Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Overheard today at the Disney University ... one CM today said, 'it used to be about fun, now it's about pulling heartstrings.' I think that so sums up where and how Disney has gone wrong and how marketing has been allowed to take over and make people feel a certain way without delivering the product needed to ellicit such reaction. In other words, it's about the 'Disney magic' rather than letting magic happen naturally by offering the highest quality product possible in family entertainment. I think EPCOT Center's 25th is a perfect example. Thoughts? ...
Originally Posted By MPierce I agree to a certain extent. Don't you think both objectives go hand in hand. I think a lot of people are tired of lame marketing campaigns that seem to last forever. I really do believe WDW is trying to become the world showcase of all the Disney resorts again. I really can't stop their marketing, so I guess it's OK to try, and pull my heartstrings as long as they produce a high quality experience when I'm at WDW. I do understand your point though.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I agree with that sentiment Spirit. YOMD for example is about manipulation, not about letting guests discover the magic on their own. Much like yesterday's Rededication ceremony at EPCOT... it's all about marketing bonanzas like YOMD and not much about what made WDW great in the first place...
Originally Posted By Skellington88 I agree but with the reorganization going on throughout the WDC and John Lasseter championing core Disney values...isnt the attitude of pulling heartstrings going away?
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Like other intangibles, I don't have a problem with people's heart strings being pulled when they go to a Disney Theme Park. That can certainly happen. My issue is this -- Feeling emotional isn't necessarily how everyone experiences a Disney Theme Park. There are other sensations to have when you're there. So, to advertise, 'When you come to a Disney theme park, you're going to get all mushy and sentimental' is sort of annoying. I don't particularly like being spoonfed every single thing that's going to happen to me on a vacation. I'm not a big itinerary type of person. It's like those travellogue shows on the Travel Channel with Samantha Brown where she tells you everything that's going to happen on your cruise. 'You can meet the Captain for a tour of the ship [just ask], the waiters will march in at dinner time, you can get a free sticker from the Boatswain's Mate [that reads 'Honorary Boatswain's Mate], and then when you get back to your room, the housekeeping staff will have made animals out of your towels and put them on your bed.' So where's the discovery? Where's the surprise? Where do I fit into this adventure? Disney is setting it up so that people can plan for and experience 'Doing a Disney Theme Park.' 6am: Morning Jog on the Boardwalk - enjoy sunrise - experience magic 7:30am: Breakfast with Goofy - see children get Goofy's autograph [experience magic] 9:00am: Enter Magic Kingdom 9:10am: Get on Fire Truck at Town Square 9:11am: See Cinderella's Castle - [experience magic] 9:12am: See Partner's Statue -- [get sentimental] 9:13am: Have quick conversation with Cast Member on Fire Truck -- [experience magic] 9:14am: Disembark from Fire Truck - head into Tomorrowland -- and on it goes...
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy I think I am more concerned that a CM would think that "pulling heartstrings" is a recent phenomenon. I think Disney entertainment has always exploited that aspect of human emotion. Just read the dedication plaque for DL. It doesn't talk about "fun," but instead about "age relives fond memories of the past," or "youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future." Disney's dedication didn't talk about fun, but about DL being a "source of joy and inspiration for all the world." It's always been about pulling heartstrings -- that's why Disney parks mean so much to so many people. Whether marketing chooses to exploit the nostalgia and heartstrings pulling is up to them, but in terms of park operations, it's always been there with or without the marketing campaign.
Originally Posted By Mr X **6am: Morning Jog on the Boardwalk - enjoy sunrise - experience magic 7:30am: Breakfast with Goofy - see children get Goofy's autograph [experience magic] 9:00am: Enter Magic Kingdom 9:10am: Get on Fire Truck at Town Square 9:11am: See Cinderella's Castle - [experience magic] 9:12am: See Partner's Statue -- [get sentimental] 9:13am: Have quick conversation with Cast Member on Fire Truck -- [experience magic] 9:14am: Disembark from Fire Truck - head into Tomorrowland** lol. One big advantage of having lived near many Disney parks and been there a million times (I'm sure Jim knows this), is that you don't really feel like you HAVE to do anything or follow a particular schedule. The way I do the parks nowadays is, I stroll in, and go from there. Heck, sometimes I've been known to go to Disney and not even ride any rides! Just enjoy the vibe, catch a street show or two, eat something, watch the fireworks...whatever.
