Disney - Apple

[ShrunkenNed]

Just a thought for discussion...

How do you guys out there view the Disney/Pixar merger as far as the Apple Corp. is concerned? Do you see a strong marketing partnership in the days ahead? How do you feel about this?

I can see Disney releasing a lot of iTunes exclusive material, and it doesn't make me happy. But I could be wrong...

[Chris]

iTunes is already releasing some Disney shorts via the iTunes store. I think it's going to be great if they can release the materials Disney has kept locked up in the vaults for so many years.

Imagine being able to purchase individual episodes of 'The Wonderful World of Disney' or all of those fun Disney specials from the 80's? It costs them so little to make these available on iTunes because it's not inventory sitting in a warehouse somewhere.

Perhaps they'll get an idea to start releasing professionally done ride videos this way? Imagine those possibilities... With Steve Jobs on the board, this is a very real possibility (and sad to say, may be the end for websites like VF).

[ShrunkenNed]

I see your point, Chris. The only part I don't like is the possibility of having to buy a video iPod for such things. Trust me. If such things are offered, I will probably give in and buy it, but I give Disney so much of my money already.

Wondeful World of Disney Episodes or ride videos would be nice, though...

[Disneylandrocks1955]

I doubt they would ever do Profesionally done ride videos, doesn't Disney want to keep films of rides secret, or hidden? But it would be awesome to download old mickey mouse cartoon shorts, like steamboat willie etc. for my iPod if and when something like that is ever offered.

[sorcerormickey]

The Fact if they were to do Ride Videos wouldn't Disney in turn lose a lot of theme park attendance. For them to really break even they would have to charge a hefty fee for the ride videos. Like 45 Dollars a Video/ Lets think about it this way. You usually got to the Disneyland Resort about 7 times a year. For some people if Disney was to release High Quality ride videos you may not be as inclined to go to the parks as often because you can always just buy the ride videos from I-Tunes or where ever. Not going to happen anytime soon.

SM

[Chris]

If that's the case, do you feel that people that visit VF are less likely to visit the parks? Personally I don't think VF hurts Disneyland attendance with it's ride video; if anything people are more likely to want to visit the parks after visiting VF.

Obviously nobody is going to pay $45 for a single ride video online, no matter how good it is. But if downloadable videos become what MP3's have become in terms of their popularity (especially if Video iPod takes off like the MP3 iPod), then I think you have a very good chance of seeing content out there that you'd never expect.

Disneyland Music Albums (like the 6 disc set) don't hurt Park attendance and I don't think downloadable ride content (video) is going to be any different.

The huge traffic and membership of VF (11,000 members and growing) should prove that people want downloadable video of Disneyland attractions, its just up to Disney and Apple if they want to get into it as well.

[Chatterbug]

Quote from ChrisIf that's the case, do you feel that people that visit VF are less likely to visit the parks? Personally I don't think VF hurts Disneyland attendance with it's ride video; if anything people are more likely to want to visit the parks after visiting VF.
Since I have been visiting VF it only reminds me of how much I am missing by living so far away. It is especially fun to see all the video after just going. The audio is great too. I enjoy listening while doing other things it's just makes me appreciate all the little extras of Disneyland. Of course I am a huge fan to begin with so this might not apply to everyone. Thought I would just share my view.

As for the ipod both my husband and daughter have one and use them all the time. Make sure to have a warranty though if you have any problems they are quick to take care of it from our experience with my daughters. It seems allot like computers first did to me. Still a few snags to work out they keep improving and I hope get less expensive.

[RollingBoulder]

I see your point, Chris. The only part I don't like is the possibility of having to buy a video iPod for such things. Trust me. If such things are offered, I will probably give in and buy it, but I give Disney so much of my money already.

Wondeful World of Disney Episodes or ride videos would be nice, though...
Well technically, you don't have to have a video iPod to view the videos. Although the videos are sort of small to really get full enjoyment from watching them on a computer screen.

I think they should offer 2 different sizes of each video to buy. One for the iPod and one for the computer. It may give some people less incentive to buy an iPod, but it would be a nice move on their part.

[RankoAnime]

I'm pretty much neutral on the whole issue. If they started releasing Disney videos for iPod video, I think I'd regret getting iPod Nano!

[astroZOMBIE]

That would be great!! Disney iPod videos!

I'd buy them without a thought. Besides, I had been searching for awhile to find a Disneyland vodcast, which is actually quite well done! But more Disney movies would make my day!

[k_peek_2000]

The Fact if they were to do Ride Videos wouldn't Disney in turn lose a lot of theme park attendance. For them to really break even they would have to charge a hefty fee for the ride videos. Like 45 Dollars a Video/ Lets think about it this way. You usually got to the Disneyland Resort about 7 times a year. For some people if Disney was to release High Quality ride videos you may not be as inclined to go to the parks as often because you can always just buy the ride videos from I-Tunes or where ever. Not going to happen anytime soon.

SM

Then why doenst disney take out a parking lot seeing how they will loose so much attendance, and build us another flipping park to get that missing attendinces.

[Wendell]

Yeah, I don't think this website does much to impact theme park attendance. If I've never been to DLR, this site would make me want to go there! The videos are great, but nothing like the real thing. The smells for instance...

Personally, I don't like this merger. I mean, I don't really want to see Mickey and Pals carrying around Ipods in commercials next.

Second, I bet Disney wouldn't release a lot of their old cartoons via Itunes. If they are so afraid of being PC, they never will. Maybe that would change. Anyway, I have about half of the Walt Disney Cartoons on the Walt Disney Treasures Sets.

I'd love to see episodes of the Disneyland TV Show and Wonderful World of Disney on the Itunes music store! Especially the ones with Walt in it.

Now that Disney owns Pixar, do you think that they will change the name of the Block Party Bash: Starring the Pixar Film Pals? Since Pixar is now Disney. I hope Steve Jobs doesn't become Disney's president. "An Ipod in Every Pot!"

[terryb]

Watching ride videos keeps reminding me that I'm not there at the park and I need to get my rear in gear and get back. I want to ride! But I won't pay 45 dollars for a ride video.

[ShrunkenNed]

Personally, I don't like this merger. I mean, I don't really want to see Mickey and Pals carrying around Ipods in commercials next.


Now, remember, this is just speculation, not a merger. Who knows, maybe Jobs will let the two companies be as seperate as can be. (He says suppressing a laugh.)

[PeoplemoverMatt]

It's a buyout, plain & simple. It's also looking more & more like Pixar's being assimilated into Disney Co. This has very many pluses and hardly, if any, any minuses.

-- PMM :cool: