Disney World Columns > Larry Pontius

The Closing of The Animation Unit At Walt Disney World

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Based upon all I've read and heard, he practically lived in the hip pockets of the producers and artists of every Disney animated film the company made. It seems to me that he would have been very unlikely to give up that control by allowing them to be created 2,500 or 10,000 miles away. And woe to the lowly bean counter that suggested it would be cheaper than making films in Burbank or it would be nice inexpensive attraction for visitors to the theme parks. Which, if all the beans were on laid on the counter, is probably the real reason the satellite animation units were actually built.

But let us suppose for a moment that for some reason Walt Disney did approve the development of Disney animation units in places as far away as Florida and Paris and Tokyo. What would he think of their recent rather sudden closings?

The answer, at least for me, is painful.

I believe the question Walt might be asking is why did it take so long? A look at the animated features created by Disney artists over the last several years makes it clear that management has completely lost their way regarding the animation legacy of the company. So, why wait? Why not close down Burbank, too, pack up everything, and sell it to Pixar?

I also think Walt would be very, very angry.

Regards,
Larry Pontius

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A former vice president of marketing for Disneyland and Walt Disney World, Larry Pontius is the author of Waking Walt, a thriller that brings Walt Disney back from cryonic suspension. Larry lives in Florida with his wife and a large, orange dog named Samson.

For more information about Larry Pontius please visit his website at www.wakingwalt.com.