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Spirited Spring Break News, Observations & Thoughts ...
- Thread starter WDW1974
- Start date
I am sorry (truly) that I don't have time to sit around and chat.
But I am aware there has been more rearranging of deck chairs. What shocks me is the fact people could view Sam Lau and Tom Fitzgerald taking over EPCOT as a good thing.
I see that is how Disney (naturally) wants it spun in the fan community. I guess people have VERY short memories. Transportation hasn't been a disaster, has it?
And Tom? Seriously? I expected his name might be newsworthy in the near future, but it wasn't because of this. I guess fanbois have short memories and forget what type of projects he has been behind of late and what his backstabbing did to other Imagineers with much more talent.
I also think that jumping to a conclusion that this is somehow an EPCOT 'Dream Team' is just beyond misguided.
As to Scott Trowbridge, he is a very talented guy who WDI plucked from UNI. And since then, he has done very little. I certainly feel much better about his move, and I do believe (and I have way too much email and messages to go through right now) that this is a positive move for DLR and for Star Wars product globally. That's the good news I'd take away from the last 24 hours.
The EPCOT news? ... I want proof that there's going to be real positive CHANGE before I say one remotely positive thing ... as of now, I just don't see it. The PR spin is natural. Don't give into the power of the Dark Side, friends.
But I am aware there has been more rearranging of deck chairs. What shocks me is the fact people could view Sam Lau and Tom Fitzgerald taking over EPCOT as a good thing.
I see that is how Disney (naturally) wants it spun in the fan community. I guess people have VERY short memories. Transportation hasn't been a disaster, has it?
And Tom? Seriously? I expected his name might be newsworthy in the near future, but it wasn't because of this. I guess fanbois have short memories and forget what type of projects he has been behind of late and what his backstabbing did to other Imagineers with much more talent.
I also think that jumping to a conclusion that this is somehow an EPCOT 'Dream Team' is just beyond misguided.
As to Scott Trowbridge, he is a very talented guy who WDI plucked from UNI. And since then, he has done very little. I certainly feel much better about his move, and I do believe (and I have way too much email and messages to go through right now) that this is a positive move for DLR and for Star Wars product globally. That's the good news I'd take away from the last 24 hours.
The EPCOT news? ... I want proof that there's going to be real positive CHANGE before I say one remotely positive thing ... as of now, I just don't see it. The PR spin is natural. Don't give into the power of the Dark Side, friends.
WDWFanDave
Well-Known Member
Thanks for dropping in and sharing what you did. I think, since we're all here, we really want these things they tell us to be both meaningful and significant from a park development/re-development standpoint. If only it could happen. Yep, as my grandma use to tell me, if wishes were horses, then everyone would ride...
A quick note, as I know you're getting ready to head on vacation. My family and I had a terrific time today at Kings Dominion, which is part of the Cedar Fair group, which I believe is under Matt O's guidance (former Disney, right?). Nicely done. They are celebrating 40 years of being open, and I'd heard they spent the whole off season really polishing things up...well, I have to say, it's pretty nice. Still things I'm sure they could do, but for the price, I think the value is there (well, not the food) without question.
I hope you have a terrific time away, wherever it is you're headed! 'See' you when you get back.
Captain Neo
Well-Known Member
Finally someone drops a truth bomb around here.
Stitchon
Well-Known Member
Whenever someone complains about Disney's high food prices, I show them a photo of a menu from Great America or Kings Island. Disney combos may push $12, but the Cedar Fair parks pass $15 without drinks. Of course, the fact that Cedar Fair finally got Great America's woodie built is a big plus for me, even if the rest of the park feels kind of neglected.
Lee
Adventurer
I see what you did there....
Darth Sidious
Authentically Disney Distinctly Chinese
Tigger1988
Well-Known Member
I remember paying over $30 for 2 people to get a soggy paper plate with 4 chicken nuggets and some fries at Great Adventure a few years back.
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
Politics aside, can someone explain to me the Tom Fitzgerald hate? Also what PR spin? Has this even been publicized outside of Steve's announcement?
Snowflake82
Active Member
We spent one day at Kings Dominion at the end of last summer - my first time back in about 25 years - and I was quite pleasantly surprised at how nice the park looked. The day was planned mainly for the kids, and all had a great time (7 boys between ages of 8 - 13). I expect we'll go back again this year, especially as I continue to hear not so great reports about Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
flynnibus
Premium Member
PR spin as in message delivered within the company
Fitzgerald has a rap because of the backstabbing and power plays happening within WDI.. being at odds with favorites like Baxter.. and playing the 'new' WDI games with Vaughn and others while marginalizing/pushing out other creatives they didn't like. He's also got a rap for being associated with screens instead of physical effects (even tho he worked on the original EPCOT stuff).
Funmeister
Well-Known Member
Interesting that Sam was hired away from San Fran specifically to "fix" the transportation system. Still not fixed...now he is being moved to Epcot? Makes no sense at all.
Thanks.
I have some happy childhood memories of King's Dominion ... it was more of a theme park back in the 80s when I visited. A quality regional park. I'd go back sometime, but I am never in that region really.
I'd need 15,000 words ... so here is a very short version.
Tom for years (and reasons unknown to most of us) was Marty's little pet. And Tom got moved far ahead of other more senior -- and definitely more talented -- Imagineers. He is a quality showwriter and he knows film-based attractions, but seems to have a fundamental disconnect when it comes to attractions that Disney fans would call iconic (many developed by his favorite foe in Glendale, Tony Baxter).
I don't know how much it has been publicized. It seemed to be announced quietly on a Friday afternoon.
And I would call Steve's announcement to be slanted at the least. If you're going to talk about a whole new way of viewing EPCOT and getting back to what's important then you should provide some reasons for this opinion IF you don't have facts to back you up or can't place them out to protect sources.
When I read the note on the News page here, I first thought it had come straight from a press release.
Based on Tom's career/history, there is no obvious reason why this would be viewed as good news.
Oh, wanted to place this out there for those interested:
www.clickorlando.com/news/former-disney-cruise-security-officer-speaks-out/25643656
www.clickorlando.com/news/former-disney-cruise-security-officer-speaks-out/25643656
Tom is lead creative for the Paris resort. How much he has done on the Rat ride, I really don't know.
NoChesterHester
Well-Known Member
Which does show that regardless of individual design talent if the right team is put together quality can still spring forth. These things aren't designed by one person scribbling on paper or waving their arms. More like an army.
If the right team is on Epcot, and it gets the proper attention, maybe they can at the very least stop taking on water.