Disney and Trust
In my last podcast I noted an incredible array of projects that were announced at this year’s D23 event. These projects which included a Cars set of attractions at Magic Kingdom that were presented before a paid audience were all encompassing, and were impressive examples of what Imagineering can potentially do. I then expressed frustration at the end of my podcast at how two days later, a graphic was shown illustrating where the Cars attractions was really going.
After the podcast I wondered why I was so personally irritated at this news. Yes, I really don’t think that you need to remove the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer’s Island to add these projects. But that wasn’t the real source of my frustration. In hindsight I really felt that Josh D’Amaro, who I had great respect–even admiration–had really played games with Disney fans. I felt it was in a subtle way a betrayal of trust, and that such a move on Disney’s part was really something Disney should not do.
This podcast seeks to explain why Disney struggles with fans believing in their word and in what they are doing. We will look at a history that goes decades back to where The Walt Disney Company has made promises and have reneged. We will look at a larger issue that goes from a project called WestCOT all the way to Disneyland Forward. It’s about trust, transparency, and being forthright, no matter who you are. Know that I am bringing out issues I would share with any client I had in an attempt to help them improve their organization.
Walt Disney said: “When they come here they’re coming because of an integrity that we’ve established over the years. And they drive hundreds of miles. I feel a responsibility to the public.” Guests today fly thousands of miles, and they spend thousands of dollars on a Disney vacation. Trust and integrity on Disney’s part is the “responsibility” Walt is speaking of. And it’s what we are speaking of in this podcast.
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The images and text below support the concepts presented in the podcast.
Competition or Pitting Others
Port Disney in Long Beach
WestCOT in Anaheim
“Bait and Switch”
Righting the Relationship
Blue Sky or Blue Print? Beyond Big Thunder or Before Big Thunder?
D23 2022
D23 2024
Two Days Later
Disneyland Forward or Backward?
Summary
I believe Josh really wants to right this boat, to make fans happy and to really build the parks moving forward. I simply think that there are times misteps are made, and those moments truly cost the organization the good will it’s trying to put forward. And we all struggle with acting with the best integrity. I think most people truly want the right thing, but can’t always see how their choices mar the real efforts they make to move forward. Whether it’s Disneyland forward or any corporation or any individual moving forward, these are lessons to be learned. We simply need to learn how to make sure that in our efforts to take two steps forward, we don’t take one step back.
Souvenirs for You and Your Organization
So ask yourself:
- Am I consistently transparent and trustworthy?
- Do I walk in the shoes of how others are seeing my promises and actions?
- Do I trust my customers? My employees? The greater community?
- Do I assume the same positive intent of others that I hope they show toward me?
- How are organizational decisions made that foster that transparency and trust?
- How do I ensure that promises made are kept and not dropped or “bait and switched”
- What do you need to do to right the relationship with your employees? Your customers? Your community?
