Eisner to step down from Disney post at end of contract

I can't see how the animation department took a huge dive under Eisner. Certainly not during the 1990's, with new full length quality features released every summer. In my opinion, the animation took a plunge after the founder of the company passed away. It was reborn in the late 80's. However, I've been disappointed these past few years with Disney's animation.

You're right... the golden years (Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid) were under his watch, but what happend after that wasn't very positive. The last "classic" they made was Mulan.

I don't think the theme parks have been "neglected" as much as they've limited spending to deal with the times. I hit the Orlando parks in 2002 and had a fantastic time. I had not been there in 12 years, so it was almost like going to new parks.

That may explain it... If you have not been in 12 years you may not remember or have EVER known the full Disney "magic." I would consider this a blessing to not know what you are missing. If you start going obsessively like so many of us do, you become much too critical and have to try real hard to keep perspective. The hours have been cut; the entertainment staff has been cut, the maintenance, etc. All of these changes are hard for us “regulars” to accept. We end up yearning for the good old days.

I think you guys are arguing apples and oranges. Eisner was probably a very good businessman. This is easily argued and defended with the bottom line. If you look at it from this point of view, then Jeff is right on. Even IF Disney is not what some of us remember, it does not mean that it is still one of the greatest collection of themers in the world.

However, in terms of quality at the parks (this is all I'm qualified to opine about as I've spent thousands of dollars and years of my life visiting the mouse on both coasts), it is difficult not to yearn for the "magic" that was there pre-Eisner. Actually I should argue late-Eisner, as I was young in 1984 (13 years old to be exact) and can only recall the gradual decline that has presented throughout the Eisner reign. I certainly miss the "magic." However, this is a much more subjective argument that would certainly not fly with somebody who does not visit regularly!

Even today Disney is a great park with attention to detail only rivaled by Universal. However, it is my opinion that the place is not what it was. I miss the "magic." This does not mean I think Eisner was a bad businessman. In fact there was a time I owned the stock and made some good money. For Eisner, this was and is the bottom line and I respect that. As an amusement park geek with the anticipation of a 12-year-old, I certainly would like to see some focus on the guest experience as opposed to the bottom line. However, I think this is just fantasy on my behalf.

This will not stop me from going this Christmas AGAIN for 2-3 weeks. I'll have a great time and enjoy what it is now.

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If you have not been in 12 years you may not remember or have EVER known the full Disney "magic."

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I don't pretend to have any kind of statistics, but outside of Disney rats I'm willing to guess that I'm more of an average visitor than most of the people that complain about the so-called "decay" of the parks. Even if I went every two or three years I'd say that's average. I think the Orlando parks play by different rules and don't need quite the yearly massive capital expenditures to remain a draw. I've gone to Universal now for four years straight and they haven't added anything to IOA.

I agree 100%! For once... :-)

It's true Jeff, if you only go to WDW you would not notice things the same way as someone who goes to Disneyland regularly like I do. WDW is not in the kind of bad shape that Disneyland was in. So I can see now why you feel like the theme parks have not suffered. However, if you look outside of WDW, you would clearly see the problems in the theme park division. DCA's lack of a decent direction with closed abandoned food locations and things like the quickly shuttered Superstar Limo do not exactly spell success.

Then there is the Paris Studio park which I think is the single worst thing Disney has ever done. It's ugly, full of concrete with no shade, and very small with few attractions. And now they are replicating the lack of attraction problem with the Hong Kong park.

As for Disneyland, this is a park that once changed light bulbs before they even burned out, and painted railings and other things nightly. Perhaps you think that is overkill, but it was the standard that Walt set. Those standards have fallen by the wayside and the park was allowed to sink into a state of disrepair over the last decade with peeling paint in Toontown, neglect on rides like Haunted Mansion (now repaired) and Tiki room (currently being repaired in a 6 month closure) and debacles like Rocket Rods whose track has set vacant and abandoned every since.

I am NOT a Disney-freak, but that last paragraph, for me at least, is *highly indicative* of what I have read/heard from those Disney-philes who I trust to make better judgements about the DIRECTION their parks have been heading...

Add into that the ABSOLUTE and total failure with the animation situation, and the time has come for a change...

*Walt's standards* MAY be unrealistic in these times, but I hate to think of someone running the company who doesn't even STRIVE to meet them....my take as an *unbiased observer*...