Do you hear that squealing noise coming out of Burbank?
That’s the sound of Mouse House management stomping on the brakes. Slowing down (and — in some cases — shutting down entirely) some of the more ambitious projects that the Walt Disney Company currently has in the works. All because of what’s been going on with Wall Street.
Mind you, Mickey’s being very selective of what he’s ratcheting back. That pricey pile of new motion pictures that Disney Studios head Dick Cook announced late last month? They’re still all going into production. Why For? Because even in tough times, consumers will still seek out affordable entertainment. (Don’t believe me? Then bone up on your Hollywood history. Especially the parts that discuss how well the studios did during the Great Depression).
But as for Disney’s Parks & Resorts division … That WDI-designed inner city entertainment complex that the Oriental Land Company cancelled on Tuesday may not be the only project that gets its plug pulled. There’s lots of yet-to-officially-be-announced stuff in the works for the Walt Disney World Resort that has just been placed on hold. As WDW execs adopt a wait-and-see approach toward any further expansion / enhancement of that property. At least until these suits learn who won the next Presidential election and / or what sort of long-term impact the current economic downturn is going to have on Central Florida tourism.
Copyright Disney. All Rights Reserved
As you might imagine, the guys in Glendale (not to mention Magic Kingdom management) were disappointed to learn about Disney’s decision to slow down development of a whole new raft of rides for WDW’s oldest theme park. Particularly since these attractions were deliberately being designed to revitalize the Fantasyland section of that park.
“So what exactly has been placed on hold?,” you ask. Well, for starters, the East Coast clone of DCA‘s “Little Mermaid” ride. When it’s finally built, this $140 million attraction will be massive. The show building itself is supposed to be so huge that the Imagineers are actually going to have to move “Dumbo the Flying Elephant” out of the way in order to accommodate “Mermaid” ‘s enormous queue area.
Not to worry, though. Everyone’s favorite flying elephant won’t be soaring off into the sunset. Current plans call for “Dumbo” to be shifted 100 yards or so to the East. Where this spinner will be set down next to that new circus-themed Disney Vacation Club cart that’s located to the left of Pooh’s Playful Spot.
Other Magic Kingdom-related projects that have been temporarily sidetracked include a new Disney Princess gift shop which was to have been built right across the way from the “Little Mermaid” ride’s exit. FYI : This new Fantasyland retail area is supposed to feature a “Princess and the Frog” theme.
Copyright Disney. All Rights Reserved
Speaking of the Disney Princesses … Another part of Fantasyland’s facelift which may not happen now involves the retheming of one of the Magic Kingdom’s original attractions. With “Snow White’s Scary Adventures” being replaced by a brand-new “Beauty & the Beast” -themed dark ride.
“Snow White” fans shouldn’t fret, though. Should this part of the Fantasyland revitalization plan actually go forward, Disney’s first princess would still make her home in the Magic Kingdom. Snow would just whistle while she walked over to another corner of Fantasyland. Where the Imagineers plan on installing a family-friendly coaster which will take Guests — via mine car — through the Seven Dwarves’ diamond mine.
Other Magic Kingdom projects that have been pushed back and/or put off include a possible retheming of Mickey’s Toontown Faire. So that this section of the theme park would then more closely resemble the distinctive settings of that über-popular Playhouse Disney series, “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.”
So now that this Fantasyland facelift has quietly been placed on hold, what happens next? Well, from what I hear, Magic Kingdom managers have been told to batten down their financial hatches. Only spend what they have to (More importantly, what’s already been budgeted for the coming fiscal year). Which is why the only projects that are still going forward are the redo of “The Hall of Presidents” (Which is due to close for a lengthy rehab on the 31st of this month) as well as Space Mountain‘s long overdue overhaul (This seven-month-long project should get underway sometime after the 1st of the year).
Copyright Disney. All Rights Reserved
Hopefully by the time work begins in earnest on the retooling of that Tomorrowland thrill ride, Mouse House managers will have a better understanding of what’s actually going on with the economy. And Walt Disney World can then make the proper adjustments to that resort’s future plans.
But as of right now, virtually every ambitious project that the Mouse has in the works (be it that ultra-exclusive, super-expensive 5th gate that the Imagineers want to build at Walt Disney World and/or that “World of Disney” replacement the Company wants to open in Times Square) is up for review. And given the current financial conditions (More importantly, what’s happening with Disney’s stock price) … The suits feel that it’s prudent to hit the brakes in most of these situations.
Now please keep in mind that we’re only talking about a postponement here. Not an outright cancellation. More importantly, that many of the attractions mentioned in today’s article weren’t actually due to open ’til 2012 or 2013 anyway. So as for Fantasyland’s facelift … That probably won’t happen now ’til 2014 or 2015. And should the WDW Resort go through a rough couple of years, attendance-wise … Well, those plans would obviously be revised.
So what do you think? Given what’s going on with the economy right now, is it really wise for Disney Parks & Resorts execs to take a wait-and-see approach when it comes to enhancing / expanding WDW ?
Your thoughts?