Bob Iger: "‘We’ve got some pretty exciting things that we’ll be announcing over the next few months"

[Ignohippo]

Iger did not bring in Lassetter. He came with Pixar and Steve Jobs insisted that he be made Chief Creative Officer and run the combined animation studios as well as WDI - or it was no deal.

This absolutely 100% completely not true. Disney animation was on its deathbed. The studios most recent animated movies were complete flops (Atlantis, Home On The Range, Brother Bear, The Wild, Chicken Little) and Iger realized that Lasseter was the man who could revive Disney Animation.

Getting Lasseter in the deal to head Disney Animation was an enormous bonus, not something Iger was forced to do. If anything, Iger wouldn't have accepted the deal if Lasseter weren't part of it.

And, by the way, as I understand it, Lasseter is not the head of WDI. He's Chief Creative Officer.

 

[TP2000]

This pic was taken January 1968. It clearly shows all the hotels that were planned. The layout of the Magic Kingdom is basically the same, not copied and pasted from Disneyland's. Bay Lake was going to be much bigger - in case you are having trouble orientating yourself. See http://progresscityusa.com/2012/01/04/a-model-kingdom-1968/ for detailed explanations of everything.

It's a fabulous image, thank you for sharing!

But it's from January 1968. Walt died in December 1966. And when Walt last spoke about the Florida Project in October 1966 his vision for the property only included a cut-and-paste copy of Disneyland circa 1965.

Walt died in late 1966. Passed away. Deceased. Dead. He'd been dead for a year by the planning sessions in late '67 to create the model in early '68 that looked nothing like what actually got built by late '71. Five years passed between Walt's active involvement in EPCOT in 1966 and what actually opened in 1971 as Walt Disney World. He didn't actively participate in planning or creative design sessions for Magic Kingdom Park. That was Card Walker and Dick Nunis and the other members of the executive committee who tried very hard to channel Walt for years after his death through the rest of the 1960's.

Walt didn't design or build Magic Kingdom Park. And much of what he had planned for the Florida property on his deathbed in 1966 never got built later in the 1970's. Whatever happened to that Roller Dome in front of the Magic Kingdom Park anyway?

Magic Kingdom Park (AKA Disneyland '65) with nearby Motor Hotels, Ice Rink and Roller Dome - 1966

 

[Darth Sidious]

Yes, I know about the legal situation. I don't think they're hesitant of putting Marvel in California (Iron Man in Innoventions). '74 said Iron Man/Stark Expo in Tomorrowland was cancelled because Iger is really gung-ho about using Marvel for a separate gate. Of course, I don't know if that's true or not and things can easily change. Anaheim may not even get a third park. We'll just have to wait and see.

I actually think the Marvel gate idea is a good one and the best one. A park based on that IP can make it a big thrills park mixed with good storytelling. The environments you could recreate would be quite extraordinary.

This is actually needed in Florida to compete and 'Potter Swat or more accurately counter IOA. However, putting it in CA would give them a leg up in CA if done correctly.

 

[devoy1701]

This pic was taken January 1968. It clearly shows all the hotels that were planned. The layout of the Magic Kingdom is basically the same, not copied and pasted from Disneyland's. Bay Lake was going to be much bigger - in case you are having trouble orientating yourself. See http://progresscityusa.com/2012/01/04/a-model-kingdom-1968/ for detailed explanations of everything.

I assume you're talking about Seven Seas Lagoon. Bay Lake was natural and already formed (just had to be cleaned/dredged). Helps to get the names of things right when you're trying to make a point. As for the park itself. The model still makes it look pretty much like a copy of Disneyland...especially with the water feature in Tomorrowland and the smaller one in Fantasyland which closely resembles the submarine lagoon's location in Disneyland, and the area where Hook's Pirate Ship used to be in Fantasyland.

 

[Darth Sidious]

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/08/14/disney-star-wars-attraction-hints/

I think this article brings an interesting theory to the D23 Star Wars tease.

There was a Star Wars display hinting at potential attractions, but good luck deciphering the crates on display with lettering indicating that they contain everything from assorted lightsabers to bantha milk. One crate appeared to have housed R2-D2 until he carved his way out. Is the suggestion here that we'll be getting an interactive ride where guests can swing about virtual sabers for points, step into the Mos Eisley cantina or some other elaborate theme restaurant to order the creamy blue bantha beverage, and go on an R2-D2's Great Escape thrill ride? We just don't know, yet.

R2D2 replacing Stitch? LOL

 

[FrankLapidus]

My assertion is that had the deal been left to Eisner, Disney would have gotten a much better deal. Of course, we'll never know because it didn't play out that way. Also, Jobs wanted much more than just a better deal. Jobs wanted to completely renegotiate the original deal and wanted full ownership and control for all the films including Cars. Naturally, that deal was not considered reasonable by anyone (except Jobs) and all negotiations broke down.

It's interesting that Jobs publicly announced in 2004 that he was looking for other studios with which to partner or to work out a distribution deal for Pixar films. Not one studio or distributor sought to deal with Jobs or Pixar. Negotiations between Disney and Pixar did not resume until Eisner left in 2005.

With Eisner's departure, that put Jobs in the catbird seat and the rest is history.

My assertion is that if things had been left to Eisner, there is not even the slightest chance that there would have ever been a deal between Disney and Pixar, never mind a better one.

When Jobs announced that, the Save Disney campaign was already in full swing and Roy told Jobs "when the wicked witch is dead, we will be together again". Iger was already doing damage control with Pixar before Eisner was ousted and had laid the groundwork for a merger before he officially became CEO, all Jobs really had to do was sit tight and he would have gotten his deal with Disney once Eisner was gone because everyone at Disney, bar Eisner, wanted one.

 

[TRONorail10]

I actually think the Marvel gate idea is a good one and the best one. A park based on that IP can make it a big thrills park mixed with good storytelling. The environments you could recreate would be quite extraordinary.

This is actually needed in Florida to compete and 'Potter Swat or more accurately counter IOA. However, putting it in CA would give them a leg up in CA if done correctly.

Unfortunately, Disney will never build a Marvel park in Florida in our lifetime unless Universal gives up the theme park rights to the Marvel characters. Even though Disney now owns Marvel, Universal has a legally binding contract that specifies; east of the Mississippi River, the Marvel characters can only be used at Universal Orlando Resort. Any further debate on the topic is in the hands of lawyers, not fans.

 

[Darth Sidious]

Unfortunately, Disney will never build a Marvel park in our lifetime unless Universal gives up the theme park rights to the Marvel characters. Even though Disney now owns Marvel, Universal has a legally binding contract that specifies; east of the Mississippi River, the Marvel characters can only be used at Universal Orlando Resort. Any further debate on the topic is in the hands of lawyers, not fans.

They are going to build one in CA.

 

[Californian Elitist]

This is actually needed in Florida to compete and 'Potter Swat or more accurately counter IOA. However, putting it in CA would give them a leg up in CA if done correctly.

It doesn't seem like Disney cares about competing with Potter in Orlando. This will be interesting to see in Anaheim, since both the DLR and USH's main guests are locals and not tourists.

 

[alphac2005]

Not quite, the relationship was broken by the time Eisner left and there were no negotiations taking place, Steve Jobs broke off talks with Eisner in 2004. In Jobs' words, explaining why he broke off negotiations with Disney:

"When Eisner had to run things (after Frank Wells' death), he was a terrible manager. Nobody liked working for him. They felt they had no authority. He had his strategic planning group that was like a Gestapo, in that you couldn't spend any money, not even a dime, without them approving it...his ego got the better of him. Eisner was reasonable and fair to me at first, but eventually, over the course of dealing with him for a decade, I came to see a dark side to him."

Had nothing to do the with the "dumb nephew" as you so eloquently put it, it had everything to do with Eisner's over-inflated ego.

And that's something coming from Jobs considering he was quite the narcissist himself.

 

[Magenta Panther]

This absolutely 100% completely not true. Disney animation was on its deathbed. The studios most recent animated movies were complete flops (Atlantis, Home On The Range, Brother Bear, The Wild, Chicken Little) and Iger realized that Lasseter was the man who could revive Disney Animation.

Getting Lasseter in the deal to head Disney Animation was an enormous bonus, not something Iger was forced to do. If anything, Iger wouldn't have accepted the deal if Lasseter weren't part of it.

And, by the way, as I understand it, Lasseter is not the head of WDI. He's Chief Creative Officer.

I had great expectations for Lasseter...but I'm probably being unfair. I don't envy him trying to deal with Iger and the shareholders. It'd be like that scene with Mr. Banks and the Board of the Bank of England in "Mary Poppins". Wouldn't it be a kick to see Lasseter yelling at Iger: "The truth is, sir, that there's no such thing as YOU!"

 

[Magenta Panther]

Unfortunately, Disney will never build a Marvel park in our lifetime unless Universal gives up the theme park rights to the Marvel characters. Even though Disney now owns Marvel, Universal has a legally binding contract that specifies; east of the Mississippi River, the Marvel characters can only be used at Universal Orlando Resort. Any further debate on the topic is in the hands of lawyers, not fans.

And I, for one, couldn't be happier.

 

[Californian Elitist]

And I, for one, couldn't be happier.

I wouldn't get too happy... The legal matter doesn't include Disneyland in California.

 

[Travel Junkie]

It doesn't seem like Disney cares about competing with Potter in Orlando. This will be interesting to see in Anaheim, since both the DLR and USH's main guests are locals and not tourists.

Universal Hollywood has a big evolution plan that is pouring money into that park and surrounding area above and beyond Potter. Think DCA re-boot or bigger.

It appears anyway DLR may have learned from Orlando and is coming out swinging to combat USH's plans.

 

[FrankLapidus]

And that's something coming from Jobs considering he was quite the narcissist himself.

Absolutely, Iger said that both men were good negotiators but neither was very good at compromising. Ultimately Eisner dug his own grave in this instance, he targeted Disney animation for cost-cutting and purged the studio's best talent and then expected it to compete with Pixar. As with Michael Ovitz, among other things, he made a huge error of judgement and his ego prevented him from doing what needed to be done to rectify the mess that he created. Eisner convinced himself that he held all the cards when it came to Pixar and ended up being ousted from Disney while Steve Jobs, Ed Catmull and John Lasseter ended up with far more than they had originally hoped for.

 

[FrankLapidus]

Had Eisner stayed, there would be two new mountains at the Magic Kingdom, no FLE mess, Beastly Kingdom at AK, Pleasure Island would still open and expanded, unfortunately Project Gemini would have finished the transformation of EC as we know it, there would be a fifth gate, a third water park, several new resorts at least, and possibly a light rail to connect the rest of the property. Celebrations and all the rest of the properties that were sold off would still be part of WDW and developed. Also, the recent maintenance issues at the parks would never have happened. Albeit, he installed a few bad apples that contributed to the crisis, he later realized his mistaken on his own and fired them.

Iger did not bring in Lassetter. He came with Pixar and Steve Jobs insisted that he be made Chief Creative Officer and run the combined animation studios as well as WDI - or it was no deal.

Iger does have more trust in the studios, giving them too much money. John Carter and Lone Ranger won't be the only two $200 million losers. When you put so many $200 million eggs in a basket, having to take a loss of just two falling out is very lucky. Odds are there will be more. If the parks bring in over 40% of the company's bottom line, they deserve 40-something percent of capital expenditures, not the insignificant amount they're receiving now compare to film!

There is so much unsubstantiated speculation and factual error in this post that it is actually quite funny.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Universal Hollywood has a big evolution plan that is pouring money into that park and surrounding area above and beyond Potter. Think DCA re-boot or bigger.

It appears anyway DLR may have learned from Orlando and is coming out swinging to combat USH's plans.

Oh, I know about USH, and it's about time. I don't know about you, but to me it doesn't look like the DLR is doing anything right now. I know it's early and all, but still. If this Star Wars thing happens, I'm not sure how it'll compare to Potter. I think Uni would still have the upper hand. Only time will tell.

 

[PeterAlt]

There is so much unsubstantiated speculation and factual error in this post that it is actually quite funny.

And it was equally fun writing it!

 

[PeterAlt]

This absolutely 100% completely not true. Disney animation was on its deathbed. The studios most recent animated movies were complete flops (Atlantis, Home On The Range, Brother Bear, The Wild, Chicken Little) and Iger realized that Lasseter was the man who could revive Disney Animation.

Getting Lasseter in the deal to head Disney Animation was an enormous bonus, not something Iger was forced to do. If anything, Iger wouldn't have accepted the deal if Lasseter weren't part of it.

And, by the way, as I understand it, Lasseter is not the head of WDI. He's Chief Creative Officer.

This is so wrong. Show me links to back everything you said. I can do the same and I will later today. I didn't say he is the head of WDI. What I said was that the head of WDI reports to the Creative Officer.

Atlantis was by 2D animation that was already dead. Chicken Little was by the newly formed 3D animation studio.

 

[Clever Name]

My assertion is that if things had been left to Eisner, there is not even the slightest chance that there would have ever been a deal between Disney and Pixar, never mind a better one.

When Jobs announced that, the Save Disney campaign was already in full swing and Roy told Jobs "when the wicked witch is dead, we will be together again". Iger was already doing damage control with Pixar before Eisner was ousted and had laid the groundwork for a merger before he officially became CEO, all Jobs really had to do was sit tight and he would have gotten his deal with Disney once Eisner was gone because everyone at Disney, bar Eisner, wanted one.

I agree with your assessment. Roy E. Disney's defection from the ranks weakened the position of the Disney company and was the direct cause of Eisner's ouster. The Disney shareholders got the shaft.

It's interesting that in 1984 Roy E. Disney quit the company BoD and directly helped his friend Saul J. Steinberg acquire Disney stock for a hostile takeover. After Ron Miller was removed and Greenmail paid to Steinberg, Roy E. Disney, Stanley Gold and the Bass Brothers set about making Eisner the new head of Disney.

Then Roy E. Disney and Stanley Gold repeat the same process 20 years later! Roy quits the board, buys up stock and then gets friends Roberts and Burke from Comcast to launch a hostile takeover bid. Holy deja vu Batman!

The end result was that in each instance the shareholders were victimized but at least in the 1984 case the shareholders got a cash settlement from Disney. Save Disney indeed.