Originally Posted By Roger55 As part of the TDL Find Stitch event, Stitch has "decorated" different parts of the park and appears in many locations. One place Stitch has done his "work" is on the Partners statue. Walt and Mickey have been given by Stitch grass skirts and a head decoration made of leaves. Wish I could show a picture, but I can't upload until I get home. Anyway, I was wondering what people think about doing this to the statue. Is it wrong to poke fun using the image of Walt? When I heard from my friends that something was done to Walt's statue, I was upset. When I saw exactly what was done, I wasn't so upset because it wasn't that disrespectful IMO. But other's including some of my Japanese friends worry that it will really be seen as something bad. Opinions?
Originally Posted By LindsayC I’m glad you bought this up Roger55 - I was sent a photo of this and I was more than surprised - it just seemed a idea too far - almost insulting and silly at the same time. I didn’t really see the point. It was completely unnecessary, but maybe because it was repeat of a show from the previous year they may have thought they should outdo themselves. I have no doubt whatsoever that the US parks could never get away with this (or perhaps even think about doing it), but all these ideas are approved.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Here's a site that has pictures of the decorations -- including the 'Partners' statue of Walt and Mickey. <a href="http://www.jtcent.com/disneyland/special/spels7/spels7d.html" target="_blank">http://www.jtcent.com/disneyla nd/special/spels7/spels7d.html</a> My opinion? I think it's cute -- doesn't feel like desecration of the Almighty Walt and Mickey to me.
Originally Posted By SuperDry When I saw the picture of it, I thought it was cute and clever. It didn't even occur to me that it would be "wrong" in any way. BTW, here's a link to a picture on Nezumi's site: <a href="http://www.jtcent.com/disneyland/special/spels7/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.jtcent.com/disneyla nd/special/spels7/index.html</a>
Originally Posted By barryb I think it's cute and in keeping with the Theme. The big question is how many outside the US associate that statue with the origins of it all? Get over it. The man died over 40 years ago. He created a fun place to be for family and friends as there was nowhere to go and not somewhere for dying patients of some incurable disease. I think he would have a laugh at it! BarryB.
Originally Posted By Park Hopper I have been to Disneyland (the original in California) on new years eve several times. They give out party hats and noise makers to all the guests as evening approaches. It is not unusual, as the night progresses toward midnight, to find a party hat on Walt's Partners statue and a noise maker in his out stretched hand. To me I always though of it as including Walt in the party. It didn't seem disrespectful to me at all.
Originally Posted By alexbook >>To me I always though of it as including Walt in the party.<< That's a really sweet thought. I like it.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Before seeing the picture, the description really scared me and I thought it would look really bad. Hoewever, it was done fairly tastefully (as far as things like that can go), so I don't really mind. My first thought when I saw it was Walt and Mickey had just arrived, and Walt was saying "Hey, it looks like the party is over there! Let's go!" I never really noticed the way Mickey was smiling before, but it really adds to the "we're here to have fun" motif. Even Walt has a bit of a grin. It also gave me the feeling like ParkHopper of bringing Walt to the party too. I like it, but I wouldn't want to see too much more than that done for future promotions.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Yeah, after seeing the picture, it kind of looks fun. It's like they're participating in the event. I doubt Walt would be upset...except the fact that he didn't want any tributes to himself in the parks, at least while he was alive. So, this doesn't seem disrespectful to me. Now if they had put Stitch "grafiti" all over it then, yeah, it would be a little distasteful, but this seems like it was done in the spirit of fun.
Originally Posted By Roger55 <<The big question is how many outside the US associate that statue with the origins of it all?>> Almost all of my Japanese friends really hold Walt in high regards and understand his role in creating the Disney we know today. A Glendale based Imagineer visiting TDR once told me... "The Japanese understand and do Disney (the things the company values, advoates and stives for) even better than back home". Maybe this is why my friends worry how the decoration of Walt would be percieved. Glad to see that almost everyone so far seems to see it about the same as me.
Originally Posted By Mr X It's fine. It's a fun amusement park, for pete's sake. And Walt Disney (nor Mickey) is not god or something! Geez.
Originally Posted By Malin We discussed this else where and at first I had no problem with it and actually throught it was quite funny.But than someone said something to make me re consider this.The statue is there to celebrate Walt Disney and everything he did,but is his statue any differnt to say George Washington or Abe Lincoln,and we would never dream of doing anything like that to there Monuments would we!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I personally do not like the grass skirt on Walt, But the lei would have been enough decor and tasteful.
Originally Posted By Roger55 Heard from a CM friend tonight that they wanted to also have Walt holding a pineapple but Disney nixed that idea. Sounds like Disney may have had some say in approving the display. Then again it may all just be a rumor.
Originally Posted By irishfan I cant say I like it, and I would also hazzard a guess that if this had occured in the MK there would be a very heated debate going on at the WDW boards.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Heard from a CM friend tonight that they wanted to also have Walt holding a pineapple but Disney nixed that idea. Sounds like Disney may have had some say in approving the display. Then again it may all just be a rumor. >>> LindsayC alluded to the "approval" issue above. From what I understand, TWDC approves *everything* that goes on inside the Tokyo park. It's part of the licensing agreement. In fact, there's a whole floor of TWDC personnel that work in a building behind TDL that are on loan from the US to provide oversight and approval. So Disney most definitely approved of this.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I guess it's alright, I don't really have a problem with it but it doesn't seem to inspire the same emotion as the birthday cake castle. I don't really see the difference other than it's a different item. I kind of liked the cake knowing it was just temporary, I thought it was quite clever. I don't think it is out of the question that Walt would have been willing to laugh with everyone else.
Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi ^^ Oh you bet. Although OLC owns, operates and maintains everything inside the Parks, Disney still controls the image and usage of any intellectual property there. So, this display has Disney's OK. For the record, I think it's funny and fun. No harm done to Walt Disney's image or lore. -- MagicalNezumi
