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Conference koolit::disney

Title:The Disneyphile's Disney File
Notice:This Conference can show you The World
Moderator:DONVAN::SCOPA.zko.dec.com::manana::eppes
Created:Thu Feb 23 1989
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:536
Total number of notes:19961

208.0. "COWABUNGA! Turtles at WDW" by SENIOR::GOLDBERG (Len --> �o� & ��� in 149 days) Thu Jun 28 1990 17:16

    The other day I saw a "DATELINE Walt Disney World" on the Disney
    Channel.  They were featuring the premiere of Dick Tracy and the opening
    of several new stage shows including the Dick Tracy show, one or two
    new Muppet shows, and the new show at Mickey's Starland.

    I couldn't believe my eyes at the next thing I saw.  The Teenage Mutant
    Ninja Turtles at WDW!  Before I could comprehend what was going on,
    they cut to Dick Nunis, (Pres. of Walt Disney World Company), saying
    something about how excited they were, and how, "our creative people
    are talking to their creative people."  I think he was referring to the
    aforementioned amphibians.

    Is this correct, or was I just confused?  Could these half-wits on the
    half-shell have actually come out of the sewer and ended up in the
    World?  I can't believe that such a violent image belongs in the Disney
    fold.  I may even be swayed to the opinion of Claude and others that
    WDW is becoming too commercial. 
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208.1I'm slowly losing my taste for PizzaATE012::BERUBECalling Dick Tracy, Det..Fri Jun 29 1990 09:0337
    Rep to <<< Note 208.0 by SENIOR::GOLDBERG "Len --> �o� & ��� in 149 days" >>>

>    Is this correct, or was I just confused?  Could these half-wits on the
>    half-shell have actually come out of the sewer and ended up in the
>    World?  I can't believe that such a violent image belongs in the Disney
>    fold.  

    Len,
    
    from my entry in topic 137.31
    
    ...
    The article discusses the various  projects  that  are  underway at the
    Studios (allready published elsewhere) as well as his kids  interest in
    Jim  henson  productions,  Son Brian performed the pivitol role of  the
    Storryteller's  dog,    as  well  as  principal  puppet  performer  and
    second-unit director on  Tennage  Mutant  Nija Turtles.  
    ...

    Since JH's son Brian was instrumental in Henson Productions involvement
    with the Movie, I suppose they  are  using  that  as  an  excuse to get
    TMNT's into the fold.  If that the case  I  think  it's  wears  kind of
    thin,  since Jim Henson Productions din't creat TMNT's nor do they  own
    the rights to TMNT's some other guy does.
    
    TNMT's don't belong in the World,  this is definitely crossing the line
    as you were, they may be cute to look at but they  do not emit the same
    kind  of feelings I get when watching either a WD animated character or
    a JM muppet.
    
    Claude
    
    PS. If Eisner and co.  keep this up, maybe i'll just have to rethink my
    '92 trip (I can't believe I just said that), maybe it's time to hang up
    my reins as  one  of  the mod's, half the news lately from/about Disney
    just isn't fun reading  anymore  (I  can't  believe  I  just  said that
    either) ;^(
208.2OVRDRV::BADGEROne Happy camper ;-)Fri Jun 29 1990 13:1713
    I think its a great move on the part of Disney.  Mickey *used* to be
    my son's favorite charactor.  Until TNMT.  Now the loveable turtles
    are.
    Yes, Mickey's still ok, but the TNMT is the future.
    
    I see no more violence in the turtles than in any Disney cartoon.
    There is a generation 'gap', so to speak of, the same way that some
    of us olders look at the crazy music that the kids are listening to
    nowdays.
    
    If Disney can't move with the times, it'll die.
    ed
    
208.3Disney doesn't need someone else's animated charactersATE012::BERUBECalling Dick Tracy, Det..Fri Jun 29 1990 14:1055
    Rep to <<< Note 208.2 by OVRDRV::BADGER "One Happy camper ;-)" >>>

>    If Disney can't move with the times, it'll die.

    Ed,
    
    Yes but, Disney is moving with the times, They bought  out the Muppets,
    which in a way I like and is somewhat different to TMNT's, since Disney
    started out  in  animation  and  that is the realm of their characters,
    while Henson was in puppets (which Disney isn't), so it's pretty much a
    good match.
    
    Disney continues to add to  their  own  library of animated characters,
    with animated features like, Who Framed  Roger  Rabbit, Oliver and Co.,
    the Little Mermaid, the upcoming Rescuers II  etc.    Yes the animation
    has kicked in since Eisner took over, but if you read the book Storming
    the Magic Kingdom, you'll really see that it's because  of  Roy  Disney
    Jr.   (son of Walt's brother Roy).  He was  upset  that  the  animation
    department  was going downhill along with films, and felt Disney should
    reassert  itself  there  since that  is  where  Disney  got  it  start.
    (remeber Walt said if it wasn't  for  a  Mouse..   or something to that
    effect  at  the  opening of Disneyland) This all lead to the  upset  in
    Management  back  in '84/'85 when Roy left the board of Directors while
    he contemplated his  options  of  either getting out alltogether of his
    investment of Disney (therby making Disney  look  bad) or going all the
    way by doing a hostile take over, and  forcing  the  other  side of the
    Disney family to listen to him, which is basicly what happened with the
    Help of the Bass brothers.
    
    As long as Disney continues to add their  own  characters, there REALLY
    IS NO REASON to import animated characters from others  studios.  After
    all if the other studios want exposure like the Disney  Characters have
    at the MK, let them BUILD THEIR OWN PARKS.  Look  at Wonderland outside
    of  Toronto  with the Hanna Baberra characters (now where is that other
    park with them also?). 

    Disney/MGM in  a  way  was  also  different,  since in order to build a
    studio tour, they  needed to look beyond the Disney library, since they
    allready built theme rides on their characters and favorite hits at MK.
    What Disney  movie  would  provide stunts better that Indiana Jones, or
    help add to the Great  Movie  ride  etc.    Without the help of another
    studio as a partner for the Studio  Park  to  provide  the basis of the
    rides/attractions, things would of been overkill between the studio and
    MK parks.
        
        BTW You recent MGM visitor, are Tom and Jerry at MGM?, afterall
        they were the product of the MGM animation department.
    
    I know Eisner brought in George Lucas for  Star  Tours,  but  that  was
    because  Disney  Imagineeing was starting to get stagnant in ways since
    they  only  knew  how  to  improve on the technology they did, and  not
    really bring in new type of technology, now they have Body Wars, what's
    next?
    
    Claude
208.4Keep 'em in MGMCOEM::SCOPAMAJORMon Jul 02 1990 21:039
    Len,
    
    I think I can handle Kermit, Leonardo, and Co. as long as they steer
    clear of TMK. I think all of us want to keep those characters we grew
    up with in their own theme park and let the others stay in MGM.
    
    Mike_whose_5125_day_wait_since_his_last_visit_is_but_a_measly_100_hours_away
    
    
208.5THEY HAVE ARRIVED!OFFPLS::HODGESTue Jul 03 1990 14:098
    They are there!  There is a facade with their names on it at the rest
    stop at the end of the first part of the Back Lot Tour.  The characters
    themselves appear every so often.
    
    See my helpful hints entry if you're REALLY into the TMNTs.
    
    Maryann
    
208.6Turtles are CoolCOEM::SCOPAMAJORThu Aug 30 1990 13:4816
    I understand Claude's and Len's feelings about TMNT. I too had some
    strong feelings about their appearance in a Disney theme park.
    
    However, after seeing them at MGM I feel comfortable with how they are
    used. They come out and do their maneuvers with April singing and then
    they take pictures, sign autographs, and greet the kids. 
    
    They do not appear out of the blue like other characters do around the
    park. They only appear on the backlot in MGM and at specified times.
    
    I prefer them (and the muppets) being limited as they are now. Once MGM
    begins to grow and establish specific attractions for these characters
    there may be a time when we will see them roam around like Chip, Dale,
    Mickey, Pluto, Goofy, and Roger Rabbit.
    
    Mike who wants to be an Imagineer