Some Quick Updates

Just a few quick updates to some prior Blog posts today.  I promise I'll have a new rant, er, posting soon.

First, as for Michael Eisner's 2006 resignation, he has now stated in the current issue Fortune magazine interview that, "I have not asked the board to stay on the board or be chairman after the end of my contract.  My assumption is that I would not continue on the board or as chairman.  Clearly I'm not the type to retire, particularly after I've heard all those lectures from medical experts about how an active mind is good for the body.  But as far as continuing on the board or as chairman, it's just not in my mind at this time."

Does that mean he's not going to be Chairman of the Board after retiring as CEO?   His statement is certainly isn't a flat-out "No".  And he conspicuously does not say that he'd turn down a board seat if asked. Michael apparently plans to continue working - but where and as what?  I mean, where would you go after being CEO of Disney?  Boards of other companies, I would guess.  But if so, then why not on the Disney board as well?

So I guess I'm still skeptical.  Michael's statement leaves a lot of wiggle room for him to decide later that he wants a seat on the board or for the board to ask him to stay on. I still doubt that Michael Eisner intends to end his career at Disney in 2006.


Second, on the "Essence" of Attractions and "core values" of each land, it occurs to me that this is the reason why Disney's California Adventure feels so dead - there's no "core value" to the so-called "lands" in DCA.

Think about it: does any land in DCA evoke a theme, feeling, or emotion that you can sum up in a word or two?  Something simple yet powerful that ties together everything in that land?  Not for me.

(And, no, "tacky", "cheesy", or "cheap" for Paradise Pier doesn't come count.  Sorry.)

DCA's "lands" look nice, but theming-wise or emotion-wise they stir up nothing for me.  It's kind of like a movie backlot version of a city:  it looks like a city - and maybe even cleaner and shinier - but it's also hollow, empty and soulless.  Which pretty much sums up my feelings about DCA.