From: wjf@controls.ccd.harris.com (Bill Figie)
Subject: Re: Disney World announces plans for 1990's
Originator: wjf@rs2
Organization: Harris Controls
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 18:19:28 GMT


In article <1992Oct12.164631.25628@pmafire.inel.gov>,
 geoff@pmafire.inel.gov (Geoff Allen) writes:
|> wjf@controls.ccd.harris.com (Bill Figie) writes:
|> 
|> 
|> There was some mention in rec.arts.disney that some of the ``Disney
|> Decade'' stuff is being scaled back.  I don't recall why.  Bummer.

From what I have heard, Disney is not making money hand over fists
anymore.  Can't pay Michael Eisner's huge salary ;^) .  I don't things
are really that bad, but they are investing their money in what makes
the most back for them.  Adding new multi-million dollar attractions
like Splash Mountain really don't make them much more money (although
they really needed to add a new attraction at the Magic Kingdom).  They
want to continue adding new gated attractions.  They are also
concentrating on expanding Disney?MGM.  They need more sound stages
also.  I also heard the other day that GM will sponsor the World of
Motion pavilion for one more year and then see how they are financially.

|> 
|> >The do plan on opening several more hotels (oh boy). 
|> 
|> The scoop from rec.arts.disney is that they're adding ``economy''
|> hotels.  ``Economy'' at Walt Disney World means in the $60-$70 per
|> night range.
|> 
|> I assume they're trying to get some of the folks staying in
|> Kissimmee-St. Cloud to stay ``on property'' instead.  But they seem
|> to forget that, as Tom Bodett says, ``they all look the same with
|> your eyes closed.'' ;^)

They are sort of economy hotel/motels for the area around Disney. 
There are many cheap places but they are a little drive away.  Anyplace
within 15 minutes is probably in the 50 dollar price range.  I paid
about 50-60 dollars at a Days Inn close to the park in the off season
several years ago.  Also, staying on Disney property has one benefit. 
It is probably safer.  Not that International Drive or Kissamee/St.
Cloud or Orlando is overly dangerous, but last week a Brit got shot and
robbed.  That is a big news item around here because the English
tabloids have really picked up on how dangerous it is around Disney. 
Our local tourist offices are afraid that this will scare off all the
English that visit the area each year.

As a final note, I would like to piggyback on this post something asked
by Michael Cornell about what Mt. Fuji or the Matterhorn is like. 
First, there is some excellent footage of the Matterhorn in the movie
Forty Pounds of Trouble.  The Mt. Fuji ride would probably be very
similar to the Matterhorn ride.  The Matterhorn ride in Calif. is like
a Jet Star type coaster with bobsled type cars.  It is on a track that
hugs the man-made mountain.  It twists and swoops and turns around and
through the mountain.  Not much as far as a big drop.  Sort of like Big
Thunder except only a 2 car train and much more of it takes place
inside the mountain.  It is kind of hard to describe other than this. 
If you do catch the movie, remember, this is the old style cars and
track layout.  It has been redone since the movie was made.  The movie
is quite old.  Probably made in 1959 or 60 I think.  I don't know why
they would create both of them other then to say they have two mountain
ranges.  Remember, Disney would probably not foot the bill for either. 
Switzerland and Japan would probably pay most of the costs.


	Bill "if only Disney were more into thrill rides" Figie