Rumors, Facts, and Lies....Al 5/9/06

[jbradway]

Good news about PP. I hope it turns out nice. I don't know if I would agree that the entrance placemaking would not have any impact on attendance. Isn't that similar to the argument that painting and upkeep don't impact attendance either? IMO the placemaking upgrades were just the high end of what it takes to keep a park attractive and fresh looking.

[jonvn]

HA....guessed rigiht.

[Nemo88]

Wow have things changed since the last update! I dont mind these changes,I think Paradise Pier needs some placemaking much more than the Entry,so this is a good move in my opinion.

It just goes to show some people that the delays were not to "get it right",the delays were WDI/TDA trying to figure out if redoing the entry was "worth it".Which is what I have always figured.

[Jay]

Thanks Marcie for the info.

I do think that if there is one Placemaking project left in Disney's budget, then it should go towards this area. Sadly, other than 'looking great at night,' PP is a concrete and stucco bit of blandness.

Furthermore, I rather see Disney spend their money on pushing out into the Timon parking lot and expand the park. And I hope they can do this without feeling the need for Placemaking at the same time. Marcie, has WDI dreamed up any good concepts for expanding into that area? And might any of them see the light of day, say within the next 5 years?

[Jay]

It just goes to show some people that the delays were not to "get it right",the delays were WDI/TDA trying to figure out if redoping the entry was "worth it".Which is what I have always figured.

"Redoping!?" Just what do you think they were up to?

[sweeper]

Thanks Marcie! This is the first sign that someone is actually thinking about real fixes for DCA to me. The entry is nothing great, but it is certainly not driving away business. I figured the paint at Ariel's Grotto was a hint at the time period they were thinking about. That's why I PhotoShopped the Hotel Del into the area for fun. There are some Victorian elements in the area already, just very played down and minimal.

So is Route 66 included in the Pier Place Making Project? Or is this just the area from Ariel's to Maliboomer?

AND is there any truth to the monorail being reconfigured with a stop in Paradise Pier?

[jonvn]

Are there any pictures of Ariel's Grotto around?

[KNRG]

Marcie,

Any chance of changes effecting the Living Seas version of the ride? It's set to open by the end of the year as far as we know... Might "Fall" become Winter?

[ismael flores]

It would be nteresting to see test rack's layout but all of Epcots future world attractions have elaborately large buildings that could easily be made smaller. remember Test Track has a whole show room dedicated to displaying GM cars. The show rooms are also overly large to accomodate the look of a factory test site. "Cars" building could be easily modified for this technology and DCA has a large backstage area behind TOT and Hyperion that could have an elavated track if needed.


Anyone know how much space Testracks showroom takes up?

[ismael flores]

These changes make sense. Like somebody had mentioned. The PLacemaking projects can easily be added to the additions of new attractions. Then the money being spent would be justified. At the same time it would be easoer to face the media's criticism of why the changes are being done. If the entry had been done first then the media would be all over it saying that Disney was trying to fix a troubled park. If the changes rae done with the addition of a new attraction than the changes would be concieved as part of the expansion.

Hopefully the entrance does get some enhancements. Not that it really needs it but once the HPB, the Pier, route 66 and maybe the additions to warf are done the entrance might look too out of place with its flat Sun structure.


Now lets hope that since the placemaking for the entrance has been pushed, that they at least repaint the fountain for the sun. It looks horrible and maybe they could keep the water running. I have seen it turned off more than being on lately.