Walt Disney Company Files Permits for 1.08 Acre Expansion to Epcot's World Showcase

Crow;2444397 wrote: Im a stockholder...can i get a say. would anyone listen

If you have a ba-zillion shares, maybe...

dnickels;2444372 wrote:
Does the expansion move or push out the margarita stand? I know it's right there between Norway & Mexico.

That was my second thought :(

Strmchsr;2444358 wrote: Given repeated evidence we pretty much need to face facts: Disney is no longer a visionary company wanting to give guests unique and exciting experiences. They are pandering to the lowest common denominator with cash grabs. They still do their guest service things well, but the days of imagination and innovative experiences are gone.

I been saying this for a long time now... And how many times have I been told I'm a debbie downer, or a negative nelly, and should leave this site? It is about time people are finally waking up to realize many of us were right about the path Disney (and Walt Disney World) are on years ago...

dnickels;2444372 wrote: Does the expansion move or push out the margarita stand? I know it's right there between Norway & Mexico.

May move it but it probably won't be eliminated completely...

Stu29573;2444385 wrote: And speaking of "fails," I just saw where the Avitar movies are being pushed back.. again... I never thought that was a good wagon to be hitched to anyway...

JC is a perfectionist... That's really why the movies keep getting pushed back... He wants the Avatar movies to be "perfect" in his eyes... And the sequels being delayed have no effect on the land in DAK... It will succeed cause it is an awesome land, not cause of the IP... I said it before, IP helps, but create an immersive environment with knock your socks off attraction(s), people will flock to it despite the IP used...

:confused: [sigh]...in the last few months I have come to the sad conclusion that I have transitioned into a new phase in my relationship with Disney. Up until about 2000, my Disney obsession revolved around my love for the Disney animated classics and the art and artists connected to them. The last 15 years, my obsession shifted to WDW and all the fascinating details that went into all aspects of the parks. Now, I only find myself interested in the value of the Disney stock I own (not much, but what the heck). I have completely lost all interest in ever visiting the parks again and IMHO the recent movies just can't hold a candle to those of the golden era. :crying:

And the Odysee building continues to collect dust. :confused:

Such a shame - glad to see new attractions but really new development for a meet n greet. So much lost potential in my opinion. Pretty much echoing what was already said.

Janmac;2444347 wrote: Agreed. My first thought was finally! Then, oh :(.

Jan

Perfect description of my reaction!

I would rather see something different. I can't fault Disney for cashing in on something that has a HUGE fan base. I'm one of those people who liked the movie, but was surprised by the craze. But, something about it connected with a huge number of little ones in a big, big way and it's going to be a crazy popular m&g.

janmac;2444347 wrote: agreed. My first thought was finally! Then, oh :(.

And then i thought at least the meet & greet might keep the congestion down inside norway itself.

jan

ditto!!!!

They are pandering to the lowest common denominator with cash grabs

Who are those you call the lowest common denominator, Frozen fans?:mad: Disney is simply meeting a HEAVY demand for guests to meet and greet Anna and Elsa and I imagine that the new attraction and the "simple" meet and greet location will be filled with Disney magic. I just wonder how many pairs of Anna and Elsa's there will be to satisfy the meet and greet needs, and will the meet and greet continue at the Magic Kingdom as well? The show at DHS is VERY entertaining, and the kids just love Anna and Elsa, who like Stitch did a decade ago, are taking over WDW. I'm sorry, but the kids have just as much right to have their demands met as adults do.

interesting note about this meet and greet, they are already out of FP's and CM's are now handing out paper return tickets to come back in 12 months and get in line

:thumbsup:

This needed to happen for no other reason then to have space for the massive crowds that are going to be decending on the Norway pavilion. As we have seen Frozen is a gigantic draw. Could you imagine the scene in Norway if the area wasn't expanded in some way?

This will allow for space for the crowds to go. Also, I am really hoping that this meet and greet building will have several rooms-I would do at least 4-to allow for 4 sets of characters at once to finally cut that line down.

And don't count me as one of the people who think Disney is no longer a leader in the industry. Carsland and the Fantasylsnd expansion have proven that Disney can still make quality attractions. From all accounts the Avatarland is going to be spectacular and they are about to totally redo Studios let's see what they produce with that before declaring Disney dead.

This feels like the old Mark Twain quote, "The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

Echo most comments here - Meet & Greets are now sadly the Disney "norm"....little imagination, small footprint, easy to set up and money in the bank. And to think, back in the day the characters wandered the property with the rest of us - OMG!! There's still creativity going on with the future HS overhaul, AK addition, etc. but for a cash cow company like Disney the money does not seem to trickle down to the Imagineering or, better yet, the maintenance of the 'World'....

Pretty soon going to the parks will feel like visiting Santa at the mall, over and over again! :ack:

DonaldDuck1117;2444560 wrote: Could you imagine the scene in Norway if the area wasn't expanded in some way? This will allow for space for the crowds to go.

And don't count me as one of the people who think Disney is no longer a leader in the industry. Carsland and the Fantasylsnd expansion have proven that Disney can still make quality attractions. From all accounts the Avatarland is going to be spectacular and they are about to totally redo Studios let's see what they produce with that before declaring Disney dead.

This feels like the old Mark Twain quote, "The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

Exactly!
I have no problem with the Meet & Greet after seeing the congestion in Norway in 2013.

Echo most comments here - Meet & Greets are now sadly the Disney "norm"....little imagination, small footprint, easy to set up and money in the bank. And to think, back in the day the characters wandered the property with the rest of us - OMG!!

The norm? Disney has always had meet and greets and the standard characters are still the prime meet and greeters, so it's no different...and there's no sadly about it considering the wonderful theming (and magic) of the meet and greet locations, from Belles magical cottage where everyone can be part of her story, to actually talking with Mickey (with his articulate mouth) and Ariel grotto which came with a wonderful new dark ride (we need more of these and less roller coasters). Furthermore, characters still come out and visit at the entrance hub. Back in the day, the characters "wandered the property" because they had no place to go/be and if you didn't get in line fast enough you got nothing. Considering how much the park (referring to the Magic Kingdom) has grown, far more attractions have been added than meet and greets, and the meet and greets that have been added are far better than the norm. And as far as cost goes, the "Entertainers" get a lot more money than the ride operators, so the cost (including their "handlers") of running a meet and greet is more than a normal attraction. And I don't know WHAT you're referring to when you say "easy to set up", because there isn't anything easier to set up then sending a character out into the street like the good old days, whereas now-a-days many of the characters require a themed location for their meet and greets?
Why people hate on meet and greets which don't hurt anyone and the kids love more than anything and which create those VERY special moments that you go to Disney for is beyond me???

Jeff Handshaw 100+visits;2444752 wrote: . . . . Why people hate on meet and greets which don't hurt anyone and the kids love more than anything and which create those VERY special moments that you go to Disney for is beyond me???

I don't think of it so much as "hating" on the meet 'n greets, as it is expressing disappointment that a long awaited "expansion" in Epcot is not going to be a new country pavilion, exposition hall or major attraction. If anything, Epcot has contracted with the closure of some attractions (WoL). Plus, you have to consider than the people who post on these boards about Disney's plans are not little kids, and while many of them do have small children, waiting in line for a really long time to see a character doesn't hold the same level of excitement and anticipation as it does for their little ones.