Comments on: The Meaning of Disneyland http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2005/10/14/the-meaning-of-disneyland/ Thoughts on amusement parks, video games, movies... Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:45:07 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: C McMahon http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2005/10/14/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-17309 C McMahon Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:17:01 +0000 http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-17309 I love your article and agree with most of it whole heartedly. Yes we have progressed with technology and some of the older attractions seem outdated however they are not outdated to all the new young children who explore through the parks daily. For example the adventure through inner space ride taught basic biology concepts. I personally would love to see it return. The people mover could incorporate advance science such as the human genome project and be completely educational. As for the Tiki Room I don't think it is a dead end at all. Where else can young children sit and listen to birds and tiki totems come alive and a tropical rainstorm to boot! It is wonderful. Yes new technology is great but reviving the basics can still be entertaining if done properly. For example bring back the Mary Blair tiles in tomorrowland. Education needs to be brought back to the park to continue the "charm". If it continues on it's current path as one big advertisment for Disney movies what is the point. Too much commercialism gets really boring after awhile. I love your article and agree with most of it whole heartedly. Yes we have progressed with technology and some of the older attractions seem outdated however they are not outdated to all the new young children who explore through the parks daily. For example the adventure through inner space ride taught basic biology concepts. I personally would love to see it return. The people mover could incorporate advance science such as the human genome project and be completely educational. As for the Tiki Room I don’t think it is a dead end at all. Where else can young children sit and listen to birds and tiki totems come alive and a tropical rainstorm to boot! It is wonderful. Yes new technology is great but reviving the basics can still be entertaining if done properly. For example bring back the Mary Blair tiles in tomorrowland. Education needs to be brought back to the park to continue the “charm”. If it continues on it’s current path as one big advertisment for Disney movies what is the point. Too much commercialism gets really boring after awhile.

]]> By: Disney World curriculum | MisterW http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2005/10/14/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-17295 Disney World curriculum | MisterW Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:32:53 +0000 http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-17295 [...] And every day, science and progress march forward.”  Actually, a blogger captured it in Walt’s own words in his Disneyland [...] [...] And every day, science and progress march forward.”  Actually, a blogger captured it in Walt’s own words in his Disneyland [...]

]]> By: Question Too off-topic... What makes TDR so different? OR Whassup with Disney management? - MiceChat http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2005/10/14/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-17270 Question Too off-topic... What makes TDR so different? OR Whassup with Disney management? - MiceChat Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:41:00 +0000 http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-17270 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: Revisionism « Greg Maletic’s Blog http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2005/10/14/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-17051 Revisionism « Greg Maletic’s Blog Sun, 04 May 2008 00:37:08 +0000 http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-17051 [...] that’s the big question: -does- Disneyland have its own story to tell? As I discussed in a previous column, I don’t know that it does anymore. The story used to be the story of America, filtered through [...] [...] that’s the big question: -does- Disneyland have its own story to tell? As I discussed in a previous column, I don’t know that it does anymore. The story used to be the story of America, filtered through [...]

]]> By: Bravoman http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2005/10/14/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-16982 Bravoman Fri, 14 Mar 2008 06:26:08 +0000 http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-16982 Your comments are right on target, and tinged with a melancholy which many people feel. Hopefully Mr. Iger, whose field is technology, will be wise enough to hire real artists with heart (you among them?) and let them work for excellence rather than money. the plan to inject the Disney film characters into IT'S A SMALL WORLD is such a glaring miscalculation that the disappointment many Disney bloggers feel may boil over into public resentment. Your posters are exquisite!!! Your comments are right on target, and tinged with a melancholy which many people feel. Hopefully Mr. Iger, whose field is technology, will be wise enough to hire real artists with heart (you among them?) and let them work for excellence rather than money.
the plan to inject the Disney film characters into IT’S A SMALL WORLD is such a glaring miscalculation that the disappointment many Disney bloggers feel may boil over into public resentment.

Your posters are exquisite!!!

]]> By: peterme.com :: Speaking of Greg Maletic… http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2005/10/14/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-16980 peterme.com :: Speaking of Greg Maletic… Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:45:51 +0000 http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-16980 [...] post, “The Meaning of Disneyland,” captures qualities that I experienced in my last trip to Disneyland, but didn’t [...] [...] post, “The Meaning of Disneyland,” captures qualities that I experienced in my last trip to Disneyland, but didn’t [...]

]]> By: Jeff Huckaby http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2005/10/14/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-737 Jeff Huckaby Sun, 21 Jan 2007 01:02:41 +0000 http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-737 Wow. That sums up what I've not been able to put my finger on lately. You are brilliant. I was trying to explain to some fellow fans the other day, what intangible thing is missing in Paris (I went just a few weeks ago). I couldn't describe it...but you have. Although there are some cool things to see there in Paris, I still felt like something was really missing. Even here in my own Magic Kingdom (I live in Orlando and worked there from 86-96), some things really bother me. I love the park...BUT: Isn't Tomorrowland getting a little too "cute" and "kiddie"? It is sooooo far from what it once was. Even some of the first wave of new stuff is already lost...Did they really need to revamp Alien Encounter to add in Stitch? "Alien" was an original and edgy addition. I really liked it a lot! It was actually thrilling...but above all (again), original! All to sell merchandise! I know that selling plush in the parks makes the company great profits. But it is like this...if you only eat candy (easy,charcter tie-ins), you get cavities and a stomach ache. You need a hearty filling, meaty meal to be healthy. This is what the Kingdoms have been missing lately. Big, meaty,(original) attractions. Don't even get me started on the new Pooh play area that sits where 20K used to be. Can't I get the same experience at any McDonald's PlayPlace? I bring my kid to Disney for original experiences. I have it on good authority from an insider friend who still works in MK management, that this low cost area was designed to entice kids to want to take home plush versions of the Pooh charcters from the very nearby shop. Parents are supposed to get nostalgic about their own Pooh childhood memories and buy plush for the kids a few steps away. Hey, No crime in making money (Disney is great at it..thank heaven for us fans!) but to have that as the point of inspration for an addition to the park is wrong. The same man who oversaw the develpment of this palyground area is also responsible for enclosing the West side of center street on Main Street. It is so sad ...all of the great facades and lovely and quiet space we lost by that decision. Good news is that he has left the company. He was known as Mr. Plush by those around him. Yeesh! I'm heaving now! I can only hope that some of the budget and ingenuity that made Disney Sea in Tokyo possible will find it's way home to bless our 2 beloved American Kingdoms. Thank you for sharing your insight and allowing me to share my feelings! Sincerely, Jeff Huckaby Wow. That sums up what I’ve not been able to put my finger on lately. You are brilliant. I was trying to explain to some fellow fans the other day, what intangible thing is missing in Paris (I went just a few weeks ago). I couldn’t describe it…but you have. Although there are some cool things to see there in Paris, I still felt like something was really missing. Even here in my own Magic Kingdom (I live in Orlando and worked there from 86-96), some things really bother me. I love the park…BUT: Isn’t Tomorrowland getting a little too “cute” and “kiddie”? It is sooooo far from what it once was. Even some of the first wave of new stuff is already lost…Did they really need to revamp Alien Encounter to add in Stitch? “Alien” was an original and edgy addition. I really liked it a lot! It was actually thrilling…but above all (again), original! All to sell merchandise! I know that selling plush in the parks makes the company great profits. But it is like this…if you only eat candy (easy,charcter tie-ins), you get cavities and a stomach ache. You need a hearty filling, meaty meal to be healthy. This is what the Kingdoms have been missing lately. Big, meaty,(original) attractions. Don’t even get me started on the new Pooh play area that sits where 20K used to be. Can’t I get the same experience at any McDonald’s PlayPlace? I bring my kid to Disney for original experiences. I have it on good authority from an insider friend who still works in MK management, that this low cost area was designed to entice kids to want to take home plush versions of the Pooh charcters from the very nearby shop. Parents are supposed to get nostalgic about their own Pooh childhood memories and buy plush for the kids a few steps away. Hey, No crime in making money (Disney is great at it..thank heaven for us fans!) but to have that as the point of inspration for an addition to the park is wrong. The same man who oversaw the develpment of this palyground area is also responsible for enclosing the West side of center street on Main Street. It is so sad …all of the great facades and lovely and quiet space we lost by that decision. Good news is that he has left the company.
He was known as Mr. Plush by those around him. Yeesh! I’m heaving now!
I can only hope that some of the budget and ingenuity that made Disney Sea in Tokyo possible will find it’s way home to bless our 2 beloved American Kingdoms.
Thank you for sharing your insight and allowing me to share my feelings!
Sincerely, Jeff Huckaby

]]> By: gmaletic http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2005/10/14/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-657 gmaletic Fri, 19 Jan 2007 04:16:05 +0000 http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-657 Reply to kinok: No, I haven't read 'Travels in Hyperreality'. I'll have to take a look at it! Reply to kinok:

No, I haven’t read ‘Travels in Hyperreality’. I’ll have to take a look at it!

]]> By: Jason http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2005/10/14/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-613 Jason Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:35:19 +0000 http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-613 I was a Cast Member at WDW in different capacities from 1995-2003 and it is interesting to see the changes taking place around the park. I grew up going to Disneyland and learning as much about the park as I could. I have been to Disneyland Paris and hope to make it to Tokyo, Hong Kong and wherever else a theme park is built. I can relate to your feelings and have my own dissapointments with how things are going. It's not too late to restore the greatness to the parks, but much of the charm has been compromised for the sake of profit. It's nice to know there are other people out there that care about the meaning of Disney, not just the name. I was a Cast Member at WDW in different capacities from 1995-2003 and it is interesting to see the changes taking place around the park. I grew up going to Disneyland and learning as much about the park as I could. I have been to Disneyland Paris and hope to make it to Tokyo, Hong Kong and wherever else a theme park is built. I can relate to your feelings and have my own dissapointments with how things are going. It’s not too late to restore the greatness to the parks, but much of the charm has been compromised for the sake of profit. It’s nice to know there are other people out there that care about the meaning of Disney, not just the name.

]]> By: kinok http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2005/10/14/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-604 kinok Wed, 17 Jan 2007 16:30:36 +0000 http://gregmaletic.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/the-meaning-of-disneyland/#comment-604 Have you read Travels in Hyperreality by Umberto Eco? He has a great essay on what it means for cultures to create environmental copies. I think you will enjoy it. Have you read Travels in Hyperreality by Umberto Eco? He has a great essay on what it means for cultures to create environmental copies. I think you will enjoy it.

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