Disney and SeaWorld
Working From an Abundance Mentality
In the effort to keep us cool this summer, I’ve been speaking lately of water parks. So it seems appropriate that I mention SeaWorld. I just finished reading The Wave Maker by Tim O’Brien, which is the career story of George Millay. For those of you not familiar, George was the founder of SeaWorld, Magic Mountain and Wet’n Wild. It would be well to say that he is considered the father of the water park business as we know it today.
George Millay, Founder of SeaWorld, Magic Mountain, and Wet’n Wild.
Growing up in Phoenix, Arizona during the ’70s, I came to love the original SeaWorld in San Diego, California. On many a summer vacation we stayed nearby and I would walk there in the mornings by myself to see the Sea Maids at the Starkist underwater Theatre of the Sea and the pearl divers in their traditional vestments, and drink Hawaiian Punch while watching the dolphin show in the lagoon. It was a great park.
The SeaWorld park of today is a great contrast to the intimacy of the same park 30 years ago. Photo by Jeff Kober.
What surprised me most reading this entertaining biography is how supportive Walt Disney and the entire Disneyland organization was to SeaWorld. It was a Disneyland official who originally gave George the idea to call the park SeaWorld. Before construction began in early 1963, George was visiting with one of Walt’s consultants, Ed Ettinger, Disneyland’s marketing director. While visiting at the Disneyland Hotel, Ed suggested that the name SeaWorld would be a very descriptive and memorable park title. George agreed and responded immediately by applying for federal and state registration.
Many of George’s basic ideas about the park came from experts at Disneyland. Tommy Walker, Disneyland’s head of show production, spent considerable time with George, even working freelance on the side.
Another Disney leader was Jack Sayers, vice president of lessee relations. He introduced George to Fred Jordan, director of advertising for Richfield Oil Company. That eventually led to the Hydrofoils that raced across Mission Bay. Sayers also introduced other potential park sponsors to George like Foremost Dairies, Sparklett’s Water and Pepsi Cola.
Even Walt made a few appearances down in San Diego, meeting with George. He came down just after the first Shamu show had opened and gave George personal advice on working with architects to build a bigger stadium for the killer whale. Walt never saw SeaWorld as a threat. He simply saw it as an opportunity to build a better vacation destination for folks visiting Southern California.
The quiet moments still occur at SeaWorld. Photo by Jeff Kober.
I know what you’re thinking. What happened? Well, quite a bit over the years. Just as The Walt Disney Company became more corporate and competitive in its thinking, so did SeaWorld. Not only did it throw out George Millay shortly after the Orlando park opened, it changed hands a couple of times. By the mid ’80s, theme parks were in a different competitive place. There was Michael Eisner and his chauffeur jumping the fence at Universal Studios to get a peek at their new Florida studios while Disney-MGM park was underway. Then there was the purchase of Marineland by SeaWorld, which involved shutting down the park overnight and moving the valued killer whales to San Diego. In those days, the sharks weren’t the only “terrors of the deep.” It was a scene of fierce competition and scarce mentalities.
But the concept of working from an abundance mentality still has merit today. Just what is having an abundance mentality? Well it’s more than having a positive attitude, though those who have an abundance mentality have a largely bright outlook on life. That’s because those with an abundance mentality see the possibilities rather than the limits.
People with an abundance mentality have arrived at the idea that “There’s Room For Everyone In This World,” just like the song says in Pete’s Dragon. They believe there is enough resources for everyone to succeed. They believe in a win/win mentality spoken of by Stephen R. Covey in Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. They believe that others don’t have to lose out for they themselves to be successful. Nor do they believe that they themselves will lose if others succeed. Indeed, they are happy cheering others on. And they know that for they themselves to succeed long term, they have to give back to society as well.
As Wayne Dyer puts it: “Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.”
All this of course is opposite of the scarcity mentality. The scarcity mentality leads you to seeing nothing but obstacles and problems. They are the ones who have to shut others down in order to feel that they can succeed. They can’t stand it when others get their piece of the pie. And the fruits of this mentality are jealousy, selfishness, or insecurity.
It doesn’t mean we can’t be competitive. Competition is healthy—especially in the theme park business. It gives us new and better parks and attractions. But being competitive doesn’t mean we can’t be great sports. An abundance mentality means we cheer on others when they have their day in the sun. And in the meanwhile, we can bask in the truth that our best efforts will lead to our own success as well.
So look at your own organization. Where could an abundance mentality help you to see things from a clearer point of view? Where would a win/win mentality work not only with organizations you compete against? Where could you do a better job cheering on your fellow associates?
New children’s rides join Shamu’s Happy Harbor in Orlando, Florida . Photo by Jeff Kober.
And as for SeaWorld and the Walt Disney Company? Where’s the abundance mentality there? After all, SeaWorld is moving their new water park into the backyard of adjacent residents, and we all know Disney can’t seem to settle their dispute with the city of Anaheim over low cost housing. Are these the kind of parks we want to support? Are we doomed to some Donald Trump mentality of winner takes all?
Well, don’t dismiss our favorite parks too readily. There are still incredible and wonderful people within those organizations collaborating from an abundance mentality. Want an example? Consider Give Kids the World, where all the Central Florida parks pitch in to provide complimentary tickets, character appearances, and even donations to helping terminally ill children and their families. There’s no one trying to outdo another. There’s simply willingness on everyone’s part to help out.
The Living Seas is alive and vibrant within The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Photo by Jeff Kober.
And what about Disney and SeaWorld collaborating with each other? Well, look at the great things that are happening in the area of marine mammal conservation. Did you know that SeaWorld and the great folks at The Living Seas work together on marine mammal conservation projects? We owe much to the preservation of manatees (which are emerging from an endangered status) to the collaboration of scientists and researchers from these and other organizations who work together for the common good. Just a few weeks ago I was privileged to spend time backstage with old colleagues from my Disney days. I was amazed at the wonderful projects they are working on. And they share best practices and other insights as well with the good folks at SeaWorld as well.
That’s the magic of Disney. And it’s the wonder of SeaWorld.
So just because some corporate head or two doesn’t practice from an abundance mentality, doesn’t mean it’s out-of-date. Just try it for yourself. There’s room for everyone in the world, so just go out and make some room. And in the process, you’ll make magic in your own business.
