Originally Posted By TomSawyer It was my love of Disneyland and the Disney films that brought me to LP. When the Comcast bid was made, I expected to hear the Disney board talk about considering the offer to see if it was the best thing for the shareholders. But when Roy Disney and Stanley Gold said the same thing, I felt like the Disney company was no longer any more special or magical than any other company that focuses on share holder value. I know for many of you, that realization came a long time ago. I sort of lost my affection for Disney at that point. I saw how cheap the sequels were when I'd ignored them before. I saw how timid Imagineering was being with most of their new attractions, and even with the new theme parks. Even the big Disney theater releases seemed timid and lame. Then Ouimet came to Anaheim. I haven't been to the park since 2002, but hearing the other LPers begin to rave about how clean it was and how they've seen Matt in the park so often was encouraging. Hearing the rumors from various sources about his displeasure with some of the new attractions, and hearing how he has been pushing for new attractions and experiences began to make me think that someone was getting it. Then the Pixar deal. That was good news. And the more I read about it, the more encouraged I've become. Lasseter advising Iger on WDI projects, and in charge of Animation is about as encouraging as it gets. Iger understands that animation and imagineering are at the heart of DIsney, and you can't starve those divisions and hope to be anything more than just another Six Flags or Universal or Cedar Fair. And, today, hearing the rumors about Lasseter singling out Tony Baxter when he met with Imagineering last week. Hearing Lasseter say enough of the cheap stuff - show me what you've got sent a chill down my spine. And the conjecture that Baxter may take over from Marty Sklar as senior creative advisor is also very encouraging. Disney seems to be back on track. Iger seems to understand what it is that made Disney so special for so long. It's been a heck of a ride for Disney fans over the past few years, but I have a sense of hope and optimism for Disney's future that I didn't have a year ago. Thanks, Mr. Iger and Mr. Ouimet. Thanks for understanding what it is that you have been given.
Originally Posted By cape cod joe It's all over my head Tom as I take the kids and wife to WDW many times a year and have a magical time in the happiest place on earth even if we actually live in a much better place. I don't think of Eisner, or share values, etc. I just get stoked. and immerse myself in the experience and don't even keep track of world events which seems impossible.
Originally Posted By Park Hopper As a fan, I've been burnt too many times, to join the cheering section just yet. There are still a lot of sharp pencil guys calling the shots at Disney. You know, people who don't get it. And they're usually in charge of the people who do. So, until we start seeing attractions that are more than 5 minute sales pitches for DVDs and plush toys, I'll remain cautiously optomistic.
Originally Posted By danyoung >Hearing Lasseter say enough of the cheap stuff - show me what you've got sent a chill down my spine. And the conjecture that Baxter may take over from Marty Sklar as senior creative advisor is also very encouraging.< I hadn't heard this yet - very exciting!!
Originally Posted By Skellington88 When did Lasseter say enough of the cheap stuff?? I havent heard him complain about Buzz Lightyear Spin with its ugly wood flats and chucky cheese style "interactivity". Also when was it said that Baxter may be taking over Sklar's position?
Originally Posted By SuperDry I know it's out at WDW, but Expedition Everest seems to have turned out rather well from everything I've read, seen, and heard. I was surprised that the cost came in right around $100 million. Considering that Jurrasic Park at USH cost that more than 10 years ago, it sounds like WDI did a great job at WDI without breaking the bank. Of course, not every new attraction needs to cost $100 million, but it seems that with EE they set out to build an anchor E-Ticket in the truest Disney sense, and ended up with another "instant classic." Now obviously this was all set into motion before Iger was in charge and had nothing to do with Ouimet, but this makes it all the more encouraging to me. EE, along with the changes that we're starting to see at DCA, all seem to indicate that they've learned their lessons from the mistakes of how DCA designed at opening.
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<When did Lasseter say enough of the cheap stuff??>> Here is what I got from first hand information was this: Lasseter addressed the WDI Staff at Glendale and introduced specific words and ideals necessary for WDI to succeed. Words such as Heart, Emotion, Feeling, Amazement, Wonder, Management that knows how to lead a Creative Staff. <<And the conjecture that Baxter may take over from Marty Sklar as senior creative advisor is also very encouraging.>> May be true, may not be true. But one thing is for sure, Baxter's talents will no longer go unrecognized. As Tom states, these are exciting times, very exciting times! "Keep your hands and arms inside the car at all times, this here's going to be one heck of a wild ride!"
Originally Posted By cape cod joe Doesn't ANYONE go just to have fun like me? I guess in WE it's all business.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer Of course I go to have fun, but I had this nagging feeling after the Comcast bid that Disney's best days were behind us. I had the feeling that it had turned into just another company. Disneyland has been a part of my life since I was two months old, and I didn't like the idea that it would lose it's magic in the same ways that Knott's has lost some magic since Cedar Fair took over. And I didn't like the idea that my daughter's first trip to Disneyland would be to a lesser park than the one I visited as a child. I don't have that feeling any more. Disney seems to be making a new commitment to quality and imagination.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: My sisters and I go to the Disney theme parks to have fun, as well. But that doesn't mean we have to stick our heads in the sand and ignore ANY of the cheap attractions that have replaced much better ones of the past. Disney M-G-M Studios, in particular, has lost most of the luster it used to have. ORWEN: Plus--when you have so many former Imagineers and cast members telling what THEY know in regard to how things used to be better in the past--not to mention what a witch can see with her own eyes--you have things to compare the present with the past. And that adds up to a mediocre grade--compared to how things at the parks USED to be. ORDDU: At least Disneyland is headed in the right direction again. Let's hope Walt Disney World will do the same. ORWEN: Maybe this means there's hope for Hong Kong Disneyland--unless their idea of fun over there is to go to a park with almost nothing in it to do!
Originally Posted By TomSawyer "Early one morning, Just as the sun was rising, I heard a maid sing, In the valley below."
Originally Posted By TomSawyer Why? The seemingly drunken non sequitor? (It was a Pollyanna reference in post 14)
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Well, it's just that I used to date Darby O'Gill some time back--and he sang this same song in my ear, one night--just before he called it quits with me and ran off with some OTHER little witch!!
Originally Posted By idleHands <<<<And the conjecture that Baxter may take over from Marty Sklar as senior creative advisor is also very encouraging.>>>> <<May be true, may not be true. But one thing is for sure, Baxter's talents will no longer go unrecognized.>> Darn tootin'! Actually, the big obvious question not being considered is, does Mr. Baxter even want the job? The Diznoid part of me would be thrilled right down to my toenails if Tony could take the top spot on the Creative Development food chain. With a short dotted line on the "new and improved" WDI org chart, directly connecting him to John Lasseter. But another part of me, the educator part who wants to see folks do what they were "born" to do... doesn't want to see Tony tied up in administrative bureaucracy crapola, for most of the workday. He is most excellent at blue sky and concept development, where his true talents reside. I wouldn't want to see him become a "desk jockey" and have the Aura of Fiscal Fortitude sour his ingenuity and imagination. (A fairly strong case could be made for Sklar being afflicted with the same syndrome.) Remember what happened to Captain Kirk, when he became Admiral Kirk? I'd hate to see Tony face a similar fate. That Being Saidâ„¢... How much of a miracle would it take, to bring back STEVE KIRK to become the "New Marty 2006" if Tony doesn't want the job? Steve has been running his own company for the past four years, so he understands all the business side stuff quite well. And he's one helluva designer to boot! If Tony really doesn't want the job, I'd love to see it go to Steve! Think he can be wooed away from Kirk Design, Inc. to head up WDI Creative, crapshoot? What would it actually take?
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: I'm not sure. But does this mean we might end up getting a Star Trek attraction some day?
Originally Posted By Rebekah Tom Your post 16 was not a non sequitor but I'm sure the explanation of how it fits perfectly is appreciated by those who are not as familiar with Pollyanna. Hopefully we'll all be enjoying the sunny side of the street as Disney fans for a long time to come. Rebekah.
