Orlando Weekly Column on 100th Birthday Celebration

[lrodk]

Jim Hill has been very busy lately. This latest article focuses on some of the particulars and short-falls of the upcoming celebration in WDW. Here's the link to the story:

http://www.orlandoweekly.com/news/eyedrive/

 

[AKemel]

For everything that is positive there is a way to look at it negatively. Some people do it better than others. Some have genuine talent. I feel that I am in the presence of greatness.

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

Yes!! Another home run!!! Hill is right on the money once again!!

From a personal perspective I am glad they are doing anything for Walt. And I'm further very happy that it's in WDW. I do wish the thing were more than a sales scheme though. I guess I should really know better by now. Still, I can’t help it. I’m always surprised. And dissapointed.

But don't you think it's just a little strange that the place that Walt built - Disneyland - isn't doing anything for the 100 years. What are they thinking?

And now it's time for a quote!!! From page 49 of what from hereafter will be refered to as The BOOK!

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 guess he never saw Ei$ner coming. Kinda sad, isn't it?

 

[HorizonsFan]

Sigh...

Same old *#%@...

I'm starting to think that Hill would have a problem with anyone but himself making decisions for WDW.
Personally, I'm looking forward to "having my pocket picked" for one of those reactive pins and pin trading at the BAH. The pin trading craze has, of course been a successful marketing plan for Disney but it has also become one of my favorite passtimes at WDW. I have met and had wonderful conversations with CM's and other guests simply because I was wearing a lanyard. It makes my experience at WDW better and more fun. Why is that a bad thing?
Walt sold a lot of merchandise too, it's not just an Eisner thing...

 

[OnWithTheShow]

Quote:

OK, OK. So the celebration won't only be static displays of Walt's personal effects. But there will be no major new rides -- just four new parades, generating a collective groan that puts Disney's PR machine on the defensive. A pre-emptive press release that the Mouse's marketing staff burped out earlier this summer actually describes "100 Years of Magic" as a "Parade-Lover's Delight."

-Right and maybe some people who are only interested in thrill rides wont think the new parades are anything special but the millions of children and big kids who come to Walt Disney World every year love the parades and WILL think this is something special.

Quote:
Might the hat house a museum featuring artifacts from Walt's career? A film that celebrates all that Disney achieved? Sadly, no. It's a store.

-There is an entire interactive multi-sensory attraction with a museum and video dedicated to Walt Disney just 100 feet from the sorcerer hat.

The hat is not just a store, sure it will house the studios pin trading station, but there are many thousands of guests who enjoy pin trading. This is also not a new store it is just being moved from hollywood junction.

The hat will also house interactive trivia kiosks which will be located at all four of the theme parks letting you learn about Walt Disney.

 

[Jaypd]

The more I read Hill the more I hate him. Come on now can one thing ever be said with out Hill making it so negitive.

I have not read that much of Hill but everything I did read was Negitive. Just think if it was not for Disney Hill would not have a job LOL So maybe he should like Disney a little

 

[toefungus]

I don't think I could pick one positive thing out of that article. I don't know what Disney would have to do to please that guy. I've had enough of him, I'm not reading any more of his atricles.

 

[Quentin Disney]

Personally, this celebration to me sounds quite odd since it's the 30th is coming up this year, but I sure won't hate it. I'm glad to see that WDW is finally getting some new parades for once. The magical moments parade has done its duty (6+ years already?) and its time for something new. The parade at Animal Kingdom is also something I'm looking forward to, 'cause they need something to draw me in. The only thing I'm upset about is no new fireworks display at MK or MGM, though I would think it would be more realistic to add it in MK because of Fantasmic! at MGM. Something along the lines of "Believe..." at Disneyland would be a fantastic addition.

Now, I don't want to turn this into a debate, but the Sorcerors hat at MGM (or "BAH", have to figure it out yourself) looks great to me. To me, it is kind of a tribute to one of Walt's most abmitous (sp?) projects of all time - Fantasia. Of course, during his lifetime, the movie faltered at the B.O., but as the years progressed, it would gain respect and sell a lot of darn video tapes in 1990. As others mentioned, its NOT JUST A PIN SHOP! Sure, it won't be an E-Ticket, but a new addition to me is better than no addition.

While I usually praise most of Hill's articles, this one has got to be the pits. I know most of you people don't like hearing about what Hill has got to say, but I think Hill is trying to say to us that's the writtings on the wall. The Walt Disney Company is not at its best right now and he is just telling us the nitty gritty. I don't think he has a personal grudge with the mouse, he is just concerned with the direction of the company just like me and many others here on this board.

 

[Brer-Rabbit]

I think its a true indication of Jim Hills exaggeration of the facts, when he states that Disney postponed the opening of Pop Century because their attendance levels are so low.

 

[Bob O]

I like the parades at wdw but im also underwhelmed by this new celebration/marketing campaign. You would think in honor of Walt's 100th birthday they could be more creative than putting up a big hat and using it too mainly sell pins. I have nothing against pin trading and have bought some myself but when i think of wdw and the magic it provides the oppourtunity to buy pins isnt high on the list. You would have thought in walts honor they could have done better with some type of ride/show based on his life and the characters he brought to life. Again it seems they are trying to do something on the cheap rather than trying to to do something new and more creative because they dont want to spend the money to do so. I would have to agree with landbaron and think people are giving disney more slack than they have shown they deserve.

 

[OnWithTheShow]

Why doesnt anyone believe me!?!? I have seen it taking shape!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (June 25, 2001) -- One hundred years of Walt Disney memorabilia left California for the first time ever today aboard a FedEx Express airplane bound for the Walt Disney World Resort.

The artifacts -- many never before seen publicly -- will be displayed at the Walt Disney World Resort as part of the 100 Years of Magic Celebration commemorating the centennial of Walt Disney’s birth. The celebration begins October 1.

“Talk about ‘precious cargo’,” said Walt Disney World Co. President Al Weiss. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime shipment that carries significant historical meaning to our company and our guests from around the world. We turned to FedEx to ensure the safest and most reliable transport of these items.”

FedEx Express provided air and ground transportation as well as logistical support to move the artifacts from California to Florida. “It has taken 100 years to assemble this sentimental and priceless collection of artifacts,” said David J. Bronczek, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Express. “It will take just a few hours for the safe, coast-to-coast FedEx delivery of valuable cargo that represents so many years of colorful Disney history.”

The priceless collection of memorabilia for Disney’s 100 Years of Magic Celebration was shipped cross-country early this morning from Los Angeles to Orlando, Fla. For the historically rich delivery, the Airbus A300 that carried the cargo was designated Spirit of Imagination.

Items in the collection, many dating to the early years of Disney, include:


Walt Disney’s office desk, chair and cabinet

1954 Special Effects Oscar from “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” animated feature-film props circa 1939-40

“Pinocchio” film props circa 1941

Sleeping Beauty castle model

Mickey Mouse Club guitar

Peter Pan’s Flight attraction model

Tree of Life model from Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The memorabilia, more than 400 items in all, also include Mickey Mouse Club ears from the original television show; the mask, sword and hat from the television program “Zorro,” and other items from Walt Disney’s complete working office.

All items will be on display at Disney-MGM Studios inside a new attraction called “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream,” a multi-sensory entertainment experience based on this man who was willing to bet everything on his own dreams. The venue will open Oct. 1, when the Walt Disney World Resort kicks off the 100 Years of Magic Celebration, which runs through Dec. 31, 2002.

 

[Another Voice]

“The more I read Hill the more I hate him.”, “...there is a way to look at it negatively”, “Same old *#%@...”, “The hat is not just a store, sure it will house the studios pin trading station…”

The world must be a pleasant place if all you believe is from corporate press releases.


Have our standards been lowered so far that a relocated pin trading station is considered a major attraction? Are we so desperate for anything new that a five-unit character parade is considered a full-blown celebration? Are we so willing to accept the company line that a chair and a prop guitar in a glass case is now a “museum”?

I hope millions spend their money at this “event” only because my 401k plan needs the boast. I’m sure anything available at WDW will show up on eBay within days anyway. Just never, never confuse these marketing plans with a true celebration of a man’s accomplishments.

The real celebration happens every time an artist puts a pencil to a blank sheet of paper, it happens every time a cast member tries to make someone else’s day a little better, and it happens each night an adult tucks a child into bed and reads a story that begins “Once upon a time…”

Just don’t tell me that groveling for trinkets (with or without flashing lights) belongs on that list.

 

[toefungus]

. Never mind that this oversized chapeau -- sized 605 7/8 -- destroys the faux vista celebrating 1940s Hollywood that was created at considerable expense in the late 1980s.

Actaully the hat fits right in with the 1940's theme. The Sorcerer Mickey's hat was from Fantasia which was first released in 1940's, so the hat fits right in.

 

[larworth]

OWTS

I have no reason not to believe you.

There is an entire interactive multi-sensory attraction with a museum and video dedicated to Walt Disney just 100 feet from the sorcerer hat.

However, can you provide anymore details about the interactive multi-sensory part.

We will be down in early December. The kids are excited about seeing the Christmas decorations, osborne lights etc, but have not been too plussed by anything they have heard yet about the 100 celebration. Other than Spectro and ToN we are not a big parade family, so it being a "Parade Lover's - Paradise" doesn't do it for them.

I was really hoping this attraction would have something special that might really captivate their attention; other than a walkby of Walt memorabilia and your typical video tribute. They believe they have been to one too many "american history" museums and this smells to them more of the same. Now, some real hands-on, interactive, IMAX type experiences might get their attention. Which will it be more like?

 

[renknt]

Originally posted by DVC-Landbaron
But don't you think it's just a little strange that the place that Walt built - Disneyland - isn't doing anything for the 100 years. What are they thinking?

At last someone other than me has the same thought!!

What will the "brain trust" do at Disneyland to honor the 100th birthday of its beloved creator?

Apparently the will charter Fedex to take it to Florida and commision a new pin for DIsneyland the original. I guess that is all we get because DCA isn't doing as well as expected.
A large tribute to Walt in DCA would not have raised the attendance there anyway I guess



A.V. have youheard of any thing planned for DL to celebrate Walts 100th birthday?



Michael W Young

 

[Another Voice]

At this point there are absolutely no solid plans for any kind of “celebration” out here. The ‘100th Anniversary’ project was dreamed up by WDW Marketing as nothing but a hook to hang this year’s advertising campaign around. In Anaheim, it had been assumed that California Adventure would be packing the resort to capacity and so there was no need for another campaign. With the way things have turned out, there’s now no money for any kind of celebration even if the Company wanted to hold one.

That said, there are individuals who are trying to correct the situation. Internally there are some people pushing for an exhibit at The Disney Gallery – which would have been Walt and Roy’s private apartment over New Orleans Square; or a more politically feasible plan to put something in the Animation exhibit at California Adventure. Personal, I would like to see Disneyland allow people to see Walt’s apartment over the Fire Station on Main Street because I think that room says more about the many than any other space in the Park. The recent rehab of ‘Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln’ actually had the net result of reducing the information about Walt Disney.

One of the big problems with any Company-sponsored exhibit is the lack of truly “Walt” items. If you look at the list of the knick-knacks Fed-Ex’d to WDW you’ll see a lot of company property, but almost nothing from Walt Disney himself. This is because the late Lillian Disney and the rest of the Walt side of the family has had very, very poor relations with the Eisner crowd – all of Walt’s personal belongs have been removed from the parks or the studio. About the only items that are left are those that Walt donated to the company’s archive. There will probably be several private and non-Company shows such as the recent exhibit at the Ronal Reagan Presidential Library.

 

[swinginevilmike]

However, can you provide anymore details about the interactive multi-sensory part

I can't and I work in the department that will be staffing it. All I can say is from the memos I've read is it is going to be cool...think Animation tour at DCA not WDW...

 

[Channel1tv]

I hope millions spend their money at this “event” only because my 401k plan needs the boast.

Me Too!
Ha Ha!! I hope the public buys this hook, line and sinker. I guess the Eisner staff are truly marketing geniuses....

 

[HorizonsFan]

Just don’t tell me that groveling for trinkets (with or without flashing lights) belongs on that list.

Why do you feel the need to denegrate something that thousands of us enjoy very much? I like trading pins. Thousands of other WDW fans like trading pins. Why do you reduce what we like to "groveling for trinkets"?
Pin trading is a good thing. It's fun for the traders and profitable for the company. Where is the problem?

 

[Another Voice]

The problem is that Walt’s company no longer seems to be interested in creating – it’s only interested in marketing.

The entire celebration is nothing but an invitation to spend money on things that make we remember how great the Company used to be. We get to buy a pin of an old attraction; we don’t get an actual new attraction. We can buy a snow globe replica of a parade float that’s a replica of a snow globe – only it has a scene from an older movie because Disney has not produced a great animated film in a decade. There will be loads of Mickey Mouse tees shirts where the mouse acts as a corporate logo; but so little has been done with Mickey the Character that he has about as much emotional impact on children as does Ronald McDonald.

There is nothing wrong with pin trading. But there is something wrong when people feel the mere act of selling pins is a substitute for genuine creativity and a substitute for a genuine attempt to please an audience.