Thomas Mazloum’s Post

Forbes seems to be on the doubting train regarding Disney lately, but with this one their concerns/surprise seems to have been more widely shared. "Why Disney's New Cruise Liner May Be Charting The Wrong Course" The surprise here is the Disney Adventure launching from Singapore with only 3 & 4 night cruise to nowhere itineraries. I've seen this surprise shared across the internet, and honestly it surprised me too. But, let's be real, Disney isn't perfect, but they don't jump into things without planning. They have thought about all these options and budgets and have a financial and operational plan they assume will work that Forbes is not privy to. And getting this ship for a steal (even when the rebuild work is rumored to be close to a billion dollars) only makes those financial models look better. But, again, I was also surprised that the Disney Adventure will start with only 3 to 4 night sailings to nowhere and not do a larger set of itineraries around Southeast Asia. I certainly expected (and hope to do someday) that a DCL ship would be pulling in to Hong Kong for that one-of-a-kind photo of a Disney park castle with a Disney Cruise Line ship in the background (you're welcome...), but it seems 2025 still won't be that year (we'll live). But Disney has a lot of testing to do in this market. They've nailed the family market for Caribbean cruises. I am going to say they've even secured their footing in the European market. But the Asian cruise market has different tastes and priorities, and a lot of the first ships to those markets from other cruise lines had to get pulled for modifications for new amenities. Even now, other lines build unique ships, or heavily modify existing ships, before sending them to this market. So for Disney, its better to test the waters, even if I am surprised by the itinerary options (and it's part of what seems to be a focus on shorter itineraries fleet wide in the coming years which is another conversation...) How will this market take to Disney's premium pricing? How will it react to not having a casino on board? What will Disney do to replace their expansive pool decks with more indoor and/or dry activities? There is a lot for Disney to test here. So as we get past the gut reaction, there is logic to starting small with self-contained itineraries out of Singapore. (And even in their theme parks, for every smash opening of Tokyo Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland there were stumbles with new markets in Hong Kong and Paris... so there is always potential for Disney to be making rapid adjustments to this ship across 2025 and 2026.) https://lnkd.in/e9EJAv-X #letsmakeplans #themedentertainment #themedesign #themeparks #disneyparks #cruiseindustry

Did you hear the news? Disney Cruise Line has shared more about the Disney Adventure, its newest cruise ship launching in Singapore next year! Read all about what's going to be on the ship with my latest for Forbes. #Disneycruiseline #cruiseexpert

Disney Cruise Line Announces Fleet Expansion to Continue Period of Unprecedented Growth #maritimenews #shippingindustry #marineinsight #singaporebusiness #shipsupplysoftware #shipsupplysolution #supplychainmanagement #shipsuppliersoftware #disneycruiseline #fleetexpansion #unprecedentedgrowth #cruiseindustry #disneyvacations

Disney Unveils $60 Billion Theme Park and Cruise Expansion Amid Slowing Visitor Demand Highlights include: 🪄 Disney plans to expand its cruise ship fleet from nine to 13 ships by 2031, nearly tripling its size. 🪄 Florida's Magic Kingdom will undergo its largest expansion ever, adding new lands based on Disney villains and Pixar's "Cars." 🪄 Disneyland Resort in California will introduce new superhero-themed rides, a "Coco" attraction, and a Main Street show featuring animatronic Walt Disney. 🪄 Despite recent declines in park attendance and operating profit, Disney commits to long-term growth with a $60 billion investment. 🪄 The expansion projects, part of Disney's broader strategy, include both confirmed and still-secret developments across theme parks, cruise lines, and resorts. https://lnkd.in/eXJhnqpk Hospitality Technology

Disney Genie+ SoCal: What to Know from Our Experience. If you are planning a trip to Disneyland and/or California Adventure Park, you might wonder if the Disney Genie+ service is worth the cost. The quick answer: yes!

Let’s talk a little bit about Travel… The advantages of using Disney World’s Lightning Lane: 🚀 Maximize Your Disney Magic with Lightning Lane! 🌟 Planning a trip to Disney World? 🎢 Don’t miss out on the magic by spending hours in line. Here’s why investing in a Lightning Lane pass can make all the difference: 1. Skip the Lines: With Lightning Lane, you can bypass the long standby queues and get to the fun faster! More time for attractions, fewer waits! 2. Stress-Free Planning: Pre-select your must-do rides and experiences, so you can enjoy the day knowing you’ve got your top picks covered. 3. Flexibility & Freedom: With more time on your hands, you can explore the park at your own pace, catch more shows, and maybe even squeeze in a character meet-and-greet! 🐭 4. More for Your Money: Make the most of your Disney day by experiencing more attractions. The less time you spend in line, the more value you get out of your ticket. 5. Create Lasting Memories: Less waiting means more magical moments with family and friends. After all, isn’t that what Disney is all about? 🎟️ Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Disney pro, the Lightning Lane is a game-changer that makes your adventure even more magical. ✨ #DisneyWorld #LightningLane #TravelTips #FamilyVacation #ThemeParks #CustomerExperience

"Disney's Lighting Lane is a scam".... and in other news, water is wet. This is a really great article, from Frommer's, no less. A giant travel site is finally saying the quiet part out loud. Ride reservations need to be either a free amenity (like paper FastPasses and their short-lived digital evolution MaxPass) or a high-cost exclusive upgrade (like VIP tours and Universal Express). Or better yet, just get rid of all of it and let the physical lines, you know, do their actual job. Which they do well, and efficiently, all without reservation systems. But we know they won't do that becau$e rea$on$. (If you haven't watched Defuntland's *incredible* documentary about FastPass, you should -- it's almost two hours long, exhaustively researched, and incisive in its insight. I'll post a link in the first comment below.) This is the first year in probably three decades where I *won't* be renewing my Disneyland annual pass -- the hassle of park reservations, plus the extra cost of Genie+ and parking every time has made it an extravagance instead of a pretty good deal.

The Walt Disney Company's theme parks are projected to earn $10B in profit this year, a significant jump from $2.2B ten years prior. The 68-year-old venture has rebounded after the pandemic's adverse effects a few years ago. Disney recently revealed that the company plans to invest about $60B in the upcoming decade to boost both its national and international parks and its cruise business. This figure is twice what they've invested in the past ten years, which was already a significant amount of $30B. In the past 10 years they opened the Shanghai Disney Resort, doubled their cruise capacity, introduced new rides in domestic parks, and invested into their Paris and Hong Kong parks, among other ventures. As for the future, CEO Robert Iger is optimistic, stating that increasing investments and leveraging their top intellectual properties will significantly boost growth. #realestate #themepark #profit #venture #pandemic #investment #business #paris #hongkong #intellectualproperty #growth  #restructurednews If you're interested to learn more about our newsletter, subscribe here: www.restructurednews.com or follow us on Instagram @restructurednews and TikTok @restructurednews https://lnkd.in/grbFbivJ

Tokyo Disney Resort is both familiar and foreign – in the best way

Many people think of in your face Disney characters when you discuss a Disney cruise. This couldn't be further from the truth. While yes, there are character experiences to be had, it's not what makes the cruiseline so special. So what sets a Disney cruise apart from say a Royal Caribbean? Well for starters, the level and quality of service you get from the staff. There are also more inclusions such as fireworks at sea and soda included v. having to purchase a package. The other thing that sets Disney apart is their designated adults only space. Children under the age of 18 are not able to enter adults only areas and as a result, are unable to impede on the adult time unlike other cruises. They also have restaurants, night clubs, and deck areas dedicated to the kids at heart that are looking for a more exclusive, and perhaps even more romantic experience. And let's not forget Star Wars, Marvel, Mickey & Minnie, and so many more that makes a Disney cruise so special for everyone. https://lnkd.in/eJdaj8Ex