Saturday, December 6
An interesting firewall development in the Roy Disney story: this site, a petition in support of Roy Disney and Stanley Gold, claims it can no longer be accessed from computers within the Walt Disney Company.
"WE HAVE BEEN TOLD that this site has been blocked to access from within the Disney Corporate Network, (but we venture to guess that the poor technicians who were ordered to block this site were probably able to get their support names on the list before pulling the switch). There is, however, still hope for the many hundreds of people within the walls of Disney who know they support this change and wish to pledge loyalty to Roy Disney and the TRUE Disney Studio! To them we say, 'Make The Effort!' Please log on to the site from home or seek out the use of friends and neighbors computer terminals!"
So if the claim is true, it appears that The Mouse is not just courting the Chinese market, but using Chinese Communist tactics. Stifling dissent; it's not just for countries anymore.
"WE HAVE BEEN TOLD that this site has been blocked to access from within the Disney Corporate Network, (but we venture to guess that the poor technicians who were ordered to block this site were probably able to get their support names on the list before pulling the switch). There is, however, still hope for the many hundreds of people within the walls of Disney who know they support this change and wish to pledge loyalty to Roy Disney and the TRUE Disney Studio! To them we say, 'Make The Effort!' Please log on to the site from home or seek out the use of friends and neighbors computer terminals!"
So if the claim is true, it appears that The Mouse is not just courting the Chinese market, but using Chinese Communist tactics. Stifling dissent; it's not just for countries anymore.
More and more good quotes seep out in the Roy Disney resignation story.
"The upkeep down in Disneyland is sickening," he (Roy Disney) said, adding that the company under Eisner had built "half a park" but charged full-park prices at California Adventure, the theme park opened next to Disneyland in Southern California.
In case you missed it, that half a park was also the butt of a recent Simpsons joke. Homer told his mom (a 60s radical on the lam), "I'm going to take you to a place where no one is around for miles -- Disney's California Adventure!"
"The upkeep down in Disneyland is sickening," he (Roy Disney) said, adding that the company under Eisner had built "half a park" but charged full-park prices at California Adventure, the theme park opened next to Disneyland in Southern California.
In case you missed it, that half a park was also the butt of a recent Simpsons joke. Homer told his mom (a 60s radical on the lam), "I'm going to take you to a place where no one is around for miles -- Disney's California Adventure!"
Friday, December 5
Intercot goes to the 2003 IAAPA Convention. Tons of great photos, even if some of them are of the horrible new design of the Tilt-A-Whirl cars. Looks like a Barbie running shoe.
Thursday, December 4
What is it? A Wired article from 1996 says: "If polo is the sport of kings, then Whirly Ball must be the sport of geeks. Conceptually similar to polo, the game features players riding mounts of steel and fiberglass called WhirlyBugs (aka bumper cars) rather than manure-spewing ponies. Play is simple: WhirlyBugs are maneuvered with a crank on the steering column instead of a steering wheel. This leaves one hand free to wield a black plastic scooper used to catch and throw an oversize whiffle ball. The goal is to pass the ball among your teammates (up to five players per side) until someone can take a shot at a frustratingly small hole mounted on a backboard at the end of a basketball-sized court."
The rules are here; a long and interesting article on the sport here; a MSN group here (includes an archive of game videos here); locations here.
# posted by Dan @ Thursday, December 04, 2003
Read the text of Roy E. Disney's Wednesday email to about 200 Disney employees and shareholders here.
From The New York Post: "December 4, 2003 -- HERE'S how much Walt Disney Co. chairman Michael Eisner hates Roy E. Disney, nephew of Walt and until early this week a board member of the famous company. A few years ago Roy Disney decided he wanted an office at the movie company's feature animation building in Burbank, Calif. The building is topped off by a giant replica of the magician's cap worn by Mickey Mouse in 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice.' Says one insider, Eisner 'was openly disdainful, calling [Roy] "the idiot nephew" and things like that. Eisner used to say it's pretty fitting that Roy has an office under a big dunce cap.' You get the point."
"...sources out in the land of warmth say speculation that the Disney Co. would be forced to offer (Steve) Jobs a position - if only a seat on the board - intensified this week, as soon as Roy Disney's keister had cleared the company parking lot."
"...sources out in the land of warmth say speculation that the Disney Co. would be forced to offer (Steve) Jobs a position - if only a seat on the board - intensified this week, as soon as Roy Disney's keister had cleared the company parking lot."
# posted by Dan @ Thursday, December 04, 2003
Wednesday, December 3
10 Feet of Roller Coaster Fun! (Thanks to K.A. for the link)
# posted by Dan @ Wednesday, December 03, 2003
Tuesday, December 2
Mouseplanet's coverage of the DOSH report on the Big Thunder Mountain accident, complete with moment-by-moment, USA-Today-style graphics. They also have a PDF file of the complete 22-page report here.
"...You have tried to build parks 'on the cheap' and they show it..."
Aahh... the Walt Disney Company is back in full Shakespearian mode again. Roy E. Disney, who helped get Michael Eisner his job as head of Disney back in 1984, has resigned from the company's board and called for Eisner's resignation.
Here is the full text of Roy Disney's juicy resignation letter. This is a long blog entry for Danny's Land, but it don't get no better than this!
Mr. Michael D. Eisner, Chairman
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
Dear Michael,
It is with deep sadness and regret that I send you this letter of resignation from the Walt Disney Company, both as Chairman of the Feature Animation Division and as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.
You well know that you and I have had serious differences of opinion about the direction and style of management in the Company in recent years. For whatever reason, you have driven a wedge between me and those I work with even to the extent of requiring some of my associates to report my conversations and activities back to you. I find this intolerable.
Finally, you discussed with the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors its decision to leave my name off the slate of directors to be elected in the coming year, effectively muzzling my voice on the Board -- much as you did with Andrea Van de Kamp last year.
Michael, I believe your conduct has resulted from my clear and unambiguous statements to you and the Board of Directors that after 19 years at the helm you are no longer the best person to run the Walt Disney Company. You had a very successful first 10-plus years at the Company in partnership with Frank Wells, for which I salute you. But, since Frank's untimely death in 1994, the Company has lost its focus, its creative energy, and its heritage.
As I have said, and as Stanley Gold has documented in letters to you and other members of the Board, this Company, under your leadership, has failed during the last seven years in many ways:
1. The failure to bring back ABC Prime Time from the ratings abyss it has been in for years and your inability to program successfully the ABC Family Channel. Both of these failures have had, and I believe, will continue to have, significant adverse impact on shareholder value.
2. Your consistent micro-management of everyone around you with the resulting loss of morale throughout this Company.
3. The timidity of your investments in our theme park business. At Disney's California Adventure, Paris, and now in Hong Kong, you have tried to build parks "on the cheap" and they show it, and the attendance figures reflect it. (Emphasis added)
4. The perception by all of our stakeholders - consumers, investors, employees, distributors and suppliers - that the Company is rapacious, soul-less, and always looking for the "quick buck" rather than the long-term value which is leading to a loss of public trust.
5. The creative brain drain of the last several years, which is real and continuing, and damages our Company with the loss of every talented employee.
6. Your failure to establish and build constructive relationships with creative partners, especially Pixar, Miramax, and the cable companies distributing our products.
7. Your consistent refusal to establish a clear succession plan.
In conclusion, Michael, it is my sincere belief that it is you who should be leaving and not me. Accordingly, I once again call for your resignation or retirement. The Walt Disney Company deserves fresh, energetic leadership at this challenging time in its history just as it did in 1984 when I headed a restructuring which resulted in your recruitment to the Company.
I have and will always have an enormous allegiance and respect for this Company, founded by my uncle, Walt, and father, Roy, and to our faithful employees and loyal stockholders. I don't know if you and other directors can comprehend how painful it is for me and the extended Disney family to arrive at this decision.
In accordance with Item 6 of Form 8-K and Item 7 of Schedule 14A, I request that you disclose this letter and that you file a copy of this letter as an exhibit to a Company Form 8-K.
With sincere regret,
Roy E. Disney
cc: Board of Directors
So, what led up to the resignation? In his letter, Roy Disney mentions Andrea Van de Kamp being forced off the board; this is from a Wall Street Journal article in January:
Mr. Eisner also touted... the move earlier this week to shrink the size of Disney's 17-member board to 13 via the resignation of four directors. But the downsizing was rocky, as one of the departing members -- Sotheby's executive Andrea L. Van de Kamp -- complained that she was being removed for being critical of Mr. Eisner, according to people familiar with the matter.
At a board meeting Monday, Ms. Van de Kamp pointedly protested her removal... During the meeting, Mr. Eisner argued that she wasn't being punished for her opposition to him.
Ms. Van de Kamp didn't comment.
And back in August, Roy was either preparing to resign or bracing himself for the axe (again from the Wall Street Journal):
Roy Disney Reaps $125 Million In a Novel Stock-Sale Package
Walt Disney Co. Vice Chairman Roy E. Disney announced a plan to sell as many as 7.5 million Disney shares, or about 43% of his stake, for immediate proceeds of about $125 million in an exotic five-year contract with a Wall Street securities firm.
Although Mr. Disney has been a behind-the-scenes critic of Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Michael Eisner, Shamrock stressed that the move was intended to "diversify the trust's investment portfolio and to monetize a portion of its ownership in the company to meet other investment objectives."
Mr. Disney and his business partner and fellow Disney board member, Stanley Gold, spent much of last year pressuring Mr. Eisner to improve the company's poor performance.
Somebody ought to write an opera with this material.
Aahh... the Walt Disney Company is back in full Shakespearian mode again. Roy E. Disney, who helped get Michael Eisner his job as head of Disney back in 1984, has resigned from the company's board and called for Eisner's resignation.
Here is the full text of Roy Disney's juicy resignation letter. This is a long blog entry for Danny's Land, but it don't get no better than this!
Mr. Michael D. Eisner, Chairman
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
Dear Michael,
It is with deep sadness and regret that I send you this letter of resignation from the Walt Disney Company, both as Chairman of the Feature Animation Division and as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.
You well know that you and I have had serious differences of opinion about the direction and style of management in the Company in recent years. For whatever reason, you have driven a wedge between me and those I work with even to the extent of requiring some of my associates to report my conversations and activities back to you. I find this intolerable.
Finally, you discussed with the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors its decision to leave my name off the slate of directors to be elected in the coming year, effectively muzzling my voice on the Board -- much as you did with Andrea Van de Kamp last year.
Michael, I believe your conduct has resulted from my clear and unambiguous statements to you and the Board of Directors that after 19 years at the helm you are no longer the best person to run the Walt Disney Company. You had a very successful first 10-plus years at the Company in partnership with Frank Wells, for which I salute you. But, since Frank's untimely death in 1994, the Company has lost its focus, its creative energy, and its heritage.
As I have said, and as Stanley Gold has documented in letters to you and other members of the Board, this Company, under your leadership, has failed during the last seven years in many ways:
1. The failure to bring back ABC Prime Time from the ratings abyss it has been in for years and your inability to program successfully the ABC Family Channel. Both of these failures have had, and I believe, will continue to have, significant adverse impact on shareholder value.
2. Your consistent micro-management of everyone around you with the resulting loss of morale throughout this Company.
3. The timidity of your investments in our theme park business. At Disney's California Adventure, Paris, and now in Hong Kong, you have tried to build parks "on the cheap" and they show it, and the attendance figures reflect it. (Emphasis added)
4. The perception by all of our stakeholders - consumers, investors, employees, distributors and suppliers - that the Company is rapacious, soul-less, and always looking for the "quick buck" rather than the long-term value which is leading to a loss of public trust.
5. The creative brain drain of the last several years, which is real and continuing, and damages our Company with the loss of every talented employee.
6. Your failure to establish and build constructive relationships with creative partners, especially Pixar, Miramax, and the cable companies distributing our products.
7. Your consistent refusal to establish a clear succession plan.
In conclusion, Michael, it is my sincere belief that it is you who should be leaving and not me. Accordingly, I once again call for your resignation or retirement. The Walt Disney Company deserves fresh, energetic leadership at this challenging time in its history just as it did in 1984 when I headed a restructuring which resulted in your recruitment to the Company.
I have and will always have an enormous allegiance and respect for this Company, founded by my uncle, Walt, and father, Roy, and to our faithful employees and loyal stockholders. I don't know if you and other directors can comprehend how painful it is for me and the extended Disney family to arrive at this decision.
In accordance with Item 6 of Form 8-K and Item 7 of Schedule 14A, I request that you disclose this letter and that you file a copy of this letter as an exhibit to a Company Form 8-K.
With sincere regret,
Roy E. Disney
cc: Board of Directors
So, what led up to the resignation? In his letter, Roy Disney mentions Andrea Van de Kamp being forced off the board; this is from a Wall Street Journal article in January:
Mr. Eisner also touted... the move earlier this week to shrink the size of Disney's 17-member board to 13 via the resignation of four directors. But the downsizing was rocky, as one of the departing members -- Sotheby's executive Andrea L. Van de Kamp -- complained that she was being removed for being critical of Mr. Eisner, according to people familiar with the matter.
At a board meeting Monday, Ms. Van de Kamp pointedly protested her removal... During the meeting, Mr. Eisner argued that she wasn't being punished for her opposition to him.
Ms. Van de Kamp didn't comment.
And back in August, Roy was either preparing to resign or bracing himself for the axe (again from the Wall Street Journal):
Roy Disney Reaps $125 Million In a Novel Stock-Sale Package
Walt Disney Co. Vice Chairman Roy E. Disney announced a plan to sell as many as 7.5 million Disney shares, or about 43% of his stake, for immediate proceeds of about $125 million in an exotic five-year contract with a Wall Street securities firm.
Although Mr. Disney has been a behind-the-scenes critic of Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Michael Eisner, Shamrock stressed that the move was intended to "diversify the trust's investment portfolio and to monetize a portion of its ownership in the company to meet other investment objectives."
Mr. Disney and his business partner and fellow Disney board member, Stanley Gold, spent much of last year pressuring Mr. Eisner to improve the company's poor performance.
Somebody ought to write an opera with this material.
Monday, December 1
Man oh man! Vintage Anaheim motels, abandoned stores & amusement parks & the long-gone Japanese Deer Park! Prepare to spend at least an hour....
What happens when you mix Laughing Place & Mouse Planet? You get LaughingMouse! OK - a lot of the stories are sarcastic, and a little made up - but you can deal with that... right?
Sunday, November 30
BARBARIANS ARE COMING CRAWLING FROM THE EAST,
(WITH THEIR) EYES WIDE SHUT AND NOSTRILS FULL OF LONGING,
EPIC AND POWERFUL, WILD IN A GROUP,
BARBARIANS ARE COMING FROM THE EAST.
THEY'LL COME OUT OF NOWHERE, THEY'LL ENTER YOUR STATE,
THE NATION OF LOSERS, THE TRIBE FULL OF HATE.
WITH KNIVES IN THEIR POCKETS AND BOMBS IN THEIR HANDS,
THEY'LL BURN DOWN YOUR CITIES AND YOUR DISNEYLANDS.
... from NOW YOU WILL PAY by LAIBACH from their new recording WAT.
(WITH THEIR) EYES WIDE SHUT AND NOSTRILS FULL OF LONGING,
EPIC AND POWERFUL, WILD IN A GROUP,
BARBARIANS ARE COMING FROM THE EAST.
THEY'LL COME OUT OF NOWHERE, THEY'LL ENTER YOUR STATE,
THE NATION OF LOSERS, THE TRIBE FULL OF HATE.
WITH KNIVES IN THEIR POCKETS AND BOMBS IN THEIR HANDS,
THEY'LL BURN DOWN YOUR CITIES AND YOUR DISNEYLANDS.
... from NOW YOU WILL PAY by LAIBACH from their new recording WAT.
