Cutting lots of corners just to shave a few months off of construction? That sounds really, really short-sighted. Sure, you'll get a few more people in the park in the slow season, but in the long-run, you're stuck with a watered down, cheapened attraction. Plus, they released all that art with the flashy entryway and all that, so I guess now that turns into false advertising. Stupid.

Hmmm.... I think Mr Frons is making a good call, by taking the Soaps on the road. However, I personally, don't see it helping any, but then I've never been a fan of daytime dramas. I may be wrong, but it would seem to me, the market for those shows is drying up. The new generation of TV viewers is different, and I'm not sure they're inclined to watch these types of shows anymore.

As for DHS and them rushing AIE, again, it sounds like a good call, but I'm not sure if it will be significant enough to help. WDW as a whole, might be faced with some real challenges for the next year, if the economy stays down like it seems to be going. The only new "attraction" they have in the works is AIE, while both of their Orlando area competitors, have some big new attractions set to launch, with Harry Potter and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal, and Manta at SeaWorld, two of which are thrill rides which help to draw big crowds.

I'm actually looking forward to AIE, but I think it's a flash in the pan kind of attraction, much like Millionaire was. It just seems like the repeat factor on it is going to be low. Those who will choose to go see it once, probably won't go many more times after. Then, there are a lot of people (online anyway) who have stated they have no interest in it. And, especially once Universal and Seaworld opens their new attractions, Disney is likely to see a steep decline, at least from the locals.

I hate to sound like Jim, but I think WDW may be facing a real tough year unless the marketing geniuses can figure out some creative ways to draw more people to Orlando. I really think now is the time for them to seriously start looking at expansion and beefing up what they have. The economy isn't going to be down forever, these things come in cycles. Once it picks back up, they're going to need something to draw people back in.

Until I see a decline in attendance at the parks I have serious doubts that WDW will be in that much trouble. The past few weeks at Disney have been absolutely PACKED, and considering that a) it has been one of the worst months ever in American financial history and b) this is traditionally a slow time of year no matter what the economy looks like, I for one have been shocked. Much like Vegas, Disney has been going after the "whales" for quite a while. So Mr. and Mrs. Grand Floridian and their family probably aren't going to see too much of a hit in their pocket book for a while.

And on the note of rushing AIE to get the locals in...this is just an awful idea. I had no desire to see this attraction before, and I certainly don't now that some of the more intriguing aspects of it are going by the wayside. I am cursious to see what ADV Club alums make it into the show...if Hathaway Browne can make an appearance suddenly this attraction looks alright.

I'm indifferent to the Super Soaps weekend; I'd rather see something along the dorky veins like Star Wars Weekends.  Of course, I'm <i>very</i> biased towards the latter.

As for American Idol Experience, I'm even more apathetic NOW tat I'm hearing the effects will be cheapened.  I've never watched or cared about American Idol, and it's really not what I want to do on my Disney vacation.  While I love the interactive aspect of the show, it's another large-scale, plan-your-day-around-it attraction like Lights! Motors! Action! and Fantasmic!.  Hoenstly, I'd rather take my family to see Fantasmic - it's not something I can see once and call it a day; I'll see it every night I'm at the Studios.  Also, I fear that guest reluctance or ignorance will lead to more cast members performing than actual park guests.  In fact, a lot of people I've told about the upcoming attraction misunderstood that it would be actual <i>guests</i> performing, not cast members set up to seem like guests.

All in all, I agree with GreatAndoski.  it may get people in a month earlier, but there will be YEARS of a cheapened attraction sitting on property - is that really the impression that Disney want to leave its guests with?

I'm not impressed with AIE plans.  Give me another ride or interactive show that reminds me of "The Hollywood That Never Was That Always Will Be", rather than a pop culture clone.  True, "Idol" shows may be the most popular reality TV shows worldwide, but I think they're dated.  To be honest, I really miss Superstar television.  The entire family could get up there and play a part, and they were all classics.  I remember being 10 years old and called up to be a baseball player - it was the highlight of my vacation.  AIE doesn't give ALL the guests a chance to participate, and I feel as though that automatically alienates the audience.

That's my 2 cents.

I kind of like putting the soap stars on the road. I'm not a soap fan, but I think it will be a lot of fun for all those soap fans out there. Regarding the American Idol Experience, I think that getting that started earlier may be a good thing. Especially because I don't think it will last very long. It's popular now, so do it before it stops. Yeah, that may be short sighted. Regarding "Nights of Joy", Maybe those will bring some more people into the parks. There is something however that I find kind of embarrasing about "Night's of Joy." Not especially about Night's of Joy in particular, but more about guests behavior. Jim wrote about this a few days ago. I also read something similar on the Focus on the Family web site. The writer was talking to a waitress about how she must get good tips from the Sunday chuch crowds. She replied that they are often pushy and rude. Thus I was saddened to read what Jim Hill wrote about similar things on Night's of Joy. My point is if you are a believer ad you do attend Night's of Joy, remember who it is that you represent. There are non christians who are watching.

They can tone down the AIE show all they want on my account.  I give the show a one year run anyway.  I would rather that they don't spend much money on a temporary show.

With the loss of a special event like the Super Soap Weekend maybe that will re-open the possibility of a special ticketed Halloween/Christmas event that Jim referred to about a year ago:

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2007/10/11/why-for-did-the-mouse-really-rename-mgm-disney-s-hollywood-studios.aspx

That would be a great bridge for the end of October through Thanksgiving time frame that the Soap Fest has occupied.

I don't think either of these ideas are good...