Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<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.>> OK ... maybe it's just me, but I'll bet in the politially charged and CHANGED atmosphere in Burbank and Glendale that it might be wise for some people to purposely deny things ... or even just outright lie. Perhaps John, Ed and Co aren't thrilled with reading every detail of what goes on at WDI on boards like this -- I know I sure wouldn't. Maybe there are 101 scared dalmatians ... I mean, Imagineers playing run and hide in their offices, praying they don't get the 'coach wants to talk to you and bring your playbook' knock on the door. Just something to think about ... anything's possible when you use your IMAGINATION!
Originally Posted By idleHands <<I reiterate...there is nothing on the boards for Imagination.>> Then why is John interested in this rehab? Nothing is official as of now, true. But that doesn't mean he isn't interested in seeing this project get a green light. <<Tony has other fish to fry right now that he knows are more important to his legacy at the parks.>> Oh... does your cryptic message mean that his wonderful DCA makeover plans are finally getting some serious attention?
Originally Posted By idleHands <<Just something to think about ... anything's possible when you use your IMAGINATION!>> Yeah... one little spark of inspiration. It's at the heart of all creation. 8^D Scared Imagineers hiding in their offices probably have pistons misfiring all the time. Totally blows efficiency. I think it's time for a serious tune-up!! 8^D
Originally Posted By Skellington88 hey idlehands do you remember what else was on that WDI wishlist posted at MC???
Originally Posted By Skellington88 hey leemac do you know if any of the stuff that has been greenlit is NON Pixar/NON Cartoon tie in? Any Narnia or George Lucas stuff get the greenlight?
Originally Posted By idleHands <<hey idlehands do you remember what else was on that WDI wishlist posted at MC???>> Hmm... let me think. Wand removal, new pavilion for WoL, rehab for Rio del Tiempo, new films for various countries, new parade, new fireworks, and Imagination rehab. All were being considered earlier this year, for Epcot's 25th. And I think others have posted elsewhere that a new parade and fireworks are definitely going to happen.
Originally Posted By Skellington88 Wand Removal should be Disney's #1 priority as far as im concerned.
Originally Posted By Labuda ^^Then you obviously havn't been to the Studios anytime lately. *harumph*
Originally Posted By vbdad55 they can move the wand there and change the EPCOT signto read " HAT" and place it right in front of the theatre to block whatever remaining view is left...
Originally Posted By vbdad55 hey, build a lousy playground ( or move another one there) in the forecourt and I can then put my biggest peeves in on place.....consolidation
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Just picture that mess-- and add some flashing neon signs and woo hoo what an attraction.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Are there still people here that actually think the wand and hat belong?
Originally Posted By idleHands <<OK ... maybe it's just me, but I'll bet in the politially charged and CHANGED atmosphere in Burbank and Glendale that it might be wise for some people to purposely deny things ... or even just outright lie.>> You mean like why Dick Cook bailed on the NFFC Convention at the last minute yesterday? <a href="http://www.o-meon.com/pages/news" target="_blank">http://www.o-meon.com/pages/ne ws</a>%26features/n%26f_07-14-06.html The timing of these meetings in Hong Kong seems suspicious, given the news on Wednesday about huge layoffs this summer at the studio. Methinks Mr. Cook didn't want to face a room filled with anxious NFFC members, some of whom are also long-term Disney employees. Which begs the question: just how ugly are these layoffs going to be? <<Perhaps John, Ed and Co aren't thrilled with reading every detail of what goes on at WDI on boards like this -- I know I sure wouldn't.>> Well, they've been conditioned to keep mum, as have Apple employees. It's a Jobs thing. But... it would make sense for John and Dr. Ed to hold their cards close to the vest, particularly if they plan on some kind of Glendale palace coup in the near future. And what a perfect time for them to initiate wholesale regime change at WDI: during the massive studio layoffs just up the street! "By the pricking of my thumbs Something wicked this way comes." -- W.S. (Macbeth)
Originally Posted By idleHands I hate it when URLs chop off like that! Try this: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/lmox2" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/lmox2</a>
Originally Posted By idleHands Sorry, but I forgot to address this section earlier: <<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.>> I should have clarified my statement. The "wish list" did not come from Orlando. The list contained potential projects that were being considered by Burbank/Glendale for Epcot's 25th anniversary in October 2007. And one of those projects was an extensive rehab for Imagination. <<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.>> You misunderstood my remark. I did not mean to imply that the wish list originated in Orlando. The information was disclosed in Orlando, and posted by someone with friends at WDI-F. That was the connection. And truthfully, I'm reluctant to understand why you keep insisting that absolutely nothing is being done by anyone in either Glendale or Emeryville, regarding a rehab project for Imagination, when there has been evidence to the contrary posted by others who also have inside connections. I'm going along with Sof74 on this one, regarding your attitude and others within Disney, and what the future possibly holds for future employment. A large-scale layoff is coming to the studios this summer. And it's possible that a similar fate awaits Imagineering. Smaller stealth layoffs have been regularly hitting Glendale since last year, going virtually unnoticed. But given what's about to happen in Burbank, all bets are off regarding other Disney business units being downsized. Sof74 is quite correct. Anyone who wishes to maintain their current employment status with Disney in the future would be wise to dummy up and tow the company line at this time.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<You mean like why Dick Cook bailed on the NFFC Convention at the last minute yesterday? <a href="http://www.o-meon.com/pages/ne" target="_blank">http://www.o-meon.com/pages/ne</a> ws%26features/n%26f_07-14-06.html The timing of these meetings in Hong Kong seems suspicious, given the news on Wednesday about huge layoffs this summer at the studio. Methinks Mr. Cook didn't want to face a room filled with anxious NFFC members, some of whom are also long-term Disney employees. Which begs the question: just how ugly are these layoffs going to be?>> That's one way of looking at it, idleHands. And you may very well be correct. But if Mr. Cook was indeed needed in Hong Kong, rest assured it speaks to the current atmosphere of distrust between members of the COMMUNIST (always have to add that when even FOX News has been dropping it) Chinese government have major issues with the way TWDC conducts its business with them. If Cook indeed was HK bound, you can be reasonably sure it had nothing to do with the government refusing to release PoC: Dead Man's Chest in China (over perceived problems with the cannibalism depicted). No, it likely had much more to do with the fact Chinese officials are troubled with the way TWDC goes about its business and how Disney is trying to expand its 'brand awareness' in China, not to mention the inherent problems of HKDL and the troubles in negotiations for the park project in Shanghai. Not a done deal by any means, no matter how Disney spins it, btw. BUT, it could certainly be true that Cook just didn't want to be seen there after the announcements at the Studios. I've often seen execs decide it's not wise to be seen at certain locales at certain points of time. This could be an example of that. I wouldn't blame him. <<Perhaps John, Ed and Co aren't thrilled with reading every detail of what goes on at WDI on boards like this -- I know I sure wouldn't.>> <<Well, they've been conditioned to keep mum, as have Apple employees. It's a Jobs thing. But... it would make sense for John and Dr. Ed to hold their cards close to the vest, particularly if they plan on some kind of Glendale palace coup in the near future. And what a perfect time for them to initiate wholesale regime change at WDI: during the massive studio layoffs just up the street!>> I wouldn't want to be someone under the microscope at Disney right now. A lot of people are going to be very closely examined and some of them should be very concerned about the proverbial skeletons in the closet that past leadership just ignored or looked the other way. (some of that stuff makes Lindsay Lohan's recent pot and booze-ful B-Day party at the DLR look like child's play by comparison.)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I also found the end of C.W.'s column to be telling in its own right: "No reason was given as to why no other Disney studio representative was available to take Cook’s place at this year Disneyana Convention."
Originally Posted By idleHands <<I wouldn't want to be someone under the microscope at Disney right now. A lot of people are going to be very closely examined and some of them should be very concerned about the proverbial skeletons in the closet that past leadership just ignored or looked the other way.>> I know some Disney personnel who fit this description. This is going to be a very hot, very long summer for some folks.
Originally Posted By idleHands <<"No reason was given as to why no other Disney studio representative was available to take Cook’s place at this year Disneyana Convention.">> Yeah, I saw that as well. Which is why I speculated that this was a calculated disappearing act on Cook's part. No one could be found, to talk to NFFC members and preview the upcoming Disney film? Sorry, not buying it.
