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

[TalkingHead]

"The Glory Hole" refers to a large common area of mining activity in Knott's Calico Mine Ride. Mine Trains wind along the busy cavern's edge and view this large space from several different points of view throughout the ride. Tony and I were inspired by this notion in the design of Indiana Jones as you can create one big impressive temple scene and then return to that common area several times at different levels throughout the show. This site has a map that shows the layout. The CMR is one genius ride layout, created by legend Bud Hurlbut.

http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/photo.php?pageid=345&linkid=4522

What a cool map/cross section of the ride.

I was about to say I'd love to see a similar drawing for Knott's Bear-y Tales, and then I found this image through Google:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bananaphone5000/NEWGORILLA/BearyTalesMap1.jpg

Don't know how accurate it is, but neat to see.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

What a cool map/cross section of the ride.

I was about to say I'd love to see a similar drawing for Knott's Bear-y Tales, and then I found this image through Google:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bananaphone5000/NEWGORILLA/BearyTalesMap1.jpg

Don't know how accurate it is, but neat to see.

Very..I'd say pretty accurate in schematic terms. Chris Merritt drew that map and he is the ultimate Beary Tales Fan IMO. "Knott's Preserves" is the book he co-wrote and it is also the ultimate Knott's Book.

 

[lazyboy97o]

What a cool map/cross section of the ride.

I was about to say I'd love to see a similar drawing for Knott's Bear-y Tales, and then I found this image through Google:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bananaphone5000/NEWGORILLA/BearyTalesMap1.jpg

Don't know how accurate it is, but neat to see.

I believe the fun map of Knott's Bear-y Tales was drawn by Chris Merritt, who is a former Imagineer and author of Knott's Preserved.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Walt and Steve.

I've been reading a lot about Steve Jobs and realized that there are many interesting parallels between his approach and those of Walt Disney. You may say that this is a abstract comparison, but hear me out, I'd like to make a point or two which are keys to the success of both individuals.

They were curious and never stopped learning and improving things. They are continual innovators. They saw what things could be, even if it was not in their line of business. I love this story of Steve Jobs buying a trampoline and how he could not resist telling the installer how it could be improved. Walt was the same way.

They ventured beyond their safety zone. They all told Walt he could not build an amusement park, they also told Steve Jobs he didn't know anything about retail stores. They both listened to what others may say, but still went their own way and took risks that reinvented both genres.

Walt didn't "settle" and neither did Jobs. They want it the way they want it and had to lead their respective industries by being the benchmark of quality AND creativity. Cost restrained their execution but not their thinking.

They dreamt big. Jobs laid out a multi year vision for social change and the devices fulfill that vision, Walt prototyped a theme park as a footstool to a new urban plan.

Care to add any more comparisons?

 

[StageFrenzy]

Steve: ambious new modern apple campus
Walt: epcot

Both men died before they could realize those projects.

 

[trs518]

I've been reading a lot about Steve Jobs and realized that there are many interesting parallels between his approach and those of Walt Disney. You may say that this is a abstract comparison, but hear me out, I'd like to make a point or two which are keys to the success of both individuals.

They were curious and never stopped learning and improving things. They are continual innovators. They saw what things could be, even if it was not in their line of business. I love this story of Steve Jobs buying a trampoline and how he could not resist telling the installer how it could be improved. Walt was the same way.

They ventured beyond their safety zone. They all told Walt he could not build an amusement park, they also told Steve Jobs he didn't know anything about retail stores. They both listened to what others may say, but still went their own way and took risks that reinvented both genres.

Walt didn't "settle" and neither did Jobs. They want it the way they want it and had to lead their respective industries by being the benchmark of quality AND creativity. Cost restrained their execution but not their thinking.

They dreamt big. Jobs laid out a multi year vision for social change and the devices fulfill that vision, Walt prototyped a theme park as a footstool to a new urban plan.

Care to add any more comparisons?

Here's another...

Both men had multiple inventions, any one of them would have made each them famous.

Walt: illustrators desk, multi-plane camera, and theme park
Steve: Mac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad

Here's one more:

Both men were rich, but it's my understanding that they didn't take large incomes from their companies.

 

[ChrisFL]

steve: Ambious new modern apple campus
walt: Epcot

both men died before they could realize those projects.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

comparisons

Both saw their companies hit the skids due to their leadership. Walt had up to 8 near bankruptcies, Jobs led Apple into dire straights as well.

They both suffered big flops in innovation. I.E. The Newton for Jobs, Fantasia for Walt. Both products failed, not because they were bad ideas (multi channel audio later caught on, or the PDA) but were introduced too far ahead of their time.

Both suffered a competitor ripping them off in their early days. Microsoft rips off Apple (Windows OS) and Universal (Oswald) rips off Walt.

Both breakthroughs began in their garages.

 

[Mouse Detective]

When Disney lost Walt (and Roy), it became much less focused on the magic and much more about profit-making, in my opinion. Without Jobs there, the vision is likely to get lost there over time too.

 

[lazyboy97o]

When Disney lost Walt (and Roy), it became much less focused on the magic and much more about profit-making, in my opinion. Without Jobs there, the vision is likely to get lost there over time too.

Jobs was very much the business Steve as compared to the more technical Wozniak. He was not only creative in his vision for computers, but was also able to get people to pay a significant premium for Apple products.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

When Disney lost Walt (and Roy), it became much less focused on the magic and much more about profit-making, in my opinion. Without Jobs there, the vision is likely to get lost there over time too.

One difference is that Jobs knew he was dying and began making plans sooner than Walt. He formed a university that would teach his methods and culture, then left quite a few product ideas and directions.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Jobs was very much the business Steve as compared to the more technical Wozniak. He was not only creative in his vision for computers, but was also able to get people to pay a significant premium for Apple products.

He was able to sell his designs. He kept the brand special and scarce. They still don't sell T Shirts in the stores. Jobs was a bit of a salesman and I always thought Apple was always riding the edge of false advertising or over promising. You'd see the first iMac with "no cables" and they'd pitch it that way as that was the Egg vision, the clean appliance. The truth was that you ended up with a USB hub for tons of cables. You'd see someone editing a movie on it and the RAM was just not there in the early days. Eventually the dream comes true, but the ads were always reaching a bit. Jobs sold the "it just works" vision and people will pay more for that satisfaction.

 

[MiklCraw4d]

Woz = Ub. Both did all the technical work early on and don't get enough credit.

Jobs was very much the business Steve as compared to the more technical Wozniak. He was not only creative in his vision for computers, but was also able to get people to pay a significant premium for Apple products.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Woz = Ub. Both did all the technical work early on and don't get enough credit.

We could easily do the Ub Iwerks, Woz comparison. Very good! He didn't fit as Roy, but you nailed it with Ub. I think that SJ had more of a reputation for being personally demeaning to his staff in the pursuit of what he wanted and Walt, although being demanding was probably not as personally offensive. The next article posted details this.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Great Jobs story adds insight

http://lilly.tumblr.com/post/11230723028/steve-jobs

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Iger sanction.

I think it is pretty bold for Bob Iger to begin developing a succession plan now. This will certainly get the attention of the "lower ranks". He did some very bold things like buying Pixar. He spends when others might shrink back. Look at DCA. IMO he has been the right guy for these times. Will the next CEO have the same will to make the big moves? Will Staggs get the seat? Your thoughts?

 

[trs518]

I think it is pretty bold for Bob Iger to begin developing a succession plan now. This will certainly get the attention of the "lower ranks". He did some very bold things like buying Pixar. He spends when others might shrink back. Look at DCA. IMO he has been the right guy for these times. Will the next CEO have the same will to make the big moves? Will Staggs get the seat? Your thoughts?

The LA Times has an interesting article that talks about Steve Jobs influence on Disney, which includes the DCA revamp, Disney Stores, and Disney Cruise Line.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-jobs-disney-20111007,0,456416.story

I don't the executives enough to favor one over another. I've seen Iger mentioned in several places, mostly from Theme Park centered web sites. What about Ed Catmull? He's ran Pixar and now the entire Disney Animation Studios. He's worked with Steve Jobs for over a decade.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I think it is pretty bold for Bob Iger to begin developing a succession plan now. This will certainly get the attention of the "lower ranks". He did some very bold things like buying Pixar. He spends when others might shrink back. Look at DCA. IMO he has been the right guy for these times. Will the next CEO have the same will to make the big moves? Will Staggs get the seat? Your thoughts?

Do you think they might consider John Lasseter? He started working at DL on the Jungle Cruise (among other things), didn't he? I don't know if he would be willing to take the job, but I think he would be good for it.

I really think the job of CEO of Disney should be a dreamer, who wants to expand the guest experience, even if it means smaller profits. Someone who thinks that the parks need to be maintained at the level that Walt himself would be proud of. I know that Disney encompasses more than the parks, but the parks are really Disney's face, and it's usually the first thing people think about when you say Disney. Heck, most people probably don't realize that Disney owns ABC, ESPN, and a whole host of other businesses.

Of course, I do not know how Mr. Staggs feels, but I always worry when a bean counter is in charge of a company that requires a visionary to really shine. It seems like when most companies put their CFO in as CEO, customer service takes a huge hit, and that is not something that Disney can allow. I certainly hope that whoever takes over decides that the guest experience cannot be compromised, and will actually try to make it better.

Kevin

 

[lazyboy97o]

Do you think they might consider John Lasseter? He started working at DL on the Jungle Cruise (among other things), didn't he? I don't know if he would be willing to take the job, but I think he would be good for it.

I really think the job of CEO of Disney should be a dreamer, who wants to expand the guest experience, even if it means smaller profits. Someone who thinks that the parks need to be maintained at the level that Walt himself would be proud of. I know that Disney encompasses more than the parks, but the parks are really Disney's face, and it's usually the first thing people think about when you say Disney. Heck, most people probably don't realize that Disney owns ABC, ESPN, and a whole host of other businesses.

Of course, I do not know how Mr. Staggs feels, but I always worry when a bean counter is in charge of a company that requires a visionary to really shine. It seems like when most companies put their CFO in as CEO, customer service takes a huge hit, and that is not something that Disney can allow. I certainly hope that whoever takes over decides that the guest experience cannot be compromised, and will actually try to make it better.

Kevin

Walt himself never held the traditional executive leadership titles, those were held by Roy. Promoting Lasseter would also either stretch him even further, something that his wife is apparently already concerned about, or remove him from his involvement in animation. He also has almost no experience with the other arms of Disney's vast empire.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Walt himself never held the traditional executive leadership titles, those were held by Roy. Promoting Lasseter would also either stretch him even further, something that his wife is apparently already concerned about, or remove him from his involvement in animation. He also has almost no experience with the other arms of Disney's vast empire.

That is a good point that I had not thought of. So I guess that since Mr Iger has Mr Rasulo and Mr Staggs looking at both sides of the house, we really are looking at one of those two to replace him. I cannot say which I think would be a better choice without a lot of research on them.