Jim Hill
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And believe me, there's plenty of things that the Disney corporation has been doing lately that are just plain wrong. Take -- for example -- when a talented and dedicated Imagineer like Tony Baxter is eased out of a position of authority at WDI just because he dares to insist that the Walt Disney Company create theme park attractions that tell great stories rather than provide great cost savings for the corporation ... That's a story that folks who genuinely care about the Walt Disney Company need to hear about.
And when Kirk Wise & Gary Trousdale are pressured by Disney Studio executives to remove major action sequences & key plot points out of "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" (profoundly wounding the film in the process, which -- in the end -- hurt "A:TLE" 's chances of ever becoming a success at the box office) all in a short-sighted effort to save a few bucks ... That's another story that Disneyana fans need to hear about.
And when you can walk into your local Disney Store and discover that it's become a Mouse-ified version of the Gap (Where are the watches? The ties? Adult male clothing of any kind?), that's a story that needs to get out too.
And as for (as one reader wrote) "I'm off to Disneyland with my wife and kids to eat at Downtown Disney (A HUGE success you can write about)" comment ... Well, of course Downtown Disney is a success. This is the sort of place that the accountants who are currently running the Walt Disney Company understand. Shops. Restaurants. Places where these guys can be up front about their desire to get their hands on your money.
That's why Pressler's people put so much time and thought into the design of Downtown Disney. Note the somewhat tight, rather curvy design of the place -- which forces potential customers to move slowly through the area, forever eyeballing all the tempting goods lined up in those brightly lit windows.
Just think how great Disney's California Adventure might have been if Disney's current management team had put the same sort of care and concern into the creation of that theme park that they so obviously poured into the development of Downtown Disney.
Okay, okay. I know. The Walt Disney Company is a business. Which means that they're entitled to make a few bucks. I honestly don't begrudge them that. My main problem is that -- over the past 10 years or so -- the greed and arrogance of the people who are currently running the Disney corporation has become so naked, so apparent that it's just become impossible to ignore. Which is why I feel compelled to write about it.
More to the point, senior Disney officials that I've spoken privately with have said that unless there's some sort of public outcry concerning the Mouse's avarice, the current management team can be expected to stay the course. I.E. continue to cut corners and reduce quality while they bump up prices, all in an effort to boost profits.
So that's why I do what I do. I'm going to continue to call Eisner & Co. on their behavior. Sure, if they do something good, I'll take time to talk about that too. But -- beyond that -- my job (as I see it) is to keep the spotlight tightly focused on the current Disney management team, to make that the public is kept aware that -- in spite of Mickey's ever present smile -- that all is not sweetness & light within Disney's Magic Kingdom.
Of course, Eisner & Co. are already painfully aware that all is not well within their kingdom. And it's not just whiny little weenies like me that they're worried about. It's the general public -- those consumers who seem to be developing a serious case of apathy when it comes to all Disney products -- that's concerning Uncle Michael.
Don't believe me? Let's take a look at "Pearl Harbor" and "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" 's grosses. Or "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" 's sagging ratings. Or how about Tuesday's news out of Orlando -- when Walt Disney World officials announced that they were postponing the opening of the Pop Century Resort Hotel from December 2001 'til March 2002. Their explanation? Construction of the 5,760 room value priced hotel is still running right on schedule. But the Mouse wants to hold off on opening the Pop Century 'til it could have "more amenities in place."
The truth? Disney's allegedly holding off on opening the Pop Century Resort because bookings are supposedly soft for all the other hotels on property right now. Unless WDW reservations pick up pronto, this value hotel -- with its three story tall Mr. & Mrs. Potatoheads -- could remain in mothballs for many months to come.
Oops? Was that bad news about the Mouse? I'd better shut up then, shouldn't I?
After all, Michael Eisner needs all the Disney supporters he can get these days. Particularly those who are still willing to open their wallets.
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-- Jim Hill
Jim Hill can be reached using the Talkback form below or by emailing him at [email protected].
Jim Hill is this guy who lives 'way out in the woods of New Hampshire. (Hey, it's not like he wants to live there. But the Witness Protection Program has got rules, you know.) He has one beautiful daughter and three obnoxious cats. When he's not looking for real work, Jim writes about the Walt Disney Company and related matters for LaughingPlace.com, AmusementPark.com, "Orlando Weekly" and Digital Media FX.
The opinions expressed by Jim Hill, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the past decisions and future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted June 21, 2001