New Attractions

[DisneyGeek]

What is the latest word on new attractions coming to DLR or WDW? Anyone heard if the economy is delaying or canceling any projects?

I'm particularly interested in:

Anything @ WDW

and

DCA's new Cars Land and wondering if it might be open in mid. Oct. 2010 when I am hoping to stay @ VGC for my BD...

[ghost1000]

I've seen both 2011 and 2012 for Carsland, most likely 2012. So it won't be open in 2010. Sorry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cars_Land

We got to see the layout of Carsland in Imagineering on the ABD Backstage Magic Tour, but no pictures were allowed.

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

Tomorrowland may be getting a new Turkey Leg Stand.

[DisneyGeek]

I've seen both 2011 and 2012 for Carsland, most likely 2012. So it won't be open in 2010. Sorry.

I didn't think it would be yet but I was trying to be optimistic. I couldn't remember what the projections were... As long as their Space Mountain and the Matterhorn are open I'll be a happy Geek. I'll probably go again in 2013; either Feb. or right after Thanksgiving. Hopefully it will be open then!

[TimK]

I don't think there have been any indications that the DCA plans will be delayed. I guess anything could happen but quite a few projects are already under-way or have seemingly reached the point of no return.

The WDW queue is pretty empty right now but, despite the economy, some rumor mills have been active lately. Atop the list is a Monster's Inc, family-friendly coaster for Hollywood Studios. It would go into the building between Toy Story Mania and the Backlot Tour. This one is all but a certainty--it's more a question of "when" than "if."

And Space Mountain is set for the 8-9 month refurb later this year.

Beyond that things are looking hazy. Lots of rumors keep popping up but we need to wait and see.

I don't know how Disney's cash flows are looking but what's really hurting now is their P&L. It seems to me that they should be able to use some creative bookkeeping to keep under-construction attractions from hitting the books a couple years before they open. So really the time to start building is now. Cheap labor, cheap materials and they better position themselves to reap the rewards when people are traveling in greater numbers a couple years down the road (we hope!)

[Niki]

I heard they were thinking of cutting down the park hour or days per week open. If, big if, that is true, how are they building anything?
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[DisneyGeek]

I heard they were thinking of cutting down the park hour or days per week open.

I sure hope that is NOT going to happen! I would be, well, upset is putting it far too mildly!!!

[TimK]

I believe park hours have already been cut. If you can find hours from Feb and March 2008, it wouldn't surprise me to find that each of the parks is closing an hour or two earlier than last year.

As for closing a park, there was some talk a couple months back but it didn't seem to be more than idle chatter. I think when Disney is faced with challenges like this every few years, they have to consider MANY options. But they also dismiss many options quite quickly.

I'm probably not in the majority but I don't think rotating park closures would be the worst thing in the world. My problem with Disney's current approach to these financial downturns is that they keep chipping away at the product from every angle. Parks close early. Fantasmic doesn't show as often. Rides run with fewer operators. Live performers are let-go. Buses don't run as often. There are probably reduction in maintenance staff and expenditures. Meanwhile we all continue to pay the same ticket prices and have less to show for it.

I often wonder if we wouldn't be better off with three fully-functional parks rather than 4 parks running at a fraction of their true capacity.

It probably will never happen, though. Disney could never afford to close the Magic Kingdom and even Epcot would be a stretch. That leaves DHS and DAK. And closing each of those for one or two days per week would be admitting that they are sub-standard parks. Oh, and it's pretty difficult to market the likes of Toy Story Mania, American Idol, Everest and the Nemo stage show when the park hosting the attraction is closed for the day.

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

If WDW did close a park-a-day, would the competition follow suit or would they seize upon the opportunity to advertise "open seven days a week" ? They may look at it as an opportunity to gain customers from WDW guests unwilling to spend a day at a park that is artificially crowded due to a closure.

Personally, I think they'll continue to chip away.

[ghost1000]

I heard (a rumor) that the Little Mermaid ride, originally slated for the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, was put on hold. But I don't know if it's because of the economy, or whether they just decided not to build it. It was supposed to be similar to the ride that Disney is building at DCA.