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

[HMF]

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.

My philosophy is Never put money people in charge of a creative enterprise. Also I feel that Disney need to get back to basics which would mean dropping ABC and a few of the other unnecessary businesses (ESPN is top money-maker so they can't lose that) and focus on the stuff that matter most. (The Parks, Studios,Animation etc.)

 

[Eddie Sotto]

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'd love to see it, but the business guys would never allow a creative person that much latitude. They can keep him where he is and parade him out to show the ideas and still get the benefit of his involvement without making him a CEO.

 

[WDW1974]

I'd love to see it, but the business guys would never allow a creative person that much latitude. They can keep him where he is and parade him out to show the ideas and still get the benefit of his involvement without making him a CEO.

He'd never want that job either (again, not that he'd ever get considered, even if Steve Jobs hadn't of passed away). My take on John is that he's got more than enough on his plate between Pixar, WDFA and WDI (basically just DLR projects that catch his fancy). I also have to believe the constant grind of going back and forth from Emeryville to Burbank and Glendale has got to be tiring for him ... I wonder how much longer he wants what he already has!

Also, can't help but think about timing here when the announcement was made just 36 hours after Jobs (Iger's biggest supporter on the BoD as well as the largest individual stockholder) died. And ahead of the upcoming fourth quarter earnings release.

Still, this isn't surprising. Iger has always been a one deal guy, and he has put out feelers about running for office in NY, which I do expect.

And Disney will do what it largely does ... play it safe. And right now that means playing Staggs and Rasulo off and winner takes it all.

I kinda would like to see some fresh blood from outside come in, but that ain't never gonna happen.

On a different subject, Eddie ... when will we be seeing a book by YOU?

~GFC~

 

[wedenterprises]

My philosophy is Never put money people in charge of a creative enterprise. Also I feel that Disney need to get back to basics which would mean dropping ABC and a few of the other unnecessary businesses (ESPN is top money-maker so they can't lose that) and focus on the stuff that matter most. (The Parks, Studios,Animation etc.)

Well, as creative as Disney is, it's still a business. It's more business and numbers than it is creative.

What you need is good business to support the creative and good creative to support the business. If you have a $500 million dollar idea you need business to make that work and to stop it from becoming $300 million or worse - $50million. You also need good creative to justify a $500 million show. You can't have one without the other, otherwise you are just community theater.

I think what you mean is don't let the money get in the way of the imagination, but that's just not how the industry works most of the time unfortunately.

 

[HMF]

I think what you mean is don't let the money get in the way of the imagination, but that's just not how the industry works most of the time unfortunately.

I am referring to how it should work not how it actually works and the current profits-first mentality has recently trashed our economy.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

I am referring to how it should work not how it actually works and the current profits-first mentality has recently trashed our economy.

Profit is fine and that makes an economy. I think the patience required for long term growth is what seems to have a better balance. The quarterly short term mentality sets up the wrong culture.

 

[Jeanine]

I had not seen that, thanks for posting. I believe Jeanine, a poster on this thread was there (we met) and wrote this article. Funny pic of me as a 12 year old with my DL model in tow. Thanks Jeanine, if that's you!

Yes that's me--someone read it! Squee! I always have a vague idea that there's a counter somewhere reading "2" for the page views on my articles.

I love the slides Imagineers make of their younger selves manifesting their Disney passions. It makes me feel better about all those youthful days I spent in the library, poring over the Beard EPCOT book.


(Sorry for the delayed reaction--I just got back from Food and Wine.)

 

[Eddie Sotto]

On a different subject, Eddie ... when will we be seeing a book by YOU?

~GFC~

I'm considering it. Not sure if it wants to be a business/experiential design trade publication, or historically Disney, touching on the types of topics we discuss here. No gossip, just passing along some of the things I've picked up from those "Legends" that were kind enough to share their knowledge. What would you want to read?

 

[Bork Bork]

I'm considering it. Not sure if it wants to be a business/experiential design trade publication, or historically Disney, touching on the types of topics we discuss here. No gossip, just passing along some of the things I've picked up from those "Legends" that were kind enough to share their knowledge. What would you want to read?

I know this thread is free, but I'd gladly pay to read your take on Disney history and the Legends who built it. When can I pre-order??

 

[Eddie Sotto]

I know this thread is free, but I'd gladly pay to read your take on Disney history and the Legends who built it. When can I pre-order??

I guess I need to get busy! The fact is that you can buy a series of books (Walt's People) now that have interviews with the legends that albeit not linear, tell that story. My take would come mostly from the relationships I had with different designers and their advice on how to approach creating themed experiences. I guess we have touched on most of these things in the last 300 or more pages on this thread, but would love to tell those stories again in depth, in a more organized and elegant way.

http://www.amazon.com/Walts-People-Talking-Disney-Artists/dp/1413478670

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Yes that's me--someone read it! Squee! I always have a vague idea that there's a counter somewhere reading "2" for the page views on my articles.

I love the slides Imagineers make of their younger selves manifesting their Disney passions. It makes me feel better about all those youthful days I spent in the library, poring over the Beard EPCOT book.


(Sorry for the delayed reaction--I just got back from Food and Wine.)

I knew it! thanks for joining us!

 

[RSoxNo1]

Profit is fine and that makes an economy. I think the patience required for long term growth is what seems to have a better balance. The quarterly short term mentality sets up the wrong culture.

Profit is simply a byproduct we've learned to live with.

 

[WDW1974]

I'm considering it. Not sure if it wants to be a business/experiential design trade publication, or historically Disney, touching on the types of topics we discuss here. No gossip, just passing along some of the things I've picked up from those "Legends" that were kind enough to share their knowledge. What would you want to read?

What I'd like to read and what will sell (beyond a few thousand -- if that -- copies to fans) and what YOU are comfortable being part of would likely be two different things.

I'd love a WDI tell-all. The good, the bad and the ugly (everything from political battles to substance abuse). The whys things turned out great or lousy. The things that never happened, but should have. And the things that were foisted upon people that never should have gone beyond blue sky.

FWIW, I am working on getting a few someones to spill on the record about that myself! :drevil:

But what I'd love to read from you would be on design itself. The process. What works and why. And why people (with no design knowledge) just know when something works ... like the DL model ... or something doesn't (swan and Dolphin towering over EPCOT). While I'd be interested in hearing WDI anecdotes from you in about design and the projects you were a part of, I'd be just as interested to hear about other things you've worked on and your take on design in general. Apple has been talked about a lot due to Steve's tragic passing, but those products obviously work so well on a basic intuitive design level. That's what I'd like to hear from you ... why things work whether they are Pooh's Hunny Hunt ... or materials and furnishings and fittings that say Main Street early 1900s ... or in a smart phone ... or table ... or chair.

Design is design. But great design lasts and impacts us all ... that's what I think I'd be doing if I were you.

(If I weren't spilling about say the toxic atmosphere that enveloped Flower Street when Strategic Planning and the MBAs took over!!

~GFC~

 

[Eddie Sotto]

What I'd like to read and what will sell (beyond a few thousand -- if that -- copies to fans) and what YOU are comfortable being part of would likely be two different things.

I'd love a WDI tell-all. The good, the bad and the ugly (everything from political battles to substance abuse). The whys things turned out great or lousy. The things that never happened, but should have. And the things that were foisted upon people that never should have gone beyond blue sky.

FWIW, I am working on getting a few someones to spill on the record about that myself! :drevil:

But what I'd love to read from you would be on design itself. The process. What works and why. And why people (with no design knowledge) just know when something works ... like the DL model ... or something doesn't (swan and Dolphin towering over EPCOT). While I'd be interested in hearing WDI anecdotes from you in about design and the projects you were a part of, I'd be just as interested to hear about other things you've worked on and your take on design in general. Apple has been talked about a lot due to Steve's tragic passing, but those products obviously work so well on a basic intuitive design level. That's what I'd like to hear from you ... why things work whether they are Pooh's Hunny Hunt ... or materials and furnishings and fittings that say Main Street early 1900s ... or in a smart phone ... or table ... or chair.

Design is design. But great design lasts and impacts us all ... that's what I think I'd be doing if I were you.

(If I weren't spilling about say the toxic atmosphere that enveloped Flower Street when Strategic Planning and the MBAs took over!!

~GFC~

Thanks for the input. I have gathered my stories from this thread so I have them as a reference, but more importantly, I think the real world experience is a valuable sidebar to why design ends up as it does...compromised. The fun part could be, not just a point of view on design, but helping those to understand how to navigate those deadly waters to execute things that are what they hoped for. That's where the stories come in. I usually limit my answers because I'm a horrid and slow typist so there is more to most every tale that is left out. An audiobook or podcast series that becomes one appeals to me.

 

[trs518]

Why not write a book about the effort that went into the Knotts, Disney, and other items (Rivera) that you worked on. You could talk about why they were built, the effort that went into them, and the good/bad design elements on them. A good starting point would by why you got into design.

Essentially, you could simply edit this thread and make a book.

 

[flynnibus]

I personally enjoyed the book 'Building a better mouse' which was more about what life was like for the engineers building EPCOT.

There is lots of work published about design, 'what never was..' etc.. I liked having the personal insight into what that point in time was like for them.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I personally enjoyed the book 'Building a better mouse' which was more about what life was like for the engineers building EPCOT.

I must second this. Building a Better Mouse is absolutely fascinating! Theme Park Design, Alcorn's second book on the overall process of attraction design, is much less interesting because it is so generalized. The day-to-day personal accounts in Building a Better Mouse give insight into aspects, such as staying up all night or dealing with rules, that are often glossed over at best or ignored at worst.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Why not write a book about the effort that went into the Knotts, Disney, and other items (Rivera) that you worked on. You could talk about why they were built, the effort that went into them, and the good/bad design elements on them. A good starting point would by why you got into design.

Essentially, you could simply edit this thread and make a book.

Thanks..That was my first thought, so I have copied the stories, but they need to be organized and then expanded upon. I appreciate all of your input here, as I am sometimes too close to all of this to have a good perspective.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Why Steve Jobs wore black turtlenecks....

Exerpted from his new book..

On a trip to Japan in the early 1980s, Jobs asked Sony’s chairman Akio Morita why everyone in the company’s factories wore uniforms. He told Jobs that after the war, no one had any clothes, and companies like Sony had to give their workers something to wear each day. Over the years, the uniforms developed their own signatures styles, especially at companies such as Sony, and it became a way of bonding workers to the company. “I decided that I wanted that type of bonding for Apple,” Jobs recalled.

Sony, with its appreciation for style, had gotten the famous designer Issey Miyake to create its uniform. It was a jacket made of rip-stop nylon with sleeves that could unzip to make it a vest. So Jobs called Issey Miyake and asked him to design a vest for Apple, Jobs recalled, “I came back with some samples and told everyone it would great if we would all wear these vests. Oh man, did I get booed off the stage. Everybody hated the idea.”

In the process, however, he became friends with Miyake and would visit him regularly. He also came to like the idea of having a uniform for himself, both because of its daily convenience (the rationale he claimed) and its ability to convey a signature style. “So I asked Issey to make me some of his black turtlenecks that I liked, and he made me like a hundred of them.” Jobs noticed my surprise when he told this story, so he showed them stacked up in the closet. “That’s what I wear,” he said. “I have enough to last for the rest of my life.”

I thought that was worth mentioning. He never did the white name tag thing so it was the turtleneck.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Final answer?

If you could only ask me one question (you can actually ask more as many of you know!) what would it be and why?