Marty Sklar to Leave WDI

[Arch Angel]

Oh, that is beautiful. What an amazing man.

We were lucky to have him, and there will most likely be another like him.

I certainly hope not

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I certainly hope not

Nor do I, but do you really foresee them building another "EPCOT? Another 5 parks?

And even if they did, will it have a leader that not only knows, but LIVED the Disney Legacy?

 

[jt04]

I certainly hope not

 

[jakeman]

It's nice to have Enigma back.

He's his own special brand of pessimism!:ROFLOL:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

It's nice to have Enigma back.

He's his own special brand of pessimism!:ROFLOL:

Oh goodness.:lol: You might be right. We caught the other one after he was given the boot, but I hadn't noticed this time around....Hmmmmm.

 

[LudwigVonDrake]

Well. We've lost 2 great legends in the past month. Harry Kalis and Marty Sklar. We'll miss you Marty.

Ummm, Harry Kalas died. Marty is just retiring.

 

[WDW1974]

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.

I completely agree. And I didn't mean to characterize his tenure as anything less than what it was.

He helped put together some absolutely amazing projects, the likes of which we almost assuredly will not see again in our lifetimes (at least from Disney).

But I do feel strongly that, like Michael Eisner before him, he overstayed his welcome and tainted his own legacy sadly by supporting and defending some of things he did. I will also say his 'faith' as you put it in Tom (among others) and others is ... definitely not one of his greatest codas.

Ultimately, though, Marty did some wonderful things and I wish him well in his well-earned retirement.

 

[MousDad]

Yes, I too was annoyed by his condescending cajolement of the fans over the IASW flap.

But, I agree with the general sentiment that such an incident should not measure the man or the brilliant accomplishments of his career.

He had an almost esclusively unique place in the history of the company, and it's sad to see that come to an end.

BTW, his farewell letter was posted at Another Place.

 

[HMF]

Just got some intelligence that Fitzgerald might be on the chopping block.:sohappy:

 

[HMF]

He was to Disney what Sean hannity is to the republican party.

Did he have a "Hate Sklar Hotline"?

 

[Lee]

Just got some intelligence that Fitzgerald might be on the chopping block.:sohappy:

Now THAT would be some big news.
Much bigger impact than Marty leaving.

 

[jt04]

It's nice to have Enigma back.

He's his own special brand of pessimism!:ROFLOL:

You know the first time I saw the archangel poster I thought of Enigma. Something about the name and avatar gave it away.

I think he is more bitter than pessimistic.:lol:

 

[SirGoofy]

Now THAT would be some big news.
Much bigger impact than Marty leaving.

Yea, agreed.

I'd be curious to see where this "intelligence" came from.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Just got some intelligence that Fitzgerald might be on the chopping block.:sohappy:

It's Holmes all over again.

God help us all...-The Comedian, Watchmen

[/Servo]:lol: