Stop the "If Walt was alive"!!!

[Tom P.]

You mad, bro??

...if we try to be honest, walt disney would have likely bankrupted Disney or been removed like his son in law was...

The idea of “Epcot” was pure fantasy and a path to embarrassing bankruptcy...

So Walt’s way probably wouldn’t have worked long term.

BUT...that doesn’t mean that Disney catering to an increasingly mentally LAZY clientele in Orlando isn’t a real thing...

That’s crossing the streams

Well, I think that was true of much of what Walt was involved in, not just EPCOT or theme parks. It was really the combination of Walt's pie-in-the-sky creative dreaming and Roy's down-to-Earth business sense that made the company work. After all, if it weren't for Roy, Magic Kingdom would not have been a thing. Walt didn't even want to do a theme park in Florida. I think Roy gets far too little credit for the success of TWDC. And, honestly, I think that combination is really what's missing today. Iger is clearly a top shelf business guy. Where is the creative yin to his business yang? You need both.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Walt would wholeheartedly disagree.

Of course he would...but eventually the arm can only throw at Jamie Moyer speed

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Well, I think that was true of much of what Walt was involved in, not just EPCOT or theme parks. It was really the combination of Walt's pie-in-the-sky creative dreaming and Roy's down-to-Earth business sense that made the company work. After all, if it weren't for Roy, Magic Kingdom would not have been a thing. Walt didn't even want to do a theme park in Florida. I think Roy gets far too little credit for the success of TWDC. And, honestly, I think that combination is really what's missing today. Iger is clearly a top shelf business guy. Where is the creative yin to his business yang? You need both.

I’m a Roy O./Roy E. Guy...full disclosure. Not the most creative guys...but the by far most important to making sure we have the modern Disney - and can have those wondrous vacations - that we have today.

Eisner was a creative guy who functioned well with the Hollywood broker wells...

...Eisner also called iger an empty suit tv sitcom guy...

...he was mostly right.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

I feel like this thread was started just to stir the pot

 

[DarthVader]

I feel like this thread was started just to stir the pot

Well, if Walt were alive, he'd definitely not like this thread

Personally, I'm ok with the whole if Walt were alive type of posts, its just another way that people can respond with their opinions

 

[NickMaio]

Why do so many people think they have intimate knowledge of Walt Disney and what he would and wouldn't like??

Between posts here and on most of the Facebook pages in the comments sections, it's so tiring and ridiculous for people to say "it's not would Walt would have wanted" or the like.

100% of those statements are so ignorant and NONE of those people have ANY clue what Walt would have wanted or thought in 2018.

Just because someone had some historical knowledge of the man, it doesn't mean you know him or what he would think 50 years after his death.

If "WALT" was alive he would not like your post.........

 

[21stamps]

oh we use it alot here. It might not be worded exactly like that, usually it goes along the line of "Walt would not want this for his park" or "walt would be so upset if he saw Epcot now". When I see it, it's always in relation to Epcot. lol.

...or alcohol in the MK..

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

The theme park business has evolved, and it's not realistic that Disney parks will always be consistent with what Walt Disney had in mind when he built Disneyland.

However, it's not unfair to look at decisions being made through the lens of "what would Walt do?".

Disneyland was built to be a place where families could have fun together, in a themed environment, and get good value for their money. I do question some of the decisions being made, such as an all-ages experience (Ellen's Energy Adventure) giving way to a thrill ride that doesn't fit in the area very well. Not that I dislike thrill rides or think they don't have a place.

What would the parks be like today if Walt was immortal? Who knows. He may be completely focused elsewhere, or he may have given us innovative theme park experiences we cannot even imagine.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I think what OP is trying to get at is his distaste for people constantly complaining about the state of the company. I, too, get a little annoyed by that as well, and I mostly argue pro-Disney to play devil's advocate (and to have a little fun as well ).

But, OP, if you think Walt would be satisfied with the state of today's company you are grossly wrong. Even I'm not too blind to see that. As someone stated before, read up on your history and it's clear how much the parks have deviated from his original vision.

As an aside, OP, if you want to make a compelling argument, avoid using and capitalizing over-generalizations. I'll make bold some of the words you should avoid using next time you want people to believe what you're saying. "100% of those statements are so ignorant and NONE of those people have ANY clue what Walt would have wanted or thought in 2018."

I understand what you are saying, but, please include the fact that over 50 years have passed since his death. Whatever, things he felt were important that many years ago my just not be relevant for today's society. They were good ideas at the time, but, with increased communication and general technology, it just may not be possible today. Things that don't change or move with the times are probably dead. As much as I loved the Disney of the 80's, I refuse to kid myself about how things that worked back then, in all probability, would still work today. I know I don't look at anything or have a whole lot of beliefs that I had 50 years ago. We grow, we change and we adapt based on the reality of the times.

I have to agree, that no one currently knows what Walt would have thought or what he would have felt at this point in time and it is folly to think that we do. Walt was an innovator, ever changing focus and goals. It is plainly shown in how his own brother could never anticipate what he was going to do next, and who could be closer then those two. So I agree. The only reason to even bring up his name now in relation to how he would feel are those that somehow think that they think the same way at Walt did. Quite obviously we don't.

 

[jloucks]

Why do so many people think they have intimate knowledge of Walt Disney and what he would and wouldn't like??

Between posts here and on most of the Facebook pages in the comments sections, it's so tiring and ridiculous for people to say "it's not would Walt would have wanted" or the like.

100% of those statements are so ignorant and NONE of those people have ANY clue what Walt would have wanted or thought in 2018.

Just because someone had some historical knowledge of the man, it doesn't mean you know him or what he would think 50 years after his death.

It is just Walt or anybody? Can we say the same about Henry Ford? I think you can actually examine precedent and determine what someone is likely to think or do. Add to that "mission/belief statements" and you have a pretty good set of predictors.

Of course you cannot mind read, but you can, with varying degrees of accuracy, predict what somebody will do. The more you know them, the higher the accuracy. Many know Walt pretty well. We all know his actions. It is reasonable to assume therefore that predictions would carry a reasonably high level of accuracy.

 

[DisneyDoctor]

I understand what you are saying, but, please include the fact that over 50 years have passed since his death. Whatever, things he felt were important that many years ago my just not be relevant for today's society. They were good ideas at the time, but, with increased communication and general technology, it just may not be possible today. Things that don't change or move with the times are probably dead. As much as I loved the Disney of the 80's, I refuse to kid myself about how things that worked back then, in all probability, would still work today. I know I don't look at anything or have a whole lot of beliefs that I had 50 years ago. We grow, we change and we adapt based on the reality of the times.

I have to agree, that no one currently knows what Walt would have thought or what he would have felt at this point in time and it is folly to think that we do. Walt was an innovator, ever changing focus and goals. It is plainly shown in how his own brother could never anticipate what he was going to do next, and who could be closer then those two. So I agree. The only reason to even bring up his name now in relation to how he would feel are those that somehow think that they think the same way at Walt did. Quite obviously we don't.

I was speaking more on the lack of innovation in the parks. Sure, time changes. But, the developments in WDW as of late have been few and far between. His emphases on service, innovation, and creativity undoubtedly resonate with today's Disney parks, and will continue to well into the future. Very compelling arguments can be made about these three ideals lacking in TDC's current leadership.

Also, I don't think using the line "it was in the past so we have no idea now" is a strong argument. You could insert that line into almost any discussion about the past and end the discussion right there. It does little to actually further the discussion.

 

[GlassHalfFull]

I recently had the conversation with my family.. would WDW be bigger, smaller, the same, or completely out of business if he were still alive until 2000.. An argument certainly could be made that he would have banked way too much money on Epcot and would have bankrupted the company back then because the world wasn't ready for that type of a community.. and his vision would have cost so much more than anyone ever would have given him, ultimately leading to an argument that may have been an insurmountable breakup of all the disney designers.

Just a comment that came out of our convo about What if Walt was alive..

 

[eliza61nyc]

It is just Walt or anybody? Can we say the same about Henry Ford? I think you can actually examine precedent and determine what someone is likely to think or do. Add to that "mission/belief statements" and you have a pretty good set of predictors.

Of course you cannot mind read, but you can, with varying degrees of accuracy, predict what somebody will do. The more you know them, the higher the accuracy. Many know Walt pretty well. We all know his actions. It is reasonable to assume therefore that predictions would carry a reasonably high level of accuracy.

See I don't agree. the reason why is that we are looking through the eyes of the person in that set period of time. It's like the argument with the founding fathers and slavery?? Could Thomas Jefferson even conceived of a country where blacks where considered full human beings? No one finds it ironic that they wrote a document declaring all men are free while enslaving a great many of them. The mindset was totally different. Yes we know Walts actions in the 1940's the 50's but sorry it's a totally totally different era and I am not convinced he would have had the same business sense in 2017.

just me, I have no great insight to Walt

 

[eliza61nyc]

I tend to live my life by one mantra alone:
View attachment 285335

LOL, I live my life by another famous Dolly quote.

 

[larryz]

I wish we could all get along like we used to in middle school. I wish I could bake a cake filled with rainbows and smiles and everyone would eat and be happy.

I heard that cake is always a lie...

 

[larryz]

Tell me about it. One day, I left my cake out in the rain.

Aha! So that was YOU!!! I don't think that I can take it, 'cause it took so long to bake it!

 

[DuckTalesWooHoo1987]

There are certain things Walt said he "didn't want" so if you're saying that's one of the things he didn't want then you are actually correct. It is actually speculation to say "he would have changed his mind".I guess Roy Disney was the ultimate "Walt wouldn't want that" type of guy since he tried to remove Eisner. Walt was a creator and innovator and a rare genius. I don't feel like there's a single Walt in the whole company today.

 

[MinnieWaffles]

Walt would be SPINNING IN HIS GRAVE if he saw all these threads.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

Aha! So that was YOU!!! I don't think that I can take it, 'cause it took so long to bake it!

Well, if life gives you lemons, make life take the lemons back! Ask to speak to life's manager!

 

[KrazyKat]

Hey, the suits in Burbank never even ask this question obviously.

 

[21stamps]

Toys R Us went out of business.

Amazon purchased Whole Foods.

I don’t think any of us could have imagined either one of those two things being a possibility 5-10-15 years ago.

I think it’s completely False to think that any of us could know what Disney World would be today if Walt Disney was still alive.
Times change, people evolve.