-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
MMLF: The Mickey Mouse Liberation Front
- Thread starter daoVinci
- Start date
MouseRight
Active Member
I think that there are too many negative vibes surrounding these issues by us true-blue Disney fans - who think we know how Walt himself would handle (By the way, the Man himself would be the first to tell you that he made mistakes along the way). Look at this from the average visitor's persepctive. Sorry, I think this is a "quality, well themed attraction, built cheaply." I like the theming of the ride. Although it is a spinner, there was much time and attention paid to the details to make the look - Disney detail, not seen in other Theme Parks. The carpets design and ability to rock and roll as well as move up and down, the camels, etc. I count only 2 spinners - Dumbo and Alladin. If you are counting the rockets in Tomorrowland, I think of that as different type of ride because of teh height. Small children will not usaully go on it (At least their parents won't let them or are too afraid of heights themselves to go on it). I agree with your crowded comments but look at the area around teh Carousel, Dumbo and Ariel's Grotto and the area between IASW and Peter Pan. Tough to get around due to all of the peole and carriages hanging around (especially when you are rushing to get to Space Mountain before your fast pass expires) and remember this was designed by WDW himself. I am not that uptight about the surrounding theme, The average WDW visitor does not notice the difference in the theme - they are just happy to have a ride for their kids to go on in a different area of the park. Themes are mixed all over the parks - What does Philarmagic have to do with the Fantasyland theme which was originally created to evoke images of Disney's classic Animated movies? Space was limited in the MK and they made a decision to put the ride there and made every effort to blend it in.
MouseRight
Active Member
Another view from an industry observer:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/accent...itions/today/accent_f3dce15563cdd04e001b.html
Fair and balanced article about ABC Family.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/accent...itions/today/accent_f3dce17563cd417c003b.html
I belive these articles show both sides of the issues. Some failures and some successes. Let's address the failures and make sure teh world knows about the successes.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/accent...itions/today/accent_f3dce15563cdd04e001b.html
Fair and balanced article about ABC Family.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/accent...itions/today/accent_f3dce17563cd417c003b.html
I belive these articles show both sides of the issues. Some failures and some successes. Let's address the failures and make sure teh world knows about the successes.
Raidermatt
Active Member
I support the letter whole-heartedly.
The creative soul of the company is being killed. For proof of that, we need look no further than the opinions and actions of the creative employees, and former employees, of the company.
Financial results will see short term moves in both directions. There are too many moving parts to simply say that a good year at the box office means all is well. Without that creative soul, the long term prognosis for the company is that, at best, it will become just like any other company. Some would say that has already happened.
Hemming and hawing about a particular ride or film isn't going to get us anywhere right now. The facts are that creative talent continues to either leave, or be booted out the door. When there is a success, like L&S, the creators leave the company.
People like the folks at Henson and Pixar consider Eisner a liability and want nothing to do with him. If that wasn't the case, there would be no foundation for Disney/Gold to use to go to them and ask for support (if that is even actually happening).
Its not about finding a certain number of successes. Its about asking what kind of success Disney is capable of under the right leadership.
The creative soul of the company is being killed. For proof of that, we need look no further than the opinions and actions of the creative employees, and former employees, of the company.
Financial results will see short term moves in both directions. There are too many moving parts to simply say that a good year at the box office means all is well. Without that creative soul, the long term prognosis for the company is that, at best, it will become just like any other company. Some would say that has already happened.
Hemming and hawing about a particular ride or film isn't going to get us anywhere right now. The facts are that creative talent continues to either leave, or be booted out the door. When there is a success, like L&S, the creators leave the company.
People like the folks at Henson and Pixar consider Eisner a liability and want nothing to do with him. If that wasn't the case, there would be no foundation for Disney/Gold to use to go to them and ask for support (if that is even actually happening).
Its not about finding a certain number of successes. Its about asking what kind of success Disney is capable of under the right leadership.
I know this whole string is off topic, but I have agree about the Carpets. I'm not crazy about where they put it, but my kids love the ride. They wouldn't care if an attraction was in the middle of I-4, they want to ride again and again. Having said that, I plunk down the $40+ for them to get in so they either agree with me or they wait in the car :lol:
I believe that hiding behind September 11 is a total cop out for many corporate execs. All the decline that companies suffered after September 11 was the perfect excuse and opportunity for major corporations to cut costs and increase profits. I am not your average Joe and I do have a college degree. I am well versed in the principles of business and what it takes for business to be successful. With the exception of air travel, no other larger corporations suffered the overwhelming lack of business that would cause executives to push the panic button. Now, for anyone who would try and discredit my claims to this point, let me say this.
First, i have to assume that Eisner took Business 101 when he was a freshman in college. Let me let some people in on a little secret. ALL economies are cyclical. They all go through periods of booms and busts. Major corporations SHOULD plan business activities and make proper investments in order to be prepared to ride out the busts in the economy that occur naturally. Other than insurance companies, airlines, and small business, no one should have even been in the situation to panic. Sure, listen to the popular, ANTI-BUSINESS media, and they will have you panicking too. Yes, profits did suffer, however, Disney was no where near a situation that required bare-bones development and maintenance of attractions or any other entertainment ventures.
I read Eisner's autobiography. Let me say this. He is extremely intelligent and charismatic, and capable of anything he sets his mind too. However, he has an enormous ego, is arrogant, and is a total control-freak whose concern is the bottom line. When he first joined Disney, he had something to prove; however, he is now the big dog in the yard and is concerned with one thing..........profit.
The carpets of Aladdin, althoug a good ride for families, is a JOKE!! Will you just think of the excellent dark ride Aladdin could have been in Fantasyland. Think of Peter Pan with flying carpets. Also, I believe that Winnie the Pooh could have been much better than it is . Sure it is a good ride, but it could have been great. Also, what about a little mermaid attraction IN the 20000 leagues under the sea area that is now Ariel's Grotto. Look at MGM. MGM is Outstanding, but how much has it changed in the last few years. In some cases i believe Disney in a thrill ride competition with the other parks. But that is bull. NO ONE competes with Disney. Disney sets the standard and everyone else tries to follow but cannot.
Eisner needs to go. I am afraid his need to feed his ego is damaging the company. This company is more to its customers than JUST a business. For many of us, it is a major part of our lives. Go Roy. I am totally with the MMLF. Down with Eisner.
First, i have to assume that Eisner took Business 101 when he was a freshman in college. Let me let some people in on a little secret. ALL economies are cyclical. They all go through periods of booms and busts. Major corporations SHOULD plan business activities and make proper investments in order to be prepared to ride out the busts in the economy that occur naturally. Other than insurance companies, airlines, and small business, no one should have even been in the situation to panic. Sure, listen to the popular, ANTI-BUSINESS media, and they will have you panicking too. Yes, profits did suffer, however, Disney was no where near a situation that required bare-bones development and maintenance of attractions or any other entertainment ventures.
I read Eisner's autobiography. Let me say this. He is extremely intelligent and charismatic, and capable of anything he sets his mind too. However, he has an enormous ego, is arrogant, and is a total control-freak whose concern is the bottom line. When he first joined Disney, he had something to prove; however, he is now the big dog in the yard and is concerned with one thing..........profit.
The carpets of Aladdin, althoug a good ride for families, is a JOKE!! Will you just think of the excellent dark ride Aladdin could have been in Fantasyland. Think of Peter Pan with flying carpets. Also, I believe that Winnie the Pooh could have been much better than it is . Sure it is a good ride, but it could have been great. Also, what about a little mermaid attraction IN the 20000 leagues under the sea area that is now Ariel's Grotto. Look at MGM. MGM is Outstanding, but how much has it changed in the last few years. In some cases i believe Disney in a thrill ride competition with the other parks. But that is bull. NO ONE competes with Disney. Disney sets the standard and everyone else tries to follow but cannot.
Eisner needs to go. I am afraid his need to feed his ego is damaging the company. This company is more to its customers than JUST a business. For many of us, it is a major part of our lives. Go Roy. I am totally with the MMLF. Down with Eisner.
Right. As I said, the carpets wouldn't be such an issue with many of us, I think, if it wasn't evidence of the larger issue at hand...Roy's (and now Marty Sklar's and Harvey Weinstein's) aforementioned "Creativity Stifling."
Let me try to phrase the problem a bit differently. Park and Movie attendence are up...naturally since the economy seems to be in an early recovery mode. People who put off Visiting due to 9-11 fears or economic stress are now begining to get back to having fun. This gradual resurgence will likey continue for two, maybe three years.
My worry is what they will find when they get there. The parks must not be allowed to stagnate...and re-themeing of rides (i.e. Dumbo--->The carpets, transplanting Soarin' into THE LAND [I still don't get that one], etc) IS a form of mildly veiled stagnation.
It's the same thinking that led to sequals and remakes. Sequals will never be as good as the original because you don't get to 'discover' the characters. Remakes lack both character revelation AND fresh plot and are even worse.
If you go to Disney looking for Disney and you find Six Flags over Orlando...you'd be less likely to return. And THAT is where the real problems will begin. If the Disney creative spark is gone, I'm not making the nine-hour drive to Orlando again when there's a Six Flags less than two hours away...for $20/person.
Roy leaving...that can perhaps be construed as sour grapes. Gold following...less so. Marty Sklar openly voicing concerns? Things are probably reaching critical mass.
Profits are not...and never were...the leading indicator of company performance over the long term. For that, look at company morale and where capital is being invested. Morale has been sinking for a while (at least, I know it has on the retail side with The Disney Store). And capital has NOT been going into concepting exciting new ride ideas or feature animation.
This is why I'd like to send the letter.
I am right there with you daovinci. I am firmly behind your letter. i believe it states what many of us feel. it is vital that we the Disney Repeat Customer voice OUR opinion. We are the ones who return time after time and will pass this on through our families as our parents did for us. i am behind you. Daovinci, send the letter. You have our support. For those who want to sit on the fence, oh well. But we have to do what we know is right. Mr. Eisner needs to resign for the betterment of Disney.
The MMLF is moving!
In order to provide an outlet for anti-Eisner sentiments and let the boards get back to normal, I've created a site for the mmlf. Please bear in mind that it's rough, and still very much a work in progress.
Hopefully by the end of the day I'll have a message board of some sort up so folks can come vent and dream of the day when Roy puts the Dream back in Disney.
Until then, feel free to send me an e-mail!
Check out mmlf headquarters
In order to provide an outlet for anti-Eisner sentiments and let the boards get back to normal, I've created a site for the mmlf. Please bear in mind that it's rough, and still very much a work in progress.
Hopefully by the end of the day I'll have a message board of some sort up so folks can come vent and dream of the day when Roy puts the Dream back in Disney.
Until then, feel free to send me an e-mail!
Check out mmlf headquarters