tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post6572794427958714989..comments2024-02-08T07:33:49.907-08:00Comments on Re-Imagineering: Rainy Days and MondaysMr Bankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12952506736745891323noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-68409248233425594572013-09-02T07:19:15.170-07:002013-09-02T07:19:15.170-07:00Valarie Edwards was my first introduction into scu...Valarie Edwards was my first introduction into sculpting,she was my teacher and friend and the most talented person I ever met.Disney are fools for ever letting such talent go.I wish her the best because she is the best and will always be the best.ret1954@hotmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-77195999919301521882012-06-27T22:24:22.508-07:002012-06-27T22:24:22.508-07:00I have worked with the aforementioned 'sacked...I have worked with the aforementioned 'sacked' imagineers, and am still saddened by the loss of such immense talent. Throughout these blogs I have continuously noticed the word 're-imagineering', I think the word we're looking for here is 'de-imagineering'. I was and remain a fan of all things Disney, and long for the day when the pendulum swings its way back to the side where creatives make the decisions as to what goes into the parks. I still know many Imagineers, and respect ,and admire their talents, skills, and desire for quality. I also know that if the bean counters keep slapping your hands, you will hesitate to reach for the cheese. Power to the mouse!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-47530275942485301462011-07-27T21:33:36.335-07:002011-07-27T21:33:36.335-07:00I do not disagree with some of the decisions regar...I do not disagree with some of the decisions regarding Paradise Pier. Taking down the Maliboomer and developing World of Color were great decisions. But some of the rebranding looks both hasty and sloppy. The new Mickey's Symphony swings look rediculous, the Orange was WAY better. <br /><br />I just never thought it was an Epic Fail, I think Delaney should have been given an opportunity to further the California theme before rebranding everything. It wasn't the lack of Disney icons that hurt DCA, it was the small size and comparatively high price. If they were to continue to build it out with Delaney's vision I think the experience would be more congruent--it feels awkwardly disjointed.Angelique Rnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-43483280962144242202010-05-26T22:12:01.284-07:002010-05-26T22:12:01.284-07:00The recession has dried up a lot of Disney critici...The recession has dried up a lot of Disney criticism from the insiders who posted at Re-Imagineering. You've heard of "loose lips sink ships," right? Loose lips can also sink jobs and in this economy you're not going to find another one.<br /><br />Jobs are currently being added to the economy, but unemployment continues to rise as discouraged workers start looking for work again, encouraged by reports of new jobs. As you can imagine, it's very competitive right now. I have heard of thousands of applications being sent in for a single position.<br /><br />I wonder. If you plotted the unemployment rate against the amount of Disney rumors/criticism released per month by insiders, would they be negatively correlated? Haha God I hate my life.Spokkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03244298044953214810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-79459323372973983342010-04-17T08:18:31.862-07:002010-04-17T08:18:31.862-07:00I haven't really been following the above disc...I haven't really been following the above discussion, but, since there has been a dearth of new posts for a couple of months, may I make a suggestion for a possible post (or series of posts)? What about an article about aspects of the park, existing or historical, that represent(ed) imagineering at its best, with all the requisite elements of a great attraction/experience? You might focus on lesser known attractions or areas of the parks (rather than the usual suspects, Pirates, Mansion, etc.). Just a thought in the hopes of reviving things here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-9700739217679759492009-11-23T06:12:31.323-08:002009-11-23T06:12:31.323-08:00You bad mouth Disney for adding a bunch of new att...<i>You bad mouth Disney for adding a bunch of new attractions at DCA.<br />All you folks do is whine and complain!<br />How about something positive for a change?</i><br /><br />You said it! I don't think this blog and its writers even know how to be positive either. They probably can't even spell it either!<br /><br /><i>You guys bemoan everyone who leaves claiming quality suffers. Many of the people being let go, like Tim, were the ones who foisted DCA on us.<br />I am sure Bob Weis is very satisfied with things. Remember he gave us the original Disney/MGM Studios. Now there's a person who knows how to manage the Imagineering process.</i><br /><br />My thoughts exactly! The pessimism needs to stop at once!<br /><br />Spokker, /bsdb, Tom Slick, 2.0 and Beyond, etc. are dead wrong about everything they say or think and need to stop acting like Chicken Little and Statler & Waldorf!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-18869348530135743362009-11-15T02:39:33.225-08:002009-11-15T02:39:33.225-08:00Spokker said...
Okay, everyone shut up now and loo...Spokker said...<br />Okay, everyone shut up now and look at this.<br /><br />Just wanted to say, beautiful. Those pictures are so beautiful.Smilee306https://www.blogger.com/profile/07093190452861933718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-54861765516173903222009-11-14T22:54:25.826-08:002009-11-14T22:54:25.826-08:00^^^^^
Actually, most Imagineers are NOT middle age...^^^^^<br />Actually, most Imagineers are NOT middle age. While some of the senior Imagineers are, many of those who are getting a good deal of the opportunities are third generation (if not fourth).<br /><br />As for "that's the way things are done around here", that hasn’t been the operational situation for some time. The First Generation of the “DisneyWay” used to be Imagineers with a broad range of skills, who could take on numerous aspects of a project. The Second Generation Imagineers mentored with those and developed many of their skills along with the underlying “Disney Way”. The Third Generation did much of the same. The Fourth Generation though, does not have the broad range of their predecessors. Many are very limited in their skills and do not appear to be obliged to absorb the skills and Disney Way from them. And these are the ones setting the new direction.<br /><br />The shaking up has already happened a couple of times, but all that did was shift the political structure around. When Lasseter went in, it appeared to indicate a real change in the political structure might come about. But when he declined to take any active steps to correct the imbalance, the structure pretty much realigned itself again to the negative political environment of earlier régimes. <br /><br />So, the “shaking up” that again needs to be done is NOT the “middle age” Imagineers, but to finally eliminate that political stranglehold.2.0 and beyondnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-69553047526256345732009-11-14T17:22:18.448-08:002009-11-14T17:22:18.448-08:00Spokker, you just plain don't like anything un...Spokker, you just plain don't like anything unless it came from Walt's time. The anonymous poster's comment about Most Imagineers being middle age is very accurate and the "that's the way things are done around here" has been in place since 95.<br />The place needs a good shaking up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-29796509573205601542009-11-12T21:40:30.649-08:002009-11-12T21:40:30.649-08:00"We need to make some room for inexperience, ..."We need to make some room for inexperience, innovation, enthusiasm, and crazy ideas that just might work."<br /><br />Yeah, as long as those crazy ideas consist of Cars Land and Little Mermaid the Ride...<br /><br />When one of those young Imagineers suggests something on the scale of Horzions, Disney will go, "You want a horizon, kid? There's the horizon. Keep walking, buddy."Spokkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03244298044953214810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-77173082546892409332009-11-11T14:53:02.898-08:002009-11-11T14:53:02.898-08:00Once upon a time I would have been sorry to see so...Once upon a time I would have been sorry to see some old-timers go. But lately I've been thinking that Imagineering needs a lot more turnover. <br /><br />I've had the opportunity to see a variety of projects unfold at Disney. And Imagineering is so different from other parts of the company. <br /><br />With Imagineering, everything seems to take longer than necessary. There are twice as many people in the meetings, and the meetings just ramble on and on. There's not enough innovation, and too much "that's how we do things here".<br /><br />The vast majority of the Imagineers seem to be middle-aged or older, and have been around for years and years. In other business units, there is a lot more diversity of ages, and a lot more people who have recently come into the organization with enthusiasm and new ideas. <br /><br />So I'm starting to think that we need to lose some of the expertise, the experience, the traditional ways. We need to make some room for inexperience, innovation, enthusiasm, and crazy ideas that just might work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-65735036074413214202009-11-10T01:46:36.092-08:002009-11-10T01:46:36.092-08:00Dumbo was invented by Disney. There is a patent co...Dumbo was invented by Disney. There is a patent concerning the Mouse design element of the attraction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-68663969556623639892009-11-06T16:14:24.521-08:002009-11-06T16:14:24.521-08:00I was lucky enough to work with Valerie some years...I was lucky enough to work with Valerie some years ago. She is truly an amazing talent with such a fun and spirited personality. <br /><br />I do sure hope she will "consult" as I'm positively sure her skills will still be needed.<br />Just not as a "blue-badge" drawing a regular salary with benefits. Called when needed, just like the rest of us, seems to be the way these days.<br /><br />Best to you Val!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-77108636402359797282009-11-06T12:16:25.537-08:002009-11-06T12:16:25.537-08:00I'm the one who wrote the "peed in the po...I'm the one who wrote the "peed in the pool" comment and only was alluding to the frustration of solving an unsolvable mystery and meant no offense to anyone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-26029915065210244822009-11-06T10:21:53.261-08:002009-11-06T10:21:53.261-08:00To above Tom: Wondering who peed in a pool is very...To above Tom: Wondering who peed in a pool is very different from calling someone out. Regardless, if other posters find that entry objectionable I'll be happy to remove it.Mr Bankshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12952506736745891323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-74286178059459483512009-11-06T09:08:20.336-08:002009-11-06T09:08:20.336-08:00My point is that a lot of what Jobs does is refine...My point is that a lot of what Jobs does is refinement & massaging, whereas, IMHO, Disney did a lot of actual creation.<br /><br />Plus, wasn't Disney known for actually listening to people to see how they felt, how they thought things could be made better? Even if he didn't always incorporate those things, that's a great trait for a visionary.<br /><br />Jobs is known for telling people who disagree with him to f-off, telling them they don't know what they're talking about, and flat out ignoring the requests and pleas of customers because "he knows what's best and they don't".<br /><br />I had an employee years ago who left to go program for Apple. He said they had pages and pages of "tech support" scripts filled with lies and fabrications because they simply didn't have the staff to deal with the Mac's real issues, so they blamed problems on completely unrelated things and suggested "fixes" that were bogus (not in all circumstances, but in many).<br /><br />He also said that the Windows dev teams at Apple aren't pressed to find and remove bugs (like the QT bugs that were in Windows versions of the software for 2 years) because it helps them convince people to switch to Mac because it's a better experience.<br /><br />Sorry, but that doesn't sound like the type of company Disney ran.<br /><br />In my own personal experience, I've had fantastic customer service from Disney, and terrible customer service from Apple.<br /><br />Just like sometimes there's a fine line between a hero and a villain, there's a fine line between somebody who's a visionary and somebody who's just a salesman.<br /><br />Attitude and intent go a long way.Lou Zucarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09723269107876700862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-55490402588571840352009-11-06T08:38:49.068-08:002009-11-06T08:38:49.068-08:00While I can appreciate why my post was removed for...While I can appreciate why my post was removed for making direct statements about two people, I don't understand why the original "Anonymous" poster who incited the "pee in the pool" post is still included in the discussion? The Statement I made was in rebuttal to "Anonymous"(comment#32 October 29, 2009 5:40:00 PM PDT) where they stated <br /><i>Tony and Marty work for a big company and don't really decide anything, they just do interviews so it looks like they do. Tony loves the parks and so does Marty. <br /><br />Frustrating. Isn't it tough to know exactly who peed in the pool?<br /></i><br /> <br /><br />I usually do not cry "not fair" like alot of sensitive peeple, but what gives? I really don't feel my statements were any harsher or crossed over any boundaries than that of the original poster, and if it were seen as such, maybe I should look elsewhere to participate on the blogosphere.<br /><br /> I'm not a sugar coater, and I'm not a P.C.er, while I do refrain from using curse words and or derogatory words to get my points accross. If anything my TB/MS point was in a grey area debate as reference, not a direct attack that I had dug up and initiated. <br /><br />I love the info and knowledge supplied on this blog, but do we really "need" a bunch of over sensitive, whiney people who do not even take the time to make up a name to blow the PC whistle? Come on, really? "Pee in pools" is acceptable, but associating people with the pee is not??? I hope it has not come to this...I should add that, I'm not typing this in an angry tone, but I just want to make some clarifications and defend my original post that was removed by Mr. Banks...I'm fine with the removal, but feel that if mine goes, so should the original reference of the pee statement, plain and simple.Tom Slicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-38315323328974854142009-11-05T09:20:34.064-08:002009-11-05T09:20:34.064-08:00If Steve Jobs is not a visionary in his field than...If Steve Jobs is not a visionary in his field than who is? Bill Gates? It's true Apple buys small companies and integrates their innovations into their software, just like Disney borrows classic stories (and ride systems i might add) and spins them as their own. Walt and Steve both keep their own names high on the door to attach as much fame as possible to themselves. <br /><br />I think they are more alike than apart. Both are autocrats with idealistic goals too. Apple didn't have to make computing pretty or a better experience, it is all in those details that we Apple lovers crave. Apple is to Compaq what Disney is to amusement parks. Sales and vision go hand in hand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-70386204733483823912009-11-04T15:55:29.607-08:002009-11-04T15:55:29.607-08:00Walt Disney is most certainly a salesman, and that...Walt Disney is most certainly a salesman, and that is one of the keys to him being a successful visionary. Ideas are one thing, but capturing the public's imagination and convincing those corporations to fund the vision is the real key.<br /><br /> Salesmanship, like advertising should be "truth well told". And there is no shame in its masterful execution. Go Steve Jobs for he is both as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-61112470260536391772009-11-04T13:07:02.096-08:002009-11-04T13:07:02.096-08:00Oh...and I'd also love to see some kind of dir...Oh...and I'd also love to see some kind of directory of Imagineers online someplace.Lou Zucarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09723269107876700862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-57310712783325433972009-11-04T13:04:50.810-08:002009-11-04T13:04:50.810-08:00I realize Apple has as passionate a fanboy base as...I realize Apple has as passionate a fanboy base as "old" Disney Imagineers do, but I think a lot of people who are not into the actual technology don't realize that what Apple is really good at is marketing, followed by "making stuff look pretty".<br /><br />Apple didn't invent the GUI, or the mouse, or Linux or aluminum construction or clean lines or MP3 players or any number of other things that people think they "invented".<br /><br />They're good at putting things together that maybe weren't together before. And they're even better at making people believe that they've invented these things...and that they do them "for the good of the people".<br /><br />Neither of those things is true.<br /><br />I say this not to incite a Love Apple / Hate Apple debate, but because I think it's entirely unfair (to Walt) to compare Apple with Disney.<br /><br />Walt was a visionary. Jobs is a salesman.Lou Zucarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09723269107876700862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-67018714167681440322009-11-04T07:28:54.442-08:002009-11-04T07:28:54.442-08:00Well, if you read the papers, it looks like Shangh...Well, if you read the papers, it looks like Shanghai DL will be a reality. In saying that, it also looks from the concept art like the layout of the park will be original in many ways. Too early to tell, but that seems to be the intent. A step in the right direction for WDI in that they may be able to create some new and exciting attractions for that MK that will hopefully make their way back into the US or at least be the basis for some. DLP had exactly that effect and many of the best nuances from that park made their way into the others.<br /><br />I think this is a moment (c'mon, how long can a moment be?) to be positive about this development and celebrate a shot at the future.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-43768243063367803872009-11-02T10:29:00.266-08:002009-11-02T10:29:00.266-08:00Most appreciated. I come here to enjoy the debate!...Most appreciated. I come here to enjoy the debate!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-17519085962782142832009-11-02T09:58:54.488-08:002009-11-02T09:58:54.488-08:00Thank you for the reminder. I've 'un-publi...Thank you for the reminder. I've 'un-published' the comments you mentioned. Thank you.Mr Bankshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12952506736745891323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-45278003817727363192009-11-02T09:55:43.510-08:002009-11-02T09:55:43.510-08:00"While passionate debate and dissent are enco..."While passionate debate and dissent are encouraged at Re-Imagineering, comments that are personally disrespectful or derogatory will not be published."<br /><br /><br />Yeah right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com