New MiceAge Article 7/24

[Meyers]

"A couple comments - Al mentions that DCA's attendance is dropping daily and Disneyland's just treading water. Appears to be true, more or less."


Im sorry but since when is 12 million a year considered "just treading water"...Disneyland is in the top 3 parks in the nation.
DCAs attendance isnt too far off from Universal Studios Hollywood (the park AL seems to have nothing but great thigns to say about).im srory but I disagree with you,I think AL is very bias in his reportings...to have a opinion is one thing but to spin false truths is another story.

12 million is a good attendance figure (wouldn't Six Flags love to have just one park with even half that figure) and being the third top park in the country is commendable. Last year, DL's figure was 12.7, but I know the park has done 13 and even 14 million in one year. So, attendance is flat as Al points out. It is supposed to increase. With DCA right across the walkway, don't you think it would have boosted DL's attendance enticing more guests to visit DLR? It isn't happening.

I don't agree with everything Al says and as a writer myself, one should be cautious in making assumptions, predictions and verifying sources. Most of his comments seem to be qualified, not absolute. But I'm sure he can be off base, just like anyone else.

I sometimes wonder who his sources are and how he gets so much detailed information when Disney usually is tight-lipped most of the time, but maybe times have changed. I remember decades back, that if you talked with a CM at Disneyland about inside information, you seldom got anything more than a bland "company-approved" response or a polite brush off.

Meyers


DisneySky, Walt Disney World, 2010

[Darkbeer]

Let's see what Al said in this article...

Disneyland attendance is flat, DCA attendance is below last year at this time... while can't be proven, it matches what I have been told.

Coverage of the 48th BD Ceremony, matches up, and I was in attendance.

It's no secret to anyone that Tomorrowland just isn't quite what it used to be. Once the most popular area of Disneyland, with some of the most unique and quintessentially "Disney" attractions of the latter 20th century, it's obvious by looking at the place now that it's way past its prime. The New Tomorrowland of 1998 was an instant disappointment to most visitors, and it became a hallmark of the Paul Pressler era of lowered expectations.

By the summer of 2000 it was obvious to all that the makeover of that land was a colossal failure. The Rocket Rods had been shuttered permanently, the Cosmic Waves fountain was a bathing nightmare and was soon shut down and ultimately paved over and forgotten. And the attractions that remained, Star Tours, Honey I Shrunk the Audience (HISTA) and the NASA exhibit, were for the most part aging poorly and quickly losing interest amongst visitors. When Space Mountain was suddenly closed this past April 10th for a surprise two year long refurbishment, just one day before the busy two week Easter Vacation period began, it looked as though Tomorrowland couldn't get much worse. Basically all that's left is the fading paint.

Yes, it has a little spin on it, but it is pretty much factual.

EPCOT getting Soarin', the rumor has been around for quite awhile, and as mentioned earlier, sounds like it will happen. (And what a nice way for Disney to spin the ride, a gift from California and the DLR, this way they don't have to bother making a new film).

As for the Buzz Lightyear ride, each day it is not announced, the less chance it will happen. Of course, it was a rumor to start with, but many different sources said that TDA was looking into the fact (Just as many different sources confirmed that they were looking into reopening the Subs). Who knows, maybe we will get Buzz later.....not just for the 50th.

Innoventions, Al correctly talked about the sponsorship problems, as for the re-do, it is just a rumor, but an interesting one...

The Monorail system, we know that the new train purchase was not approved, for whatever reason, and the current fleet needs some serious work. As for what happens in August, all we have to do is sit and wait...I expect to see reduced trains in August, and you MIGHT see the Hotel Guests only policy, especially during busy times. (But Al said "considering", not that it will happen).

Space Mountain will more than likely not meet the original construction schedule, and will open late.... I think that is an safe bet, especially with the current track history for rehabs/retrofits.

And where is Jay? He isn't attending park functions. (But he has shown up at WDW events)

DCA cutbacks, for entertainment, the New Guide to the Magic has only 3 Aladdin shows on Monday and Tuesday, so that is proven, the Playhouse Disney show says "See attraction for show times", showing the intent of cutting back, and we have already had an Entertainment CM here at MouseInfo state that the shows are going to be cut back. Goofy's Beach Bash is canceled. The first set of cuts that have DCA closing earlier is already in the new guide, and Disney.com has the new Fri/Sat hours with DCA closing at 9 PM in mid-August.

So these cuts are 100% confirmed.

THe HISTA meeting, a rumor, but Al clearly shows that someone (a single person) reported the info, take it with a grain of salt.

A CM having his/her hours cut back, well, I personally know more than one that this has happen to...

Where is the Pirates Merchandise, hiding, or a boat coming from China???

I can confirm that the AT&T logos have been removed from Indy

Tokyo Disneyland Resort is doing well... Yes!

Positive comments about the Haunted Mansion movie, matches other comments made elsewhere.

Then a bunch of comments from Al's readers....

Anyway, there is a lot more in his article that can be confirmed that just the fact that Space Mountain will be closed for 2 years (or will it be 3?)

[Nemo88]

"EPCOT getting Soarin', the rumor has been around for quite awhile, and as mentioned earlier, sounds like it will happen. (And what a nice way for Disney to spin the ride, a gift from California and the DLR, this way they don't have to bother making a new film)."

so did Universal make SHrek 4D open simtaneously in CA and in FL so they wouldnt have to make 2 films? what about the Mummy ride? its going to be the same in both parks too.....why is it only a crime if DIsney makes clones?? please clue me in here.

[Nemo88]

"As for the Buzz Lightyear ride, each day it is not announced, the less chance it will happen. "

thats not nessesarily true...Disney has not made ANY plans for the 50th public yet,and if Buzz is going to be a part of the 50th celebration why would they announce Buzz before the rest of the stuff? I am not saying Buzz is going to happen,but just because Disney hasnt said anything doesnt mean a single thing...anything one way or the other is just specutlation right now

[Instidude]

...

Innoventions, Al correctly talked about the sponsorship problems, as for the re-do, it is just a rumor, but an interesting one...

The Monorail system, we know that the new train purchase was not approved, for whatever reason, and the current fleet needs some serious work. As for what happens in August, all we have to do is sit and wait...I expect to see reduced trains in August, and you MIGHT see the Hotel Guests only policy, especially during busy times. (But Al said "considering", not that it will happen)

Where is the Pirates Merchandise, hiding, or a boat coming from China???

I can confirm that the AT&T logos have been removed from Indy

Then a bunch of comments from Al's readers....

If we look at what was reported, and what was not mentioned in order to put the proper spin across...

Innoventions... sponsorship is down, but this is not just Disneyland. It's every place that uses corporate sponsorships. When company's earnings are down, you get less corporate sponsorship. AT&T has removed itself from all Disney resorts, and will no longer be the sole long distance carrier. HP is in Innoventions as part of the package it got when it bought Compaw and sponsored Mission:Space. But coporate sponsorship is reduced almost everywhere (unless you're a pharmaceutical company and want to stick a "Viagara" sign everywhere, but not very appropriate for a Disney park).

Now, the monorail... if you have only three in operations, can't get new one's and are using the 4th for spare parts, it only makes sense to reduce the wear and tear on the aging fleet you have. It's a simple preventive maintenance technique used everywhere in the world. It would be nice to have new, but if the money isn't there, I give the facilities guys credit for being creative in how they can keep the things running.

How about Pirates merchandise... a couple things here, first it is a PG-13 movie, so a bunch of toys don't make sense. You also have to remember that this is a movie "based" on the ride, but we didn't see a bunch of merchandise for "The Rock", "Armageddon", "Con Air" or any of the other Jerry Bruckheimer productions. Now I could say that Bruckheimer doesn't like merchandise associated with his movies, since he might feel that it "cheapens" the movie. That would be pure conjecture on my part.

Along with this, a few months ago, Disney publicly stated that they would not be hyping every new movie with oodles of merchandise. They would focus more on their DisneyChannel hits for merchandising (they were left with a lot of JB2 stuff and Piglet stuff after those). It makes sense to not put out merchandise for every movie you release.

So, I guess my point is that the article may contain some fact, but since there is a great deal of omission in order to meet a specific point of view, you have to take it for that. If it was a more well-rounded article, rather than the "Lookie how bad everything is" story, that at times seems like a made-for-TV movie "based on the facts", then it would be more credible.

Oh, and by the way Meyers, good to see you got your e-mail and questions answered in the article. I guess if I want mine put in, I need to be a little less colorful in some of my adjectives when I e-mail Al

[woody]

Al's recent article was the most depressing to me.

The state of Tomorrowland and especially the Monorail is truly a crime to Walt.

Also, describing how Japan handle their entertainment is quite telling of how the US parks have gone downhill.

Has the sky fallen? Seems like it already has.

[Michael]

As for the Buzz Lightyear ride, each day it is not announced, the less chance it will happen. Of course, it was a rumor to start with, but many different sources said that TDA was looking into the fact (Just as many different sources confirmed that they were looking into reopening the Subs). Who knows, maybe we will get Buzz later.....not just for the 50th.

That is not true. All of the decisions for the 50th are still not set in stone. Nor are all the projects are approved.

Space Mountain will more than likely not meet the original construction schedule, and will open late.... I think that is an safe bet, especially with the current track history for rehabs/retrofits.

The original closure was late August of this year. Demo work wasn't set to happen until September. Work was being perfomed inside the mountain until the demo process began. This includes testing new equipment for the attraction when it re-opens. So it wasn't setting dormant...and it is great for those Cast Members who were working inside mountain on certain days kept quiet what exactly what was going on...

Anyway, there is a lot more in his article that can be confirmed that just the fact that Space Mountain will be closed for 2 years (or will it be 3?)

Disney is not wanting to have Space Mountain closed one more day than it should. It is the 2nd most popular attraction in the park. Right now the re-opening of the attraction is set at April 2005. The track is being made as we speak...the supports are being made as we speak.

[dlport]

I find it so amusing that those posters who chide some folks as being naive or Pollyanna for believing what Disney tells us, then go and swallow everything that Al says hook, line, and sinker. They even go and post about how correct his assertions are! Such a double standard.

[club33az]

I find it so amusing that those posters who chide some folks as being naive or Pollyanna for believing what Disney tells us, then go and swallow everything that Al says hook, line, and sinker. They even go and post about how correct his assertions are! Such a double standard.

Amen to that too, brother.

As to my earlier messages, I really didn't mean to start an argument. I apologize to all who may have been offended.

ALSO, I emailed Al today after reading the article and asked him why he doesn't post any of the negative letters he gets. All he ever shows us are the "great website, Al" and "you are so right about everything you have ever said" letters. Just once, I'd love to see him post a letter saying, "you know what, Al? I went to Disneyland, had an awesome time, and I think you're a negative, biased man who couldn't get a job at Legoland even if you had the b***s to try for it. And you need a mommy very, very badly" (that last part was from the movie 'Hook' but it seemed appropriate here too).

Too negative? I don't mean to be, really.

[YellowMan]

And you need a mommy very, very badly" (that last part was from the movie 'Hook' but it seemed appropriate here too).

LOL!!! Quite possibly the funniest thing I have ever read on these boards. I find that especially funny because I quote Hook all the time and recognized that line before you said what it was from. Man, I'm still laughing.