What Has Bob Iger Done That You Really Like?

[Chef Mickey]

It's funny that while celebrity things typically age poorly, both Bill & Ellen were surprisingly inspired choices. Ellen's much more relevant and popular than she was when the ride opened, and Bill Nye has gone from just a wacky TV personality to being a champion of science education and frequent CNN correspondent. Everything else in the movie -- including Alex Trebek -- is dated, but Ellen certainly isn't.

LOL....I actually said this exact thing in another thead. I said they lucked out by picking Ellen and Bill Nye because they are more relevant than ever and Jeopardy is still on TV! It's only dated in the 90s looking clothes and wacky Bill Nye personality that has since kind of cooled off.

Even though I don't mind them, I still prefer the old style of EPCOT that was just about learning and presenting a forward thinking idea to the guests. I realize times have changed, but it could be even greater despite being one of my favorite EPCOT attractions.

 

[Otterhead]

I've said before, cash can fix so many things in business, and Disney is financially well positioned to fix the issues with WDW. I just wish it happened a little sooner.

Oh, me too. I think a lot of things got 'soft pedaled' a bit while Hong Kong Disneyland and now Shanghai Disneyland have been under construction. Looking forward to those being done so that the "mother parks" can get some major love.

 

[Otterhead]

Even though I don't mind them, I still prefer the old style of EPCOT that was just about learning and presenting a forward thinking idea to the guests. I realize times have changed, but it could be even greater despite being one of my favorite EPCOT attractions.

Agreed on that point. EPCOT seems to have gone thru a strange phase of shrugging at itself. Shows at EPCOT should be inspiring and earnest, but instead we got goofy self-effacing, jokey things like the Energy ride, Imagination v3, the Martin Short Canada movie, etc. "Energy" even jokes about having dinosaurs in the ride. Newer things have gone back to the sort of heartfelt tone of old EPCOT, which I'm glad of.

 

[ArmChairStategist]

What I like:
1) A greater focus on traditional "fairytale" stories and characters, that succeed based on the old Disney principles of timelessness, futuristic optimism, and nostalgia. As well as a greater focus on storytelling in the animation/film studios in general.
2) The return of Disney Nature (a greater focus on naturalism/documentaries.)
3) Improved "Disney Stylization" in animation (giving a 2-d charm to 3-d animation.)

What I don't like:
1) Dilapidation and neglect of Tomorrowland, and Frontierland / Ranch areas in WDL. As well as the neglect/abandonment of Epcot and other 2nd generation projects.
2) Shoehorning in Marvel and StarWars characters in pre-existing lands and exhibits. (As Michael Eisner did in shoehorning SW into the NASA themed TL.) There was a purity and a seemlessness that defined the old Disney Parks, and blending of styles that was the opposite of Universal Studios money-making Hollywood tie-ins that focused on being "in the movie" rather than the charm of being in the actual world or the story of the movie (the latter unflattering Universal Studios reference being closer to what some of the newer Disney rides created in the late 90's to today resemble.) Honey I shrunk the kids, anyone?
3) The creation of attractions that focus on forgettable films like "Finding Nemo" and "Avatar" instead of the tried-and-true invincable and indomitable Disney trifecta of a. Fantasy, b. Nostalgia, and c. Futurism that has defined the parks (as well as the studios) since they were first introduced.

What I am unsure about:
1) Billion dollar magic-bracelet/data collection project.
2) Closing of classic rides and attractions such as the Country Bears Jamboree in WDL (Suggestions: Re-purpose the CB animatronics in a "Critter" themed restaurant.)
3) The repainting/redesign of the existing Tomorrowland in WDL
4) ESPN attractions/themed-restaurants (another "shoehorning.) Suggestion: Give the ESPN Sportsbar a real name and then do a sponsored by/presented by to blend into the park.

I know audiences today aren't as disgusted by shameless marketing and corporate shoehorning in their family entertainment, but it's impossible to argue that the beauty (as well as marketability) of what Disney created isn't somehow buried beneath the orange sands of SW, neon glow of ESPN, and the bright comic pages of Marvel.

In conclusion: None of these things represent a cohesive or collective vision. Unlike the simplicity of early parks that rested on the balance and the dynamic of naturalistic nostalgia and optimistic futurism, with only a enough magic and fantasy to make the former ideals worth-while.

Beauty and balance is what made the Disney Parks unique, and beauty and balance is what is lacking.

 

[Brer Panther]

He made PIXAR officially part of the Disney company, and now we've got Marvel and Star Wars too. That's pretty cool.

And I'll give him credit for things like AVATAR Land, Star Wars Land, and Toy Story Land. They're taking forever to build, but hey, it's SOMETHING.

 

[Dads 2 Boys]

If he's done such a crappy job and you have so much to complain about, why aren't you in charge? Just sayin'......

 

[George]

As a fellow member of the White Council he was actually quite instrumental in wining the war with the vampires. Plus, he did save me from the werewolf that one time. So, I've got to give credit where credit is due.

 

[righttrack]

Bought Lucasfilm, wresting the Star Wars franchise from it's creator/dementor

 

[PumpkinEeyore]

I liked it when he ceased all Imagineering operations on the Parks because of financial concern. I liked to imagine, in Calvin and Hobbes-animatic style, that he was throwing a temper tantrum on the floor of his office while his assistants rapidly tried to calm him down.