|
Location-Based Entertainment: A Correction
Last time I speculated that the LBE concept might be rolled out in cities
like Dallas or Chicago, but it was pointed out to me that Jay Rasulo (remember,
this project is his baby) actually has in mind to roll this out at international
venues, not American cities. That changes everything, including much of the
commentary last time. Disney currently captures international visitors for
perhaps one visit per year, and hopes with this program to get their
discretionary money a second time, working out to a six-month rotation. If they
visit WDW in July, can the LBE attraction lure them also in January? It's a fair
bet that these visitors are likely to be entranced by the minor Disney
experience, not sated. Thus, for the international venue, I think we'll see
virtually no cannibalization of the theme park attendance, and it may in fact
drive the attendance.
I've also heard a bit more about locations. Singapore is high on the list,
which explains the various news reports that Disney has been poking around here,
but Disney's insistence that its not looking to open a full-sized park in
Singapore. And don't count out mainland China. A Shanghai park may not yet be
approved, but China is larger than the US and has more people (including higher
raw numbers of people with the right amount of disposable income), so it will be
a shock if only one or two Disney parks is meant to serve the whole country.
Sao Paolo, Brazil, was mentioned to me as another possibility. That will come
as no surprise to summer visitors to WDW, who may have seen roving herds of
Brazilian youths converge on WDW before. Disney is a popular product for the
Brazilian culture!
In fact, Disney statisticians have gone so far as to analyze exactly which
resorts are popular with which international visitors. Yep, that have that info
parsed to spot any conceivable trends, which will help them decide if Singapore
should get a Grand Floridian or a DAK Lodge (as an example).
It turns out that Brazilians have a fondness for the Boardwalk area near
Epcot, given their lodging patterns in the past. I'm not sure why that it is,
but it suggests Brazil may see a Boardwalk concept LBE. Or, intriguingly, even
more. Reportedly they are looking at something even larger still, but not yet a
theme park. Imagine a middle creature, something bigger than an LBE and having
more than one ride, but not large enough to qualify as a theme park. Maybe
something along the order of the "Fun Spot" or "Old Town" –
places with several family attractions – in terms of size. Obviously, there would
instead be Disney theming, and rides to match the Boardwalk theme.
Coming soon to Brazil?
That clearly invokes Paradise Pier at DCA, and maybe the boardwalk section of
the never-built Disney's America. Long time readers will know I have a problem
with the boardwalk concept for a Disney theme park because it represents
escapism to something pretty darn mundane for an American. We've seen it before
and there's not that much "escaping" to the concept.
But to Brazilians, if this qualifies as escapism and fantasy (maybe a mythic
and exotic America?), then I say more power to the concept. That's what Disney
does. Disney is best when it provides Immersion Toward Interesting Illusion. The
Boardwalk may not be that "interesting" for us Americans, but if it's exotic for
the Brazilians, then that's just perfect.
Declining by Degrees Scorecard
I'm delighted to report that the bright red neon light burned out in
Tomorrowland has indeed been quickly fixed.
But there are nagging problems in the Magic Kingdom. I'm going to go so far
as to label these "Hall of Shame" problems in the Declining by Degrees pantheon,
for they have gone months and years without being fixed, and Disney really ought
to do better.
First, there is that sign at the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) that
blacks over the concept of busses to Downtown Disney. Actually, there are two
such signs: one at the top and one at the bottom of the ramp as you exit the
Express Monorail. Bad show. This should never be acceptable.
This mill isn't supposed to
look quite so dilapidated!
Second, the mill on Tom Sawyer Island suffered a broken arm during the 2004
hurricanes, and this has never been replaced. Perhaps managers are telling
themselves that this is part of the charm of the building? Are they trying to
pretend that this is the intentional look of the windmill? Maybe even thinking
that Disney has an award-winning short called The Old Mill that is pretty
rundown, and customers will just assume a connection?
Too bad for them the
tribute to The Old Mill, a stuffed bird in a broken cog of a mill
grindstone, is located in a different building altogether on Tom Sawyer Island.
The windmill itself is just an empty shell with a staircase in it. Apparently
fixing it has just never made it onto the budget, despite repeated requests to get it
repaired.
|
