Why For

Jim Hill

20 years ago

First up, Splurge — a hardcore Muppet fan — writes in to say:

Dear Jim —

Did you see that Dove soap commercial that features a cameo by Miss Piggy? Is this really all that Disney can think to do with the Muppets? Stick them in ads for pizza and soap?

The Muppets deserve better than this. If this is really all that Disney can think to do with these classic characters, then I think that Disney should just sell the Muppets back to the Jim Henson Company.

What do you think?

Splurge

Dear Splurge —

Look, I know that I’ve been really critical in the past about how the Walt Disney Company has been handling the Muppets. But — to be honest — I’m not all that upset with Disney placing Miss Piggy & pals in commercials.

Why for? Because — as I keep hearing from the various arms of the Walt Disney Company — the Muppets are a faded franchise. That (based on all of the survey work that Disney has done to date) beyond having some limited appeal to baby boomers, Kermit & Co. aren’t exactly what you call a hot property.

Which is why the Mouse — under the guidance of Chris Curtin (I.E. The general manager and vice president of the Muppet Holding Company LLC, that teeny-tiny arm of the Mouse House that actually controls what Disney does with the Muppets) — is attempting to kickstart this franchise. The plan (as I understand it) is to ease the characters back into the spotlight. Not ram them down our throats.

Which explains Kermit & Piggy’s appearance as the anchors of the Disneyland portion of the 2004 “Disney World Christmas Day Parade” special. As well as that new Muppets / Pizza Hutt commercial that debuted on Super Bowl Sunday. Each of these recent Muppet TV appearances were supposedly carefully calculated by Disney in order to slowly raise the characters’ profile.

That effort continues this coming Sunday night as the Muppets appear on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Believe it or not, Kermit, Miss Piggy and Fozzie actually team up with Ty Pennington and his team of designers to retool a Birmingham, Alabama home that was damaged by Hurricane Ivan.

And — if that’s not enough Muppets stuff for you — the frog & friends then make another appearance on ABC on Monday night as part of that “Extreme Makeover” spin-off, “How’d They Do That?”

Then — when you factor in the Ebert & Siskel impression that Stadler and Waldorf have begun doing over at Movies.com — you can see that Disney really is trying to get the word out about these characters. All with the hope that — once May rolls around — the public will be that much more aware of the Muppets and will then go out of its way to watch “The Muppets’ Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”

‘Cause make no mistake, folks. A lot is riding on how well this new Muppet TV movie does in the ratings. If “Oz” wins its time slot that night, I’m told that Disney will greenlight production of a new Muppet TV movie (Possibly the “Muppets’ Alice in Wonderland”) the very next day. If “Oz” does poorly … Well, that really doesn’t bode well for Kermit & Co.

And — as for the Muppets returning to the Jim Henson Company … Sorry, Splurge. But that ain’t gonna happen.

Why for? Well, never mind the fact that Michael Eisner has dreams of turning the Muppets into another Winnie the Pooh (I.E. A group of much beloved characters that annually make billions for the Disney Company). But — over the past 12+ months, Brian & Lisa Henson have been busy turning the Jim Henson Company into a Muppet-free zone.

Brian & Lisa’s vision for this family-owned firm is to turn Henson into a start-of-the-art production house that specializes in high concept fantasy films in the wein of “The Dark Crystal” and “Labyrinth.” In fact, their initial effort along this line, “Mirrormask” debuted at this year’s Sundance Film Festival to much acclaim.

Mind you, “Mirromask” doesn’t have an official theatrical release date yet. (I’m told that the studio that currently has the distribution rights to this Neil Gaiman /Dave McKean film [I.E. Sony Pictures] absolutely loves this motion picture. They’re just a trifle unsure still about the proper way to promote this rather quirky project.) But that hasn’t stopped Brian & Lisa from plunging ahead with other productions.

Just last week, “Daily Variety” reported that Henson’s daughter had aquired the production rights to a number of interesting novels. These included:

Sean Stewart’s “Perfect Circle,” a darkly comic novel about a Texan in his 30’s who’s regularly visited by ghosts.
Paul Fleishman’s “Weslandia,” a children’s book about a boy who doesn’t quite fit into this world. Which is why he invents a world of his own.
Agapi Stassinopoulos’ “Conversations With the Goddesses” and “Gods and Goddesses in Love.” (Which Jane reportedly sees more as a project for television).

FYI: To assist in the development of the above project, Brian & Jane have actually hired several old Disney hands: Andrew Chapman (Who worked as a screenwriter on “Pocahontas’) and Alison Taylor (Who wrote the teleplay for that popular Disney Channel movie, “The Cheetah Girls.”

So — to be honest, Splurge — there really isn’t a place for the Muppets now at the newly re-configured Jim Henson Company. Kermit & Co. just wouldn’t fit in with Henson kids’ vision for their new production company.

Which is why we’d all better hope that the Walt Disney Company is ultimately successful in its effort to revive the Muppet franchise. Otherwise, Miss Piggy & pals could wind up on a shelf somewhere with Kukla, Fran & Ollie and/or Howdy Doodie. Lumped in with those other long-ago puppet stars that were once wildly popular but eventually fell out of favor.

Anywho … I’m hoping to talk with some of the Disney folks who are working directly with the Muppets when I get out to Southern California later this month. When I hear more, I’ll be sure to share that with JHM readers.

And — speaking of my upcoming trip to LA — Betty V. of Torrance, CA. wrote in to say:

Dear Jim —

I just saw that you’re coming back to California in March to do another round of JHM tours. I really enjoyed that tour of Disneyland that I took with you back in March of 2003 and I was thinking of maybe signing up for another tour next month. But I was wondering: Are you going to tell the same stories that you told last time or will you have some new material for this go-round?

Betty V.

Dear Betty V.

Actually, yes. I am going to be folding a lot of new material into my Disneyland and DCA tour this go-round. If only because it keeps me from getting bored from doing the same tour over and over and over …

So — this time around — in honor of Disneyland’s 50th anniversary, I thought that I might try & do something different. Rather than focusing on the history of the Anaheim theme park (Which everyone’s going to be doing this coming summer), I thought that I might talk about the Disneyland that never was. All the ideas that Walt had for “The Happiest Place on Earth” that he was never quite able to pull off … As well as all those other ideas that the Imagineers have proposed for Anaheim over the past 50 years.

Some of the projects that I plan to talk as part of this next round of tours are:

Liberty Street
International Street
Edison Square
Mythia
Big City U.S.A.
Discovery Bay
Hollywoodland

Plus great never-built attractions like “Garden of the Gods,” “Plectu’s Fantastic Galactic revue” and the “Atlantis Expedition.” So — if you’re really into Disney what-might-have-been stories, this is the series of JHM tours that you really want to sign up for.

Speaking of signing up: If you do want to join me in Anaheim on March 19th & 20th for a really unique Disneyland tour, then I suggest that you follow this link over to Mouseketrips.com. Where Scott Liljenquist will be more than happy to sign you for the next round of JHM tours.

Speaking of Scott: As you may notice by “Why For” ‘s new logo, this regular JHM feature now has an official sponsor. And — from here on in — Mr. Liljenquist will be occassionally be assisting me with this column. Particularly with those questions that I don’t actually have answers for.

Take — for example — this e-mail from Paul S.:

Jim:

My fiancee and I went through a DVC presentation {some people will do anything for a free lunch! ;)} and although there are plenty of DVC options in Florida and even one in Hilton Head, you’re out of luck if you go to California (or at least you’re out a lot more of your points). With all the land that Disney has in Anaheim now that could be developed (both near the 3rd park and in the vicinity of DL and DCA), has Disney ever seriously considered opening a DVC resort near DL?

For that matter, why don’t you ever hear about DVC when you visit the Disneyland Resort?

To be honest, Paul, I don’t know an awful lot about the Disney Vacation Club. Whereas my good friend, Mr. Liljenquist is a veritable whiz when it comes to this sort of stuff. So take it away, Scott!

Well, Paul, funny you should ask. If you look carefully, you’ll see the groundwork being laid for the first of several Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resorts in southern California. But before we go into details, perhaps a little history is in order. As you mentioned in your question, there are plenty of DVC options in Florida. In fact, the Disney Vacation Club was for a long time one of the few bright spots on the Walt Disney Company’s balance sheet. Disney loves DVC and the capital it brings in to the company, and they’ve pushed forward full speed ahead building new DVC resorts in Florida where land is not a problem.

From early on the suits at Disney wanted desperately to bring the Disney Vacation Club to California. In fact, Disney at one time actually purchased property in southern California with the intent of turning it into the area’s first DVC resort. The site where the Marriott Newport Coast Villas now stands was once destined to bring the DVC to the west coast. As with a lot of Disney’s plans, however, the property was never developed and was subsequently sold to Marriott, who went on to build the resort almost unchanged from Disney’s original plans.

So what happened (or, to be more cohesive with the title of this column, Why For)? Two things, actually. First, keep in mind that this property is located about 20 miles from Disneyland. The original intent was to make this a “Disneyland optional” destination – one where members could enjoy everything southern California has to offer without necessarily visiting Disneyland. However, market research quickly proved that most vacationers would indeed be using the property for a Disneyland visit. The research further showed that the thought of being shuttled back and forth to Disneyland in traffic was as unappealing to potential DVC members as it was to Disney, who did not want the expense and liability of running a fleet of shuttle buses back and forth.

The real killer of this deal, however, was located clear across the country on the east coast. Disney’s first experiment in DVC locations not adjacent to the theme parks opened in South Carolina, and quickly became a colossal disappointment. Disney’s Hilton Head Resort was the DVC’s first sales disaster. Up to that point, all of the DVC resorts had quickly sold out at a premium price. Hilton Head sold much more slowly, taking Disney by surprise and making them very wary of any further resorts not associated with the theme parks The Newport Beach property was quickly and quietly put up for sale. (Not only that, but properties in Colorado and Virginia intended for DVC resort were sold as well.)

All is not lost, however. Rumblings and rumors have been greatly increasing in frequency regarding DVC activity around the Disneyland Resort. Sales kiosks, similar to the ones found in Florida, will soon be constructed inside Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. These sales positions will initially focus on the Florida resorts, but it doesn’t take a huge leap of logic to see where the whole process is heading.

Disney’s ultimate preference would be to include a DVC option for the flagship Disneyland resort, the Grand Californian. Several different plans have been proposed to add a DVC wing or convert existing rooms to accommodate the DVC. However, the high occupancy rate at the Grand Californian and the very limited real estate available for expansion have thus far put the kibosh on those plans. Options are still being considered, however, and this plan is by no means dead.

Most sources now indicate, however, that the most likely location for any Disneyland Resort DVC expansion would be adjacent to the new 3rd park to be built in the recently acquired strawberry fields. While no concrete annoucements have been made for that 3rd Disneyland Resort gate, plans are well underway for the DVC property to be featured as a part of that property. In fact (and remember, you heard it here first), don’t be surprised to see some kind of announcement made during the Disneyland 50th celebration concerning Disney’s plans for bringing the Disney Vacation Club to California.

So there you have it, Paul. Pretty cool, huh?

And speaking of cool stuff, Rocket Jay Swirl writes in to say:

Jim —

How come Disney World doesn’t have a Matterhorn. So many other of Disneyland’s classic attractions were recreated in Orlando. Why not the Matterhorn?

Rocket Jay Swirl

Dear Rocket Jay Swirl —

(By the way: As a longtime “Bullwinkle” fan, I really like your Internet handle. Anyway …) Actually, *** Nunis — the former Chairman of Walt Disney Attractions — tried for years to get a Matterhorn built in Orlando.

Initially, *** envisioned this 100th scale version of the Swiss mountain being built just about where Mickey’s Toontown Fair is located today. So that it would rise up dramatically between Cinderella Castle & Space Mountain. Which (to his way of thinking, anyway) would have made a really great picture postcard.

Nunis also wanted this Disneyland favorite (when it was recreated in Orlando) to straddle the WDW Railroad tracks. Why For? Because then the train could roll through the base of the mountain. And — as the steam engine pulled those passenger cars through those artificial ice caves — *** wanted those Magic Kingdom visitors who were on board the train to be treated to a fake blizzard. Talk about your interesting ways to beat the Florida heat.

Anyway … Just about the time that Nunis was winning Disney Company management over to the idea that Disney World really needed its very own version of the Matterhorn, Epcot Center opened up. And it quickly became apparent that this science & discovery theme park desperately needed some thrill rides.

Which was why — for a time in the late 1980s / early 1990s — World Showcase was slated to get a new country: Switzerland! This Epcot addition was (natch) due to be nestled between the German & Italian pavilions. And what was supposed to be seen rising up been the Swiss pavilion? You guessed it! An Orlando version of the Matterhorn.

Mind you, WDW’s version of the Matterhorn was supposed to be one of two mountains that World Showcase was originally supposed to have received as part of the late, great “Disney Decade.” Epcot’s Japanese pavilion was all set to get a miniature version of Mount Fuji, which was to have had a bullet train ride inside. Maybe next week (If I can persuade Jeff Lange to dig some images of this proposed WDW attraction out of his vast photo archives) I’ll share some pictures of “Fire Mountain” with you guys.

And speaking of sharing stuff — let’s make with the prizes by announcing the winners of this week’s JHM readers contest.

While I will admit that “Mix That Media!” was NOT one of the site’s more popular contests (As of midnight of last night, we had only received 37 entries), there were still some very funny entries.

Take — for example — this entry from Leslie C. Which combined a sitcom from the 1960s, a Disney film from the 1970s and an ABC newscast to create:

Gilligan’s Island at the Top of the World News Tonight

Or — better yet — how about this entry from Peter B. of Buffalo, N.Y. Who took a movie that starred O.J. Simpson, another Disney film from the 1970s as well as a Chuck Norris action adventure from the 1980s to create something that sounds like the ultimate drive-in flick:

Capricorn, One of Our Dinosaurs is missing in action

“So which was your favorite entry, Jim?,” you ask. To be honest, I think it was the one that MonkeyFaced Fred sent in. Which cleverly combined the names of two historic playthings, a beloved 1960s sitcom and Cuba Gooding’s catchphrase from “Jerry Maquire” to come up with this unlikely sounding phrase:

Raggedy Ann & Andy Griffith, show me the money

So if you three folks could please get in touch with me and send along your mailing addresses, I’ll be happy to send out your prizes.

Anyway … That’s it for this week. You folks try & have a great weekend, okay? And we’ll all meet here again on Monday, alright?

jrh