piratetreasure
New Member
Well. We've lost 2 great legends in the past month. Harry Kalis and Marty Sklar. We'll miss you Marty.
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Marty Sklar to Leave WDI
- Thread starter DisneyDellsDude
- Start date
JWG
Well-Known Member
Sad to see Marty go, but he was cerimonious in his role.
Any knowledge he has should have been passed on over the past 3 years and the loss should be minimal.
I think they tried to make him the "face" of WDI, which frankly, didn't do much because those who know him realize this and it didn't improve opinions of the current WDI and those who didn't know him aren't the ones unhappy with WDI and just think he's someone cool to meet.
Any knowledge he has should have been passed on over the past 3 years and the loss should be minimal.
I think they tried to make him the "face" of WDI, which frankly, didn't do much because those who know him realize this and it didn't improve opinions of the current WDI and those who didn't know him aren't the ones unhappy with WDI and just think he's someone cool to meet.
Ok. I didn't know that - but why would they not want him to work on anything while he was still around? Just for publicity?
Arch Angel
Banned
He was to Disney what Sean hannity is to the republican party. He was just there to justify and spin every decision disney made.
For example, when it was decided to turn Its a small world into a cartoon tie-in he tried to justify it saying that was Mary Blairs original intention (it wasnt). He also said the Submarine Voyage at Disneyland would not sit empty and that a replacement was already ready to go (it wasnt) and during the "Save Disney" campaign he justified all the poor decisions Micheal Eisner had made over the past ten years and basically said Roy Disney was full of ____** for saying that quality was going down across the board.
While the guy did contribute to the Walt Disney Company. He was kind of an a-hole and I'm not really sure he should be praised in the same manner that Marc Davis, X, Bob Gurr, Mary Blaire, Thurl Ravenscroft, etc. are
Arch Angel
Banned
Have you been on it?
SirGoofy
Member
No, but I've been on it before, and I've seen videos of it. I see nothing wrong with the characters in the ride.
EDIT:Before the refurb that is.
Lee
Adventurer
I agree completely.:wave:
Wow...harsh. I totally disagree.Arch Angel said:
While Marty was never one of the more powerful creative forces at WDI, he was a fine leader and a stabilizing force in the department for many years.
He deserves nothing but respect, in my opinion.
imagineer boy
Well-Known Member
He will be missed. 
DisneyEverest
Member
Marty will be missed. He was one of the greatest Disney Legends. Hope he has a great retirement.
ClemsonTigger
Naturally Grumpy
Petty trying to minimize him for a few PR ploys late in his career. An ambassador is a cheerleader, and cheerleaders are suppose to do positive spin. Team is down 40-7, should they throw down their pom-poms and start booing the team too? There are plenty of others out there to trumpet the doomsday scenarios. There were times when Walt was wrong too. does that make him any less of what he was?
I believe you are wrong in that he will be placed right with that company you listed.
While not a vast improvement, I have been on the new IASW, and do think it is just fine.
I'm very happy I got to hear Marty at the Epcot 25, to touch the history, to talk with the only Disney administrator that has been present at the opening of every park, a Disney legacy.
DougK
Well-Known Member
It was an honor for my wife and me to hear Marty Sklar speak from front row seats at EPCOT 25. We waited a little over two hours in the waiting area of the Circle of Life Theatre for the chance to hear him speak about EPCOT Center and Walt Disney.
My wife was not even sure exactly who he was but she sat with me all that time on the floor of the theater waiting area with me anyway because I said she would not be disappointed. She was glad she did. We both thought it was a wonderful chance for a once-in-a-lifetime Magical moment and we will treasure that forever.
Unfortunately as time goes on there will never be more people who knew and worked with Walt Disney personally, there will only be fewer. We should treasure the ones we have left.
He is truly a Disney legend. I wish him a long and happy retirement.
My wife was not even sure exactly who he was but she sat with me all that time on the floor of the theater waiting area with me anyway because I said she would not be disappointed. She was glad she did. We both thought it was a wonderful chance for a once-in-a-lifetime Magical moment and we will treasure that forever.
Unfortunately as time goes on there will never be more people who knew and worked with Walt Disney personally, there will only be fewer. We should treasure the ones we have left.
He is truly a Disney legend. I wish him a long and happy retirement.
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
While I wish Marty lots of enjoyment in retirement, I'll echo some earlier sentiments that his leaving means nothing about the day-to-day operation of WDI.
Personally, I've lost a lot of respect for him over the past decade when he basically sold his soul to remain with Disney by silently allowing Disney standards to slip and telling the fans that they should be happy with everything from DCA to adding characters to Small World.
He started his career with Disney largely as a PR person and that's how he went out, a consumate spinner who was more than happy to be trotted out to the fans and tell them what Walt would have wanted (even when it wasn't).
That's not to take away from the great work he did earlier in his career. EPCOT Center was a testament to that. Just the fact he seemed to conveniently forget so much of what made Disney, Disney ... in the past decade.
When most fans think of WDI they think of Marty. But they don't think (because most don't know) of the toxic work environment that developed there and that he helped foster while pushing the agendas of certain groups, while pitting them against others.
When I think of someone who meant so much to Disney theme parks after Walt Disney there is one man and one man only, and that's John Hench (who sadly passed away five years ago). No one, Walt included, had as much to do with the development of the parks and what set them apart.
Of course, when Marty was telling anyone and everyone who would listen that 'Walt would have loved DCA' ... John was telling people 'I liked it more when it was a parking lot.'
Too bad Marty won't take his favorite Imagineer/protege Tom Fitgzgerald into retirement with him.
Personally, I've lost a lot of respect for him over the past decade when he basically sold his soul to remain with Disney by silently allowing Disney standards to slip and telling the fans that they should be happy with everything from DCA to adding characters to Small World.
He started his career with Disney largely as a PR person and that's how he went out, a consumate spinner who was more than happy to be trotted out to the fans and tell them what Walt would have wanted (even when it wasn't).
That's not to take away from the great work he did earlier in his career. EPCOT Center was a testament to that. Just the fact he seemed to conveniently forget so much of what made Disney, Disney ... in the past decade.
When most fans think of WDI they think of Marty. But they don't think (because most don't know) of the toxic work environment that developed there and that he helped foster while pushing the agendas of certain groups, while pitting them against others.
When I think of someone who meant so much to Disney theme parks after Walt Disney there is one man and one man only, and that's John Hench (who sadly passed away five years ago). No one, Walt included, had as much to do with the development of the parks and what set them apart.
Of course, when Marty was telling anyone and everyone who would listen that 'Walt would have loved DCA' ... John was telling people 'I liked it more when it was a parking lot.'
Too bad Marty won't take his favorite Imagineer/protege Tom Fitgzgerald into retirement with him.
HMF
Well-Known Member
For the past few years he was the "Imagineering Ambassador" which means he was not involved in creative development. As for the new Imagineering Ambassador' I suggest Tom Fitzgerald.(to reward him for his excellent show writing skills and to keep him out of Creative Development so WDI can stop relying on videoscreens for everything.)
HMF
Well-Known Member
Only Marty did not die and it's spelled Kalas.:animwink: no offense.
Orange Bird
Member
All of this is true. But I think it disregards the partnership between John Hench and Marty Sklar on EPCOT Center and Tokyo Disneyland, Disney MGM Studios and Typhoon Lagoon. They were a good team from 1974 to 1989. Had it not been for Marty, Imagineering would have fallen apart a lot sooner (like Animation did in 1984 and again in 2004). Marty's leadership was not perfect (and his faith in Tom Fitzgerald was badly misplaced), but it is unfair to focus on the failures without pointing out the successes.
disneydata
Well-Known Member
Marty's retirement letter
This has been passed around after the announcement - Marty's retirement letter. Kind of made me tear up.
This has been passed around after the announcement - Marty's retirement letter. Kind of made me tear up.
To: All Imagineers and Jay’s EC
I’ve always thought that the two most important dates in Disney’s parks and resorts occurred in July and October. It was on July 17, 1955 that Walt realized his “dream come true” with the dedication of Disneyland. October 1, 1971 and October 1, 1982 marked the official opening days for the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom and for Epcot (then “Epcot Center”).
There’s an extra relevance for me: I was a working Disney cast member for all three of these openings…and for the eight that have followed. From Tokyo to Paris, Orlando to Anaheim, and finally (so far!) Hong Kong, I’ve sweated the final details of construction, installation and show “buy-offs” leading to the openings of all eleven Disney parks around the world. It is with considerable pride that I can say, “I’m the only Disney cast member who has participated in all eleven of those openings.”
I’m anxious to join my fellow Imagineers at the next grand opening, too. But for me, the thrill of watching those gates open and the first guests eagerly racing to the attractions that are already their favorites, will be different next time. Because I’ll be cheering you all on from the sidelines, as a retired Imagineer.
I have decided to turn in my name tag on one of those prime dates: July 17. In 2009, that date will mark Disneyland’s 54th birthday, and my 53rd year as a Disney cast member. (I returned to UCLA after Disneyland’s first summer to finish my senior year, then returned to Disneyland’s public relations department in September 1956.)
Naturally, I’ve been thinking back over those 53 years, and what memories they are, starting with that summer day in 1955. I can still see Walt reading the dedication plaque at Disneyland’s opening. Little did I dream that day, as a 21 year old, that I would spend parts of ten years writing personal material for that amazing man, one of the best known and loved in the entire world.
Of course, July 17, 1955 was just the first of those beautiful blank pages we would fill. It was my luck to be “the kid” among the pros…first in public relations at Disneyland, then at WED Enterprises, Walt’s own company – the home of the original Imagineers.
It was here at Imagineering, beginning in 1961, that my real education truly began. I owe much to UCLA (today I’m even a member of the Alumni Board of Directors), but my greatest “teachers” were right here in Glendale: John Hench, Di ck Irvine, Herb Ryman, Claude Coats, Marc Davis, Blaine Gibson, Fred Joerger, Harriet Burns, Bill Martin, Rollie Crump, Roger Broggie, Bill Evans, Harper Goff, Bill Cottrell, Bob Jolley, Wathel Rogers, Yale Gracey. They were – they are – the true Legends, and though I was truly “the kid” among them, they accepted me and made me part of their team.
I had the privilege (as my own career grew from Staff Writer to Vice President of Concepts and Planning, and then to President and Vice-Chairman and Principal Creative Executive of Imagineering) of working with so many amazing talents, past and present. The Legends defined Imagineer and Imagineering, and you have carried on in the tradition they established: the standard of excellence. Walt created Imagineering, but Imagineers made it sing and dance. What Imagineers design and build has few precedents, but many followers.
Today your ability to marry new stories and characters with the wonders of new technologies is exciting to watch. I have long marveled at the capacity Imagineers have for letting new genies out of their bottles, granting wishes large and small for millions of guests around the world every year.
When I became the creative leader of Imagineering in 1974, one of the first calls I received was from the CEO of Disney, E. Cardon Walker. Walt Disney World had just celebrated its third birthday. “Now,” Card said, “what are we going to do about Walt’s idea for Epcot?”
The next 30 years or so filled so many blank pages they are almost like one of those “flip books”, where everything’s a blur. We created nine more Disney parks, including the five in international locations. Imagineering lived up to its roots and truly became the premiere design, engineering and construction organization in the world. The traditions of passion for our product, great storytelling and inspirational risk-taking – the traditions begun by Walt and those original Imagineers – not only continued, they grew and spread across the oceans.
For the last three years, as your Imagineering Ambassador. I’ve had a great time speechmaking and writing about creativity and leadership. I think I exceeded Jay’s expectations when he asked me to take on this role. We have created “Imagineering Week at the Studio”, represented all of you at special events and talked to thousands on college campuses, at IAAPA and TEA, at conventions across the country and Disney programs and events around the world. And I’ve had fun (that’s our business!) writing for many Disney outlets, especially my philosophy and history communications through Sklargazing on the WDI website.
Now it’s time to turn the page. So many of you have asked that I have finally actually begun writing that book about the people, the places and the passions I have experienced as an Imagineer.
As I said three years ago when my “ambassadorship” began, I know you will keep on dreaming big dreams, and creating the newest and best in the world. I’ll still be looking over your shoulders, cheerleading, and filling new blank pages. It’s the most important Imagineering tradition.
Marty Sklar
EPCOT Explorer
New Member
Oh, that is beautiful.Marty Sklar said:
What an amazing man.We were lucky to have him, and there will most likely be another like him.