Originally Posted By ssWEDguy So much of what we see at WDW today is a reflection of what Walt had in mind when he was gearing up for his big "Florida Project" back in the 60's. The MK is pretty much what he had in mind when he described what he was wanting to build. Epcot and World Showcase at least reflect what he wanted in an industrial corridor and an international shopping and dining district for his Epcot City. And we at least have monorails that connect MK and Epcot. What, I wonder, would have been different now if Walt had stayed with us for just another 10 years? What might have worked? What might not have? Your ideas?
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 What a good topic, I can't even imagin what Walt would have accplished. His creative mind was so amazing. I do belive that things would have been different, I don't belive that the way things went were bad, it would just have a little more of that magic touch, that only Walt could to give.
Originally Posted By tfdeere This is a great topic! While I do think some things might change, my guess is that overall, Walt would have created nearly the same Walt Disney World that we see today. I think that Walt really inspired his sense of magic in his imagineers. While his passing was very tragic, his imagineers were able to continue on with his dream. That all being said, the biggest change I think one would see is a far greater use of the monorails. I would imagine that all four parks would be connected by them. I also think that Epcot would look different. Not exactly what Walt first planned and not exactly as it looks today. Probably somewhere in the middle.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA My thoughts are that the surrounding areas -- the entrances into the parks and resorts -- would have remained more....natural [for lack of a better word]. Back in 1986, when I first visited Central Florida, I was amazed how I drove down i-4 and then suddenly, there was the exit for WALT DISNEY WORLD. I drove and drove, and then suddenly, out of the pinetrees, there was the toll plaza to park for the Magic Kingdom. The commericalization of the surrounding areas, with the garishly colored road signs, and over-the-top billboards, just don't work for me. They're not...classy enough. It seems that Disneyland and early Walt Disney World had a sophistication to them. Does anyone else feel this?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Actually the signage works for me - as when trying to traverse the area which is roughly the same size as the city of San Francisco -- they have it marked down so that it is really hard to get lost. I wish it was this easy to get around everywhere. Also for me it gives me more of a sense that I am no longer in the 'outside world' and am immersed in WDW -- And i do go back to the early 70's so I have seen it both ways -- As for DL- well there really isn't much chance of doing that anyway there -- it wouldn;t be the same so the way it is works for me
Originally Posted By DlandDug I sincerely believe that Walt would be bitterly disappointed with the WDW property as it has been developed. EPCOT is not even remotely what he had in mind, either philosophically or in the concrete. And the out of control aspect of the developement would be a particular source of frustration. Walt's utopian vision is nowhere evident in Walt Disney World.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss While Epcot isn't enything like the EPCOT he envisioned, I suspect that if he were able to build what he wanted, it wouldn't be nearly as utopian in reality as it is in our imagination. It would be a working city, and even with constantly upgrading systems and technology, I am not certain how "magical" a place it would be. Put another way, I doubt WDW would be the resort destination it is today, as I wonder if EPCOT would be all that interesting for people to want to visit year in and year out.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I certainly don't think Walt would have allowed the building of 'Disney-MGM Studios' where it was built. Right next to two major WDW highways, and then cut off by a major waterway. Hmmmmm --- 28,000 acres and you're going to build it WHERE???
Originally Posted By vbdad55 If Walt would have built something closer to his vision of EPCOT as we have pieces of info on-- it would be closer to Celebration than EPCOT -- so I don't see the issue as something got built in that direction -- no one here knows what Walt wanted - including me- but I 'think' he would not be disappointed in what EPCOT is today as a park- even if it wasn't his vision
Originally Posted By wahooskipper EPCOT may not be everyone's cup of tee but I love it. You can find elements of lots of other parks in MK, DMGM and even AK. EPCOT is totally unique and it is for that reason more than any other that I truly enjoy it. I think Walt would have come to realize that his vision of EPCOT had a lot of flaws and likely would have settled for something similar to Celebration.
Originally Posted By gaston lives I think we would have an even more in depth Haunted Mansion, for starters. Also, I think all resorts and parks would have been connected via Monorail. I also believe that we would have different themed market places near teh different resorts. I also think we would have larger, but FEWER resorts. but that's just me...
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Well first off, if Walt had lived 10 more years that wouldbe 1976 -- most of the other parks and resorts were not even on the planning board in 1976 - except maybe EPCOT -- and that is connected by monorail -- so 10 more years would have done nothing to help that. With Walt's love of trains in general - I can see why we would all think so -- but 10 years ain;t gettin us there
Originally Posted By hopemax I wonder if the Magic Kingdom would have developed differently. Like would the Country Bears and Space Mountain been built on both coasts. I also wonder if he had been able to develop EPCOT more, how our society might have benefited. Something along the lines of what happened to the landscape of the American worker when Henry Ford decided that the best way to improve his bottom line was to institute the 5day/40 hour work week, and double the salaries of his employees.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Really hard to say what other impacts he would have had-- he was a brilliant visionary.. However think about the henry Ford comparison - how happy do you think he would be with his company today ? Losing market share daily and potentially headed for disaster -
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<if Walt had lived 10 more years that wouldbe 1976 -- most of the other parks and resorts were not even on the planning board in 1976 ->> It's likely we would have seen phase two either under construction or completed, meaning we'd have the Asian, Perian, and Venetian hotels, along with the phase one Contemporary and Polynesian hotels.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney "The commericalization of the surrounding areas, with the garishly colored road signs, and over-the-top billboards, just don't work for me. They're not...classy enough. It seems that Disneyland and early Walt Disney World had a sophistication to them. Does anyone else feel this?" Yes. I do. But I guess we're in the minority, which is a shame. There was something truly magical about WDW in the 1970s and 80s and it is missing now. It didn't go for cheap thrills. Or selling circus merchandise from carts in the middle of walkways. It didn't need to stick the characters everywhere to let you know where you were. You knew from the quality of the experience that you were at WALT DISNEY World. The name has stayed the same, although I hate the change in font to the stylized Walt Disney sig that they place on everything, but fundamentally it is different. From cleanliness to show standards to execs that get it. Now, there's traffic and buses, an overbuilding of resort rooms (that's why Disney has taken the unheard of step of dumping rooms on Priceline.com for $36 a night), a philosophy where instead of exceeding guest expectations the No. 1 goal appears to take every last cent away from visitors, preferably by selling them timeshares ... imagine 20 years ago if someone had said that timeshares would be a major component of WDW (readying for the attack by DVCers). Parks that used to be near pristine now have regular upkeep issues. CMs, who used to always go the extra mile, often couldn't give a damn about guests or their jobs. Green space? 28,000 acres? And yet WDW feels overcrowded and don't for a second think that more DVC units aren't on the way. As a Central Floridian, I have definite ideas on where and how the Mouse jumped the shark. But that post would likely disappear from the board as soon as I posted it. Suffice to say, there's plenty of manufactured magic at WDW nowadays, but there's much less of the real stuff ... it's hard to explain to people. It would be like telling them you remember when Kissimmee was a friendly little country town that welcomed guests to WDW vs. the sewer it has become, in large part due to Disney's overgrowth. That's my 15 cents worth on the subject.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <No. 1 goal appears to take every last cent away from visitors, preferably by selling them timeshares ... imagine 20 years ago if someone had said that timeshares would be a major component of WDW (readying for the attack by DVCers). < Is Disney not a for profit organization ? Do they not have shareholders to account to-- this is not Walt's Merry Melodies studios.. As for DVC -- without the influx of cash - where would WDW be today ? Would you rather a run down park with limited cash flow ? As it is people are whining about the cost of media on at least 2 threads here-- what would it be without the cash from DVC ? You can't have it both ways ..can't get new rides and more parks or even maintain what you have without more revenues to drive that. And tell me how DVC has diminised ones park experience ? I guess the the run down hotels and shops on 192 in the 70's was a nicer ambience.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 If you can figure out a way to hire 50,000 happy camper Cm's please let the world know-- most companies trying hard not to have 300% annual turnover rate ( that is a real number ) in the service industry and somehow we expect 50,000 singing cast members. I just don't know how they meet that expectation... it is not possible. If Kissimmee has become a 'sewer' than blame the local goverment there-- what are they elected to do ? Mayberry doesn't exist in 2006 anywhere near a major city.... I am far from a Pollyana on this topic as most know --and calling out issues like maintenance cuts and playground replacements for e tickets I think is fair -- but mass condemning everything they have done just makes no sense. The MK could not remain static and be viable...that is why the growth. If I hated WDW as much as some of what I read-- seriously i would find somewhere else to spend my money -- and no that isnot a cop out..that is reality. Places I don't enjoy any more I avoid.....they don't miss me and I don't miss them...
Originally Posted By pixiedust1 <<It seems that Disneyland and early Walt Disney World had a sophistication to them. Does anyone else feel this?>> Not at all... Poor Walt thought that DL was perfect surrounded my orange groves... I know that surprised him when the owners bulldozed the orange groves and commercilaized every square inch around DL with souvenir shops.. He has been quoted as sayin that WDW was not going to end up like DL.. It is just great to drive and drive with no WDW in sight.. and come upon the entrance after some high speed driving... Our first visit will give you and insight on the mind set of guests.. We thought we would take a ride and drive by WDW to admire it... LOL little did we know that the road we travling on was on Disney property.. when we came upon the entrance we were amazed and had to make a u-turn.. lol.. It's well off the and away from the tourist area campared to DL... I dont se a problem what so ever... Great Idea Walt ..TY..
