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Dr. John’s 2014 Prescriptions for Walt Disney World

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Normally at this time of year, I write a retrospective piece looking back at the year in Disney, but for personal reasons, I’ve decided now is the time to look forward, not back. Instead of recollections, I’m writing prescriptions.These are the things I believe will help Walt Disney World continue to compete for the hearts and wallets of their fans while fending off challenges from other entertainment options both near (Universal Orlando) and far (changing TV viewing habits at home, for instance)

I’ll try and limit myself to one or two recommendations each and something that can at least get started in 2014. I don’t intend each prescription to solve every woe, but it will at least make a significant difference in one or two major problem areas.

Magic Kingdom
The oldest theme park in Central Florida is showing its age more and more and suffers from serious stagnation in both attractions and entertainment (translation: a serious capacity issue). There is something they can do quickly to make a dent. As part of an overall project to update Tomorrowland, I prescribe for the park an indoor air-conditioned high-capacity theater capable of hosting shows similar to the Hyperion Theater at California Adventure. With multiple shows a day, this adds a lot of capacity, gives guests a place to cool off in the heat and humidity, and allows for a showcase for Disney’s latest animated musicals (Rapunzel Stage show anyone?). This is also something that could be accomplished quickly and with minimal in park disruption by setting the theater outside the berm. Additional revenue can be raised by hosting events in the space, something the Magic Kingdom is currently lacking.

EPCOT
This park has the highest capacity of all four parks. It has two wonderful festivals and an enjoyable Christmas overlay. These are wonderful for what they do to attract guests. However, the mission and vision of EPCOT has been ignored for too long, and many areas of the park are in serious need of rejuvenation. Let’s tackle the two sections of the park separately.Read More »Dr. John’s 2014 Prescriptions for Walt Disney World

Watch The 2013 Osborne Family Lights From Home

Editor’s note: Please welcome Michelle Snow with here first guest post for The Disney Blog. Follow her on Twitter @zengrrl. One of the best parts of the Holiday season at Walt Disney World is the annual Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood… Read More »Watch The 2013 Osborne Family Lights From Home

Videopolis: The Making of Disney MGM Studios

Here’s a little blast from the past; a video from 1989 that details the making of Disney-MGM Studios. The park, even with a new name, has lost touch with the original vision articulated in that video. We keep hearing rumors about how Disney’s Hollywood Studios… Read More »Videopolis: The Making of Disney MGM Studios

Disney Villains To Appear at Disneyland and Hollywood Studios this Friday the 13th

Rumors of a fifth gate at Walt Disney World occasionally bubble to the surface and more often than not it takes the form of a Disney Villains themed thrill park (or maybe Heroes vs Villains depending on who you ask). I think that might be… Read More »Disney Villains To Appear at Disneyland and Hollywood Studios this Friday the 13th

Should American Idol Experience Juniors Edition Return?

Note: Facebook now let’s you embed posts; so we’re experimenting today. Please let us know in the comments if you have any technical difficulties with this post. Thanks. Post by The Disney Blog.

Cone Food Comes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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The Chili in a Cone Sandwich is a well-themed treat that was first available at Disney California Adventures in the new Cars Land section. It made its first east coast appearance in Downtown Disney with both Chili and Meatball Marinara options. Now the easy to hold food treat is available in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in three new varieties, including the first two cold salad options.

We taste tested two of the selections – The Cajun Shrimp and the Chicken, Bacon & Avocado Salad. Both were made with fresh ingredients and served in large enough portions to be a meal. The Cajun spices weren’t overly hot, but not as mild as theme park food usually is either. The chicken salad was also yummy with a good mix of avocado and bacon. How can you go wrong with bacon? We used a fork to eat both, but it wasn’t strictly required for the Chicken Salad. And then when the salad was gone, you still had the bread cone to eat, which had now soaked up some of the flavor from the salad.

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Envisioning a new Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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There have been a number of different rumors about the changes coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios should the company decide to spend a few bucks fixing it up. The photo above and descriptions below are a compilation of what a few sources have told me plus a dose of what seems most likely just based on my experience with Disney World’s expansion history.

First, why would Disney be willing to spend a princely sum on Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They’ve just spent a half-billion dollars on expanding Fantasyland, somewhere north of two billion on the next-gen technology that’s bringing us Fastpass+ and MyMagic+, and have committed to building Avatarland, which might approach a billion dollars before all is said and done there as well (I’m including relocating Festival of the Lion King in that total).

There are a number of things lining up that point to DHS getting some TLC soon.

  • First Avatar-land has been delayed, so that bucket of money is potentially available to be shifted to DHS.
  • There is a growing awareness amongst Disney World managers that next-gen won’t be an attendance driver for the parks and resorts.
  • DHS has had problems keeping guests in the park after mid-afternoon. With Universal Orlando adding even more attractions, Disney is worried about losing one day of the Disney vacation to Universal.
  • Lastly, since the Lucasfilm addition, Disney has made clear that they’ll be looking to the parks to help capitalize on the new Star Wars properties. The Star Wars Weekends have been huge successes, particularly when it comes to selling merchandise, and Disney wants to attract that crowd all year long.

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My Kid’s in American Idol Experience as part of Limited Time Magic Junior Performers

My son Indigo made it onto American Idol Experience as part of the Limited Time Magic Junior Performers. He’ll be in the 6pm show tonight. We hope to get a large group to come to Hollywood Studios and cheer him on. Please come on down… Read More »My Kid’s in American Idol Experience as part of Limited Time Magic Junior Performers