Disney begins leadership shuffle

[crazy4wdw]

Looks like Epcot may be getting the upgrades it desperately needs. I just hope it doesn't take 10 or more years!

Disney begins leadership shuffle

Leah Zanolla | Posted: Apr 25, 2014 | Updated: Apr 25, 2014 - 10:50:41 PM

Walt Disney World is doing one of their trademark "leadership shuffles." Tom Fitzgerald, an Imagineer who worked on Horizons, the updated Pirates of the Caribbean, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Disneyland Paris' Ratatouille attraction, will take over the creative direction of Epcot. Word is that a huge re-Imagineering of Epcot is going to take place and the original concept of the park will be reinstated.

Erin Youngs, Vice President of Epcot, will move to Vice President, Construction, Horticulture, Textile Services, and Distribution Services. Currently in that role is Greg Ruse, who will be retiring. Sam Lau, currently Vice President of Walt Disney Transportation, will take over for Youngs as VP of Epcot. Lau will report to Jim MacPhee, Senior Vice President of Next Generation Experience. Jason Kirk, a director in Planning & Industrial Engineering, will take over as Vice President of Transportation Operations. Kirk will report to Tom Wolber, Senior Vice President Resort Operations & Transportation Operations.

A move that guests will be particularly interested in is the assignment of Imagineer Scot Trowbridge to Star Wars Studio, a dedicated project studio for the Star Wars franchise. No new Star Wars theme park attractions have been announced. Trowbridge will also become portfolio leader at Disneyland. He previously worked on the design team at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure.

 

[rteetz]

While I think Epcot needs some new creative lead Tom Fitzgerald wouldn't have been my first choice. I'm interested to see what he does with the new ratatouille ride in DLRP but he has always been involved with things that involve screens. He is a great script writer he did the reboot for SSE in 1994 and has a great love for Epcot. He also did toy story land in Hong Kong. What I do really like is disney is interested in getting Epcot back to its original purpose. If disney can get back to the way Epcot was when it opened and use new technology and new rides to do it I think it will be great.

 

[DPCummerbund]

I agree that a "re-imagining" of Epcot would be fantastic, and would probably make it my favorite park again. However, I do wonder what they're going to do with Soarin', which don't fit Epcot's theme at all, and I'd be a surprised if they get rid of Nemo, which would seem to be necessary if they want to "future-ize" The Seas.

OTOH, some popular rides (Test Track and Mission: Space) fit the theme very well.



Interestingly, I like how the new Star Wars department is called "Star Wars Studio." Does that imply that Star Wars will be at dhS, or is that just a coincidence? Or, does a "re-imagining" of Epcot mean that Star Wars is going to be there? I really don't think it fits at Epcot.

I do think the original premise of DHS is somewhat flawed. Now that most movies are CGI, the idea of a park centered around old-timey special effects and stuff seems very dated. Secondly, the bulk of Disney's new attractions are tied in with a movie franchise anyway.

I'd like to see future movie-related projects go to the park that best fits their theme (like Avatarland at AK), and use DHS as a "catchall" for all the other movie projects that don't fit any particular park. For example, Soarin' could easily fit there.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

This is very exciting news for all of the long-suffering EPCOT fans(of which I'm one)!

My whole life it's been my favorite park in WDW, but it's been very hard to remain a fan with the ugly neglect that Future World has suffered under in this past decade.

 

[rteetz]

I agree that a "re-imagining" of Epcot would be fantastic, and would probably make it my favorite park again. However, I do wonder what they're going to do with Soarin', which don't fit Epcot's theme at all, and I'd be a surprised if they get rid of Nemo, which would seem to be necessary if they want to "future-ize" The Seas. OTOH, some popular rides (Test Track and Mission: Space) fit the theme very well. Interestingly, I like how the new Star Wars department is called "Star Wars Studio." Does that imply that Star Wars will be at dhS, or is that just a coincidence? Or, does a "re-imagining" of Epcot mean that Star Wars is going to be there? I really don't think it fits at Epcot. I do think the original premise of DHS is somewhat flawed. Now that most movies are CGI, the idea of a park centered around old-timey special effects and stuff seems very dated. Secondly, the bulk of Disney's new attractions are tied in with a movie franchise anyway. I'd like to see future movie-related projects go to the park that best fits their theme (like Avatarland at AK), and use DHS as a "catchall" for all the other movie projects that don't fit any particular park. For example, Soarin' could easily fit there.

It seems as though they are finally going to do something more than just California soarin which is good. I think it's just coincidence that its Star Wars studio because they will plan Star Wars at more than just DHS. I'm sure DLR will get some Star Wars in the future as well as maybe the parks over seas. I don't think Star Wars fits in Epcot because Star Wars is in a galaxy a long time ago Epcot has world showcase and future world. I think DHS really needs a re-imagining as well more than Epcot even. I just hope this news means new things are coming and maybe soon.

 

[Figmentforever24]

I agree that a "re-imagining" of Epcot would be fantastic, and would probably make it my favorite park again. However, I do wonder what they're going to do with Soarin', which don't fit Epcot's theme at all, and I'd be a surprised if they get rid of Nemo, which would seem to be necessary if they want to "future-ize" The Seas.

OTOH, some popular rides (Test Track and Mission: Space) fit the theme very well.



Interestingly, I like how the new Star Wars department is called "Star Wars Studio." Does that imply that Star Wars will be at dhS, or is that just a coincidence? Or, does a "re-imagining" of Epcot mean that Star Wars is going to be there? I really don't think it fits at Epcot.

I do think the original premise of DHS is somewhat flawed. Now that most movies are CGI, the idea of a park centered around old-timey special effects and stuff seems very dated. Secondly, the bulk of Disney's new attractions are tied in with a movie franchise anyway.

I'd like to see future movie-related projects go to the park that best fits their theme (like Avatarland at AK), and use DHS as a "catchall" for all the other movie projects that don't fit any particular park. For example, Soarin' could easily fit there.

While Sorian may not be the best thing for The Land pavilion or Epcot in general, it still does represent the land in some ways. After all you are flying over the Earth which is the core of The Land pavilion to being with. As far the re working goes, I think we will see the pavilions go down over this decade to receive changes much like they did in the 90's. For example I could see Nemo going down to fit in with the new Finding Dory film coming next year. May not be what people want but it would still be new to the park and would still fit the sea theme.

As far as Hollywood Studios goes I would guess the new direction or theme of the park is going to be entering the world of movies rather then entering the production of movies.

 

[Figmentforever24]

Man it seems quite few people on other boards are not happy at all about the changes and Tom Fitzgerald being placed in charge. People think he is going to ruin Epcot even more. Sure a lot of his rides involved screens but lets be honest that doesn't mean all of them would be like that. Also he is working on the new Ratatoullie ride and just finished Seven Dwarfs Mine Train so surely he can come up with some good ideas!

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

Wow......I guess we'll end up with Toy Story Playland and the Ratatouille ride.....it's better than nothin.

 

[rteetz]

While Sorian may not be the best thing for The Land pavilion or Epcot in general, it still does represent the land in some ways. After all you are flying over the Earth which is the core of The Land pavilion to being with. As far the re working goes, I think we will see the pavilions go down over this decade to receive changes much like they did in the 90's. For example I could see Nemo going down to fit in with the new Finding Dory film coming next year. May not be what people want but it would still be new to the park and would still fit the sea theme. As far as Hollywood Studios goes I would guess the new direction or theme of the park is going to be entering the world of movies rather then entering the production of movies.

I believe finding dory got pushed back to early 2016.

 

[rteetz]

Man it seems quite few people on other boards are not happy at all about the changes and Tom Fitzgerald being placed in charge. People think he is going to ruin Epcot even more. Sure a lot of his rides involved screens but lets be honest that doesn't mean all of them would be like that. Also he is working on the new Ratatoullie ride and just finished Seven Dwarfs Mine Train so surely he can come up with some good ideas!

He didn't have a huge hand in seven dwarfs just a minor one he's been working more on stuff for other parks.

 

[rteetz]

Wow......I guess we'll end up with Toy Story Playland and the Ratatouille ride.....it's better than nothin.

We have yet to see if this ratatouille ride is any good. Toy story land is good for hong king but to me I don't know if it would fit here it would have adjustments done to it.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

He didn't have a huge hand in seven dwarfs just a minor one he's been working more on stuff for other parks.

That seems to be a good thing as the "other parks" seem to be getting cutting-edge stuff.

 

[rteetz]

That seems to be a good thing as the "other parks" seem to be getting cutting-edge stuff.

He's done the most work with Epcot so I would say this is a good move because he likes Epcot. I also think tho that he's not necessarily a good attraction designer he's more of an attraction script writer. So hopefully he can team up with some other good imagineers and build some good things.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Woah woah woah...


Isn't this classic heresay nonsense from the over zealous blogosphere?

Not the reassignments...they do that constantly...

Like when Paul pressler was transferred from running the most expensive amusements ever created...to the ugly sweater division at old navy...to custodial in the 6th layer if hades...

(Couldn't resist that one)

But they are doing a complete redo of EPCOT? Great!!!
And a full division exists for really sinking their teeth into building lots of new stuff covered in the price of admission in studios?

Well...I only assumed...but GREAT!!!


Come now...are we gonna swallow this at face value...based on recent history?

 

[Figmentforever24]

Woah woah woah...


Isn't this classic heresay nonsense from the over zealous blogosphere?

Not the reassignments...they do that constantly...

Like when Paul pressler was transferred from running the most expensive amusements ever created...to the ugly sweater division at old navy...to custodial in the 6th layer if hades...

(Couldn't resist that one)

But they are doing a complete redo of EPCOT? Great!!!
And a full division exists for really sinking their teeth into building lots of new stuff covered in the price of admission in studios?

Well...I only assumed...but GREAT!!!


Come now...are we gonna swallow this at face value...based on recent history?

To believe that there aren't people who care about Disney parks is nonsense. There still are. Also at this time there is no reason not to believe it. Sometimes it is good to be optimistic about some things....you should try it sometime.

 

[Figmentforever24]

He's done the most work with Epcot so I would say this is a good move because he likes Epcot. I also think tho that he's not necessarily a good attraction designer he's more of an attraction script writer. So hopefully he can team up with some other good imagineers and build some good things.

I believe he designed Horizons....or maybe he just wrote the script. Idk. Either way new management can be a blessing or a curse but at this time I am going to consider it a blessing and believe new things are going to come.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

To believe that there aren't people who care about Disney parks is nonsense. There still are. Also at this time there is no reason not to believe it. Sometimes it is good to be optimistic about some things....you should try it sometime.

Oh dear...

We're not talking about "care" or " belief"...we're talking about "money"

Tsk tsk

 

[Figmentforever24]

Oh dear...

We're not talking about "care" or " belief"...we're talking about "money"

Tsk tsk

Once again you don't know that Disney wont be willing to loosen the purse strings. New Fantasyland is done. Avatar will be spread out into smaller dollar amounts of the constructions phases. Sure we have Disney Springs and Poly DVC, but I am sure Disney wouldn't have a problem closing one ride then closing another in decent time periods. Once again try being optimistic you may REALLY like it.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Once again you don't know that Disney wont be willing to loosen the purse strings. New Fantasyland is done. Avatar will be spread out into smaller dollar amounts of the constructions phases. Sure we have Disney Springs and Poly DVC, but I am sure Disney wouldn't have a problem closing one ride then closing another in decent time periods. Once again try being optimistic you may REALLY like it.

Time for my three word slogan:

TRUST THE SHOVELS


I'll meditate like Mr Miyagi till then

 

[rteetz]

Time for my three word slogan: TRUST THE SHOVELS I'll meditate like Mr Miyagi till then

Can we do anything else?