<![CDATA[MousePad - Blogs - Realityland's David Koenig by David Koenig]]> http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?u=9 MousePad is a discussion forum covering family travel and entertainment, especially Disney. To visit the forum, go to http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/ . en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:32:14 GMT vBulletin 15 http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/images/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[MousePad - Blogs - Realityland's David Koenig by David Koenig]]> http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?u=9 Disneyland Flirts with New Promotion http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=565 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:33:04 GMT Disneyland's HalloweenTime promotion has been so successful that park management is calculating what other holidays they can tie into for a quick attendance boost.

Decorations and more now mark Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and Summertime. So the next big promotion? According to one source, "TDA (Team Disney Anaheim) managers are planning it to be Valentine’s Day. Expect to see hearts, lace, princesses, and all that fluff all over the resort next year. And it will be more elaborate the year after that."

My guess is that the holiday comes and goes too quickly to justify full-scale attraction makeovers, so don't expect The It's a Small World Tunnel of Love any time soon. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=565 Monorail Shutdown Throws Investigation a Curveball http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=558 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:34:27 GMT A computer glitch on Walt Disney World’s monorail system forced the resort to shut down the Epcot line yesterday—and opens up the possibility that July 5’s fatal crash may not have been entirely human error.

Disney World operates three separate monorail lines (Magic Kingdom Resort line running from the Ticket & Transportation Center to the park and three hotels; Express, which stops only at the TTC and Magic Kingdom, and Epcot, which runs between the TTC and Epcot. Since the Epcot line does not connect to the barn, when adding or subtracting trains, vehicles travel to or from the Express line via a spur track near the TTC. Shop activates Switch 8 (connecting Express to the spur) and Switch 9 (connecting the other end of the spur to the Epcot line), and power begins to course along the spur.

Yesterday, however, switches 8 and 9 were lined up with the mainline, but the lights on the computer console at Shop erroneously indicated 8 was on the spur.

“Express is operating, but they can’t bring up power on the Epcot beam through the switches,” an insider reported early yesterday evening. “The conflict today casts doubt on who ultimately was at fault in July. It’s possible that Shop’s board may have indicated that the switches were aligned on the spur while they were actually still on the mainline.”

So conceivably those at consoles could have been led to believe all was well in the moments before the fatal crash. Even so, I have to think there was still time to react.

As one monorail old-timer shared, “Early in my career as a pilot we talked with one of the Park Rangers (that’s what Monorail Shop calls the maintenance cast who hang out at TTC so they can respond to problems faster) about the computers on the train. He quickly corrected us. He said there are three PROCESSORS in the monitoring system. However, ‘there is only one COMPUTER on the train: the pilot.’ Meaning that we pilots were ultimately responsible for the operation of the train, and those souls on board and that we shouldn’t explicitly trust the electronics.” ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=558 Disneyland President to Spend More Time with His Family http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=543 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:51:37 GMT There's something about a three-year anniversary that must have Disneyland presidents beginning to box up the trinkets around their offices, as they are suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to "spend more time with their families."

Sure enough, Disneyland's elusive leader "Senator" Ed Grier has now walked the plank, 72 days after celebrating the magical "3." My prediction on how long he'd last was made, yup, just under three years ago (http://www.mouseplanet.com/7042/Mous...ag_compilation).

If you've got a scorecard, Jack Lindquist was president 3 years 1 month, Paul Pressler 3 years 1 month, Cynthia Harriss 3 years 10 months, Matt Ouimet 2 years 9 months, and Ed Grier 3 years 2 months. Disneyland's five presidents spent a combined 119 years working for Disney—and, except for Pressler, that "dream job" turned out to be the last stop for every one of them. My suggestion to the next Disneyland president: postmark your resume to Fall 2012. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=543 Did Pirates Lawsuit Haunt Dick Cook? http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=530 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:10:08 GMT Common wisdom holds that last week’s firing of Disney Studios chief Dick Cook resulted from him greenlighting movies not enough people wanted to see, causing his division to lose $12 million dollars in the most recent quarter. Cook’s forté, after all, had not been financials, but was befriending big stars. Note that Cook received his pink slip a week after convincing Johnny Depp to publicly pledge to appear in "Pirates of the Caribbean IV."

Disney’s movie division has been in a downward spiral ever since the release of its third and final "Pirates" film and the firing of studio president Nina Jacobson in 2006. It was time for Cook to take the hit.

Not so fast, says Royce Mathew. Mathew, you may recall, is the writer who alleges that Disney stole his “supernatural pirates” story to create their film franchise (See http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=453). Mathew now claims that his lawsuit, not the studio’s woeful box office performance, caused the axe to fall on both Cook and Jacobson.

His arguments:

(1) Jacobson was fired several days after he re-filed his lawsuit, while she was at the hospital with family, but days after the premiere of "Pirates III." “If she was doing bad at the company, why did they let her attend the premiere?” Mathew asks. “Why not take her aside and prepare her for the dismissal? Surely if Nina was doing bad, it had to be growing, so what was the urgency to fire her at the hospital? Why not wait till she got home?”

(2) A few months ago, Mathew sent a notification letter of his suit to all Disney board members. “About one week [later], Disney suddenly announced that it was rushing 'Pirates IV' into production,” moving it ahead of a planned Lone Ranger with Depp.

(3) Cook and Depp promoted 'Pirates IV' at D23, at the same time that Mathew “had sent out more of my correspondence, [in] which I demanded accountability and investigations into these serious charges. Then, about one week later, Cook is abruptly forced out of the company.”

Mathew contends that if Cook was actually under fire for poor performance, Disney never would have afforded him such a big role at D23. (“It makes no sense that Disney will first let their fans, attending a multi-million dollar expo, see how all these celebrities love Cook, just as they plan to fire him less than a week later.”)

In addition, Cook got a late-Friday bum’s rush, instead of a “big countdown send-off,” as given to Marty Sklar and Michael Eisner.

(4) News statements blamed failed movies like "Shopaholic" and "G-Force," when in fact "G-Force" was profitable. Plus, "Pirates" producer Jerry Bruckheimer produced both movies, and "Pirates’" screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio contributed to "G-Force."

“So if Bob Iger wanted to truly blame someone for the bad performance of [these] movies, they would have fired Bruckheimer or those writer/producers.”

In sum, Mathew contends, “Iger is now feeling the collective heat. Evidently he is finally feeling pressured by certain powerful people, who are rightfully questioning Disney’s documented criminal acts. I believe the facts above substantiate that Cook didn’t see his dismissal coming, because Iger didn’t see it coming either. Or maybe Iger dismissed Cook because he is trying to show that he wasn’t involved and, thus, is trying to save his own skin. Whichever the case may be, I believe that Iger is now walking on thin ice to save his job. I do believe that there will be more dismissals, as there should be, and I believe that Iger should get the boot, too.”

Sorry, Royce. I’m not a conspiracy theorist. The truth is usually the obvious—and arguments fall apart when they have to take too many improbable leaps of logic and coincidence. I’ll let you readers deem for yourselves whether his arguments have merit.

However, Mathew does give us one indication on how we can decide, since his website (www.disneylawsuit.com) has continually demanded the dismissal of certain Disney employees, some of whom have now been fired. “Surely this mystery will be solved within the next several months,” he says, “for if all of this is just a coincidence, then Bruckheimer, Elliott, and Rossio will all still be involved with 'Pirates IV,' and the film will go into production next year. However, if the film does not go into production next year, then you know all of the above is accurate.” ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=530 Disney Graveyard Back to Life http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=529 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:02:53 GMT Disneyland is sneaking in a little something extra for its Halloweentime promotion: the reopening of the long-missing cemetery on Tom Sawyer Island. The construction walls that had been blocking guests from walking behind Fort Wilderness are down, and guests should be able to pay their respects at the cemetery in back within the next few days. The area will not be “pirated up,” according to one source. “The only difference will have the headstones facing the Rivers of America.” The graveyard was closed several years ago to make room for the island’s Pirates makeover. Crews began refurbishing the cemetery almost a year ago (see www.mouseplanet.com/8474/Broken_Bridges), but evidently became distracted. Disneyland is sneaking in a little something extra for its Halloweentime promotion: the reopening of the long-missing cemetery on Tom Sawyer Island.

The construction walls that had been blocking guests from walking behind Fort Wilderness are down, and guests should be able to pay their respects at the cemetery in back within the next few days. The area will not be “pirated up,” according to one source. “The only difference will have the headstones facing the Rivers of America.”

The graveyard was closed several years ago to make room for the island’s Pirates makeover. Crews began refurbishing the cemetery almost a year ago (see www.mouseplanet.com/8474/Broken_Bridges), but evidently became distracted. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=529 Cheaper Eats at Downtown Disney http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=522 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:05:39 GMT Interested in fine dining at some of Anaheim's more upscale eateries for a bargain price? Well, this week may be your chance.

The twice-yearly Orange County Restaurant Week kicked off yesterday and runs until Saturday September 19.

Many of OC's premier restaurants are participating, including Downtown Disney's Catal, Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, Naples Ristorante, Tortilla Jo's, and GardenWalk's Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and McCormick & Schmick's.

Each offers a three-course, set-menu dinner for $20, $30 or $40 per person, or lunch for $10, $15 or $20. Most offer a choice of about three different starters, three different entrees, and several different desserts. (The two GardenWalk restaurants are $15 for lunch, $30 for dinner; Tortilla Jo's is $10 for lunch, $20 for dinner; Ralph Brennan's $20 for lunch, $30 for dinner, while to spread out the bargain-hunters, Catal is offering only a discounted dinner ($30), and Naples just lunch ($20).

Reservations are highly recommended.

Find full menus and prices at www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com.

(More than 100 other OC restaurants are also participating, including my South County favorite, Opah. For me, the best menu this time around appears to be The Ritz in Newport Beach, with the hands-down best value being offered by the Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point. How many meals can I fit in one week???) ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=522 APB: Look Out for Phony FastPasses http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=510 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:45:53 GMT Last week, Disneyland’s Attractions Operations posted fliers on cast member bulletin boards warning to be on the lookout for counterfeit tickets. What’s curious is that the unauthorized reproductions aren’t of money-making media like admission passes, but rather of FastPasses and attraction readmission tickets. The fliers, which have since been taken down, showed “a picture of a FastPass forgery and pointed out the stuff to watch out for,” one employee said. “It’s kind of difficult considering an average cast member sees hundreds of tickets a day.” Shared a securitiy officer: “I have seen the forgeries, and they are not bad. The differences to the trained eye are the type of paper used and the same numbers on every ticket, as if someone scanned them on a computer and just changed the date.” Other red flags are poor quality printing, no date, and no serial number. Cast members who do spot a fake are to advise the guest that their ticket is invalid, apologize for the inconvenience, retain the ticket to give to their manager, and ask the guest to wait to speak with a manager or Security. If the guest insists on leaving, the cast member is not to stop them. Since many, but not all, of the forgeries are meticulously reproduced, the perpetrators are undoubtedly regular visitors (in all likelihood, annual passholders). So, since the fakes aren’t making the forgers any money, it sounds like an awful lot of trouble to shave a half-hour off waiting in lines. And a big risk that they might end up with their APs confiscated. Last week, Disneyland’s Attractions Operations posted fliers on cast member bulletin boards warning to be on the lookout for counterfeit tickets. What’s curious is that the unauthorized reproductions aren’t of money-making media like admission passes, but rather of FastPasses and attraction readmission tickets.

The fliers, which have since been taken down, showed “a picture of a FastPass forgery and pointed out the stuff to watch out for,” one employee said. “It’s kind of difficult considering an average cast member sees hundreds of tickets a day.”

Shared a securitiy officer: “I have seen the forgeries, and they are not bad. The differences to the trained eye are the type of paper used and the same numbers on every ticket, as if someone scanned them on a computer and just changed the date.”

Other red flags are poor quality printing, no date, and no serial number. Cast members who do spot a fake are to advise the guest that their ticket is invalid, apologize for the inconvenience, retain the ticket to give to their manager, and ask the guest to wait to speak with a manager or Security. If the guest insists on leaving, the cast member is not to stop them.

Since many, but not all, of the forgeries are meticulously reproduced, the perpetrators are undoubtedly regular visitors (in all likelihood, annual passholders). So, since the fakes aren’t making the forgers any money, it sounds like an awful lot of trouble to shave a half-hour off waiting in lines. And a big risk that they might end up with their APs confiscated. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=510 Merlin Disappears http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=478 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:10:39 GMT Amid a summer of Tinker Bell and Dumbo flying overhead, there’s been one longtime character who hasn’t been seen frequenting Fantasyland—Merlin the Magician.

Disneyland has, at least temporarily, retired the one-man show. “Unfortunately, Merlin and the ‘Sword in the Stone’ show are now history,” said one insider. “There will be no more shows where Merlin selects a child from the audience to pull Excalibur from the stone in front of the King Arthur Carrousel. Another casualty of budget cuts.”

For the show, largely unchanged since the five-piece Make Believe Brass band was laid off in 1994, the writing had been on the wall. “The shows were slowly cut back,” the source revealed. “‘The Sword in the Stone’ shows were every day, then only on the weekends, then just every summer and holidays. This summer Merlin did not return, and the axe finally fell in a cast member meeting this month.”

The move helps free up Entertainment dollars for the park’s ever-more-elaborate Halloween promotion, which will include a “Nightmarish” new fireworks show and Jack Skellington and Sally returning for a second year to greet guests in front of the Haunted Mansion.

In a related move, next week New Orleans Square’s Port Royal store will be switching places with Le Bat en Rouge. “Sales at Port Royal have been literally sinking and all that space could be better spent with Jack Skellington merch(andise),” a cast member said.

And for next year, expect to see Captain Jack Sparrow back in the park, as "Pirates of the Caribbean IV" begins production for a 2011 release. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=478 See the First Ever Drawing of Mickey Mouse http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=470 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:47:21 GMT Tickets to the new Walt Disney Family Museum go on sale August 1, 2009, at www.waltdisney.org. The museum's site goes live the same day. To keep the crowd size manageable, all admission to the museum will be by timed-ticket entry.

The museum's Facebook page and Twitter are already active at www.facebook.com/TheWaltDisneyFamilyMuseum and www.twitter.com/WDFMuseum.

Displays include the first known drawing of Mickey Mouse, shown here (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog...1&d=1247867148).

Here's the official release:
NEW MUSEUM TO PRESENT LIFE & ACHIEVEMENTS OF WALT DISNEY OPENING OCTOBER 2009
VISIONARY ARTIST, STORYTELLER & ENTREPRENEUR ENRICHED IMAGINATION FOR GENERATIONS

The Walt Disney Family Museum to Showcase Early Drawings of Mickey Mouse, Personal Letters, Disney Family Home Movies & Groundbreaking Technologies

San Francisco, CA, July 16, 2009—The fascinating and inspiring story of Walt Disney, whose artistry, creations, and vision helped define 20th-century American culture, will be brought to life at The Walt Disney Family Museum, which opens in San Francisco in October 2009. The Museum will illuminate Walt Disney’s tremendous successes, disappointments, and unyielding optimism as he pursued innovation and excellence while entertaining and enchanting generations worldwide through his pioneering ventures.

The creator of Mickey Mouse, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disneyland, and the global yet distinctly American company that bears his name, Disney was an independent risk-taker who started his first business at the age of 19 and worked tirelessly to elevate animation to an art form. He invented timeless characters and stories that brought the fantastical to life and continue to inspire a sense of wonder. Through animated and live action films, television programs, and theme parks, Disney created global symbols, icons, and characters that, more than 40 years after his death, are an indelible part of popular culture in America and around the world.

The Walt Disney Family Museum will illustrate how Disney’s irrepressible creativity enriched the imagination of generations. The Museum will tell the story of the man behind the myth in Disney’s own voice and in exhibits that reveal his expansive vision, from early drawings of some of his most popular characters to plans for Disneyland and EPCOT.

“My father's name is probably one of the most well-known names around the world, but as the ‘brand’ or trademark has spread, for many, the man has become lost,” said Diane Disney Miller, one of the Museum’s founders. “We are committed to telling the story of Walt Disney’s life, in his own words, and in the words of others who knew him well and worked with him. My father was very open and approachable, and in many conversations and interviews that were captured in audio, you will be able to hear in the galleries as you learn the story of his life. It is a wonderful story. Dad himself loved to tell it. Thanks to the amazing work of many dedicated people, we are fortunate to be able to tell it here using the tools he worked with—art, music, film, and technology—to present an honest yet affectionate portrait of this amazing artist and man.”

“From Steamboat Willie to Pinocchio to EPCOT, Walt Disney’s unyielding ambition was to ignite a sense of wonder and to enrapture audiences through great storytelling,” said Richard Benefield, founding director of The Walt Disney Family Museum. “He recognized the power of art to spark the imagination, and time and again, pushed himself and his companies to the breaking point as he pursued the highest level of excellence in feature animation. The Walt Disney Family Museum will present the compelling story of his life—of his successes and failures—as he entertained and enlightened the nation while it struggled with the Great Depression, joined the fight of World War II, and entered a golden age of prosperity and preeminence.”

About Walt Disney

The Walt Disney Family Museum will shed light on Disney’s remarkable life. One of five children, Disney was born in Chicago on December 5, 1901. He spent his early years in rural Missouri, where he developed a love of nature, of drawing, and of trains. After the family sold their failing farm and moved to Kansas City in 1911, Disney began working on his father’s newspaper route and developed a love of the stage. When his family moved back to Chicago in 1917, Disney drew cartoons and took photographs for his high school newspaper and attended night classes at the Art Institute of Chicago.

During World War I, he was rejected by the army because of his age. He enlisted in the Red Cross Overseas and served as an ambulance driver in France. An ambulance similar to the one he drove in Europe will be exhibited at the Museum.

The Museum will chronicle Disney’s early, fitful starts at developing live and animated films, including the hardship with his first cartoon company in Kansas City, where he settled after he returned from Europe. After Laugh-O-gram Films went bankrupt in 1923, Disney took the train to California, with $40 in his pocket. By the end of the 1920s, despite his humble Hollywood beginnings, Disney rose to international fame and recognition with the invention of the world’s most famous mouse. His studio also enjoyed great financial success—and changed the animation industry—with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), its first feature-length animated film and a movie that skeptics had warned Disney against making. On the other hand, Disney’s animation studio nearly went bankrupt after the completion of Fantasia (1940), a film that received mixed reviews in its day although it is now celebrated as a cinematic landmark. Throughout these decades, Disney pushed groundbreaking technological innovations that revolutionized animation and focused on the areas of story, character development, color, dimensionality, and original music to improve his storytelling. He consistently challenged himself and his employees to surpass what they had already achieved.

The Museum will illuminate Disney’s parallel interests in the fantastic and real. After completing the early-1940s animated masterpieces Fantasia, Dumbo, and Bambi, and after a hiatus mandated by World War II, Disney began to expand the scope of the studio’s work by making live-action documentaries about wildlife and the environment that reflected his childhood love of nature. He sent a team of naturalists to Alaska for a year to film anything they might find interesting. The result was Seal Island, which won the 1949 Academy Award® for best two-reel documentary.

The Museum will also explore his marketing acumen. In the 1950s, lacking the funds to complete Disneyland, Disney embraced TV as a platform to test and promote his ideas while securing the financing needed to complete what would become the world’s first theme park. Disney, who always looked toward a utopian future, was enchanted by the promise of technology. In addition to being an early champion of color television, stereo simulcasting, and widescreen technology, he brought his interest in transportation to bear by opening the first daily-operating Monorail system in the United States and creating the PeopleMover—an innovative tram system with no on-board motors—in Disneyland.

Toward the end of his life, Disney developed innovative attractions for global events, notably the 1960 Olympics and the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. Beginning in 1960, Walt and his key creative executives approached several American corporations with the intent of collaborating on major shows and attractions for the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. The result was four of the most popular attractions at the Fair: the General Electric Progressland featuring Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress, the UNICEF Pavilion sponsored by Pepsi-Cola featuring, “it's a small world,” the Ford Wonder Rotunda featuring Walt Disney's Magic Skyway, and the State of Illinois Pavilion featuring Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. These attractions were later exported to Disneyland in California.

Disney’s work with Robert Moses inspired him to develop a new paradigm, EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow), a project Walt described as “a community of tomorrow that will never be completed, but will always be introducing, testing, and demonstrating new materials and new systems…a showcase to the world of the ingenuity and imagination of American free enterprise.” With a unique city infrastructure that separated pedestrians and traffic, EPCOT foreshadowed the New Urbanism movement by 30 years.

Inside the Museum: An American Story

The stories of Disney’s life, creativity, family, and the processes and innovations he brought to his art will be told through a series of ten galleries. Highlights of the Museum will include:

• Drawings Disney made in his youth

• Drawings and cartoons from Laugh-O-gram Films, Disney’s first company

• Early drawings of Mickey Mouse

• Storyboards, a Disney innovation that mapped out timeless film classics

• The technically innovative Multiplane Camera that brought vibrancy and depth to his

revolutionary feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

• The unique Snow White Academy Award®, which included a full-size Oscar and seven

miniature castings

• The narrow-gauge Lilly Belle train he built for his Hollywood home, which recalled his youth

and helped spur his vision for Disneyland

• A model of the Disneyland of Walt’s imagination

Throughout the exhibits, visitors will find rare film clips, concept art, scripts, musical scores, and cameras that Disney and his staff used in creating his characters and films. The visually stunning design incorporates movie posters that come to life to show scenes from Disney films, interactive light tables, and discovery drawers that add nuance and layer to the story of his life. Visitors will find hundreds of individual animation cels that reveal the labor-intensive animation process.

The exhibits will also pay tribute to Disney’s many groundbreaking achievements and innovations, among them:

• The first film that successfully synchronized sound and animation

• The first movie soundtrack released as a consumer recording

• The first original song from a cartoon to become a national hit (“Who’s Afraid of the Big

Bad Wolf?”)

• One of the first nature documentaries and the first to receive an Academy Award

Disney and his family will be represented, as well, in photographs, artifacts, and home movies. Although famous for his work behind the camera for Walt Disney Productions, Disney was an avid home moviemaker throughout his life. The Walt Disney Family Museum will exhibit to the public for the first time clips that ranged from experiments with trick shots (unspilling a glass of milk) to reels that documented Disney’s life at home with his wife, Lilly; his daughters, Diane and Sharon; and his brother and business partner, Roy, and his brother’s wife, Edna Francis.

Walt Disney Family Museum: Facilities

The Walt Disney Family Museum is located in three historic buildings within the Presidio of San Francisco, which is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area of the National Park Service. The centerpiece is a former army barracks at 104 Montgomery Street, redesigned and upgraded by architecture firm Page & Turnbull of San Francisco, and with interior architecture and installations designed by the Rockwell Group. The Museum uses the building’s original domestic-scale rooms to frame the story of Disney’s life and incorporates a wide range of materials and technologies, from historic documents and artifacts, to listening stations and other interactive displays, to more than 200 video monitors. In addition to the galleries, the Museum contains a 123-seat screening facility, a learning center, a store, and a café.

The Museum campus includes a former gymnasium that houses the Walt Disney Family Foundation’s collections and offices. The building is the site of a 2,000 square foot hall that will be used for special programs and concerts until the special exhibition program begins in January 2012. A third small building in the Presidio will house the Museum’s mechanical equipment.

The Walt Disney Family Museum, L.L.C. is owned and operated by the Walt Disney Family Foundation, a non-profit foundation. The Museum is partially funded by California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank revenue bonds.
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]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=470 <![CDATA[Monorails' New Safety Procedures]]> http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=463 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:14:34 GMT Walt Disney World Monorail service resumed about 2:00 yesterday afternoon, 36 hours after a collision that took the life of one driver. New safety measures that have been instituted support my suspicion of how the accident occurred: The drivers of the two Monorails were mistakenly led to believe that the spur track switch had been flipped so the first driver could safely back Monorail Pink onto the spur line, so both drivers disabled their anti-collision systems, allowing the off-duty Pink to back up into the station, striking the waiting Purple.

Disney hasn't released details of the changes, but I'll bet they're something like those made at Disneyland in the wake of 1998's fatal accident involving the Sailing Ship Columbia. The most obvious additions were a system of voice and hand signals the operators were to use when docking the vessel.

During an early-morning trip to the Ticket & Transportation Center today, I heard a Monorail operator give a single-line vocal signal that a new train was being routed from the spur onto the main track. Since I could not see her (or the drivers, for that matter), I couldn't tell if she was also performing gestures or visual checks.

Another change I've learned of is a new sensor that was installed on the track yesterday morning. Mike DeForest, a former Disneyland cast member and now Orlando TV reporter who covered the incident for Local 6, shared with me: "The track switch is apparently controlled by someone back in the Monorail maintenance shop and that, until yesterday, Central had no way of knowing whether the switch had truly flipped. Supposedly the maintenance shop has cameras to confirm whether the switch occurred. Whether someone checked those cameras before authorizing Central to proceed could be the deciding factor in the crash (if the proper procedure was even followed)."

DeForest spoke with a long-time Monorail pilot yesterday, who claimed that when WDW ran the earlier-generation Mark IV trains (pre-1989), a maintenance worker had to physically go out to the shed under the track switch and manually move the switch, "all the while talking to the pilot and Control directly by radio. Apparently over the years they automated the switch, removing an extra safety check along the way."

However, the most glaring change I noticed on the Monorail platform this morning was the mood: every attendant looked uncharacteristically somber. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=463 Magic Turns Tragic http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=460 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:17:52 GMT I had barely set foot on Disney World property when I learned of this morning's fatal Monorail crash. The pilot, just 21, trapped in a stationary Monorail as a second vehicle backed into his cockpit. Attractions like the Monorail (in fact, ESPECIALLY the Monorail) are loaded with safety devices and procedures to ensure such mishaps are rare. In fact, WDW hasn't suffered a major multi-train collision for 35 years. And today's was the first WDW ride operator to be killed on site. (In 2007, an Animal Kingdom ride operator succumbed to injuries suffered on Primeval Whirl five days earlier.)

This tragedy's rarity doesn't make it any less grievous. Unlike the two-to-three-trips-a-year I've been making to WDW since 1994 to produce and promote "Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World," this trip was to be mostly pleasure. But for the last few hours I've been thinking of little else. Poor Austin Wuennenberg. His family. His co-workers.

Amazingly, WDW seems to go on as if nothing's happened. Everything's running. Guests are bustling. Cast members keep smiling, even as guests give them little reason to do so. Over the last hour I've seen:

• A man standing in the concierge line in the center of the gorgeous lobby of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, wearing nothing but a Speedo.

• A half-dozen guests, aged about 5 to 50, careening down the pool's water slide in every imaginable position and combination, completely ignoring the firm reprimands of the lifeguard, as if he wielded the authority of Paul Blart, Mall Cop.

• The woman in front of me in the concierge line lambasting unfortunate host Peter, because (exact quote) "I distinctly requested a room close to an elevator. And I'm not a regular guest. I'm a YEARLY passholder." She then wondered aloud if it would have been better if she'd just stayed home. (I'm sure all of us within bleating distance could have answered that one for her.) When she finally skulked off, Peter immediately closed his window and disappeared into the back.

I suspect Austin Wuennenberg's work days were filled with similar encounters. And it makes me sad to realize what he got for it all.

God's peace be with his loved ones. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=460 Pirate Lawsuit: Back from the Dead http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=453 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:06:31 GMT Every so often I’m emailed by an aggrieved reader who feels they’ve been ripped off by Disney and is looking for (a) legal advice or (b) a little publicity to garner public sympathy and hopefully grease a settlement out of the Mouse. There’s the guy who’s convinced Phil Collins stole his song ideas for "Tarzan." Countless cast members who feel they’ve been terminated unfairly or illegally. And, of course, the fellow who says Disney stole his designs for bayou fireflies.

Since I’m no lawyer yet am well aware of Disney’s lawsuit-fighting might, I usually warn prospective plaintiffs of the difficult road ahead and wish them luck. So my finger was ready at the “Delete” button when I received the latest missive from Royce Mathew (reprinted below). Mr. Mathew had emailed me some years back over his claims that Disney had ripped off his “supernatural pirate” ideas in concocting its movie "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl." I recall that his screenplay had many compelling parallels with the final film, so I’m sure I warned him of the difficult road ahead and wished him luck.

But what caught my eye in his latest missive was that in addition to the usual villains (Michael Eisner, Marty Sklar, screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio), this time Mathew also singled out Imagineer Jason Surrell. Now what could Jason, an all-around good guy who worked on neither the Pirate attraction nor the Pirate movies, have done to irk our ripped-off writer? Was Mathew unfortunate enough to catch a performance of Stitch’s SuperSonic Celebration?

It turns out that Jason’s book, "Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies," includes concept art purporting to show plans for supernatural pirates in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. In fact, as corrected in Jeff Kurtti’s "The Art of Walt Disney World," the image was cropped in the Pirates book to disguise the fact that it was actually concept art for Treasure Island, the pirate-themed playground that eventually became Discovery Island. Check out the comparison at http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...Waltworld4.jpg

Surrell, however, has plenty of accomplices in this conspiracy, including, evidently, yours truly. Mathew’s website accuses, among others, MousePlanet of conspiring to freeze out his complaints. Must be all those freebies and kickbacks I receive from being so beloved by the company. To Mr. Mathew, all I can say is, be forewarned of the difficult road ahead and I wish you luck.


June 15, 2009

The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista St.
Burbank, C. 91521

Re: Marty Sklar, Jason Surrell, Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio - Fraud, corruption and more...

Dear John E. Pepper Jr. Chairman of the Walt Disney Company; Fred H. Langhammer, Steve Jobs, Roy E. Disney, Susan Arnold, John E. Bryson, Judith L. Estrin, John S. Chen, Robert A. Iger, Aylwin B. Lewis, Monica C. Lozano, Orin C. Smith, Robert W. Matschullat; and John Lasseter, Ed Catmull, Michael D. Eisner, investors and to whom it may concern:

Compounding evidence and Disney’s recent 2009 official publication entitled "The Art of Walt Disney World Resort," which exposes, proves and confirms that the Walt Disney Company had indeed committed fraud and had been lying since the onset of legal communications, meetings, court filings, discovery, sworn testimony and lasting throughout the legal proceedings with which to get the court to dismiss my lawsuit, financially destroy me and to alter the public’s perception of the truth, this is notification of the advancement of the process of filing formal complaints and charges of conspiracy, fraud, corruption, obstruction of justice, evidence tampering and such against Marty Sklar, Jason Surrell, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio and other individuals hiding behind the corporate Mickey Mouse logo. Comprehensive details too vast to list here are provided on the website www. disneylawsuit .com of which has been filed in Federal Court 2009.

And as also detailed on www.disneylawsuit.com, that when dealing with the Walt Disney Company, its fraud, corruption, putrid policies, gangster styled tactics, its no fear of failed governmental oversight agencies, and it has associates in places such as the Department of Justice, it is pointless to ever seek accountability by way of any logical resolution, fair mediation or by way of the court. So clearly, there will never be any steps towards accountability until there is change in the Walt Disney Company and changes in our current government oversight agencies. Furthermore, in addition to the extensive proof and facts that are archived on the public record website www.disneylawsuit.com, much more detailed facts and proof are being compounded surrounding Disney’s fraud, corruption and Disney’s & Bruckheimer’s ongoing copyright infringement of my intellectual creative property for their Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise.

In closing, regardless of what makes individuals act like this, whether it’s mental illness, drugs, egos or gangster-styled power trips, this publicly traded company is still obligated to the truth and is forever accountable for all of its actions. Additionally, I strongly suggest that Disney refrains from again maliciously threatening me - and if you choose to continue engaging in yet more criminal acts, and/or employ more putrid legal maneuvers with which to avoid any accountability to address these serious issues, then I demand that you first contact Steve Jobs, Michael D. Eisner, Roy E. Disney (the three top individual Disney shareholders), and all of the Disney board of directors and provided them with a copy of this letter. I await a prompt reply on Disney’s plan to proceed forward and its manner with which to continue on with the process of filing complaints and charges.

Royce Mathew - shareholder, whistle blower and victim ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=453 <![CDATA[First Look: The New Peter Pan's Flight]]> http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=434 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:37:18 GMT We just got our first look behind the construction walls at Disneyland's revamped Peter Pan's Flight, and the attraction is all ready to fly in time for its official reopening Monday June 8.

Although they decided against installing a "split" at the exit to better accommodate special-assistance groups (see http://www.mouseplanet.com/8852/Weig...n_vs_Wait_Loss), there's now a transfer-accessible vehicle, in which the side comes down so it's easier for a wheelchair-bound guest to slide in.

Combined with the rest of the new four-seat fleet, Fantasyland's longest queue line should move faster than ever. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=434 Club 55 Down to 22 http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=429 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:12:22 GMT The world has lost another original Disneylander, with the passing of Frank Martinez.

Martinez, who died yesterday at the age of 88, began his park career as a ride operator on Main Street, working his way to assistant supervisor in Operations. He was transferred out of attractions in 1966 when, according to fellow "Club 55er" Bob Penfield, Operations chief "Dick Nunis decided to spread his cadre of people out into other divisions to eventually gain control over the whole park. Good move."

Martinez ended up in Distribution at the warehouse and retired in 1986.

Penfield estimates there are now just 22 surviving members of Club 55, a group made up of those who started at the park during its first summer in 1955 and spent at least 15 years there. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=429 <![CDATA[Knott's Bird Cage Is Back. Sort Of.]]> http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=418 Mon, 11 May 2009 20:59:09 GMT Looks like I can finally tone down the hissing that slips out every time I dejectedly walk past Knott's Berry Farm's long-shuttered Bird Cage Theater.

I just received word that the All American Melodrama Theater & Music Hall at Shoreline Village in Long Beach, Ca., is reviving two productions from Knott's Berry Farm's Bird Cage Theater, with the blessings of Knott's.

The theater has actually been doing these and similar melodramas for nearly a year, but recently received permission to use the Bird Cage's old sets and props, and bill the show as "Knott's Preserved." The first official shows were this past weekend.

Details are in the news release below:

WORLD FAMOUS BIRD CAGE THEATER SHOWS TO RETURN
HILARITY AND NOSTALGIA WILL ABOUND AT NEW COMEDY THEATER
Knott’s Bird Cage theater melodrama shows will make a return, only this time they will not be presented within the world famous theme park. These classic shows will receive new life at the newly opened “All American Melodrama Theater and Music Hall,” in Long Beach’s Shoreline Village.

The show entitled “Knott’s Preserved” will feature two classic melodrama plays and vaudeville, comedy revue from the famous Southern California attraction.

The Long Beach Theater Company began operation in June 2008 under the ownership and artistic direction of Ken Parks, who worked for years with Knott's Bird Cage.

"The Bird Cage was one of my favorite acting gigs," says Parks.
He has fond memories of going to the theater as a child. "As a kid, my siblings and I would play Bird Cage Theater on my grandmother’s back porch and I would always play the villains. After all, they always have all the best lines."

The Bird Cage, he adds, introduced him to, and fostered his lifelong affection for, the melodrama genre.

"It's an art form where the audience is always involved," he says. "I really enjoy the constant interactivity of these shows.

Built at Knott’s Ghost Town in 1954, The Bird Cage Theater is a replica of the historical venue located in Tombstone Arizona and still holds the distinction of being the longest continually operating melodrama in the world. The melodrama theater launched many acting careers, including that of comedian Steve Martin. The theater was closed in 1997, due to budget constraints, though it is still used for special shows at Halloween and Christmas.

Parks worked those shows every year, but he still mourned the passing of his beloved theater and the melodrama genre. Then last year, melodramas got another chance at Shoreline Village when the All American Melodrama Theatre and Music Hall was born. A 14-year veteran of Knott’s Berry Farm, he is happy to help provide a new home for the art form. “It was a sad day for all of us, including countless fans, when The Bird Cage closed its doors in 1997 after a 43-year run. I am very excited to be reviving this wonderful home-spun entertainment for Southern California audiences. We were even able to acquire a number of props, signs and backdrops from the old theater, which gives us a nice connection to a long-standing tradition, with perhaps a little more emphasis on comedy and song.”

The evening’s entertainment includes the shows “Wreck of The Blue Bell Express” and “Cloak of Evil” and are staffed with actors who are veterans of melodrama and, in many cases, of the Bird Cage. Both shows have not been seen by audiences in over a decade.

Parks opened his venue with a production of "The Drunkard” which is the show that was the inspiration for the theme park’s theater. “As a company, we have always wanted to bring these wonderful shows to a new audience”, says Parks. “When I called the Entertainment staff at Knott’s and explained my idea, they were thrilled. They have been so helpful and supportive of our venture.”

The All American Melodrama theater is located in the downtown Long Beach waterfront’s Shoreline Village and from the minute one approaches the mint green, barn-like structure it’s clear that this is the place for an innocent good time. Large cartoon-like faces, reminiscent of Snidely Whiplash and Dudley Do-right, grin down at the passers-by. Peeking in through the front doors one finds a brightly colored, Victorian-era Music Hall, complete with a mounted moose head, placidly surveying the audience. Once inside, the theater is cozy and intimate, seating under 100 people, so that all seats are up close to the action, making it even more inviting to boo, hiss and cheer the characters in the play.

"Our venue is about good, clean, affordable, family entertainment." Parks says. "Audience members are finding us and realizing there's nothing like it. ... As far as I know, we're one of three in the state. We're not just unique to the area, but unique to everywhere." “And what could be more All-American than sitting down at a checkered tablecloth with a hot dog and popcorn to watch a great comedy melodrama where Good always triumphs over Evil?”

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday through May 3.

Where: The All American Melodrama Theatre and Music Hall, 429 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach.

Tickets: $20, $18 students and seniors, $14 children.

Information: (562) 495-5900, www.allamericanmelodrama.com. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=418 The Return of Flash Mountain http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=402 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:30:13 GMT As recounted in "More Mouse Tales: A Closer Peek Backstage at Disneyland," back in the 1990s, female riders on Splash Mountain would occasionally lift their blouses as they plummeted over the 52.5-foot drop, just as the ride's automatic camera snapped their souvenir photo. To limit such "exposure" on the preview screens at the end of the ride, Disney hired "photo editors" to screen out any objectionable photos before they were projected for all to see.

But word has it that due to cutbacks in the Merchandise Department, the photo editor positions at Professor Barnaby Owl's Photographic Art Studio and at other ride photo locations will be eliminated by May 1.

I'm curious to see how many body parts and gang signs will have to air before Disney receives enough complaints to convince them to reinstitute the screeners. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=402 MouseFest Out, But MegaMeet Goes On http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=390 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:19:03 GMT MouseFest may have been cancelled for 2009, but evidently its signature event, the MegaMouseMeet, will go on, under the auspices of the NFFC Disneyana fan group. No word—especially from a certain tight-lipped MF board member—on whether NFFC is officially taking over the MegaMeet or just planning their own lookalike event on the same day. Central Florida’s World Chapter of the NFFC is spearheading the event. The local chapter has ridden herd over the last few WDW-based national conventions, which have struggled to attract the participation of their West Coast counterparts. So, given the current economy and the D23 convention announced for September, NFFC has cancelled its own fall Florida convention. Instead, they’ve decided to move key events to what was supposed to be MouseFest weekend. There will be the Lunch with a Legend Friday Dec. 11, then a MegaMeet-type show Dec. 12, followed that evening by the annual Give Kids the World fundraiser. There will be other fan events going on that week as well—the quasi-MF cruise, meets by RADP and other online communities—but NFFC seems to have no interest in trying to tie them together. But what will really depress attendance at NFFC’s meet is that the World Chapter is considering basing all activities at the Regal Sun Resort near Downtown Disney, the site of last fall’s Florida convention. Now, it’s a fine hotel. And NFFC has argued that it’s technically still on property and is within walking distance of the Earl of Sandwich. Yet I can’t imagine 1,000+ online Disney fans taking a bus and several hours of their day away from Epcot for a cheap baguette. If NFFC wants this to work, at a level in any way approximating the real MegaMeet, they’ve got to swing a great deal with the Dolphin. MouseFest may have been cancelled for 2009, but evidently its signature event, the MegaMouseMeet, will go on, under the auspices of the NFFC Disneyana fan group.

No word—especially from a certain tight-lipped MF board member—on whether NFFC is officially taking over the MegaMeet or just planning their own lookalike event on the same day.

Central Florida’s World Chapter of the NFFC is spearheading the event. The local chapter has ridden herd over the last few WDW-based national conventions, which have struggled to attract the participation of their West Coast counterparts. So, given the current economy and the D23 convention announced for September, NFFC has cancelled its own fall Florida convention. Instead, they’ve decided to move key events to what was supposed to be MouseFest weekend. There will be the Lunch with a Legend Friday Dec. 11, then a MegaMeet-type show Dec. 12, followed that evening by the annual Give Kids the World fundraiser.

There will be other fan events going on that week as well—the quasi-MF cruise, meets by RADP and other online communities—but NFFC seems to have no interest in trying to tie them together.

But what will really depress attendance at NFFC’s meet is that the World Chapter is considering basing all activities at the Regal Sun Resort near Downtown Disney, the site of last fall’s Florida convention. Now, it’s a fine hotel. And NFFC has argued that it’s technically still on property and is within walking distance of the Earl of Sandwich. Yet I can’t imagine 1,000+ online Disney fans taking a bus and several hours of their day away from Epcot for a cheap baguette. If NFFC wants this to work, at a level in any way approximating the real MegaMeet, they’ve got to swing a great deal with the Dolphin. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=390 Light Tragic 2.0? http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=386 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:49:11 GMT Early reviews by guests and cast members of Disneyland’s new Celebrate: A Street Party appear to be running negative by about three-to-one. Offered one cast member: “Parade, show, street festival, whatever you want to call it… it’s a disaster.” Others have described it as “Light Tragic 2.0,” “Block Party Bash, Part Deux,” and “High School Musical: Repeat a Year.” “Of those three, the last one is the closest,” noted another cast member. “At least with Light Tragic and Block Party Bash, it looked like money was spent. This new parade just screams cheap. Whatever inadequacies, Entertainment tries to hide them with loud music and lots and lots of confetti. You realize it is that bad when Entertainment hourly cast members who saw it criticized it as one of the worst parades they have seen in recent memory. I say it is the Recession-Era version of Party Gras.” So will the underwhelming new Street Party, which offers nothing unique, but several Light Magic-style blunders (such as restrictive viewing areas and clogged traffic lanes) suffer a similar fate to its short-lived predecessor. Will it be quickly pulled and retooled, only for Entertainment to discover that its concept is inherently flawed and have to kill it entirely after one summer? Personally, I fear it will stick around longer. It has a few advantages over Light Magic: (1) It was less expensive to throw together and is easier to run. (2) A lot of kids are invited to dance around and seem to actually enjoy it—rather than recoil from it. (3) No one had any expectations that it would be any good. Light Magic, you’ll recall, was supposed to be an upgrade to the Electrical Parade. Also keep in mind that Disneyland’s most lackluster parade since Light Magic—Parade of Stars—stuck around for five, long years. Early reviews by guests and cast members of Disneyland’s new Celebrate: A Street Party appear to be running negative by about three-to-one.

Offered one cast member: “Parade, show, street festival, whatever you want to call it… it’s a disaster.”

Others have described it as “Light Tragic 2.0,” “Block Party Bash, Part Deux,” and “High School Musical: Repeat a Year.”

“Of those three, the last one is the closest,” noted another cast member. “At least with Light Tragic and Block Party Bash, it looked like money was spent. This new parade just screams cheap. Whatever inadequacies, Entertainment tries to hide them with loud music and lots and lots of confetti. You realize it is that bad when Entertainment hourly cast members who saw it criticized it as one of the worst parades they have seen in recent memory. I say it is the Recession-Era version of Party Gras.”

So will the underwhelming new Street Party, which offers nothing unique, but several Light Magic-style blunders (such as restrictive viewing areas and clogged traffic lanes) suffer a similar fate to its short-lived predecessor. Will it be quickly pulled and retooled, only for Entertainment to discover that its concept is inherently flawed and have to kill it entirely after one summer?

Personally, I fear it will stick around longer. It has a few advantages over Light Magic: (1) It was less expensive to throw together and is easier to run. (2) A lot of kids are invited to dance around and seem to actually enjoy it—rather than recoil from it. (3) No one had any expectations that it would be any good. Light Magic, you’ll recall, was supposed to be an upgrade to the Electrical Parade.

Also keep in mind that Disneyland’s most lackluster parade since Light Magic—Parade of Stars—stuck around for five, long years. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=386 Bicoastal Massacres http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=382 Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:38:19 GMT Last month's middle-management layoffs at Disneyland and Disney World were in fact just a small foreshadow of the serious blood-letting that began this week. The earlier dismissals were designed to encourage more cast members to take the voluntary separation package while they still had the chance to voluntarily separate.

The massive firings began this Wednesday at both resorts, starting with 11 jobs cut in the Entertainment division, and are continuing, division by division, through today. One West Coast source said Thursday saw the departure of 45 cast members who handled Quiceanera and the Fantasy Wedding planning and the entire WDI document management team. Literally hundreds upon hundreds of employees, mostly salaried, many with decades of experience, are being led out of their offices with a security escort.

The idea is to streamline middle management, reduce duplication of duties between coasts, and keep costs in check during a deepening recession. As a general rule, I'm all for lean management. Yet this is a tremendous loss on a personal level for those involved, as well as for the resorts, as cumulative centuries of park-operating experience evaporate.

I've been in on a flurry of cast member emails over the last two days, listing the latest casualties, both confirmed and rumored. To be honest, most of the names are unfamiliar to me, so I'm not sure just how much leadership and "value" each division is really losing. Certainly, WDW lost plenty when on Wednesday Epcot released Jim Korkis, hands down the company's greatest historical source outside of California. Disneyland let go a lot more names that are familiar to me (including—unconfirmed—the man who has overseen fireworks since they were introduced at the park in the 1950s). Let's pray these individuals are back on their feet soon, and that Disney hasn't made too many grave mistakes in whom they've chosen to go and, more importantly, in whom they've trusted to remain. Our parks are in their hands. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=382 The Pit Stops, Effective Sunday http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=379 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:22:23 GMT The rumors I’ve been hearing for the last six months were just confirmed. Disneyland’s Westside Diner, the underground cast member eatery beneath New Orleans Square, is permanently closing. Its last day will be Sunday March 29.

The cafeteria opened as part of the New Orleans Square complex in the mid-1960s and is still affectionately referred to by old-timers as “The Pit,” its earlier moniker that played on its racing car decor as well as its elevation.

“It will be sorely missed,” said one sentimental cast member. “A piece of backstage Disneyland history will be gone. No replacement has been announced, no one seems to know. Not a good sign.”

What has been reported to cast members via Cast TV is that Carl’s Jr. will have a trailer in addition to the standard “roach coaches.” The current coaches are owned by Orange County Catering, but reportedly will be replaced by coaches contracted by cafeteria operator Sodexho. According to one Sodexho worker, his company realized “they were losing money to [the coaches, so they] pressured Disneyland to cancel their agreement with the local company.” ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=379 <![CDATA[Disneyland Loses Lost & Found Lady]]> http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=372 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:44:51 GMT I just learned that Kay McFaul, longtime face of Disneyland's Lost & Found department, passed away several weeks ago at age 86.

Kay worked at the park from 1969 to 1989, and in the years since regaled me with many tales of salvaging everything from hundred-dollar bills to glass eyes—and a caged canary.

For more of her adventures, Google KAY + MCFAUL + DISNEYLAND, and you'll come up with a number of press interviews she's done over the years. In 2005 Disneyland Publicity used her as a regular source to promote its 50th anniversary, because she was a great booster for the park—especially "Old Disney."

As she shared with me: "I remember it was my birthday, and I walked in to put on my costume. And in walks the Disneyland Band, and plays 'Happy Birthday,' with the metal lockers reverberating all around. It just about blew their eardrums. If they did that today, they'd fire the whole bunch of them." ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=372 Disneyland Cuts: Update http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=360 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:56:14 GMT Word out of Team Disney Anaheim is that the layoffs began yesterday with four marketing personnel getting pink-slipped and a fifth being transferred to Florida.

Today, the hammer comes down on the Entertainment department. Other divisions to follow.

The headcount reduction numbers may not sound huge, but they're having the side benefit (seen as a benefit, at least, to Disney) of encouraging more middle managers to accept the Voluntary Separation Package, while the choice to leave is still theirs. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=360 Fantastic News! Disney Fires Hundreds! http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=359 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:24:54 GMT If Governor Schwarzenegger really wanted to sell his billions of dollars in tax increases to legislators and the people of California, he should have the bad news delivered by the incredible spin-meisters at Disney's PR department.

They're the same folks who miraculously turn the announcement of every admission price hike into a commercial for their latest attractions, and transform comment on the latest theme park accident into a recitation of their peerless record of safety.

But today they've outdone themselves. About an hour ago, Disney merrily issued the following press release:

February 18, 2009
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Reorganizes to Create a "One-Disney" Experience

Restructuring will Consolidate U.S. Operations, Simplify and Streamline Product Delivery

BURBANK, Calif. - February 18, 2009 – Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, today announced organization changes to deliver a "one-Disney" experience by simplifying the Parks and Resorts operating structure, streamlining decision-making and eliminating redundancy.

"We know that our Guests want a 'one-Disney' experience and we must organize around that expectation," said Rasulo. "The long-term success of Parks and Resorts depends upon our ability to adapt and innovate and respond to Guest preferences. These changes are essential to maintaining our leadership position in family tourism and reflect today's economic realities."

Today's announcement accelerates the evolution of the Parks and Resorts management structure by creating seamless behind-the-scenes operations across domestic Parks and Resorts, while preserving the uniqueness, character and culture of our individual destinations.

In a memo to employees Rasulo explained: "In 2005, we announced a new Walt Disney Parks and Resorts operating structure. We transformed our organization to match consumers' expectations: 'one-Disney,' regardless of how or where they experience our products. We put in place a new leadership team, integrated key business functions and implemented a consistent set of best practices. This allowed us to more rapidly and efficiently roll out new creative projects and better anticipate changes in travel trends.

"We've already seen innumerable benefits. Prime examples of our successes are the establishment of many maintenance and safety practices, holiday castle lighting that began in Paris and expanded into our other theme parks, the speed with which we integrated the High School Musical shows into our parks around the world, and the simultaneous openings of Toy Story Mania at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's California Adventure.

"We have made significant progress. However, the long-term success of Parks and Resorts depends upon our ability to continue to adapt and innovate, to respond to ever-changing Guest preferences, and to implement an organization and cost structure that meet today's economic realities. We must accelerate the evolution of our business and further refine our structure to work in a more integrated and effective manner.

"We know that our Guests want a 'one-Disney' experience and we must organize around that expectation. Our new structure will enhance our ability to Identify and Develop the next great Disney experience, Create and Build Disney destinations that incorporate our rich storytelling heritage and Operate them in a way that delivers a unique, memorable experience that transcends geography. Economic realities require that we do this in a simplified and streamlined manner that eliminates redundancies."

Organization Changes Announced Today

A new Global Business Development team led by Executive Vice President Nick Franklin will combine the existing development functions of business and real estate development. The team will be responsible for driving growth by working with existing businesses on their development strategies, while also exploring new business opportunities around the globe.

Walt Disney Imagineering under the leadership of Bruce Vaughn, EVP, Chief Creative Executive and Craig Russell, EVP, Chief Design and Project Delivery Executive, will be reorganized into a single practice merging resort development with attractions and entertainment development to bring the creativity of Disney storytelling to the design and delivery of products at all Disney destinations.

Al Weiss, President, Worldwide Operations, will lead the work of merging the operating infrastructure at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort to create a single domestic organization and "back-of-house" operation.

In the coming weeks, other functions will review their organizations and make appropriate changes.

In his memo Rasulo acknowledged the challenges inherent in a large-scale reorganization: "Organization changes require difficult decisions, including the elimination of some roles. These decisions were not made lightly and we know this will be a challenging transition. The people affected are our friends and colleagues, and they have made valuable contributions."

The changes announced today are effective immediately.

###

In addition to the 600 workers Disney offered buyouts to last month, the company will eliminate hundreds more employees, because–yes, you read that right–guests are clamoring for a more "one-Disney" experience. My congratulations to those faithful, longtime cast members whose careers are about disappear so Disneyland and Disney World can be even more wonderful. Just like magic! ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=359 Sheepigcow??? http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=354 Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:10:30 GMT It's a Small World reopened last week with dozens of new characters, instantly sparking an epic debate among Disneyland fans. Most of the fury centers on the new "Spirit of America" scene.

Yes, some people are displeased with Woody and Jessie dolls that blend poorly with the existing characters. But the real burning question that has gotten so many cast members in a tizzy is: what the heck kind of animal is that inside the barn on the opposite side of the flume? Some say sheep. Others claim pig. Still others argue cow.

Consider the sheepish expression and bow.

Yet there's also the pig's snout. The pointy piggy ears. The roundish piggy shape and pig-like pinkish/purplish coloration.

Then again, don't forget the cowbell and pink underbelly, suggesting an udder. And no pig would have legs that long.

Cast members have been debating the features of "sheepigcow" for weeks now.

My best guess: mutant cow. Yours? ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=354 DVC Members Will Need Lots More Points for Grand Californian http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=343 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:59:14 GMT Inaugural points charts were released this week for the Villas at the Grand Californian. As expected, since these are Disneyland’s first Disney Vacation Club rooms and there are so few of them, rates are considerably more costly than all existing DVC resorts. Members will need 25% to 77% more points to book an equivalent room at Disneyland, vs. Walt Disney World. Here are sample comparisons to the previous high, Boardwalk Villas preferred view: Low season GCV Studio - 15 pts. (Sun.-Th.), 27 (F.-Sat.); BWV Studio - 12, 22 GCV 1BR - 28, 49; BWV 1BR - 22, 45 GCV 2BR - 40, 70; BWV 2BR - 30, 60 GCV 3BR - 83, 148; BWV 3BR - 74, 94 Summer GCV Studio - 23, 40; BWV Studio - 14, 32 GCV 1BR - 46, 80; BWV 1BR - 30, 60 GCV 2BR - 62, 110; BWV 2BR - 40, 75 GCV 3BR - 134, 235; BWV 3BR - 108, 130 Thanksgiving weekend, Christimastime, Spring Break GCV Studio - 27, 46; BWV Studio - 19, 43 GCV 1BR - 55, 94; BWV 1BR - 40, 75 GCV 2BR - 76, 135; BWV 2BR - 50, 106 GCV 3BR - 160, 280; BWV 3BR - 130, 158 I suspect rates for DVC at the Contemporary will be similar to GCV’s, and rates for DVC in Hawaii will be even pricier (or should that be pointier?). GCV pre-sales began January 25 to DVC members who bought in while visiting Disneyland and continue until March 25. No word on whether that’s when sales begin to the general public or to other DVC members. Price is $112 per point (minus $5-per-point incentive), 100 point minimum. GCV is expected to begin accepting reservations in March for the first stays at the end of 2009. Inaugural points charts were released this week for the Villas at the Grand Californian. As expected, since these are Disneyland’s first Disney Vacation Club rooms and there are so few of them, rates are considerably more costly than all existing DVC resorts. Members will need 25% to 77% more points to book an equivalent room at Disneyland, vs. Walt Disney World.

Here are sample comparisons to the previous high, Boardwalk Villas preferred view:
Low season
GCV Studio - 15 pts. (Sun.-Th.), 27 (F.-Sat.); BWV Studio - 12, 22
GCV 1BR - 28, 49; BWV 1BR - 22, 45
GCV 2BR - 40, 70; BWV 2BR - 30, 60
GCV 3BR - 83, 148; BWV 3BR - 74, 94

Summer
GCV Studio - 23, 40; BWV Studio - 14, 32
GCV 1BR - 46, 80; BWV 1BR - 30, 60
GCV 2BR - 62, 110; BWV 2BR - 40, 75
GCV 3BR - 134, 235; BWV 3BR - 108, 130

Thanksgiving weekend, Christimastime, Spring Break
GCV Studio - 27, 46; BWV Studio - 19, 43
GCV 1BR - 55, 94; BWV 1BR - 40, 75
GCV 2BR - 76, 135; BWV 2BR - 50, 106
GCV 3BR - 160, 280; BWV 3BR - 130, 158

I suspect rates for DVC at the Contemporary will be similar to GCV’s, and rates for DVC in Hawaii will be even pricier (or should that be pointier?).

GCV pre-sales began January 25 to DVC members who bought in while visiting Disneyland and continue until March 25. No word on whether that’s when sales begin to the general public or to other DVC members. Price is $112 per point (minus $5-per-point incentive), 100 point minimum.

GCV is expected to begin accepting reservations in March for the first stays at the end of 2009. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=343 Has Anybody Seen My Gull? http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=342 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:33:00 GMT Once again, there are just two seagulls sitting on the buoy in Disneyland's Submarine Lagoon squawking, "Mine!"

The third, "middle position" bird has again disappeared, four months after spending a good portion of 2008 MIA.

Anyone know his whereabouts? Did he take the Voluntary Separation Plan? ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=342 Celebration Losing Its Bookstore http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=334 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:15:02 GMT Sad news from otherwise cheery Celebration, Florida. The charming Reading Trout Bookstore, a few doors down from the cinema on Front Street, will close at the end of January.

Owners Amy and Adam Parrish are expecting their first child this summer and, coupled with their "day jobs" for the Disney Company, have found their plate becoming too full.

The shop has played host to an excellent series of author presentations over the years, often Disney-related, and stocks one of the most expansive selections of Disney-related books anywhere—including on Disney property.

Reading Trout is liqudating all of its remaining inventory at "Buy One, Get One Free," including all of its rate Disney books, so hurry in while you can. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=334 Bye-Bye, Baubles! Hello, Burritos! http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=320 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:19:39 GMT New Orleans Square's intimate Court of Angels has ended its run as a merchandise location. But, cautions one Disneyland insider, "expect the Christmas store to be back next year. The merchandise managers were delighted that all the stock allocated for the location sold out before Christmas."

But as the holiday carts rolled offstage in New Orleans Square, a new cart was introduced in Fantasyland. Outdoor Vending now has a location selling breakfast burritos, cinnamon twists, and orange juice at Small World Mall.

The cart is stationed right in the middle of the path leading to the attraction. A cast member reported that sales are good, and the items are very popular with guests. The egg, cheese and sausage burritos go for $5.50. The cart is manned from park opening until 11 a.m. during peak season. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=320 Pink Slips for Princesses http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=316 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:51:26 GMT First they came for the pirates, now they're cutting back on princesses.

Continuing budget cuts in Disneyland's Entertainment department have reached the Princess Fantasy Faire. The last day for the Royal Coronation and Princess Storytelling shows will be January 4. Displaced AGVA (American Guild of Variety Artists) and Entertainment cast members will be reassigned or laid off. The Princess Fantasy Faire will continue, but solely as a princess meet-and-greet area.

So far, most of the pressure to reduce the park's operational expenses has fallen on the Entertainment department. Management figures that guests are more likely to notice and therefore grumble about shuttered attractions and unbearably-long lines due to under-staffing than about a few missing characters or performances. (Not to mention the higher pay AGVA members earn...) Yet if, as expected, park attendance takes a nose-dive after the first of the year, cutbacks will definitely spread to all divisions. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=316 Barbecue Comeback http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=297 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:36:48 GMT Sources say the Big Thunder Barbeque should return to the backwoods of Disneyland’s Frontierland in the near future.

The chicken-and-ribs buffeteria, closed since the opening of Rancho del Zocalo in 2001, is being revived in connection with the parks’ upcoming “What Will You Celebrate?” promotion. Diners who purchase a “Celebration Roundup” party package, will enoy the western feast, as well as frontier entertainment and a goodie bag.

The Festival Arena in back should remain available for larger special events.

In anticipation of the eatery’s return, management has begun addressing one of the primary concerns of the facility: its proximity to the Big Thunder Ranch petting zoo.

“It’s a health issue, guests touching the animals and then going next door to eat barbecue,” explained one cast member. “Not everyone is diligent [in washing their hands], and [I can imagine] the first guest to get sick from this then suing Disney.”

Consequently, the park recently conducted a handwashing study, to tally how many visitors washed their hands after petting the animals.

Although I couldn’t get my own hands on the survey results, I suspect the Ranch is too popular to eliminate. But don’t be surprised to see lots and lots of western-themed signage, courtesy of the fine folks at Brawny®. ]]> David Koenig http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=297