I loved Gary's explanation. A lot of what he said can be applied to my feelings also. We have not cut Disney out altogether, but have cut the number of trips and days we have been going for the last couple of years.
We still have a lot of fun at Disney but it is no longer without occasional stress and frustration, but we are not out of the game yet. 
Rita (aka NJGIRL)
We just returned from WDW after a 3.67 year gap between trips. Prior to this gap, we had 11 trips in 8 years. This trip was non-stop, but enjoyable. Overall, we did not lose the magic, however the free dining crowds in September took WDW off our list for our main annual vacation. In addition, the hassle and cost of air travel was another factor.
We look forward to our next trip to WDW as well as a DL and a Disney cruise. I hope Disney becomes more active in adding some new major attractions. The commitment to an apparent one hit wonder-Avatar, was not the best choice.
Stickey;2457908 wrote: The commitment to an apparent one hit wonder-Avatar, was not the best choice.
I'm not too sure about that thought myself:
http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/budgets/
Quote out of a NY Times article critical of the "biggest box office of all time" comments circulating back in 2010 ..........
"One other detail: “Avatar” would be closer to the top spot in a ranking of worldwide grosses, as opposed to ticket sales only in this country. This worldwide list, also from Box Office Mojo, is not adjusted for inflation, but you can do the math yourself. Based on these numbers, “Titanic” is slightly ahead of “Avatar.” “Star Wars” may or may not be, depending on how much of its gross came in 1977 and how much came in later years. I also wonder whether there is good data about the worldwide grosses for “Gone With the Wind” and other old movies."
His main beef in that piece is that the figures typically quoted are not adjusted for inflation. So "Gone With The Wind" box office Dollars are worth more than "Avatar" Dollars.
But Avatar is a very successful movie nonetheless. And a visual feast ... which is right up Disney's alley.
best,
................john
DVC Member 2016 AKL
After: October 2019 F+W Fest
Next: March 2019 Flower and Garden Fest
Last: August 2018
October 2017 F+W Fest
Also: 1988, 1990, 1992, 1997, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016
Disneyland - 1972
You can see we haven't been to WDW in a few years mainly because my son grew up (although I didn't). But, I'm a little hesitant to sink a lot of money into WDW again because:
1) It sounds like there is so much planning to do now. I like individual FP and line management because I like being flexible with minimal planning.
2) Although the new Fantasyland sounds cool, has anything been done to update Epcot or Studios? So much potential there.
3) We used to plan visits around slow times (Sept-Oct for us), but I'm hearing there really isn't one anymore. Not a deal breaker, but just something that was enticing.
Maybe I'm wrong about everything and it's all wonderful. I still love most all things Disney and really feel a desire to go pack and relive the magic. I guess I need to do more studying on how things work now (I listen to the podcast and read this and other forums, but don't really do in-depth research). I try to be objective, but at this point I'm fine not going back.
Ex -WDW AP
Current -Universal AP
Ex -TX resident
Current -FL resident
- Roger (ryca1dreams)
WiltonJohn;2457931 wrote: I'm not too sure about that thought myself:
http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/budgets/
Quote out of a NY Times article critical of the "biggest box office of all time" comments circulating back in 2010 ..........
"One other detail: “Avatar” would be closer to the top spot in a ranking of worldwide grosses, as opposed to ticket sales only in this country. This worldwide list, also from Box Office Mojo, is not adjusted for inflation, but you can do the math yourself. Based on these numbers, “Titanic” is slightly ahead of “Avatar.” “Star Wars” may or may not be, depending on how much of its gross came in 1977 and how much came in later years. I also wonder whether there is good data about the worldwide grosses for “Gone With the Wind” and other old movies."
His main beef in that piece is that the figures typically quoted are not adjusted for inflation. So "Gone With The Wind" box office Dollars are worth more than "Avatar" Dollars.
But Avatar is a very successful movie nonetheless. And a visual feast ... which is right up Disney's alley.
best,
................john
I was thinking the same thing. Avatar, which there is the second movie soon to be released....and a third in pre production...ALL of them (with the first) already being huge....will be massive box office movies. I think using Avatar at the A.K. is a very good choice. Looking forward to it:thumbsup:
Im reserving judgement on Avatar. I liked the movie fine, and I think that Disney could do a great job with it....if they don't cut the budget too much. The imagineers could make it spectacular, if allowed to do what they do without too much restriction.
2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
DL - 1996, 2019
Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!
I didn't like the movie much, but I will wait and see how it goes. There are so many things at Disney that aren't tied to movies that it is a moot point for me. Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, etc. Splash Mountain is based on a movie, but I'm willing to bet most young kids now have no idea what that movie is about.
I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.
Cinderelley;2457988 wrote: I didn't like the movie much, but I will wait and see how it goes. There are so many things at Disney that aren't tied to movies that it is a moot point for me. Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, etc. Splash Mountain is based on a movie, but I'm willing to bet most young kids now have no idea what that movie is about.
Shoot, i'm 42 and am not sure what the movie is about. I have a vague idea, but haven't seen it.
2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
DL - 1996, 2019
Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!
azcavalier;2458035 wrote: Shoot, i'm 42 and am not sure what the movie is about. I have a vague idea, but haven't seen it.
Um, a kid runs away. There's a rabbit, a bear, and a fox. That's about all I know. Oh and a laughin' place. lol
"Time to be turnin' around" "If only you could"
I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.
Cinderelley;2457988 wrote: I didn't like the movie much, but I will wait and see how it goes. There are so many things at Disney that aren't tied to movies that it is a moot point for me. Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, etc. Splash Mountain is based on a movie, but I'm willing to bet most young kids now have no idea what that movie is about.
Doesn't mean they couldn't make movies in the future a la Pirates or Haunted Mansion...
Beth & David
09/82 Treehouse Villas, 06/86 BVP, 10/95 CBR, 10/99 DI, 08/03 PORS, 10/05 POP, 11/06 AKL, 09/09 POLY, 10/10 Wonder, 05/11 Dream/PORS, 08/13 POLY, 11/13 GF, 04/15 POLY, 11/15 BLT, 11/16 Aulani, 03/17 BLT, 08/18 BLT, 07/19 AKL, 06/21 BLT
I hope we never hit our breaking point. We go 2 sometimes 3 times a year and get excited for each trip. :thumbsup:
We've decided to try real Germany instead of Epcot Germany for a change of pace and to allow Disney to make some more new attractions, but we are still planning to visit a castle or three, including the one that inspired the Disney ones.
My kids and I are not excited about "Avatar World" - frankly a one-hit wonder. Does anyone here think the ET ride at Universal is a must see? ET also a very popular one-hit wonder movie. They should cancel the project and go all out with Star Wars and Marvel. These are the buzz now and have a long history.
Avatar is distinctly anti-Disney - let's face it - a movie about greedy capitalists vs nature. Doesn't it seem not to mesh with a huge company like Disney carving out new "worlds" like Avatar in the Florida forests?
baldburke;2458064 wrote: Doesn't mean they couldn't make movies in the future a la Pirates or Haunted Mansion...
If Avatarland turns into a huge hit, I can see them making an animated series out of it with an underlying theme of taking care of nature or something.
I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.
DadTriton;2458501 wrote: My kids and I are not excited about "Avatar World" - frankly a one-hit wonder. Does anyone here think the ET ride at Universal is a must see? ET also a very popular one-hit wonder movie. They should cancel the project and go all out with Star Wars and Marvel. These are the buzz now and have a long history.
Avatar is distinctly anti-Disney - let's face it - a movie about greedy capitalists vs nature. Doesn't it seem not to mesh with a huge company like Disney carving out new "worlds" like Avatar in the Florida forests?
Yes ET is a must see... One of the best dark rides ever created in a theme park, and a true classic...
The greedy capitalists vs nature isn't the message Disney will be conveying here... Please, move on from what the movie seemed to be about and look at what the real message of the movie... CONSERVATION... Stop destroying your planet!!!! Fits in perfectly with Animal Kingdom's conservation message...
Oh and one hit wonders? ET is far from a one hit wonder... ET the movie is a classic movie, showed on cable, watched by millions and millions even to this day... ET is still pretty popular...
P.S. Disney cannot use Marvel in WDW so move on from that too...
You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
- Walt Disney
