Originally Posted By idleHands <<So we have to wait for the Jim Hill articles? That's no fun.>> We could torment leemac in the meantime. Quick... think of something insulting to Brits. *scratches head* DANG IT! I only know how to insult TDG about his boiled custard. 8^(
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ Just try it. ) Tuesday was the approval of the new 10 year plan. I don't feel comfortable discussing that at the moment. For all those that expected to hear personnel changes at WDI will have been sorely disappointed that I can say.
Originally Posted By idleHands <<Tuesday was the approval of the new 10 year plan. I don't feel comfortable discussing that at the moment.>> Ten year plan? Wait... Disney knows how to do that sort of thing? <<For all those that expected to hear personnel changes at WDI will have been sorely disappointed that I can say.>> Sounds like those changes are being reserved for the Studios instead.
Originally Posted By idleHands <<^^ Just try it. )>> OK. "TDG, boiled custard makes your breath smell like freeze-dried furballs." Is that what you had in mind?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Tuesday was the approval of the new 10 year plan. I don't feel comfortable discussing that at the moment< okay, like hanging catnip in front of the cats then not letting them have it...well I am glad they have a 10 year plan ( wasn't there a code name or something for that also ?) - Will look forward to when you feel yo can release any parts of it... .i.e. 5th gate ? ( actually I hope not, and that the effort goes into a new E ticket for MK and some life for the Studios first) major update of FW in EPCOT for 25th ? an E ticket for MK where on once stood ? update for Star Tours ?
Originally Posted By idleHands <<okay, like hanging catnip in front of the cats then not letting them have it...>> Or leaking news of a cool high tech E-Ticket, only to see it cancelled just as construction gets underway? <<well I am glad they have a 10 year plan ( wasn't there a code name or something for that also ?)>> Yup: Project "Lather-Rinse-Repeat" (The grimy buildup needs deep, deep cleaning.)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I wouldn't put much stock in any 10-year plans. Does the Disney Decade ring any bells? So much can happen in months, let alone years. Also, Disney is negotiating with at least three governments to build parks/resorts intenationally. If something they expect to happen suddenly falls thru ... well, you do the math. As for the WDI power structure, I remain steadfast in my belief that they'll be changes sooner rather than later. The status quo has been a disaster, so we'll see ...
Originally Posted By idleHands <<I wouldn't put much stock in any 10-year plans. Does the Disney Decade ring any bells? So much can happen in months, let alone years.>> Precisely my motivation for post 184, Sof74. <<Also, Disney is negotiating with at least three governments to build parks/resorts intenationally. If something they expect to happen suddenly falls thru ... well, you do the math.>> These are such troubling times politically, throughout the world. I don't see how any foreign government can negotiate with an American multinational like WDC at this time, and not have serious concerns about issues like terrorism for these resorts. Think about what happened in India this past Tuesday. Now imagine if that train blast had happened near a Disney resort. I fully realize that this is part and parcel of the risk assessment American corporations must face when expanding into foreign markets. But I often wonder if WDC has the business cajones to handle the financial fallout from an incident such as this, near or on their resort property, when they seem virtually incompetent in dealing with massive labor turnover at their domestic resorts. <<As for the WDI power structure, I remain steadfast in my belief that they'll be changes sooner rather than later. The status quo has been a disaster, so we'll see ...>> I take it, then, that Goodman is still there? I thought he was supposed to be gone by now?
Originally Posted By leemac <<I take it, then, that Goodman is still there? I thought he was supposed to be gone by now?>> Don was at dinner with us tonight so he is firmly still WDI President and that doesn't look like changing any time soon. He is a good guy and he is driving WDI in the right direction with the help of Lasseter and the rest of the executive group. Also the rumors of the Imagination pavilion changes are definitely false. Nothing even in Blue Sky right now. Someone said the wrong thing at the wrong time and it was taken as gospel.
Originally Posted By idleHands <<He is a good guy and he is driving WDI in the right direction with the help of Lasseter and the rest of the executive group.>> And every single executive inside Burbank and Glendale and Emeryville feels the same way about the man? Oh yeah. Just like every single Republican in the House and Senate feels Bush is driving the country "in the right direction." Gimme a break. <<Also the rumors of the Imagination pavilion changes are definitely false.>> Some are. Some are not. <<Nothing even in Blue Sky right now.>> Technically, this is correct. John is still gathering ideas and concepts, so "official" blue sky work has yet to begin. But that doesn't mean the work won't begin in the near future. <<Someone said the wrong thing at the wrong time and it was taken as gospel.>> Not really. All the rumors I've read across the boards have always maintained that the green light has yet to be given, even the most recent rumors. But they've also mentioned the desire for this rehab to finish in time for Epcot's 25th anniversary, which would make total sense. Whether or not the green light is actually given a few months from now, remains to be seen. But the desire to rehab Imagination is not in dispute, nor is the groundwork that's currently being done so that the project becomes a reality. If you're going to participate in these discussions, leemac, I would greatly appreciate more direct and straightforward information from you, if you're going to provide it all. Semantics do not serve any valid purpose, other than deliberate obfuscation on your part. My word, but you certainly are a lawyer! 8^D
Originally Posted By idleHands When all is said and done, I hope the bean counters allow this rehab project to move forward. This would be one of the best "birthday presents" Epcot could receive, for it's 25th. Figment has had a strong fan following since his debut, and the original Imagination pavilion and ride continue still to generate a great deal of nostalgia. The pavilion in its current form, particularly the ride, is largely a shadow of its former self. The heart and soul of the original is gone, and needs to be returned. Whether the rehab project is placed into Tony's hands or another creative exec at WDI is a relatively moot point, IMHO. Even though I'd personally love to see Mr. Baxter put in charge of this project, what's truly important is that the rehab get the green light, with John fully on board to oversee its development. With John's creative input and his insistence for quality and proper funding, Imagination will no doubt find its lost heart and soul, and once again become the quintessential family-friendly attraction which Epcot has been sorely lacking for years. Nemo Seas is only the beginning. Imagination will hopefully continue the transformation, and put Epcot back on track.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Considerng the tenuous position that many at TWDC -- including the head of parks and resorts -- find themselves in right now, I wouldn't read too much into anything right about now. Certainly not something spoken about at a supposed dinner designed to 'place' information on a major Disney web site that appears to 'reafirm' power by someone who all signs point toward either losing his position or being reassigned in the company. I have no idea what will happen with Imagination. I have no doubt there are many folks in Glendale and Orlando that think a pavillion with a lousy ride that still doesn't attract as many as the original after TWO expensive rehabs, a 3D movie that hasn't been relevant for a decade and a third floor left empty to decay, are perfectly a-ok in its current state. But I also know that regardless of what Mr. Goodman did or did not say to anyone here that there are serious talks/plans to fix the mess. Only time will tell what will happen.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^I am sorry for the obvious typos above. I throw these posts together quickly, when the spirit moves me, and an edit feature would come in handy!
Originally Posted By idleHands <<I throw these posts together quickly, when the spirit moves me...>> LOL! That's funny! 8^D
Originally Posted By leemac <<If you're going to participate in these discussions, leemac, I would greatly appreciate more direct and straightforward information from you, if you're going to provide it all. >> Then I'll have to decline. I'm not prepared to get into this debate. All I know is that there is nothing even on the table for Imagination. Not a single thing.
Originally Posted By leemac <<But I also know that regardless of what Mr. Goodman did or did not say to anyone here that there are serious talks/plans to fix the mess.>> Which mess? You can't fight every fire on every front. There is some great work in the pipeline and if even a fraction of it reaches fruition I'm sure guests will be happy.
Originally Posted By idleHands <<All I know is that there is nothing even on the table for Imagination. Not a single thing.>> Interesting. One well-known Florida insider over at MC posted a WDI-F "wish list" of projects being considered, back in January, before the Pixar announcement was made. And one of those projects being considered was a MAJOR rehab of the Imagination pavilion and ride, for Epcot's 25th. Granted, there is no green light for this project at this time. But it's been under consideration for quite a while. And even posters on other boards with friends inside FL Imagineering have known about this since the beginning of the year. Given the depth of your inside connections, I'm actually quite surprised that you claim not to know anything about this rehab being considered. Granted, it doesn't mean that it will actually materialize. But it's been "on the table" for many months.
Originally Posted By leemac <<One well-known Florida insider over at MC posted a WDI-F "wish list" of projects being considered, back in January, before the Pixar announcement was made. And one of those projects being considered was a MAJOR rehab of the Imagination pavilion and ride, for Epcot's 25th.>> WDI-F can say what they like. Everything is driven by Glendale. They can have a "wish-list" but that is as far as it gets. The execs in charge of WDW for WDI are all based in Glendale. There isn't a single senior member of WDI staff based at WDW. So they can keep thinking that. I reiterate...there is nothing on the boards for Imagination. Tony has other fish to fry right now that he knows are more important to his legacy at the parks.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Then I'll have to decline. I'm not prepared to get into this debate.>> I could point out that this is why folks sometimes might have issues with you, but I'm just gonna let it pass ... <<All I know is that there is nothing even on the table for Imagination. Not a single thing.>> Perhaps that is true ... to your knowledge. Just giving the benefit of the doubt here. But some of us know otherwise.
