If Walt Were Alive Today: How would WDW be Different?

[WDW Poly Princess]

In 1972 the price for the Polynesian was $29 per night only a few dollars more than a typical motor lodge at the time.

Um, thanks. I'm going to go daydream about a world where the Poly is under $50/nt now!

I think if Walt were still around, we might not still have a lot of the "classic" rides. From what I've heard, he was big on replacing something once it was no longer the best that was available.

I agree that the monorail would run everywhere. I wish there was a little more of Walt's "It's kind of fun to do the impossible" attitude, and a little less "What would it cost us to..."

I agree that things might be cheaper as well. I see Walt as someone who would put the memories that people made over the profit that he made.

 

[cree]

SnackyStacky is right, nothing in Disney World would be the way it is now, nowhere close. The monorail would run all over the grounds, as would people movers, but they would be a means of transit to work, school, etc.
The concept art depicting Walt Disney's vision of the Florida project is amazing, truly amazing. You look at rides like Carousel of Progress and Horizons (well, you could if someone hadn't, nevermind, not the place), and the perfect, though dated, utopia of the future that they hinted at, then look at E.P.C.O.T., the original concept, and realize that that is what the future looks like, even today. It doesn't look silly, it looks like a foreign place.
And it would be sitting outside of Orlando today, if things had been different.

And if, by chance, the theme parks had come about, Mr. Toad's and Horizons would still be in place. And it would still be Journey into Imagination with the Dream Finder. Basically, the parks would be exactly the same as they were 20 years ago, as I picture them in my head. With flying cars. And a mean temperature of 85 with no humidity.

 

[civileng68]

This is a good topic. When I think about these things, I always wonder how much Walt would have changed with the times. The man has been gone for nearly 40 years and much has changed in our society. I sure don't think Walt would have condoned a tie-in of Aerosmith to an attraction(yes I know Aerosmith wasn't around yet, but work with me here, or substitute the Rolling Stones). Would he have recognized these changes, or would he have stuck to his Main Street USA principles and mores. Would CMs still be subject to the stricter dress code of earlier years in the parks, or would he finally admit that not hiring people with tatoos would severely limit his human resources?
And the biggest question of all: how would Walt have handled the modern day corporate world where product quality usually takes a back seat to the bottom line(ergo Wall Street).

WEll I do think he would have changed with the times. However he would still keep the themes. Remember Main St. USA was 1800's style, even before Walt's time, so that is timeless.

 

[minnie61650]

Um, thanks. I'm going to go daydream about a world where the Poly is under $50/nt now!

I think if Walt were still around, we might not still have a lot of the "classic" rides. From what I've heard, he was big on replacing something once it was no longer the best that was available.

I agree that the monorail would run everywhere. I wish there was a little more of Walt's "It's kind of fun to do the impossible" attitude, and a little less "What would it cost us to..."

I agree that things might be cheaper as well. I see Walt as someone who would put the memories that people made over the profit that he made.

Walt was the "dreamer." He wanted all who came to Disney to leave the "real world" behind. He did not worry about the finances. It was his brother Roy who had to help Walt make Disney become profitable. He wanted families to be able to come and enjoy and was not at all interested in the profit.
The monorails would go to most of the parks and resorts. Walt felt
that the monorails were the transportation of the future.
Also If Walt ever built a Future World or a World showcase it would not be at Epcot.
He designed EPCOT it was to be an experimental prototype community (and
community was a carefully chosen word) of tomorrow. In other words it was going to a
futuristic community where families would live, children would go to school,
and parents would work. Walt wanted to use futuristic transportation and the very latest in technology in this community. It was to be everchanging.Always the newest and best technology had to offer.
The Epcot we enjoy today was not at all in Walt's plans. Walt once refereed to
EPCOT as "being a Showcase to the world.'" They used that phrase and thus made World Showcase. Asmuch as I enjoy Epcot it sometimes saddens me to think that Epcot is not at all how he envisioned it.
Linda

 

[Goofster]

If Walt were alive today...Celebration would look like that community you see when riding the peoplemover.

 

[hearts8701]

i believe like 20,000 leagues closing or any other attraction there would be no building in any park vacant
or that adding characters to closed attractions just to fill in would be worth $60 Walt knew the key word ATTRACTIONS

 

[Elysiannn]

I love this thread!

If Walt was still alive:
-WDW wouldn't be so expensive. He would make it so even "poor" families could go. Walt wanted all families to go and have fun
-MGM would be a working enterprise
-NO PLEASURE ISLAND with waitresses carrying shots out in the streets for you to buy HOWEVER - Adventurer's Club might be allowed without alcohol.
-Cutting edge rides and theming. I like to think he would love Soarin.
-Cleaner, more magic, more fun, more fantasy, more, more, more.

And Eisner would of been just some unknown ex elsewhere.

 

[Friendly Frog]

Oh, this is JUST my kind of question, as I'm very into the history of the Disney Company and have read pretty much everything out there on Walt.

I'll just list them:

1. The parks would be spotless, no matter what. There would be no "we can't get competent workers" being spewn around. SOMEONE would be cleaning those parks until they "shined like the top of the Chrysler Building" (to borrow a quote from "Annie") .

2. There would NOT be motion simulators everywhere you turned. Walt would have embraced it when it was new technology and moved on to the next thing as soon as it passed it's prime.

3. Great classics like Carousel of Progress would not be thrown in the "operates seasonally" category. It would operate all the time and be updated whenever new technology came along.

4. Chester & Hester's Dinorama would NOT have ever become reality. The second someone suggested a "carnie" land, Walt would have ripped the plans right off the drawing board and told the guy to get back to work - without the crack pipe.

5. The monorail would be running between all parks, resorts and Downtown Disney - "don't tell me it can't be done - figure out a way".

6. 20K Leagues would not have been stripped away without a plan for either an update or a new attraction to take it's place - and not another character greeting area.

7. Future World would not be stagnant. Whatever needs to be done to keep it current and vibrant - do it - don't rest on your laurels Imagineers.

8. Resort mugs would have a "refillable for life" warranty.

OK, maybe #8 isn't quite what Walt would do, but this is a fantasy, is it not?

Well, except for number 8, I think you nailed it 100%. ( Though I do like the idea of RFL mugs. )

 

[Laurajean1014]

4. Chester & Hester's Dinorama would NOT have ever become reality. The second someone suggested a "carnie" land, Walt would have ripped the plans right off the drawing board and told the guy to get back to work - without the crack pipe.

5. The monorail would be running between all parks, resorts and Downtown Disney - "don't tell me it can't be done - figure out a way".

6. 20K Leagues would not have been stripped away without a plan for either an update or a new attraction to take it's place - and not another character greeting area.

7. Future World would not be stagnant. Whatever needs to be done to keep it current and vibrant - do it - don't rest on your laurels Imagineers.

I totally agree about these observations. Here are my additional thoughts:

1. Walt would also not allow the Mickey Earfultower to be formed.

2. Walt would have MGM close later than it does.

3. Walt would make MGM more functional for guests - specifically the New York Avenue area.

4. Walt would not have constructed any "Character Greetings." I believe he wanted to keep the characters actively moving throughout the parks, as they used to.

5. Walt would change Cinderella's Breakfast to make it more readily available to everyone.

6. Walt would not have approved of DTD or a shopping type park.

7. DVC? Hmmmmm.

 

[marc1477]

I would have to agree, the monorail would be everywhere and the prices of resorts would be more family friendly too.

 

[JRawkSteady]

I agree with all of your points grinningghost,

to add my .02, I still think the park would have been created - Walt could not find a way to make his community with all the marshes out in Florida. He wanted life to occur underground as well, but this never happened, b/c he, nor anyone else could figure out a way, since water was just a few feet down. He would have found another zone to build the real EPCOT. (sorry, I know it's an acronym, but I really don't feel like writing all those little periods everytime)

With the theme parks, I definitely agree that the working animation studios would still stand. And although Walt was always ahead of his time, he would have used CGI AND regular animation as well. Tommorrowland and Epcot would be in constant refurbishment. Animal Kingdom would have more of an educational value. CMs would be well-paid, but have a very strenuous interview process to make sure they're the best of the best. (most people who interview for the College Program get in at this time...) Stitch's Great Escape would never have even been mentioned in the board room....

 

[civileng68]

4. Walt would not have constructed any "Character Greetings." I believe he wanted to keep the characters actively moving throughout the parks, as they used to.

Wow I totally agree with this one.

As the Original Poster, i"ll post my thoughts:

When speaking of things like monorails, keep in mind that the cost of those ventures is transferred to the price of tickets. Your cost would be high. However, it may not be much more than it is now if Disney was not involved with so many outside companies. If Disney ONLY owned the Disney Channel and Walt Disney World, it may have more money to do things. I dont know that monorails would be everywhere but do feel that a new, more expensive and innovative transpotation system would exist. I definately think the people movers would be the form of transportation.

I agree and think that there would be no Pop Century Resort. I think the cheaper resorts would have been very strictly scrutinized so they do not seem cheap, as personally I think they seem now.

I dont think the industrialization of the property would have led so close to the edge of the property. The size was Walt's way of putting us in another dimension. Getting us away from the world.

Now you can drive down Hwy 192 and see both the Animal Kingdom Lodge as well as I another resort.

I believe characters would roam around the park (even with guides). There is something special about walking around and seeing a character pop out. Sort of makes the excitement.

As someone else said, I think Walt would NEVER have built so many rides around movies. As was said, Haunted Mansion, and POTC were classics that were built with imagination. No movies existed at the time, about those rides. Some, yes, all, no.

I think the Imagineers would have been tasked to find Innovative ideas about attractions, NOT find ways to incorporate old ride systems into the park to make it look innovative. Even Mission Space's ride design is not new and has been used for years.

I think the company would be more responsible in terms of how to spend money to keep the prices affordable. While inflation does exist and prices will rise because of it, Disney would make sure the family that Gross's less than $45,000 per year with two kids could afford to vacation there.

There would still be televisions shows on television about Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney would not conform to other companies standards to compete with them in business but would rather hold the standards that everyone else wants to meet.

Park hours would extend several hours into the dark every night. Walt loved the park at night. It was his favorite time.

The "mistique" of Walt Disney World would still be there. One thing I'm noticing that is heartbreaking is that while Walt Disney World is still a massive tourist destination, it is losing it's mistique. Kids today dont have that feeling of seeing the castle and thinking that Walt wanted to have an appartment in there. They dont care. Disney doesn't do enough to keep kids in tune with the Classics.

Epcot would be a completely different place. They have really gotten away from his future world desires. By the way, how bout some updating Innoventions arleady!

There would be no restaraunts or stores closed before closing hours.

Disney would have it's own staff for repairs and cleaning and would not have to hire the work out.

Lastly, the entire management system would be different. Walt did in fact along with Roy set up the system that is in place today. However, Eisner would never have had the power he gained in his stay. The board would serve it's purpose of keeping a multi-opinionated team together to come up with one sound decision. Not one opinion and everyone agree for fear of their jobs.
I believe current management has made things so crazy at Disney that many shareholders dont even know what is going on anymore. I feel that Disney is one big blunder away from a big financial crash with shareholders bailing out. Disney needs to better inform it's shareholders of the ongoings in the company and show more care for them.

Last point: Even if Walt owned the company, he didnt have to be CEO. There should be a rule that any CEO of the Walt Disney Company can ONLY CEO the Walt Disney Company. I think that management to this point has had their mind into too many things to concentrate on one company more than another. Disney is too important to be a side venture for the sake of collecting bonuses.

 

[DVCconvert]

Stitch's Great Escape would never have even been mentioned in the board room....

It would never have made it out of Imagineering in the form we see today!

 

[civileng68]

One thing you can't do is blame the Imagineers for today's problems.

The Imagineers are told what to do. Upper Management decides when to replace something.

The Imagineers in many cases are left with no opportunity but to think generically. Innovativeness takes extra time and money, neither of which it seems management has been willing to spend in the past few years.

 

[FanOfStitch]

The "mistique" of Walt Disney World would still be there. One thing I'm noticing that is heartbreaking is that while Walt Disney World is still a massive tourist destination, it is losing it's mistique. Kids today dont have that feeling of seeing the castle and thinking that Walt wanted to have an appartment in there. They dont care. Disney doesn't do enough to keep kids in tune with the Classics.

That's one thing that I do try to teach my son about. He's read all sorts of books on Walt Disney and what Walt wanted for the Florida park and all the other parks. Every time we go to WDW and see the castle for the first time, my son looks up to the top and tells me that one day, he's going to live in Walt's apartment. Kids and their dreams!! (Although, I can't say that I haven't wished for the same thing!)

 

[Chuck S]

I disagree, I think "Character Greetings' would have to have evolved in to something like what we have today. Guests, and their demands, have changed. There is no "be nice to everyone, wait your turn" like there used to be. All there is now is "instant gratification". Characters randomly roaming the park would have been assaulted, possibly injured. How many guests would complain because "Johnny & Jill" couldn't see their favorite character?

The parks may have been different as far as attractions, but remember, Walt relied on corporate sponsorship, and often did things "on the cheap" at Disneyland while he was alive. An "attraction" at Disneyland in the early years were props from the Mickey Mouse Club show, as well as props from 20K Leagues, a plastic "House of the Future" presented by Monsanto, an "Upjohn Pharmacy" on Main Street that displayed vintage medical instruments where folks got free sample of Unicap vitamins, an "Indian Village" where Bear Country/Critter Country stands today, and riding mules through "Nature's Wonderland".

Walt had planned a "Circus Disney" with live animals similar to circuses of the time...there is no reason to think a "carnival" themed land like "Chesters" would not be a possibility, but I bet it wouldn't have the sideshow-type games.

You may have only a handful of Disney operated hotels. The Disneyland hotel wasn't operated by Disney for the first several decades of its existence.

 

[Lewisc]

I think he would have tried to keep River Country open. Every new attraction wouldn't exit in a gift shop. I'm not sure it would have been financially feasible to connect all the resorts with a monorail but I think he would have tried to something different. Maybe light rail or even some bus only roads.

AKL would have had some type of "special" transportation to AK. A boat, walkway or even just a dedicated path and a parking lot tram themed to look like a safari vehicle.

Walt provided FW for guests who wanted budget accommodations. POP and All Stars might not look the way they do today but I suspect some type of value resorts would have been built.

I think Walt would have approved of DME and the meal plan. He would have approved putting the coffee pots and refrigerators in the resorts. He'd probably also put them in the value resorts.

 

[LadyDulcinea1]

That's one thing that I do try to teach my son about. He's read all sorts of books on Walt Disney and what Walt wanted for the Florida park and all the other parks. Every time we go to WDW and see the castle for the first time, my son looks up to the top and tells me that one day, he's going to live in Walt's apartment. Kids and their dreams!! (Although, I can't say that I haven't wished for the same thing!)

I plan on doing the same thing when I have children. Before their first trip to WDW I'm going to tell them about Walt Disney, I want them to know that the park wasn't just always there, that a real person came up with these ideas. I think its important, and hopefully it will give a good lesson for them.

I think about what Walt would think of the parks a lot during my trips, and while I agree with what everyone is saying about how Walt would have done things differently and had different ideas, I do believe that he would be happy that so many families enjoy his parks everyday (price being put aside, that I do believe he wishes was more reasonable). Whether or not he would have wanted to say get rid of some of the older rides, seeing a young child's face the first time they ride Pirates, that's gotta make anyone smile!

Basically, Walt wanted to DW to be a place for families to spend time together, and I think that's what it is. Not perfect, but then we don't all have Walt's optimism

 

[dizkid85]

I think Walt would take everyone that is registered at the Pop Century and upgrade them to a moderate resort and make the rooms at Pop available for temporary housing for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Walt did not look at the bottom line, he made things happen despite the cost.

 

[grinningghost]

The one point that is driven home over and over and over in any book about Walt Disney, is his desire to "make it happen" - even if everyone under the sun told him it was impossible, he didn't let that discourage him. He just kept pounding on people until they figured out how to do "the impossible".

If "the impossible" was due to financial constraints, and often it was, which led to many a clash between financial wizard Roy and dreamer Walt - Walt would instruct Roy to throw all caution to the wind and spend every last dime to make something happen.

That's the kind of thinking that is absent in today's Disney Company. If the bean counters say "no way", that's the final word.

If Imagineer A tells Imagineer B that the technology isn't there to accomplish some far-out idea, that's the final word.

Walt didn't believe in "the final word". He went where no man has gone before - he was one in a million, and I'm not sure we'll ever see another like him in our lifetimes.