LET THE IMAGINEERS IMAGINE

[lazyboy97o]

Imagineers imagine just fine...and then this guy steps in!

Fool me once, shame on you. Fell me twice, shame on me. How things operate at Disney are not secret to those who have been around awhile.

 

[Figments Friend]

Imagineers today do plenty of 'imagining'....but you have to realize that they are only 'allowed' to do so much at any given time.
It's the Company they work for that determines if, when, where, and how big or small a project comes to fruition and in what direction that idea of yours ends up looking like when all is said and done.

I think a common misconception among general Park Fans that it is Imagineering that decides what goes into the Theme Parks, and they can just come in and place anything anywhere to where they see fit.
Not quite the full story.
It is only when a need is realized either through the uppers within the Company, or Park Ops requesting it from the Company, that the folks at WDI are called in to come up with a solution or an answer to said need.

Yes, WDI does have a real influence on what ends up in the Parks....but it is usually with many changes made to the original concept.
Most would assume a incredible, sure winner concept would make it in with no roadblocks...but nothing could be further from the truth.
There are so many hurdles that a concept needs to jump over before even being seriously considered as a contender.
An idea that has real potential to be incredibly ground breaking or visually exciting can get beaten into something quite different thanks to Legal, Marketing, Accounting, inter-Company politics, and so many other facets the general public is not aware of.
That amazing concept a team came up with often ends up very different after being 'processed' through all those preliminary channels.

So Imagineers keep on imagining cool stuff....and keep pitching cool concepts.....but it's the purse holders and Marketing Departments that can sometimes have a overpowering influence on what we see today in the Parks.
They are the ones holding WDI's reigns.
There are several places and even Attractions today's Imagineers would LOVE to refresh or completely re-do ( 'Journey Into Your Imagination', anyone..? ) but are not 'allowed' to because the Company does not feel it is necessary or does not want to dole out the cash at this time.
So the frustration fans sometimes feel for certain disappointments should not be directed towards the folks over on Flower Street.....they are waiting patiently along with the rest of us !

 

[POLY LOVER]

Imagineers today do plenty of 'imagining'....but you have to realize that they are only 'allowed' to do so much at any given time.
It's the Company they work for that determines if, when, where, and how big or small a project comes to fruition and in what direction that idea of yours ends up looking like when all is said and done.

I think a common misconception among general Park Fans that it is Imagineering that decides what goes into the Theme Parks, and they can just come in and place anything anywhere to where they see fit.
Not quite the full story.
It is only when a need is realized either through the uppers within the Company, or Park Ops requesting it from the Company, that the folks at WDI are called in to come up with a solution or an answer to said need.

Yes, WDI does have a real influence on what ends up in the Parks....but it is usually with many changes made to the original concept.
Most would assume a incredible, sure winner concept would make it in with no roadblocks...but nothing could be further from the truth.
There are so many hurdles that a concept needs to jump over before even being seriously considered as a contender.
An idea that has real potential to be incredibly ground breaking or visually exciting can get beaten into something quite different thanks to Legal, Marketing, Accounting, inter-Company politics, and so many other facets the general public is not aware of.
That amazing concept a team came up with often ends up very different after being 'processed' through all those preliminary channels.

So Imagineers keep on imagining cool stuff....and keep pitching cool concepts.....but it's the purse holders and Marketing Departments that can sometimes have a overpowering influence on what we see today in the Parks.
They are the ones holding WDI's reigns.
There are several places and even Attractions today's Imagineers would LOVE to refresh or completely re-do ( 'Journey Into Your Imagination', anyone..? ) but are not 'allowed' to because the Company does not feel it is necessary or does not want to dole out the cash at this time.
So the frustration fans sometimes feel for certain disappointments should not be directed towards the folks over on Flower Street.....they are waiting patiently along with the rest of us !

great insight, Thanks

 

[POLY LOVER]

Someone posted some great concept art of I think the Tokoyo version of little mermaid , it was spectacular but never made it here. It would have been so cool to see that here. its ashame that the purse string holders don't have the imagination of the designers and let them do what they do best. How cool would it be to let them have a free hand in the new star wars land or toy story land and see what results. I bet it would be spectacular. I just fear that they will be restrained by time and money to get it on line and it may dissapoint. I truly hope not but the fear is there.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Someone posted some great concept art of I think the Tokoyo version of little mermaid , it was spectacular but never made it here. It would have been so cool to see that here. its ashame that the purse string holders don't have the imagination of the designers and let them do what they do best. How cool would it be to let them have a free hand in the new star wars land or toy story land and see what results. I bet it would be spectacular. I just fear that they will be restrained by time and money to get it on line and it may dissapoint. I truly hope not but the fear is there.

The "purse string holders" in Tokyo don't hold purse strings for any of the other parks.

If there were not limitations ch as schedule and budget, things would just never get done. It would just be ever revolving design.

 

[POLY LOVER]

The "purse string holders" in Tokyo don't hold purse strings for any of the other parks.

If there were not limitations ch as schedule and budget, things would just never get done. It would just be ever revolving design.

isn't that the same struggle in most companys, but I thought since Disney is all about imagination and innovation they would have found a way to strike a better balance. The imagineers are the engine that make the parks special and my impression is that they still understand the Walt Disney dream more than others. I have no proof but its the impression I get. I would love an experient to give them one area unrestrained by budget and management interference to run a project beginning to end and see the results. In essence give them a blank canvas and let them loose.

 

[lazyboy97o]

isn't that the same struggle in most companys, but I thought since Disney is all about imagination and innovation they would have found a way to strike a better balance. The imagineers are the engine that make the parks special and my impression is that they still understand the Walt Disney dream more than others. I have no proof but its the impression I get. I would love an experient to give them one area unrestrained by budget and management interference to run a project beginning to end and see the results. In essence give them a blank canvas and let them loose.

But nobody has unlimited funds and doing such an exercise doesn't address the continued wastefulness that comes from how the organization operates. Creative works don't come from having anything and everything, it very much is a product of constraints.

 

[POLY LOVER]

But nobody has unlimited funds and doing such an exercise doesn't address the continued wastefulness that comes from how the organization operates. Creative works don't come from having anything and everything, it very much is a product of constraints.

wasteful has never been a term I have heard associated with Disney. Anyone have input into their effeciency? how about just giving them a free hand on a refurb?

 

[danlb_2000]

wasteful has never been a term I have heard associated with Disney. Anyone have input into their effeciency? how about just giving them a free hand on a refurb?

Hyperion Wharf. Went through planning, designs, permits and even land clearing, and then they changed their mind. They probably wasted a good chunk of money on that.

 

[POLY LOVER]

Hyperion Wharf. Went through planning, designs, permits and even land clearing, and then they changed their mind. They probably wasted a good chunk of money on that.

what year did that happen, was it due to the economy?

 

[POLY LOVER]

The "purse string holders" in Tokyo don't hold purse strings for any of the other parks.

If there were not limitations ch as schedule and budget, things would just never get done. It would just be ever revolving design.

True, but movies have budgets and they get broken for the sake of adding another scene to make the picture work. Like Jaws for instance, Spielberg needed a few more shots after it was completed he fought for it and got it done. Who fights for the attractions when the imagineers need just a bit more to make it a hit?

 

[Master Yoda]

what year did that happen, was it due to the economy?

The official announcement was in November of 2010.

Demolition began, but stalled in 2011 as Disney could not attract tenants.

The plan was revamped and the new Disney Springs concept was announced in March of 2013.

 

[POLY LOVER]

But nobody has unlimited funds and doing such an exercise doesn't address the continued wastefulness that comes from how the organization operates. Creative works don't come from having anything and everything, it very much is a product of constraints.

thinking about LCA in DHS if they tear down the stadium that will be a loss for a short lived attraction? compared to say the life of Indiana Jones.