Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer In the American Parks, maybe. But in Hong Kong? I don't see that.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Tony is still around - just not working on anything as far as I know - although I don't have anything to do with him.>> Really? I hear that he's a big fan of yours! <<Don Goodman is taking early retirement in the fall which has upset me immensely - I know the fanbois are happy to spit vitriol at Don but he is a great smart man. The Company doesn't have anyone that understands real estate and hospitality like Don. He is entirely apolitical unlike virtually of all his peers at WDP&R. I really hoped he would stay and fight for change but it appears that we are losing another committed and dedicated executive - Don loves the product.>> I haven't seen much vitriol sent Don's way because I doubt most fanbois know who he is and what he has been (or hasn't been) a part of. I'll just say that Disney is loaded with execs who don't get or don't appreciate the product. From good, old Jay Rasulo (who you and I both know won't set foot in a Disney park or resort the rest of his life from the day he takes his golden parachute and leaves) to the head of DCL today, a man who 15 years ago was in charge of food and booze at PI/DD and somehow (largely due to Michael, Paul and Jay forcing out folks who had been Disney lifers) now understands the cruise industry enough to run a line to the head of the Studios, a man with no experience in film at all etc ... I know that isn't about Don (and I have mixed feelings about him, but that's largely based upon people who have worked for/with him and not anything I can say personally), but I've long since gone beyond trying to figure out Disney's exec moves. Just look at DLR. George K is now Prez there when less than a decade ago he was very publically fired as No. 2 after an 18-month stay that was a disaster (admitedly, not all his fault). And he very likely is the best exec in the USA parks today, which again speaks to just how screwed up the company is today.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<But in my opinion, if they DON'T add some sort of TRON based attraction at the parks, I truly feel that they're missing a golden opportunity. >> I don't ... I DO worry that Iger is forcing a franchise to exist when there isn't one happening naturally. <<I don't want TRON inside the parks - I want to see something original for both Tomorrowlands in the US. I just can't see how a TRON-inspired look can work on that existing outdoor infrastructure. Both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom deserve something more inspirational than TRON.>> I have no problem with seeing TRON inside the parks, but I also have no problem not seeing it either. T-land is a muddled mess because Disney lacks vision and certainly wants things cheap that don't have to be updated (like Buzz). They have tooned up T-land with blue aliens, monsters and clownfish too. I just see no desire by Disney to push the limits. It's all about being safe, relying on franchises and characters and spouting words like 'dreams', 'wishes' and 'magic' to the point they have as much meaning as when ANY USA politician uses words like 'freedom' ... totally meaningless.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<"Something new and original in the parks outside of any film or toon franchise would indeed be a welcome sight!" Unfortunately I don't see that happening any time soon. And I don't see the creative talent at WDI coming up with it. They're turning into a version of the live entertainment folks. Constantly producing rehashes of other folks creative efforts.>> Well, The Weatherman does want to make Disney into a distribution company after all ...
Originally Posted By leemac <<From good, old Jay Rasulo (who you and I both know won't set foot in a Disney park or resort the rest of his life from the day he takes his golden parachute and leaves) to the head of DCL today, a man who 15 years ago was in charge of food and booze at PI/DD and somehow (largely due to Michael, Paul and Jay forcing out folks who had been Disney lifers) now understands the cruise industry enough to run a line to the head of the Studios, a man with no experience in film at all etc ... >> LOL - very true. Jay was never keen on being inside the berm - I think I've spent more time with his wife and kids there than with him. He has saddled the division with largely sycophantic yes-men - that is his legacy at WDP&R. I honestly don't think there is a single one in a position of leadership that truly understands and loves the product - Craig Russell is the closest there is to a decent operator. I wonder who will run the division next - there is such a dearth of quality candidates internally that the Company must surely look external. Don't get me started on Ross......
Originally Posted By leemac << know that isn't about Don (and I have mixed feelings about him, but that's largely based upon people who have worked for/with him and not anything I can say personally), but I've long since gone beyond trying to figure out Disney's exec moves.>> I'd defend Don to my grave. He is probably the smartest fellow I've ever worked with at WDP&R. Granted he was out of his depth as Prez of WDI but he loves the product and was very protective of his people (i.e. the imagineers) which is sadly a trait that the incumbent doesn't share - but he'd be the first to tell you that too. I guess I feel like Don and I are kindred spirits - straight shooters who don't play the game. I've lost count how many hours I've spent shooting the breeze about the industry and WDP&R as a whole with Don. I honestly don't know anyone else that gets it like him. The problem was always that Jay and his flying monkey Nick Franklin always felt threatened by Don - and rightly so as he was the smartest Marriott Corp. transplant by far. I hope that I'll get the opportunity to work with Don again in some capacity. There may be plenty of folks that won't miss him but I will. Don and Wing Chao are the only two executives that have got anything substantial done in the last decade.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 This is all part of the legacy of Eisner. First enamored with Imagineering, when he felt that spending there was out of control, he basically neutered any creativity by putting people in place with little creativity who forced talent out.
Originally Posted By Manfried "First enamored with Imagineering, when he felt that spending there was out of control, he basically neutered any creativity by putting people in place with little creativity who forced talent out." And there were quite a few non-creative Imagineers who took advantage of that to gain control.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>This is all part of the legacy of Eisner. First enamored with Imagineering, when he felt that spending there was out of control, he basically neutered any creativity by putting people in place with little creativity who forced talent out.<<< The spending is out of control... they need to have workable budgets in which they can still design amazing things, but not break the bank.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<LOL - very true. Jay was never keen on being inside the berm - I think I've spent more time with his wife and kids there than with him. He has saddled the division with largely sycophantic yes-men - that is his legacy at WDP&R. I honestly don't think there is a single one in a position of leadership that truly understands and loves the product - Craig Russell is the closest there is to a decent operator.>> And this is something I don't get at all. Iger supposedly had issues with Dick Cook because he was setting up his own fiefdom at the Studios, yet Jay did the same thing. 100% so. And Iger waits until Jay has all his 'yes men' installed from one side of the globe to the other and then replaces him? And Staggs seems like he actually appreciates the product yet he has made no exec changes since coming aboard. And back to Jay, it just astounds me that you can have someone running a division like that with no love or passion for it. It would be like having a lactose intolerant dairy farmer. Or a vegan running a steakhouse (I know you'll appreciate that one). Or having someone run a Chevy dealership when they only drive VWs. At some point, common sense should take hold, yet in American business it never seems to. <<I wonder who will run the division next - there is such a dearth of quality candidates internally that the Company must surely look external.>> That's because the company has chased anyone with vision and passion ... oh, and talent too ... away. But bringing in outsiders can also be problematic because, as we've seen before, many just don't get the product. <<Don't get me started on Ross......>> Oh, please do ... you'll feel better and I'll chime in with a few hits of my own! ~If this is a hit, then it is all because of me. If it flops, then I had nothing to do with it~
Originally Posted By skinnerbox So... I've heard from reliable sources that the TRON attraction presentation was made to execs earlier this week. However, said sources did not know if any decision had been reached. Does anyone here know? Is MK getting this attraction? Or DL? How about Shanghai? Is this the Potter Killer that P&R execs were waiting for? Or are they going to wait until the studio gives the go-ahead to make the next sequel? The previously vocal insiders on other fan sites have been eerily quiet about the presentation and the outcome. Lee? Have you heard anything?
Originally Posted By Manfried I will be glad to see a TRON attraction finally come forth. I do hope its a ride.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 There seems to be a group intent on getting this rumor out (and if you've read anything of the droolfest on a MAGICal site) they've succeeded ... now, it is more than a rumor, to be fair, but it's also not a done deal by a long shot. It goes something like this: Iger is desperate for Tron to be a franchise, box office be damned; WDI has a few Tron attractions that have been tossed out; One could be a major attraction in Shanghai DL (whenever it actually gets built); That attraction has been pitched to be cloned at WDW's MK; The attraction, obviously, would be thrill-based and, in practice, attract more of the boys who would rather ride Potter than anything at MK; Since all of the above is true, folks are insistent that this will happen (well, except for the mindless fanbois who think ancient concepts like WRE are coming, but that's a whole 'nother group). There's more I could say, but I don't like dealing in 'what ifs?' ...
Originally Posted By SSE I enjoy the first TRON movie, but have yet to see the sequel so I can't really comment on that. However, I am not really interested in a TRON attraction being built at MK. I feel that Disney needs to step back from these franchises and build something that is original.
Originally Posted By GOB >> Since all of the above is true, folks are insistent that this will happen (well, except for the mindless fanbois who think ancient concepts like WRE are coming, but that's a whole 'nother group).<< I was one of the first people to put forth the WRE idea was coming back, but that was due to the limited insider tidbits that were being posted, and to be honest it made sense at the time. Not so much anymore! I'm surprised that The Weatherman would let a thrill ride be built in the Magic Kingdom, or that a "failed" franchise would somehow hold just as much appeal as Potter, or be worthy to be called a "Potter Swatter", but I guess I'll save judgement for if this thing ever gets built.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<or that a "failed" franchise would somehow hold just as much appeal as Potter, or be worthy to be called a "Potter Swatter">> As I said in another thread. By the time there is a "Potter Swatter" finished in WDW, there will be more Potter to swat.
Originally Posted By Christi22222 ^^^I'd say this is the biggest problem. We have no crystal ball, so none of us can say how long WWHP will hold appeal. But momentum is a funny and unpredictable thing. One attraction does not change the world, but it sure can start a snowball rolling. Question is - how big does the snowball get before Disney pulls their stuff together?
Originally Posted By Christi22222 >>Iger is desperate for Tron to be a franchise, box office be damned<< Here's the part that worries me for my beloved Disney....for any company (or person, really), the minute "desperate" gets into the mix you have to worry. The smartest, most knowledgeable people in the world can't see the forest for the trees when they are feeling desperate. Let go of Tron. Step back. Realize franchises have to come with some sort of energy of their own. It can not be forced. Nudged, encouraged, helped - sure. But not forced. Create good product and be prepared when the opportunities come.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Well, there are rumors about TRON 3 being in production, now... Slashfilm has them out.
