Positive WDW remarks?

[Wick]

What specifically keeps me going back is the older "masterpieces" - they are so well done that I continue to learn about storytelling from them. I've have litterally been on Disneyland's 'Pirates' and 'Mansion' hundreds of times and I am still finding new insights into design, narrative and showmanship. In a lot of ways, a really, really good attraction can be studied in the same way a painting or a novel can be studied.

Of course, the flip side is true as well. Trying to figure out why a show like 'Mission: Space' fails can lead to just as much understanding as figuring out why 'Soaring' works. The sad thing is there's far too much "why didn't" instead of "why did" going on these days.

But I guess the biggest reason why a lot of the 3's and 4's keep around is that we've moved onto appreciating Disney more than we enjoy it. While we still like the shows and rides, we're much more intellectually interested in the "back stage" elements of the parks - the history, the motivations, the theories about whats goes on. Perhaps it happens when someone takes any hobby to the extreme, but really - what's the difference between knowing what year Disneyland's Submarine Voyage opened and the last time the Yankees had a left handed third baseman that batted .340?

Well said!

 

[raidermatt]

All valid points, but many diehards on this board just can't bring themselves to say anything good... let alone start a positive thread.

MG

Sometimes I think the whinners are just spoiled.

I dont really consider "spoil" an insult, but to each his own.

Well Wick, "spoil" was in the same sentence as whiner, so it maybe that you focused on the wrong word.

But that aside, these are all insults because they dismiss the validity of the the thoughts of others and assume that anyone who could come to negative conclusions about Disney must he handicapped by some personal flaw.


To give my 2 cents on the actual question, the biggest reasons have already been covered.

There are still some wonderful things there that were created by extremely talented people back when the company was focused on creation first and foremost.

There are still flashes of brilliance in some of what is done today.

There is still the hope that somebody will have the vision and the talent to really steer Disney back in the "Disney" direction.

There are some people like Lasseter and others who provide some basis for that hope.

 

[MissSha]

I have felt the same way about this particular board.

Positvie news: WDW is still worlds apart from almost any other destination and is still our family's favorite annual vacation.
Customer service, variety and shear WOW factor.
Sometimes I think the whinners are just spoiled.

I'm with you. Sure - nothing, including WDW - is perfect, but I still feel that Disney just knows how to do it And remember, a bad day at Disney (for those of you who seem to have them), sure beats a good day at the office Just keep smiling, focus on the positivies, and not on the negatives...kind of how you should look at everything in life, huh ?

 

[Wick]

There are some people like Lasseter and others who provide some basis for that hope.

Agreed, but Lasseter is primarily associated with the animation/Pixar aspect of Disney.

My original question is exclusively about WDW.

 

[ChrisFL]

Agreed, but Lasseter is primarily associated with the animation/Pixar aspect of Disney.

My original question is exclusively about WDW.

He's also in charge of Imagineering now, so yes, he does have influence on WDW

 

[DancingBear]

He's also in charge of Imagineering now, so yes, he does have influence on WDW

I wouldn't say he's "in charge"; his title is "Principal Creative Adviser." And Imagineering isn't running the parks. The key will be whether he will be able to command the budgets to actually implement his ideas for the parks, and that remains to be seen.

 

[raidermatt]

Agreed, but Lasseter is primarily associated with the animation/Pixar aspect of Disney.

My original question is exclusively about WDW.

Sure, and as pointed out, Lasseter is the Chief Creative Advsior (or whatever it is) to WDI, so he does have some input.

But you're right, he doesn't have direct control over the parks, and honestly, we don't know for sure whether he'd even be any good at it if he were.

It's just the fact that he is a guy who is talented and understands the importance of things like quality and story (as do others at Pixar). The fact that he is involved with the company and does have some input into what's going on in the parks are reasons for some measure of hope with regard to the parks.

 

[toaster6.54]

I left the Dis about 3 yrs ago. First time back and it's like I never left.

 

[dwheaton]

What I really like about the DIS boards is that people are more realistic and express their honest opinions (positive and negative) about the parks. Several other major forums (aligned with popular Disney podcasts) are so gushy about everything Disney does that it becomes ridiculous.

I'm a huge Disney fan and believe the parks can be magical, but having an intelligent discussion about whether unfortunate changes (i.e. Mexico, Nemo, etc.) are worthwhile is a positive thing. And with the raising of ticket prices again, it's even harder to keep looking at Disney through dreamy-eyed glasses.

 

[Stitch 03]

Agreed, but Lasseter is primarily associated with the animation/Pixar aspect of Disney.

My original question is exclusively about WDW.

Lasseter may not have any direct control over the theme parks, but he does have influence.

From Al Lutz at Miceage:

"But when it came to Where Dreams Come True, Rasulo's new corporate mindset initially steamrolled over Disneyland's unique charm and nostalgia. When the new decorations arrived from Florida and were unloaded from the trucks in late 2006 the silence was deafening, and there was an attempt by a few TDA suits to push back on the décor package. Unfortunately, the new décor was politically tied to the expensive new marketing campaign Rasulo had just publicly launched, and there wasn't much TDA could do but install the Where Dreams Come True junk and try to live with it.

Over the winter however some key folks in TDA found allies with their WDI partners and John Lasseter was brought in to the loop. John, being the former Disneyland Jungle Cruise Skipper that he is, wasn't too fond of seeing the tacky Where Dreams Come True junk replace The Happiest Place On Earth tagline either.

In a classic tale of corporate politics, the Anaheim folks flexed their new found political muscles earlier this year and finally vetoed the decorations forced on them by Florida. In a matter of days the current batch sent from Florida of Where Dreams Come True banners and flags and creepy swan things floating in the Castle moat were all removed

The pastel confetti and tacky graffiti covering the Mickey floral display at Disneyland's entrance was yanked off, and the classic entrance tunnels were allowed to stand on their own merits. In place of the old Where Dreams Come True stuff there will be decorations designed by Californians specifically for Disneyland, in addition to the themed seasonal offerings like the upcoming HalloweenTime or Christmas displays."

At some point Lasseter will hopefully start to divert some of his attention to WDW.

 

[Wick]

At some point Lasseter will hopefully start to divert some of his attention to WDW.

So the main thing that keeps you coming to WDW is that theres a possibility that Lasseter will one day have a more prominent role in the park?

 

[Stitch 03]

So the main thing that keeps you coming to WDW is that theres a possibility that Lasseter will one day have a more prominent role in the park?

I continue to go because I have a great time when I am there. I still think WDW does some things very well. Does that mean things cannot improve - no.

My future trips to WDW does not rely on Lasseter hopefully getting more involved. But what is wrong with hoping that he does get involved and help make WDW an even better place then it is now.

 

[mitros]

I left the Dis about 3 yrs ago. First time back and it's like I never left.

Meaning?

 

[toaster6.54]

Same players, same arguments, same bickering.

Well, mostly the same. Where's Chad ?

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

But you only have 10 posts...Care to give us a clue?

 

[toaster6.54]

But you only have 10 posts...

Actually, it's more like 3010 posts.

 

[mitros]

Same players, same arguments, same bickering.

Well, mostly the same. Where's Chad ?

OK, I get it.....Thanks for clarifying.

 

[dwheaton]

I don't see the point in wasting time deriding people who have interesting discussions about Disney. The DIS is the most even-handed board I've seen, as its members aren't blinded by the magic but still enjoy it. I think it's great. Why waste the time to complain about the boards?

 

[Another Voice]

The DIS is the most even-handed board I've seen, as its members aren't blinded by the magic but still enjoy it.

There's a point where people cross over from having an interest in a subject to a place where they tie their self esteem to the object of their interest. Fans who become devoted to something that strongly rarely want to hear opposing views. If one’s self worth is tied to something on the outside, an attack on that is taken as a personal attack.

Is one of the downsides of "lifestyle branding".

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

First - Another Voice - I agree with just about every post you make. Thank you for presenting a clear idea.

now.....

My new hubby and I shake our heads as we read postings from people who become rude, angry and abusive when our opinions of Disney differ from theirs.

Whatever the reason, we ALL are allowed to have our opinions and to express them here - that's how we all learn and keep current.

Jim and I have not been back to WDW or the Beach Club since last December because we were saddened by the conditions we found there. No, no buildings didn't fell down on us from disrepair.....it was just an accumulation of little things and an overall reduction of the "pixie dust" we love.

We leave in 93 days and for the first time in years we will cheat on the Beach Club and stay at the Boardwalk.

This place helps us plan.....and obviously people who turn to the DIS are avid (in my case RABID) planners.

Bottom line, however, is we are here because we LOVE Disney. For Jim and myself, it's the "magic" of watching a child's face light up when they see the castle for the first time.

As an ABC employee, Jim is painfully aware of Disney's cost-cutting throughout their cost centers...we spoke to the Beach Club Manager about it in December.

We go because we love it.....we ALL go because we love it.....and some of us are worried that there is a little tarnish on the twinkle.

Disney is it's own worst enemy....they have very high standards to live up to.....theirs!