Is Disney deliberately gouging customers on stroller rentals? MiceAge Columnist Kevin Yee thinks so. The recent price jump from $10 a day to $18 for a single stroller and $15 to $31 for a double appears to be nothing more than an accountant’s attempt to… Read More »Stroller Scandal at Walt Disney World
Hong Kong Disneyland has shown some recent success in growing its attendance numbers by selling the Chinese on what they already know — their own culture. Year of the Rat Mouse and Chairman Mickey have been two successful promotions for the struggling park. Now the… Read More »Hong Kong Disneyland opens “it’s a Disney character world”
Compare the 10th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom to that of Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom and you’ll be disappointed in the company’s failure to property celebrate the wonder and magic created by this unique theme park. But taken on its face, the events on April 22nd were very well done and enjoyed by all who participated.
I took a few quick video snippets throughout the day and have compiled them into three videos. The first two are off the morning ceremony and a few moments from Joe Rohde’s speech on the creation of the DAK. The third is a “long photo” or mood piece (a genre I’m experimenting with to capture some of the details of the Disney experience). If the camera work is a little shaky, I apologize, but the text and meaning is there.
Part I: Morning Procession.
Part II: Morning Speeches — Erin Wallace, Jane Goodall and Joe Rohde.
That hooting by Dr. Goodall… that was the Chimpanzee call for “Thank You”. Being that close to Dr. Goodall is a bit like being in the presence of royalty. Her seal of approval means a lot to the staff of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and its well deserved.
For those of you with the inclination and time on your hands, LaughingPlace.com has the full 45-minute talk given by Imagineer Joe Rohde. Joe is quite a good speaker and I learn many new things every time I hear him speak, this talk was no exception.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Reflections is below the cut:
This morning, during Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s 10-year anniversary celebration, I was surprised to see that a new name and a new logo was introduced for Disney’s conservation outreach efforts, changing the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. Erin Wallace, Dr Jane… Read More »Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund renamed
On this day 10 years ago Walt Disney World’s fourth gate, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, officially opened to the public and a new era in theme parks was born. Animal Kingdom combined the animals of a zoo with the theming and lush landscaping Disney is known… Read More »Happy Birthday Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The venerable magazine from across the pond, The Economist, gives Bob Iger’s reign as king of the Magic Kingdom high marks. Just four years ago the Walt Disney Company was in turmoil following the the second half of Michael Eisner’s turn on the throne. The… Read More »Magic Restored: The Economist on Disney
Disney Imagineer Kim Irvine was just on KCRW’s design and architecture show. She talked about changes coming to “it’s a small world” and the fan uproar surrounding said changes. You’ll probably be able to find an archive or transcript of the show at the KCRW… Read More »Imagineer Kim Irvine talks about “it’s a small world” changes
This is the story of how Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK) came to its end and how and why it doesn’t have to be that way.
The year is 1959. Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom of Disneyland is just about to enter its third year of operations. Disneyland has been very successful not just in attendance, but in creating a new type of community; a remaking of Main Street America in Walt’s image. Walt calls Disneyland his great experiment. He uses it to cross-promote his movies, television shows, and his growing interest in urban planning.
However, something is not quite right. The surrounding area has penned his magical kingdom in with cheap looking motels and tourist traps. Disneyland really needs to grow, add new attractions, even remake whole parts of the theme park that just aren’t working. Walt has got grand ideas, add a steel roller coaster hidden inside the Matterhorn, bring online a monorail system (even extending to Downtown Los Angeles), remake parts of Fantasyland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland and even Main Street. Perhaps to open even a whole new city where urban blight will be a thing of the past.
All that will cost money, take time, and talent. Those are resources Walt could use elsewhere in his growing company. So he decides that his ‘experiment’ in 360 degree themed entertainment has been a success. But he wants those customers go enjoy one of his other projects where there is a higher margin so he can afford his future plans.
So, shocking everyone who has come to love and enjoy Disneyland, worked there, made friends there, even come to regard its wide avenues and wondrous attractions as part of Americana itself, Walt Disney decides to end his experiment and set up shop elsewhere (perhaps Florida, where he’ll have more room).