I finally got around to seeing "Waking Sleeping Beauty." If you haven't heard of this movie before it's a documentary about Disney Animation from the early 80's to the mid 90's. It starts at just before Disney's lowest point in the early 80's just before the release of the box office bomb "The Black Cauldron."
This documentary really shows the story behind the changing of the guard from the original animators to the second generation of Disney animators. It then takes you through the emotional ups and downs of the second Disney golden age right to the implosion of the late Eisner years.
This documentary was more than just a detail by detail replay it went into the relationships the animators had and the stress between the Disney executives. There times when this movie really tugs on your heart strings. Disney suffered two major losses during this period and this film covers both of them.
Even non-Disney fans would enjoy this film. It really gives you a good idea of how animated films make it from concept to the light of day and how a company can go from the bottom to the top in less than ten years.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Ticket Price Increases - The Lazy Way of Generating Income
Disney raises their ticket prices every year. Everyone has come to expect it. In fact it's so reliable you could set your clock by it. However, is it a good idea?
Increasing the cost of tickets comes with a few problems. First it annoys the Disney fans. I'm not talking about the average family going to Disney World. I'm talking about the fans who realize the the price of their annual pass keeps creeping up every year.
The second big issue is at some point you are going to hit a breaking point. The day will come when the price gets to the point where attendance will decrease.
The third issue is the simple fact that increasing the cost of tickets is lazy and there are better options that would provide more income without annoying people. For example you could offer a $10 gift card with every ticket purchased.
At this point you must think I'm insane. How does giving ten dollars away increase revenue? Let me explain.
The card cannot be used for food. Some of you just caught on. For the rest let me explain why that is so important.
What can you buy in Disney World that isn't food for under $10? Almost nothing but people are going to spend that money.
The amazing thing is this is a glorified coupon. Studies have shown that offering coupons make people spend more. People think they are saving money but in fact they end up spending more a majority of the time. People's mentality changes when they have a coupon. Let me give an example.
Say you are selling a sweatshirt for $50 (that's not unheard of in a theme park). The person who would like to buy it would never pay $50 for it. In fact the person wouldn't buy the sweatshirt if it cost $40. You leave the price at $50 but offer the coupon or in this case a gift for ten dollars. The person will buy that sweatshirt. Why? Because they perceive that they are getting a deal. If someone thinks they are getting a good deal they will spend more than they had planned.
Now you see why offering a $10 gift card generates a lot of income. Sure there are going to be the savvy shoppers who go in and buy a pin or another inexpensive item but overall you are going to make a lot of money.
Increasing the cost of tickets comes with a few problems. First it annoys the Disney fans. I'm not talking about the average family going to Disney World. I'm talking about the fans who realize the the price of their annual pass keeps creeping up every year.
The second big issue is at some point you are going to hit a breaking point. The day will come when the price gets to the point where attendance will decrease.
The third issue is the simple fact that increasing the cost of tickets is lazy and there are better options that would provide more income without annoying people. For example you could offer a $10 gift card with every ticket purchased.
At this point you must think I'm insane. How does giving ten dollars away increase revenue? Let me explain.
The card cannot be used for food. Some of you just caught on. For the rest let me explain why that is so important.
What can you buy in Disney World that isn't food for under $10? Almost nothing but people are going to spend that money.
The amazing thing is this is a glorified coupon. Studies have shown that offering coupons make people spend more. People think they are saving money but in fact they end up spending more a majority of the time. People's mentality changes when they have a coupon. Let me give an example.
Say you are selling a sweatshirt for $50 (that's not unheard of in a theme park). The person who would like to buy it would never pay $50 for it. In fact the person wouldn't buy the sweatshirt if it cost $40. You leave the price at $50 but offer the coupon or in this case a gift for ten dollars. The person will buy that sweatshirt. Why? Because they perceive that they are getting a deal. If someone thinks they are getting a good deal they will spend more than they had planned.
Now you see why offering a $10 gift card generates a lot of income. Sure there are going to be the savvy shoppers who go in and buy a pin or another inexpensive item but overall you are going to make a lot of money.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Vegas Releases Odds For Next Unofficial Guide Cover
Because everyone knows you should be able to place a bet on anything Vegas released odds for the next Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2012.
Primeval Whirl - odds 2-1
After being the first crappy attraction to appear not once but twice on the cover Primeval Whirl is the front runner.
Mission Space - odds 5-1
Normally Mission Space would not be a front runner but the last two years have shown us that the crappier the ride the better the odds of getting on the cover.
Spaceship Earth at night - odds 7-1
The first attraction that would actually make sense.
Pioneer Hall - odds - 100-1
Some experts feel that the time has come for a non-park icon to be used on the cover.
An overweight person on a scooter - odds - 200-1
What better could representative could you find of modern day Disney?
The Tequila Bar in Mexico - odds 1-10
Insiders say that one of the Unofficial Co-authors will pull rank and put his favorite location on the cover.
Len Testa - odds - 10,000-1
Hey it might happen by accident some day.
Primeval Whirl - odds 2-1
After being the first crappy attraction to appear not once but twice on the cover Primeval Whirl is the front runner.
Mission Space - odds 5-1
Normally Mission Space would not be a front runner but the last two years have shown us that the crappier the ride the better the odds of getting on the cover.
Spaceship Earth at night - odds 7-1
The first attraction that would actually make sense.
Pioneer Hall - odds - 100-1
Some experts feel that the time has come for a non-park icon to be used on the cover.
An overweight person on a scooter - odds - 200-1
What better could representative could you find of modern day Disney?
The Tequila Bar in Mexico - odds 1-10
Insiders say that one of the Unofficial Co-authors will pull rank and put his favorite location on the cover.
Len Testa - odds - 10,000-1
Hey it might happen by accident some day.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Photo of the Week - Old School Magic Kingdom Entrance
Behind the kid is the original entrance to the Magic Kingdom. The Mickey is still there but everything in front of it is gone. The entire area was ripped up and removed to make room for people to stand while they wait for the gates to open.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)