If you were to run a company like Disney's

[REINIER]

Best Marketing approach,
If you were to run a company like Disney's
What would be your first change in Movies, Marketing, ThemeParks
(or any other thing you might come up with!)

Somewhere along the way we will select our new Chief Executive!

Won't that be fun

[Jules]

This seems like a creative thread, and it's a shame it never received any replies before this. I don't really have time to participate, but I've bumped this in case other people are interested.

This thread could develop into a very interesting critique of Disney's current marketing strategy, and submitting our own ideas is not only a way of being imaginative but also a training for resourcefulness.

And the "Choose-Your-New-Chief-Executive" feature is cool too.

[Rumpelstiltskin]

I don't have any experience working in a studio, so I can't really tell.
But if I got some influence, one of the first things I would have done was to create some official Disney blog or whatever is the correct term, where the different directors and producers could post some information about coming projects to avoid rumors and such. Or at least as much info as they were allowed to release. And maybe a "send in your questions to ..." now and then.
And a place where we could get as much information as possible about the movies that already have been released.

The only change I think of that I would have done with the movies was to make every tenth movie a special project. Disney took a risk when he made Fantasia, so if every tenth movie could represent some project that was something new which the studio normally wouldn't have tried to focus on, it could be jackpot now and then.

[Jules]

I know this isn't totally relevant, but Rumpelstiltskin mentioned a Disney Blog, and I couldn't help remembering how much I'd love there to be an official website for Walt Disney Animation Studios, specifically.

Pixar has one. So does DreamWorks Animation SKG. And Blue Sky.

Then why not Walt Disney Animation Studios? Why are we denied a site that brings together the library of Disney feature animation output from Snow White to Meet the Robinsons and beyond? Why are we denied a site which gets its information directly from the animation studio and not the Disney company as a whole?

Harumph.

[2099net]

Pixar has one. So does DreamWorks Animation SKG. And Blue Sky.

Then why not Walt Disney Animation Studios?

Becuase the way things are, it may as well be in the Pixar blog?

[Jules]

Becuase the way things are, it may as well be in the Pixar blog?

I don't think I get it. What do you mean?

[slave2moonlight]

Well, I agree that it'd be good to have a webboard or something where the company could get some feedback on what the public thinks, particularly the hardcore fans so as to keep them happy. Though, I know that keeping the hardcore fans happy isn't where the money is really, but I think it's always a good idea to keep your strong fanbase smiling somehow.

Of course, it'd be just as easy to read the existing forums out there, like this one.

Anyway, besides taking a listen to what the public and hardcore fans had to say, what I would do is (and, this is if I had total power over everything; I'm not a business guy and don't really know much about the way power is really dealt out amongst the suits):

First, for animated features, I would stop slapping the Disney name on non-Disney products. I would gather up the creative guys who have had the most success over the years and put them in charge of animation. The best guys behind Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, etc... and I'd have them focus on 2D. I'd have the PIXAR guys, since it IS a Disney property now, focus on the CGI stuff. They could be in the same building to pass ideas around or whatever, but that's what I'd like to see, and they'd have more control over the final product than the suits (aside from me. I'd reserve Walt Disney-esque rights to butt in whenever I wanted, but wouldn't do it much). And, we'd do everything in the states and simply wouldn't put out as many films or work on as many at one time if that's what is needed to keep the product high quality.

As for the direct to video stuff, I never would have shut that down. We simply would have raised the quality by cutting back on the number of releases and focusing on stuff that wasn't overly ambitious. We'd leave the possible sequels to the feature animation guys who can do it right, a la Rescuers Down Under. The Direct-to-video filmmakers, which might be in the states as well, but I wouldn't mind reopening one or two of the better overseas studios for these, would work on stuff like Mickey Mouse features (like Three Musketeers), Pooh features, holiday themed features, or package films comrised of all new material. Feature characters would be brought back in short stories rather than feature sequels, kinda like the recent princess release but not aimed only at little kids and with higher art quality too. Also, to keep the other great Disney properties alive to the public, features based on Disney animated shows would come out direct to video (like Darkwing Duck, DuckTales, Gummi Bears, Rescue Rangers, and Goof Troop features, among others), along with animated features based on some park subjects. For example, a Figment and Dreamfinder animated film maybe, and a Country Bears animated film that is actually GOOD and loyal to the park attraction. Also, these would rarely be computer animation releases.

As for the live-action features, they've been such a mixed bag lately. I'd have them up the quality of the more family-aimed ones, and in all cases, if it's not a great script, just don't do it, and don't overly-plasticize everything that's fantasy, like the direction the Santa Clause films took. In the '80's, the Disney films were very gritty and real, sometimes a little too much so, but I think there'd be an attempt to get back to that but a little softer. I guess my really favorite era at Disney, after the Walt stuff that is, was the late 80's and early 90's, so in most things there'd be an attempt to get back to that.

Especially with the theme parks, I'd be trying to restore that late 80's and early 90's glory. Though, I'm only familiar with the Florida parks anymore. I'm not totally against change and updates, but I think they are usually too drastic with them. With Disney Studios, I'd make the old Hollywood feeling much stronger again, and I'd relocate that big Sorceror's Hat. I think perhaps I'd make the Florida animation area the new location for the direct-to-video animation department, and it would be restored very much to its more glory. I think we'd put in a PIXAR area with a more accurate Pizza Planet restaurant, and we'd move the Monsters Inc. laugh floor there, because why is that in Tomorrowland anyway? And I'm not sure what the official plans are for the Indiana Jones/Star Tours changes, but I'm totally up for an increased presence of both subjects. I hate to see the Star Tours ride changed, but I wouldn't be against it. I would want it to have a strong feeling of the classic trilogy though, not revamping everything to be obsessed with the prequels and Hayden Skywalker. I definitely would leave the Muppet film as is, because they can't seem to recapture the magic with anything new they do without Jim. Might add a Muppet ride too though, I don't know.

If I took over, we'd see more animatronic characters again, because I LOVE those. And if anything started to look more like it did sometime ago, it would be EPCOT. Especially FutureWorld, which I feel has been destroyed. I haven't been there since 2004, and what they did at THe Living Seas sounds pretty good, but I think I'd want the entire Figment ride rebuilt almost precisely, ha. The classic EPCOT songs had such a great, eerie futurist feeling that they really transported me when I was in future world, and I'd want to bring those songs back in their respective areas. The ones that are still there that is. And not rerecordings that are all hip hop or whatever. I'd bring some kind of updated Kitchen Cabaret show back to the Land pavilion, and also rebuild Wonders of Life and many the other stuff that's been removed, but with modern attractions inside. But, they'd be pavilions again, not just a ride and a shop. We'd lose Test Track and Mission Space. And I'd want something interesting and spacey in the center again, like Communicore was. I'd really like to bring back the big visuals that were all over the place in the 80's and 90's! I mean, the big displays with animatronics or whatever that overwhelmed you when you walked into a pavilion at EPCOT. I'd want to bring that showmanship back to the theme parks, though the new living character initiative gives me hope.

I would definitely push the living character plan. Love that whole deal with Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker. I wanna see them get to where these creatures, including Disney ones, can walk around, sign autographs, and hug guests and everything, somehow!

The other parks, what can I saw, we'd take 'em up a notch again. We'd do all we could to restore the magic. But, something that's important to me, we wouldn't disregard classic Disney for the new and popular stuff. We'd find new ways to keep the old stuff, even the old live-action stuff, alive in the public's minds. One way, showing some of it on the Disney Channel! Show "Old Yeller" on there a couple of times and it might increase the DVD sales. Follow that with a few Old Yeller plush toys in the parks. That's just one example that could be applied to other classics. I think I'd bring back the Wonderful World of Disney to the Disney Channel on Sunday nights as a night families can watch classic stuff on that Channel. In addition, I'd mix in classic stuff with the regular programming. I mean, they can still keep running the shows they have. They don't need to run the same stuff over and over though. Slip in something classic here and there. They try to do it now and then, but far too rarely and still just the stuff that is more aimed at kids.

The TV thing is tricky really. There's a desire now for TV programs to really be segregated. They want a Playhouse Disney Channel, a Toon Disney Channel, and the current Disney Channel. That'd be fine IF everybody could get all the channels, and if a Vault Disney Channel was added too. But, I think it's better to mix everything together into one channel so it's not as easy for people to just avoid the classic stuff that they'd like if they just tried it. I think it's important not to forget classic Disney because so much of it is better than what is out there today, on any channel and from any studio.

Anyway, that's some of the stuff I'd want to see happen if I was in control. I have no problem with the obsession with merchandising, but I'd like to see more variety in that and I don't believe that the parks need as many shops as they have. I like the shops myself because I love Disney merchandise, but so much of it is just the same stuff, so I'd take that into account and cut back on the number of shops. Better to have more attractions. I'm sure I forgot stuff, but that's plenty.

[Chernabog_Rocks]

^ Makes me wish you were in charge s2m.

All I can add on to what you've said is about t.v channels. Family Channel annoys me to no end because they have the same shows played over and over all day, same episodes 3 or 4 times a day. I would take and put the Teenager themed shows like Life With Derek, Popular etc. and put them on later, early morning or take them out completly since it's just reruns of old seasons instead of fresh stuff it seems.

I would bring back old t.v shows like Aladdin, Little Mermaid etc. and start showing them again, perhaps even adding a half hour block for the Disney Princess Enchanted Tales which could boost sales for the dvds. I would also add new episodes of old shows, since there seems to be a demand for them. One site I've been in has a huge list of epiosdes made by fans (mostly basic plot ideas). I might also add new shows based off of the SLG comics that are out.

Like s2m said, bring back the Wonderful World of Disney. One thing I'd try and do is every weekend show a different disney movie (whether it's Live Action, a DAC or Sequel). I would also bring back the old Mickey, Donald, Pluto, Goofy shorts somehow. One final thing I would do is bring some of the more rare stuff back as well like the Anniversary Shows, Documentary's etc.

[slave2moonlight]

Thanks for bringing up some of the many things I left out! Yes, new shows, especially some based on the SLG comics, would be awesome! There could be a great Haunted Mansion series based on the comic! Different stories could be done in different styles too, animated, live-action, etc... I'd be more selective about them though. At times, it seems Disney just throws on shows because they fit the bill. Some of it just doesn't seem up to snuff to me. They have winners too, like Kim Possible, but a lot of it doesn't really seem worthy of the Disney name, especially with the animation going back to One Saturday Morning. I think with animation it's better to tap into character they already have for shows. They have so many, some practically begging for an animated series. I'd trade Buzz on Maggie or Dave the Barbarian for a Disney Princess or Great Mouse Detective animated series any day! And don't get me started on shows like Teacher's Pet and Pepper Ann. Some of the One Saturday Morning shows were okay, but they were so forgettable, and I still don't see why kids, on their day off from school, want to see so many shows about kids at school?!! When I was a kid, I wanted to go on epic adventures with Uncle Scrooge, not watch kids stress about homework and girls!

I didn't even touch upon stuff like ABC or Family. I definitely would try to clean up their images and cut back (or out) the reality shows. Disney's name is tied to them, and there IS a market for family friendly programming, so I'd try to bring back that family friendly feeling (at least somewhat) to all things tied to the name. If the cheese-factor is restricted only to certain programs and quality is kept high, I think a large family audience would be found. It IS there, but the family audience has had to resort to watching the more educational cable channels lately, which are great but there should be situation shows for families too. The thing about the stuff on the Disney Channel right now is that while it's mostly pretty clean, it's specifically aimed at the tweens and teens rather than the WHOLE family. It's watchable for the others in the family, but not as satisfying to everyone.


Something else I want to mention are DVD releases. Disney has had some great ones, but they've had so many bare bones releases. And, there's so much great stuff out there that hasn't been released. They have so many great TV shows and episodes of the anthology series, and even unreleased movies, that I'd make an effort to put out as much of it as possible. It would thrill the hardcore fans and also beef up DVD releases with little effort. There are few extras that make me happier than a full episode of the old Disneyland TV series! What's with giving us excerpts? I'd not only keep the Disney Treasures line going with 4 loaded releases per year and limited double-dipping, but I'd try and release as much other stuff as possible too, and if it didn't seem like it would sell well on its own, make it an extra or a double-feature like they did with Savage Sam or Parent Trap 2. Rerelease The Love Bug or Herbie: Fully Loaded with the Bruce Campbell TV movie as an extra. Rerelease one of the Shaggy Dog movies or the Shaggy D.A. with the TV sequel and one with the TV remake.

Back to the Disney Treasures collections, use them as a way to release Song of the South, and put it in with So Dear To My Heart if they're both low on available extras. Release Melody Time and Make Mine Music in another Treasures set, uncut of course, and do the same with Three Caballeros and Saludos Amigos. Come out with that educational shorts set the fans have always wanted (including stuff like Scrooge McDuck and Money, the Jiminy Cricket Shorts, the What Should I Do series, Harold and his Amazing Pet Seed (title?), Pooh Discovers the Seasons, and the more educational stuff). I'd also come out with a set or two on the Florida parks, including stuff like The Muppets At Walt Disney World, Captain Eo, and the Mouseketeers Go To Walt Disney World, and/or a Celebrations set featuring birthday and anniversary shows for the parks and Mickey's 60th. A holiday themed set would be good (with Small One uncut), and they've gotta come up with a place to release Sport Goofy in Soccermania. Maybe some decades themed sets, so you can have a place to release later stuff like Fluppy Dogs and short lived TV shows like Herbie's and the 70's MMC. I'd definitely release a set with the rest of Swamp Fox also. What they did with that one was pretty uncool.

And, beef up the quality on the Disney TV show releases along with much better advertising. Disney doesn't bother with advertising on many of its DVDs of older stuff, and that hurts sales! Add some extras to the shows and release the rest of them. I think the rest of Lizzie McGuire would sell if you put a few commercials for it on TV, especially on the Disney Channel. Run Gargoyles on the Disney Channel at a decent hour and then release the rest of it on DVD. Maybe have a Disney animation hour with random episodes of random animated shows, and advertise the DVD sets at that time. And, maybe I'm alone in this, but I'd love to see Honey, I Shrunk the Kids the TV Show and The Wuzzles on DVD.

[PeterPanfan]

I have to go so this won't be a really long post but:

I'd make it so AT LEAST one 2-D animated movie was release every year(PIXAR every other year),and about 2 Live Actions. But they would have to be GOOD and not just thrown together for the sake of it.

The Disney Channel would need to show one classic animated movie and one classic live action movie(Parent Trap 1961,Old Yeller,....) per month.
Theyw ould also have to bring back the reruns of "Disneyland(or the Wonderful World of Color),Dumbo's Circus,Darkwing Duck,Ducktales,TaleSpin,ect.

Or they should just make a "Classic Disney Channel" on the television.

Like SlavetoMoonlight said,let the viewers decide on what's coming next sometimes.

[REINIER]

Sorry for my late response but Spain waits for no man

It's good to know that this has not been in vain.
I like what I'm hearing.

The overall thought is the same, more structure,
2-d back on the map and more communication throughout the animation process.

Let us rejoice in the fact that at least a discussion might awaken the ''House of Mouse'' since I strongly believe that this forum contributes to any future development, there must be some nut out there who searches the net fanbase, right?

But on a more serious note, keep sharing your thoughts people!
make yourself heard, if not we then who?

that'll be all

[akhenaten]

if i were running disney i'd

1)make more experimental short for WDAS
2)implement the rule of pixar shorts running before a disney animated feature and vice versa to promote co-habit environment between the two studios
3)make more family oriented disney films like the times of uncle walt with more contemporary feel.
4)restore ALL disney animated features n shorts to the highest quality possible.
5)make more quality animated sequels in the form of short stories with the story and animation quality that would equal the originals.
6)reanimate and fix the ugly story/animation sequels and proclaim them ALL-NEW REFINED CLASSICS.

more to come...

VOTE FOR AKHENATEN!

[leuchtmuschel]

@reinier
Thanks, this is a really nice tread!

@All
Disney has great theme parks. They are for families: children, parents and grandparents have fun, together.

But what is with the lonesome single person? He isn't welcome! Indeed he or she has fun, but they stand outside!

More and more people live alone or have no childrens. The parks need a change to welcome this people too.

The following I would do:

I would arise two new resorts for single persons. A moderate one and a luxury one. Our guests don't have to pay rooms rates for nonexistent persons. This is a great impact for singles to pay about $ 400 each week for nothing.

The luxury resort is a "Walt Disney Legacy Club". The center of this resort is a special club house. Your guest room is in "Main Street 1910".

For the holiday in a Disney theme park should exist special price packages for singles too.

What do you think about this?

[slave2moonlight]

Ha, well, I was a bit wary when I read about trying to make Disney more "singles" friendly. It reminded me about what Pleasure Island was supposed to be like. I'm single, but I was never that interested in Pleasure Island, ha. Whatever happened to that place, anyway? Is it still its own park that you have to pay to get into? Haven't heard anything about it lately. Then again, I don't think much about it. I have never been to the water parks either and don't think much about them either, so maybe it's just because I haven't been that interested.

Anywho, after reading your whole post, I like the idea of a singles resort. Sounds like a very good idea, as does making Disney more singles friendly in general (though I'm not sure in what ways, besides pricing, which would be great!). I would just want them to keep in mind that it should be focusing on a Disney experience for singles, not filling Disney World up with "adult entertainment" to attract/please singles. Of course, when I say adult entertainment, I'm talking about the nightclub experiences and comedy club experiences and stuff like that. I'm single and looking and would love a Disney World that appreciates that fact, but if I wanted to go to clubs I could find them easily outside of Disney. I'm still there for the rides and shows and characters and all. I think that idea of the singles resort is a great start though, for singles and groups of singles, long as they still keep the Disney vibe throughout. Another words, I still would want to see Disney character decor everywhere and all that. Just because I'm a single adult doesn't mean I don't want to see toys in the gift shop and everything, ya know? So it'd be a tricky thing to figure how to become singles friendly and not become Hedonism 3 or something. Then, there's the risk that if you go to the "singles resort," it might just be full of older singles or something, ha. I'd hope that wouldn't be the case. Still, I think it's a good idea if done right.

Perhaps they should have separate lines for singles at the attractions, and they could pair people off. That would also get the lines moving faster too! Only thing is they'd have to figure out how to pair people because that would be a tricky issue with not knowing orientations or if people are going to complain about who they got paired with, or excessive age differences that some would have a problem with and some would not, ha, or whatever. Ha, well, maybe it's a bad idea, but how great would it be if they could figure it out? It'd be nice to not have to ride in all those two seaters by yourself! Of course, the singles line could be optional, or they could just pair you off by whoever is standing behind you, regardless. Maybe the singles resort could have some sort of optional, daily singles service to pair people off each day. They wouldn't have to stay paired off, but they could give it a try? Well, ha, I guess I am thinking in terms of the single person who is trying to find somebody, not the single person who is just out to enjoy Disney World on their own.

Something else I would like to say is that, as for the parks, I'd try to steer away from the whole idea of going in the thrill-ride park direction. To me, that's the WRONG direction for Disney. I mean, in truth, the Disney parks, which I LOVE (the big 4 in FLorida), are really the only theme parks I really love. The reason is the showmanship and that it's more about the show than the thrills. I like mild thrills, like Dinosaur! or the Kali River Rapids, Star Tours or Splash Mountain, but even Splash Mountain is pushing it, ha. Tower of Terror is a bit much for me (I've been on it a few times, but I wouldn't ride it again), but I love the theming. I appreciate its presence, but I'd hate to see DisneyWorld overrun with thrills and turn into an expensive Six Flags where the rides are split down the middle: total kiddie stuff and thrill rides for the big kids, losing sight of the bringing families together concet that was what Walt created Disney World for in the first place. Most of the rides there are ones everyone can enjoy together, and it should stay that way. I love Aerosmith, but I don't ride coasters that go upside down, ha, and my mom, who loves Disney World (even though she's not a Disney fanatic), wouldn't be able to ride anything if thrill rides took over because of her bad back! I would hate to see that happen to the parks, so I'd definitely limit the amount of rides that were aimed just at little ones or just at thrill ride seekers and try to focus on stuff everyone can enjoy together, which really should be the motto for all aspects of the Disney Company. It should be stuff everyone in the family can enjoy together. But, back to the singles thing, a person shouldn't have to feel sort of on the sidelines because they are all alone. I have always been able to go to Disney World with my family or my best friend in the past, but I can see how I may be taking trips alone in the future, as my parents are getting older and friends get their own lives, and I'd like to still have a good time. It might not be possible though. Having a good time when you're totally alone is really difficult, though maybe moreso for some than others.

[Jack Skellington]

If I were working at Disney, I would most defenitley steal some ideas from the fans here at the forums of Ultimatedisney.com, the customer knows best !

[leuchtmuschel]

@slave2moonlight

It seems that I have made a little bit of mistake. With parks I mean the whole thing: The parks itself and the resorts.

The main problem for singles is: How to stay in a resort? They have other needs and they need a special treatment.

The parks itself have to focus on the hole family. I agree with the things you write: All people should have fun together.

@All

The direction of Eisner has made attractions for different parts of guests. They had divided families into parts: Adults and children. His changes are been proved to be no good. We have to go back to the roots:

I would close all attractions that are been build only for special peoples. All guests can visit all attractions and have fun.

Some design in the park is still damaged. I would make a visit in the parks to look for certain “holes” of arrangement in park design. The parks need a complete arrangement in view.

In Europe there is a special problem: The Disney characters most care about the children. This problem comes from the European culture. Most people only think that characters are only childish stuff. I would instruct the characters that they have to awaken the child in every adult people. In the United States the characters do it!

I would arise a good training for the cast members. Before Eisner the training was good. But now we have less trained cast members. They do their job the best they can, but they have to know, that they are Ariel, Jasmin, or Snow White! "All the people are been coming from the hole planet just to see and meet you!" This means: I would start a good personal development and training.

I would let check all attractions for safety reason. Too many guests are involved in accidents on rides the last years!

I would build the “Little mermaid ride”. This ride is already on the DVD platinum edition.

A good choice is a new “Magic carpet ride”. This attraction replaces the “Star Wars ride” and the old version of "Magic carpet ride". The “Stars Wars ride” is going to be too old!

I would make a contract with George Lukas for complete new Star Wars attractions.

More suggestions of park improvement are been possible to come from me in this tread.

[Jules]

2)implement the rule of pixar shorts running before a disney animated feature and vice versa to promote co-habit environment between the two studios

I think that's a brilliant idea! It would certainly help unite the two sister studios. It's kind of sad to hear of the bitter feelings of WDAS employees towards Pixar Animation Studios. Why do you guys think they're behaving that way? Do you think they've got good reason for doing so?

[Loomis]

I'd embezzle all the funds and bugger off to a non-extradition country.

[Ray Pointer]

There are a lot of good ideas here, many which are quite obvious. It seems that the general malaise at the company now is due to its becoming too big. The danger that occurs in this is that it breeds incompetance. And being an industry insider, I have numerous references to prove this. It's interesting that in this point in time, the company is once again faced with the original question the company had after the passing of its founder, Walt Disney 40 years ago. The question was, "What would Walt do?"

The Disney Company needs to get back in touch with people and rid itself of being a corporate monolith. As a company, it has lost its original sole, which was in touch with the sentiments of the public. Aside from taking the product and divisons into the directions already suggested, the company needs to do a really thorough house cleaning and rid itself of a lot of mediocre and unproductive people. There is an evil inner core supported by such people that obscures those with ability and vision in favor of protecting those without real talent. While there are many with talent as in the Animation Division, most of them are in protected "corporate core" positions. Yet there are many others who are not protected and are badly treated. This does not contribute to productivity in spite of the outside image of the company.

The Walt Disney Company needs to terminate its relationship with Human Resource Hiring/Management firms who have no idea of what the business is all about, and have no ability to determine who has real talent and ability that will benefit the company. The Disney Company needs to deal directly with the hiring because it is the special uniqueness of individuals that makes the difference between someone who merely meets a cold set of qualifications, and those who bring something extra.
In order to determine this, the company has to hire with more of an interactive, intuitive sense because talent is not a manufactured commodity. It is a very personal matter that is unique to a certain person. After all, if The Walt Disney Company is supposed to be in the "people business," they need to become more human again.

[REINIER]

I have to say that I am amazed that there are so many good ideas
roaming about that have not yet been explored by the wdc itself.

Several even can be done without much finance attached to it!

How hard is it to put some of this into practice,
I believe that if the ''forum-panel'' would be on the board of directors
things would go smoothly and without much debate I can only hope that our voices will one day be heard..........