Monday in the Parks - Let's Get Political, and look at LOTS of Photos
Monday, November 10th, 2008.
Well, lots to get to, plenty of stuff to see in photos, and then in the "political" arena.
First off, I should address the Political ads that showed up last week here at MiceAge/MiceChat. The ads are part of Google Ads, and as of last week, there was not an option to prevent political ads. Of course, all ads that show up here are not "endorsements", same as a newspaper.
I hope that Google will add an option to prevent Political ads, but I am also supporter of Free Speech, if you want to ban ads, then it should be ALL ads, both For and Against.
To all that were offended (on BOTH sides) I apologize.
We are going to talk politics today, but they are strictly Theme Park Related, and I kindly request that your comments (which I read and appreciate!) stay focused on what I wrote, and not politics in general. Thanks In Advance.
How Much will your next visit to Disneyland Cost?
While this has been proposed in California in the last year, it has once again been mentioned this week. And that is charging sales tax on Theme/Amusement Park tickets.
First off, a bit of history, California has had a policy of only changing sales tax on Goods (with some exceptions for groceries) but not services.
A current Auto repair bill in California will have the bill split into Parts and Labor. Sales Tax is charged on the parts, but labor is tax free.
"Amusements" such as Theme Parks and Sporting events have been tax free, since it is "Labor". It is amazing that the State wants to charge sales tax in the current economy, along with things like Veterinarian services....
Here is the basic proposal...
Special Session 2008: Unprecedented Decisions in an Extraordinary Situation - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Effective March 1, 2009, the sales and use tax rate will be applied to amusement parks and sporting events. This is expected to generate additional General Fund sales tax revenue of $357 million in 2008-09.
I am not a fan of tax increases in general, but increasing Disneyland tickets by about 10% (part of the State proposal is to add an additional 1.5% to the sales tax) will not help bringing in guests to the theme parks.
Anaheim City Council to remain "As Is"
Two seats of the Anaheim City Council were up for re-election, and both current council-members were voted back into office, Harry Sidhu and Lorri Galloway.
So things will remain the same for the next two years. Alas, a lot of things that will be proposed for the Anaheim Resort will end in a tie, as you have two pro business members, two pro union members, and one council-member owning a store at Anaheim GardenWalk, which prevents her from voting, which doesn't help the Walt Disney Company.
PROTEST, maybe the USH employees should protest.
Universal Studios Hollywood will be open on both Thanksgiving and Christmas for the first time this year. For Decades, Disneyland (and as of 2001, DCA) have been the only park open and it has been a very popular day.
Knott's Berry Farm will be open this Thanksgiving (one of the busiest day of the year for them), but will be closed for Christmas.
Decisions, what day is truly "Opening Day" at Disneyland, and who was the first "Miss Disneyland"?
Had a chance to do some research at the Anaheim Central Library and the Museo this week. (And a big thanks to all the staff that helped me). Lots of amazing stuff, a small portion I have online here...
Darkbeer : photos : Disneyland Historical Documents/Photos - 1955 thru 1970 (11/6/08)- powered by SmugMug
Did you know that before there was "Cast Members", employees were called "Disneylanders"!
In the first 5 years, Adults outnumbered children by nearly a 4 to 1 ratio based on a 1960 article.
And yes, there are TWO days to celebrate, July 17th is "Dedication Day", and July 18th is "Opening Day". I am still trying to find out the real reason for the company making the change, July of 1967 still had opening day as July 18th, and in 1970, it got moved to the 17th, but there was also other mistakes, including a major mistake on the photo dealing with the first two children entering the park on July 18th.
The Walt Disney Company comments from the Fiscal Year End results...
Some interesting commnts from the Fiscal Year End results for the Wal Disney Company last Thursday...
Walt Disney F4Q08 (Qtr End 9/27/08) Earnings Call Transcript - Seeking Alpha
At parks and resorts, higher guest spending in our domestic parks and Disneyland Resort Paris were the primary drivers of revenue growth in Q4. Operating income, however, was impacted by higher expenses at Walt Disney World and a two-and-a-half week dry-docking of the Disney Magic Cruise Ship that is part of the ship’s routine maintenance schedule.
In the fourth quarter, combined attendance at our domestic parks came in slightly above last year’s Q4, despite the softening economy, with a modest increase at Walt Disney World offsetting a slight decline at Disneyland.
For the fiscal year as a whole, we delivered record domestic theme park attendance and Disneyland Resort Paris set a new attendance record as well. In Q4, higher average ticket pricing at our domestic parks helped drive a 4% increase in guest spending. Walt Disney World occupancy was 89%, off just one percentage point versus the prior year, while Disneyland’s occupancy came in four percentage points lower than last year at a still solid 87%.
At the same time, we saw continued strength in per room spending at our domestic resorts, with an increase of 5% for the quarter. Disneyland Resort Paris has performed well all year and reported higher revenue and operating income in Q4, reflecting higher ticket pricing and strong per room spending. Results also benefited from favourable currency rates.
Jason Bazinet - Citigroup
Thanks so much. Now that we are sort of in the midst of this economic downdraft, I am sort of more curious about the potential turnaround and given the investments that you have made over the past three years, I’m thinking California Adventure, the videogame investments and the two new cruise ships, can you just remind us sort of in broad terms how you sort of imagine those coming online and helping the top line? Thanks.
Thomas O. Staggs
Well, we haven’t given guidance or projections on what they would exactly do to the top line. The California Adventure, we are beginning the process of that construction. We actually -- the first piece of it has come online in Midway Mania, the Toy Story attraction that’s there at California Adventure, but there is more to do and through 2010, 2011, 2012, and I think that having an evolving entertainment offering there should actually do a couple of things. One, I think it can drive the overall top line of the Disneyland resort. Number two, I think it could provide for the potential increase in length of stay as California Adventure becomes a bigger, more important piece of the vacation experience down there at Disneyland.
With regard to the cruise business, we have said in the past that we enjoy sort of a mid-teens return on invested capital in cruise and that we anticipated having a similar sort of return for the business after the two new cruise ships come online. That doesn’t happen for a few years but the increase in the top line will be commensurate with that, so we are looking forward to that down the road.
Robert A. Iger
I was at Disneyland and California Adventure on Sunday, in the middle of this tough economy on a day that started with rain in Southern California and there were 50,000 people at Disneyland and California Adventure combined for the day, which is -- I know that doesn’t help because you don’t have much perspective but that’s a pretty strong showing.
And one of the things that was clear is that at California Adventure, where we’ve got good attractions, a new one, Toy Story Mania, for instance, there’s real appeal and real demand. We have an opportunity there because of the size of that property to infuse it with stronger attractions and I believe end up with a park that is substantially more successful than the one that we have today. And as Tom referenced it, because Disneyland itself is so built out, the primary way to really grow that resort is by improving California Adventure and growing that out. And when you consider that what we are putting in there is so attractive, Cars Land will be the anchor, a very, very successful franchise for the company, then we believe not only will we grow the top line but our real focus is to grow the bottom line and to grow our returns on invested capital.
Where we have committed to spending capital in 2009 and beyond, in each case the goal is to do just that, is to improve not just the top line but return on invested capital in the bottom line.
Another example of that would be the Disney Vacation Club where we’ve added two very, very attractive properties to that mix -- the contemporary resort tower, which has a different name, and I can’t remember at the moment --
[Multiple Speakers]
-- and Animal Kingdom, and an Animal Kingdom build-out and both properties are considered quite attractive to the marketplace, which is one of the reasons why we are getting the sales that we are getting. Again, another example of using capital to drive the bottom line.
Schedule Changes for Tuesday, November at Disneyland
Disneyland is planning a "plussed" version of the normal Flag Retreat on Tuesday, in honor of Veteran's Day. While the daily version does honor all veterans, on Tuesday there will be some extras.
Instead of the normal 4:30 PM retreat, the ceremony will start at 4 PM. Both the Dapper Dans and the Disneyland Band will be part of expanded event.
Also, the Parade of Dreams will start later than normal, with 4:45 and 7:30 PM starting times to allow the Flag Retreat to be the Main Focus on Tuesday. It is also the LAST Parade of Dreams parade for 2008, as they will be switching to the Christmas Parade. And it MIGHT be the last time the Parade of Dreams will perform, as there are strong rumors that in 2009, only the new "What will You Celebrate Today?" parade will be featured. (But some folks are saying the Parade of Dreams will be featured for at least a few months in early 2009).
Also, don't forget, Fantasmic! will be offered daily through November 30th, so a good chance to see the show with small crowds before the 21st.
Congrats to "Pam", 51 years of service!
Here is a great story about Linda, and why she is known as Pam.... Hopefully she will have a lot of time to relax!
News: Knott's waitress calls it quits after 51 years | knott, name, elliott, linda, restaurant - OCRegister.com
Her 51 years at the restaurant are 11 more than founder Cordelia Knott. Elliott only planned to work a year or so when she started, to help support her two daughters.
“I love my job,” Elliott said, noting the firm, but very kind Mrs. Knott was one of the big reasons she stayed. It was Knott who gave Elliott the moniker Pam, the name Elliott's customers knew her by.
In earlier days at the restaurant, chicken orders came down the line with the waitress's name on it, to signify which table it should head to. But there already was a Linda working there, so Knott gave Elliott the name Pam.
As someone who has been served by "Pam" multiple times, I thank her for her great service, and wish her well in retirement.
More Nudie Disney Channel News!
Cheetah Girl Adrienne Bailon had her Laptop stolen which had some Nude photos of her... Here is the TMZ story.
Cheetah Girl Hits Lawyer After Nudie Pix Hit Net - TMZ.com
Great news for Six Flags! -profit up 60 percent!
Six Flags' quarterly profit up 60 percent | News | Star-Telegram.com
More people flocked to Six Flags this summer and spent more money in the parks as the company reported a 60 percent increase in its third-quarter profit.
Six Flags said net income grew to $143.4 million, compared to $89.6 million in the same period last year.
Revenues also rose 5 percent to $489.3 million, up from $464.2 million in the third quarter of 2007.
The New York-based theme park chain said 200,000 more guests visited their parks during the summer, taking advantage of the company's promotion where everyone paid kid's price.
"The key to this year's success has been the value proposition of our theme parks, enabling us to stand out and thrive in what is an extremely challenging economic climate for consumers," said chief executive Mark Shapiro in a statement Monday morning.
Anaheim GardenWalk Update
Johnny Rockets opened last Wednesday on the third level.
Goodies also opened this week.
"Pop the Cork" Wine Bar had a major sewage backup, and is currently closed as they clean up and fix up the place. Hopefully will reopen on November 14th.
Selected Photos from Darkbeer.Smugmug.com
Make sure and check out Smugmug, I have almost 2,000 photos from the last week!
Darkbeer's photos- powered by SmugMug
Once again, thanks for visiting, and a BIG thank you to all Veteran's. If you are at Disneyland, hope to see you at Town Square at 4 PM.
Well, lots to get to, plenty of stuff to see in photos, and then in the "political" arena.
First off, I should address the Political ads that showed up last week here at MiceAge/MiceChat. The ads are part of Google Ads, and as of last week, there was not an option to prevent political ads. Of course, all ads that show up here are not "endorsements", same as a newspaper.
I hope that Google will add an option to prevent Political ads, but I am also supporter of Free Speech, if you want to ban ads, then it should be ALL ads, both For and Against.
To all that were offended (on BOTH sides) I apologize.
We are going to talk politics today, but they are strictly Theme Park Related, and I kindly request that your comments (which I read and appreciate!) stay focused on what I wrote, and not politics in general. Thanks In Advance.
How Much will your next visit to Disneyland Cost?
While this has been proposed in California in the last year, it has once again been mentioned this week. And that is charging sales tax on Theme/Amusement Park tickets.
First off, a bit of history, California has had a policy of only changing sales tax on Goods (with some exceptions for groceries) but not services.
A current Auto repair bill in California will have the bill split into Parts and Labor. Sales Tax is charged on the parts, but labor is tax free.
"Amusements" such as Theme Parks and Sporting events have been tax free, since it is "Labor". It is amazing that the State wants to charge sales tax in the current economy, along with things like Veterinarian services....
Here is the basic proposal...
Special Session 2008: Unprecedented Decisions in an Extraordinary Situation - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Quote:
Effective March 1, 2009, the sales and use tax rate will be applied to amusement parks and sporting events. This is expected to generate additional General Fund sales tax revenue of $357 million in 2008-09.
I am not a fan of tax increases in general, but increasing Disneyland tickets by about 10% (part of the State proposal is to add an additional 1.5% to the sales tax) will not help bringing in guests to the theme parks.
Anaheim City Council to remain "As Is"
Two seats of the Anaheim City Council were up for re-election, and both current council-members were voted back into office, Harry Sidhu and Lorri Galloway.
So things will remain the same for the next two years. Alas, a lot of things that will be proposed for the Anaheim Resort will end in a tie, as you have two pro business members, two pro union members, and one council-member owning a store at Anaheim GardenWalk, which prevents her from voting, which doesn't help the Walt Disney Company.
PROTEST, maybe the USH employees should protest.
Universal Studios Hollywood will be open on both Thanksgiving and Christmas for the first time this year. For Decades, Disneyland (and as of 2001, DCA) have been the only park open and it has been a very popular day.
Knott's Berry Farm will be open this Thanksgiving (one of the busiest day of the year for them), but will be closed for Christmas.
Decisions, what day is truly "Opening Day" at Disneyland, and who was the first "Miss Disneyland"?
Had a chance to do some research at the Anaheim Central Library and the Museo this week. (And a big thanks to all the staff that helped me). Lots of amazing stuff, a small portion I have online here...
Darkbeer : photos : Disneyland Historical Documents/Photos - 1955 thru 1970 (11/6/08)- powered by SmugMug
Did you know that before there was "Cast Members", employees were called "Disneylanders"!
In the first 5 years, Adults outnumbered children by nearly a 4 to 1 ratio based on a 1960 article.
And yes, there are TWO days to celebrate, July 17th is "Dedication Day", and July 18th is "Opening Day". I am still trying to find out the real reason for the company making the change, July of 1967 still had opening day as July 18th, and in 1970, it got moved to the 17th, but there was also other mistakes, including a major mistake on the photo dealing with the first two children entering the park on July 18th.
The Walt Disney Company comments from the Fiscal Year End results...
Some interesting commnts from the Fiscal Year End results for the Wal Disney Company last Thursday...
Walt Disney F4Q08 (Qtr End 9/27/08) Earnings Call Transcript - Seeking Alpha
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas O. Staggs, CFO
At parks and resorts, higher guest spending in our domestic parks and Disneyland Resort Paris were the primary drivers of revenue growth in Q4. Operating income, however, was impacted by higher expenses at Walt Disney World and a two-and-a-half week dry-docking of the Disney Magic Cruise Ship that is part of the ship’s routine maintenance schedule.
In the fourth quarter, combined attendance at our domestic parks came in slightly above last year’s Q4, despite the softening economy, with a modest increase at Walt Disney World offsetting a slight decline at Disneyland.
For the fiscal year as a whole, we delivered record domestic theme park attendance and Disneyland Resort Paris set a new attendance record as well. In Q4, higher average ticket pricing at our domestic parks helped drive a 4% increase in guest spending. Walt Disney World occupancy was 89%, off just one percentage point versus the prior year, while Disneyland’s occupancy came in four percentage points lower than last year at a still solid 87%.
At the same time, we saw continued strength in per room spending at our domestic resorts, with an increase of 5% for the quarter. Disneyland Resort Paris has performed well all year and reported higher revenue and operating income in Q4, reflecting higher ticket pricing and strong per room spending. Results also benefited from favourable currency rates.
Quote:
Jason Bazinet - Citigroup
Thanks so much. Now that we are sort of in the midst of this economic downdraft, I am sort of more curious about the potential turnaround and given the investments that you have made over the past three years, I’m thinking California Adventure, the videogame investments and the two new cruise ships, can you just remind us sort of in broad terms how you sort of imagine those coming online and helping the top line? Thanks.
Thomas O. Staggs
Well, we haven’t given guidance or projections on what they would exactly do to the top line. The California Adventure, we are beginning the process of that construction. We actually -- the first piece of it has come online in Midway Mania, the Toy Story attraction that’s there at California Adventure, but there is more to do and through 2010, 2011, 2012, and I think that having an evolving entertainment offering there should actually do a couple of things. One, I think it can drive the overall top line of the Disneyland resort. Number two, I think it could provide for the potential increase in length of stay as California Adventure becomes a bigger, more important piece of the vacation experience down there at Disneyland.
With regard to the cruise business, we have said in the past that we enjoy sort of a mid-teens return on invested capital in cruise and that we anticipated having a similar sort of return for the business after the two new cruise ships come online. That doesn’t happen for a few years but the increase in the top line will be commensurate with that, so we are looking forward to that down the road.
Robert A. Iger
I was at Disneyland and California Adventure on Sunday, in the middle of this tough economy on a day that started with rain in Southern California and there were 50,000 people at Disneyland and California Adventure combined for the day, which is -- I know that doesn’t help because you don’t have much perspective but that’s a pretty strong showing.
And one of the things that was clear is that at California Adventure, where we’ve got good attractions, a new one, Toy Story Mania, for instance, there’s real appeal and real demand. We have an opportunity there because of the size of that property to infuse it with stronger attractions and I believe end up with a park that is substantially more successful than the one that we have today. And as Tom referenced it, because Disneyland itself is so built out, the primary way to really grow that resort is by improving California Adventure and growing that out. And when you consider that what we are putting in there is so attractive, Cars Land will be the anchor, a very, very successful franchise for the company, then we believe not only will we grow the top line but our real focus is to grow the bottom line and to grow our returns on invested capital.
Where we have committed to spending capital in 2009 and beyond, in each case the goal is to do just that, is to improve not just the top line but return on invested capital in the bottom line.
Another example of that would be the Disney Vacation Club where we’ve added two very, very attractive properties to that mix -- the contemporary resort tower, which has a different name, and I can’t remember at the moment --
[Multiple Speakers]
-- and Animal Kingdom, and an Animal Kingdom build-out and both properties are considered quite attractive to the marketplace, which is one of the reasons why we are getting the sales that we are getting. Again, another example of using capital to drive the bottom line.
Schedule Changes for Tuesday, November at Disneyland
Disneyland is planning a "plussed" version of the normal Flag Retreat on Tuesday, in honor of Veteran's Day. While the daily version does honor all veterans, on Tuesday there will be some extras.
Instead of the normal 4:30 PM retreat, the ceremony will start at 4 PM. Both the Dapper Dans and the Disneyland Band will be part of expanded event.
Also, the Parade of Dreams will start later than normal, with 4:45 and 7:30 PM starting times to allow the Flag Retreat to be the Main Focus on Tuesday. It is also the LAST Parade of Dreams parade for 2008, as they will be switching to the Christmas Parade. And it MIGHT be the last time the Parade of Dreams will perform, as there are strong rumors that in 2009, only the new "What will You Celebrate Today?" parade will be featured. (But some folks are saying the Parade of Dreams will be featured for at least a few months in early 2009).
Also, don't forget, Fantasmic! will be offered daily through November 30th, so a good chance to see the show with small crowds before the 21st.
Congrats to "Pam", 51 years of service!
Here is a great story about Linda, and why she is known as Pam.... Hopefully she will have a lot of time to relax!
News: Knott's waitress calls it quits after 51 years | knott, name, elliott, linda, restaurant - OCRegister.com
Quote:
Her 51 years at the restaurant are 11 more than founder Cordelia Knott. Elliott only planned to work a year or so when she started, to help support her two daughters.
“I love my job,” Elliott said, noting the firm, but very kind Mrs. Knott was one of the big reasons she stayed. It was Knott who gave Elliott the moniker Pam, the name Elliott's customers knew her by.
In earlier days at the restaurant, chicken orders came down the line with the waitress's name on it, to signify which table it should head to. But there already was a Linda working there, so Knott gave Elliott the name Pam.
More Nudie Disney Channel News!
Cheetah Girl Adrienne Bailon had her Laptop stolen which had some Nude photos of her... Here is the TMZ story.
Cheetah Girl Hits Lawyer After Nudie Pix Hit Net - TMZ.com
Great news for Six Flags! -profit up 60 percent!
Six Flags' quarterly profit up 60 percent | News | Star-Telegram.com
Quote:
More people flocked to Six Flags this summer and spent more money in the parks as the company reported a 60 percent increase in its third-quarter profit.
Six Flags said net income grew to $143.4 million, compared to $89.6 million in the same period last year.
Revenues also rose 5 percent to $489.3 million, up from $464.2 million in the third quarter of 2007.
The New York-based theme park chain said 200,000 more guests visited their parks during the summer, taking advantage of the company's promotion where everyone paid kid's price.
"The key to this year's success has been the value proposition of our theme parks, enabling us to stand out and thrive in what is an extremely challenging economic climate for consumers," said chief executive Mark Shapiro in a statement Monday morning.
Anaheim GardenWalk Update
Johnny Rockets opened last Wednesday on the third level.
Goodies also opened this week.
"Pop the Cork" Wine Bar had a major sewage backup, and is currently closed as they clean up and fix up the place. Hopefully will reopen on November 14th.
Selected Photos from Darkbeer.Smugmug.com
Make sure and check out Smugmug, I have almost 2,000 photos from the last week!
Darkbeer's photos- powered by SmugMug
Once again, thanks for visiting, and a BIG thank you to all Veteran's. If you are at Disneyland, hope to see you at Town Square at 4 PM.
Total Comments 17
Comments
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Looking forward to seeing the photos Darkbeer! I think I spent more time with you this weekend than I did with my wife!Posted 11-10-2008 at 08:35 AM by ttrocc7007
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Hey Darkbeer! Don't sweat the delay. Your efforts and updates are appreciated and definitely worth the wait!Posted 11-10-2008 at 08:36 AM by Viewliner Rick -
They're having POD auditons in December so I'm sure we'll be seeing it for a while after the Christmas season is over.Posted 11-10-2008 at 08:50 AM by dl_appurtenant -
Thanks for the update! Sorry to hear about your computer.Posted 11-10-2008 at 09:28 AM by WheresMickey -
Great pictures and info.
So glad to hear that Pop the cork only popped a few pipes and didn't go bust as was the rumor. It's a lovely little wine bar and I can't wait to go backPosted 11-10-2008 at 10:05 AM by Fishbulb 
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Thanks again!Posted 11-10-2008 at 10:08 AM by SouthHrbrBlvd -
Ugh, adding tax to the tickets... sigh.
Thanks for another great update!Posted 11-10-2008 at 10:31 AM by DonDuck -
While they may be having auditions, POD is the only entertainment related programing information they haven't released for January yet on the hub.Posted 11-10-2008 at 10:58 AM by Pipeek - great pictures but why bring up politics if you do nto want to talk about politics.
Micehchat already has a thread apoligizing for the ads why bring it up again. makes no sensePosted 11-10-2008 at 10:59 AM by Baloo -
Any reason that one is upside down?Posted 11-10-2008 at 12:06 PM by Ian P -
So the water will drain out quicker.Posted 11-10-2008 at 12:10 PM by ImTooExcitedToSleep -
Worth the wait. Sorry you had problems with your computer. I know I'm old and out of it. Who's the kid singing on the one float?Posted 11-10-2008 at 01:22 PM by Wendygirl -
Corbin Bleu, one of the stars from High School Musical.Posted 11-10-2008 at 01:23 PM by Darkbeer -
I see the pictures but I have no idea what they are about.Posted 11-10-2008 at 02:06 PM by Orcatime -
Great work Darkbeer. Nice to see you yesterday at the park.Posted 11-10-2008 at 03:41 PM by MickeyMousePal -
Are the red castle flag things only there for the filming or will they remain there for the christmas season? (referring to first picture)Posted 11-11-2008 at 12:41 PM by Goover - >>Are the red castle flag things only there for the filming or will they remain there for the christmas season? (referring to first picture)<<
Just for the filming, it was removed that evening, and replaced with the Blue YOAMD Banners Sunday morning.Posted 11-13-2008 at 08:45 PM by Darkbeer
