Walt Disney Imagineers Unveil Mysterious Portrait...

[HMF]

Didn't stop Tony Baxter from trying to apply PHantom Manor's story to the stateside Mansions.

He didn't really. In the tour video of the WDW Mansion he makes all these Phantom Manor references that really look contrived and clearly not applicable to the attraction. Besides the Constance thing makes any possible connection to Phantom Manor null & void.

 

[HMF]

I much prefer Disneyland Paris's story. Big Thunder Mountain is haunted lol Which explains why the trains have no drivers

Thats the story in the other parks too, you just don't have the Ravenswood mega-story.

 

[TarzanRocked99-]

what he'd most like ... indeed, he told friends this week that he'd spend another five years with the company if he could ''fix Imagination''.

This alone would restore my faith in the Walt Disney Company, which of course is why it would probably never happen. The constant let downs are growing old

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

No offense to anyone here or on any board, I am not here to cultivate an image and actually care very little about what anyone here or anyone else thinks about me. I don't troll 74 can verify most of what I've said and if he doesn't, oh well. What I've told is correct at the present time. Too many people here take things way too serious and get bent out of shape way too easily. I love how certain individuals here treat this as the most important aspect of their lives. Believe with all the Internet cred in the world it still won't pay my bills and it still won't get me on the subway

Sorry if it seemed like I was implying you were trying to beat your chest and show off, or that you should care about what people think of you. I didn't mean it that way. I simply was trying to say that I don't get the feeling you're just trying to troll anyone by posting this information at least. And that it's useless to be pointing fingers at who is right or wrong considering we'll know whether any of the information anyone has posted will end up coming true or not very soon. I could always be wrong, but i'm not going to make that assumption at all.
Now I don't think you're trying to troll anyone here or get any attention. But I do want to say that i've been here long enough to understand why people would be suspicious towards certain people here who make certain claims. Among others, the Twitter person ThemeParkOne managed to reel people in with claims of being an insider and eventually his followers got burned as a result. People followed him in hopes that his claims would pan out. He usually did this by making claims that were either too vague to tell what he meant, or stating there were plans way too far into the future for anyone to prove him wrong about. Eventually though he let loose with tons of information that was specific and that he boldly stated would be announced at D23 of last year. None of it happened and people realized he was just trying to get attention and troll.
Now before you take the above as some sort of accusation, rest assure that it's not in any way directed at you. I do not claim or even imply that you're some sort of fraud here. I hope you're not one in fact, i'm interested in your information and would very much like for it to end up happening. I'm simply saying that it's also understandable why people would be a little wary about making assumptions about who is right or wrong. People tend to listen to Lee, '74, Raven, Martin, whylightbulb, etc largely because they've all been here for quite a long while and have quite a formidable track record of knowing what they're talking about. It's very confusing to people when there's a massive disagreement among them. My philosophy with is "wait and see". Everything will be made clear soon and we'll see what happens either way.
I'd also like to be on your list too though if it's ok please (if you haven't already). I'm definitely interested in your info if you're willing to share it.

The name of the new bathrooms that will be installed next to Iron Man

Yep, and Disney has just patented new toilet technology so all toilets in the bathroom will actually be fully fledged Iron Man suits. Both kids and adults will now be able to step inside Tony Stark's suit and relieve themselves inside it. And with state of the art tech, a filtration system processes and recycles the waste is recycled into the fountain drinking water. It's so environmentally friendly!

Though i've heard that due to maintenance cutbacks, the filtration system might not be working so great. Don't mind if Magic Kingdom's water fountain water tastes a bit nasty (actually that would make a lot of sense why it does).

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

I would take it that there's no chance at all that they're going to let Tony try and fix up Imagination. So one would assume if true, his time is coming to an end. Unless his retirement from Disney would also potentially mean he'll be spilling some nasty beans they don't want to make it out...

Paris' version of the Mansion is really awesome in its own right, it's very different from any of the others though (but still taking clear elements from them). The story ties very interesting and creatively into Big Thunder too. Plus i'd actually argue parts of it are much scarier and more disturbing than ours. The story is darker and more serious. It still has its gags but even the silly scenes are populated by realistic looking people instead of the cartoonishly goofy characters in the other versions.

I could be getting this little tidbit completely wrong, but to me it seems like it's implied that the phantom in it is actually the father of the bride. The father didn't want her to marry but died before he could do anything about it. A mysterious phantom then shows and kills the groom before the wedding, openly mocking the bride at her ruined wedding and causing her to go mad (she eventually dies and he is seen next to her grave with a shovel).

 

[FigmentJedi]

He didn't really. In the tour video of the WDW Mansion he makes all these Phantom Manor references that really look contrived and clearly not applicable to the attraction. Besides the Constance thing makes any possible connection to Phantom Manor null & void.

I was thinking more of how he read the old attraction rather then actively making them the same. And even when he was going on and on about Phantom Manor's story, he got it pretty cringe-worthily wrong even though he headed the damn project.

 

[cba]

It's Tony Baxter , as Mr. Ravenswood from Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris.

According to Legend ( imagineering ) , Henry Ravenswood was an industrial baron who owned the Thunder Mesa Mining Company.He was married, and had a daughter named Melanie.But the gold ran out, and his luck with it.A great earthquake struck Thunder Mesa in 1860, during melanies wedding preperatons. Henry and his wife perished in the quake,and there daughter was never seen again.As for her fiance, he was found hanged in the Ravenswood Manor- by accident, or by fathers own doing? The boomtown that sprung up from the BTMRR created Frontireland - better known as "The Western River Expedition".

From Wikipedia:
Henry Ravenswood (born 1795) was a Western settler who struck gold in Big Thunder Mountain and founded the Thunder Mesa Mining Company, thus creating the city of Thunder Mesa (Frontierland as a whole). Ravenswood became rich and built himself a Victorian manor high on Boot Hill overlooking Big Thunder Mountain, where he raised a family and had a daughter, Melanie Ravenswood (born 1842).

 

[alissafalco]

Basically I said that to Tony was working on a project for MK and was told not gonna happen by a few people. Not naming names but one rhymes with pee the other comes after 73

Yes, I remember you saying that Tony was working on a project at WDW and others said no it wasn't happening.

 

[NADisney]

It doesn't matter "if" Mr.Baxter is working , or not on Disney projects. He has created , and collaborated on many attractions located all over the world ( besides WDW ). Imaginerring has given him one of the greatess honors ,too be added to a disney attraction ( besides a window on Main Street ) - especially one that he created.

 

[menamechris]

It doesn't matter "if" Mr.Baxter is working , or not on Disney projects. He has created , and collaborated on many attractions located all over the world ( besides WDW ). Imaginerring has given him one of the greatess honors ,too be added to a disney attraction ( besides a window on Main Street ) - especially one that he created.

True, but when you are a genius like that, you don't need Disney to do something special for validation....

 

[NADisney]

True, but when you are a genius like that, you don't need Disney to do something special for validation....

I guess we need to remove Walt Disney from everything , and just call it "That One Man's Dream- you know ...the guy with the mouse from chicago ". How dear they validate him for achiving entertainment in animation,movies,tv,robotics,theme parks.His name is everywhere- How dare he exploit his name -even after his death .

 

[menamechris]

I guess we need to remove Walt Disney from everything , and just call it "That One Man's Dream- you know ...the guy with the mouse from chicago ". How dear they validate him for achiving entertainment in animation,movies,tv,robotics,theme parks.His name is everywhere- How dare he exploit his name -even after his death .

You miss the point. Just as the Disney Company only invokes Walt's name for marketing purposes these days, so they have also figured out certain imagineers have a following within the fanbase. It's really not as much an honor as it is a marketing tool. But that's just my opinion... People like Mr. Baxter are well aware of their contribution - and that their creativity would have been realized regardless of whether it was with Disney or some other company that recognized it....

 

[NADisney]

I got the point- sarcasim. But I don't think there are many companies that due what Disney does when it comes to reconition of cast members. The only thing I know about Universal is movie.tv names,characters,directors,and the stars that appear , or portray them .The only time you actully see the designers of universal attractions is when you watch the Travel Channel promotions.

Walt Disney showcased his WED team on tv durng the 10th anniversary of Disneyland .The making of 64 World's Fair,The Haunted Mansion with the Osmands and Kurt Russel. Even now the Disney Parks Blog shows videos of Imagineers building the New Fantasyland. I don't see Apple showing how they build iphones , and Apps. and who's doing it besides alot of chinese workers in a factory.it's like fashion designers- this designer created the outfit, and this one decided what color it should be....then i approved it for manufacturing.. added my name , and face to it ...make a profit,and say I,I,I instead of we,we,him,or she did it.

 

[Longhairbear]

Now, now, old rudolf buddy ... no need to get all y. I have no idea what you (or anyone else) think this social media toying with the fans is about, but I'm guessing you are of the belief that it's some Baxter-led project for the MK that's somehow been kept so super secret that only you have heard of it.

Anything is possible. But I'm going on the FACTS that I know or am told. As follows:
1.) Tony has no projects outside of DL, that is his portfolio/his responsibility;
2.) No one wants to let Tony near anything for Florida and what he'd most like ... indeed, he told friends this week that he'd spend another five years with the company if he could ''fix Imagination''.
3.) Tony has been talking to a lot of folks at IAAPA this week (and not talking about fanbois who bought passes or whoring bloggers who bought credentials, talking industry insiders) that he has NOTHING beyond the Fantasyland meet and greet and a possible large scale project for DL, which won't have a decision made until after Disney releases a film next year. If it doesn't do huge business, then there's no chance of that project happening;
4.) Tony has made it clear that barring either of the above that he will retire next year;
5.) Staggs and Rasulo have made it clear that CAP EX spending will be going down for P&R and that they won't be adding new projects to the books;
6.) Even if something were to happen at WDW, why would it ever happen at MK when it is putting the finishing touches on a $430 million (as a friend said, never have so many, spent so much to achieve so little) project in that park;

So, if you wanna go out on some limb and say Tony Baxter is leading a MAJOR new attraction for the MK, please do so. I will say that's crazy all the while hoping that you are right.

But I'm doing what I always do, basing my posts on facts and perspective-based opinions and I'm usually right ... but not 100% of the time.

What is the reason no one wants Baxter anywhere near FLA projects?

 

[BeautifulTomorrow]

Everybody who seen the leprechaun in Big Thunder Mountain say yeah!!!!

 

[RSoxNo1]

What is the reason no one wants Baxter anywhere near FLA projects?

I know at least part of the issue of his seclusion has been the fact that he likes to talk.

 

[WDW1974]

I'm not the only one whose heard about just the only one dumb enough to post. You know I have nothing but respect for you and lee. Must be my mensies

I understand (and will try and reach you this weekend) but all I can go on is what I know to be true and that is what I posted above. Tony Baxter's portfolio consists of DL and DL alone ... and even there he is limited. To my knowledge he has no serious input into the Iron Man attraction whatsoever, even as chief creative officer for the park.

WDW's parks are controlled by Eric (who doesn't have a warm and fuzzy relationship with Tony because he was Tom F's protege) and nothing Tony said to folks at IAAPA off the record would indicate any big change in that department. Methinks someone is feeding you bad info for some sort of personal agenda. ... Or they may just misunderstand things. But I don't know.

 

[menamechris]

Anyway you slice this - if it's not a new attraction - its another minor "upcoming project" that is once again being blown way out of proportion...

 

[WDW1974]

He did the original Journey into Imagination with Steve Kirk.

Yes, Tony did a lot of things for WDW DECADES AGO.

Each park has a lead creative in charge. Tony's portfolio even as a Sr VP is strictly DL.

 

[WDW1974]

No offense to anyone here or on any board, I am not here to cultivate an image and actually care very little about what anyone here or anyone else thinks about me. I don't troll 74 can verify most of what I've said and if he doesn't, oh well. What I've told is correct at the present time. Too many people here take things way too serious and get bent out of shape way too easily. I love how certain individuals here treat this as the most important aspect of their lives. Believe with all the Internet cred in the world it still won't pay my bills and it still won't get me on the subway

Well, I am here to cultivate an image (according to my haters ... and I do love having an army of fanboi minions seeking to destroy Disney so UNI will control the theme park UNIverse!) but beyond that, do I really give a damn what people think of me here? No, other than my friends and posters I respect (and, of course, my readers at Disney and in the business).

I don't believe anyone called you a troll or suggested that. Indeed, you often are a treasure trove of info, but just as with myself (or anyone else) it doesn't make you infallable. And you didn't respond to my long list of facts as to why I can't see how it is possible that Tony has any MK project up his sleeves (and that's even leaving out some personal info I am aware of).

Now, do some folks treat this as their lives? Hell yeah. Steve would be out of business without them, sadly, because often there is absolutely nothing worth talking about and they're the ones who can make a Starbucks thread go 50-plus pages. Or even start one about restrooms. Those are the folks that get angry (at least at me) if you don't respond to their every post and/or do so in an immediate fashion.