Mr. Sotto,
You mentioned earlier in the discussion that you would always be haunted by DLP, what did you mean? Why was DLP so far over budget?
Also, What was the idea that you hated the most but management made you complete it? Is there anything in your work at Disney that you wish you could have back or done better?
DLP was perceived internally to be a failure of epic proportions. A project that was passionately supported by Eisner, and that was considered to be a "home run", but given it's poor profitability, was soon blamed for being "too good". "Too much design and detail,you should have done it cheaper". Blame the prisoners for escaping thru the unguarded, open gates. Although this is true, we could have easily done it cheaper, we were competing with Paris, a place that blows Disneyland away in it's finish quality and detail. We paved Main street in Red Brick because who would buy into asphalt as being 1890's? They are just now asphalting over the cobblestones in Paris. Frank Wells told us to make the arcades as beautiful as Main Street, then we are blamed for that very thing. Had Europeans been the T shirt and plush buying consumers that the business plan hoped they would be, this would not have been an issue. Lots of miscalculations. All would be forgotten under a mountain of inbound cash. The good news is that with European guests DLP is a "home run" (avg 2 hr stay on MSUSA alone the first year) as they love the detail and the American look we exported. (
http://www.dlrpmagic.com) The tons of images of details on Fan sites prove it. It would be my opinion that the intrinsic "too good" quality of that park has allowed it to weather the storm of few new attractions and some misfires pretty well. It's a rich space to be in, if only they could maintain it better.
The truth is that DLP had the lowest cost per guest carried of any park, meaning the operating cost of the ride against it's capacity was lower than other parks. It's a good value. But it's business demise has many fiscal and operational dimensions, but the most visible one you can blame is the amount of detail, so there you are. Of course it could have been less. Another truth is that I was not authorized to spend $5k over any pre approved line item without executive approval. My budget was like $150m. So to be blamed for runaway spending on that tight of a leash is a bit unfair. I guess I can be blamed for salesmanship or begging. So you get the reputation of being someone who can only do lavishly expensive projects (that are fiscally irresponsible) and in Tony's shadow, that is hard to shake (i.e. Francis Ford Coppola remark). There is more to this, but I think that makes the point. As a fan and designer, I'm very proud of it in spite of that, I think we did the right thing creatively and the guests agree. I feel we gave the European audience something that even amidst all the detail of Paris, they love for the right reasons. It's a bit of a reinvention of the theme as to exceed expectation. A tall order indeed and one the management seems to be getting with the redux of DCA. One reason I had for leaving was to reinvent myself as a creative force in new mediums, instead of being seen as a victorian pickpocket.
Forced labor? Once they made us work under protest on a ride for TDL that used the GM Test Track vehicle in a dual racing situation. Think Rocket Rods meets a slot car set. I just didn't think it was an E and we did everything to kill it. Rocket Rods did that for us. It was competing with the "Rocket Bike" attraction, a dual racing jet bike type thing that was cooler. I recall being forced to make a 10 foot wide walkway through DLP Town Square that ruined the facades. I hated that. Or living with the scale of that huge hotel in front.
Do something better? I have regrets on most everything. It all can be better and I've learned alot since then, so it's frustrating. It's the designer's curse. You know what they didn't let you do or you only see your errors. Most don't notice what you do, but in my experience the things I really hate some love the most! That's a thread in itself!
Ok...I may have voiced/programmed the TDL Tiki Room a bit differently. I wish I would have kept a closer eye on the details and finishes on the Fantasmic! viewing area at DL and the scale of the Jungle Cruise Boathouse. Overall they are fine, but it's just me. I have minor regrets on "Aladdin's Oasis" and how that was developed too, although it was really fun.
