Originally Posted By ChiMike Jim, that is a great point. While Westsider brings up a nice West coast perspective, I also think HDDR works because it is an entertainment offering that parents feel comfortable bringing their kids to, their entire family to. The more the merrier it seems for experiencing this show. Also, the dinner component sure helps. All I know is that between the two campground dinner show offerings, HDDR gets a lot more favorable responses for a higher price point then when they offer the outdoor character picnic.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <-- should note that I have a certain affection for 'Hoop-dee-doo' as I was a sub 'Jim Handy' for about 3 dozen performances in the late 80s.
Originally Posted By ChiMike That's awesome Jim. What didn't you do!? Did you also stand-in for Dreamfinder every now and then? You had quite the career and experiences there. Worth more than any paycheck, I'm sure.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>What didn't you do!? Did you also stand-in for Dreamfinder every now and then?<< Besides Chuck McCan and Ron Shneider, I don't know of any other Dreamfinders. Wonder if there were any...
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA It was really, really fun, ChiMike. 1986 was a terrific time to start working at Walt Disney World. Eisner and Wells were just hitting their stride, and the Florida property would add... The Living Seas Captain EO Disney MGM-Studios Grand Floridian Caribbean Beach Resort Pleasure Island Typhoon Lagoon Norway pavilion at EPCOT Center Dolphin and Swan hotels I was only there through 1990, but I still remember it with great affection. I had an opportunity to do a lot of different things.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 Jim and I have discussed this before. We were both there at the same time and though we may have crossed paths, we dont think we met during that time. At that time it was possible to do many things as a CM at WDW. I had experiences that were amazing. When I tell current Disney fans about my Disney career they are pretty amazed. I opened 3 parks, worked for Imagineering, involved in Grand Opening celebrations, met and spent time celebrities and Presidents. I dont think I could have a career today like I had back then.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Very true sjhym333 -- what I try to relate is that we were all sort of 'freelancing' in those days.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 True, at work I have a friend who is a Disney theme park nut. Some days he says "tell me some Disney stories." So I get to tell him about the three days I spent with Frank Oz or Ron Howard or opening Magic Journeys or spending time with the programmer for the Witch at the GMR or my several Eisner encounters. You wouldnt be able to do all that today. It was an amazing time. That is why I think some of us are so hard on Disney today. We know what it is capable of.
Originally Posted By ChiMike ^ And I think the same reason why employees have less of a chance to do what you and Jim did is the same reason why a lot of these quality issues are haunting them. The place has gotten too big, especially for what Disney wants to spend in running it and especially considering the brain power of those in the executive offices.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>It was really, really fun, ChiMike. 1986 was a terrific time to start working at Walt Disney World.<<< Fantastic stuff. Wish they were that innovative and creative now.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 My feeling about it is that when Eisner, who came in very much a creative force (with Frank Wells...a very nice man I might add), started to feel the heat from the EuroDisney problems he decided to move in a lot of MBA types into the park. He blamed Imagineering for all the problems. Imagineering did need to be reigned in, but as in most cases they werent the only problem. Eisner was notorious for changing things at the last minute which costs lots of money. By bringing the MBA types in (we called them "the suits") all creativity was effectively squatched at the park levels. At the same time Imagineering was netured. So it comes as no surprise that the parks dont change too often. When they adopted the model of Imagineering being a provider of services rather than the conveyor of ideas the parks lost their souls. The same was true in merchandise. Disney went through a period when they were bringing in mgrs from places like The Gap and Old Navy and putting them in charge of the shops. Should we be surprised that homogenization took over? What I would love to see is Imagineering being given back oversite of the creative end of the parks with a clear line of accountability. I would love to see each park get an Imagineer as their creative soul who can steer each park to greater things. Back on topic. I love the Hoop. It was always a stop for us early in our Disney days. We havent been in years though I currently have several friends in the cast.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I'm hoping to see some YouTube videos of the new opening number. Haven't been able to find anything.
Originally Posted By ChiMike It's supposedly a stop-gap, temporary, measure right? There is hope that Disney will secure the rights?
Originally Posted By ChiMike Jim, please feel free to call me Mike. Hate Chimike, stuck with it. Should probably change it, like you did when you moved from Pasadena. Wasn't thinking when I signed up to lurk.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Okay Mike. For some reason, when I signed up on my first message board 10-12 years ago, it seemed like the trend was 'name and location' -- which is why I chose 'Jim in Pasadena CA' Are you from Chicago, Mike?
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <-- born in Arlington Heights. (no foolin') Parents moved us to SoCal when I was 7.
