My apologies, folks. I know that “Why For” has sort of fallen by the wayside for the last couple of weeks. But — what with all the Disney-related news that’s been breaking lately — I was kind of hoping that you’d understand why I haven’t be able to answer your Mouse-based questions for a while. Hopefully — in the weeks ahead — things will start to calm down again (as I was saying to Rebekah Moseley of LaughingPlace.com as we spoke on the phone earlier this week: “Man, I’d kill for a slow news day”), we’ll get back to some sort of regular schedule ’round here.
Okay. Enough excuses. Let’s get to it, shall we?
First up, John Lasseter’s Evil Twin writes in to ask:
Jim –
Thanks so much for doing such a super job with your coverage with all the stuff that’s been going on with the Walt Disney Company lately. Quick question, though. Will you be in Philadelphia next week to attend the “Save Disney” rally as well as the shareholders meeting? If so, would it be possible to hook up with you while you’re in town? I’d really like to shake your hand as well as pick your brain about what’s been going on with the Mouse.
J.L.E.T.
Dear J.L.E.T.
Yeah, I’ll be down in Philadelphia to cover both the “Save Disney” Briefing and Reception as well as the Walt Disney Company’s annual meeting. Though — given the somewhat negative stuff that I’ve written about Shamrock this week as well as the extremely negative stuff that I’ve been writing about Disney CEO Michael Eisner since about … Oh … I don’t know … March of 1999? — I can’t imagine that I’m going to be greeted with open arms as I arrive in the “City of Brotherly Love” late next Monday night.
Which is why it might actually be nice to see some friendly faces while I’m in Philly. So … what the hey. Why don’t we try and set up a time and a place where JHM readers can meet while we’re all in town? Anyone have any suggestions?
If so, drop me a line at stadlerhill@mindspring.com over the next couple of days. Eventually, we’ll pin down the arrangements. Hey! Maybe we can even get a group photo taken while we’re all in town. Get a picture for posterity of all the dweebs who actually made the trek to Philadelphia to take part in Disney Company history.
And — speaking of history — Linda G. writes in today to ask:
Jim –
While poking around www.savedisney.com, I discovered a link back to your site. I have to say that I love all of your articles. Particularly the ones about Disney theme park history.
Which brings me to my big question: I notice that, last year, you gave a couple of tours of Disneyland. Will you be doing that again sometime in the future? And — if so — how can my husband and I reserve a spot for one of your tours?
Please keep up the great work,
Linda G.
Dear Linda G.
Funny you should mention the JHM tours of Disneyland. For I was just about to announce another round of them.
Yep. Just as the swallows return to the Mission San Juan Capistrano every year on March 19th, I’m returning to the Disneyland Resort on March 20th and 21st. I’ll be doing two days of tours at the theme parks that weekend. As part of this two-hour-long treks through Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, I’ll be talking up the behind-the-scenes stories of various attractions. At the end of each tour, there’ll be a Q and A session where — yes — I will answer your questions about what’s really been going on in the Mouse House over the past three months.
So — if you’ll be in the Anaheim area during that weekend in March and would like to take part in the tour — just drop me a line at (you guessed it!) stadlerhill@mindspring.com and I’ll send along the particulars.
Just be advised, though, Linda G. that space on these JHM tours is limited. (I find that — the smaller the tour group is — the easier that group is to manage. Plus it gives me more time for one-on-one talks with JHM readers. Which is always the most fun part of the tour. For me, anyway …)
Anywho … Robert H. — in response to yesterday’s “This isn’t a sprint anymore. This is a marathon.” article — writes in to ask:
Why do you quote people like B.B. in your articles? Does his opinion represent general feedback that you have received? To me his thinking is so obviously flawed. Is he suggesting that it would have been better for Disney and Gold to maintain the status quo and hope that no one figured out that WDC was a good takeover target. I hope that WDC stays independent, but if WDC is taken over it will be primarily due to Eisner and the Board of Directors not the Save Disney campaign.
Thanks, Bob
Dear Bob –
It’s all about balance, really. I think that it’s important that people always remember that there are usually two sides to every story. Yes, the majority of Disneyana fans seem to be solidly in Roy’s corner. Rabidly supporting his “Save Disney” effort.
But that doesn’t mean that ALL of the Disney faithful are marching in lock step with the folks over at Shamrock. Based on the e-mail that I keep getting, there are still a number of Disneyana die-hards out there who really disagree with what Disney and Gold are trying to accomplish here.
Hell, there’s even one guy out there who’s set up — I kid you not — a “Save Michael Eisner” site. Mind you, I’m still not entirely sure whether this website is actually an attempt at satire or someone’s deadly serious attempt to save Disney’s CEO. Either way, I found that image of the Comcast version of the Skyway pretty amusing. So maybe you’ll find it amusing too.
Next up, David P. writes in to talk about:
Hey Jim. Love the site, keep up the great work.
Given that the Academy Awards (Oscars) are coming up, I was disturbed to find out that they will be broadcast on the ABC network.
I can’t help but think that, in the event that Roy Disney’s “Destino” wins for Best Animated Short, he may get a chance on national television to dig at Michael Eisner a little bit. That would be good television and good for the Save Disney campaign, but what’s stopping Eisner from pulling the plug on Roy?
I haven’t seen any journalists, anyone from the Save Disney campaign, or anyone from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) mention this possibility and confront ABC.
Of course ABC would deny that anything like that would ever take place, but if no one makes it an issue before the Oscars, then if it does happen they could just claim it was an unfortunate “technical difficulty” but that “these things happen in live broadcasts.”
Once the issue is out in the public, they would know that people are watching to see if ABC does “accidentally” censor Roy and would be very careful to make sure it didn’t happen.
Hate to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I really don’t want to see Roy cut off for a car commerical in the event that Destino wins.
Hope you can help in some way,
David P.
Dear David –
Actually, I did write an article about this very same subject back on February 6th. And Richard Verrier and Claudia Eller also chimed in about what might happen on ABC should “Destino” actually win for Best Animated Short at this coming Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony in their February 19th article, “Short Film Has Tall Implication.”
But — as to what might happen if Roy actually makes it up on stage — I honestly don’t think that Disney’s CEO is stupid enough to order that Walt’s nephew be censored should Roy actually start saying mean things about Michael. More to the point, I think that Roy Disney is far too classy a guy to lash out at Michael Eisner in front of an estimated audience of 200 million people.
Mind you, a mild joke at Michael’s expense. A veiled reference to his “Save Disney” effort … THAT I could possibly see. But — as Roy Disney said to JHM’s own Chuck Oberleitner (when these two bumped into one another earlier this month at this year’s Annies):
“Folks don’t need to worry. I’m not going to say anything embarrassing. ‘Destino’ is about the fine work and efforts of people like John Hench at the studio.”
Like I said earlier, Roy just has too much class to openly attack Michael at the Oscars. However — this coming Tuesday afternoon at Philadelphia’s Loews Hotel — Walt’s nephew MIGHT be singing a different tune.
Speaking of tunes, Anthony T. now writes in to ask about what became of Epcot’s more tuneful shows, “Food Rocks”:
I just saw on a Disney info website that “The Land” pavilion at Epcot is closed for “renovations” while they put in that new “Soarin’ over California” ride. Is this the end of “The Land” that I know and loved from childhood, or is it only an addition?
I know “The Land” isn’t for everyone. But — along with “The Living Sea” (which may also be defunct) — it was my favorite Epcot attraction…
Anthony T.
Dear Anthony T.
Actually, most of the show and attractions in Epcot’s “The Land” pavilion have been left pretty much untouched. The “Living with the Land” boat ride (which replaced Future World’s original “Listen to the Land” show back in December 1993) is virtually unchanged. As is “The Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable” (the large format film that replaced “Symbosis” back in January 1995).
Unfortunately, “The Land”‘s “Food Rocks!” show has been tossed out in the garbage. This less-loved follow-up to “Kitchen Kabaret” may have debuted ‘way in March 1994 … but now it’s history. And the space that “Food Rocks!” pre-show and auditorium used to occupy? It’s now going to serve as the pre-show and queue for “Soarin’ Over California.”
Given what a lousy show “Food Rocks!” was, I seriously doubt that anyone — including you, Anthony — will miss it. Whereas “Soarin’ Over California” (which is — arguably — the very best attraction that DCA has to offer) will be a welcome addition to Epcot. I’m sure that thousands of Future World visitors will thrill to the simulated sensation of flying over San Francisco, Yosemite and Napa Valley.
Oh … just so you folks know: a friend who works at WDI told me earlier this week that there are already tentative plans to produce a new “Soarin'” show. Something that would probably fit in better with the Florida version of the attraction’s setting.
However, whether production of this new ride film for this somewhat-soon-to-be-opening Future World attraction (Tentative launch date: Spring 2005) will actually be greenlit in time for October 2007 (Epcot’s 25th anniversary) remains to be seen.
But — remember! — you heard it here first.
Next Chuckles writes in to ask:
Jim –
I recently discovered your web page through www.savedisney.com. Which is a cause I strongly believe in. I’d like to do whatever I can to help Roy and Stanley. Get the word out that something needs to be done and FAST if we’re actually going to save the Walt Disney Company. Since JimHillMedia.com seems to be doing such a good job of getting that message across, I was wondering if you suggest ways that a person like me could actually get Eisner booted out?
Chuckles
Dear Chuckles:
Well — for starters — if you actually owned some Disney stock, I think that probably the best way to help out Disney and Gold would be by withholding your proxy vote for Eisner, Bryson, Estrin and Mitchell. Or — if you live anywhere near Philadelphia — you could make the trek to the Loews Hotel this coming Tuesday evening and take part in the “Save Disney” Briefing and Reception, which is starting at 4 p.m. I know that the folks at Shamrock would really love it if a capacity crowd turned out for this event.
However, if you don’t live anywhere near Philly, Chuckles … you could write to Roy and Stanley’s people and request a “Save Disney” bumper sticker. Or you could just head over and order up a “Disappointed” t-shirt. That way, whether you’re driving or even if you’re just walking around, you’ll still be showing folks that you support the “Save Disney” cause.
Whatever you end up doing, Chuckles, I’m sure that the folks at Shamrock will appreciate the effort. (Hmmmn. I wonder how many of those “Disappointed” t-shirts I’ll be seeing this coming Wednesday morning at the Philadelphia Convention Center.) Anyway …
Okay. That’s enough for this week. I gotta go get started on packing for next week’s trip to Philly. I hope to see a lot of you JHM readers there supporting the “Save Disney” effort.
Til then, you folks take care, okay?
jrh