Walt Disney World General
Topic: Marty's 'retirement' letter

#	Author	Message
1	Spirit of 74 Sat 4/25/2009 11:09p	Haven't seen this here yet, (which is surprising) so I thought I'd post it. I'll save comments for when I have more time ... <<To: All Imagineers and Jay’s EC I’ve always thought that the two most important dates in Disney’s parks and resorts occurred in July and October. It was on July 17, 1955 that Walt realized his “dream come true” with the dedication of Disneyland. October 1, 1971 and October 1, 1982 marked the official opening days for the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom and for Epcot (then “Epcot Center”). There’s an extra relevance for me: I was a working Disney cast member for all three of these openings…and for the eight that have followed. From Tokyo to Paris, Orlando to Anaheim, and finally (so far!) Hong Kong, I’ve sweated the final details of construction, installation and show “buy-offs” leading to the openings of all eleven Disney parks around the world. It is with considerable pride that I can say, “I’m the only Disney cast member who has participated in all eleven of those openings.” I’m anxious to join my fellow Imagineers at the next grand opening, too. But for me, the thrill of watching those gates open and the first guests eagerly racing to the attractions that are already their favorites, will be different next time. Because I’ll be cheering you all on from the sidelines, as a retired Imagineer. I have decided to turn in my name tag on one of those prime dates: July 17. In 2009, that date will mark Disneyland’s 54th birthday, and my 53rd year as a Disney cast member. (I returned to UCLA after Disneyland’s first summer to finish my senior year, then returned to Disneyland’s public relations department in September 1956.) Naturally, I’ve been thinking back over those 53 years, and what memories they are, starting with that summer day in 1955. I can still see Walt reading the dedication plaque at Disneyland’s opening. Little did I dream that day, as a 21 year old, that I would spend parts of ten years writing personal material for that amazing man, one of the best known and loved in the entire world. Of course, July 17, 1955 was just the first of those beautiful blank pages we would fill. It was my luck to be “the kid” among the pros…first in public relations at Disneyland, then at WED Enterprises, Walt’s own company – the home of the original Imagineers. It was here at Imagineering, beginning in 1961, that my real education truly began. I owe much to UCLA (today I’m even a member of the Alumni Board of Directors), but my greatest “teachers” were right here in Glendale: John Hench, Di ck Irvine, Herb Ryman, Claude Coats, Marc Davis, Blaine Gibson, Fred Joerger, Harriet Burns, Bill Martin, Rollie Crump, Roger Broggie, Bill Evans, Harper Goff, Bill Cottrell, Bob Jolley, Wathel Rogers, Yale Gracey. They were – they are – the true Legends, and though I was truly “the kid” among them, they accepted me and made me part of their team. I had the privilege (as my own career grew from Staff Writer to Vice President of Concepts and Planning, and then to President and Vice-Chairman and Principal Creative Executive of Imagineering) of working with so many amazing talents, past and present. The Legends defined Imagineer and Imagineering, and you have carried on in the tradition they established: the standard of excellence. Walt created Imagineering, but Imagineers made it sing and dance. What Imagineers design and build has few precedents, but many followers. Today your ability to marry new stories and characters with the wonders of new technologies is exciting to watch. I have long marveled at the capacity Imagineers have for letting new genies out of their bottles, granting wishes large and small for millions of guests around the world every year. When I became the creative leader of Imagineering in 1974, one of the first calls I received was from the CEO of Disney, E. Cardon Walker. Walt Disney World had just celebrated its third birthday. “Now,” Card said, “what are we going to do about Walt’s idea for Epcot?” The next 30 years or so filled so many blank pages they are almost like one of those “flip books”, where everything’s a blur. We created nine more Disney parks, including the five in international locations. Imagineering lived up to its roots and truly became the premiere design, engineering and construction organization in the world. The traditions of passion for our product, great storytelling and inspirational risk-taking – the traditions begun by Walt and those original Imagineers – not only continued, they grew and spread across the oceans. For the last three years, as your Imagineering Ambassador. I’ve had a great time speechmaking and writing about creativity and leadership. I think I exceeded Jay’s expectations when he asked me to take on this role. We have created “Imagineering Week at the Studio”, represented all of you at special events and talked to thousands on college campuses, at IAAPA and TEA, at conventions across the country and Disney programs and events around the world. And I’ve had fun (that’s our business!) writing for many Disney outlets, especially my philosophy and history communications through Sklargazing on the WDI website. Now it’s time to turn the page. So many of you have asked that I have finally actually begun writing that book about the people, the places and the passions I have experienced as an Imagineer. As I said three years ago when my “ambassadorship” began, I know you will keep on dreaming big dreams, and creating the newest and best in the world. I’ll still be looking over your shoulders, cheerleading, and filling new blank pages. It’s the most important Imagineering tradition. Marty Sklar >> ~too bad he isn't taking Fitzgerald with him!~
2	danyoung Sun 4/26/2009 5:06a	Well, I know there are many who haven't been happy with Marty's actions of late, pretty much spouting the company line at all times. But there's no doubt that he contributed a lot to the Disney park world, right from the beginning in the 50's. I wish him well in his retirement, and thank him for many years of valuable service.
3	Mr X Sun 4/26/2009 5:32a	Waiting for Spirit to "have more time", cause I'm dying to hear your take on this! As for me, I know nothing of the guy, but obviously he's been working for the Disney company for a long time (I'm not all that clear on WHAT he was actually responsible for though...he helped Walt Disney open Disneyland, right? and since then?)...
4	MinnieSummer Sun 4/26/2009 7:28p	Interesting. I didn't realize he had been with the company so long. I wish him well and hope this book he's writing will fill the void he will no doubt feel after he leaves.
5	FerretAfros Sun 4/26/2009 8:07p	It's a shame to have someone with so much experience leave, but I'm happy that he's doing it on good terms with the company. That's a very nice letter highlighting his work over the years too. I hope that he does continue to be at least somewhat involved with any future parks, as he certainly has more experience than any one else out there. He's done a great job over the years and I wish him well for the future.
6	retlawfan Sun 4/26/2009 8:26p	And he's a nice guy. I've met him a few times. I sat next to him for an event even. He's a real class act. I wish Marty all the best in retirement. And yes, he'll be missed in the Disney creative community.
7	skinnerbox Sun 4/26/2009 8:58p	I wouldn't be at all surprised if this wasn't totally his idea, given all the buyouts offered to execs throughout Parks & Resorts. Methinks Marty was made an offer for retirement that was simply too good to pass up.
8	retlawfan Sun 4/26/2009 11:07p	I think that actually happened a couple of years ago when he became an ambassador of Imagineering (or whatever his title was).
9	skinnerbox Mon 4/27/2009 6:58a	Of course the Imagineering Ambassador position wasn't his idea. Burbank wanted young blood at the helm of Glendale (Bruce Vaughn) but they didn't want to embarrass Marty by kicking him straight to the curb. So they created the Ambassador position to appease the fans and demonstrate that they still valued Walt's legacy and those Imagineers who helped shape it. Of course, I doubt Burbank ever intended for Marty to remain as Ambassador beyond a few years. No way this retirement is his decision alone. I cannot begin to fathom Marty voluntarily leaving Disney, ever. Ditto for Baxter. Which now makes me wonder if Tony's retirement letter won't be too far behind.
10	Spirit of 74 Mon 4/27/2009 11:23a	I wish Marty all the best in his retirement. He is deserving of his title as a Disney legend. He oversaw the most amazing period of development WDI ever saw and a period of creativity that I don't feel will ever be matched (certainly not by TWDC anyway). The period of the 80s/early 90s when EPCOT Center, TDL, Disney-MGM, DLP, TL, PI etc ... became reality was just incredible. But I wouldn't be entirely honest if I didn't also state my opinion that Marty sold his soul in the late 1990s to remain with the company. When you knew and worked with Walt (and all the GREATS he mentioned in his letter) you know exactly what kind of parks DCA, DSP and HKDL were/are. You know exactly what standards Walt expected in his park and how those are regularly tossed aside to today as antiquated (quality never is). So while I have a great deal of respect for what Marty accomplished, I can't help but feel the same way I did when Michael Eisner was forced out. He overstayed his welcome and diminished his own great legacy by hanging on. He towed the company line on BAD decisions and he played favorites with certain Imagineers over others. Walt didn't want ferris wheels and other lightly themed amusement park rides in his parking lots or cartoon characters on Small World. Of course, he likely didn't want to be the Timeshare King of the World, have people miss themed queues and pre-shows with special (Fast)passes, or have slovenly CMs wearing mall clothes and dangling pin lanyards either. But we'll never know ... As to skinner's point about Marty maybe getting pushed out ... I tend to think it was a gentle nudge. Marty did what he did so he could stay with the company. He was a 'lifer' in the truest sense much like a John Hench or even a Dave Smith. I got the idea when he was made Ambassador that he thought he'd be doing that for as long as he breathed. Especially now with D23, you'd think his role would be even more important with the fan community. Strange. But again, I wish him the best. He had an amazing career.

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