Disney's Imagineers a glorified plug for theme parks
By Hal Boedeker
August 19, 2002
(Sun-Sentinel) -- A travelogue that should thrill Michael Eisner, Disney's Imagineers exults in all things Disney -- history, employees and properties. The narrator speaks in awed, breathless tones, and Disney executives merrily celebrate their achievements.
The Travel Channel program, premiering at 9 tonight, could have shared more facts and reduced the fawning. The program too often pushes aside the Imagineers, those storytelling whizzes behind the theme parks, to savor the glitzy rides.
Tourists will probably enjoy up-close explanations of the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney-MGM Studios, plus Splash Mountain and the Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom.
Disney's Imagineers, which was produced by Lightship Entertainment of Central Florida, unfolds like glorified advertising. Disney employees have a lot of latitude to sound off. An executive describes the forthcoming Mission: Space at Epcot as "the most awesome, visceral experience I have ever had on any ride -- it's a quantum leap above anything that's ever been done before."
The program also works as a sly recruitment project, letting young viewers know that an Imagineer "may just have one of the best jobs in the world." That it probably is, but more details would have made the case.
The Travel Channel is saluting Disney in a big way this week. DisneySea Revealed, a look at the Tokyo attraction, follows at 10 tonight. The Travel Channel says its cameras are "the first to be given full access" to the water-based theme park.
Disney's Animal Kingdom premieres at 9 p.m. Tuesday, promises a backstage look at the Central Florida attraction and offers a tour of the Tree of Life. The program also comes from Lightship Entertainment.
Walt Disney Co. has endured many setbacks lately, but the bad news doesn't rate a mention in Disney's Imagineers. That would spoil the sales job.
By Hal Boedeker
August 19, 2002
(Sun-Sentinel) -- A travelogue that should thrill Michael Eisner, Disney's Imagineers exults in all things Disney -- history, employees and properties. The narrator speaks in awed, breathless tones, and Disney executives merrily celebrate their achievements.
The Travel Channel program, premiering at 9 tonight, could have shared more facts and reduced the fawning. The program too often pushes aside the Imagineers, those storytelling whizzes behind the theme parks, to savor the glitzy rides.
Tourists will probably enjoy up-close explanations of the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney-MGM Studios, plus Splash Mountain and the Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom.
Disney's Imagineers, which was produced by Lightship Entertainment of Central Florida, unfolds like glorified advertising. Disney employees have a lot of latitude to sound off. An executive describes the forthcoming Mission: Space at Epcot as "the most awesome, visceral experience I have ever had on any ride -- it's a quantum leap above anything that's ever been done before."
The program also works as a sly recruitment project, letting young viewers know that an Imagineer "may just have one of the best jobs in the world." That it probably is, but more details would have made the case.
The Travel Channel is saluting Disney in a big way this week. DisneySea Revealed, a look at the Tokyo attraction, follows at 10 tonight. The Travel Channel says its cameras are "the first to be given full access" to the water-based theme park.
Disney's Animal Kingdom premieres at 9 p.m. Tuesday, promises a backstage look at the Central Florida attraction and offers a tour of the Tree of Life. The program also comes from Lightship Entertainment.
Walt Disney Co. has endured many setbacks lately, but the bad news doesn't rate a mention in Disney's Imagineers. That would spoil the sales job.
