Originally Posted By crapshoot <. . . but from what I understand it was Baxter's baby.> There was only one person responsible for how both DCA and TL-98 turned out. It is the only person who grabbed and held on to the purse strings. Way, way, way out of his league, was Michael Eisner. And it was his professional undoing. Everyone else suffered due to Eisner.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>Yes, they certainly are and I should have acknowledged that. But I guess I don't see that the Expanded Fantasyland will cone anywhere close to giving the MK the shot in the arm that the DCA upgrades gave that park. You certainly don't see the excitement over the FL changes that you've had with DCA.<<< I'll agree but look what they were replacing. I had only been to DCA once, for about 2 hours and spent most of that time trying to find something to do. (2005) I can certainly understand the excitement that the new stuff would generate. I am even envious of the new RSR ride. I want one for the east coast too. The east coast was kinda spoiled by the opening of 3 completely new parks since 1982, plus water parks, plus new attractions for the 50th celebration, plus endless things to do. It's hard to get overly excited about new things anymore. Frankly, we've been spoiled.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Way, way, way out of his league, was Michael Eisner." Huh? With his successes at WDW and the incredible transformation of DLR? To say that he was "out of his league" is simply ridiculous. "Frankly, we've been spoiled." This is basically what I was getting at. And as far as TLC goes, Miceage has posted some very nice photos of the newly renovated Main Street facades along with some restoration on Tom Sawyer Island. This all comes on the heels of a refurbished Big Thunder and other changes including the return of the Tiki Room, so the news about the current state of the MK isn't necessarily all bad.
Originally Posted By Manfried <<If that supposed project was just handed into Baxter's hands>> The same Tony Baxter who screwed it up the last time with the Rocket Jets now in front, Innoventions, Rocket Rods, a ride that nearly fell down and that gosh awful thing up where the Rocket Jets used to be? The same one? Please no.
Originally Posted By Manfried <<Now, there is a new rumor Tony Baxter is 'being handed a project'>> I think the only one spreading that rumor is Baxter and his buddies. Please Tony, retire and go on tour.
Originally Posted By Manfried <<when a project's purse strings are cut, whether due to sponsor pullout, or stakeholder pullback, or by executive orders, the project's original scope plan suffers.>> Uh, yes it was a tight budget and Baxter knew that ahead of time. But instead of trying to make something good for the money, he spread it around the whole land and did nothing. Not good creativity or management. Yes, Eisner made the budget, but Baxter was solely responsible for the creative vision, and he's never owned up to it.
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<To say that he was "out of his league" is simply ridiculous.>> You of all people know of Eisner's mess in Europe, with Go.com, Animation, and many other similar business decisions that were made without consulting the right experts and ending up being quite costly. During his tenure, Disney never won an Oscar, that it bad business on his watch. DCA was a knee-jerk reaction to Euro-Disney by Eisner to finally build a park "on time & on budget" - a project manager's dream. But it suffered the same fate as every other park, it began going over budget and long on schedule. So he cut everywhere possible and then cut everywhere possible again. Eisner began his career at Disney with a bang, and crapped out towards the end. It is all very well documented Dr. Hans.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "During his tenure, Disney never won an Oscar, that it bad business on his watch." LOL. From Wikipedia: "The next five films–1989's The Little Mermaid (the first Disney animated film as a fairy-tale for 30 years), 1991's Beauty and the Beast, 1992's Aladdin, 1994's The Lion King and 1995's Pocahontas–would each win the Academy Award for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. Beauty and the Beast was nominated for Best Picture of 1991. The Lion King still stands as the highest-grossing traditionally-animated feature ever made, being the top money-maker among all films in North America in 1994." Yeah, the the studio performed terribly during his tenure. LOL.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>No offense West Coast people, but WDW (especially the MK) is far more in need of desperate help than DL resort. After the massive transfusion given to the DL resort in DCA, isn't it time to send some $$ WDW's way?<< I don't see why both resorts can't be kept in tip-top condition with the occasional new attraction, except for the insatiable corporate maw, which demands bigger profits, year after year. For whatever reason, DLR is getting the TLC these days.
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<Yes, Eisner made the budget, but Baxter was solely responsible for the creative vision, and he's never owned up to it.>> Like DL Entertainment was solely responsible for the creative vision of Light Tragic, or like WDI was solely responsible for Animal Kingdom, or like who's-it-haw's it was solely responsible for the creative vision of Disney Quest, etc. Contrast that to Tony Baxter, Big Thunder, Indiana Jones, Epcot, Euro Disney, oh, and don't forget Soarin' Over California's design concept, etc. or what I would call a proven track record. All of the sudden TL-98 rears its ugly head, Tony is handed a golden project that gets chopped into tiny bits and is falling apart. Motor Boat Cruise, Subs, Lincoln are all shuttered at the same exact time. Sooooooo, what's going on? The man grasping onto the purse, that's what.
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<Can we please get back on topic?>> What, that Tony may have responsibilities in the next TL go-round?
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Not getting into the Baxter debate here, just wondering: for whatever the rumor's worth, is the "Baxter project" (if it exists) for TL or for the north of FrL (the once and future Discovery Bay?)
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<"Baxter project" (if it exists) for TL or for the north of FrL (the once and future Discovery Bay?)>> Now there you go. The NW corner barely generates any revenue for TDA.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Serious question: was that said with a straight face, or tongue in cheek? I've seen the opinion proffered here (and I have no idea if it's accurate) that the corporate events they have in the old Festival area bring in a pretty penny, and that's one reason they're loathe to develop it into anything else.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt My guess is that whatever Burbank wants Burbank gets, no matter what the operations folks at DLR want. I'm sure that in the grand scheme of things at the WDC the revenue generated from corporate events at the ranch arena are minuscule relatively speaking.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer They could probably shift those corporate events to the old Hollywood and Dine location if they needed to. Or the Hyperion. Or the Grand Californian.
Originally Posted By idleHands "is the "Baxter project" (if it exists) for TL or for the north of FrL (the once and future Discovery Bay?)" Yes. TL will likely be first.
