Disney Parks: Princesses, New Fantasyland, and Shanghai Disneyland

Disney Princesses in Parks History

• 👑 The discussion revisits the history of Disney Princesses in the parks, noting that while rides like The Little Mermaid, Snow White, and Alice in Wonderland feature female leads, they often lack a strong narrative voice compared to characters like the Haunted Mansion's Ghost Host.
• 👑 The potential addition of Anastasia to the Disney Princess lineup is explored, with insights into Don Bluth's history with Disney and his current independent studio.

New Fantasyland Project Evolution

• 🏗️ Tom Staggs, upon becoming head of parks and resorts, expressed concerns about the original New Fantasyland plans, particularly the overemphasis on interactive meet-and-greets.
• 🎢 Staggs championed the inclusion of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction, a concept previously pitched for Tokyo Disneyland, to add kinetic energy and open up space for new dark rides.
• 🏰 The Princess Fairy Tale Hall was conceived as a flexible space to accommodate various princesses, including Tiana, and later Anna and Elsa, replacing the Snow White's Scary Adventures attraction.

Shanghai Disneyland and Ride Design

• 🎢 Lessons learned from Hong Kong Disneyland, where enclosed roller coasters like Space Mountain caused issues with guests not understanding ride type, influenced Shanghai's design.
• 🎢 Shanghai features outdoor roller coasters like TRON Lightcycle Power Run and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, making their nature immediately apparent to guests.

Disney's Riviera Resort and DVC Sales

• 🏨 Surveys indicate that Disney's Riviera Resort resale policy and the high point cost for stays are significant deterrents for potential Disney Vacation Club members.
• 💰 The resort's proximity to Epcot and the Skyliner is acknowledged, but the incremental cost compared to other resorts like Beach Club is often not deemed worthwhile by guests.
• 📉 Sales for the Riviera have been slower than expected, potentially due to disruptions in the planned rollout and the impact of the 50th-anniversary celebration at Epcot.

Park Operations and Guest Experience

• ❓ Surveys are being used to gauge the impact of temporarily suspended park operations, such as Extra Magic Hours, character meet-and-greets, and nighttime spectaculars, on guest intent to visit.
• 😷 The ongoing pandemic and the potential for a vaccine by April 2021 are discussed, with implications for theme park attendance and major film releases like Jurassic World Dominion being pushed to 2022.

Tangled Bathrooms and Stroller Parking

• 🚽 The Tangled-themed bathrooms in New Fantasyland are highlighted not just for their elaborate theming but for their strategic placement, which enabled the relocation of stroller parking.
• 🚶 This move alleviated congestion near the entrance of "It's a Small World," improving park operations and guest flow.