The previous thread was getting rather long so I felt the need to start a new one. I've read all the entries and am impressed of how much people follow the ongoings of the Disney Company. How much of it is true is a different question all together. However, I'll just touch lightly on my opinions:
While I can understand Peter's points, the demand for Eisner's removal did not spawn from cheap attractions. The company as a whole is not operating at the level it is used to be. Eisner did a great job in reviving the Company in the late 80's and early 90's, but his leadership is no longer needed. For me the problem with the Company is that it has grown too big and has taken on way too much. I can understand the reason for acquiring ABC in the mid 90's, but its performance has faltered greatly and has seen much little improvement. More time and effort should have been focused on fixing ABC, yet Eisner allowed the purchase of the Fox Family Channel for 5 billion. If something is not working, why buy the exact same thing and hope to improve it?
Many of the attractions Peter lists are indeed great attractions. However, the state of the parks, particularly the Magic Kingdom are in need of great repair. I was in the College Program and had the opportunity to see and experience for myself the backstage areas that the average guest does not see. And for those of you who have been on the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour which allows you to visit the Utilidor, you do not really see all that much. Working at the Magic Kingdom, which is a 30 year old building, I can say that it needs much work and repair. Paint is fading, leaks are everywhere, pipes are rusting, the list goes on.
I love visiting Disney Parks when there is a new attraction and I love riding the older attractions. However, the older attractions could definitely be upgraded. Take for instance Star Tours or Body Wars which have used the same ride sequence since opening day. These could easily, although it would take a lot of money, be "remade" and give guests a new experience. Other more traditional dark rides like Peter Pan & Snow White could be much more incredible if MGMT would capitalize on today's technology and make it more exciting than the standards it set decades ago. Walt always said that Disneyland would be an ongoing process, always changing. These older parks and attractions need a lot of change and its not being done.
However, the attractions arent the only reason for people voicing out against Eisner. The lack of originality in the animation department has taken its toll with the layoff of DAF. Moving into computer generated animation isnt necessarily going to improve Disney's problem with its movies. It is the lack of storytelling which, probably since after the Lion King, has found a formula and stuck with it. This has definitely hurt the animation department. I think that if you took Toy Story or Finding Nemo and drew it frame by frame from hand, people would still enjoy them. Everyone I talked to loved the story. In fact thats all I would hear. As a cast member, I was able to get great feedback from what works and what doesnt through talking with guests. Most of them just thought it was a great story. Great stories are hard to find at Disney these days, which is sad because it used to be the best storyteller in the world. Look at all the cheap straight to dvd movies and sequels that do not offer anything original and stick with the same formula. These products are only made to make a quick buck! This makes Disney look very cheap!
My third fault, certainly not my last, with Eisner's management is the lack of employee empowerment. To me, this is the most important factor for Eisner to address. During my eight months in Orlando, I met some incredible people who truly embody the Disney Spirit. Some of my coworkers in custodial have worked there since the park opened and do indeed love their job. But ask any cast member about what they think of Eisner and you will see a smile change into a frown rather quickly. The basic cast member, the one who is operating Dumbo or sweeping up popcorn on the sidewalk, has been left behind in the past 10 years or so. This is based on inadequate wage rates, to improper training or lack thereof, and so on. Traditions used to be a 3 day course and has since been reduced to 3-4 hours. As a cast member it could be very difficult communicating with another CM who spoke very little english. This is also challenging for many guests. It seems that Disney is hiring people who are willing to work for lower wages rather than hire those who are qualified and would be a great asset to the Company. The morale of CM's is extremely low. Employee empowerment should be a top priority in a company which relies heavily on guest interaction. Michael Eisner does not interact with guests on a day to day basis and does not really have a clue. Cast members are due a lot more respect from top executives. After all, it is the cast member and the animator and the imagineer that makes the magic, not Eisner.
"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality."
While I can understand Peter's points, the demand for Eisner's removal did not spawn from cheap attractions. The company as a whole is not operating at the level it is used to be. Eisner did a great job in reviving the Company in the late 80's and early 90's, but his leadership is no longer needed. For me the problem with the Company is that it has grown too big and has taken on way too much. I can understand the reason for acquiring ABC in the mid 90's, but its performance has faltered greatly and has seen much little improvement. More time and effort should have been focused on fixing ABC, yet Eisner allowed the purchase of the Fox Family Channel for 5 billion. If something is not working, why buy the exact same thing and hope to improve it?
Many of the attractions Peter lists are indeed great attractions. However, the state of the parks, particularly the Magic Kingdom are in need of great repair. I was in the College Program and had the opportunity to see and experience for myself the backstage areas that the average guest does not see. And for those of you who have been on the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour which allows you to visit the Utilidor, you do not really see all that much. Working at the Magic Kingdom, which is a 30 year old building, I can say that it needs much work and repair. Paint is fading, leaks are everywhere, pipes are rusting, the list goes on.
I love visiting Disney Parks when there is a new attraction and I love riding the older attractions. However, the older attractions could definitely be upgraded. Take for instance Star Tours or Body Wars which have used the same ride sequence since opening day. These could easily, although it would take a lot of money, be "remade" and give guests a new experience. Other more traditional dark rides like Peter Pan & Snow White could be much more incredible if MGMT would capitalize on today's technology and make it more exciting than the standards it set decades ago. Walt always said that Disneyland would be an ongoing process, always changing. These older parks and attractions need a lot of change and its not being done.
However, the attractions arent the only reason for people voicing out against Eisner. The lack of originality in the animation department has taken its toll with the layoff of DAF. Moving into computer generated animation isnt necessarily going to improve Disney's problem with its movies. It is the lack of storytelling which, probably since after the Lion King, has found a formula and stuck with it. This has definitely hurt the animation department. I think that if you took Toy Story or Finding Nemo and drew it frame by frame from hand, people would still enjoy them. Everyone I talked to loved the story. In fact thats all I would hear. As a cast member, I was able to get great feedback from what works and what doesnt through talking with guests. Most of them just thought it was a great story. Great stories are hard to find at Disney these days, which is sad because it used to be the best storyteller in the world. Look at all the cheap straight to dvd movies and sequels that do not offer anything original and stick with the same formula. These products are only made to make a quick buck! This makes Disney look very cheap!
My third fault, certainly not my last, with Eisner's management is the lack of employee empowerment. To me, this is the most important factor for Eisner to address. During my eight months in Orlando, I met some incredible people who truly embody the Disney Spirit. Some of my coworkers in custodial have worked there since the park opened and do indeed love their job. But ask any cast member about what they think of Eisner and you will see a smile change into a frown rather quickly. The basic cast member, the one who is operating Dumbo or sweeping up popcorn on the sidewalk, has been left behind in the past 10 years or so. This is based on inadequate wage rates, to improper training or lack thereof, and so on. Traditions used to be a 3 day course and has since been reduced to 3-4 hours. As a cast member it could be very difficult communicating with another CM who spoke very little english. This is also challenging for many guests. It seems that Disney is hiring people who are willing to work for lower wages rather than hire those who are qualified and would be a great asset to the Company. The morale of CM's is extremely low. Employee empowerment should be a top priority in a company which relies heavily on guest interaction. Michael Eisner does not interact with guests on a day to day basis and does not really have a clue. Cast members are due a lot more respect from top executives. After all, it is the cast member and the animator and the imagineer that makes the magic, not Eisner.
"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality."
