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

[HMF]

Just out of curiousity Eddie' Do you have an opinion on the new Spaceship Earth?

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

All of this is very flattering and thank you for the votes of confidence. I just want to get you thinking like Imagineers, that's all.

However, to be fair, it's not like this kind of forward thinking does not exist within today's WDI. We are blissfully blessed with the ignorance of the obstacles they face every day. As much as we want to wish it away, Disney is still a public company and within that structure it's very hard to make these kinds of things happen, and to get them funded you have to compromise the vision to a degree to please many masters. (Think Congress). So timing has lots to do what happens and how big. The economy makes it super tough right now.

Having said that, I believe that the WDI leadership (Bruce and Craig) is better now than it has ever been. I mean that. They have a great opportunity with Bob Iger, who is the most technologically passionate CEO since Walt. I mean that too. (Disney beat them all to iTunes. Disney has interactive Blu-ray and more.) Then you add Lassiter who is very involved. What they will finally do is anyone's guess, but I can tell you that the potential is truly there and so is the talent. Ideas like we discuss are the kinds of things they talk about and hope for every day at WDI. The parks have much to say about what goes in and there is only so much money. So compromise has to be an art form to maintain the big idea. Even in this meltdown economy, I'd rather bet on WDI than any other organization in the world. Do I love everything they do? No. (and so what? I don't love even half of the things I do). Do I ever doubt that Imagineers will do whatever it takes to try and blow us all away??

Absolutely.

It's comforting to hear you say that, Eddie, it really is. But where's this in WDW? Why don't we see this creativity, this imaginative spirit down here in Orlando? It's all over the world...Just looks at Tokyo, Paris and even Anaheim! (Nightastic looks awesome) It's incredible!

But when does it arrive here?

 

[Disneyson 1]

I guess it has something to do with money and the projects being assigned, right?

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I guess it has something to do with money and the projects being assigned, right?

I'm betting it's TDO.:lookaroun

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Auntie Mare on SSE

Just out of curiousity Eddie' Do you have an opinion on the new Spaceship Earth?

I have not been on it yet. My recently retired aunt, Marilyn Sotto did the Costumes for the AA's and (she designed costumes for movies like "The Ten Commandments" for De Mille) she sent me some very cool looking images of the figures.

I'm SUPER proud of her and how she was in her 70's, the oldest working designer (on a Wacom digital tablet no less!) at WDW.
Her interview is really interesting.

http://livedesignonline.com/mag/show_business_marilyn_sotto/

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I have not been on it yet. My recently retired aunt, Marilyn Sotto did the Costumes for the AA's and (she designed costumes for movies like "The Ten Commandments" for De Mille) she sent me some very cool looking images of the figures.

I'm SUPER proud of her and how she was the oldest working designer at WDW.
Her interview is really interesting.

http://livedesignonline.com/mag/show_business_marilyn_sotto/

Ooooh, very interesting... It runs in the family!:lol:

 

[HMF]

I have not been on it yet. My recently retired aunt, Marilyn Sotto did the Costumes for the AA's and (she designed costumes for movies like "The Ten Commandments" for De Mille) she sent me some very cool looking images of the figures.

I'm SUPER proud of her and how she was in her 70's, the oldest working designer (on a Wacom digital tablet no less!) at WDW.
Her interview is really interesting.

http://livedesignonline.com/mag/show_business_marilyn_sotto/

Then this will all be new to you. :animwink:

 

[Eddie Sotto]

It's comforting to hear you say that, Eddie, it really is. But where's this in WDW? Why don't we see this creativity, this imaginative spirit down here in Orlando? It's all over the world...Just looks at Tokyo, Paris and even Anaheim! (Nightastic looks awesome) It's incredible!

But when does it arrive here?

It will be 10 years out of WDI for me this year. (I need to do my own "10 happy years" anniversary sweatshirt and junk up my house with an inflatable Cake on the roof. (Maybe I can talk my kids into doing a "Quit-tasmic!" show in the pool?). Uh..what was the question? oh..

So I don't know that much about today's WDW plans, but each property has different needs. WDW has a different new attraction cycle than DL. If you want to look at neglect for attractions, DL has not had a real "E" ticket since Indy. (For some reason, Nemo Subs would be a D+ in my book.) WDW is probably doing very well compared to DCA and other less visited parks, so they start with amp'ing those, but again, I'm speculating.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Ooooh, very interesting... It runs in the family!:lol:

I'm the third in a run of Eddie Sottos. My grandfather was from an East Harlem family of Sicilian immigrants, but he struggled to become an artist, designer, and vaudevillian on the radio. My grandfather had big dreams with nowhere to put them. He told me that I was lucky to live in a time of opportunity when you could build your dreams in a company like Disney and lamented that he did not. When he was young he proposed and built a few themed restaurants, but it was the great depression and there was little chance of making those things happen so he was economically stifled. I never forgot that and especially now, neither should we. I was so fortunate to find a home for my obsession and grateful that there was an economy that allowed those dreams to flourish to reality at WDI. It does run in the family and I'm equally happy that my Aunt had a chance to lend her talents to the mouse.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I'm the third in a run of Eddie Sottos. My grandfather was from an East Harlem family of Sicilian immigrants, but he struggled to become an artist, designer, and vaudevillian on the radio. My grandfather had big dreams with nowhere to put them. He told me that I was lucky to live in a time of opportunity when you could build your dreams in a company like Disney and lamented that he did not. When he was young he proposed and built a few themed restaurants, but it was the great depression and there was little chance of making those things happen so he was economically stifled. I never forgot that and especially now, neither should we. I was so fortunate to find a home for my obsession and grateful that there was an economy that allowed those dreams to flourish to reality at WDI. It does run in the family and I'm equally happy that my Aunt had a chance to lend her talents to the mouse.

Very awesome, and very touching, Eddie.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Mr. Soto, it is wonderful having you on these boards... Thank you for your terrific stories and insight... Very much appreciated...

 

[jt04]

It will be 10 years out of WDI for me this year. (I need to do my own "10 happy years" anniversary sweatshirt and junk up my house with an inflatable Cake on the roof. (Maybe I can talk my kids into doing a "Quit-tasmic!" show in the pool?). Uh..what was the question? oh..

So I don't know that much about today's WDW plans, but each property has different needs. WDW has a different new attraction cycle than DL. If you want to look at neglect for attractions, DL has not had a real "E" ticket since Indy. (For some reason, Nemo Subs would be a D+ in my book.) WDW is probably doing very well compared to DCA and other less visited parks, so they start with amp'ing those, but again, I'm speculating.

I bolded your comment because that is something I've been speculating on these boards for awhile. I become very frustrated with posters who hammer TDO and TWDC leadership as I think Iger is doing a great job and he has put together a very good team. I have been going to WDW since the beginning and have always thought the "build-outs" happen in cycles. So much of the venting on these boards against management are by people failing to understand there is a cyclical nature to these things and the economy has only delayed the next round of attractions at WDW. Can you elaborate a bit on the concept of the "attraction cycle"?

 

[The Conundrum]

I bolded your comment because that is something I've been speculating on these boards for awhile. I become very frustrated with posters who hammer TDO and TWDC leadership as I think Iger is doing a great job and he has put together a very good team. I have been going to WDW since the beginning and have always thought the "build-outs" happen in cycles. So much of the venting on these boards against management are by people failing to understand there is a cyclical nature to these things and the economy has only delayed the next round of attractions at WDW. Can you elaborate a bit on the concept of the "attraction cycle"?

please dont bring your problems into this thread. Seriously.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Missed this yesterday...:hammer:

It will be 10 years out of WDI for me this year. (I need to do my own "10 happy years" anniversary sweatshirt and junk up my house with an inflatable Cake on the roof. (Maybe I can talk my kids into doing a "Quit-tasmic!" show in the pool?). Uh..what was the question? oh..

So I don't know that much about today's WDW plans, but each property has different needs. WDW has a different new attraction cycle than DL. If you want to look at neglect for attractions, DL has not had a real "E" ticket since Indy. (For some reason, Nemo Subs would be a D+ in my book.) WDW is probably doing very well compared to DCA and other less visited parks, so they start with amp'ing those, but again, I'm speculating.

Interesting. Now, when you say Attraction Cycle, what do you mean? They get different attractions at different times for different reasons? I had never heard of this before.

 

[EpcoTim]

Missed this yesterday...:hammer:


Interesting. Now, when you say Attraction Cycle, what do you mean? They get different attractions at different times for different reasons? I had never heard of this before.

Like a billing cycle, a regular and consistent occurance. Which I can't see Disney being on anymore, seeing as the ride and show additions seem to be rather sporadic.

 

[jt04]

Like a billing cycle, a regular and consistent occurance. Which I can't see Disney being on anymore, seeing as the ride and show additions seem to be rather sporadic.

As a consumer of WDW since the beginning I can tell you with a high degree of confidence that there are cycles. Although I eagerly await hearing some of the details from ES. I'm not sure if it primarily driven by finance or something else. :shrug:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

As a consumer of WDW since the beginning I can tell you with a high degree of confidence that there are cycles. Although I eagerly await hearing some of the details from ES. I'm not sure if it primarily driven by finance or something else. :shrug:

Without putting out my opinion, so as not to influence yours, jt, when do you think this cycle of nothing ENDS?:wave:

 

[jt04]

Without putting out my opinion, so as not to influence yours, jt, when do you think this cycle of nothing ENDS?:wave:

Read post #151 of the "Little Mermaid Clone" thread.

I think soon but that is just a guess because I don't think TWDC has decided because of the uncertain economy.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Read post #151 of the "Little Mermaid Clone" thread.

I think soon but that is just a guess because I don't think TWDC has decided because of the uncertain economy.

Gotcha. I was hoping for 2011 and the 40th, though.

I still don't belive they can write that ALL off...

 

[jt04]

Gotcha. I was hoping for 2011 and the 40th, though.

I still don't belive they can write that ALL off...

I agree. If they treat the 40th like they did Epcot's 25th, it will cost them at the gate.