Eddie Sotto's take on the current state of the parks (Part II)

Eddie Sotto

Eddie Sotto

Premium Member
KevinYee said:
New questions for you, Eddie.

Let's veer away from design and toward management and leadership. I liked what you said about "hard fun." How intentional is that kind of thinking in giving out assignments? Do you ever try to consciously channel leaders you've known (or maybe the Walt of myth himself?) Can you really let people to stretch themselves creatively all the time? (I would think sometimes the work just turns humdrum but still has to be done)
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"hard fun" was a phrase I heard first being used by Alan Kay, a fellow Imagineer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Kay). It is intentional in my own work as we gravitate toward things that have aspects that either stretch my skill set, or have not been technically accomplished. You bring others in to share that challenge and then you spread the "fun". I think you need a "Plan B" for the hard fun if you can't get there, but the journey is always worth it and you manage the creative and technical risk. At WDI, both Pooh and M:Space had ride systems that had not been done before. They were very tough to do, but eventually they got there. The ABC Studios was the first all digital facade in Times Square. Custom software was written to make it hypnotic. All of that was experimental at one level and lots of hard fun!
 
yankspy

yankspy

Well-Known Member
KevinYee said:
Now how do we get the executives in TDO to stop seeing the shadows on the cave and view actual reality instead?!
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Come out of the cave!!!:)
Eddie Sotto said:
I was actually referring to the reign of King Solomon but I'll take the Republic if that works!

Solomon didn't pray for riches, but for the wisdom to lead his people fairly and in the upright ways of the law. For his selflessness, he was rewarded with a 40 year reign of peace and unspeakable wealth.

I think when you see strong focused leadership as with Disney, Jobs, and others you have employees who align themselves and live "the mission" because it's more than a job, it's doing or being the best. Walt was tough, but humble and would share lunch with the construction workers. Disney was a people driven company then and not just a profit driven business. Walt was approachable and personally generous. There are qualities in leadership and ethics that are missing today that galvanize the workers into an unbreakable loyalty.

Herb Ryman loved Walt and could have been a very successful artist, but loved "the mission" of what Disney was trying to do and lent his hand to that instead. He was humble as well and gravitated toward the idea of using his art to make people happy, to appeal to their better nature. Like Solomon, or most people Herbie saw the value and wanted to work for a "good king".
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Unfortunately, the Solomon's or Walt's, in this matter, are few and far between. There is a reason why these people are legends. At some point, it seems as if some have forgotten the formula. It seems that quality show=$$$ is not gospel anymore.

Granted, there are many reasons why these things happen that we do not know about, but at some level, someone must be responsible for this lack of vision.

I do still love Disney and there are still many things that they do right, I just wonder what the tipping point is?

Jeanine said:
I totally agree with this. I've always thought that the Disney appeal is not just maintaining the illusion of being taken to different places/times, but that the illusion of people caring about you (the guest) is just as important. I know people who couldn't care less about the broken yeti--their feeling is that you only see it for about 3 seconds, and they can't tell whether it's moving or not. I think the reason why things like that bother people is the disrepair makes them feel that nobody cares--"it's only a business about money, after all"--and that pulls them out of the illusion just as rudely as if they saw a cowboy walking through Tomorrowland.
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I think it was always about money. The difference is that in the past the best way to make money was to produce the highest quality experience possible.

LuvtheGoof said:
Seems to be the way that Mr. Jobs designs all of his products (I admit, I love my IPhone!). and it used to be the way that Disney looked at everything. Pity that some of the management team doesn't know or seem to care for the quality over profit that Walt seemed to stand for. It would be nice if they would put the guests ahead of the shareholders, since in the long run, that would make them more money, not less. So shortsighted, it's a bit ridiculus.
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Well said.
 
MarkTwain

MarkTwain

Well-Known Member
Eddie Sotto said:
Well, the management has changed recently so let's see what happens, I'm willing to be patient. Next topic!

This idea addresses how technology has taken the place of humanity with a unique solution that lets you be on the phone without feeling alone.

Do you think this should be my next iPhone 4 case?

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/keitai/54-169995/?scid=af_ich_link_txt

The "Duffy paw" version comes out next week!
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That's disturbing. :dazzle:

One of my best friends has this for his iphone... it's pretty funny. :lol:

Eddie Sotto said:
Like half the maintenance department!
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:ROFLOL:
 
LuvtheGoof

LuvtheGoof

DVC Guru
Premium Member
Eddie Sotto said:
Well, the management has changed recently so let's see what happens, I'm willing to be patient. Next topic!

This idea addresses how technology has taken the place of humanity with a unique solution that lets you be on the phone without feeling alone.

Do you think this should be my next iPhone 4 case?

The "Duffy paw" version comes out next week!
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Hmmm, bit cumbersome for me. I prefer to slip mine into my pocket. Of course, I have a Disney case!
 
LuvtheGoof

LuvtheGoof

DVC Guru
Premium Member
So Eddie, plan on getting the new iPhone when it's released? I still have my 3GS, so it's definitely time for an upgrade.

On a new note, my wife and I are finally planning a Disneyland visit for next May after her college graduation. We've been to WDW many times, but this will be our first time to the original. Any thoughts on must do's, don't miss, or don't bothers?
 
Eddie Sotto

Eddie Sotto

Premium Member
LuvtheGoof said:
So Eddie, plan on getting the new iPhone when it's released? I still have my 3GS, so it's definitely time for an upgrade.

On a new note, my wife and I are finally planning a Disneyland visit for next May after her college graduation. We've been to WDW many times, but this will be our first time to the original. Any thoughts on must do's, don't miss, or don't bothers?
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You should do it. I have the 4 and am very content. The 5 is rumored to have an 8Mp camera and maybe a 4 inch screen, so it's time for you. The new OS5 software should keep me feeling enough like there's something new. I resisted the iPad 2 completely and am sticking with the original for now.

As for Disneyland, hit the Opera House (Disneyland Story) to see the original model of the park and the film and artwork, this will give you a sense of what is original and what has changed. Do that first. The Steam Train is a great opener as well as you get the sense of the park and end with the Grand Canyon and Primeval World thing. The "E"s are musts of course and some of the little things like Storybookland and Castle Walk thru are great to experience, if fact F'land in general is small but rich. Say Hi to my alter ego "Shrunken Ned" (witchdoctor machine in South Sea imports) for me in Adventureland. Try a Dole Whip by the Tiki Room and a Corn Dog from the Truck by the Plaza Inn. Local faves. I would skip the live show stuff, but that's just me. Fireworks are great
 
LuvtheGoof

LuvtheGoof

DVC Guru
Premium Member
Eddie, thanks for the advice! We have a place to start now.

Wish we knew when we could start ordering the new iPhone. Apple plays it really close to the vest. :(
 
KevinYee

KevinYee

Well-Known Member
Greenfield Village is the likely origin of the encircling train and the paddleboat. Put another way:

Tivoli Gardens + Greenfield Village = Disneylandia (the smaller concept, opposite the studios)
Disneylandia + Dancing Man = realization that park must be big = hire Buzz Price to find 185 acres.
 
Eddie Sotto

Eddie Sotto

Premium Member
KevinYee said:
Greenfield Village is the likely origin of the encircling train and the paddleboat. Put another way:

Tivoli Gardens + Greenfield Village = Disneylandia (the smaller concept, opposite the studios)
Disneylandia + Dancing Man = realization that park must be big = hire Buzz Price to find 185 acres.
Click to expand...

Agree..+Beverly Park
 

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