What Things Today Would Walt Disney Have Never Done or Be Out RAGED ABOUT.

[Brer Panther]

"That park was great... Now, where's EPCOT?"

 

[brb1006]

"That park was great... Now, where's EPCOT?"

I'm imagining something straight out of back to the future where Eisner get's visited by Walt telling him about the lack of his version of Epcot

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

While none of us can truly speak for Walt, he often spoke his mind while alive, and the kind of ideas he cherished.

He cherished a spotlessly clean park.

He also cherished a well told story. This goes back a ways, but I just don't think Walt would have ever released a clear dud like Home on the Range.

I fancy he'd also have allowed a little more revision to almost-great movies like Tangled and Brave, where both movies had something of value to offer...but just missed the bigger spark of Toy Story and Frozen. Both lack a "Let It Go"/"You've Got a Friend in Me". I want to visit the magic ice castle and the toy room where toys come alive.

I almost want to ride Rapunzel's horse, but I can't quite remember his name. The lanterns were pretty, but the song from that scene is forgotten. Brave has a great lead character, and she did great things for archery, but I can't recall any scene I'm eager to visit.

I like to think Walt was intelligent enough to recognize great storytelling.

 

[mouse_luv]

While none of us can truly speak for Walt, he often spoke his mind while alive, and the kind of ideas he cherished.

He cherished a spotlessly clean park.

He also cherished a well told story. This goes back a ways, but I just don't think Walt would have ever released a clear dud like Home on the Range.

I fancy he'd also have allowed a little more revision to almost-great movies like Tangled and Brave, where both movies had something of value to offer...but just missed the bigger spark of Toy Story and Frozen. Both lack a "Let It Go"/"You've Got a Friend in Me". I want to visit the magic ice castle and the toy room where toys come alive.

I almost want to ride Rapunzel's horse, but I can't quite remember his name. The lanterns were pretty, but the song from that scene is forgotten. Brave has a great lead character, and she did great things for archery, but I can't recall any scene I'm eager to visit.

I like to think Walt was intelligent enough to recognize great storytelling.

First of all, Rapunzel didn't have a horse. Maximus (the horse) was the head of the Royal Guard's horse that turned around and ended up helping Flynn. The song is relevant and has more use in the Parks and world of Disney than you think. Same goes for Brave. I stood in one of the longest lines for a character ever back in 2012 to see Merida at the MK and that was during the lower season at the end of August.

Now I will agree that neither have the footprint that Frozen has but that's because Disney went out of their way and is still going out of their way to shove Frozen down peoples throats.

I was actually happy with Tangled, Brave, etc and think that Walt would have been happy as well. What I don't think he would be happy with is the parks being in disregard by the people running them and the way that DHS/EPCOT look at this point. The show aspect is falling or has fallen by the wayside and he would more than likely NOT be happy about that whatsoever.

 

[Tom]

I don't know how he'd feel about the presence of Starbucks in the parks.

I don't think he'd have a problem with it whatsoever, given the rampant use of corporate sponsors in Disneyland.

I believe the biggest disappointment for him would've been EPCOT.

If he were suddenly brought back to life, then perhaps this would be true. But had he continued living, I predict we would have EPCOT in some manner (above and beyond what can be argued as a replacement: RCID). Therefore, he likely wouldn't be disappointed. He would have made it work, even if it resulted in failure.

I think Walt would like the world-wide exposure his parks get and the ways they have made people happy. I also think that he'd love how Disneyland has still preserved his original attractions. Magic Kingdom in Disney World hasn't quite done the same, but I think Walt would like that many of his 1955 attractions are still there.

My belief is that he would hate the prices of things. Unless you use a hopper pass you are paying $100 for a day at Disney World. That's insane. Walt sort of shunned the stock holders back in the day, I guess he saw the need for them but didn't he read a letter in front of them one day about a young man who told him how much he loves his movies and to keep going in that direction, or something? Right there that shows you Walt cared about quality and not profit. So I think he'd be bothered by that today.

He had a big ego, and it's certainly reasonable to think he would be proud of the widespread happiness that the Disney brand causes today.

I'm not so sure that he would care so much that they've preserved original attractions. He was always a step ahead of the times, and I predict he would have remained a step ahead of technology as long as he would have lived. He didn't want Disneyland to be a museum, and I fully believe he wouldn't have hesitated in the slightest to bulldoze a "classic" to make way for something groundbreaking.

"Expensive" is a relative term. I've spent more than $100 to watch a 3-hour sporting event. I've spent $40 to watch a 2-hour movie with popcorn and sodas. I consider $100 for a 12-18 hour day in a world class theme park to be a "deal" (but don't tell Mickey I said that).

He had big, bold ideas, but had a small budget for many years. It was only ever offset when Roy would find money by way of sponsors, big banks, or even "selling out" (i.e. selling shares to ABC, going public, etc). If it meant he could continue pursuing his desire for excellence, he would almost always give in to whatever would fund him.

 

[Tom]

My favorite answer comes from one of the very few people on this earth who could possibly have a legitimate insight, Marty Sklar. When asked what he thought Walt would say about the parks today, his guess was, "What took you so long?"

 

[Nick Wilde]

I don't think he'd have a problem with it whatsoever, given the rampant use of corporate sponsors in Disneyland.



If he were suddenly brought back to life, then perhaps this would be true. But had he continued living, I predict we would have EPCOT in some manner (above and beyond what can be argued as a replacement: RCID). Therefore, he likely wouldn't be disappointed. He would have made it work, even if it resulted in failure.



He had a big ego, and it's certainly reasonable to think he would be proud of the widespread happiness that the Disney brand causes today.

I'm not so sure that he would care so much that they've preserved original attractions. He was always a step ahead of the times, and I predict he would have remained a step ahead of technology as long as he would have lived. He didn't want Disneyland to be a museum, and I fully believe he wouldn't have hesitated in the slightest to bulldoze a "classic" to make way for something groundbreaking.

"Expensive" is a relative term. I've spent more than $100 to watch a 3-hour sporting event. I've spent $40 to watch a 2-hour movie with popcorn and sodas. I consider $100 for a 12-18 hour day in a world class theme park to be a "deal" (but don't tell Mickey I said that).

He had big, bold ideas, but had a small budget for many years. It was only ever offset when Roy would find money by way of sponsors, big banks, or even "selling out" (i.e. selling shares to ABC, going public, etc). If it meant he could continue pursuing his desire for excellence, he would almost always give in to whatever would fund him.

I still believe he would've been saddened and disappointed that EPCOT didn't come to be. He would've been understanding, but disappointed. It was his biggest dream for Florida.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

First of all, Rapunzel didn't have a horse. Maximus (the horse) ...The song is relevant and has more use in the Parks and world of Disney than you think.
What I don't think he would be happy with is the parks being in disregard by the people running them and the way that DHS/EPCOT look at this point. The show aspect is falling or has fallen by the wayside and he would more than likely NOT be happy about that whatsoever.

I meant Rapunzel's horse in the sense of the horse from the story of Rapunzel. (Because calling him the Tangled horse wouldn't have made sense.) I think the post-Tangled shorts do him justice. The character is fine, the film just doesn't showcase him well enough. Pascal has the same flaw. Both could have the same staying power as the 7 Dwarfs, if they'd just been presented better.

If Disney parks are playing the Rapunzel lantern song, but people aren't noticing, then you agree it isn't as memorable as some of the more iconic Disney songs? It is called, "I See the Light." The scene is beautiful, and the song isn't annoying, it just isn't particularly memorable.

I could have easily compared it to a host of much older other Disney songs that are very well-known. How about "When You Wish Upon a Star"? Can anyone forget that song after they experience Wishes?

I agree with several other things you wrote. Merida is a great character, it's just the little tidbit which would have made the whole story as big a hit as Frozen isn't quite there. And I think that's a shame, because the story has many strengths.

 

[mouse_luv]

I meant Rapunzel's horse in the sense of the horse from the story of Rapunzel. (Because calling him the Tangled horse wouldn't have made sense.) I think the post-Tangled shorts do him justice. The character is fine, the film just doesn't showcase him well enough. Pascal has the same flaw. Both could have the same staying power as the 7 Dwarfs, if they'd just been presented better.

If Disney parks are playing the Rapunzel lantern song, but people aren't noticing, then you agree it isn't as memorable as some of the more iconic Disney songs? It is called, "I See the Light." The scene is beautiful, and the song isn't annoying, it just isn't particularly memorable.

I could have easily compared it to a host of much older other Disney songs that are very well-known. How about "When You Wish Upon a Star"? Can anyone forget that song after they experience Wishes?

I agree with several other things you wrote. Merida is a great character, it's just the little tidbit which would have made the whole story as big a hit as Frozen isn't quite there. And I think that's a shame, because the story has many strengths.

Agreed. And I know "See the light" as well as all of the other songs in that movie which are equally good if not better. See the Light is part of Celebrate the Magic with the lanterns etc. Another film I feel was fantastic and not represented enough in the Parks is "Princess and the Frog"

 

[POLY LOVER]

I think he would be sad that the horseshoe salon show is gone. I know the main actor died after doing the show for years. I think it would make him sad even angry that the salon is closed or the show has not gone on. I hope I have the name of the salon correct. I loved that show it was a great addition to the area.
Anyone remember the show or have details about its closing.

 

[mouse_luv]

I think he would be sad that the horseshoe salon show is gone. I know the main actor died after doing the show for years. I think it would make him sad even angry that the salon is closed or the show has not gone on. I hope I have the name of the salon correct. I loved that show it was a great addition to the area.
Anyone remember the show or have details about its closing.

I presume you are talking about the Diamond Horseshoe Revue? I remember going to it as a kid.

 

[POLY LOVER]

I presume you are talking about the Diamond Horseshoe Revue? I remember going to it as a kid.

Yes that's it I had a brain cramp and could not remember the name. Loved the show.

 

[POLY LOVER]

The Diamond Horseshoe Revue was one of the most popular attractions in the Magic Kingdom from the first time it swung open its saloon doors in 1971.

The Diamond Horseshoe Revue was a spin-off of the popular Golden Horseshoe Revue in Disneyland. That venue was one of Walt Disney’s favorites — in fact, he and his wife Lillian celebrated their wedding anniversary there a few days before Disneyland opened in July of 1955.

 

[POLY LOVER]

The hoot-and-holler show featured plenty of singin’, can-can dancin’ and corny wise crackin’ jokes. Some of the performers were known to climb down into the audience for some up-close and personal interaction.

There was even a cowboy who managed to get most of his "teeth" knocked out of his mouth seven or eight times a day ... and then he’d spit them out into the roaring crowd.

Good times.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Okay, that's a bit misleading. It's only $100 for a day if you only do one day or buy your tickets separately each and every day. Florida locals and AP holders get discounts. People buying multi-day tickets get discounts.

Yes, but it is still a lot of money. There are lots of people who come down for one day. I was looking at my ticket from 1997, it was $40. Should it really have jumped up that much in 18 years? It isn't as if it has correlated with inflation.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

I'm not so sure that he would care so much that they've preserved original attractions. He was always a step ahead of the times, and I predict he would have remained a step ahead of technology as long as he would have lived. He didn't want Disneyland to be a museum, and I fully believe he wouldn't have hesitated in the slightest to bulldoze a "classic" to make way for something groundbreaking.

"Expensive" is a relative term. I've spent more than $100 to watch a 3-hour sporting event. I've spent $40 to watch a 2-hour movie with popcorn and sodas. I consider $100 for a 12-18 hour day in a world class theme park to be a "deal" (but don't tell Mickey I said that).

He had big, bold ideas, but had a small budget for many years. It was only ever offset when Roy would find money by way of sponsors, big banks, or even "selling out" (i.e. selling shares to ABC, going public, etc). If it meant he could continue pursuing his desire for excellence, he would almost always give in to whatever would fund him.

We do have a precedence to know he would want to preserve the old attractions. For starters, in 1955 when Disneyland opened up there were lots of attractions that are still there today. You would think Walt liked that because he kept them there until he died in 1966. That's 11 years of him not getting sick of them. He was proud of his movies I would think. Stuff like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty helped build Disneyland in an indirect way.

He always had one foot in the past and one in the future. Not saying he wouldn't have made modern rides, because we saw that he did, but he never got rid of the classics to do that. He loved nostalgia.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

He always had one foot in the past and one in the future. Not saying he wouldn't have made modern rides, because we saw that he did, but he never got rid of the classics to do that. He loved nostalgia.

This is a good observation.
It seems to me that Walt also loved the idea of discovery. I suspect he'd be less than thrilled by how that aspect of WDW has disappeared. (in large part due to the internet)

I mean once upon a time WDW was full of surprise treats. The Sword in the Stone, towel animals to name two. Getting a towel animal was like gold. then guests found out about them online, and suddenly guests that didn't get them got upset.

. He was all for promotion, but there's a fine line between promoting online- and posting so much that you take away the spirit of discovery. Watching ride footage online isn't anything like discovering it in person.

I like to imagine Walt and the imagineers would have come up with creative ways to reward guests for keeping WDW's secrets secret.

 

[POLY LOVER]

This is a good observation.
It seems to me that Walt also loved the idea of discovery. I suspect he'd be less than thrilled by how that aspect of WDW has disappeared. (in large part due to the internet)

I mean once upon a time WDW was full of surprise treats. The Sword in the Stone, towel animals to name two. Getting a towel animal was like gold. then guests found out about them online, and suddenly guests that didn't get them got upset.

. He was all for promotion, but there's a fine line between promoting online- and posting so much that you take away the spirit of discovery. Watching ride footage online isn't anything like discovering it in person.

I like to imagine Walt and the imagineers would have come up with creative ways to reward guests for keeping WDW's secrets secret.

Yes I agree and the fact that Disney has the shows on TV that reveal Disney secrets doesn't,t help keep the mystery under raps. Now a days with all the entertainment available to kids it's hard to dazzle them anymore. It will be a struggle going forward without great imagineers and allowing them some freedom to create.

 

[POLY LOVER]

The removal of the time traveler

 

[tonganprince]

I always picture Walt at a head a board room table. Some weasel kiss VP submits the idea of Stitch replacing alien encounter. The rest of the board seems to love the idea.

Walt fires everyone on the spot.