Would you pay extra bucks for an exclusive Disney park?
 

Al Lutz suggests in his update today that the strawberry fields may be destined for a high-priced, high-technology, over-the-top themed third gate. So exclusive that it'd be capped at 5000 visitors per day. This is all in the planning stages, and there's a chance it'll just be a standard third gate-- but there's also a chance it won't.

Seems like an annual pass for that one might be out of my league. But something like that would be incredible to experience at least once.

Still, I'd rather they put the great new technology in the real parks, not something so trendy that only the spendy can attendy.

Your thoughts?

It would have to depend on the particulars ... but as someone who hates even the class system of FastPass, I object to this concept on principal.

A park that would be a special place? That we would only go to once a year? Hmm...

Hi-tech? Like DisneyQuest?

I'm not going pass judgment on any "blue sky" plans... except that I'm excited that Disney is even considering any kind of cool innovations... it almost sounds like... what's the word?... Imagineering!

While I detest that this makes a Disney park even less accessible to the normal folks than the others already are (which is yet another thing that takes away from my happy bubble that Disney wanted to bring something good to the masses), the idea that there will be new and exciting things there is, well... exciting.

Having been to the former DisneyQuest in Chicago, it was a big let-down in terms of exciting technology. Like LSPE, I'd rather see them bring it to existing parks, or perhaps open something more reasonably priced.

However, a part of the failure of DisneyQuest, Chicago, IMO was that it wasn't well-maintained. Perhaps it would work better with more maintenance, and a different slant on technology. Straightforward technology is always quickly outdated.

Oh bother! I don't care - don't make it too expensive for the middle-class! That's the least, right? ;)

I'd go, it might only be once a year, but it would be appealing.

To wander a park with 5000 rather than 50000 might be nice.

the term 'elitiest' sadly comes to mind at this.

The number restrictions appeal to me, but I wonder if that number is really all a "new type of park" could reasonably handle. Disneyland with 5000 is terriffic, but 5000 may be capacity for a different type of experience.

It's really too vague of an idea to have a strong feeling about.

I also have some problems trusting that this is an overall good idea. Disney in California doesn't need another lame theme park, when there is so much room for improvement in DCA.

Nail hit squarely on head! :snap:

Doesn't the SeaWorld dolphin park in Florida have severely limited attendance numbers with accordingly exorbitant prices? Has anybody done that and was it worth the money?

Very well put! Visible mojo!

I once purchased a one-day park hopper pass for a vist that lasted around two hours. So, yeah. I'd probably pay the extra bucks for what others have dubed "Park33".

If they do build it, I'd be willing to bet they would be going after the same upscale market targeted by cruise lines and Vegas. Take a Disney cruise out of SoCal and tack on a day or two at Park33.

This whole idea just kills it for me. A whole exclusive park just for rich and famous folk? Club 33 is one thing, but shutting the door to the whole park on us "regular folk" just kinda burns me. People throw around the cliche "Walt's turning in his grave" all the time, but this is one instance where I'd have to agree. He never would have wanted something like that. The parks are already overly high priced as it is, but to actually go and make that the point? Blech. They might as well replace Toon Town with "Paris Hilton Land" and ditch the Princess face characters and instead have pantieless Britneys exiting the Main Street vehicles.

...

... ... wait a minute...

Discovery Cove? I know someone who did it and loved it.


I would only approve of an elitist park if there was a suitably elitist dress code. No Crocs allowed.

Having flown across the globe to go to a Disney theme par, I'd probably shell out the bucks for this too, but I'm still not clear on what it would offer that would command the premium. Fewer guests is one thing, not sure what ride or gadget would really attract me to pay more.

Right now, my main pleasure in Disney is the theming and environments they create, more than the rides or technology. So if the end result is a completely decked out Mysterious Island where I get to be Captain Nemo for a day, I'm in - if it's a bunch of robotic characters mounted on segways, not so much. I'd rather save up my cash and visit Tokyo or Paris.

Yes! Mysterious Island!!!

Seriously, if they did build something so spectacular that it puts Tokyo Disney Seas to shame, I'd be there in a heartbeat - regardless of the price!

Perhaps it's time to build Westworld?

I'd be worried about the effect on development at the "regular" parks. If all the energy goes into making whizzbang attractions for the elite park, will that have a DCA-like effect on the rest of the empire, with the "regular" parks getting watered down versions later on, like ToT and Pooh? If this plan happens, what's the chance of something of Indy caliber arriving at a "regular" park?

Yes, like the sucking effect DCA has already had on Disneyland. Tons of effort being put into making the loser park a success, with barely a new E-Ticket in Disneyland in 20 years that hasn't been a ressurection of an extinct attraction.


I shudder to think if Park33 gets all the creativity and budget, DCA gets what's left over, and Disneyland coasts for 40 years with nothing (and I'd be willing to wager, even at that, Disneyland remains the best of the 3 parks in Anaheim).