Dreamfinder Returning??

[HoW]

On that note, what do you think Walt would have thought about MGM and AK?

Since we're being hypothetical, as far as MGM is concerned, I think Walt would have loved a park that honored the field in which he worked in for so long.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Since we're being hypothetical, as far as MGM is concerned, I think Walt would have loved a park that honored the field in which he worked in for so long.

Walt worked mostly in animation and nature documenteries. Not much of that at the Studios.

 

[HoW]

Walt worked mostly in animation and nature documenteries. Not much of that at the Studios.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that still a part of movie-making, and isn't that the main theme of MGM?

 

[bgraham34]

I would think that Walt would want the Studios to be more of an active studio than just a theme park.

 

[marni1971]

Walt worked mostly in animation and nature documenteries. Not much of that at the Studios.

But he did go out on a limb and have an art deco designed complex built.

 

[Empress Room]

On that note, what do you think Walt would have thought about MGM and AK?

Conceptually, I personally believe that Walt would have approved of the themes of both MGM and AK. Clearly, Walt was involved in all types of movie-making and ground-breaking television productions - both live action and animation, and MGM attempts to capture that. Moreover, Walt's love for and fascination with animals throughout his career makes AK an obvious choice for something that Walt would approve.

I cannot help, however, to guess that Walt may not have been as approving with the execution and commitment to both of these parks, particularly MGM. Maybe this brings this entire thread full circle, but I would guess that Walt would be less than happy with the way MGM was rushed from conception to birth (because of Universal) and the abondonment (and hence underutilized space) in both the animation and Superstar Theatre areas. As such, I think he'd be less than thrilled with the current incarnation of the central theme of MGM - movie-making - as illustrated by the very now abridged back stage tour and empty sound stages.

As for AK, I think that Walt would be happy with its theming, beauty, spacious size and protection of and care for its vast array of live animals. He may be disappointed at its current "half-day" park status and the failed Beastly Kingdomme area, but the addition of EE appears, at least in part, to be addressing those shortcomings. Better late than never, I suppose.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Conceptually, I personally believe that Walt would have approved of the themes of both MGM and AK. Clearly, Walt was involved in all types of movie-making and ground-breaking television productions - both live action and animation, and MGM attempts to capture that. Moreover, Walt's love for and fascination with animals throughout his career makes AK an obvious choice for something that Walt would approve.

I cannot help, however, to guess that Walt may not have been as approving with the execution and commitment to both of these parks, particularly MGM. Maybe this brings this entire thread full circle, but I would guess that Walt would be less than happy with the way MGM was rushed from conception to birth (because of Universal) and the abondonment (and hence underutilized space) in both the animation and Superstar Theatre areas. As such, I think he'd be less than thrilled with the current incarnation of the central theme of MGM - movie-making - as illustrated by the very now abridged back stage tour and empty sound stages.

As for AK, I think that Walt would be happy with its theming, beauty, spacious size and protection of and care for its vast array of live animals. He may be disappointed at its current "half-day" park status and the failed Beastly Kingdomme area, but the addition of EE appears, at least in part, to be addressing those shortcomings. Better late than never, I suppose.

Also, notice the other parks are built with a hub and spoke design that alleviates crowd flow... I feel that MGM lacks this... Ever notice how crowded it is by ToT and RNRC yet it feels like it is empty by Star Tours, LMA, Muppets (even though it really isn't).

 

[wannab@dis]

I cannot help, however, to guess that Walt may not have been as approving with the execution and commitment to both of these parks, particularly MGM. Maybe this brings this entire thread full circle, but I would guess that Walt would be less than happy with the way MGM was rushed from conception to birth (because of Universal) and the abondonment (and hence underutilized space) in both the animation and Superstar Theatre areas. As such, I think he'd be less than thrilled with the current incarnation of the central theme of MGM - movie-making - as illustrated by the very now abridged back stage tour and empty sound stages.

:lol:

Go read some of the DL history. It might inform you about how much "rushing" there was and how much space was "under utilized" in the beginning. :wave:

 

[jedimaster1227]

Conceptually, I personally believe that Walt would have approved of the themes of both MGM and AK. Clearly, Walt was involved in all types of movie-making and ground-breaking television productions - both live action and animation, and MGM attempts to capture that. Moreover, Walt's love for and fascination with animals throughout his career makes AK an obvious choice for something that Walt would approve.

I cannot help, however, to guess that Walt may not have been as approving with the execution and commitment to both of these parks, particularly MGM. Maybe this brings this entire thread full circle, but I would guess that Walt would be less than happy with the way MGM was rushed from conception to birth (because of Universal) and the abondonment (and hence underutilized space) in both the animation and Superstar Theatre areas. As such, I think he'd be less than thrilled with the current incarnation of the central theme of MGM - movie-making - as illustrated by the very now abridged back stage tour and empty sound stages.

As for AK, I think that Walt would be happy with its theming, beauty, spacious size and protection of and care for its vast array of live animals. He may be disappointed at its current "half-day" park status and the failed Beastly Kingdomme area, but the addition of EE appears, at least in part, to be addressing those shortcomings. Better late than never, I suppose.

I agree, very well said. I think that Walt would have accepted these parks, but I think he would have greenlit them at different times, and possibly expanded Epcot instead of building new parks. As we said before, EPCOT Center was his "pet" project.

 

[comics101]

As for AK, I think that Walt would be happy with its theming, beauty, spacious size and protection of and care for its vast array of live animals. He may be disappointed at its current "half-day" park status and the failed Beastly Kingdomme area, but the addition of EE appears, at least in part, to be addressing those shortcomings. Better late than never, I suppose.[/quote]

There's almost no doubt in my mind that Walt would've had Beastlie Kingdome Done. He found a way around almost everything.

 

[CThaddeus]

:lol:

Go read some of the DL history. It might inform you about how much "rushing" there was and how much space was "under utilized" in the beginning. :wave:

The difference is, after almost ten years Walt had more than made up for it and had many new attractions opened at Disneyland. Even where no one expected it, Walt would put in a new attraction (the Columbia, the Grand Canyon Diarama). Animal Kingdom can't really boast the same. The boats were taken out not too long after opening, and while the Asia area was opened, it boasted only one (off-the-shelf type) attraction - Kali River Rapids - and some animals. The other big thing they had to talk about until recently was (more off-the-shelf rides) Chester n' Hester's Dino-Rama! The only real improvements were Festival of the Lion King and the Jammin' in the Jungle Parade. It's a Park where you walk a lot and get a little. I'm going to invoke the name of Walt again - and will probably get jumped on for it again - but I know he would not have let this happen. He would have put whatever amount of money he could into making the place not only a great zoological exhibit, but a great theme park.
The same argument can be made about Disney-MGM, though maybe not as strongly. At least it seems like some effort was made to build up the Park. Too bad much of what was really good about it has been shuttered or shortened. This Park has a lot of potential...if only they would invest the money and imagination.

 

[Empress Room]

:lol:

Go read some of the DL history. It might inform you about how much "rushing" there was and how much space was "under utilized" in the beginning. :wave:

Come now, Wannab, you really need to read this string of posts more carefully. Anyone who has read The Walt Disney Biography (have you?) knows that Walt struggled with construction, theming and timing issues in preparation for the opening of Disneyland - we all know the story of how women's high heels were sinking into the asphalt on Main Street because the tar had just been laid hours earlier and hadn't dried yet.

The question originally posed by jedimaster concerned how we thought Walt would feel about AK and MGM. My response was limited to the "current incarnation" of both of these parks, and more pointedly, MGM. Obviously, there is a difference between the design, construction and opening of the world's first theme park circa 1955 (where, as Walt's biography describes, nearly each and every idea, attraction and plan had to be created from scratch) and two much more recently imagineered theme parks (which have had over 30 years of tried and true successful imagineering and construction methods to rely upon). Having said that, I stand by my opinion: Walt would be somewhat disappointed with the execution of the ideas.

As we know from reading biographies about him, Walt was a showman and he believed in presenting the best, most magical escapism for his guests. IMHO, the underutilized and empty spaces in MGM (and Epcot) and AK would not satisfy Walt's passion for showmanship.

 

[wannab@dis]

IMHO, the underutilized and empty spaces in MGM (and Epcot) and AK would not satisfy Walt's passion for showmanship.

:lol: You seem to love attempting to rationalize your low opinion of the parks. Three out of four don't meet your approval. If you don't like them, don't go. But the continual complaining is annoying. I would love to see some changes at the Studios, but I'm not going to keep trying to make that a central theme of my posts.

I go to the parks to enjoy them, not to look for every little thing that I don't like or that I think they should do better or how I think things should have been done. That would take away from the experience. In addition, I'm not the only person that visits that they have to keep happy and I don't have the information and knowledge that the managers have concerning what's best for the parks.

Have a magical day :wave:

 

[Empress Room]

:lol: You seem to love attempting to rationalize your low opinion of the parks. Three out of four don't meet your approval. If you don't like them, don't go. But the continual complaining is annoying. I would love to see some changes at the Studios, but I'm not going to keep trying to make that a central theme of my posts.

I go to the parks to enjoy them, not to look for every little thing that I don't like or that I think they should do better or how I think things should have been done. That would take away from the experience. In addition, I'm not the only person that visits that they have to keep happy and I don't have the information and knowledge that the managers have concerning what's best for the parks.

Have a magical day :wave:

Again, you misread me Wannab. I approve of all of the parks - I think that Disney does an outstanding job creating and theming its theme parks - all four of them - and each "meets my approval." I visit often even though I'm thousands of miles away. I've been at each of the parks for extended visits three times in the last five months, experienced the sneak preview of EE and have taken more Disney cruises than I can even keep track of. In short, I think Disney delivers outstanding quality and experience for my vacation dollar.

But I've been going to WDW for a lot of years. I've experienced WDW when only the MK and two resorts were open, visited Epcot when it first opened and MGM when it was young as well. Because of this, I've seen some "show" changes in the theme parks which many of us find less-than "Disney," if you will, and changes that (as was the focus of jedimaster's question) some of us think Walt would not approve. These are, overall, minor criticisms for a place that I personally find to be the "happiest place on earth."

It's a bit disconcerting for those of us who have seen Epcot run at full capacity, with all of Imagination, Communicore and even the Odyssey restaurant opened and thriving to experience these areas as underutilized or not utilized at all. Like most of us on these boards, we want the best for Disney and WDW because we want it to continue to grow, thrive and continue to create its unique form of magic.

 

[gman2]

yeah i think walt woould want it

 

[jedimaster1227]

What a revival... :brick:

 

[FigmentJedi]

*makes Jack Sparrow's totally confused face from AWE*
So, was there a point to bumping this old thing? Only things worth bumping are the amusing threads like MaElStRoM RoCks' idiocy or the F&G altercation...

 

[imagineer boy]

yeah i think walt woould want it

Why are you bumping up the most old and pointless threads on this forum?

 

[MyNameisStitch]

New user guys. Cut him some slack. Sorry Gman. :wave:

Thread bumping is a sure fire way to get yelled at on these boards. Check the thread dates and see if its relatively recent or if you think its something that would be interesting for the thread then go ahead and bump away. Usually its best to start a new topic though.

Now i'm off to ignore a thread LOL

-Jake

 

[Goof-Man]

I personally used to think if Epcot as a boring, educational place to visit. I mean why would I want to learn on my vacation.

However, on my last trip Epcot and I became friends. I spent 3 out of 7 days at Epcot and have never enjoyed it more. On my days there personally I spent time just walking around WS and taking in the countries and such. I then spent time on the second day on the rides and taking them in.

But when you spend time and just take Epcot for Epcot it is quite fun. I made my girlfriends day from Epcot when I used a machine in innovations to take picture, post a caption saying I love you. I took 3 minutes but she loved it and now she carries it in her wallet.

Epcot is a fantastic park.