Originally Posted By WorldDisney LOL, this 'issue' sounds like what's happened when some foreigner defaced the King's image in Thailand (who they hold in hiiiiigh regard to say the least). That guy is going to a Thai jail for defacing a picture of their grand leader (but, in fairness, it wasn't done nicely at all ). As for this....not quite the same lol. I think everyone thinks its cute and even if was done a little distastful, so what? It's suppose to be Stitch, it SUPPOSE to be distastful and crude. You can argue the statue don't have to be touched at all, but where's the harm? As someone said, the man died a long time ago. He built a great thing we all appreciate, but he didn't end any wars or find a cure for cancer. He built a fun theme park. He shouldn't be revered for it or be untouchable to be made fun of.
Originally Posted By Mr X >>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.<< This is true. Everything down to the smallest details must be run past the TWDC people. However, they HAVE been known to compromise when the Japanese management are passionate about something (and to even defer to their judgement in some cases where something might be "appropriate" for a Japanese audience even if it wouldn't fly in America).
Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi I, for one, am quite happy when they allow sexy costumes for the female performers. -- MagicalNezumi
Originally Posted By Mr X lol. yup, that's one that's a frequent compromise, but it seems like the typical American designers from DisCo do NOT have too much of a problem with "giving in"...in fact they seem to be happy to be "unleashed", which is all the better for the rest of us.
Originally Posted By jmuboy This would NEVER fly at DL in CA, but I don't mind it a as a temporary thing for this Stitch event at TDL.
Originally Posted By aracuanbird This is just screwy. It's not that Walt was somehow staid and above shenanigans (heck, the old man would plop on a sombrero for his tv show). It's just that Disney has shown nothing but restraint when using Walt's image in the past. The Mouse doesn't need a statue of the company's founder to become just another goofy prop in a goofy summer promotion. It's nonsense. More importantly, it's completely unnecessary.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney ^^Sure, but where's the harm in it?? Its a statue dressed up in a hula. I don't see what the big deal is especially when the statue is in the same decor as the entire park. It's not like they are making fun of the guy...and mouse, they are having fun with him and again, where's the harm.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I agree^^. When I first saw photos of it, I was like.. "yuk!" But after being in the park and seeing the decor froom the moment you step into the park, down World Bazaar and into the Hub.. the re-dressing of Partners just feels appropriate and fun, keeping the fun spirit of the event.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 I guess that's the thing for me, is it seems to be done in a lighthearted way and not malicious in any way. So, I can't really be offended, especially since Walt was pretty willing to joke around and have a little fun.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney ^^^Again, as Mr. X stated, since TDLR apparently has a full underground bunker situated next to the crashed UFO full of American Disney execs whose sole job it is to ponce on any OLC Walt basher whose next stupid idea could single handily crush the holy grail of all things Disney got no problems with it....*I* got no problem with it . Besides, Walt looks a little sexy in that Hula....BUT I'M NOT GAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>^^^Again, as Mr. X stated, since TDLR apparently has a full underground bunker...<< GASP!! You should be denied access to TDR for the rest of your life WorldDisney! How dare you call "Tokyo Disney Resort" as TDLR. The place is NOT called Tokyo Disney LAND Resort. Shame on you. Go to the corner, apologize to the Emperor and say 50 hail mary's as you will burn in hell for that sin.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney ^^Sorry, it was 4 or 5 am here when I wrote that and it just slipped HONESTLY!! Don't worry, I know what I must do now to save my good name and uphold the image of our great resort. *Goes to the corner with a chained whip* One, It's Tokyo Disney RESORT!!! *Beats back with whip* Awwwwwwch Two, It's Tokyo Disney RESORT!!! *Beats back with whip* Three, It's Tokyo Disney RESORT!!! *Beats back with whip* Four, It's Tokyo Disney RESORT!!! *Beats back with whip* Five, It's Toky- you know this is going to take awhile. I got 44 more to go. Why don't you guys check back later. It's Tokyo Disney RESORT!!! *Beats back with whip* Oooooouch
Originally Posted By Mr X That's okay. We've got Jim in Someplace, CA calling our beloved park "Disney Seas" ON PURPOSE... Not to mention other LPer's PROUDLY talking about EuroDisneyland as "Disneyland Park", as though there is anything slightly cool about THAT. So, WD, being one of the true Tokyo Disney believers, should be given a lighter sentence. 25 lashes should be enough. (I feel like I've dropped into the DaVinci Code somehow)
Originally Posted By TDLFAN In reality, if I was administering a whipping on WD, he'd be begging for it..."SIR! One more please, SIR!" in gleeful delight. No one whips a whip like me.. and gotten many raves for it. Would you like to try?
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<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.>> <<This is just screwy... It's just that Disney has shown nothing but restraint when using Walt's image in the past. The Mouse doesn't need a statue of the company's founder to become just another goofy prop in a goofy summer promotion. It's nonsense.>> Interesting. It seems to me that if you sincerely wanted to honor a man whose genious and values you profess to admire, it would be more important to promulgate those values than to worship a metal icon of the man. Yet... In the US Parks, there's NO desecrating the hallowed statue! After all, that's WALT, to whom we all pledge our allegiance! But... It's okay to completely disregard Walt's vision of Tomorrowland and turn that area of the Parks into Pixar-Photo-Op-Land. It's okay to forget that Walt was looking for a nice clean park to take his daughters to, so we can go ahead and cut the custodial staff and let a little garbage accumulate. Imagination, schmisagination! Details, schmetails! RIP OUT those delightful little areas of the park and replace them with generic and highly profitable Princess outlets! Who CARES about thematic integrity?! Japan: We LOVE Disney! We want to honor Mr. Disney's vision. We want to sell/buy merchandise that reflects the special experience we had here today. We think Walt would join in our fun! <<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".>> It's no wonder OLC can put a hula skirt on a statue of Walt and we can't. They can do it with a clean conscience.
