The Sound of Music?

This post is a little off the usual topic but...

I'm very excited to see The Princess and the Frog. It is Disney's return to 2D, to fairytales, and to musicals, which are the three main ingredients of the classic Disney films (assuming a good story). In essence, this is Disney's “return to Disney.”

The marketing department at The Mouse has done a great job of selling the return to 2D, as well as the fact that it is a "classic," "beloved," fairytale of old. But for me they have really dropped the ball in not pushing the musical side of this film. I don't watch a ton of TV, but it is hard not to see trailers for this film. And, every one that I have seen has no clips of any of the musical/singing sequences. You see the characters dancing, etc., but you never hear any of the music!

In my humble opinion, this is a big mistake. Music has, and always will be, one of the major draws to both the Disney parks and films. I remember all the trailers of the 2nd Golden Age of Disney animated films showing little bits of all the great music scenes. Showing the ballroom sequence in Beauty and the Beast, the Genie's singing antics in “Friend Like Me” from Aladdin, and Timon and Pumba singing “Hakuna Mata” in Lion King, were great ways of getting people excited about the movies.

Marketing departments usually never miss a beat. They sell it from every possible angle, and then some, which why it seems a little surprising the music hasn't really been emphasized for The Princess and the Frog – or, maybe it's just me…?

Still Kicking

I know, I know its been awhile. I did have to think for a second about my login to do this post. But, despite emails asking "how the play was" I 'm still around and kicking. Stay tuned for some posts in the next few weeks!

Unheard Walt's Words- Money & Stockholders

"There are some people that sit and worship money as something you've got to have piled up in a big pile somewhere. I've only thought of money in one way, and that is to do something with it. You see, I don't think there is a thing that I own that I'll ever get the benefit of except through doing things with it." -Walt Disney

"Well as far as my stockholders go I've felt we'll never pay these dividends until that company is right. Because, I felt that we must build it up and we can't borrow money to pay dividends. Just what to appease some stockholder who wants his dividend. I'm building him assets. Their stock is worth a lot more today than it was. Now that's what I feel is my obligation to them. My brother and I have been right together in that right from the get-go. And we've felt that assets is the thing that we are responsible for not appeasing some stockholder. We're not afraid of the stockholder coming in to us because we know we're doing what's right for the company." -Walt Disney

(From a 1961 Interview with Peter Martin)

Unheard Walt's Words- Sequels

"That's one thing I've never believed in, is sequels to things. I've never believed in doing sequels. I didn't want to waste the time I had doing the sequel. I'd rather be using that time I had doing something new and different... they wanted me to make more (films) with the dwarfs in it, and I said no... and it worked out." -Walt Disney

(From a 1961 interview with Peter Martin)

Cryogenically Frozen

Disney appears to have realized the potential of marketing merchandise outside the "slap a character on it and sell it to the masses" mentality. Case-in-point is the emergence of a more specific, younger and stylized target audience, as manifested by the Vault 28, Tren D, and D23 retail offerings.

I'm encouraged to see that Disney has realized the huge fan base it has and that they're channeling into it with D23. I still think there is a market that is untapped...and that is the uber Disney park fans.... "Permanecer sentados por favor" ... yeah you know who you are!

Here is an example from Cryogenically Frozen on Cafe Press showing the specific fan- based merchandise. D23 would be a perfect outlet to try something like this that is so specific that only the super Disney fans will get it. Come on Disney, take a stab at it you'll be surprised!


There are a lot more designs at Cryogenically Frozen make sure to check them out, and order your favorites!

And The Survey Says?

And the Survey says... too many survey takers!

I visited Disneyland this week. After waiting a half an hour for the single tram that was operating, going through the security check point, and then finally getting through the main gate we were greeted by a swarm of survey takers. They started asking us questions about our "experience" before we had both feet in the park. 

Having the survey people literally a foot and a half from the turnstiles, almost asking you questions before your ticket is even handed back to you is tacky. Walt and the gang at WED designed the main gate very consciously, utilizing the two tunnels under the Disneyland Railroad as a method of transporting guests out of the ordinary world. Entering the parks these days is arduous enough and having these survey takers pester you the second you're finally where you want to be is a little less than magical.

If you are going to be so blunt with your survey etiquette, then the survey takers should simply cut to the chase and just ask what they are really asking:

1. How little time did you spend at California Adventure?

2. How little time did you spend at Downtown Disney?

3. Do you think admission is over priced?

If you feel the need to ask these questions, you've probably already answered your own questions.

If the surveys help make the parks better, cool. But why not ask people about their experience after their experience? For example when they are exiting the park! Or better yet don't contaminate the park with them at all. Why not poll people if you must, when they are outside the gates and waiting 45 minutes for the tram to get back to their cars?