Save the Rainforest - Keep "it's a small world" a classic.

[HBG2]

Originally Posted by MasterGracey

With such a huge outpouring from the Animation industry, fans of the attraction, and Mary Blair's own family, as well as a lot of press coverage (a lot of it negative) -- Disney is really bold to continue to push through with the plans.

Particularly so in view of the modest dividends they must expect to reap from the alterations. Does anyone really believe they've got data indicating that these proposed changes will translate into a huge and sustained increase in traffic?

[ZeekSlider]

Originally Posted by HBG2

Does anyone really believe they've got data indicating that these proposed changes will translate into a huge and sustained increase in traffic?

Apparently they (Disney) are the only ones that believe that because they can skew attendence numbers pre- and post-Nemo for The Living Sea, as well as pre- and post-Jack for Pirates and claim them as factual.

[MasterGracey]

Originally Posted by HBG2

Particularly so in view of the modest dividends they must expect to reap from the alterations. Does anyone really believe they've got data indicating that these proposed changes will translate into a huge and sustained increase in traffic?

I don't think Disney is particularly concerned with long-term sustainability, attendance, or revenue with these additions, or many other changes at the parks. If so, we'd be seeing a very different Disneyland these days - one that puts emphasis on timeless themes and storytelling rather than hit-of-the-day film properties and cheap gimmicks like Pirates, Buzz Lightyear, Tarzan, or Stitch.

The main goal of the "its a small world" changes is probably a decent marketing campaign that can help towards boosting attendance during the holiday or winter off-season.

Also, I'm sure an excuse to put even more out-of-place character plushies and toys in the it's a small world toy shop looks pretty appealing to TDA.

[HBG2]

Originally Posted by MasterGracey

I don't think Disney is particularly concerned with long-term sustainability, attendance, or revenue with these additions, or many other changes at the parks. If so, we'd be seeing a very different Disneyland these days - one that puts emphasis on timeless themes and storytelling rather than hit-of-the-day film properties and cheap gimmicks like Pirates, Buzz Lightyear, Tarzan, or Stitch.

The main goal of the "its a small world" changes is probably a decent marketing campaign that can help towards boosting attendance during the holiday or winter off-season.

Also, I'm sure an excuse to put even more out-of-place character plushies and toys in the it's a small world toy shop looks pretty appealing to TDA.

Either way, you have to wonder where the "it's just not worth it" tipping point is. We don't have anything like Pirate-mania driving this one, running roughshod over all arguments and pleas.

[1FoolishMortal]

I still find the "they just want to sell more plushies!" argument quite laughable, when for YEARS they had IASW themed dolls in the shop just outside the attraction.

[lazyboy97O]

Originally Posted by 1FoolishMortal

I still find the "they just want to sell more plushies!" argument quite laughable, when for YEARS they had IASW themed dolls in the shop just outside the attraction.

Well tell Disney it is laughable, because it is what drove the decision to add the characters to Hong Kong Disneyland.

[1FoolishMortal]

Now you're just twisting things in your favor. The reason they added the characters to Hong Kong was to give the Chinese more exposure to them, since they're still largely unfamiliar in that region. Whether that boosts merchandise sales (highly doubtful) is irrelevant to what originally motivated them to put the characters into HK.

[lazyboy97O]

Originally Posted by 1FoolishMortal

Now you're just twisting things in your favor. The reason they added the characters to Hong Kong was to give the Chinese more exposure to them, since they're still largely unfamiliar in that region. Whether that boosts merchandise sales (highly doubtful) is irrelevant to what originally motivated them to put the characters into HK.

More exposure as part of the tapping of the Chinese market. That market is "being prepped" for all of the other stuff Disney sells. All of the reasons this is happening in Hong Kong Disneyland are the opposite of why they are happening at Disneyland.

[1FoolishMortal]

Originally Posted by lazyboy97O

More exposure as part of the tapping of the Chinese market. That market is "being prepped" for all of the other stuff Disney sells. All of the reasons this is happening in Hong Kong Disneyland are the opposite of why they are happening at Disneyland.

And I thank you for agreeing with me that it is not being done in DL simply to promote the characters.

[lazyboy97O]

Originally Posted by 1FoolishMortal

And I thank you for agreeing with me that it is not being done in DL simply to promote the characters.

I am not agreeing. This is about promoting the characters. Always has been. It is almost all Disney seems capable of doing these days.

[BassBone]

Originally Posted by HBG2

Particularly so in view of the modest dividends they must expect to reap from the alterations. Does anyone really believe they've got data indicating that these proposed changes will translate into a huge and sustained increase in traffic?

If the increase in traffic does not materialize, I imagine Disney will have a huge ad campaign to bring back the "classic" it's a small world.

[animagusurreal]

Originally Posted by BassBone

If the increase in traffic does not materialize, I imagine Disney will have a huge ad campaign to bring back the "classic" it's a small world.

LOL .


However, I'm sure the people behind this change will manage to detect the materialization of the same invisible crowds that make the Pooh ride so popular .

[ZeekSlider]

This is why I like Tokyo Disney Resort so much. At least you actually SEE the crowd and know from that size what is and isn't a popular attraction.

[AlwaysImagineer]

They better not rip that part out!Thats my favorite part!

[bfdf55]

Originally Posted by 1FoolishMortal

I still find the "they just want to sell more plushies!" argument quite laughable, when for YEARS they had IASW themed dolls in the shop just outside the attraction.

But, now they will have a whole new series of characters to sell, not just the innocuous dolls from various unimportant countries.