Shanghai Disneyland Opening 2012

[arrowfanman]

Look...I was mostly against it, because it was my dream to work at WDI. I dont care what people say, and I dont care how hard it would be, thats what I wanted to do, ok.

 

And now that stories are coming out with major layoffs that will take place, and simply a few exectutives managing projects, and outsourcing the work out (...well...even MORE work out).. . . .and I just think that simply updating the latest Disneyland and "plopping" ( ) it wherever, contributes greatly to the fall of that portion of the company. That is what upsets me.

 

And I wish Walt hadn't died because I rather see the company go in that direction...not that there wouldn't be the clones...but rather I prefer that direction.

[Captain Jack]

About the "poverty" in China...did anyone ever consider how much a Disney Theme Park Resort helps to boost economy since it employs so many frickin' people...and they're not working for free...so obviously a country greatly benefits from these theme parks, which is why China seems to embrace the fact the Disney wants to build another one!

[danandjackie]

Disney are Disney ...Its as simple as that and thats why there unique.. You can walk in a Disney Park and get it without riding anything.[bring on flames]..

 

By the way is it just me who finds great comedy value in Poohs Honey Hunt..

 

[JT3000]

What do you get from simply walking into the park? The overbearing commercialism?

[Jose Eber]

I think there are pros and cons to this decision.

 

Its not all good. Its not the end of the world.

[moinab]

And I have to question the decision to build a giant playground on a key plot of land when it's been over a decade since the park got a major attraction.

 

As the parent of two small, WDW-loving children, I am thrilled with the decision to build a giant playground at MK. There is a desperate need for it. The Boneyard at AK and HISTK playground at DS are godsends for families. Children love them, and they provide a great break in the day for parents. It may not be a thrill ride, but it is a major attraction for families with young children.

 

Maureen "Epcot needs one, too" O'Donnell

[Erik Johnson]

For you information. The Pooh playground is going to be opening the first week of September. Boy that was fast.

Edited August 28, 2005 by Erik Johnson

[JT3000]

I'm sure little kids will enjoy it, but it doesn't exactly fit Walt's idea for attractions that the entire family can enjoy equally. But then again, does Disney build anything like that these days? And, even if you view a new playground at MK as a necessity, it's still obvious it's just a space filler because they couldn't think of something more original.

[robbalvey]

^ Tom Saywer's Island was Walt's idea and all these "playground" areas of parks are pretty much off shoots of that.

 

For the record, if an adult wants to go play around in most of those areas, they can. I have been through the Honey I Shrunk Whatever and the California Adventure one with my kids several times.

 

Most adults just "choose" not to.

 

These areas are totally in line with the stuff Walt used to build!

 

And as far as rides the entire family can enjoy? What is Splash Mountain, Test Track, Expedition Everest, Journey To The Center Of The Earth, Lights Motors Action Stunt Show, and even Tower of Terror with it's only 40" height restriction!

 

I don't see how things now are THAT much different from when Walt installed Matterhorn, Pirates, etc.

 

--Robb

[SharkTums]

I think this is great. A little Disney magic throughout the world won't hurt anyone. In fact I'm kind of bummed that the DisneyQuest thing never worked anywhere but Orlando.

[disneyfan1313]

^ What do you feel MK is failing at?

 

--Robb

 

General upkeep. The park in general seems to keep getting dirtier. They aren't taking as good care of it as they used to. Even the trash cans are overflowing, where before they would not. There are a number of attractions in desperate need of a refurb. And I have to question the decision to build a giant playground on a key plot of land when it's been over a decade since the park got a major attraction.

 

I personally feel recent expansion is just a little much for something that's supposed to be as unique as the Disney experience. It's true that it's been 50 years since the first Disney park open, but that's hardly relevant considering how many of the parks have been built in the last 15 years alone. Of course, we'll never know what actions Walt would have taken once WDW was completed. He may have made it into a rapidly spreading chain himself.

 

Hmm.. I disagree with you here. The parks are no more dirtier now than when I started going to WDW in the late 80's. If anything upkeep is more consistent and timely than it was 10 years ago and things are planned and cycled so nothing gets too out of date. Yes a playground was built on the former 20k site - the que of the former 20k site! The entire back area is still there and undeveloped waiting for a future expansion. The playground takes up a very small area and is needed.

[rosscoe]

And I agree with Rosscoe. We are spoiled because we have TWO of the biggest Disney resorts within a few hours plane ride of each other. But try living in an area where it will costs you years of savings to get to those destinations.

 

 

Last time i went to the states, it cost me over $6,000 USD, for a 3 week holiday..God what i would give to live a few hours away ( or next door ).

There was talk of "Disney" building a smaller day type park here ( Melbourne, Sydney or Gold Coast )

We can only dream...Hell i would even take Six Flags.!!

[disneyfan1313]

China News Daily I guess has made it official?

 

Click For Article

 

Just as a side note - it is not official of course until the company announces it which they have not and probably will not for a very long time (if ever!). I would imagine there is still LOTS of negotiation going on much of which is going to be determined by the success of HKDL.

[disneyfan1313]

I think this is great. A little Disney magic throughout the world won't hurt anyone. In fact I'm kind of bummed that the DisneyQuest thing never worked anywhere but Orlando.

 

Amen! It is especially sad when you know some of the additions that were planned for the chain .. ( remind me to tell you in october if you are interested!)

[Jose Eber]

 

Just as a side note - it is not official of course until the company announces it . . .

 

 

Right, well - - - several major national respected news papers are good enough for me thanks.

 

Barring catastrophic failure in Hong Kong, the project is going ahead (WDI is already involved).

 

Competition like Universal in the area also is a major factor.

[Jew]

WDI has been invovled with 5000000000000000000000000000 things that have never seen the light of day (Disney Seas @ Long Beach as just one example of a whole park that was shelved...)

[disneyfan1313]

 

Just as a side note - it is not official of course until the company announces it . . .

 

 

Right, well - - - several major national respected news papers are good enough for me thanks.

 

Barring catastrophic failure in Hong Kong, the project is going ahead (WDI is already involved).

 

Competition like Universal in the area also is a major factor.

 

Universal decided in July not to build a park there. http://www.amusementbusiness.com/amusementbusiness/industrynews/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000988254

[socalMAN123]

I think this is a good idea. After HKDL opens, the Chinese will have another Disney park that they can look forward to. With over a billion people in China, I think they deserve another Disney, as we here in the US have six parks from the Disney company.

---Brent 8)

[Jose Eber]

 

Universal decided in July not to build a park there. http://www.amusementbusiness.com/amusementbusiness/industrynews/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000988254

 

But its not a press release, so its not official

 

http://corpinfo.universalstudios.com/presskit.asp?kit=7&sheet=15

 

lol.

[robbalvey]

 

Just as a side note - it is not official of course until the company announces it . . .

 

 

Right, well - - - several major national respected news papers are good enough for me thanks.

 

Barring catastrophic failure in Hong Kong, the project is going ahead (WDI is already involved).

 

Competition like Universal in the area also is a major factor.

Carefull who you roll your eyes at. There are members of this board that really DO know what they are talking about, regardless of your "opinions"

 

--Robb "It's never nice to annoy people when you don't know who they are!" Alvey

[Justin]

Who is Disney hurting by purchasing land from the Chinese Gov't and building a wonderful theme park?

 

Nobody!

 

Clones involved or not, it seems some people on this thread are forgetting that not everybody can afford to fly across the globe to visit an American park. That is why WDW Co. built numerous parks on the other side of the lake..

[Erik Johnson]

^^ Exactly! Plus now we will be able to get Mickey Mouse Ice Cream bars made with red bean! Mcdonald's actually has red bean shakes while I was living in Taiwan. No I did not try one.

[Jose Eber]

Carefull who you roll your eyes at. There are members of this board that really DO know what they are talking about, regardless of your "opinions"

 

Things don't have to be perfect to warrant discussion or consideration.

 

I can count on at least three attractions over the last year that have had serious development and visible construction before a press release by Disney.

 

Its thoughtless to believe press releases makes things magically official. Its just as thoughtless to believe a press article makes it official either. Hence my question mark.

 

That comment about people on these boards knowing what they talk about goes both ways. My contacts are disney corporate who teach at Rosen College of Hospitality and friends who work within Disney corporate.

 

J.

[robbalvey]

^ I'm just saying don't immediatly discount someone's information as wrong or misguided just because you don't know who they are, or know what they know. There's no 'right or wrong' when it comes to deals that hasn't even been officially inked. Everything is speculation. Hell, I've worked on projects that were a go for 18 months, announced officially, reviewed in magazines, and then crap-canned 2 months before release!

 

--Robb "Keep an open mind, that's all I'm asking!" Alvey

[Jew]

^^So which one is it? Is it not official because you had a question mark, or is it official and not yet announced as you later stated?