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London Entertainment Resort: All Discussion

There seems to be a little learning required here in terms of how these projects work.

Disney began looking at a European park in the early 1970s, for a park that opened in 1992. Shanghai in 1999, for a 2016 opening.

To continue with that company, look how much time went into the Americas project before that was doomed.

If there is a difference, I think it's how transparent they're being. Scope changes all the time on such things, but you rarely hear the details.

Stuff takes time.
 
I'm not sure whether it can be considered transparency, the quarterly press release seems to stink of scrambling for any morsel of news to try and get some sort of additional investment onboard. I'm all for things taking time, but with the constant major date changes, board changes and IP removals/additions with no real progress on the tangible stuff had me losing any hope of this place becoming a reality.
 
Craig said:
I'm all for things taking time, but with the constant major date changes, board changes and IP removals/additions with no real progress on the tangible stuff had me losing any hope of this place becoming a reality.
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I don’t disagree with any of this, and the chances of this project getting off the ground remain remarkably small.

However bringing PY Gerbeau in as chief executive is an interesting move. He has a reputation for getting things done, was very highly regarded at Euro Disney (as it was then) when he was a vice-president in its troubled early years, and did a solid job running the Millennium Dome, smoothing over the PR problems that dogged its opening.

I’m not saying this is a great statement of intent or will make the actual construction of the London Resort more likely, but Gerbeau’s involvement certainly isn’t going to make it any less likely - and could help grease a few wheels.
 
This is one of those things where I'd really love to be proved wrong, I'd love to see something of this size in the UK. I do worry that this constant advertising is doing the opposite of what it intends to do. You only have to look at the comments on their social media comments following today's announcement to see that public opinion has completely turned on this project. It's not a good look for potential investors, and can't help but feel it'd be much better to get some work done behind the scenes rather than go public with everything.

Look at their website for example. They've proudly added the Paramount logo to the front page, but their planning page still refers to submitting applications in 2017. If they're serious about being transparent with the public, and more important they want them on their side and taken seriously, they really need to ensure that the information out there is accurate and up to date. They clearly have the ability to update the website quickly on account of the frontpage being updated, they should be taking another hour to ensure the rest of the site makes sense. But if they're incapable of doing something as basic as updating a website, that gives me major worries for actually being able to carry out a major project such as this.
 
@Craig I get some of those criticisms - but in terms of engaging the public, I don't think they're trying to do that in any kind of meaningful way - they've nothing to sell, they're just keeping something bubbling under whilst they get their ducks in a row. In a country where it takes 6 months to get permission for a single-storey extension on your kitchen, there is obviously a number of complexities in building something of this size just outside of a very congested capital!

Fair shout though, it is poor that they have a web presence and they're not keeping it up to date. Like the Alton opening hours on the TS homepage - inaccurate, but well intentioned, I am sure!
 
Rick said:
@Craig I get some of those criticisms - but in terms of engaging the public, I don't think they're trying to do that in any kind of meaningful way - they've nothing to sell, they're just keeping something bubbling under whilst they get their ducks in a row. In a country where it takes 6 months to get permission for a single-storey extension on your kitchen, there is obviously a number of complexities in building something of this size just outside of a very congested capital!

Fair shout though, it is poor that they have a web presence and they're not keeping it up to date. Like the Alton opening hours on the TS homepage - inaccurate, but well intentioned, I am sure!
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Indeed the information on a “fan site” is analogous to the corporate website of a budding entertainment complex.......
 
It's groundhog day, every day Paramount either sign or break a deal with the planned theme park.
Even when the sun is about to fry the earth and everyone else is preparing for immediate death, Paramount are in the boardroom still trying to decide about whether to get involved or not
 
So it's BBC's turn to rehash this (I just wish the media would drop the Disney comparison). Link

While there is nothing new, there is at least an effort to speak to people in the area and do some half decent journalism about the project as whole.

In amongst the spiel there was a comment from the chief executive that struck a chord with me...

"It's a fully integrated entertainment destination. Today, the kids and younger generations like e-sports, gaming, interaction through technology. The kids who are 12 today will be our key target base in 2024."

It's scary to think that by 2024 the IP's used with rides will no longer be franchises I care about or have nostalgia for because I won't be the target audience for these attractions. Seems like they are getting their excuses in already for Fortnite land.

Edit: @SuperMuscleMan you pipped with the BBC link :D
 
It's nice to hear some renewed optimism, but unless Mr Gerbeau is able to attract significant investors then it just is not going to happen.

Also every time I am in and around the Dartford area the more I think that the location is awful. Traffic around the Dartford crossing is always bad with queues often in both directons. I am not sure that the roads can cope with the additional traffic that such a Resort would attract.

I think the most certain thing at the moment is that this time next year, the planning application will once again be coming "next year".
 
Rob said:
It's nice to hear some renewed optimism, but unless Mr Gerbeau is able to attract significant investors then it just is not going to happen.

Also every time I am in and around the Dartford area the more I think that the location is awful. Traffic around the Dartford crossing is always bad with queues often in both directons. I am not sure that the roads can cope with the additional traffic that such a Resort would attract.

I think the most certain thing at the moment is that this time next year, the planning application will once again be coming "next year".
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It will only work with some decent public transport connections. The drive from the midlands would be a jaunt for instance- imagine being further north ?
 
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