What Would Walt Say?

[Blackbeard]

A cure for cancer is found and Walt Disney is awakened from is cryogenic freeze...what would be his first question?

I thought I was very clear when I died what I wanted EPCOT to be...what happened?
OR
Duffy?!...all of my characters worked hard in movies and cartoons to earn an audience...how many sea hours has he actually logged?
OR
Who the &!#!$!! changed the last scene of Carousel of Progress...I want their head!

 

[Raenstoirm]

Duffy?!...all of my characters worked hard in movies and cartoons to earn an audience...how many sea hours has he actually logged?

I cant speak for Walt, since I never met the man (my dad did though, so thats pretty cool, but I digress), BUT 99% of the characters he created for the park that he actually created had nothing to do with any movie or franchise (tiki birds, pirates, haunted mansion ghosts, etc, etc). The everything-must-match-a-movie is very new, as in the last 10 years new (and very very annoying, what ever happened to creativity???), so somehow I think Walt would love Duffy simple because he is not from a movie.

 

[MisterPat]

I think he would say, "Animal Kingdom, what a great idea...but what the ____ is an avatar?"

 

[PrincessMe]

I think he would look at some of the menu prices as say, "What! People pay THAT MUCH for lunch????"

 

[AuroraRora]

I thought I was very clear when I died what I wanted EPCOT to be...what happened?

I imagine it'd be something like "We have HOW MANY hotels??" Or "People book dinner reservations 180 days in advance...why?!!?"

 

[ls3015]

I would bet he would say, Give me a smoke, Why is there designated smokeing spots in my parks. Walt was a cigerette smoker.

 

[dchronister]

I think he would love some things and others not so much. But I think he would look at the grand scheme of things and be pretty pleased. I do think that he would be happy about the level of service that people receive at Disney but I also think he would be disappointed because it is just so much about money. Of course, everyone is about profit, thats why you go into business, to make money, but I think he would be a little sad to see that Disney is sooooo much about the cash. This is just my opinion and I'm sure that I will get plenty of opinions on my opinions.

 

[SteveandAli511]

''You mean I can charge $9 for a hot dog and people will pay it!? Make it $12!''

 

[Brian_WDW74]

This thread really doesn't have anything to do with theme parks attractions and strategies, so I've moved it to the Theme Parks Community board.

 

[dadofgoofy]

''You mean I can charge $9 for a hot dog and people will pay it!? Make it $12!''

THIS!

Somehow, a lot of people on here seem to have this idea that Walt was a man who would fit into the minority on these forums that believe that everything at WDW is sacred, and therefore would not change. I would argue that Walt was incredibly innovative, and would be excited to test the boundries of what new technology would bring.

I also think that Walt was a very smart business man, and would have a pricing structure that is close to what we see today.

Finally, he was all for corporate partnerships, so I personally he'd be walking down Main St. drinking a Starbuck's latte, saying--- "You're spending a week at the happiest place on Earth and you're complaining about a cinnamon roll-- get a life!"

 

[scjo68]

I agree with those who think Walt would like a lot of the new things.

I think he would wonder why some things, like the last scene in the COP have not been updated more recently.

Starbucks at the Bakery? I think he would love the idea- but he might have negotiated a deal that would allow Disney more control over the details. (More control than what? I have no idea-haven't even been to the new Starbucks or know what kind of arrangement they have. I have just always heard that Walt personally was the expert at getting the corporate sponsorships while keeping control of how Disney would include the sponsor names and promos.)

Regarding prices at WDW, obviously he knows prices go up. I doubt he would quibble about how much food, tickets, rooms, etc. cost.

But I think he would be disappointed at how quality is not maintained as consistently. I have only been going to WDW for 10 years and have seen changes in the overall level of quality. I can only imagine the difference from the time Walt was around. If he had experienced some of the CM's I have experienced lately recent years, he would be unhappy.

I agree with others that he would probably be unhappy with the focus on making money. From everything I have heard, he felt giving the guest the best experience would guarantee a profit. He did not look at what "the best" cost and whether the return it would be worth it or not. Maybe Roy should come back with him. I would like to know his opinion of WDW, given that he was part of it.

 

[ls3015]

I Have watched walts man of dreams film at MGM now the Studios and for the most part WDW was never suppose to be theme parks, he called the entire area Epcot project, which he was going to build a city and comunity where people lived worked and played. Who knows what Walt would think of WDW if he seen it today. He might say that rotten Roy changed everything again on me.