was a studio at it's core, but the production had stalled. So they added Who Wants to be a millionaire and eventually Pixar Place. However, they've never really picked a side until now seemingly, by closing the backlot tour. Hopefully good things are to come, the park needs it.

 

[natespf]

Well, in the beginning, USF and MGM were both built with the Studio first, park second. When both parks/studios opened there was optimism of Orlando becoming a sort of Hollywood East. It just never happened and as things began to fizzle out, DHS, lost it's vision. It was a studio at it's core, but the production had stalled. So they added Who Wants to be a millionaire and eventually Pixar Place. However, they've never really picked a side until now seemingly, by closing the backlot tour. Hopefully good things are to come, the park needs it.

This is true, I did not mean time.

 

[shiekra38]

Also if Cars comes here with a different ride, then just think of it as a different ride for the same IP. I mean Test Track is in the park right next door.

Here comes the ten page argument about the countless omnimovers and spinners at each park

 

[Nick]

Martin Smith (who is a member here and was the one who took the photos of the upper brass at DHS) returned from his trip and shared some info:

(TSMM Expansion) 100% confirmed.

DHS - if plans pan out, and they are at a very late stage right now - could be getting an overhaul bigger than DCA got. I won't go further for now, suffice to say the plans are huge. Yes, they involve another name change, and yes they involve the hat too.

The part that really caught me was "could be getting an overhaul bigger than DCA got". Now obviously it depends what is actually built, but that could be huge. And let's face it, the park desperately needs it.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

DHS is not getting an overhaul bigger than DCA.

 

[Nick]

DHS is not getting an overhaul bigger than DCA.

I'll choose to believe someone who is a known insider over someone talking out of their ass.

 

[cbconglom]

i will choose to believe martin because i want it to be true so badly

 

[shiekra38]

DHS is not getting an overhaul bigger than DCA.

I think he forgot the 'I want' part...i.e. I want DHS to possibly go through a DCA type overhaul

 

[Nick]

I think he forgot the 'I want' part...i.e. I want DHS to possibly go through a DCA type overhaul

Martin doesn't just willy nilly post things. He knows what he said.

Whether it comes true or not, we'll have to see.

 

[EPCOTcenter]

Yes, trust me, I had brief (but meaningful) private conversations with Martin. He knows what he is talking about.

 

[shiekra38]

Yes, trust me, I had brief (but meaningful) private conversations with Martin. He knows what he is talking about.

Oh, I'm sure he does...unfortunately these projects change so much that you could be right one day and wrong the next...take the JP expansion for instance...that was my point

 

[Nick]

Oh, I'm sure he does...unfortunately these projects change so much that you could be right one day and wrong the next...take the JP expansion for instance...that was my point

I'd normally agree with you, but from all the talk I keep hearing about this it sounds like they are 100% serious about it. Wouldn't be surprised to see it announced fairly soon tbh. It would be something to distract everyone from MyMagic+ when the Quarterly Earnings Call comes around. Iger has been getting hammered with MM+ questions for about a year now and still has no answers.

 

[JungleSkip]

I'll choose to believe someone who is a known insider over someone talking out of their ass.

Joe's not talking out of his ass.

 

[Nick]

Joe's not talking out of his ass.

He made a statement with nothing to back is up... that's pretty much the definition right there.

But honestly, I could care less to argue with you over this. We'll only know if he was right when Disney announces it, so arguing about it is pointless.

I just find it a bit funny you seem to be taking it personally when you weren't even mentioned.

 

[UK-Trigg]

DHS is not getting an overhaul bigger than DCA.

I'll have a wager with you, as what Martin has said plus walls up soon and that hat out the front of the park.