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

[Eddie Sotto]

Zing!

Just in fun. Seriously, Walt had so much less going on back then compared to the Mega-Disney Empire Bob has to run. The company is ten times the size. Walt focused on a couple of films and the one park, that's about it. DL was Walt's model train set and first love.

 

[WDW1974]

A really nice article. So you don't think a kid could walk up to Bob Iger, and get a job today?

The kid would have to get past Bob's million dollar a year security detail (no one has ever explained to me why us stockholders have to pay for that 24/7 deal ... are fanbois who are upset that Pixar is invading the parks looking to take out Bob and Willow and fam?):ROFLOL:

Oh, but if said kid had a family Bob felt was important enough, he'd make sure someone found a place for him.

That happens today on the park exec levels quite frequently where someone places a kid in a position that will look good on a resume later on bypassing casting and the whole interview process.

I know you were asking Eddie, buddy, but we both know how much you value my input!:wave:

 

[Eddie Sotto]

The kid would have to get past Bob's million dollar a year security detail (no one has ever explained to me why us stockholders have to pay for that 24/7 deal ... are fanbois who are upset that Pixar is invading the parks looking to take out Bob and Willow and fam?):ROFLOL:

Oh, but if said kid had a family Bob felt was important enough, he'd make sure someone found a place for him.

That happens today on the park exec levels quite frequently where someone places a kid in a position that will look good on a resume later on bypassing casting and the whole interview process.

I know you were asking Eddie, buddy, but we both know how much you value my input!:wave:

We do value your input, where have you been?

It's funny but the nepotism thing goes way back. Walt hired his boyhood Friend Walt Pfieffer to look after the Studio vending machines. The efficiency experts kept firing him and Walt would ask where he was and then they'd have to find him and bring him back. When I was 16, I heard you could work in the park for a leasee, Sunkist. It turned out that in the back room it was often a bookmaking operation for the park execs. They were always picking up Oranges at Los Alamitos Race Track! Almost everyone in there was the kid or relation of some Disneyland Exec. Same for the Balloon concession. Imagineer Tom Morris was one of the sellers at a really young age. I was one of the few, if not only kids that got a job at Sunkist Adventureland and had no exec connection. I'd occasionally get asked if my dad worked in the front office.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

EPCOT and AT&T

Michael Crawford has done it again with a neat hype video on inaugural
EPCOT, loaded with stuffy boasting execs, interviews and fun fashions.

http://progresscityusa.com/2012/02/09/promoting-spaceship-earth-1982/

AT&T should have sponsored World Showcase so their slogan "More Bars in more Places" would actually be true.

 

[WDW1974]

We do value your input, where have you been?

It has been a tough start to the year. Had a death in the family that actually had me on your coast (and did get me to DL for a day and Trader Sam's for drinks another) ... and since back I seem to get pulled into discussions of a ... um ... less sophisticated nature. ... Yes, I was just posting on the latest never-ending FP thread about refillable mugs. I know I should turn in my Disney Fan Card!

I usually only post on your thread when I can think, which I think is a tribute to the discussion here (or usually!)

Here's a question for ya that I keep getting asked. But the rumor mill said your old pal Tony Baxter was being shoved out the door this month. I heard it from some folks in the company as far back as a year ago ... and noted WDI gadfly Lee MacDonald of the apparently defunct Tales From the Laughing Place fanzine confirmed this online last summer.

Yet, word is Tony is still at WDI. Still working on that new Plaza Gardens makeover. I've even heard he had something in Paris on his plate.

So, do you know anything? Or anything you are free to say?

I sure hope the rumors are true and he is safe for a while. WDI can't keep bleeding the guys that 'get it'.

It's funny but the nepotism thing goes way back. Walt hired his boyhood Friend Walt Pfieffer to look after the Studio vending machines. The efficiency experts kept firing him and Walt would ask where he was and then they'd have to find him and bring him back. When I was 16, I heard you could work in the park for a leasee, Sunkist. It turned out that in the back room it was often a bookmaking operation for the park execs. They were always picking up Oranges at Los Alamitos Race Track! Almost everyone in there was the kid or relation of some Disneyland Exec. Same for the Balloon concession. Imagineer Tom Morris was one of the sellers at a really young age. I was one of the few, if not only kids that got a job at Sunkist Adventureland and had no exec connection. I'd occasionally get asked if my dad worked in the front office.

Oh, that's classic. Not surprising. Neopotism isn't anything new. I've helped people get placed ... even at Disney shocking, I know, as well as other media companies.

Now, I'm looking to be placed (sorta) as I need a change of scenery. And I somehow don't see Disney looking in my direction.:drevil:

Oh ... I need to think up some good questions/topics for ya.

Here's one that has nothing to do with anything but curiosity, but did you attend the opening of DCA (I know you were already out of Glendale)? Was sharing some memories this week with the anniversary.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Yet, word is Tony is still at WDI. Still working on that new Plaza Gardens makeover. I've even heard he had something in Paris on his plate.

So, do you know anything? Or anything you are free to say?

Here's one that has nothing to do with anything but curiosity, but did you attend the opening of DCA (I know you were already out of Glendale)? Was sharing some memories this week with the anniversary.

I'm sorry to hear about the death in your family. I had dinner with Tony recently and there was nothing to indicate to me that he was planning on retiring anytime soon. I don't ask about confidential project stuff, we just swap Paris war stories. As for DCA, I missed the opening as I did not work on the project.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

The Original "Spaceship Earth".1939

In 1939 on a reclaimed garbage dump, a massive Sphere that rivals "Spaceship Earth" was erected as the centerpiece of the New York Worlds Fair. With a model city inside, called "Democracity", this future city depicted something that looked kinda just like Walt's "Progress City", (radial with a Tower in the middle) only 2 decades earlier. Dreaming big and building it.

This video attempts to give you a sense of the presentation inside the "Perisphere".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kulk7IPTL10

More on the fair. It's a wow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u6tkhTwJWo

Awesome color footage and interviews. Mostly about how this happened in the worst economic times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fP4t3bte30

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Avatar Now. REAL rules!

We talk about building explorable replicas of the fictional world of Pandora, which would likely be fiberglas and black light paint, but the real thrill may lie in the REAL world none of us have yet to explore. A while back we discussed Disney and "simulation" versus doing "real" thrills and environments.

This article of weird REAL trees and planets show s us just how much "wow" there still is in the real natural world. It's almost arrogant and certainly foolish to think we can out do the real world with blue palm trees.

Look at this article and tell us what you think. Amazingly cool trees. Wow. Disney needs to be doing this kind of stuff at AK and give us a primeval REAL jungle.
http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2011/06/magnificent-weird-trees.html

 

[CBOMB]

The kid would have to get past Bob's million dollar a year security detail (no one has ever explained to me why us stockholders have to pay for that 24/7 deal ... are fanbois who are upset that Pixar is invading the parks looking to take out Bob and Willow and fam?):ROFLOL:

Oh, but if said kid had a family Bob felt was important enough, he'd make sure someone found a place for him.

That happens today on the park exec levels quite frequently where someone places a kid in a position that will look good on a resume later on bypassing casting and the whole interview process.

I know you were asking Eddie, buddy, but we both know how much you value my input!:wave:

I certainly cling to each and ever word you spew forth. I know you have amassed the greatest collection of Disney Executive's garbage can correspondence, and memorabilia in the world.

I'm also aware that you are getting close to the Guinness Book of World records title of the most coke consumed from a refillable mug purchased at the Wilderness Lodge in 1994.:ROFLOL:

 

[CBOMB]

We talk about building explorable replicas of the fictional world of Pandora, which would likely be fiberglas and black light paint, but the real thrill may lie in the REAL world none of us have yet to explore. A while back we discussed Disney and "simulation" versus doing "real" thrills and environments.

This article of weird REAL trees and planets show s us just how much "wow" there still is in the real natural world. It's almost arrogant and certainly foolish to think we can out do the real world with blue palm trees.

Look at this article and tell us what you think. Amazingly cool trees. Wow. Disney needs to be doing this kind of stuff at AK and give us a primeval REAL jungle.
http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2011/06/magnificent-weird-trees.html

Absolutely amazing photographs. Sometimes real life is more surreal than fantasy. Generally speaking when designing attractions is the horticulture aspect of it handled by specialist in that field, that are actually outside the realm of the team of imagineers?

 

[CBOMB]

Just in fun. Seriously, Walt had so much less going on back then compared to the Mega-Disney Empire Bob has to run. The company is ten times the size. Walt focused on a couple of films and the one park, that's about it. DL was Walt's model train set and first love.

That's all very true. Those simple times are gone forever, and I sure do miss them. When Walt was alive, and I saw him on TV I had a sense of connecting with the Disney Company. Now it's way to easy to lose sight of what drew you to Disney in the first place.

 

[RSoxNo1]

This trees seem to be the model of the ceiling in Sanaa... and Mario Brothers World 1 Level 3 on NES

 

[Jeanine]

In 1939 on a reclaimed garbage dump, a massive Sphere that rivals "Spaceship Earth" was erected as the centerpiece of the New York Worlds Fair. With a model city inside, called "Democracity", this future city depicted something that looked kinda just like Walt's "Progress City", (radial with a Tower in the middle) only 2 decades earlier. Dreaming big and building it.

This video attempts to give you a sense of the presentation inside the "Perisphere".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kulk7IPTL10

More on the fair. It's a wow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u6tkhTwJWo

Awesome color footage and interviews. Mostly about how this happened in the worst economic times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fP4t3bte30

Wow, those videos are great! I've always loved the idea of the World's Fair, although I've never gotten a chance to attend one. With all respect to the Archduke Ferdinand, when I get my time machine, one of the first places I'm heading is the 1964/1965 World's Fair.

One of my friends happened to be in China for the last one, however, and she said it was not very pleasant--lines for some of the more popular pavilions were listed as around 8 hours long! Additionally there was rampant line cutting, which led to people having to form human chains to keep people from moving past them, and eventually to altercations. Maybe they needed Fastpass?

Looking at the home movies, it's easy to see how the idea of a place entertaining to the young and old, yielding both information and experiences not readily available at home, might have been inspirational...

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Absolutely amazing photographs. Sometimes real life is more surreal than fantasy. Generally speaking when designing attractions is the horticulture aspect of it handled by specialist in that field, that are actually outside the realm of the team of imagineers?

I am blessed to work with one of the best in the world, Paul Comstock. He was responsible for DAK and other great WDI projects. We met in Paris on DLRP. Schooled by Bill Evans, the man who landscaped Disneyland Comstock is from 8 generations of horticulture. I just sit back and let him do his thing! I'm proud to be working with him right now. Paul is a world class artist, surfer and designer of living environments.

https://landscapeonline.com/research/article/13992
http://flamingogreen.com/Paul_Comstock.html

 

[Eddie Sotto]

That's all very true. Those simple times are gone forever, and I sure do miss them. When Walt was alive, and I saw him on TV I had a sense of connecting with the Disney Company. Now it's way to easy to lose sight of what drew you to Disney in the first place.

Hayley Mills?

 

[lonegungirl]

I am probably coming way late to this party, but I've just started Knott's Preserved which is actually proving to be a great read.

I particularly like these quotes: "We figure that if something interests or amuses us, it'll probably interest or amuse others. So we get it, whatever it is, and let others enjoy it with us--and you'd be surprised how that helps business!"

"(Bankers) tell me I could make ten times as much as I do now. (franchising)
I wouldn't want to make ten times as much and I wouldn't want to sit in an office and general manage a big company. Suppose I wanted to build a volcano and I had to take it up with a board of directors."

--Walter Knott

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Great idea!

I am probably coming way late to this party, but I've just started Knott's Preserved which is actually proving to be a great read.

I particularly like these quotes: "We figure that if something interests or amuses us, it'll probably interest or amuse others. So we get it, whatever it is, and let others enjoy it with us--and you'd be surprised how that helps business!"

"(Bankers) tell me I could make ten times as much as I do now. (franchising)
I wouldn't want to make ten times as much and I wouldn't want to sit in an office and general manage a big company. Suppose I wanted to build a volcano and I had to take it up with a board of directors."

--Walter Knott

Late but worth the wait! It's great to have you!

Thank you so much for those great Walter Knott quotes. What took us so long to do that? Good idea. Excellent choices.

Here's the link to "Knott's Preserved", best book on the Farm.
http://www.amazon.com/Knotts-Preser...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328976511&sr=1-1

It is true that if you really think something is fun and interesting, a crowd will gather. As is true with Knott's. I love the other one about how making money is nice but the freedom to do what you love is better. He loved what he was doing and his motives were not to dominate, just to create and spread enjoyment. So true. Kind of why I left Disney. You just want to find the shortest distance to making great things happen.

Did you know that when he was "killing it" with the Boysenberry, he could have kept the strains to himself, but instead gave vine cuttings to his competitors so they could prosper. When I worked there in the Design Dept., he was quite old and suffered from Parkinson's. There was a mobile home right there on the property in guest view near the parking lot. I would sit in my office and see the nurse wheel him out there on the porch in his wheelchair. He could not speak, but could idly watch the guests walk by. None of them had a clue who he was. I used to sit and wonder what he was thinking as the crowds walked by.

Tragic indeed. but you chose some great quotes. If you want to know more about Mr. Knott and his incredible life, here's a link to a book on his struggle and perseverance to survive in the depression. Excellent read.

http://www.amazon.com/Fabulous-Farmer-Story-Walter-Knott/dp/B0006AUO00

 

[Nemo14]

I just wanted to stop in and thank you, Eddie, for all the amzing links and information that you share on this thread. Although I don't contribute here very much (I'll plead guity to being woefully intimidated), I have learned so much here. What a refreshing change!

 

[CBOMB]

I am blessed to work with one of the best in the world, Paul Comstock. He was responsible for DAK and other great WDI projects. We met in Paris on DLRP. Schooled by Bill Evans, the man who landscaped Disneyland Comstock is from 8 generations of horticulture. I just sit back and let him do his thing! I'm proud to be working with him right now. Paul is a world class artist, surfer and designer of living environments.

https://landscapeonline.com/research/article/13992
http://flamingogreen.com/Paul_Comstock.html

What a fantastic artist, and so talented in so many varying disciplines. It would be a treat to see the landscaping of his residence in Malibu.

Who handled the sidewalk landscaping at Rivera?

Hayley Mills?

It was Cheryl Holdridge for me. Sadly she is no longer with us.

 

[HMF]

I think my professional musician career aspirations just went up.
http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-its-a-small-world-nextgen-interactive-queue-19606/ To quote Eric Cartman "Well, I'm out guys. If this is what's cool now, I think I'm done. I no longer have any connection to this world. I'm gonna go home and kill myself."
and I thought the Disney Character dolls were bad, This is an absolute disgrace and if I were one of Mary Blair's relatives, I would be furious.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35TbGjt-weA