MousePlanet writer and Mouse Tales author David Koenig answers reader mail in response to his recent articles, including one on the recent changes at Universal Studios Hollywood. (link). Greg writes:
What a great article! I was very impressed with your description of Universal Studios Hollywood (USH) from the early 1990s and the progression towards being a Disney competitor. If there were any NBC execs looking for ideas to cut costs and improve show, they should have read your article. Nice work, as usual.
Thanks for the kind words. I would love to see USH regain its stride by rediscovering its identity.
Oleg C. writes:
David, again you have brought some great facts with some interesting tidbits of “running a theme park.” I really enjoy your contributions because it’s kind of where my head is at too. I am into the park and its desired vision—but I am also interested in how it runs, investments, etc., but not the point that I want to study spreadsheets all day. I like the “MWWA” model from In Search of Excellence…managing while walking around—which is exactly what Walt did many years before the book was ever written.
I’m also a great believer in “management by immersion.” You have to be constantly surrounded by what you’re directing to really understand how it works and where there’s opportunity for improvement. Facts and stats are great for helping to sharpen your tools, but it’s even more important to fully understand your product. It does no good to sharpen your product, if your product’s a spoon!
Tony R. writes:
First off, kudos to you for all your outstanding journalism over the years with respect to Disneyland. Not to disparage your colleagues at MousePlanet, but I always look forward to your writing and wish it were more frequent.
I was at home earlier this week watching some of the Treasures DVDs with my 5-year-old daughter, just enjoying a little nostalgia and the newness of it with her (her first Disneyland trip will be happening next year). It hit me then as it did when I read your article just now… Why does everything WDC seems to do to the parks now have to involve something Pixar-ish? Are there any Imagineers who can convince the higher-ups in the company to do some things that are just fantastic and original?
I mentioned the DVDs because, as we were watching Walt introduce things like “it’s a small world” and the dinosaur diorama on the Disneyland Railroad; I noted that Walt introduced things into his park that weren’t necessarily connected with his animated productions but rather that excited his guests and expanded their minds, really “Wowed” them. The rocket pack man from back then would still be cool and exciting even today. Matterhorn is a great ride, Autopia, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion… but none evoke movie tie-ins (excepting later movies made based on an attraction like HM).
I suppose I’m just bothered by what I see as an overall lack of both creativity and originality. Like many others, I’m pleased that John Lasseter, as a former CM, has the trust of Bob Iger and has his hands deeply into what I pray will be a successful revitalization of DCA. I still have to wonder though how even he is deferring to creating attractions after properties in the Pixar portfolio. The Buzz Lightyear ride, which I tried in WDW for the first time last summer, is fun, but you’re right to state that it’s only a C-ticket, and to me, a somewhat uninspired one at that. Yes, it’s fun to shoot and compete against your seat-mate, but what’s new there? What’s exciting? Have I been WOW-ed? Am I inspired? Sadly, I have to say no. I’m not dying to ride the Finding Nemo Subs because the ride’s soul has been compromised. No more excitement of the mystery of being in a real submarine or of discovery or learning, just looking at Pixar fish in the water. At least the lagoon isn’t empty, and the subs look great, but the ride doesn’t hold as much fascination for me.
My apologies if this rant is going on a bit long, but from what I’ve read of yours, I think you can appreciate what I’m trying to say. I just think Walt understood that he could create interesting, exciting attractions that would keep guests coming back for more even if they weren’t tied to his cartoons. I hope those working on development projects for Disneyland and DCA get back to that original premise.
Thanks for the kind words. I agree with all of them, especially the part about wishing my online writing could be more frequent! You’re right; it is a little disappointing that nearly every new attraction has to be toon-related. Disneyland was originally designed to offer a range of experiences, in terms of scale, intensity and theme. It’s one reason I think the parks with the most variety, the “castle parks,” enjoy the highest attendance each year. As the themes become fewer and more narrow (Epcot’s international and future themes, Studios’ movies, Animal Kingdom’s animals, DCA’s California), so does their appeal. Check out the just-released attendance figures as proof.
Disney has mistakenly assumed the Magic Kingdom is the most popular because that’s where the characters are, and has spent the last decade stuffing as many characters as possible into all of its other parks.
Another reason for this trend is that after a park matures and has established its base of attractions, most new additions are designed more for marketing than to increase capacity or improve the guest experience. The marketing department finds an Incredibles coaster or Stitch Flying Saucers a lot easier to sell than rides without a known brand attached.
The mailbag welcomes new MousePlanet staff writer Steve Russo! In the last batch of letters this week, Steve answers letters in response to his article on the upcoming addition of an American Idol attraction at Walt Disney World (link). Kimberly P. writes:
I’m apparently another of the few Americans who just doesn’t get the whole American Idol phenomenon. I’ve never seen the show itself and wouldn’t even know who William Hung was if not for the late night talk shows (which is also how I recognize some of the winners). Since my husband and I are both in our late 40s, and our children are both under the age of 12, I think I can safely say that none of us will be auditioning for the show, and I can’t see any point in wasting any of my vacation time to watch other people audition. Actually, now that I think about it, I’d probably discourage anyone I know from even starting the audition process—there are much better ways to spend our vacation time. I honestly don’t think this will appeal to anyone but the die-hard Idol fan or locals with annual passes who spend a lot of time in the parks anyway.
I sure wish they’d bring back Superstar Television, the couple of times I was able to see it, it was pretty amusing, and it could always be kept up to date with the addition of new sitcoms.
Surprisingly, at least to me, the overwhelming majority of responses are like yours. Maybe Idol doesn’t have the fan base I thought it did. Your points are good and your last line says it all. Thanks for writing.
Jeff writes:
Welcome to MousePlanet. I’m already enjoying your articles. As for the American Idol attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS) that is coming, I agree with you. I really don’t think this was a good move.
First off, the show has been playing for years and how long will it continue? I hope a long time for the DHS show’s sake. But was this really thought through? As I understand, you can only appear on the TV show between the ages of 16 and 28. Even if Disney lets 14-year-olds “audition,” what about the thousands of people who visit each day that are over 28 years old? Are older people “allowed to audition” and possibly win, but not able to go to the real American Idol auditions?
Would a daily prize be better in addition to the free pass? My wife and I are older than 28 and our kids are 1 and 4. What would make me go see this show? I’m afraid I’ll just bypass the show building like I have since Superstar Television left. Maybe it is a quick fix to get something in. It has a star-power name. Getting a few years out of it shouldn’t be too bad. I just wish about five more attractions get added besides Toy Story Mania. Not considering American Idol an attraction as much as a guest participation show. Time will tell if American Idol was the right choice. It’s better than an empty building.
Thanks for writing. Yes, I agree—it’s probably better than an empty building but I would have preferred Disney bring Superstar Television back as well.
Stephen writes:
I could not agree with you more! And be proud, you are not the only one who is not a fan of the show. I think this is a show that has done far more harm than good on several aspects of society and the performance world. But I digress…
DHS is a park that needs some serious help, and it seems this plug into this theatre is a lame attempt to be contemporary – even though Idol is many seasons old. I’m sure you agree that the beginning of the end with this park was “the hat!” I remember the days when it was a working studio and you were able to see films in production in the very extensive backlot tour, or watch animators work.
Yes, I know that Toy Story Mania is on the way, but how long will the Indiana Jones stunt show continue? The Imagineers created such a beautiful environment as you enter the park, but it seems to be losing it’s way. Even Rock’n’Roller Coaster, as amazing a ride as it is, does not make sense off of the 1940s Sunset Boulevard.
I guess I’m of the ilk that Disney needs to update the parks they already have, instead of planning for others.
Great article—keep it up!
You make some great points. I wholeheartedly agree that DHS is in need of something.
Gregory W. writes:
I think you hit the nail on the head. I might be willing to take in one 20-minute show. Depending on how they work it, it could be very entertaining and entice me to come back another time on another day. But, as a guest, I’m not going to come back multiple times that day. And the thought of having to do it multiple times as a performer… no thanks.
I’m sure there will be some who will want to have this experience. But, like you, I don’t know of it will generate enough interest. I think they would have been better suited to have done Superstar Television again. They could have put people into High School Musical, Hannah Montana or some other current hit. They could have even inserted you into a musical number. How many tweens would have loved to be part of a number in High School Musical? And I really don’t like another attraction that isn’t Disney. This is a show that could lose popularity anytime (like Millionaire) and creating an experience for it was something that would have been better three years ago.
Thanks for writing. I’m glad you agree with me although I’m betting that opinions might run 3 to 1 for the show. We’ll see.
