Marcie: Disneyland's Golden Anniversary

[woody]

“Okay, I’m done griping about that one.”

Why is okay for you to gripe and not me? Of course, you’re legit.

“For one thing it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever to open a major E-ticket attraction in the same year of the 50th Anniversary.”

This has no logic except to Disney. A celebration could be the combination of an anniversary and a new attraction. It increases the perceived value of the park with a new attraction and a celebration as a bonus. Also, a celebration marks a milestone or accomplishment. What better way to mark a milestone than a new attraction. Maybe that’s why some people feel WDW’s 100 Years of Magic is a bit of a dud.

“Bottomline, I’m disappointed about some of the plans being dropped, but I’m excited about the new parade and fireworks show. And I’m confident that Marketing will come up with other little mini-events and “gimmicks” they will create to tie-in with the golden anniversary. Regardless, if the celebration doesn’t feel special enough and grand enough Disney faces a backlash from its loyal base that could be damaging for years to come.”

It’s as if Disney doesn’t perceive any backlash from their handling of DCA and the complete meltdown of the New Tomorrowland. Why doesn’t Disney get the clue? But you seem to care, which is a change for the better.

I think the 50th Anniversary is a bust. You don’t plan a vacation around a fireworks show and a parade although I’m sure some will. Maybe the residual effect of DCA’s Aladdin, FFF, and Tower of Terror will drive the crowds to visit. That’s the only reasonable logical conclusion.

“a possible golden painted Sleeping Beauty Castle”

This won’t photograph well in the bright daytime sun. I hope it gets canned.

“The plans for CircleVision for the 50th Anniversary have still not been confirmed at this time, but one popular idea that is gaining steam is an interactive exhibit similar to the One Man’s Dreams: Walt’s 100 Years of Magic that is about to close at the Disney/MGM Studios in Florida.”

This is disappointing… another exhibit for the New Tomorrowland like I need a third arm to press those Las Vegas style view screens. Forgettabout it. This decision (if made) is clearly to save costs, not increase guest enjoyment. On the other hand, this display would work much better in DCA’s Animation building where One Man’s Dream is playing. DCA is starved for things to do, so this is a solution.

From this latest update (thanks Marcie), I look forward to… E-Tickets in 2006 (DL) and 2008 (DCA). Better late than never. My only hope is those are “quality” E-Tickets that won’t get the Rocket Rods treatment of here today and gone tomorrow.

On the possible launch system for Stitch Mountain, won’t the cars travel faster? Currently, the cars travel at the steady 25 mph. I would think a launch system usually propels the cars much faster. I hope the special effects and sound track will be better and more reliable.

On cutting DCA’s parades, I agree this is a bad idea.

[Santa Monica]

Sigh... This anniversary celebration sounds like a major dud.

I'd rather have the old classic space mountain than the lame idea of Stitch Mountain. I can't believe they'd consider throwing stitch into Space Mountain when it already holds strong without him. Just update the show effects inside and change the queue and load station. NO STITCH PLEASE.

I am eager to see a new parade...anything is better than parade of the stars.

I hope the new fireworks show is being done by Davison.

The new E-tickets sound tempting. Finally, something new and original...hopefully.

There is a feeling that the duplicating of existing attractions needs to come to a stop for now.

Gee you think? Them TDA suits are smart little critters.

[hippie1kenobi]

Well, I guess its better for people to be disapointed now rather than closer to July 05. If it is leaked out now that not much is really going to happen, maybe the bad press/backlash will die down a bit by the anniversary.

Anyway, I think it is odd to say that Cyntia Harris is to blame for unfair expectations. We have heard the "Don't worry; it'll be great!" line from a few people over the past year or so. In fact, wasn't it Marcie who informed us of plans for a new monorail fleet and the golden castle, Of those two plans, one is apparently scrapped and the other seems to be just another idea being kicked around. And this was in an update where it was hinted that these were just the ideas that were close to approval, that there was much more on the way.

As for the two new E-tix in '06 and '08; I'll believe it when I see it. It just sounds like PR to me: "Don't worry, we are back on track. Come spend your $ with us for the 50th, but BTW, there will be nothing new until afterwards. But we ARE getting back on track"

Sorry to sound so cynical. I have had a lot of optimism for Disney over the years, and I've been giving them the benafit of the doublt lately, but frankly, these plans (or lack there of) stink.

[Instidude]

I was planning on taking a trip to the DLR to see the 50th, but after reading this, I guess I'll just visit WDW again, instead. So much for trying to draw me out west with the resort destination.

[TP2000]

I'm stunned. I would have thought that Marcie would be able to make the cutback plans for the 50th still sound exciting and over-the-top. But even Marcie seems to have turned off her trademark spin for this news (No offense Marcie, I couldn't think of another way to say that without using the word "spin").

What this boils down to for the 50th is:

-One new Parade
-A revamped Believe fireworks show
-A gold Castle
-Lots of gold decorations on lamp posts and lots of opportunities to buy knick-knacks from the Disneyland Merchandise Special Events department.

That's it?! No, I'm serious.. that's it? Is this a joke?

For one thing, Disneyland has needed a new parade since about 8 months after the Parade Of The Stars debuted in February, 2000. That is one turkey of a parade, just sort of boring and predictable, and I can't believe it will actually be running for at least another year! To replace it finally, and consider it's demise and thankful replacement as part of the 50th "celebration" is just pathetic.

The fireworks we have now are great. I assume the new fireworks for the 50th will be great too, but Believe already raised the bar very high for fireworks shows when it debuted in early 2000. Redoing the fireworks won't do much for the marketing I don't think as Disneyland is already known for excellent fireworks shows that are now performed year round and even nightly at Christmastime.

The retracking and inclusion of Space Mountain is a wash. That attraction has reached the end of it's normal operating life after 25 years of daily operation, and it obviously needs a big overhaul. Just because that maintenance problem cropped up near the 50th Anniversary timetable does not mean it gets to be included as part of the "big celebration". Adding Stitch scenes next to the track and in the station is just a natural evolution for the ride; kind of like when they added the Abominable Snowman to the Matterhorn during it's similar major overhaul in 1978. It's just a freshening and major overhaul on an aging roller coaster that needs it desperately.

When I look at this list of semi-official 50th offerings again, I'm struck by the fact that this is the exact same lineup that we got for the 45th. And remember how everyone kind of panned the 45th events, with the exception of Believe? Again, I'm just stunned that they are just redoing the 45th Anniversary offerings for the 50th. There has to be something else, doesn't there?!

Thank you Marcie for getting the word out there on this! You were one of the personalities who was getting the bigger plans for the 50th out there in 2002 (new monorails, BIG entertainment plans, really amazing new stuff, etc.), so it's good that you are continuing with the info as these plans get scaled back heavily. I will be interested to hear what Jim Disney (WDI's plans to revamp 5 E Tickets), Al Lutz and Jim Hill have to say about what they hear about the reduction in budget and scope for Disneyland's Golden Anniversary.

[refurbmike]

hippie1kenobi: I agree about who to blame for all the false hype.

I think a lot of the responsibility of the false hopes does lie upon those "sources" who leaked ideas as basically prophecy. I believe Jim Hill started the trend by announcing the "Big 5" refurbs on DCACentral. Then, Marcie added fuel to the fire with announcements of a new monorail fleet, a new CircleVision production, and other happenings. However, atleast Marcie has corrected herself by producing updates to these ideas - although, that doesn't excuse our disappointment.

And woody: I completely agree with your stance on a new e-ticket. The thinking for TDA right now is centered around getting people into the park and spending money. They'll use merely the fact that they've been open for 50 years as their sole excuse for making themselves big. Then, once that excitement dies down, they'll regenerate it with the announcement of a new E.

It's sad to think that they would use such a gigantic landmark for the company as yet another marketing ploy.

[Jennifer]

I think Disney would continue on with the monorail fleet if they could....

[TP2000]

What do you mean Jennifer?

[jafar]

Very sad news, indeed. All of these improvements should have been made in preparation for the 50th- they should not be the headliners. As far as the viewpoint that combining an E-Ticket with an anniversary is a waste- I guess this could make sense. However, look at Indiana Jones and the "40 years of adventure" campaign. One of the biggest attendance boosters in park history! There were two things, in my opinion, that they could have built upon for the anniversary: anticipation for a new attraction, or nostalgia for resurrected ones. Instead, we're getting maintenance on an aging roller coaster, fireworks we don't need (but will gladly accept!), and a parade that should have been added long ago! Not the best way to celebrate the park's many years of tradition, innovation, and magic.

[Bri-mo_Pitapan]

I think that what were getting is better than nothing. Sure, we were going to get more, but at least we are getting something. Not getting 5 huge ride clousures for a year isn't the end of the world, and neither is waiting an extra 12 months for an ALL NEW e tix. (this aspect sounds awesome, BTW). I think that if we go into this anniversary with an open mind, then it will eb better than we think now. I'm excited, and I think that if we like disneyland so much, then why are we bagging on them 24/7. They screw up, so what? Usually they pull through, and in the public's eyesd, it's the most amazing thing ever since sliced bread! So in the imortal words of Bobby McFerron, "Dont worry, be happy". Besides we have plenty of time before the 50th, maybe they'll change their mind about the stich thing.