To a fair number of people on these forums and elsewhere, Walt Disney World has lost some of the glory that it had in the decade or so after the opening of EPCOT Center. If you don't buy into that premise, no problem, I'm not here to argue its merits, so feel free to pass on this post as it won't go anywhere of value for you. However, to the people that do think that WDW was at a high watermark during that time, I would like to offer a theory as to the core thing that prevents Disney from achieving (or even surpassing) that level now.
I would like to posit that the key ingredient that was present in the soul of the company in the late 70s that has since died out is: optimism.
The early 70s were in many ways a mess for the national mood in the U.S. The social upheaval that began in the 60s was still present and was in some ways escalating further. Vietnam, the oil embargo and other foreign tensions began a decade where most Americans had a less than rosy view of the world. Yet, it was during this turmoil that Disney was laying the plans for what would become EPCOT Center.
To say that planning for such a massive undertaking was against the prevailing feelings of society would be an understatement. Future World envisioned a world of peace, communication and progress, not one fraught with a Cold War, regional conflicts and hostage takings. Pavilions would be sponsored by companies that were to be looked to for answers as society progressed, not looked at with suspicion over environmental, financial and social abuses. World Showcase would highlight nations from around the world and display cultures without conflict, rather than reduce nations to their leaning towards NATO or the Soviet Union.
It doesn't take much to draw striking parallels between the national mood at that time and today. Concerns over terrorism, social and political upheaval and financial troubles are just as present today as they were then. Many would argue that such things are cyclical and generations will always experience periods of highs and lows. What is of more importance than the circumstances themselves, is the way that people react to them. That is where I find a stark difference between the Disney of the EPCOT Center era and today.
So how does optimism manifest itself in the world of theme parks? Simply put, everywhere. One of the biggest complaints that many people have with the current situation at WDW is funding. Attractions sit closed, expansion is too slow, maintenance is lacking, CMs are paid too little, etc. While some of these might be actual problems and others only perceptions, the root issue is the same: namely, everything costs money, and there is a feeling that Disney is unwilling to spend it. It doesn't make sense to spend money unless you think it's going to payoff.
If you look at it from the view of a pessimist, it makes perfect sense. Why make a huge outlay to build something shiny and new if the economy is having trouble or on the edge of getting worse? Why put money into maintenance or staff if people are still coming and don't notice? Why spend profit on the parks when it could be kept for the shareholders that we have a duty toward? Let's wait and see if we should add a given franchise to the parks until after we see how it does at the box office because people might not like it.
However, those same items seen through the eyes of an optimist take a different tack. If the economy is slow, then building costs are cheaper than they will be during boom time and we'll be ready to capitalize on the turnaround. If we make sure that maintenance and staff are at proper levels we'll impress guests who are more discerning than they are sometimes given credit for, and thereby ensure a steady stream of new and repeat guests in the future. Our responsibility to shareholders is to maximize value, not just in this quarter, but in the future, so if we invest in the company now, it will continue to grow and become even more valuable. Let's have faith in ourselves and develop what our guests want, even if they haven't asked for it yet.
Which of those seems like the WDW of yesteryear vs. today?
Yes, I realize that this is a massive oversimplification, but I can't help but feel that with a more positive view, things could turn around rather easily. But that could just be me being a little too... optimistic.
I would like to posit that the key ingredient that was present in the soul of the company in the late 70s that has since died out is: optimism.
The early 70s were in many ways a mess for the national mood in the U.S. The social upheaval that began in the 60s was still present and was in some ways escalating further. Vietnam, the oil embargo and other foreign tensions began a decade where most Americans had a less than rosy view of the world. Yet, it was during this turmoil that Disney was laying the plans for what would become EPCOT Center.
To say that planning for such a massive undertaking was against the prevailing feelings of society would be an understatement. Future World envisioned a world of peace, communication and progress, not one fraught with a Cold War, regional conflicts and hostage takings. Pavilions would be sponsored by companies that were to be looked to for answers as society progressed, not looked at with suspicion over environmental, financial and social abuses. World Showcase would highlight nations from around the world and display cultures without conflict, rather than reduce nations to their leaning towards NATO or the Soviet Union.
It doesn't take much to draw striking parallels between the national mood at that time and today. Concerns over terrorism, social and political upheaval and financial troubles are just as present today as they were then. Many would argue that such things are cyclical and generations will always experience periods of highs and lows. What is of more importance than the circumstances themselves, is the way that people react to them. That is where I find a stark difference between the Disney of the EPCOT Center era and today.
So how does optimism manifest itself in the world of theme parks? Simply put, everywhere. One of the biggest complaints that many people have with the current situation at WDW is funding. Attractions sit closed, expansion is too slow, maintenance is lacking, CMs are paid too little, etc. While some of these might be actual problems and others only perceptions, the root issue is the same: namely, everything costs money, and there is a feeling that Disney is unwilling to spend it. It doesn't make sense to spend money unless you think it's going to payoff.
If you look at it from the view of a pessimist, it makes perfect sense. Why make a huge outlay to build something shiny and new if the economy is having trouble or on the edge of getting worse? Why put money into maintenance or staff if people are still coming and don't notice? Why spend profit on the parks when it could be kept for the shareholders that we have a duty toward? Let's wait and see if we should add a given franchise to the parks until after we see how it does at the box office because people might not like it.
However, those same items seen through the eyes of an optimist take a different tack. If the economy is slow, then building costs are cheaper than they will be during boom time and we'll be ready to capitalize on the turnaround. If we make sure that maintenance and staff are at proper levels we'll impress guests who are more discerning than they are sometimes given credit for, and thereby ensure a steady stream of new and repeat guests in the future. Our responsibility to shareholders is to maximize value, not just in this quarter, but in the future, so if we invest in the company now, it will continue to grow and become even more valuable. Let's have faith in ourselves and develop what our guests want, even if they haven't asked for it yet.
Which of those seems like the WDW of yesteryear vs. today?
Yes, I realize that this is a massive oversimplification, but I can't help but feel that with a more positive view, things could turn around rather easily. But that could just be me being a little too... optimistic.
