Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Just a question. Any LPers see if the O-Sentinel ran an OFFICIAL editorial this week ripping the decision to remove the 'smile producer' wand at Epcot ... one that suggested the BAH at MGM was kewl too and that the critics 'need to discover their sense of humor. Or maybe just the joy of being a kid.' This really is very important ... because the my local newspaper, which is 200 miles away from WDW saw fit to run a 'capsule comment' from its editorial board (both papers are run by the Chi Tribune Co) regarding this, which I can't help but find very odd ... I guess we've solved the healthcare crisis and found all the evildoers and aren't in our worst drought ever. So can anyone tell me if this is a snippet taken from an O-Sentinel editorial placed earlier this week or if it is UNIQUE to my market? Spirited Thanks.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Oh ... and if you don't think this is something planted at the highest levels, please explain to me why the EDITORIAL is already gunning for the purists who want the hat removed from the Studios next? How is this newsworthy? In Orlando? Let alone Fort Lauderdale. Even if it is newsworthy, how is it important enough EVER to have the editorial board weigh in. Something smells like a publicist at a press party.
Originally Posted By figment1986 "It's so magical ... like Walt sent it down from the heavens to remind us that his dreams could fill it!" did that person also say that... cause it reminds me of that quote. if you want bad. Fox 13 dedicated 2 minutes of their news reporting for their 30 min edge broadcast to talk about the wand coming down, and spaceship earth going under rehab. tell me why newscorp wants to talk about that in tampa?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 That is bad, Figgy. But this editorial is just amazing because it's almost like the paper(s) are giving a giant finger to us 'purists.' And I can only surmise that this was placed very carefully due to its location in the paper. Disney doesn't want to have to take the hat down next and fans are going to feel empowered by getting this taken down (even if had everything to do with Siemens and the new VP and very little to do with them). This editorial tries to put theme park pursist in their place ... and is very, very, very odd. I'm sure Disney PR knew nothing about this. I'm also sure that no one in that department has a spouse working for the O-Sentinel ... nope ;-)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Here is the editorial/drivel: <<Wave goodbye to a smile producer A word to Epcot critics: What could be more pure at Walt Disney World than Mickey Mouse? But many critics and so-called hard-core fans thought Mickey's arm, glove and wand leaning on Spaceship Earth at Epcot was not in keeping with the park's architecture, and now it is coming down, as part of an overhaul of the ride. Some folks thought the Mickey hand, which has been on top of the attraction since the millenium celebration, was tacky "clutter." Humbug! In addition to being particularly striking at night, Mickey surely brought a smile to kids' faces at Epcot, which seems infinitely more important than arguments about architectural purity. Some critics of Mickey's hand and wand at Epcot are reportedly also denigrating the huge Sorcerer's Hat at Disney-MGM Studios, a popular photo spot. The critics need to discover their sense of humor. Or maybe just remember the joy of being a kid. >>
Originally Posted By RoadTrip You have to remember… most visitors to WDW are not like you. Or even like me. If you took a survey of Epcot visitors I'm sure the majority would either like the wand or not care one way or the other. It is a very vocal minority that hates the thing so intensely. Now that minority may be the most "sophisticated" Epcot visitors. But most people who consider themselves sophisticated would find it a complete joke to use Disney World and sophisticated in the same sentence anyway. I'm sure that the editorial expresses the viewpoint of many and was not necessarily planted by Disney.
Originally Posted By twirlnhurl ^A person at Epcot Central took a poll in the park of those who like the wand and those who didn't. Something like 2 times as many people dislike the wand then like it (although I bet most of those don't really care much either way). That said, the fact that it is a popular photo spot doesn't make it good. People also take pictures of ducks in the moat around Cinderella castle. Should Disney build a giant duck on top of the Tree of Life? The fact that the wand is coming down is probably the best news out of the resort in the past 6 months, I don't care what some idiot at the Sentinel thinks. I bet they haven't been to the park in 6 years anyway.
Originally Posted By SFH It's nice to know that things are going so well in Florida that they could devote editorial space to this. SFH
Originally Posted By MPierce >> You have to remember… most visitors to WDW are not like you. Or even like me. If you took a survey of Epcot visitors I'm sure the majority would either like the wand or not care one way or the other. It is a very vocal minority that hates the thing so intensely. Now that minority may be the most "sophisticated" Epcot visitors. But most people who consider themselves sophisticated would find it a complete joke to use Disney World and sophisticated in the same sentence anyway. I'm sure that the editorial expresses the viewpoint of many and was not necessarily planted by Disney. << I agree completely with your statement Trippy. The only thing I can think of is WDW contributes so much to the economy of Florida, that the media needs to editioralize ever time the Mouse yawns. Nothing certainly has made it down to my neck of the woods yet. However I could see a small piece making the National news when the Wand actually does start coming down. After all it is a vacation spot for the whole world.
Originally Posted By pheneix I did a Google news search on it. Looks like a Sun Sentinel exclusive. Maybe Disney is just tapping out to the Miami market since they know all their bridges here are thoroughly burned beyond repair?
Originally Posted By Rsey103 >>Some critics of Mickey's hand and wand at Epcot are reportedly also denigrating the huge Sorcerer's Hat at Disney-MGM Studios, a popular photo spot. The critics need to discover their sense of humor. Or maybe just remember the joy of being a kid.<< I remember the joy of looking down Hollywood Blvd at night and having an unobstructed view of the Chinese theatre. I won't visit WDW again until the hat is moved.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <both papers are run by the Chi Tribune Co)< you have found the issue - and with the impending sale to one Sam Zell - don't expect things to get any better. He already holding Cubs hostage from trades - signings even though he plans to sell them as soon as he takes control of Tribune...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<It's nice to know that things are going so well in Florida that they could devote editorial space to this.>> Yes. That ultimately is what's important here. A supposed major market daily paper with newsprint at a premium has nothing better to do than rip theme park fans for having a problem with the dumbing down of their beloved parks?!?! I'm sorry, some of you may know I have a bit of a media background, and this smells ... very badly.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I did a Google news search on it. Looks like a Sun Sentinel exclusive. Maybe Disney is just tapping out to the Miami market since they know all their bridges here are thoroughly burned beyond repair?>> I doubt it would ever appear on google. I'm going to do a search of the O-Sentinel's website ... I just can't believe it was written for the tri-county (Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach) market and never appeared in the hometown paper first. Not that either paper is any good but ...
Originally Posted By mousermerf I can understand why Tampa cares - Tampa/St Pete is Disney's largest local market, and Tampa news is heavy on local interest stories. So, info showing up there really is just giving the locals what they want. But the Miami opinion piece? Weird.. I'm going to say that Disney fans come in all shapes and sizes and that someone in that paper's ranks happens to be a fan of the wand.
Originally Posted By mousermerf Oh, and about the Chicago-owned news stations reporting this "news..." Chicago is another large Disney World market - thus the people who pull the strings with that company see this as relevent information that their subscribers will be interested in. There's a reason Disney is building the AKL DVC preview center in Chicago.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ even after Disney Quest failed here because someone there forgot no one goes downtown in the winter time to walk around but yes, Chicago is a very large Disney market
Originally Posted By Skellington88 This media bias just emboldens me more to be even more outspoken about getting rid of that Hat and leave a legacy tombstones. Everyone please go to guest services and compliment the decision to bring down the wand and tell them to remove the ugly hat and tombstones next!
Originally Posted By figment1986 << I can understand why Tampa cares >> But 2 minutes in a 30 minute newcast showing different stock footage from the Orlando station's story and talking about how the mickey hand and wand will be removed from spaceship earth. it was installed.... and all this will be happening starting Monday when spaceship earth closes for refurbishment through nomvember. thats 2 minutes dedicated to something small, however it was 2 days after the story was done for fox Orlando... and it has been slow, but 2 minutes for a wand... i can understand 2 minutes for the hour broadcast, or 1 for the half hour broadcast. </rant>
Originally Posted By mousermerf Well, remember Tampa's big on local interest and feel-good stories. The lightning round is based on the whole "conversation with local experts" type atmosphere and Kelly Ring's daytime show is exactly the same thing. That format has done well in Tampa.
