After my trip to WDW this summer, I wrote an email and letter (figured multiple forms would have a better chance of being read) which I sent to Meg Crofton, Lee Cockerell, and Phil Holmes. I promptly received an email from the Disney Legal Department informing me they couldn't accept outside suggestions because they present a liability for employees who may be thinking up the same ideas. The email assured me that the emails had not been read; later, I got three letters informing me of the same thing, with my original letters included.
Has anyone else had a similar experience?
I'm going to post the content of my letter below, I realize it might be a bit dated, but I'm doing it for my own edification, as no one has read it, and I spent a good deal of time writing it. I also realize it may be a bit amateurish compared to suggestions I've since seen on these boards, I have since become much more well-versed Disney enthusiast.
As the only child in what can be characterized as a “Disney Family,” I frequented The Walt Disney World Resort numerous times as a young child. Now a senior in college, I stayed at the All-Star Sports Resort August 10th-14th, marking my first trip to the resort since 8th grade. While I could delve into the details of the trip that rekindled my love for the parks, I realize you receive this kind of praise on a daily basis, and I believe my accounts of what could have been better will be of more assistance. Let me preface this by saying that I had an astonishing time; these suggestions are made only in the interest of keeping up the world class atmosphere that makes Disney World the happiest place on earth.
First, from a marketing standpoint, I saw one area in which Disney World could exploit my demographic: the post attraction photos. My friends and I found ourselves examining the photos after each attraction (on which photos were offered), because said photos always caught us in awkward expressions. However, we never had any intention of purchasing the photos due to the steep (from the college student’s perspective) prices. There is a way to increase the sales of these photos in my demographic, while still maintaining current sales to the target family audiences. For a lower price, give individuals the ability to have the pictures sent via email. Younger audiences will prefer this option as it gives them the ability to alter the photo electronically, and more importantly, gives them the ability to share these photos via online networking websites, such as Facebook. This may not seem like it would increase sales of these photos, but many students go to great lengths to have the perfect “Profile” photo. Most of the time
“perfect” entails something that is absurd or will be viewed as funny by the rest of the online community. The attraction photos fit the bill perfectly, and, at the same time, would not detract from most family purchases, as these are influenced greatly by young children, who want something immediate and tangible.
Second, while on the subject of the post-attraction photos, I believe that placing monitors for viewing the photos within the ride itself would be beneficial to sales. On all of the attractions that photograph visitors, with the exception of the Tower of Terror, there is a time when the ride vehicle is in a queue waiting to unload. By placing monitors at these points, sales will increase, as the captive audience on the ride that would otherwise bypass crowds at the post-attraction monitors will potentially purchase the photos.
Third, though FastPass is an ingenious system, it feels like an afterthought on many attractions. Many precise instances elude my memory, but I found this to be the case on several attractions. One poignant example was the Rockin’ Rollercoaster where the Fast Pass line ends prematurely outside because of a narrow ramp leading to the indoor queue. Once inside, the lines one again become wide; why not resume the fast pass system inside by dividing those wide roped areas into two smaller areas, and collecting passes at a later point? This very same system I am suggesting is employed at Animal Kingdom’s Kali River Rapids successfully.
Fourth, several of the attractions could stand cosmetic changes that really would not improve them in anyway, but would make them appeal more to the perceptive individual. In Magic Kingdom, the Jungle Cruise has areas of shore stained green from water occasionally coming high onto the shore. Also on the Jungle Cruise, the back of one of the tigers is torn, making the age of this animatronic creature quite evident. In Epcot, the queue area of the Maelstrom ride has ceiling tiles that have become discolored from age, and look as if they are rotting. Both issues have remedies that could be implemented without closing the attraction. These are just two examples of a myriad of instances of decay observed while in the parks.
The final scene of the Carousel of Progress is meant to display how humans will utilize technology in the future, yet many of the items are extremely outdated. The family discusses using a Laserdisc player, virtual reality gaming devices, and other outdated items. The family also is surrounded by outdated props such as older ski boots and the television set. With the technology at Disney’s disposal, it seems the company would have the ability to alter certain words without producing a completely new voice track for the ride.
Space Mountain was formerly sponsored by FedEx, a partnership that still bears a trace in the color scheme of the FastPass kiosks and the shipping tale that is displayed after the ride. With the multitude of shipping corporations and the aforementioned story that could incorporate a specific company, it seems there would be no shortage of willing sponsors for this attraction. On the subject of Space Mountain’s exit area, the escalator with cameras and monitors that allow visitors to see themselves feels dated. This certainly impresses young children, but the fact that this is commonly utilized at discount retailers to draw the shoppers’ attention makes one wonder if it has the kind of tact necessary to be employed in a Disney World attraction.
I only make minor suggestions to these last two attractions, as I feel it is important to maintain the original vision that went into these rides. I think there are some attractions in Disney World that must only undergo minor renovations to avoid complete bastardization of the initial incarnation of the attraction. This was a belief spurred by experiencing the new Journey into the Imagination ride, sans Dreamfinder, and devoid of the character it once possessed. Still, it is important to strike a balance between preservation and innovation, and to not keep something stagnant simply for nostalgia’s sake.
Finally, I find an essential part of the Disney experience to lie within the excellent service and demeanor of the cast members. A cast member who does not have a positive attitude or is cynical towards park operations can potentially ruin an attraction. We found this to be the case on the Jungle Cruise, when the skipper made several remarks hinting that the animals encountered were fake, and that if we were ready for an exciting attraction we should instead go ride Pirates of the Caribbean. The vast majority of anyone over the age of six understands that the animatronics creatures are not real. I think that is reasonably obvious. However, the very escapist nature of many attractions calls for older riders to employ their imaginations in order to have an enjoyable experience; this experience can be ruined by constant reminders of the artificial nature of the attraction. I would hope there is a general script to these rides calling for only minor divergence (or at least a general set of guidelines) as there is a certain atmosphere of such attractions that people do enjoy, and a cast member who takes it upon him or herself to be a comedian can ruin that.
I have a number of other negligible suggestions, but those may be overly nitpicky, and I would rather include only concise and meaningful reflections to ensure that my letter will be carefully examined. While most of these suggestions are unlikely to make a substantial difference in the experience of the average visitor, I know Disney World prides itself on the subtle nuances that make the completed product stand so far ahead of the pack. I hope the ideas contained in this letter do not come off as those of an obsessed ‘fan boy’, but rather, as the meaningful ideas of a thoughtful and astute visitor. Thank you for your time in reading this extensive letter.
Has anyone else had a similar experience?
I'm going to post the content of my letter below, I realize it might be a bit dated, but I'm doing it for my own edification, as no one has read it, and I spent a good deal of time writing it. I also realize it may be a bit amateurish compared to suggestions I've since seen on these boards, I have since become much more well-versed Disney enthusiast.
As the only child in what can be characterized as a “Disney Family,” I frequented The Walt Disney World Resort numerous times as a young child. Now a senior in college, I stayed at the All-Star Sports Resort August 10th-14th, marking my first trip to the resort since 8th grade. While I could delve into the details of the trip that rekindled my love for the parks, I realize you receive this kind of praise on a daily basis, and I believe my accounts of what could have been better will be of more assistance. Let me preface this by saying that I had an astonishing time; these suggestions are made only in the interest of keeping up the world class atmosphere that makes Disney World the happiest place on earth.
First, from a marketing standpoint, I saw one area in which Disney World could exploit my demographic: the post attraction photos. My friends and I found ourselves examining the photos after each attraction (on which photos were offered), because said photos always caught us in awkward expressions. However, we never had any intention of purchasing the photos due to the steep (from the college student’s perspective) prices. There is a way to increase the sales of these photos in my demographic, while still maintaining current sales to the target family audiences. For a lower price, give individuals the ability to have the pictures sent via email. Younger audiences will prefer this option as it gives them the ability to alter the photo electronically, and more importantly, gives them the ability to share these photos via online networking websites, such as Facebook. This may not seem like it would increase sales of these photos, but many students go to great lengths to have the perfect “Profile” photo. Most of the time
“perfect” entails something that is absurd or will be viewed as funny by the rest of the online community. The attraction photos fit the bill perfectly, and, at the same time, would not detract from most family purchases, as these are influenced greatly by young children, who want something immediate and tangible.
Second, while on the subject of the post-attraction photos, I believe that placing monitors for viewing the photos within the ride itself would be beneficial to sales. On all of the attractions that photograph visitors, with the exception of the Tower of Terror, there is a time when the ride vehicle is in a queue waiting to unload. By placing monitors at these points, sales will increase, as the captive audience on the ride that would otherwise bypass crowds at the post-attraction monitors will potentially purchase the photos.
Third, though FastPass is an ingenious system, it feels like an afterthought on many attractions. Many precise instances elude my memory, but I found this to be the case on several attractions. One poignant example was the Rockin’ Rollercoaster where the Fast Pass line ends prematurely outside because of a narrow ramp leading to the indoor queue. Once inside, the lines one again become wide; why not resume the fast pass system inside by dividing those wide roped areas into two smaller areas, and collecting passes at a later point? This very same system I am suggesting is employed at Animal Kingdom’s Kali River Rapids successfully.
Fourth, several of the attractions could stand cosmetic changes that really would not improve them in anyway, but would make them appeal more to the perceptive individual. In Magic Kingdom, the Jungle Cruise has areas of shore stained green from water occasionally coming high onto the shore. Also on the Jungle Cruise, the back of one of the tigers is torn, making the age of this animatronic creature quite evident. In Epcot, the queue area of the Maelstrom ride has ceiling tiles that have become discolored from age, and look as if they are rotting. Both issues have remedies that could be implemented without closing the attraction. These are just two examples of a myriad of instances of decay observed while in the parks.
The final scene of the Carousel of Progress is meant to display how humans will utilize technology in the future, yet many of the items are extremely outdated. The family discusses using a Laserdisc player, virtual reality gaming devices, and other outdated items. The family also is surrounded by outdated props such as older ski boots and the television set. With the technology at Disney’s disposal, it seems the company would have the ability to alter certain words without producing a completely new voice track for the ride.
Space Mountain was formerly sponsored by FedEx, a partnership that still bears a trace in the color scheme of the FastPass kiosks and the shipping tale that is displayed after the ride. With the multitude of shipping corporations and the aforementioned story that could incorporate a specific company, it seems there would be no shortage of willing sponsors for this attraction. On the subject of Space Mountain’s exit area, the escalator with cameras and monitors that allow visitors to see themselves feels dated. This certainly impresses young children, but the fact that this is commonly utilized at discount retailers to draw the shoppers’ attention makes one wonder if it has the kind of tact necessary to be employed in a Disney World attraction.
I only make minor suggestions to these last two attractions, as I feel it is important to maintain the original vision that went into these rides. I think there are some attractions in Disney World that must only undergo minor renovations to avoid complete bastardization of the initial incarnation of the attraction. This was a belief spurred by experiencing the new Journey into the Imagination ride, sans Dreamfinder, and devoid of the character it once possessed. Still, it is important to strike a balance between preservation and innovation, and to not keep something stagnant simply for nostalgia’s sake.
Finally, I find an essential part of the Disney experience to lie within the excellent service and demeanor of the cast members. A cast member who does not have a positive attitude or is cynical towards park operations can potentially ruin an attraction. We found this to be the case on the Jungle Cruise, when the skipper made several remarks hinting that the animals encountered were fake, and that if we were ready for an exciting attraction we should instead go ride Pirates of the Caribbean. The vast majority of anyone over the age of six understands that the animatronics creatures are not real. I think that is reasonably obvious. However, the very escapist nature of many attractions calls for older riders to employ their imaginations in order to have an enjoyable experience; this experience can be ruined by constant reminders of the artificial nature of the attraction. I would hope there is a general script to these rides calling for only minor divergence (or at least a general set of guidelines) as there is a certain atmosphere of such attractions that people do enjoy, and a cast member who takes it upon him or herself to be a comedian can ruin that.
I have a number of other negligible suggestions, but those may be overly nitpicky, and I would rather include only concise and meaningful reflections to ensure that my letter will be carefully examined. While most of these suggestions are unlikely to make a substantial difference in the experience of the average visitor, I know Disney World prides itself on the subtle nuances that make the completed product stand so far ahead of the pack. I hope the ideas contained in this letter do not come off as those of an obsessed ‘fan boy’, but rather, as the meaningful ideas of a thoughtful and astute visitor. Thank you for your time in reading this extensive letter.
