Walt Lives: An Alternate History of the Walt Disney Company

Which Logo Do You Like Most?

  • Total voters
    8
  • Poll closed .
Sam Magic

Sam Magic

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Good morning folks!

This morning I've got something a little different planned. As I prepare to upload a few new additions to this ongoing project, I wanted to get a bit of feedback from everyone here. One of the benefits of a project like this is being able to redesign certain elements like parks, resorts, etc. As someone who does graphic design for a living, I really enjoy developing logos and brands. Frankly, I've never been a big fan of WDW's original branding. So, given this project is an alternate timeline, I wanted to create a different brand for the WDW Resort (in this timeline, simply known as Disney World).

Below are three proposed new logo designs. At the top of this thread is a poll. Vote for whichever logo you like best. This will help me and the project going forward! Feel free to comment below which logo you voted for and why, along with any other questions or ideas you may have!

OPTION 1
7.png

OPTION 2
8.png

OPTION 3
9.png
 
DisneyManOne

DisneyManOne

Well-Known Member
Sam Magic said:
Good morning folks!

This morning I've got something a little different planned. As I prepare to upload a few new additions to this ongoing project, I wanted to get a bit of feedback from everyone here. One of the benefits of a project like this is being able to redesign certain elements like parks, resorts, etc. As someone who does graphic design for a living, I really enjoy developing logos and brands. Frankly, I've never been a big fan of WDW's original branding. So, given this project is an alternate timeline, I wanted to create a different brand for the WDW Resort (in this timeline, simply known as Disney World).

Below are three proposed new logo designs. At the top of this thread is a poll. Vote for whichever logo you like best. This will help me and the project going forward! Feel free to comment below which logo you voted for and why, along with any other questions or ideas you may have!

OPTION 1
View attachment 549690
OPTION 2
View attachment 549691
OPTION 3
View attachment 549692
Click to expand...
I'd say Option 1.
 
Sam Magic

Sam Magic

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Sam Magic said:
Good morning folks!

This morning I've got something a little different planned. As I prepare to upload a few new additions to this ongoing project, I wanted to get a bit of feedback from everyone here. One of the benefits of a project like this is being able to redesign certain elements like parks, resorts, etc. As someone who does graphic design for a living, I really enjoy developing logos and brands. Frankly, I've never been a big fan of WDW's original branding. So, given this project is an alternate timeline, I wanted to create a different brand for the WDW Resort (in this timeline, simply known as Disney World).

Below are three proposed new logo designs. At the top of this thread is a poll. Vote for whichever logo you like best. This will help me and the project going forward! Feel free to comment below which logo you voted for and why, along with any other questions or ideas you may have!

OPTION 1
View attachment 549690
OPTION 2
View attachment 549691
OPTION 3
View attachment 549692
Click to expand...
It ended up being a tie between options 2 and 3, so I decided to go with option 2 as it had a more "retro" look to me.

Once this semester wraps up I'll have a few additions to this project. To hold you all off until then, here's a taste of what's in store:

EPCOTcenter Guide.png

​
 
Sam Magic

Sam Magic

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
HomeImagineer said:
its been almost 8 months since u never come back @Sam Magic, when are u coming back so we can see your amazing projects including this one.
Click to expand...
I've recently fallen back into the imagineering trap. Bumping this thread to see if there's any interest in me working on finishing this project?

I have a few other project ideas I've been working on that I'd prefer to devote time to and share before reaching back around to this one, but I hate to leave any project unfinished.

What does the forum think? Bring this back or move on?
 
Charlie The Chatbox Ghost

Charlie The Chatbox Ghost

Well-Known Member
I'd love to see this come back! I'd especially love to see a description of Adventureland- I'm very curious to way Pirates is in such a small show building! Also, I imagine in this timeline, Mineral King was built, which is why the Country Bears aren't in MK?
 
Sam Magic

Sam Magic

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Sam Magic Update.png
​
CONFIDENTIAL MEMO: Walt Lives Project Report

Subject: Walt Lives Project Report
For: WDWMagic Imagineer Forum
From: Sam Magic
Date: August 16, 2024

I. Overview
1.1 Executive Summary

Started nearly 10 years ago, Walt Lives: An Alternate History of the Walt Disney Company has seen limited progress. Despite a promising start, this ambitious project has been repeatedly dogged with delays. In the intervening years between its start in 2015 to the present day; details have changed; abilities have improved; and new information has been gained. As such, this project is ripe for revival.

Rest assured, this project will continue. This being said, other projects are more pressing. This memo will lay out the next steps, a reminder of the project timeline up to this point, and a brief outlining of what more this project has left to complete.

II. Next Steps
2.1 The Timeline

As a refresher, the genesis of this project is that Walt Disney does not die on December 15th, 1966. In fact, Walt lives a much longer. The how is butterflied away. Perhaps Walt stopped smoking during the development of Disneyland after a health scare. Maybe he gets lucky. Whatever the reason, Walt undergoes successful treatment for his lung cancer and lives to see many more days.

Where things get fun is of course down in the great state of Florida. With Walt still kicking, Roy planning to take a step back in the coming years, and the Disney company firing on all cylinders, everything changes for Disney World. EPCOT remains a central focus, the Magic Kingdom becomes a means to an end, and Imagineering's hold on the company grows. This isn't to mean there are not set-backs, there are several. This timeline hinges on how these players respond to the setbacks and evolve their plans, setting the Walt Disney Company on a firmly different path than the one we're all familiar with.

In the years that have passed since this project started, much has changed. In 2015, Shanghai Disneyland had only recently opened and Bob Iger was still largely respected throughout the fan community. The failures of Galaxy's Edge, Starcruiser, and many other then-recently announced projects were not even on the horizon. Disney and Fox was still two years away. Viewed from this lens, much of what I planned for this project a decade ago seems almost prescient. Today, some of the story beats coming up may feel predictable. At any rate, I'll try to keep the changes to a minimum and present a Walt Disney Company which is fundamentally different than the one we know today: sometimes for better, and sometimes for worse.

2.1 A Refresher
I've changed a few things in the timeline for better flow. So some of these moments will be a little different from what is written on previous pages. Going forward and in the interest of us all being on the same page, here's the new project cannon:
Silver Age Timeline.png
​
In case the text is too small, here's a more technical run-down:
  • THE SILVER AGE: 1966-1974

    • 1966-1970: The Florida Project Development​

      • 1966:
        • Early 1966: Walt Disney drafts the "Genesis Memo," outlining a 15-year plan for the development of the Florida Project, including EPCOT, the Magic Kingdom, and other major facilities.
        • Mid-1966: The Disney Board of Directors rejects Walt's original ambitious plans, leading to intense internal debates.
        • July 1966: It is decided that the Magic Kingdom will be built first, with EPCOT and other components delayed to later phases.
        • December 1966: The Orlando Sentinel breaks the news of Disney's land purchase near Kissimmee, Florida.
      • 1967:
        • January 5, 1967: Disney officially announces its plans for Disney World in a press conference.
        • May 17, 1967: The company releases "Project Florida: A Whole New World," a video and pamphlet outlining Walt's plans for the Florida site.
        • October 1, 1967: Walt Disney holds his final team meeting to finalize the Magic Kingdom master plan; construction begins two weeks later.
      • 1968-1970:
        • June 1968: Construction speeds up with buildings and hotels going vertical. Internal conflicts between Walt and the Disney Board of Directors continue.
        • 1969: Roy O. Disney extends his stay with the company through 1970 to manage ongoing disputes and oversee the project's progress.
        • April 1970: Walt begins a major marketing phase for the resort, using "The Wonderful World of Color" television show to build excitement for Disney World.
        • August 1970: Disney World preview center and Airport EPCOT (EPT) opens to guests.

    • 1971-1974: EPCOT and Legislative Challenges​

      • 1971:
        • Spring 1971: The Florida Legislature debates the "EPCOT Act," which would have granted Disney autonomy over the governance of EPCOT. The bill is ultimately defeated.
        • October 1, 1971: Disney World Resort officially opens, including the Magic Kingdom and several themed resorts.
      • 1972-1974:
        • Early 1970s: Walt Disney and his team continue to work on EPCOT despite legislative setbacks. The concept evolves, but it remains a central focus of Disney's future plans. Walt retreats to Roy Cove, where he and his team brainstorm alternative strategies for EPCOT after the defeat of the EPCOT Act.
        • December 1973: Roy O. Disney suffers a stroke and dies.
2.3 What Comes Next
The next era we will cover will kick off in 1974 and deal with the repercussions of Roy's passing. It's at this juncture we will move into the Disney Company's Bronze Age. The Bronze Age will last from 1974-1985 and see the company go through traumatic and dramatic shifts, many which will threaten not just the survival of the EPCOT project, but the Walt Disney Company itself.

III. Conclusion
3.1 More to Come
I penned this update so that I could give you all assurances that this project is still alive and going forward. There is a plan, a timeline, and a great deal more content to expect. This being said, it will be a while until this new content comes.

In the coming days, I plan to announce my new more pressing project. Most of the work on it is completed. This is why it will take precedence. This being said, I will still try to update this timeline in between to satiate you all. God knows I've kept you all waiting long enough. Some of these update will be done on previous posts and some of them will be new. As this memo format today shows, I'm testing out some new and different ways to tell this story for you all. I hope you're as excited as I am for what's to come.
 
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