A Numbers Game...

Popularity is a fleeting thing...

The attendance of theme parks shows the popularity of the destination, and from time to time parks rankings will move up or down.  For long periods of history certain spots have been held by the same park.  For instance, the Magic Kingdom in Florida has maintained the top position in theme parks.

Years ago, before Tokyo Disneyland added a second gate, the stunning Tokyo DisneySEA, there was a horse race between the two parks for the top position.  Now, WDW's first park wins outright with the original here on the west coast getting the silver prize.

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM have just released the figures of theme parks for 2012.  How did Disney do this year?  Where did Disney California Adventure get to after the Extreme Makeover?  Where is the rest of the world in themed entertainment?

You can find the answers to all these and many more here.  It's an exhaustive analyses of where, what and why of theme parks.  It's also quite readable with graphs, charts and lists that put in perspective the theme parks of the world, not just Disney's world.  But here is a list of the top 25 theme parks for the Cliffs Notes version:

1. Magic Kingdom 17,536,000  +2.3%
2. Disneyland 15,963,000 -1.1%
3. Tokyo Disneyland 14,847,000 +8.5%
4. Tokyo Disney Sea 12,656,000 +8.5%
5. Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris 11,200,000 +1.9%
6. Epcot 11,063,000 +2.2%
7. Disney's Animal Kingdom 9,998,999 +2.2%
8. Disney's Hollywood Studios 9,912,000 +2.2%
9. Universal Studios Japan 9,700,000 +14.1%
10. Islands of Adventure 7,981,000 +4%
11. Disney California Adventure 7,775,000 +22.6%
14. Hong Kong Disneyland 6,700,000 +13.6%
15. Universal Studios Orlando 6,195,000 +2.5%
19. Sea World Florida 5,358,000 +3.0%
20. Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris 4,800,000 +1.9%
23. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 4,348,000 +1.5%

24. DeeFTeLING  Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands 4,200,000 +1.8%

25. OcT eAST Shenzhen, China 4,196,000 +7.9%



Now, if this intrigues you then head over to the actual report for a detailed look...

2015: Becoming A Disney World...

With all the major purchases over the last five years, the Walt Disney Company is about to have a bumper crop...

What am I talking about?  Well, between the purchases of Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm, not to mention the live-action/animated films coming from the main branch, the Mouse is gearing up for a monster year.  That year will be 2015.  Just a little more than two years from now Disney will dominate the box office.  It's simply a given.  What films will they release that year?  Take a look at what most likely will be the summer offerings:


Avengers 2

Pirates of the Caribbean 5

Star Wars 7

Finding Dori

Walt Disney Animation Studios release (which one hasn't been determined yet, more in a future post.)

Tron 3 (not announced, but likely)

Ant-Man

Can you imagine the box office that year?  The public is going to get very used to seeing that castle every time they go see something at the local movie theater.  I don't believe any other film studio has had such a dramatic effect on the box office of an entire year this much.  It's going to be a very interesting year.  I'm trying to picture what the other major studios are going to line up against it.

And it's not just the films they release that will mark the year for Disney, but the theme park expansion as well.  There are several expansions (including a rather nice one for Disneyland if it's green lit) that could happen, but aren't approved as of yet.  These are the main two expansions that are on schedule to be opened.


Disney's Animal Kingdom: Pandora: The World of Avatar (tentatively)

Shanghai Disneyland 


This year will mark the end Disney's normal content distribution system as well.  Starting the next year, Netflix will be a primary driver of Mouse entertainment that will likely change distribution channels.  So this year will close on a normal way people get shows, films, and possibly even gaming.  Better sign up now.

Bob Iger is going to be leaving the company on a high note.  The opposite of how Eisner left the entertainment giant.  It's hard to believe how large the company has grown in the last decade, but it shows the popularity of the Disney brand.  Of course, Iger will still be there for a year or so after his resignation as "Chairman Emeritus", but the day to day of the company will be handled by one of four people who now report to him.

Just don't let it be Rasulo...

Blue Sky Buzz: Pixar's Place In Disney's World...

I got time...

Let me tell you a story...

Two actually.  A tale really.  The tale of two, possible future worlds.  One is what the vision of Suits have for this world, and the other is what Creatives want for this world.  You see the see the Suits see only profit and opportunity.  The Creatives see ideas as the real treasure.  The trick is finding somewhere in the middle.  In a balanced world, the Creatives will find a way to prove to the Suits that their vision is what is needed, and creating something just for the sake of dollar signs isn't actually good for the bottom line in the end, as it diminishes what the Founder successfully created that made his company so profitable.

Translation is, originality and thinking outside the box to give the guest what they didn't know they wanted was how Walt Disney blazed his path to create a company that is now the pinnacle of, and largest deliverer of entertainment in the world.

This tale is of the Disney World part of that world.

There is a lot going on in that Florida haven right now.  Construction of the Fantasyland Expansion, the continued work on expansion of Disney's Animal Kingdom with the fantasy animal park coming to fruition with the "Avatar" land, and most importantly, the addition and bringing new life into Disney's Hollywood Studios that will happen in the next few years.

This park has been waining over the past decade+.  It has lost focus on what it is and where it is going.  It's in the process of trying to find what it is trying to entertain guests with, to tell who it is really.  It's beginning to shake off the narrative that it is the Mouse's alternative to Universal Studios and now trying to figure out what film experience it wants to tell to everyone entering it's gate.  While DAK is expanding to a full day park with the myth element (albeit, a sci-fi mythical creatures design, not a fantasy mythical creature design) of the park, DHS is now planning on moving away from being a movie "tour" park, and being a movie "experience" park.

I have great hope for Walt Disney World.  With the hiring of George Kalogridis, the languishing quality of WDW will finally be addressed.  The lower standards that are accepted there as the norm will hopefully, slowly be replaced by what we expect in a Disney Experience.  Kalogridis is a nuts and bolts guy, so we should expect operations, and quality to be made a much more prominent focus over the next few years.  If you're unhappy with what you get there, please make sure you let guest relations know so that it reaches Team Disney Orlando.  It has a much better chance of getting addressed with George now in charge.

Now, back to that vision thing.  Here's what the dilemma is.  Right now, actually the last few months of last year and into the new year, the company has been working with the decision of what path to move forward with on the expansion of Hollywood Studios.  You see everyone loves success since it's so elusive in business.  In a world where profit is king, you want to replicate what works.  In Burbank's case, this means clone it.  Duplicate it.  Copy it and hope lightning strikes twice, or even three times.  Such is the case with Cars Land, which is the single most profitable creation for the parks in twenty years.   The easy answer for the Suits is to clone it, the more difficult answer from the Creatives is to recreate what made it successful.

I'm sure you've read all the rumors floating around the Internet about cloning Cars Land down in Florida.  How it's going to go where the old Hollywood Backlot Area is and expand the Pixar Place area of the park.  This is partially true.  The Pixar Place area is where Imagineers expect to create the expansion of the park that I refer to, mainly at least.  But therein lies the fight.

One path is that one.  To clone Cars Land and expand the Pixar Place and give it a much grander imprint in the Hollywood Studios park.  The shadow of the Lamp will fall heavily on this gate if that choice is the direction they head.  It'll be destined to be a hit just like out here in California.  There will be no shortage of demands if the land is announced, with its immersive theming and escapist fun that literally draws you into an animated world.  This would make the Studio Backlot an inviting plot of real estate to put this WDI creation.  Instant hit: just add three years of construction, hundreds of millions of dollars, and in 2015 you'll have a swarm of people descend on the Florida resort for the experience we have out here.

Then there is the alternative.

Expand the Pixar Place, but not with a clone.  Imagine that?  Now what would/could it consist of?  Well, the area as pitched would have several other Pixar character creations.  This lists rings like a laundry list of the last decades hits for Disney animation via Emeryville.  Nemo ideas, lots of Toy Story ideas thrown around (including several attractions out of the "Toy Story Land" areas in Paris and Hong Kong), even talk of a Ratatouille clone like the one being built at Walt Disney Studios Paris (not likely, though, but not impossible).  But the new E-Ticket surrounding all of these minor C and D Ticket attractions would be something better.  Something incredible even.

Yes, that pun was intentional.  The proposal, which wasn't a done deal when I talked to my Bothans near the beginning of the year, would involve the Brad Bird creation.  If the Mouse decides to go the non-clone route, the largest part of the expansion would be an attraction based on "The Incredibles" film.

It's not the same one that was going to go into DCA when they were scrambling for something to stop the bleeding and the laughter, but it is a project that is designed to take you into the idealized world that Bird created where Supers were very real.  This one would feature cutting edge technology, with animatronics and possible 3D/4D effects that rival anything done with Cars or the new Ratatouille ride.

It's part of what Lasseter wanted with each park having its own original creations.  Attractions to make you want to travel to different parks for different reasons.  Imagine that?  The plan was to have two or three C-Tickets, budget permitting of course, and a large E-Ticket based on this film to define the entire area as a fully immersive experience of Pixar's imaginative stories.  A Pixar land so to speak.  Will that happen?  It's a matter of numbers, time and justification of money that comes down to a battle of Suits and Creatives trying to figure what will be best.  Cloning?  Or creativity?  So which side will win?

We'll likely find out what the answer is to that question sometime later this year...

New World Order...

The world is not enough... 

Well that didn't take long...

Less than a week, actually.  So George Kalogridis is really going to the Florida Project.  Which is a very good thing for Florida.  It means the standards there will rise dramatically.  Hopefully he brings some of his own team and brushes away much of the deadwood that resides in the Team Disney Orlando building.

But I expect a lot from Walt Disney World now that he's in charge.  He's human, so I don't expect him to be able to move mountains.  It's a huge bureaucracy that he'll have to maneuver though, but he should be able to clear a lot of the obstacles and start having incremental, positive steps.  And each step forward is a good thing.

Now, as for Micheal Colglazier, I'm not of a particular opinion on him.  I don't know him as well, I haven't met him, and don't want to color it, casting a negative light on him before he's even gotten a chance to show us what he can/will do.  He was one of two people who I heard were up for this.  The other one, unfortunately couldn't get out of contractual obligations, and wasn't able to take the job.  Micheal is apparently well liked by the Cast Members at Animal Kingdom, and so far what I hear sounds like he's a talented and sociable suit.  Time will tell how he does as the head of the Disneyland Resort.

I know many people are upset about the "Avatar" reference that was applied to his name, but that truly came from higher-ups.  He had nothing to do with it other than endorsing it, which is about all he could do at the time.  DAK has been in kind of a frozen state over the past five years and he's been there, so the best that can be said is he didn't let it go downhill during his time there.  No astounding news or breakthroughs, no major challenges or surprises.  He seems to be a safe bet.

It'll be interesting to see if Stagg and Iger's bet pays off...

A Whole New World...

George is taking the grand tour...

The rumors have been spreading for weeks...

Meg Crofton isn't the most beloved person at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts by far.  She's proof that not everyone Iger hires is up to the job.  Rich Ross is the glowing example of an experiment gone awry.  But even that had a silver lining with the hiring of Alan Horn, one of the best people in the entertainment industry and a gem of a man, a great person to run the studios.  So with the unhappiness with Meg, perhaps her possible departure could mean having someone take her job that is more in tune with what Disney is?

Now, I haven't confirmed this with many of my Bothans; most of them happen to be very busy working on projects in the Far East/West and I haven't talked to them much lately.  But I did send a secret message to a couple of them, and I'm waiting to hear if they know anything about this.  I've been getting some very in-the-know people telling me about this over the last couple of weeks.  What am I talking about?

Well, it's rumored that George Kalogridis, Disneyland's president might be moving on to bigger things in Florida.

Meg isn't known for her warmth and care, and she's not beloved by the Disney fan community for sure.  Her being put in charge of the One Disney project is an example of someone not liked, putting in to place something no one wants.  I can tell you that the Cast Members in Anaheim HATE the One Disney mantra.  They arbour being forced to do everything that Florida does, just because it's Florida.  After all, would you make all your children act and dress alike?

George is very well liked across the Disneyland Resort.  He's talented, very personable and extremely caring.  I do know that there has been talk around the Resort of him moving on.  And the job he's done has impressed Iger and Staggs.  If WDW is to get him to take over for Meg, then you can expect the quality of that Resort to increase dramatically.  He would be a refreshing replacement for a part of the Disney Empire that has had Suits that just don't "get" it.  Disneyland Suits aren't perfect, but most "get" it.  My hope is that should he get the position, he'll clean house and get rid of many of those around him that were connected to Meg.  The Orlando Suits are continually clueless when it comes to many of the quality issues that are commonplace here in Anaheim.

Now, should he go then that means that the Disneyland Resort will have to find someone to take his place.  I've already heard of a couple people that are being talked about for that position.  One of them is very well known by the Disney community and would be well received.  The other one I am not sure about.  But within the next few months you'll start to hear some changes coming the the Disney world.  Not just in Florida.  But it'll be interesting seeing who is put in place in all these positions before Iger makes his exit in a couple years.  He'll leave the company in a more powerful, solid position than his predecessor, but will Walt Disney World be better?

Time will tell...

Building Worlds Apart...

Just don't be preachy, just entertain please...






It marks an interesting turning point for Disney's Animal Kingdom this week...

Because it's the start of researching the feasibility of the massive mini-park that they plan on constructing there. My Bothans told me that the design phase of the project has settled to the point where they have a general idea of what will come of this blue sky period.

So what may we find on the fifth moon of the gas giant Polyphemus?

Well the land will be Big, very BIG. It'll be approximately 10-12 acres (Example: Cars Land = 12 acres) and will be filled with distinctive horticultural differences from the surrounding areas of the park to realize that you've left the earth for something special.

There will be at least three attractions (rides) in the land with plenty of places to eat exotic, foreign foods and shop for strange, alien merchandise. Of those attractions, at least one will involve a flight simulator technology that will be heavily modified from the ones used for "Soarin' Over California."

Cameron has been very helpful in detailing what makes up the planet and how it ecologically can be explained to guests. He's let them pour over the extensive notes and even given them a peek at what is to come in the sequels. The Imagineers are unsure yet if anything from the sequels will make it into the first phase of this land. That's right, I said first phase. If it's successful then they have talked about the ability to expand the area within three to five years for additional attractions, shows and entertainment.

The name of the area will not be "Avatar" as some have mistakenly thought it would be. The three prime names that are being bandied about are: Pandora, The World of Pandora, and Pandora: The World of Avatar. The last one is what most think will be the final name, but nothing is certain yet.

Those of you that are disappointed that the Beastly Kingdom concept wasn't used will know that there are those at DAK that would like to revive it. Many believe that if this is successful it may pave the way for bringing back a variation of it sometime in the next decade. While it wouldn't be exactly the same, it would still fill the fantasy requirement that was originally set up by WDI when they pitched the park: A park celebrating animal life - real animals (the zoo part), extinct animals (dinosaurs) and mythical animals (fantasy animals). While some don't like the Avatar concept, it does fall under the branch of mythical animals, although it's more of a sci-fi branch than a fantasy one. Nevertheless, Imagineers still feel that someday they'll be able to bring the fantasy part of this park to life and have the mythical land be split into a fantasy and a sci-fi element.

But either way, this park will look worlds different (and better) right after the middle of this decade...

A Different Kind Of Beastley Kingdomme...

A world of tall, cat looking, blue creatures...




Now this is surprising, but not entirely unexpected...

The Walt Disney Company has licensed James Cameron's "Avatar" for an attraction based in Disney's Animal Kingdom for debut after the release of the next film. So, Universal has Spielberg and now Disney has Cameron helping design themed attractions? Here's the press release:

BURBANK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide is joining forces with visionary filmmaker James Cameron and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the world of AVATAR to life at Disney parks. Through an exclusive agreement announced today by Disney, Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox, Disney will partner with Cameron and producing partner Jon Landau to create themed lands that will give theme park guests the opportunity to explore the mysterious universe of AVATAR first hand. Disney plans to build the first AVATAR themed land at Walt Disney World, within the Animal Kingdom park. With its emphasis on living in harmony with nature, Animal Kingdom is a natural fit for the AVATAR stories, which share the same philosophy. Construction is expected to begin by 2013.

“James Cameron is a groundbreaking filmmaker and gifted storyteller who shares our passion for creativity, technological innovation and delivering the best experience possible,” said Robert A. Iger, President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “With this agreement, we have the extraordinary opportunity to combine James’ talent and vision with the imagination and expertise of Disney.”

“AVATAR created a world which audiences can discover again and again and now, through this incredible partnership with Disney, we’ll be able to bring Pandora to life like never before. With two new AVATAR films currently in development, we’ll have even more locations, characters and stories to explore,” said James Cameron. “I’m chomping at the bit to start work with Disney’s legendary Imagineers to bring our AVATAR universe to life. Our goal is to go beyond current boundaries of technical innovation and experiential storytelling, and give park goers the chance to see, hear, and touch the world of AVATAR with an unprecedented sense of reality.”

The agreement announced today gives The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) exclusive global theme park rights to the AVATAR franchise and provides for additional AVATAR themed lands at other Disney parks. The other locations will be determined by Disney and its international theme park partners. James Cameron, Jon Landau and their Lightstorm Entertainment group will serve as creative consultants on the projects and will partner with Walt Disney Imagineering in the design and development of the AVATAR themed lands.

“This exciting new venture combines the world of AVATAR with the enormous reach of Disney and the incomparable talent of Jim Cameron,” commented Fox Filmed Entertainment chairmen Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman. “While Jim is bringing audiences further into Pandora with the next two chapters in the AVATAR motion picture saga, the theme park attraction will likewise bring a new dimension to the amazing universe he created.”

“AVATAR is a uniquely powerful franchise that has global appeal with audiences of all ages. Its spectacular settings, intriguing characters, imaginative creatures, and strong themes of family and loyalty make it a perfect fit for Disney,” said Thomas O. Staggs, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We can’t wait to give our guests the ability to journey to Pandora and explore the incredible immersive world of AVATAR in person.”

In addition to setting a global box office record, AVATAR has been hailed as one of the most innovative and visually stunning movies ever produced. With its advanced motion capture and 3-D digital projection technologies developed by James Cameron and his team, moviegoers were able to connect with the world of AVATAR in new and engaging ways.

This new venture complements Walt Disney Parks & Resorts’ strategic efforts to continue to invest in its core theme park businesses around the world while simultaneously expanding into other parts of the family vacation business.

More commentary to follow...

Hat Tip to Deadline Hollywood.

August Projected...

A world filled with imagination...




One of the great things about the first D23 Expo was the Imagineer Display that everyone gravitated toward...

It was great to see the plans that WDI had for the upcoming future. At least what they were willing to reveal. Next month's D23 Expo will have another area that will display work throughout all 11 Disney Parks called the "Carousel of Projects."

It'll have much of what we've seen already, but several sections will have more detailed views of what to expect from the Fantasyland Expansion in the Magic Kingdom, the further progress of Hong Kong Disneyland and more elaboration on what to expect from Shanghai. Hopefully they'll show some of the incredible models for that River Run project we mentioned a while back, or perhaps what is to be expected in the very different Tomorrowland.

But what I'm looking forward to is the presentation by Tom Staggs who I'm greatly happy is in charge of the parks instead of the soulless Jay Rasulo. I always thought he was a creativeless, bean counter and it's good to see he is in the proper position now. The management team of Burbank is quite better than it was a decade ago, but the WDW management team seems more of an enigma to me. I wish they seemed to care about the parks as much as Anaheim. I expect that Staggs knows the problems and will slowly over the next few years make the moves that will put people in power in Florida that can advance that resort to its full potential.

Until August...

Phased Too...

It won't be Golden Master for a decade...





As the Extreme Makeover picks up speed and noticeable improvement become more evident, it's time to softly unpack the future...

Ok, once again Blue Sky is here to add a little perspective laying out the (possible) terrain ahead. We're around a year and a half from the completion of Phase One of the EM and I thought we'd examine where some of the possible projects could/would be and when they could/would get done. As usual, this is a general outline, not something set in stone. Time tables can change and project status as well as choice of those projects may be altered. But this will hopefully reveal the topography of the broadening, bright future for Anaheim's Second Gate.

When the fall of 2012 comes to the Disneyland Resort, the park and resort will be dramatically different than they looked a decade ago. Like I've said before, the resort will actually be a resort. Certainly not near as big as Walt Disney World, but at least it will be the beginnings of a full resort and the "Spare Park" as some derogatorily call it, will finally be a Disney Park.

With the elaborately detailed and richly themed Buena Vista Street entrance welcoming guest through the turnstiles, it will be a much different experience for someone stepping foot in the park come the end of summer next year. That said, there will still be several areas that will/could provide ample opportunity for expansion or retheming. Translation: there is still work to be done, just not nearly as much and not necessarily as extreme!

There are four major areas for address:

1 - The majority of Hollywood Land (the former Hollywood Back Lot) will still be awaiting the majority of its transformation to a Forties (40's) makeover. While the Red Car Line will be working and the Disney Theater will reflect the coming atmosphere, the retheming of several areas along the walkways as well as the side and proposed enclosed entrance of the Hyperion Theater have yet to reflect the new period look. Also there are two stage areas ripe for expansion of attractions and a desire to update the current Muppets building. Should you see the new film featuring the characters become a hit, it will most likely stay within what was the opening theme, but likely updated to reflect the latest addition of this franchise.

2 - The area between Cars Land and transitioning from the Tower of Terror is available for the expansion of Hollywood Land or the increasing of valuable real estate in Radiator Springs. No decision has been made as to what will be put there or which combination of attractions will result. The exposed power lines on that side of the Cadillac Mountain Range offers the opportunity for more rock work to alter that skyline and reduce the remaining bad show. While the other side could offer viewpoints that better transition from the Tinsel Town facades (My own suggestion: Hollywood hills with the historic sign on one side/desert clifts that blend in to the mountainous rage on the other side.).

3 - The Golden State will start to occupy and transform the small Condor Flats area of the park over the coming years. With the opening of Cars Land, there really is no need for two desert themed area. This location, like the Grizzly River Run section, will receive a gradual makeover as elements are transitioned toward the early Fifties (50's) period that the Imagineers want the national park to project. The Red Creek Challenge Trail will likely receive retheming inspired by the Pixar film "Up" as the trail will be recast to reflect Russell's Wilderness Explorers.

The Paradise Pier area will need to be completed in the second phase of construction during the remaining decade. This is the largest area that will need to be rethemed. It will also be the most noticeable of all projects, as it takes up a much larger footprint than the other areas due for alteration. These projects will have the most visible footprint to the current expansion, so expect it to come in phases as construction would be approved.

4 - The temporary garden that has replaced the Maliboomer is a place holdover project for a 3-5 year time frame. The current and very embryonic thinking is that this area will be turned into the entrance for another E or D+ Ticket, which will most likely be built behind the Screamin' roller coaster which is currently occupied by the parade building.

The Goofy's Sky School coaster, for all the planning, is still a long term place holder project as well, although a much longer one than the Maliboomer area. Expect this area to remain for at least a decade+ as the company decides on what type of E Ticket to place here. Naturally, the theming is planned to match the surrounding areas reflecting a vibrant and roaring part of the early 20th Century.

The stores along the boardwalk are also scheduled to go under the knife around this same time for retheming to the Twenties (20's) period as well as several other elements (removal of those golden fans, retheming of lamp lighting and various, other theming). The Carousel could be expected to be transformed during this period to match the Victorian building of Midway Mania. Hopefully it will look similar to the classic structure that was presented on the model in the Blue Sky Cellar a year ago. The Screamin' queue building, line as well as the attraction itself are in need of a more focused retheming also. The transition of the queue building to something along the lines of the proposed fun house will likely be one of several options. And it's not the only location in need of some redressing along the boardwalk. The queue line for the Fun Wheel will hopefully get some variation of the beautiful covered structure that was abandoned during the design phase (my own hope's here) to replace the cheap tarps that were put back in place after the transformation from Sun to Fun.

The area featuring Ariel's Grotto is supposedly scheduled to be transformed into a Princess Palace (that name is not confirmed as the final choice, btw) and the stores are supposed to get a Neo-Victorian appearance as well to match the buildings across the pier on both sides (Mania and Mermaid).

Let me be clear that none of these areas have received an official green light, but that it is thought that these areas would be the focus of any expansion over the next decade. There are several proposals that WDI has available, but nothing is in an advanced state of planning for these areas right now until the first part of construction is finished. Once done, if the attendance levels that Iger and the Burbank/Anaheim Suits are expecting reach acceptable targets; Imagineers are hopeful that an expansion could start by 2013 or 2014 at the earliest.

Until the end of next year we will have to wait and see as the company examines the fruit of its labor in DCA's reimagining. Should attendance/merchandise/hotel bookings reflect well from all this planning, you can expect a second phase to move forward at a much faster pace.

Time will tell...

Theme Parked...

Spider-Mouse, Spider-Mouse, does whatever it can to get out of agreements...








Something interesting happened in the world of theme parks this week...

Something that is not about Disney, but all about it. At least when it comes to inserting the Marvel characters into the many parks that the Mouse owns or co-owns.

Universal Studios owns Universal Hollywood outright, but the other Universal Studios theme parks that it owns are co-ventures; even Universal Studios Orlando. That theme park is co-owned by the Blackstone Group. They own a fifty percent equity in the two theme park resort and are now looking to sell their share. With the success of "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter," the group looks to capitalize on its investment and get a premium for the shares that it has.

One of the interesting things about the agreement between Uni and Warner Bros. is that a change in ownership will trigger a clause in the rights to that franchise, which could mean they could lose it or have to renegotiate the original agreement for a much higher fee. Now, realistically, Universal is coming off their best year ever with attendance and spending, so there is no way the Uni Suits are going to plan on giving away what has helped turn their parks into destinations that is usually only reserved for Walt Disney World. They will do what they need to do to keep them inside the park, which means a renegotiation if necessary.

That said, it makes one wonder what the agreement that Universal Orlando has with Marvel is like. Is it similar? Because if it is, this could be the out that Disney would look for to wrestle control back of properties that it would love to exploit at its own parks; particularly those just a little ways down the road from IOA. You can bet that the Mouse's lawyers will be looking at every line of the agreement for wiggle room, and unlike TWWOHP, there would be no reason to settle. Any renegotiation by Disney would be set at a level meant to make such a renegotiation prohibitively expensive. That way, the Walt Disney Company could walk away with the rights to the properties it bought in 2009 and be able to start planning attractions or even parks without fear of some form of litigation nightmare.

Universal would have to come up with a way to retheme the attractions to other characters that it owns or someone else would be willing to license to them. If I was Warner Bros., I'd consider this a great opportunity to offer the DC Comics properties instead. It'd be a major upgrade from Six Flags and branded characters that would fit into the theme parks need for highly visible franchises. Couldn't you see that Spider-Man attraction being retooled for Batman or Superman? Maybe retheme that Hulk coaster to the Green Lantern?

So, depending on how good Marvel's lawyers were, we may be seeing men wearing their underwear on the outside of their clothes sooner than we thought.

Developing...

Stagg Party...

Creating a magical moment...



So a big event is being held tonight for the Fantasyland expansion of the Magic Kingdom...

Later this evening (7:00 pm Eastern) there will be a press event that further expands on the details of this expansion. Part of this is a result of leadership change. With Jay Rasulo moving over to the cold, hard numbers department where he belongs, Tom Staggs control of the project has resulted in some alterations. Tom has young boys, not girls and he listens to what they like and one of the things males don't like is princesses. At least not till they reach puberty.

So we can expect a little less focus on that matter. The inclusion of a Seven Dwarf's Mine Coaster which we broke here a long, long time ago and a mixture of some of the projects already approved and a few surprises. I haven't talked to Bothans about this project much, as most I deal with are more focused on West Coast comings and goings. That said, I've heard that the budget (approximately $300 million) has stayed relatively the same while the projects has shifted to be less girl-centric.

Come tonight, we'll get a better view of the road map that Tom has in store for Walt Disney World and the world of Disney Imagineering as well. This is a holdover project that Jay was working on that he's had to tinker with. It'll be interesting to see the next project he announces as it will likely be his own, and likely show the direction he (and Iger) are planning on going. But I trust him far than I do or did Rasulo. In my opinion, having Staggs there is a vast improvement and this is the best management that Disney Parks have had since the late 90's.

Now, if he can just do something about that WDW management...

Experiment Turns Twenty-Eight...

Ok, so EPCOT didn't turn out to be the "Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow" that Walt envisioned. But it still has his spirit, his sense of optimism and wonder. It is still something for the Mouse to be proud of... even if over the last decade or so they've not treated her well.

Today she turns 28. And she looks much nicer than she did a few years ago since having that plastic surgery to remove the wart... I mean wand from her nose. I figure we should start seeing greater attention to the details of the Second Gate over the next few years (I only hope that they approve getting rid of the graveyard below Spaceship Earth). The Suit in charge happens to be an Epcot employee, which is good. The focus on the words; "EPCOT Center" are a good sign...

The Walt Disney Company spent 1.4 Billion dollars to build it... I want to sound like Dr. Evil saying that. In 1982 that was a lot of money. Well, it's still a lot of money, just not near as much as it was then. The Mouse hasn't spent anywhere near that amount on a theme park since. The only company that has spent those kinds of numbers to create elaborate Disney attractions is the Oriental Land Company... the only company other than the Mouse with the right to build Disney attractions. When WDW's Third Gate, Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney's Hollywood Studios) was built in 1989 at a cost of less than 800 million. The fourth gate, Disney's Animal Kingdom was around 800 million(after cutting the "Beastly Kingdom" section) when it opened in 1998. The Second Gate in California, Disney's California Adventure was 650 million(after Pressler ordered Braverman to cut the budget by a third) in 2001 and Disney's investment in Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005 which cost 3.5 billion was in the hundreds of millions... 314 million dollars to be exact, with the Hong Kong Government footing the rest of the bill . I won't mention Walt Disney Studios Paris which opened in 2002, because I don't consider it having a budget, especially if you've seen it (granted, it's slowly improving and in a few years will look much more nicely themed). But enough of that... that's old hat. We're in a new time with lots of exciting things happening to the Mouse.

The future of the Second Gate at America's Second Disney Resort's is positive and full of promise with the Thirtieth Anniversary around the corner. I'm sure Staggs, unlike Rasulo, won't let Epcot go by without some TLC and a few surprises. Happy Birthday, EPCOT Center!

Now, let's work on covering up those bad show areas around the World Showcase...

Thirty-Nine And Growing...

Wow, it happened thirty-nine years ago today...

The very first guest descend on a new plot of land outside Orlando, Florida for the grand opening of Walt Disney World. The new park, the Magic Kingdom, the first since Walt Disney's original Disneyland is built on land that is twice the size of Manhattan, with its own police force, its own fire department and its own working government. The Walt Disney World Resort as it will be called, opens up with two hotels, the Contemporary and the Polynesian and a world of possibilities. It's still so today, just a wee bit bigger is all. And it's still growing.

I just hope that Tom Staggs puts his stamp on the resort and his own Suits...

Tour Dates...

The Mouse has (finally) officially listed the "Star Tours 2" opening dates at Disneyland/Disney's Hollywood Studios...

While it's been known for a while when the closing of Star Tours would be here in California/Florida, it wasn't known exactly when the attractions would reopen. Finally, information about these battle plans have been put out there by the Empire.

Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Resort: Star Tours Closing Date July 27 - Reopening Date May 9.

Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World: Star Tours Closing Date Sept 8 - Reopening Date May 16.

Now, for the rest of Tomorrowland? Well, we'll just have to wait a little bit longer. Nuff said.

But soon...

Hat Tip to Stitch's Kingdom.

Buy The Numbers...

The 2009 attendance figures for theme parks are out...

And the Mouse leads in all categories. Even if there is a large amount of competition, it really isn't close on most fronts as you'll see in the data. Of course, that said, I don't want the folks at WDI or the Team Disney Building in Burbank getting any swelled heads. Complacency is the graveyard of many a company.

Theme Park Attendance (Worldwide):

1. MAGIC KINGDOM at Walt Disney World (17,233,000)
2. DISNEYLAND (15,900,000)
3. TOKYO DISNEYLAND (13,646,000)
4. DISNEYLAND PARK at Disneyland Paris (12,740,000)
5. TOKYO DISNEY SEA (12,004,000)
6. EPCOT at Walt Disney World (10,990,000)
7. DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS at Walt Disney World (9,700,000)
8. DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM at Walt Disney World (9,590,000)
9. UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN (8,000,000)
10. EVERLAND (6,169,000)
11. DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE (6,095,000)
12. SEAWORLD FLORIDA (5,800,000)
13 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS at Universal Orlando (5,400,000)
14. OCEAN PARK (4,800,000)
15. NAGASHIMA SPA LAND (4,700,000)
16. HONG KONG DISNEYLAND (4,600,000)
17. YOKOHAMA HAKKEIJIMA SPA PARADISE (4,500,000)
18. ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE at Universal Orlando (4,500,000)
19. UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD (4,308,000)
20. LOTTE WORLD (4,261,000)
21. EUROPA PARK (4,250,000)
22. SEAWORLD CALIFORNIA (4,200,000)
23. BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY (4,100,000)
24. DE EFTELING (4,000,000)
25. TIVOLI GARDENS (3,870,000)


Theme Park Attendance (North America):

MAGIC KINGDOM at Walt Disney World (17,233,000)
DISNEYLAND (15,900,000)
EPCOT at Walt Disney World (10,990,000)
DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS at Walt Disney World (9,700,000)
DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM at Walt Disney World (9,590,000)
DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE (6,095,000)
SEAWORLD FLORIDA (5,800,000)
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS at Universal Orlando (5,400,000)
ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE at Universal Orlando (4,500,000)
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD (4,308,000)
SEAWORLD CALIFORNIA (4,200,000)
BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY (4,100,000)
KNOTT'S BERRY FARM (3,333,000)
CANADA'S WONDERLAND (3,160,000)
KINGS ISLAND (3,000,000)
CEDAR POINT (2,942,000)
BUSCH GARDENS EUROPE (2,900,000)
HERSHEY PARK (2,807,000)
SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE (2,634,000)
SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN (2,500,000)
SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA (2,500,000)

Hat Tip to the Themed Entertainment Association.

A Magical Beginning, A World Of Opportunities...

Thirty-eight years ago today...

The very first guest descend on a new plot of land outside Orlando, Florida for the grand opening of Walt Disney World. The new park, the Magic Kingdom, the first since Walt Disney's original Disneyland is built on land that is twice the size of Manhattan, with its own police force, its own fire department and its own working government. The Walt Disney World Resort as it will be called, opens up with two hotels, the Contemporary and the Polynesian and a world of possibilities. It's still so today, just a wee bit bigger is all.

And it's still growing...

The Wonderful Wizarding World Of Competition...

Universal Studios has came out with some interesting artwork and video for their Harry Potter theme park within a theme park...

If you'd like to see what Universal Orlando has up their sleeve, then check out the video here that highlights what Universal Creative (Universal's equivalent to Imagineers) has designed. The primary attraction, "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" will be interesting to experience when the attraction opens in spring 2010. Although there's not a lot of information about that ride on the site yet. Go over to the official website and look at a lot of the concept art. Also, Brooks Barnes has a nice article over at the New York Times about the announcement.

Some people worry that this will steal guest away from WDW, while some think it'll have no affect on Disney whatsoever. I tend to play it in the middle. Islands of Adventure is a great, fun theme park with many detailed areas, but it didn't do the damage that Eisner and Co. worried it would do to the Florida resort, because if it had there would've been a couple nice additions to the park to compensate. Never panned out. I hope it does gangbusters, because competition is good. If they do something that draws more people into their park, the Mouse will have to counter and that's good for everyone. After all, why do you think that Fantasyland expansion got the go-ahead? Universal was one reason, Lasseter and others pushing the expansion was the other. But that's what happens when challenges are put upon you... you strive to do better and the results of that benefit us all. Difficult times lie ahead.

So let's have at those obstacles...

Tale Ends...

And so ends the Walt Disney Company's first D23 Expo...

It was a rather nice start to what will hopefully become a yearly tradition. It wasn't Comic-Con numbers, but that shouldn't be a desire anyway. This is the first year and it wouldn't be fair to compare it to the first year of Nerdvana. But it had quite a few people and quite long lines for many events. One of the biggest differences between this and San Diego is you actually had room to breath and the ability to move around without stepping on someones toes.

I wish I could have attended all four days, particularly Friday with all the Walt Disney Pictures announcements, but Saturday was my first day there. I arrived almost an hour before Jay's speech and the lines were already very long. By the time I got in, the room was probably 80% full already. There were many people who showed up and waited in line only to be told the arena was full.

When Jay Rasulo took the stage yesterday to a loud ovation, the crowd was anxious to here some surprising news and the Chairman (as Darth Vader called him) delivered. Jay seemed to be in a rush and many of his remarks appeared to be delivered as if he was in a hurry to get through them. Perhaps this explains why the Star Tours announcement came so quickly and felt rushed. It was almost an afterthought as he made his spiel with Vader, showed the clip and then essentially said: "Goodnight."

But there were a few nice expected/unexpected surprises. First off, he announced the expansion of the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland that we broke here over a year ago. The Star Tours news was brief, but had a nice humorous back and forth between an evil Sith Lord and Darth Vader... wait, I mean Chairman Jay Rasulo and Darth Vader. They showed one tour where you were participating in Pod Racing. Jay conveniently left out the details of the attraction which are actually still being finalized. As I mentioned in an earlier post, perhaps they're waiting for next year's D23 Expo to shine the light on more details. But the entire interior and design of the queue area is supposed to receive an overhaul that will give the ride a much snazzier new feel. Another thing the Chairman didn't mention was that there will be a few familiar Star Wars characters in ST II never seen in the old version. One of them, I believe is an 800 year old, wrinkly guy from Dagobah. This, along with multiple adventures will actually make Star Tour(s) finally become Star Tours.

Anyone that got to take a peek inside the Parks and Resorts Pavilion (check out Disney and More for great pictures of it) got a peek into the many models of WDI that wouldn't fit into DCA's Blue Sky Cellar. The area holding all the Carsland models actually wouldn't fit into the building, truthfully. Those that saw the three different scaled models of the park's new land will understand why this attraction is costing as much as two-thirds of the price of the entire theme park.

There were two parts of the keynote that didn't actually make it in the presentation. One was Paris and the other was Tokyo. For reasons not discussed here, those parts were left to be explained at a later date. And then, there were all the Walt Disney Pictures announcements, but we'll talk a bit about that in our second part.

There will also be a couple small articles I'm going to try and post this week about individual Imagineering projects on display as well...

Brand Confusion/Collusion...

When Bob Iger decided to buy Marvel, he did so with a long view of the company's characters, but that doesn't mean the Mouse isn't going to have opportunities to hurry up the process...

There are a lot of agreements that Marvel has made over the last decade that Disney is going to have to deal with. Some of those decisions were good and others were made during a period of bankruptcy when the company needed cash; resulting in agreements that Mighty Marvel would later regret.

The Spider-Man agreement is one of those that I'm sure Marvel, and now Disney would rather have not been made. There was even a legal dispute a while back with Marvel suing Sony for the compensation that it felt it was owed from the huge blockbuster the first movie became. Sony Pictures and Sam Raimi deserve a great deal of respect for what they did in the first and second film... but the Suits got greedy with part 3. I'm sure Spidey is the Holy Grail of this acquisition and Iger and his lawyers are going to watching Sony very closely. And Sony knows this, so I think they're going to be very cautious dealing with this property. With the recent announcements of a planning for a "Spider-Man 5" and "Spider-Man 6," it's going to be a while before the Spider goes to his new home in Burbank. If each movie takes about 3 to four years to make, expect the first chance at the character to be a decade away.

The same could be said for "X-Men" and "Fantastic Four" and "Daredevil" could be as well, but I can tell you there are going to be lawyers upon lawyers looking over this for the next decade. And I will bet you there will be a lawsuit over at least one of these properties withing the next four or five years. Disney will be looking for any wiggle room inside those contracts. Before this deal was signed, I'm sure Disney had knowledge that some of these contracts wouldn't last till the expiration date.

But this is dealing with the film rights to these characters. The television rights to those characters aren't included. So you think the company won't be planning on television series based on Peter Parker, Matt Murdock, Reed Richards and Wolvie? I bet ABC has some form of a show on within two years. Maybe it'll be something to dampen Fox's "X-Men: First Class." Perhaps a "New Mutants" television show following a new class of Professor Xavier's students. Maybe a show following Daredevil? That right there might dilute the competitions desire for a sequel if characters they're planning on investing millions of dollars in are seen weekly on television. Who knows? I'm sure over the next year or so, the Suits at Disney and Marvel will go over all these characters to determine what will be the first property to get a television show or movie.

The deal that Marvel has with Paramount will end around 2012/2013 as that will be when the fifth and final film is to be delivered. I'm sure Paramount would love for it to continue afterwards, but to think that Disney would extend this agreement is highly unlikely. Why not have the next films have your logo on the front of them? Disney will want to create a brand awareness that Marvel is now Disney and it won't help keeping the Paramount logo in front of it. As of right now, the agreement for distribution includes the films: "Iron Man 2," "Thor," "Captain America," "The Avengers," and one last film, possibly "Iron Man 3." But after that, any sequel to Captain America or Thor will have Cinderella's castle in front of it... got to start getting those young males caught up in the Disney mindshare. Cause this is what that 4 billion is after... the young boy audience. Disney practically owns the girls, they've just never been able to pull in most of the opposite side of adolescence. This is the attempt to get those boys buying Disney products, seeing Disney films and visiting Disney theme parks.

Theme parks? Yes, eventually. Again, it's complicated, but there is opportunity here. Now, I know some Disney fans are groaning at the thought of Snow White posing for pictures with the Incredible Hulk. I too would find that situation unpalatable. I don't see Marvel characters in Disneyland because Fantasyland is the closest thing to being able to display them, and men in tights don't really work there. But they would work great at "Disney's Hollywood Studios," "Walt Disney Studios" or even "Disney's California Adventure." I mean, there are like at least two stages are dormant over in the Hollywood Back Lot area. When it becomes Hollywoodland in a couple year, who knows? Maybe the Muppets building that was to house a Narnia attraction will instead be filled with an Iron Man attraction? Or maybe Disney will hold off on that here in California and wait for those contracts to expire, because by then the Second Gate will be fixed (hopefully). A Third Gate could be in the planning. I know I've always thought a Disney Villain theme park (Dark Kingdom/Shadowlands) would be best, and my choice, but all these Marvel characters could be put into their own park over in the former strawberry field.

But this doesn't include the agreement Marvel has with Disney's only true theme park rival, Universal Studios. There are agreements with Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Japan that have to be addressed with this merger. Universal Studios Hollywood ended there relationship with Marvel a while ago, so there's no problem there. As for any other place overseas, Universal has no other agreements for Marvel characters. One interesting thing is Marvel was planning a theme park in Dubai that was to be part of Dubailand. Will the Mouse try and get out of this agreement or will they use this as Disney's first beachhead in the Middle East? Much to be sorted out over the next few years. But as for Universal's deal, the Spider-Man Ride will stay for a while, but Disney will stay on them to the letter and make it very difficult for USF to do anything beyond what they've already done. A decade from now, the wear and tear of all those guest and the advancement in technology may make the attraction appear as dated as Star Tours. That would buy Disney an out. Another option is a straight buy out. Perhaps Uni would be willing for the Mouse to pay for the cost of the ride? That might give them the incentive to take the technology already there and retheme it, simply taking away the Spider-Man theming and using Disney's buy out money to change the ride. I can tell you the first thing to go will be the walk-around characters. Maybe not this year, but slowly they'll be fazed out. The eateries and such in the Florida theme park will probably go next. Eventually, all that could be left five or six years from now would be Spidey ride and the Hulk attraction. And that one could easily be rethemed in a small amount of time. My guess would be a decade from now as the Web-Slinger ride slowly fades from the park, Disney will be announcing a fabulous new addition to Walt Disney World's DHS. But that's speculation for now. We've got a long time to speculate over this.

But no matter what, a decade from now the Super-Hero/Theme Park/Disney Pictures typography will have changed greatly, just not completely. The idea of buying a Jack Sparrow figure or a Spider-Man action figure will bring to mind an image of Mickey Mouse to kids being born today. You and I will remember a time when that didn't exist. Those kids will live in a time when all of that is not only possible, but actual. Now, if we can just get the Mouse to work on a strategy for owning all those Darth Vader and Indiana Jones action figures. Oh wait, most kids at the parks already view them as a part of Disney.

Now, if only Iger would complete the circle on that one and finish the job with one more merger...

The Last Dream...

Thirty-four years ago today Walt Disney Productions announces its plan to build the "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow aka: EPCOT... Walt's last dream.



It will not be exactly what he envisioned, but truthfully, even Walt wasn't completely sure of what it would be. He had several ideas, but it wasn't fleshed out completely or exactly what it was to be. This is why Imagineers had such a difficulty coming up with a workable design...





It will come to fruition sixteen years after his passing. The Mouse's commitment on completing his final wish reassures fans across the world that the magic of Disney(the company and the man) will go on.







Even after his life had ended...