Disney Parks' Shift to IP-Based Attractions: A Look at Bob Iger's Strategy

Construction and Closures in Disney Parks

• 🚧 Construction is underway behind Pandora – The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom, possibly for a private club or an expansion related to the Avatar sequels.
• 🛍️ The Disney Springs restaurant Bongos is confirmed to be closing, though Gloria Estefan is opening a new restaurant in Margaritaville.

Guest Behavior and Park Operations

• 🦱 Hundreds of hair rubber bands have accumulated on Expedition Everest, a result of guests treating the stop as a game.
• 🎟️ Disney is preparing for guests to camp out for two consecutive nights before the opening of Galaxy's Edge, raising concerns about safety and comfort.
• 📊 On an average day, 50-55% of park guests are on-site, with fewer than 25% of on-site guests utilizing early morning Extra Magic Hours.
• 📝 Operational procedures for Galaxy's Edge are still being determined, with a dynamic webpage serving as the best source for the latest information.
• ♿ The Disability Access System (DAS) availability and special needs accommodations for guests with conditions like epilepsy in Galaxy's Edge are still being decided.

Bob Iger's Leadership and Strategy

• 📚 Bob Iger's memoir, "The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 years as the CEO of the Walt Disney Company," is set to be released.
• 💡 Iger's tenure has seen a significant shift towards creating attractions based on established Intellectual Properties (IPs) and film franchises, rather than original concepts.
• 📈 This strategy is driven by the desire to sell more merchandise tied to these popular IPs, merging parks, resorts, and consumer products into a single division.
• 🚗 Examples include the integration of "Cars" into California Adventure and the upcoming "Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway" attraction, which will feature merchandise carts shaped like train cars.
• 🏞️ The closure of Carnation Gardens to create Fantasy Fair at Disneyland exemplifies the move towards IP-focused, retail-integrated experiences.

Future Developments and Resorts

• 🏨 "Reflections," a new DVC resort, is being built on the former site of River Country, featuring a large pool area with a lazy river and lakeside cabins.
• 🚗 Concerns exist about the impact of increased traffic from the new resort on the existing road system at Fort Wilderness.
• 🏗️ Construction for "Reflections" is anticipated to be a 2021 project, with potential impacts on noise levels at Fort Wilderness.