The World's Most Magical Celebration - Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary

Sir_Cliff

Sir_Cliff

Well-Known Member
IanDLBZF said:
Sounds like they were trying to avoid the possibility of civil unrest or a demonstration.
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Yes, it is beyond weird that the date of WDW's 50th is one of the few (if not the only) major park anniversary in the past few decades that wasn't marked by some kind of ceremony with executives. Honestly think it's mostly to do with Chapek's discomfort with the fans. He obviously knows he's not well-liked and he also doesn't seem to enjoy public speaking anyway, so I can imagine for him it was an easy choice not to risk fronting the crowds in the hub to a sea of boos.

A bad look either way, though. They could have at least sent Josh D'Amaro out to say something.
 
Andrew C

Andrew C

You know what's funny?
Sir_Cliff said:
Yes, it is beyond weird that the date of WDW's 50th is one of the few (if not the only) major park anniversary in the past few decades that wasn't marked by some kind of ceremony with executives. Honestly think it's mostly to do with Chapek's discomfort with the fans. He obviously knows he's not well-liked and he also doesn't seem to enjoy public speaking anyway, so I can imagine for him it was an easy choice not to risk fronting the crowds in the hub to a sea of boos.

A bad look either way, though. They could have at least sent Josh D'Amaro out to say something.
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He was walking around in the crowds today.
 
Sir_Cliff

Sir_Cliff

Well-Known Member
Andrew C said:
He was walking around in the crowds today.
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It's one thing to walk around and greet individuals between media interviews. If there's an awkward interaction, you can move on quickly. It's another to come out and speak in front of several thousand people at the same time.

Honestly, I wouldn't have booed him if I were there and I would have offered polite applause. If they weren't avoiding that potential outcome, though, I am even more perplexed as to why they did nothing much beyond the usual opening ceremony this morning after opening the park early to let fans in to celebrate the anniversary. It seems all they did to commemorate the anniversary for those who showed up at for opening was open the shops and restaurants early and set up all those merchandising opportunities.
 
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Sir_Cliff

Sir_Cliff

Well-Known Member
DisneyDreamerxyz said:
the fact the executives were at MK filming for TV but ignoring all the people that showed up in person to celebrate doesn't seem right. I get it's Covid and everything but there's many other castmembers that could have read a formal opening statement if they didn't want to do it.
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I completely agree. At least send out D'Amaro, the ambassadors, or some opening day cast to say something at park opening.
 
CaptainAmerica

CaptainAmerica

Premium Member
Sir_Cliff said:
Yes, it is beyond weird that the date of WDW's 50th is one of the few (if not the only) major park anniversary in the past few decades that wasn't marked by some kind of ceremony with executives. Honestly think it's mostly to do with Chapek's discomfort with the fans. He obviously knows he's not well-liked and he also doesn't seem to enjoy public speaking anyway, so I can imagine for him it was an easy choice not to risk fronting the crowds in the hub to a sea of boos.

A bad look either way, though. They could have at least sent Josh D'Amaro out to say something.
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Except they did. It was feeble and pathetic, but Chapek and Iger both spoke last night.
 
J

jrhwdw

Well-Known Member
What are the chances ABC's special ends up on YT or ABC even repeats????? Of Course ABC News has to excel the night I expected a 2 Hour Concert and I'm not Taping!!!!!!!!!
 
Sir_Cliff

Sir_Cliff

Well-Known Member
CaptainAmerica said:
Except they did. It was feeble and pathetic, but Chapek and Iger both spoke last night.
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But wasn't that just a media/invite-only event the day before the anniversary? It was also, as you say, feeble and pathetic.

Today, weirdly, at one point they played an audio recording of Jeff Vahle re-reading the dedication in the hub. He couldn't even get up and talk in person! And, well, hearing the voice of Jeff Vahle over park audio is not exactly hearing the voice of Walt.

This has been all so strange.
 
nbdysreal

nbdysreal

Well-Known Member
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