Well, any hope of innovation in the Walt Disney theme parks has been completely shattered. Eisner shut down the Research and Development branch of Imagineering. Appearantly his goal is to completely destroy the theme parks before he's let go, and this latest move is a real step in that direction. It's pretty much over, people. It's off the shelf rides and attractions from now on, I'm afraid.
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Imagineering R&D Gone, Thanks To Eisner
- Thread starter zarathustra
- Start date
dalton30720
New Member
I assume you will now share the documentation you have to validate your claim.
Scrooge McSam
New Member
I can only assume (sorry if I'm wrong here, zarathustra) that zarathustra's referring to the story that hit mouseplanet.com today.
I hope it's not true, but I really don't have any trouble believing that it is
I hope it's not true, but I really don't have any trouble believing that it is
>>>sigh..fairly reliable<<<
In what universe?
Okay, most of MP's columnists are pretty reliable, the sole exception being Al Lutz. Unfortunately, he was surprisingly accurate in today's column.
BTW, what is considered "essential baggage" at Imagineering probably doesn't have many days left either, especially considering that what few glimmers of hope that they had of going forward with Disneyland's 50th Anniversary have been darkened.
In what universe?
Okay, most of MP's columnists are pretty reliable, the sole exception being Al Lutz. Unfortunately, he was surprisingly accurate in today's column.
BTW, what is considered "essential baggage" at Imagineering probably doesn't have many days left either, especially considering that what few glimmers of hope that they had of going forward with Disneyland's 50th Anniversary have been darkened.
Monorail Lime
Well-Known Member
I saw this on a corporate rumor site* the other day and had a hard time believing it. Now that it has been confirmed elsewhere I am very worried.
( * It has a name which is not appropriate for these boards... if you really want to know PM me)
( * It has a name which is not appropriate for these boards... if you really want to know PM me)
Scrooge McSam
New Member
I can't say there's not "some" exaggeration in zarathustra's post. For example, I don't believe it's Eisner goal to "completely destroy the theme parks". I see it happening, but I don't think that's his goal.
Al Lutz's article does not give an exact percentage of the former R&D employees who were let go. It says a "large percentage" were fired, and a "large group" of those left were sent to the Internet group. Basically, the R&D group is gone!
I can't see how the R&D group can be classified as "excess baggage" :veryconfu
You wannna talk about "excess baggage??? What about Fox Family??
jmarc63
New Member
Sounds to me that what probably happened is according to past rumors, Disney is Hiring Imangineers on a per project basis instead of being full time staff, and that there arn't many new if any attractions in developement at this time and the Imagineeres that were laid off had finished the projects they were working on are done.
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Disney going to have a few senior Imagineers that supervisor projects and the rest would be contracted out on a per project basis, and that is why this news of layoff is happening.
I don't like that sound of this at all. It is making me lose faith in what was a wonderful factory of fun and inovation in attraction technology, Now we might have to accept off-the-shelf rides and attractions instead of custom one of a kind like we were given by Walt and roy. Now there can't be anyone left at R&d or Imangineering that knew first hand of Walts visions and it kind of makes me sick, that i wont beable to share with my kids what i had as a kid at Disney.
Figment1986
Well-Known Member
a few more years i think, a few more till he is gone HOPEFULLY!!
(Now wheres that nice crazy moving back and forth smilie i need??)
(Now wheres that nice crazy moving back and forth smilie i need??)
timmy31
New Member
I can't believe how rough everyone is being on Michael Eisner. Since he became the head of Disney he has done some awesome things for the company. He has helped to re-invent the theme park and bring some great rides to Disney World. Splash Mountain, Tower Of Terror, Rockin' Roller Coaster and other rides came about during his "reign". I just think that too many people have the "what have you done for me lately" attitude.
wed050499
Member
I honestly think that this is one of the things we at this board keep forgetting. Whenever we see news that Disney lays off this person/group or Disney does this or that, a majority of us, sometimes myself included, take it as a personal offense. Sometimes this offense is against someone who we are not (i.e. Walt or Roy Disney) and sometimes, especially in my case while I was working at WDW for the last seven months, I would take it like it was personally against me and my fellow CM's. (Who I will always think of as a branch of myself)
With regards to that, I think it's important for all of us to sit back and wait. See what happens. Who knows, WDI may have asked for some of these cutbacks. In the time I spent with Imagineers at WDW, I slowly figured out that when it comes to Imagineering, Eisner may be Chief Creative Officer, but he essentially lets the Imagineers run their own little part of the company and letting him know how it goes from time to time.
Thanks for the time everyone,
Brian
NowInc
Well-Known Member
*whistles innocently*
....and uh..why does everyone assume that lay offs = shut down?
......if i were you..id keep an eye on the imaginerring job board in the near future...trimming the excess fat is something that ALL companies do..this could be a move to help IMPROOVE things..
....and uh..why does everyone assume that lay offs = shut down?
......if i were you..id keep an eye on the imaginerring job board in the near future...trimming the excess fat is something that ALL companies do..this could be a move to help IMPROOVE things..
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Originally posted by NowInc
*whistles innocently*
trimming the excess fat is something that ALL companies do..
It usually involves senior highly paid people and those who would finish with a golden handshake and a tasty pension. Good buisness ? perhaps. ethical? Well everyones got their own standards.