uglybug2005
New Member
"Everything in this room may be thrown out and changed time and time again before we even break ground, but the heart of what we hope to accomplish will remain very much the same." "It will be a showcase of American free enterprise and technical know-how"
-Walt Disney (from the original Epcot pitch film)
Coincidentally, a major part of the concept presented originally was a product testing/factory tour area where various companies would sponsor exhibits to showcase new technologies in various fields of industry. Walt also wanted an internationally themed shopping and dining area to be a part of his downtown.
These were two of the many "bits and pieces" of Walt's EPCOT dream that his successor E. Cardon Walker, son-in-law and protoge Ron Miller, and the dedicated team at WED Enterprises (now WDI) actually created and brought to reality across property at Walt Disney World.
They accomplished the feasible parts of the goal already.
Incidentally, Roy E. Disney, Sid Bass, Stanley Gold, and their associates removed Ron from his post as CEO of Walt Disney Productions and hired in Michael Eisner two years after Epcot opened. Michael Eisner did not "take over", he was sought out, and he accomplished the goals he was hired to achieve.
The reason Ron got the axe? He was failing to keep the company financially solvent (which is what Roy O. Disney and Frank G. Wells were able to do), as well as creatively ambitious (say thank you to Uncle Walt and Uncle Michael).
The company needed new ideas and good business sense, and it coasted along under Card and then Ron on the financial momentum of past success and "same old, same old" formulaic ideas of the past (or as Walt would have said, they were resting on their laurels*)
:brick:
*yes, the same could be said of Michael during the last 8 years of his tenure, but he did recommend Bob, and Bob seems to be steering the ship in the right direction once again.
-Walt Disney (from the original Epcot pitch film)
Coincidentally, a major part of the concept presented originally was a product testing/factory tour area where various companies would sponsor exhibits to showcase new technologies in various fields of industry. Walt also wanted an internationally themed shopping and dining area to be a part of his downtown.
These were two of the many "bits and pieces" of Walt's EPCOT dream that his successor E. Cardon Walker, son-in-law and protoge Ron Miller, and the dedicated team at WED Enterprises (now WDI) actually created and brought to reality across property at Walt Disney World.
They accomplished the feasible parts of the goal already.
Incidentally, Roy E. Disney, Sid Bass, Stanley Gold, and their associates removed Ron from his post as CEO of Walt Disney Productions and hired in Michael Eisner two years after Epcot opened. Michael Eisner did not "take over", he was sought out, and he accomplished the goals he was hired to achieve.
The reason Ron got the axe? He was failing to keep the company financially solvent (which is what Roy O. Disney and Frank G. Wells were able to do), as well as creatively ambitious (say thank you to Uncle Walt and Uncle Michael).
The company needed new ideas and good business sense, and it coasted along under Card and then Ron on the financial momentum of past success and "same old, same old" formulaic ideas of the past (or as Walt would have said, they were resting on their laurels*)
:brick:
*yes, the same could be said of Michael during the last 8 years of his tenure, but he did recommend Bob, and Bob seems to be steering the ship in the right direction once again.
What do you think Connor.... just another misguided kid??? 
