Eddie Sotto's take on the current state of the parks

[Eddie Sotto]

Eddie I wanted to ask you something about Star Tours if I could. Were there always plans since day one to make a new ride film eventually?

I know that one of the selling points of the Simulators always was that the film could be changed and that was always the intent at some point. I was not involved in what they might have been. Tony or Tom Fitz knows that sort of thing.

Cannot recall where the figures are. Sorry, but you seem to have better tabs than I. We may have used one in the DL Fedex Space Mountain upgrade, but I'm not sure.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Loops

I too have a question for Eddie (if it is not too formal to ask, and if he knows the answer) how did the team for DLRP for example go about the process of creating the area music loops in the park (later used for other Magic Kingdoms)?

Can't say how the other producers did theirs, but I gathered about 11 hours of Ragtime, etc and then listened to it in DL and watched how fast the guests moved down the street to get a sense of whether it was too fast or slow. the paragon Ragtime orchestra was my favorite as they reproduced on period instruments songs from original sheet music found under a gazebo in Atlantic City! Some were American WW1 era songs like "Goodbye Broadway, Hello France" for fun. Some music was performed custom for us like in Walt's, Disney and Co. or the Gibson Girl. I was not a fan of having to mix in modern Showtunes from other Studios (Music Man, Oklahoma, etc), but was instructed to and I guess it works fine (Did DL MSUSA music as well) After a while you had a playlist big enough and in context you could tell if it would work or not. We had an upbeat day and a soft and twinkly night loop at two different tempos and moods. Imagineer glen barker had music box discs made that were recorded to give that effect. True magic. There were loops for most of the stores and restaurants and many were unique, thus the eleven hours of source material. I loved doing that project and provided some voices for the "partyline" wall phones and upstairs windows!

 

[disneykw]

These imagineering stories are great! Thanks so much.

Eddie-I had no idea that you were involved in DLP Main St. BGM. Awesome. I was coincidentally listening to it yesterday in its entirety, both loops AM and PM. Why do they have two loops anyway? Unless the tracklist was off, a lot of the music seemed to be the same for both loops. Oh, and thanks for explaining the background to Tony's quote a couple pages back. It makes much more sense now.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

These imagineering stories are great! Thanks so much.

Eddie-I had no idea that you were involved in DLP Main St. BGM. Awesome. I was coincidentally listening to it yesterday in its entirety, both loops AM and PM. Why do they have two loops anyway? Unless the tracklist was off, a lot of the music seemed to be the same for both loops. Oh, and thanks for explaining the background to Tony's quote a couple pages back. It makes much more sense now.

Music is a critical part of creating the show, so compiling the loops was one of the highlights of that project. The reason some songs are repeated day/night mixes is that they worked in both moods. It's more about tempo than anything else. What you heard may be changed from the original. My favorite song on that loop was "I could love a million girls" which originally was in a 1906 musical performed at Madison Square Garden and was being played during the murder of Architect Stanford White (as depicted in the film "Ragtime"). "Chinatown my Chinatown" is on there in honor of Herb Ryman because he wanted DL's Main Street to have one. We added an upstairs Mah-Jong Parlor (with audio) and a laundry on our San Francisco inspired Market St. Gibson Girl Ice Cream had a special loop we had to perform to capture the "rinky tink" detuned barrelhouse piano sound of a German pianist named "Crazy Otto". Someone I used to listen to as a kid and loved. Basically we wanted to introduce Europe to much more and deeper Ragtime than just Scott Joplin. Something truly unique to America and MSUSA. Thanks for asking, you can see it was a labor of love.

 

[jt04]

These imagineering stories are great! Thanks so much.

A sort of nirvana. I love hearing about the creative process and all this behind the scenes stuff. I hope anyone in LA will visit his restaurant to show some gratitude. Seriously.

Ok, done s__________g up. :lol:

Seriously though, this is very cool!

 

[jt04]

Ooohhh....tell me it's movies!
I've got a concept that'll make a studio drool....
Quick! Get me in a room with Abrams or Lindelof!

:lookaroun

Me too. When I heard about the 20K prequel I thought of some ideas to thread a trilogy together that I think would work incredibly. I guess that is why we are all drawn to this place. We are all armchair imagineers.

If I was you I might PM the guy at blue sky disney. He seems to have some connections. Can't hurt to try.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Wow, thanks for answering my question on the loops with great detail! Sounds like fun for sure. Even if you were instructed to use show tunes, I think the ones picked in the end work (especially, IMO "Flitterin'" and "Beautiful Beulah" from Summer Magic, "Fortuosity" and "Let's Have a Drink on It" from The Happiest Millionaire and everyone's favorite "Put On Your Sunday Clothes").

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Wow, thanks for answering my question on the loops with great detail! Sounds like fun for sure. Even if you were instructed to use show tunes, I think the ones picked in the end work (especially, IMO "Flitterin'" and "Beautiful Beulah" from Summer Magic, "Fortuosity" and "Let's Have a Drink on It" from The Happiest Millionaire and everyone's favorite "Put On Your Sunday Clothes").

Agree. I like those! They are Disney and remind you of Disney movies that are part of Main Street's DNA, that's ok, and with Wall-E the last one qualifies. Funny how it predated WALL-E at the parks. Tony and I are big "Hello Dolly" fans as the set was a big inspiration on the DLP design. Especially the El Train idea. I tried to make DLP's MS more realistic yet romanticized and upbeat like the Dolly set. The billboards and intensely graphic ads everywhere were a reaction to that. A MS first.

As to the "showtune" issue, I was more concerned about being reminded of movies that distracted you mentally out of the moment of Main Street, where you'd recall some other movie and kind of break the spell we were trying to cast. The stuff from the movie "Ragtime" was very obscure and was from classical sources, looking back, I did break my own rule there. It was just so beautiful and perfectly captured the mood so I did it and who'd know?. It's supposed to be an "escape" and unique. I can get very purist about immersion and historic detail, but finally got used to the showtune idea. The argument was, Does it matter where it came from (we do have Star Wars and Indy) if it triggers a positive memory? I eventually got that, put them in and moved on ;-) I don't think anyone has complained either.

 

[hack2112]

Agree. I like those! They are Disney and remind you of Disney movies that are part of Main Street's DNA, that's ok, and with Wall-E the last one qualifies. Funny how it predated WALL-E at the parks. Tony and I are big "Hello Dolly" fans as the set was a big inspiration on the DLP design. Especially the El Train idea. I tried to make DLP's MS more realistic yet romanticized and upbeat like the Dolly set. The billboards and intensely graphic ads everywhere were a reaction to that. A MS first.

As to the "showtune" issue, I was more concerned about being reminded of movies that distracted you mentally out of the moment of Main Street, where you'd recall some other movie and kind of break the spell we were trying to cast. The stuff from the movie "Ragtime" was very obscure and was from classical sources, looking back, I did break my own rule there. It was just so beautiful and perfectly captured the mood so I did it and who'd know?. It's supposed to be an "escape" and unique. I can get very purist about immersion and historic detail, but finally got used to the showtune idea. The argument was, Does it matter where it came from (we do have Star Wars and Indy) if it triggers a positive memory? I eventually got that, put them in and moved on ;-) I don't think anyone has complained either.

Having done a production of Hello Dolly a few years back (I was Rudolph. Yay head waiters!) I think the music that was chosen for the loops fit in perfectly with the theme.

Of course, whenever I'm on MS in MK, We've Got Elegance is always playing, which gives me a good excuse to stroll down the street like, well, like I've got elegance.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I was temped to burst into "Elegance" last time I was on MS. Then I realized I would get weird looks and I cannot sing. :lookaroun

But the Dolly! set influence can clearly be seen in what was designed (especially the elevated train) and it certainly adds a large part to why I like DLRP MS, even if it isn't the 1920s design.

On a side note, I love how DLP acknowledges the existence of older Disney live action films. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Island at the Top of the World, Swiss Family Robinson, Return to Oz (surprisingly), Summer Magic, The Happiest Millionaire are all represented in some form or another, be it an attraction, music or display it's there too add to the experience and I wish stateside parks would do it more often (besides the Fortusoisty store).

 

[Eddie Sotto]

DLP Main Street reference

For those who may not be familiar with what were referencing or have not been there, here's a great site that has lots of insight on DLP and an article.

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jean_de_lutce/archive/2004/06/18/1399.aspx

http://dlrpmagic.com/guidebook/disneyland-park/main-street-usa/

 

[GothMickey]

Mr. Sotto, glad to see you on these boards. I am currently reading a book in which you are mentioned several times, including giving quotes. I enjoy your insight and appreciate what you have done and contributed to the theme parks. I respect your honesty with things as well. I applaud you sir.

By the way, the book is The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World by Susan Veness. Great and interesting read so far.

 

[tirian]

Count me among those thrilled to see Eddie Sotto posting on the boards!

Welcome!

As someone who is currently in a creative role with Disney (but not WDI), I'm happy to read your business/creative opinions. :wave:

 

[jt04]

Count me among those thrilled to see Eddie Sotto posting on the boards!

Welcome!

As someone who is currently in a creative role with Disney (but not WDI), I'm happy to read your business/creative opinions. :wave:

Hi Tirian. Do you know what happened to Corrus? Just a bit worried about that.

 

[tirian]

Hi Tirian. Do you know what happened to Corrus? Just a bit worried about that.

No, I think he just got tired of pixie-dust-crazed fanboys.

I understand; I often stay off the boards a while for the same reason. I love my job, I love Disney, and I love discussing it with intelligent people; but I can't stand foamers. Even Walt was known not to have any pictures of Mickey Mouse in his personal home. (I can't make that claim for myself .)

 

[jt04]

No, I think he just got tired of pixie-dust-crazed fanboys.

I understand; I often stay off the boards a while for the same reason. I love my job, I love Disney, and I love discussing it with intelligent people; but I can't stand foamers. Even Walt was known not to have any pictures of Mickey Mouse in his personal home. (I can't make that claim for myself .)

Ah, but diversity is our stength.

Steve welcomes all points of view here.

Any word on the monorail extension progress?

 

[tirian]

Ah, but diversity is our stength.

Steve welcomes all points of view here.

Any word on the monorail extension progress?

:lol:

Nice.

Ask Eddie.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Ah, but diversity is our stength.

Steve welcomes all points of view here.

Any word on the monorail extension progress?

:dazzle::ROFLOL::ROFLOL:

Sheesh, jt.:lol:

 

[Captain Chaos]

:dazzle::ROFLOL::ROFLOL:

Sheesh, jt.:lol:

All part of JT's master plan to take over the world... DISNEY WORLD!!!

 

[jt04]

All part of JT's master plan to take over the world... DISNEY WORLD!!!

Who says I haven't? :drevil:


I'd settle for just one park however. And a budget of 1 Billion Dollars.

*leans back in imagineering armchair to scheme*