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

[Eddie Sotto]

Hi Eddie,

I've been reading a lot about how DL Paris isn't "up to standard" and I'm a bit worried since I'd like to visit soon. When was the last time you were at the park you worked so much on? Is it really just a cultural thing where the CM's are rude because they're french? Did you ever encounter overflowing trash bins and garbage on the floor etc...? Who's running the show over there nowdays anyway? Thanks much Eddie.

DLP has it's issues in those areas but I would not let that prevent you from experiencing it. From what I hear, the good outweighs the bad. The waitress at dinner tonight (at Rivera) just returned to tell me how much she enjoyed it. look at these great shots taken during operating hours. I saw no trash.


http://www.photosmagiques.com/

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Goodbye Star Tours

Had to ditch work to get down to the park today to take one last ride on Star Tours as it closes today for good. When I started at WED/WDI in 1986 they were just finishing the construction of that show. I had no assignment and was looking for something to do. There was a flyer on the bulletin board asking for "extras" to be in the Star Tours boarding videos, so I showed up at lunch and ended up sitting behind Chewbacca pretending to be blinded by the "flash photography". It was strange riding that great show for the last time today and then seeing a much younger self 3 days into the job at WDI on the monitor. It's surprising to me that it held up that well for 20 years! (I wish I had)

Can hardly wait for the update. Should be great.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

It certainly appears that Cinderella and Aurora's new places are cleared and ready for foundation work. For the hundredth time, it was stated clearly that the m&g's are designed purposely to meet the needs of younger families that Disney has decided are being underserved at the MK. When compared to Disneyland there is no argument that the MK is not currently meeting that standard. And before you throw the matterhorn at me as an example of "balance", you have to take Everest into account. Again, WDW has a special advantage in that not every land has to have a thrill ride and a childrens ride. It is a luxury that they can and should exploit IMO, to create even more immersive environments.But the bottom line is the MK needs more attractions for young children if they want to achieve the "balance" everyone claims they want.

Well said.

 

[wdwmagic]

Had to ditch work to get down to the park today to take one last ride on Star Tours as it closes today for good. When I started at WED/WDI in 1986 they were just finishing the construction of that show. I had no assignment and was looking for something to do. There was a flyer on the bulletin board asking for "extras" to be in the Star Tours boarding videos, so I showed up at lunch and ended up sitting behind Chewbacca pretending to be blinded by the "flash photography". It was strange riding that great show for the last time today and then seeing a much younger self 3 days into the job at WDI on the monitor. It's surprising to me that it held up that well for 20 years! (I wish I had)

Can hardly wait for the update. Should be great.

Very cool! Must be really strange to see yourself in there - but must have been great to be a part of all that.

 

[wdwmagic]

Hi Eddie,

I've been reading a lot about how DL Paris isn't "up to standard" and I'm a bit worried since I'd like to visit soon. When was the last time you were at the park you worked so much on? Is it really just a cultural thing where the CM's are rude because they're french? Did you ever encounter overflowing trash bins and garbage on the floor etc...? Who's running the show over there nowdays anyway? Thanks much Eddie.

Don't take any notice of that. You'l love DLP. It's perhaps the most beautiful of them all.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Very cool! Must be really strange to see yourself in there - but must have been great to be a part of all that.

It was. What I didn't know was that most of the people in that video were the ST project team and their kids. So after it was over they were looking at me like I was a party crasher. No one told me who they were or that it was kind of a "class picture" kind of thing. I felt kinda bad after hearing that. Oh well. It's gone now!

 

[HMF]

DLP has it's issues in those areas but I would not let that prevent you from experiencing it. From what I hear, the good outweighs the bad. The waitress at dinner tonight (at Rivera) just returned to tell me how much she enjoyed it. look at these great shots taken during operating hours. I saw no trash.


http://www.photosmagiques.com/

Wow' Eddie . I really like the nods to the 1893 Columbian Exhibition in Chicago. I recently returned from visiting Chicago and there really was a lot of interesting stuff about the first Ferris Wheel. In fact I saw the replica from the local Pier up close. (That is why I have not been posting as much recently.) I also love how the arcades are stylistically similar to one another yet different at the same time. Who was your Show Writer on this? Also like the subtle out of the way things like Pongo being the mascot of the Volunteer Fire Department. Emporium Est. 1892 and the ad for the DL Emporium 1855' Ah the 100 year trick. The poster in the boutiques. The level of detail is astounding. Makes it feel like a real place with a real history.

 

[HMF]

It was. What I didn't know was that most of the people in that video were the ST project team and their kids. So after it was over they were looking at me like I was a party crasher. No one told me who they were or that it was kind of a "class picture" kind of thing. I felt kinda bad after hearing that. Oh well. It's gone now!

The only person I recognised in the video was Chris Tietz.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Wow' Eddie . I really like the nods to the 1893 Columbian Exhibition in Chicago. I recently returned from visiting Chicago and there really was a lot of interesting stuff about the first Ferris Wheel. In fact I saw the replica from the local Pier up close. (That is why I have not been posting as much recently.) I also love how the arcades are stylistically similar to one another yet different at the same time. Who was your Show Writer on this? Also like the subtle out of the way things like Pongo being the mascot of the Volunteer Fire Department. Emporium Est. 1892 and the ad for the DL Emporium 1855' Ah the 100 year trick. The poster in the boutiques. The level of detail is astounding. Makes it feel like a real place with a real history.

Thanks. That was the idea. ALOT of research was done on just about everything in that land to add a museum like sense of richness and depth. It's great that you picked up on the historic references in the arcades and other areas. The Arcade Gaslights are inspired by those at the Columbian Expo but glitzier. I was hoping in the end it would be a bit like going to the Smithsonian, but more fun. The best thing about it was that I bought my own research books, so now there are 2 15 ft. long bookshelves of just the reference for Main Street. There are still bookmarks lurking for some of the areas and it's fun to land upon a tower, molding or entire interior reference.

Can't recall the show writer for Liberty Arcade, but will try to!

UPDATE

Deb Rager was the Art Director on the content of the Liberty and Discovery Arcade display cases. She had to develop with others the case contents (models to be built and props to buy) and how the story of the Statue would be told. We worked with an institute to get images of Bartholdi making the piece. Designer, Eddie Johnson art directed install of the Diorama. I don't recall who wrote the plaques themselves, but we had to reduce the copy!

 

[HMF]

Eddie' I know you don't like it when I bring WDI politics into this thread but this post on micechat has me really concerned about Tony Baxters future with the company.
http://micechat.com/forums/disneyla...baxter-being-shown-door-5.html#post1056140664
Your thoughts?

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Eddie' I know you don't like it when I bring WDI politics into this thread but this post on micechat has me really concerned about Tony Baxters future with the company.
http://micechat.com/forums/disneyla...baxter-being-shown-door-5.html#post1056140664
Your thoughts?

So the thread poses this question in essence. Does the fact that Tony Baxter will be chalking up his 45th Anniversary with the company mean that he will be leaving/quitting/retiring/be given another role, etc. etc. in the near future? The result is heated speculation that he is being marginalized or shown the door. Some speculate that he is too famous for that to happen and the backlash would be huge. Whatever.

The truth is that I don't know what will happen. Here's my two cents.

45 years is a long time to be with any company, so if he did retire, it would not shock me. Tony has had a great run and compiled a great legacy of credits. I'm not sure what is left undone for him, but if you asked him, I know he'd name an hour's worth of projects! I know that Tony would always want to be involved in the future of Disneyland as it is his one true love. His life has been that park. He would want to be doing that as long as they will allow him to do so and he feels he can have a positive effect. Speculating at this point is kind of fruitless and becomes gossip which can be damaging. As Tony has been both a teacher and a friend, I just hope whatever happens (if anything!) is his choice.

For now, I'm just proud that he fought enough windmills to make it to the big 45! Congrats Tony, you deserve it!

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Star Tours Article

As you may know Star Tours is closed now until it reopens anew. Here's story as told by an Imagineer I knew at the time that fills you in on how it came to be.

http://ocresort.ocregister.com/2010/07/27/good-bye-star-tours-i-will-miss-you/51113/

 

[misterID]

As you may know Star Tours is closed now until it reopens anew. Here's story as told by an Imagineer I knew at the time that fills you in on how it came to be.

http://ocresort.ocregister.com/2010/07/27/good-bye-star-tours-i-will-miss-you/51113/

Good story. And hearing all this imagineer Star Tours reminiscing is friggin sad, man.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Good story. And hearing all this imagineer Star Tours reminiscing is friggin sad, man.

Really? I think the sadder thing would be never updating it. The whole simulator idea was based on the fact that you could have multiple endings, "departures" to many places, all by changing the film or better yet HD video. I'm looking forward to what they do with it as a new film was long overdue. It may be nice to have an HD or 3D version of a trip to Endor there to see once in a while.

 

[HMF]

Really? I think the sadder thing would be never updating it. The whole simulator idea was based on the fact that you could have multiple endings, "departures" to many places, all by changing the film or better yet HD video. I'm looking forward to what they do with it as a new film was long overdue. It may be nice to have an HD or 3D version of a trip to Endor there to see once in a while.

This is really cool.
http://twitpic.com/2b25y2
I still can't wait for my WED nametag.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

This is really cool.
http://twitpic.com/2b25y2
I still can't wait for my WED nametag.

Me too, but I don't get the picture of the Peoplemover sign. I must be missing something.

 

[HMF]

Me too, but I don't get the picture of the Peoplemover sign. I must be missing something.

That Peoplemover sign is brand new. This is the first sign to identify it as the Peoplemover since 1994.

 

[EmperorMilenko]

Really? I think the sadder thing would be never updating it. The whole simulator idea was based on the fact that you could have multiple endings, "departures" to many places, all by changing the film or better yet HD video. I'm looking forward to what they do with it as a new film was long overdue. It may be nice to have an HD or 3D version of a trip to Endor there to see once in a while.

It's sad to see it go. i'm still young at a mere 18 and I loved walking under the giant ATAT when i was younger and being able to experience the movies that turned me into the scruffy nerfherder I am. But Star Tours 2.0 will prove to be cutting edge and a fantastic SW experience. All the SW environments that you'll enter and be surrounded by...it's without a doubt going to be amazing. But how many different videos will there be and what are the chances of getting the same twice? I'm just happy that the podracing will be brought to life.

 

[DisneyParksFan1]

I like how they are going back to the PeopleMover.

 

[EmperorMilenko]

I like how they are going back to the PeopleMover.

:sohappy:
I agree!