News Round Up

ELSA711 said:

Thanks All, can scratch Jack Sparrow off my list, missed it when we were there last time, oh well.

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rteetz said:

It was the lowest rated attraction in all of WDW you weren't missing much

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Reddog1134 said:

Spirit posted some interesting info about the Shanghai resort.

Here's the meat of it:

-- Upon wheels down in Shanghai, TWDC was informed the CCP's designated media/apparatus would control all appearances and access would be "as indicated" by hosts/escorts.

-- In keeping with China's previous and consistent position, no pictures would be allowed for release nor could the Disney characters be brought on-site "for purposes of propaganda" with security and safety issues cited.

-- Iger and Staggs were told they lacked "proper certification" to be allowed to walk the construction site or be present for the topping off from the park.

-- On May 19, Disney Chairman and CEO Robert Iger was given a tour of the Disney Store Shanghai. His escorts were told no photographs would be allowed aside from the government assigned team memorializing the visit [to China and not only the store], and this was told to Mr Iger.

-- Shortly after the visit to the store, it was learned through the hosts/escorts that Mr Iger has taken pictures and posed for "propaganda purposes" in the store. The photograph of Mr Iger holding the stormtrooper was viewed and "ordered to be destroyed." Later, hours prior to the scheduled opening of the store, the picture was leaked.

-- Disney assured its hosts the picture was not intentionally released and would not be used.

-- Shanghai officials in charge of the store opening determined on the morning of May 20 that no representatives of TWDC from Burbank would be allowed and Iger and Staggs "were held" at their hotel for just then scheduled "essential meetings" concerning "grave matters."

-- It was negotiated that no Disney presence would be "potentially alarming" to the business community and bode poorly for the future of the relationship between TWDC (Western businesses operating in China) and Greater China, so officials agreed to abbreviated terms. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse would be allowed, no other characters. Paul Candland, just in from Tokyo, would be the only "named" executive of TWDC at the opening.

-- Less than 25 "official guests" were in attendance with Mr Candland being the sole representative of Disney. Comments indicating this was Disney's "arrival in the Chinese mainland" would be tempered and were edited by the local authorities assigned to the propaganda team for the SHDLR project (several of whom came from the official news agency, Xinhua).

-- Candland had some difficulty with the script which had only been presented to him immediately prior to the appearance. The focus on children, girls and young families was "problematic" for Candland as it was not consistent with Disney marketing or comments Disney would make.

-- The photograph of the twin dragons with the Disney Store in the background was deemed to be "the appropriate" photograph for circulation in China and elsewhere.

-- No distinction was made between Shanghai Disney Resort, a partnership, and the Disney Store in Shanghai, an entity owned entirely by TWDC.

-- Disney's Iger and Staggs were not on the manifest for the premiere of Tomorrowland, but they were expected. This was not a concern for the officials as it was seen as appropriate and desired for a Western studio head to appear on the red carpet for such an event and reinforced the import of China and the Chinese market to the West.

-- China made it known Disney's introduction to the Chinese mainland would be within the context of the resort and its foundational material (IP?) belonging to "the people of China." TWDC would not be allowed marketing control of the resort or its opening ceremonies and would have "limited administrative" input.

-- As of this visit, a plaque consistent with what appears in each Magic Kingdom will not be part of Shanghai Disneyland. Such a marker would "not be consistent" and "confuse and conflict" visitors who do not know of Walt Disney and will be invited in the state-directed propaganda to "their" park. Shanghai Disney Resort is not intended to be marketed as a destination except for the people of China.


Full post: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/a-spirited-perfect-ten.894588/page-877#post-6723999

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GimmeMoreMagic said:

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rteetz said:

Thanks for posting. I saw this and didn't know if i wanted to post this here because most don't know or understand the sketchiness of this project.

I just think this project in the long run is not going to be good for disney especially if they have as little control as it seems.

I'm sure Disney is not happy that they have little control, and Iger looks like a puppet. I also think Shendi is not happy that, that photo leaked.

I cannot see how any of this is good. I also can't believe that people are not picking up on how bad or sketchy this project is.

This topic deserves its own thread.

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