Will Disney keep up its reputation for the next 50 years? - Page 2

Aaron · #16 11-16-2005, 11:08 PM

Park wise, I think Disney is going to maintain its reputation. The theme parks have, overall, only gotten better since 1955 and I see no reason to suspect they're going down. With Disney's aggressive growth plan in the Far East, I think the company's parks will be around a while.
In terms of the movies, I think they'll stick around too. I am pretty peeved at Disney for giving up on cel animation when the problem wasn't the animation technique, but the stories. However, the film business is a little more difficult to predict, but I don't see any reason why Disney won't be around in another 50 years. Yes, Disney's golden age of cel animation is gone, but who knows, they might foster the golden age of CG animation. It's hard to tell.

Sir Willow · #17 11-17-2005, 07:19 AM

[QUOTE=CoasterJunkie]Disneyland is seeing record-breaking attendance right now. Even now (off-season) they're having to close the park because they're at capacity.
[/QUOTE]

Thank you for pointing that out. I'm trying to figure out where those that said they're having decling attendance are getting that info from when they've been setting records on attendance all accross the board. Even DCA, contrary to what that aged mice guys says, has been having higher attendance (and what other park wouldn't kill for DCA's attendance numbers anyways?)

Sure, some if it might be marketing hype, but that's exactly what the marketing is for. And under Matt Ouimet (sorry, don't remember how to spell his name) Disneyland is being brought back to it's former glory- and very nicely I might add. Add in the other attractions...

Over the long run, yes Disney is going to continue to do well with it's parks. And to set the standards that all other parks are compared to- just as they are now.

Dukeis#1 · #18 11-17-2005, 04:22 PM

[QUOTE=Aaron]Park wise, I think Disney is going to maintain its reputation. The theme parks have, overall, only gotten better since 1955 and I see no reason to suspect they're going down.[/QUOTE]

Kind of interesting, I've been visiting WDW for nearly 20 years, I'd say that the place has gone down hill over time.

Sure, it's 10X larger, but IMO customer service is no where near as good as it use to be, and that goes for the general upkeep of the parks as well. It's still steps above the average theme park though...

The last new Disney rides that truly felt like Disney rides (with the "Disney magic" or whatever you want to call it) for me were Splash Mountain and the Tower of Terror. Not that Test Track, Rockin' Roller Coaster, Mission Space, etc aren't great, but they just seem to lack the spirit that the older rides have.

I feel that Universal has what Disney lost around 10 years ago as far as new attractions go.

Anyway, like I said earlier, I'm sure Disney will remain king in the world of theme parks indefinitely.

Montu Man · #19 11-20-2005, 11:32 AM

It was reported a few days ago in the Orlando Sentinel that profits are down 24%. I don't remember if it was for this whole year, or quarter.

CoasterJunkie · #20 11-20-2005, 11:57 AM

Dukeis#1, I agree with you on the trend WDW is seeing right now. They're still operating under the "make money NOW" philosophy. It's especially noticable in how much space is now dedicated to merchandise, which is generaly going up.

DisneyLAND, on the other hand, is doing the opposite right now. They're spending like crazy to get the park looking great, to bring in a new parade and fireworks show, to make the parks look brand new, to bring in new rides and to bring back rides (Submarine Voyage for sure, Peoplemover is rumored to be next) that were closed because, "they cost too much to run." Disneyland has also taken space AWAY from merchandise, as with their new Buzz Lightyear Astro-Blasters attraction.

Disneyland is also making comebacks in the Guest Service area too. They're throwing out the lack of rules, regulations, and lack of enforcement from the last 10 years, and now they're hurting because what CM's used to be able to get away with, now get them fired. In the last few months, Disneyland has terminated a ton of CM's (not sure of exact numbers). Unfortunatly, they can't attract people to fill those spots because the potential CM's could make more money working at a fast food joint, than at Disneyland.

Sir Willow, you did spell his name right! :) And yes, DCA isn't as bad off as a lot of people say, but they're definetly NOT in a good position, especially in Disney-terms. You know a park is not doing well when the largest crowd that park has ever seen was the line for it's sister park.

On July 17, 2005 (Disneyland's 50th birthday), DCA saw 20,000 people in it's gates, the largest crowd EVER for DCA. Unfortunatly, that was at 6:00am, before DCA opened, and was the line to get into Disneyland for the 50th birthday. If DCA wasn't a Disney park, then it would be looking like it's doing a lot better. However, as theis thread shows, DIsney parks are held to a higher standard, which DCA does not meet currently meet. I have no doubt that, under the current management at the Disneyland Resort, that DCA could be brought up to those Disney-standards.

sfmmLOVER · #21 11-20-2005, 08:54 PM

T think Disney is slowly drifting away from Walt Disney's original idea of fantasy and fun for everyone.

**Ryan F** · #22 11-20-2005, 09:52 PM

[QUOTE=sfmmLOVER]T think Disney is slowly drifting away from Walt Disney's original idea of fantasy and fun for everyone.[/QUOTE]
Um, how so?
All of the Disney parks still put you into a fantasy type of world when you're there just by the whole atmosphere around. And last time I checked parents still take their younge ones there and on the rides, so it looks like it's still fun for everyone.
I dont Dinsey ever putting in huge extreme rides, they've been doind just fine without them.

CoasterJunkie · #23 11-20-2005, 10:07 PM

Walt also said the parks would never be finished and constantly changing. Yeah there are more thrill rides which split up families, but at the same time, the families don't have to goto four different places for 4 different family members.

Let's also remember that Walt didn't just want someplace for familys to have fun together. He also wanted a safe, clean atmosphere and a competent and courteous staff, which was missing at the time. Disney still excels in those areas, but has declined some, and is now starting to come back in those areas.