Reflections on the 100 Year Celebrations

[Sarangel]

Couldn't help myself... It's a Jim Hill Article about the varying Celebrations surrounding Walt Disney's 100th Year.

Sarangel

 

[Bob O]

Excellant article!!! Show how disney isnt trying to honor him but use him as part of a pr campaign to drum up sales. They wont do what is right and honor him because its the right thing to do, instead they use him to try to sell snowglobes and pins. Sad that is has come to this.

 

[goofypat42]

This was interesting. I am reading the Walt Disney Hollywood's dark
prince. I find this book very interesting. The author saids Disney has
their story and thats it. What this books saids he overworked his employees
low pay and didn't give them credit for any of their creations. I plan on
reading the Disney version book after I finish this book. Just to compare
the differences in stories. I know one thing, Disney made a lot of
money selling Mickey's stuff. It seems the money made was put back into
making the movies.

 

[wdwguide]

I am surprised that someone like Jim Hill is not aware that the fact that Walt Disney didn't create Mickey Mouse has been common knowledge for as long as I can remember, and it is certainly not a recent discovery.

 

[Another Voice]

Mr. Scoop – you’re actually pretty close to the truth.

By all accounts, Walt Disney did not want to be celebrated. There were strict instructions not to build a statue of him (instructions which were ignored), name a building after him (also ignored) or otherwise give him the usual trappings of a “great man”. What he wanted was for his creations live on, to be expanded and to continue. That was to be his legacy – his work was to continue.

What strikes many of us as the problem with the planned celebration is that there is no sense of that continuing effort. The four parades are simply four characters parades that the parks have been doing for nearly half a century. The floats may look different, but the concept remains the same. And there’s a rather crass overlay on the situation as well – if you have any doubt about the real purpose of the celebration, check out the new Hallmark commercial. The one with the parade float morphs into a waterglobe, yours for only $14.99 with the purchase of any three Hallmark cards. Hurry, this is a limited time offer and supplies are limited so rush out to WalMart today.

WDW’s celebration is in the past tense – it’s all about what has already happened. Walt, by all evidence, always lived for the future, always wanted to do something new and different. The parks should be a place where Walt’s creations are celebrated everyday, just as he intended. But creating something genuinely new, genuinely different would have been the best way to celebrate his birthday.

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

Once again AV says it all. The reason I have refrained from commenting on this subject is the very reason you state, Scoop. I haven't seen it yet. But I have seen the commercial that AV referenced. - - - - AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! - - - - Doesn't this at least raise a huge red flag to you???

The only thing I'd like to add is that I'm holding out hope (although not much) that the display area will be tastefully done, full of respect and devoid of anything costing anything!! Heck, I'd be absolutely thrilled if they just brought back the Walt Disney Story as it was. In fact, If I were top mouse, that's about all I'd do.

And as far as the parades… Well, they don't thrill me at all. If it weren't this reason they'd find another. The point is the parades need to be freshened up every so often anyway. This is just hanging a 'celebration' around something that would be done anyway!! Give us a small and tastefully done tribute to the man and more importantly, his concepts, and you've got me hooked!!

Something tells me, by early indications (i.e. Hallmark ad) that they are more concerned about pushing pins, packing people in and selling snowglobes, than they are about the man and his ideas! But I could be wrong. At the next Rumors Meet in July we will dissect it. And I'm always willing to place a small wager to make it interesting. Any takers (Scoop)?

 

[YoHo]

Just to agree with Landbaron and AV, I too have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach about this celebration. And don't doubt for a minute that I'm not glad to get new parades. I file them under Landbaron's Spinner file. Thanks for the Icing, where's the cake?

They do parades all the time. You get the sense that Walt's hundredth is no more important then WDW's 25th. Less important really since the BAH seems to have been placed there for alterior motives and for the 25th they redid the whole castle (ugly? Yes, but certainly more then they'redoing for Walt.) Of course given some of the people on this board who have commented since Walt's hundreth first came up that Celebrating Walt is dumb and we should celebarte WDW's 30th. Maybe a parade and some Kiosks is all we need.


Personally, I would just as soon they did absolutly nothing at the parks besides operate and grow them the way Walt would have. I mean, come on, Is DCA really a good Birthday present?

The movie being produced for ABC is a good Idea. Bring back the Walt Disney Story is also a good Idea. Why not do something Wacky like open the Apartment in the Castle and put in a new club 33 or anything more stately then a same old same old parade.




Of course, you know, the Japanese are famous for their expensive high quality presents.

 

[gary]

they redid the whole castle (ugly? Yes, but certainly more then they'redoing for Walt.)

The sorcerer's hat may not be everyone's favorite (heck, it's not mine), but building the hat certainly compares to decorating the castle like a giant pink cake. And I think Fantasia reflects Walt more than Cinderella does.

IMHO, the best way for an individual to pay tribute to Walt, regardless of what the company plans, is to visit the Walt Disney Story (does it exist at MK, or just DL?). Read a book. Take a quiet moment or two at "Partners" (the statue he didn't want, but I'm glad they built) and think about the man and what his works mean to you. If character parades and snowglobes help, then fine. But if they don't, then just remember him the same way you'd remember anyone who had a positive impact on your life.

Building a MK Club 33 wouldn't work. Club 33 is important because it's Club 33 - its a little piece of history. Anything else would just be a copy, another exclusive gathering place. (Although I'd get myself on the waiting list if I could afford it ).

 

[YoHo]

I realize building another club 33 might not work, I was just tossing suggestions off the top of my head. The reason I don't think the BAH is the same as the castle, is because the BAH from all indications is intended to stay as the focus of the park. Remember how not all that may people complained about the big 2000 over spaceship Earth until it became permanent?

They aren't building the BAH to celebrate Walt they are building it to HIDE the Mann's Chinese theater. They changed the castle back when the celebration was over. That made it special. the BAH will be with us for a long time.

 

[Bob O]

From what ive heard and read about the so-called celebration of Walt Disney they are going to have new parades(to sell snow globes/pins) and they built a hat which is used primarily to sell merchandise with some items from his life thrown it, all being sponsored by HALLMARK. Why couldnt have Disney celebrated their founders birth without a sponsor and the main purpose being to sell more merchandise. Why not something as simple as a film to celebrate his life without sponsors and everything a tie in to sell something???? And what has disney done lately to deserve a benefit of the doubt over anything. Some people are upset the celebration is being flamed before hand but what has disney done lately to inspire confidence that this isnt just a way to make people part with their money instead of a proper honoring of their founder??? Where are the examples from the past couple of years to give us a positive view rather than a cynical view?? A couple of years ago i may have agreed with scoop but ive seen nothing the lately to be positive about. An d this isnt aimed at the cast members but the higher ups who control the purse strings. Does this sound like a celebration that was put together in a short period of time or something that they spent a long time on, how they should honor the founder of the company without being tacky?? I hope im wrong on being cynical but ive senn little lately to change my mind.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Where are the examples from the past couple of years to give us a positive view rather than a cynical view.

Well...The Millennium Celebration featuring Tapestry of Nations floated my boat...

 

[DisneyFanGuy]

I, also, thought the combination of Tapestry of Nations and Illuminations was among the best things that Disney has ever done. You left Epcot feeling a tremendous "high". Fantasmic is great too, however, it's a copy of a 10 year old entertainment from DL. TON and Illum. were first class, mind blowing, NEW Attractions/Entertainment. They alone were enough for me to feel like Disney had done something really special.

 

[YoHo]

And of course, much Like the BAH, ToN and Illuminations are staying in slightly modified Form. Which to me reduces their uniqueness.

 

[gary]

But if everyone likes them, why dump them just for "uniqueness"? Can't we begin "new traditions", the way Fantasmic has become a fixture?

 

[YoHo]

Sure we can, But If its just a pale comparison to the original? AND, they're recycling it, changing some costumes and calling it a new parade to Honor Walt to boot? Its offensive. Again, I'd rather they did nothing.

If all the Walt Trivia Stays with the BAH for the rest of time, then I would be happy, but if the BAH stays and all that goes, merely to block the view of a Hollywood fixture that Disney Doesn't own. Then how is that fitting?

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

But if everyone likes them, why dump them just for "uniqueness"? Can't we begin "new traditions", the way Fantasmic has become a fixture?

Of course we can. I strongly encourage this type of change! I welcome it with open arms. And sometimes they'll hit and sometimes they'll miss. But the most important thing is that they are trying to do something new, fresh and exciting.

Just don't muddy the waters calling it a "special" celebration (lately a yearly event) with things they should be doing anyway! Especially tarnishing it with Walt's name. It just makes it seem cheap. I'd prefer they do nothing, rather than a cheap Hallmark ad to sell snowglobes! Just improve things for the sake of improving them. Don't cheapen it with a crummy ad campaign and the selling of cheap trinkets. That's what Walt referred to as "Sharp practices used to bilk the customer's pocketbook"!

And I happen to agree. But maybe that's just me (and Walt) .

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

but I think the "prudent" (Dana Carvey/Church lady allusion) would be to visit DinoRama, ride Mission:Space, and witness the new parades and shows before grand pronouncements of "nothing but carnys", "Space is just a spinner" (boy, whoever's preaching that sermon really needs to relax and not prejudge something they have never seen), and "these are just from the recycle bin"

WOW!!!! Is that a summation or your opening statement? It certainly isn't anything you could use during a trail. Other than a passing reference to parades nothing in that paragraph has been introduced in evidence within this thread!!!

Now since you chose to quote me, I'll respond as if in a one on one conversation. On page one of this thread I said:

Once again AV says it all. The reason I have refrained from commenting on this subject is the very reason you state, Scoop. I haven't seen it yet. But I have seen the commercial that AV referenced. - - - - AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! - - - - Doesn't this at least raise a huge red flag to you???

All I've been talking about since then is that 'red flag' and what it means to me at this particular time. I may have to eat my words and pay off a bet with you, Scoop (the details yet to be worked out), but I never mentioned all those other things you mentioned. And I'm really just complaining (and I hope loud enough) about the blatant, cheap, degrading, shabby and very disheartening (almost humiliating) commercialism that has already invaded the sanctity of Walt's birthday!

 

[gary]

I guess the thing I agree with most is the fact that they shouldn't put so much marketing spin on it. And the only reason I feel that way is they (appear to) siphon off park profits to support other parts of the company. If they were marketing the parks to make more money to put back into the parks to make them better, I probably wouldn't find things as objectionable. Nor would I write so many run-on sentences.

A lot of our pleasure/disappointment has to do with our expectations, I think. If a "celebration" results in a lavish parade, it's great. If a less-lavish version of that parade sticks around, I still think it's good. Basically, I appreciate 4th of July fireworks on the 4th, but don't expect every fireworks show to match it. I'm happy to see the fireworks on the other days, no matter how lavish. Same with the parades.

"In Walt's Name" is another story entirely. I have a general objection to using the "endorsement" of dead people (for example, Coors' John Wayne ads). To celebrate him is another thing entirely, and the company has the right to do it as they see fit, and we can embrace it, or walk away from it, or enjoy our freedom of speech and complain about it. I'll stick to my original thesis and say that, if I don't like the way they're celebrating Walt, I'll do it my own way. They won't make as much money off of me, but if their "special 100th anniversary parades" please the masses, so be it. Let's have a party at The Walt Disney Story. Better yet, is there a way to get Club 33 to host a special event? What could be more fitting than a toast to Walt in the middle of the magic? Now there's a little bit of marketing and hype I could deal with.

Gary

P.S. I have a thought on the pins, too. Last time I was at WDW, I saw a few kids at pin trading stations looking at each other's collection and negotiating trades. I'm not convinced that this would've bothered Walt - trading pins of Disney characters and attractions like baseball cards. The sales may approach "sharp practices" (I'm not so sure), but the end effect is a group of kids happily trading Disney pins.

P.P.S. I'm more upset with the way they've been marketing the heck out of every little bit of Disney that they can come up with. The die-cast metal replicas of things like the Haunted Mansion Hearse put me off quite a bit. But again, nobody says I need to buy it, and for some kid it may be a special momento from his favorite ride from his favorite vacation ever. Should they deprive that kid just because I think they're over-marketing?

 

[YoHo]

Gary and Landbaron I agree with you, scoop, Would you mind coming in out of left field?

I don't have a single problem with new parades. I welcome them. As I said on the first page, they go right in the Landbaron thanks for the asbestos suit, now put out the major fire. (I'm going to come up with a new metaphor every time.) BUT, To then turn around a run up the marketing blitz from day one. And YES, of course they are going to have trinkets and dodads for sale. That's hardly a sharp practice. BUT, the comercials should be celebrating WALT, not selling Halmark products.

I'm sure the parades are great. I remember a lot of negatie comments on the AK parade early on, but from the concept sketches. It looks good. Disney knows how to do parades. That doesn't change the fact that the stank of bad intentions is all over the whole thing.

 

[Peter Pirate]

...the commercials should be celebrating Walt, not selling Hallmark products.

Walt didn't want to be celebrated, but I'm sure if it were in the name of bringing guests to the Park he'd be all for it. As for Hallmark, hey good for them! Perhaps more will come from this relationship that'll be good for Park goers...Besides whoring is pretty much what Companies do, isn't it? Or would it sound better if I called it creative sales techniques?

And I'm really just complaining about the blatent, cheap, degrading shabby and very disheartening (almost humiliating) commercialism that has already invaded the sanctity of Walt's birthday.

The sanctity of Walts birthday??? Landbaron...If I sent you a hundred bucks would you promise to go out to dinner or something? (As in, "you need to get out more").