tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post5374301406069695868..comments2024-02-08T07:33:49.907-08:00Comments on Re-Imagineering: W.E.D. ON WEDMr Bankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12952506736745891323noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-49442902792069049282007-11-29T02:38:00.000-08:002007-11-29T02:38:00.000-08:00What some Imagineers are saying according to Jim H...What some Imagineers are saying according to Jim Hill:<BR/><BR/><BR/>I just read an article on Jim Hill Media talking about how some Imagineers think that some Disney parks might have too much Disneyana attached to it. Could this be true?<BR/><BR/>I have heard some theme park goers say that they don't like some rides because they are too nostalgic or too Walt Disney.<BR/><BR/>If they don't like Disney then why are they going to a Disney theme park? There are other parks they can go to if they just want to ride roller coasters and play video arcade games.<BR/><BR/>That's like going to a Rolling Stones concert and expecting to hear rap music and then saying, "There is no rap here, I am never going to a Stones concert again." And you don't go to a Picasso <BR/>exhibit and expect to see comic book art.<BR/><BR/>People go to a Disney theme park because they are Disney fans and want to see Disney attractions and hear Disney music so why would some Imagineers now want to make theme parks for non Disney fans who don't care about anything Disney?<BR/><BR/>If park goers don't like Disney can't they go to Magic Mountain instead? Is the Disney Company going to tear down everything Disney just to please the non Disney fans?<BR/><BR/>I never understood the, "Let's not put Disney in a Disney theme park." Do you? To those non Disney fans - Disney still puts on a good show and if you don't like Disney this is not the show for you. Go to a rap concert instead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-43531733083388782182007-10-26T22:55:00.000-07:002007-10-26T22:55:00.000-07:00Thank you so much for this post. I'm new here...ju...Thank you so much for this post. I'm new here...just having found this site tonight...and while it's always a little sad to see behind the curtain, it's a much happier thing to see that there are a lot of people back there who care about maintaining the mystery, aura and magic.<BR/><BR/>I have a lot of reading to do...Louhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093762519549805218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-50732530781443185022007-08-29T22:11:00.000-07:002007-08-29T22:11:00.000-07:00Anonymous said...“Okay, guys, grow up. And did you...Anonymous said...<BR/><BR/>“Okay, guys, grow up. And did you ever notice it's all guys on this blog?<BR/><BR/>Walt was a businessman. Sure, Disneyland was an innovative business concept, but it was a business.<BR/><BR/>Walt is not a religious figure. He never was. Yet, you guys seem to deify him.<BR/><BR/>Did he have some sound business ideas? Yes. But if he was so smart, how come he left an organization behind that was so moribound in the seventies and eighties?<BR/><BR/>It is 2007, times have changed. The parks do look good and are entertaining. They should be for the cost to get in.<BR/><BR/>But the Disney parks are not a church, religion, or a non-profit enterprise.<BR/><BR/>You boys might want to remember that.”<BR/><BR/>Clearly, Mr. Anonymous thinks the rest of us have too much enthusiasm for the philosophy of Walt Disney. But Mr. Anonymous has enough enthusiasm for Disney to visit this blog a post a comment. He must read this blog often enough to feel qualified to criticize it; so, he does have some enthusiasm for things Disney. <BR/><BR/>But, you see, the difference between him and us is that he has the RIGHT amount of enthusiasm. He’s like the porridge Goldilocks chose--not too cold, not too hot, just right. The rest of us should take a valium and enter Anonymous’ non-threatening milquetoast vanilla world of mild enthusiasm. If all the passionate people of the world could just do that, then we could insure that nothing will ever change.<BR/><BR/>...oh and “milquetoast” is my entry into the my-word-is-bigger-than-your-word contest.Tongaroahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01456743904698992536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-86429811631147458082007-08-28T14:26:00.000-07:002007-08-28T14:26:00.000-07:00I don't know who you are, Mr. Digital Jedi, but ev...I don't know who you are, Mr. Digital Jedi, but everyone at Re-Imagineering loves you. I should actually start posting some of your comments on the main page.Mr Bankshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12952506736745891323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-80474380974947155302007-08-28T14:14:00.000-07:002007-08-28T14:14:00.000-07:00Anonymous:>>>Okay, guys, grow up.What Merlin quote...<B>Anonymous:</B><BR/>>>><I>Okay, guys, grow up.</I><<<<BR/><BR/>What Merlin quoted Walt as saying. So, no.<BR/><BR/>>>><I>And did you ever notice it's all guys on this blog?</I><<<<BR/><BR/>And? Would it help if you knew that my wife reads this blog as well and has the same opinions and reservations as I? And if so, what would it help you do?<BR/><BR/>>>><I>Walt was a businessman. Sure, Disneyland was an innovative business concept, but it was a business.</I><<<<BR/><BR/>And this is new information to who? I've repeatedly stated, and this bog has repeatedly insinuated, if not outright stated, that Walt was the consummate businessman. Way to walk into an ice cream shop and tell everybody the ice cream is cold.<BR/><BR/>>>><I>Walt is not a religious figure. He never was. Yet, you guys seem to deify him.</I><<<<BR/><BR/>When will folks like you ever learn that admiration, respect and appreciation are not the same as deification? We know he was a good businessman. What we're trying to say, is that he was one hundred times better at it then the guys who run it now. <BR/><BR/>>>><I>Did he have some sound business ideas? Yes. But if he was so smart, how come he left an organization behind that was so moribound in the seventies and eighties?</I><<<<BR/><BR/>Hooray for making me look up a word! Now go look up the date of Walt's death and rethink that question.<BR/><BR/>>>><I>It is 2007, times have changed. The parks do look good and are entertaining. </I><<<<BR/><BR/>I'd be interested to know when <B>you</B> first started visiting the parks. Because compared to the previous century, the parks have okay sanitation, when-we-get-around-to-it/when-it's-in-the-budget-maintenance and a good number of rides that loose their appeal after a couple of years or less. The Disney I knew had folks seeking out the same rides decade after decade, sometimes generation after generation, on the spot maintenance that set the standard for parks around the world and a park so clean that people used to come back and rave about how clean the bathrooms were... <BR/><BR/>>><I>They should be for the cost to get in.</I><<<<BR/><BR/>...So now I have to pay more for less.<BR/><BR/>>><I>But the Disney parks are not a church, religion, or a non-profit enterprise.</I><<<<BR/><BR/>Right, it's not. No one said it was. What it is, is an entity. <I>"It’s alive. It will be a live, breathing thing that will need change."</I> But he meant for it to change for the better. It hasn't lately. So much so, that even a planter in Tomorrowland with some decent design sense seems like a milestone. <BR/><BR/>>>><I>You boys might want to remember that.</I><<<<BR/><BR/>About the only thing I'm going to remember about this post is "mori<B>bound</B>". Maybe you might want to remember that folks don't want an antiquated Disney, what we want is a Disney at least as good as it once was. And the only people that don't see that are the ones that either never experienced Disney at it's finest, or who have a vested interest in keeping it the way it is. <BR/><BR/>Oh, shame on you for presuming that everyone on this blog is of one gender. And shame on you for insinuating that because we're all the same gender, it's somehow the reason your right and we're wrong. That's not only presumptuous, but equally sexist and egregious. Hooray for big words!Digital Jedihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02374739586203788564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-56730872881349585422007-08-28T09:37:00.000-07:002007-08-28T09:37:00.000-07:00Hooray for Merlin Jones!Post more stuff yay!Hooray for Merlin Jones!<BR/>Post more stuff yay!Fred Clinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00832530610797734570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-41945063305754484632007-08-28T02:15:00.000-07:002007-08-28T02:15:00.000-07:00Is this a real quote?"Money is something I underst...Is this a real quote?<BR/><BR/>"Money is something I understand only vaguely, and I think about it only when I don't have enough to finance my current enthusiasm, whatever it may be. All I know about money is that I have to have it to do things. I don't want to bank my dividends, I'd rather keep my money working.... Money — or, rather the lack of it to carry out my ideas — may worry me, but it does not excite me. Ideas excite me."Spokkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06878138419800159091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-89422505275165447952007-08-27T19:27:00.000-07:002007-08-27T19:27:00.000-07:00"Did he have some sound business ideas? Yes. But i..."Did he have some sound business ideas? Yes. But if he was so smart, how come he left an organization behind that was so moribound in the seventies and eighties?"<BR/><BR/>How does someone leave behind a park moribund in the 70's and 80's when he died in 1966. He had to be a pretty forward thinking man if he left a park to them that was 20 years in the future.Kevin Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13482520379371342662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-91557858935077309232007-08-27T17:44:00.000-07:002007-08-27T17:44:00.000-07:00>>Okay, guys, grow up."Why do we have to grow up? ...>>Okay, guys, grow up.<<<BR/><BR/>"Why do we have to grow up? I know more adults who have the children's approach to life. They're people who don't give a hang what the Jonses do. You see them at Disneyland everytime you go there. They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasures, and they have a degree of contentment with what life has brought - sometimes it isn't much, either." - - Walt Disney<BR/><BR/>"You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway." -- Walt DisneyMerlin Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13397520005969644808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-35332120583258859222007-08-27T13:46:00.000-07:002007-08-27T13:46:00.000-07:00Another one of those odd angry anonymous comments....Another one of those odd angry anonymous comments. For the record:<BR/><BR/>1. You spelled 'moribund' incorrectly.<BR/>2. Yes, we're all guys here last we checked. And your point?<BR/>3. The 70's and 80's brought us the wonders of Walt Disney World and Epcot Center. And these old-school imagineers who'd worked closely with Walt in the past knew their stuff. Moribund?<BR/>4. It's the Eisner era of delivering on the cheap that is the real issue here (as well as the hangers on from his posse still threatening to spoil the soup.) Eisnerites had completely discounted the business philosophy of Walt Disney and their cynical focus-grouped lack of imagination showed in everything they did. <BR/>5. When it comes to the Walt Disney company it can never hurt to hear from the founder. Do we deify him? Not at all. Do we study his words and actions? Absolutely. Is his philosophy something the Disney company should adhere to. Of course.Mr Bankshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12952506736745891323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1993610935834065732007-08-27T12:11:00.000-07:002007-08-27T12:11:00.000-07:00Okay, guys, grow up. And did you ever notice it's ...Okay, guys, grow up. And did you ever notice it's all guys on this blog?<BR/><BR/>Walt was a businessman. Sure, Disneyland was an innovative business concept, but it was a business.<BR/><BR/>Walt is not a religious figure. He never was. Yet, you guys seem to deify him.<BR/><BR/>Did he have some sound business ideas? Yes. But if he was so smart, how come he left an organization behind that was so moribound in the seventies and eighties?<BR/><BR/>It is 2007, times have changed. The parks do look good and are entertaining. They should be for the cost to get in.<BR/><BR/>But the Disney parks are not a church, religion, or a non-profit enterprise.<BR/><BR/>You boys might want to remember that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-17647288947227912572007-08-27T11:07:00.000-07:002007-08-27T11:07:00.000-07:00“When we opened Disneyland, a lot of people got th...“When we opened Disneyland, a lot of people got the impression that it was a get-rich thing, but they didn’t realize that behind Disneyland was this great organization that I built here at the Studio, and they all got into it and we were doing it because we loved to do it.”<BR/><BR/>Now if you love your job and you're passionate about Walt's original values you are seen as a troublemaker and are promptly terminated.whimmelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15856539900448144099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-50871720735317274212007-08-24T14:54:00.000-07:002007-08-24T14:54:00.000-07:00“The first year I leased out the parking concessio...“The first year I leased out the parking concession, brought in the usual security guards – things like that – but soon realized my mistake. I couldn’t have outside help and still get over my idea of hospitality. So now we recruit and train every one of our employees. I tell the security police, for instance, that they are never to consider themselves cops. They are there to help people. The visitors are our guests. It’s like running a fine restaurant. Once you get the policy growing, it grows.”<BR/><BR/>Everytime I read this, I can't understand how the current trend of outsourcing (at least in FL, can't speak for anywhere else) is seen as being ok. It seems that now the bottom line is more important than quality control.<BR/><BR/>It also makes me crazy that the length of the Traditions classes keeps shrinking. And now we have "The Basics" and that's good enough?<BR/><BR/>Whatever.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-33706791015198613992007-08-24T02:07:00.000-07:002007-08-24T02:07:00.000-07:00How much more of a plan is there, then proving eve...How much more of a plan is there, then proving everyone wrong and consistently delivering until the day you can't give anymore, then setting an example that no one can deconstruct as faulty or lucky, that no one past or present could equal, much less surpass? Once your gone, it's up to individuals to carry on your legacy. Failure to do that falls squarely on the shoulders of those who should have bore the legacy, not the one who leaves it behind.Digital Jedihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02374739586203788564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-43330548922972268802007-08-22T12:07:00.000-07:002007-08-22T12:07:00.000-07:00“Whenever I go on a ride, I’m always thinking of w...“Whenever I go on a ride, I’m always thinking of what’s wrong with the thing and how it can be improved.”<BR/><BR/>Great quote.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01789094236183502398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-18926071776619295052007-08-21T11:45:00.000-07:002007-08-21T11:45:00.000-07:00I heard a story that Walt had plans after his deat...I heard a story that Walt had plans after his death. There was a screening at the Disney studio and the remaining management people were told to sit in certain seats. A film started and it was Walt telling everyone at this time I'm dead and here are your instructions. He would then point to certain people seated and tell them what they were suppose to do in the company. Did this ever happen or is it just a wild rumor?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-44096030022533263872007-08-20T19:53:00.000-07:002007-08-20T19:53:00.000-07:00The man didn't really leave a strong long-term pla...The man didn't really leave a strong long-term plan for the future before he died. He just thought that everybody was convinced that Walt was right and didn't leave any instructions. <BR/><BR/>After finishing those projects that Walt had a hand in, projects that went into the early 70s, the company had no clue what to do. It was floundering and it wasn't until Eisner stepped in and started reinvigorating the company that Disney became Disney again. Unfortunately those ideals didn't last long and the executives perverted what Walt stood for.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure there were some in the organization that were glad he was dead. I'm sure there are some now that are glad didn't live another 20 years, because if he did I'm confident that it would be a vastly different organization than it is now.<BR/><BR/>I wish Walt had foreseen what happened after his death. He had too much faith in the people whom he left his company to and those that would follow.Spokkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06878138419800159091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-61975759057250654372007-08-20T13:05:00.000-07:002007-08-20T13:05:00.000-07:00/bsdb said:>>>Give it up, guys. Admit you've been ...<B>/bsdb said:</B><BR/>>>><I>Give it up, guys. Admit you've been placed on a short leash by management, or at the very least, confess that the well has run dry, and you're all fresh out of ideas for resurrecting WED. Then do the honorable deed as Epcot82 has done with Epcot Central, and close your blog.<BR/><BR/>Enough's enough.</I><<<<BR/><BR/>That's part of the problem. Too many people not listening to the past and just giving up. More was said in the way of these quotes then said in entire postings of this blog to date. That was the point. That there is a core philosophy that begin with this man, that people are shutting their ears to because for whatever reason, they don't want Walt Disney to have been right. <BR/><BR/>And with all due respect to Epcot32, there's nothing honorable in giving up. <BR/><BR/>Oh, and if Re-Imagineering were on such a short leash, I don't think posting a bunch of quotes that directly expose and contradict the business philosophies of modern day Disney would be in their favor. <BR/><BR/>Spokker, that was an asinine comment.Digital Jedihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02374739586203788564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-35017823314796644632007-08-20T11:40:00.000-07:002007-08-20T11:40:00.000-07:00FYI - - I added a few more quotes to the end of th...FYI - - I added a few more quotes to the end of the article today - and will probably keep adding on as I run across relevant passages. So check back.Merlin Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13397520005969644808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-63751031921042035482007-08-20T11:04:00.000-07:002007-08-20T11:04:00.000-07:00"It would reflect the faith and challenge the futu..."It would reflect the faith and challenge the future, the entertainment, the interest in intelligently presented facts, the stimulation of the imagination, the standards of health and achievement, and above all, a sense of strength, contentment and well-being."<BR/><BR/>Does Disneyland of today represent all of these things? I don't think so. Did it ever? I think it came very close to it.<BR/><BR/>Clearly Walt was a visionary and an idealist. He seems to have constantly strove for excellence and staying true to his ideals. Is Disneyland today nearly as idealistic and driven?<BR/><BR/>Wonderful post. Walt's words continue to be inspiring and should never be forgotten by his comapny or those that claim to be his fans.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-21552324557395459532007-08-20T07:45:00.000-07:002007-08-20T07:45:00.000-07:00POST MOARPOST MOARAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1406142654209660102007-08-20T07:03:00.000-07:002007-08-20T07:03:00.000-07:00Fantastic post!!!Here's a few things that the curr...Fantastic post!!!<BR/><BR/>Here's a few things that the current management needs a refresher on:<BR/><BR/><I>“A word may be said in regard to the concept and conduct of Disneyland’s operational tone. Although various sections will have the fun and flavor of a carnival or amusement park, there will be none of the ‘pitches,’ game wheels, sharp practices and devices designed to milk the visitor’s pocketbook.”</I><BR/><BR/>Mr. Iger...tear down this Hester & Chester Dino-Rama area.<BR/><BR/><I>“Well, I think by this time my staff, my young group of executives, and everything else, are convinced that Walt is right. That quality will out. And so I think they’re going to stay with that policy because it’s proved that it’s a good business policy. Give the people everything you can give them. Keep the place as clean as you can keep it. Keep it friendly, you know. Make it a real fun place to be. I think they’re convinced and I think they’ll hang on after… as you say… well… after Disney.”</I><BR/><BR/>Ohhh...if only this were still the case.<BR/><BR/>Keep up the great work!!!Paul Williams, PMPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01097616746970673721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-82588613186509803892007-08-20T01:49:00.000-07:002007-08-20T01:49:00.000-07:00“Well, I think by this time my staff, my young gro...“Well, I think by this time my staff, my young group of executives, and everything else, are convinced that Walt is right. That quality will out. And so I think they’re going to stay with that policy because it’s proved that it’s a good business policy. Give the people everything you can give them. Keep the place as clean as you can keep it. Keep it friendly, you know. Make it a real fun place to be. I think they’re convinced and I think they’ll hang on after… as you say… well… after Disney.”<BR/><BR/>Walt's philosophy behind the park seems so simple. It's all about quality. How could a company that bears his name ever stray from such a simple task? It would be refreshing to have a Disney company that was giving us everything they got.The Clabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03532189483500720847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-16447588984864973912007-08-20T00:33:00.000-07:002007-08-20T00:33:00.000-07:00All of these Walt quotes must be required reading ...All of these Walt quotes must be required reading for every Disney executive starting with Bob Iger. And if any exec doesn't follow these priniples he should be dismissed. The company is too management heavy anyway!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-85731327100458079522007-08-19T16:22:00.000-07:002007-08-19T16:22:00.000-07:00I think the time is right for Disney to be the big...I think the time is right for Disney to be the big but enjoyable entertainment experience it was when I was growing up. Baby Boomers, like me, have kids nicknamed the Echo generation. <BR/><BR/>Having been at Disney World this past June after not being to Disney World in over 20 years, I thought it was great. There are some wonderful new attractions and many of the original attractions still working well. I staid at the resort area on site and it was excellent. But if Disney is going to thrive, that greatness can't be taken for granted. As we go into the 21st century I hope Disney incorporates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other new technologies into it's attractions and services.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com