Michael Eisner is the most underrated CEO ever! He saved the company from corporate raiders, and he made every Disney Park a resort destination. Did he always hit a home run? No. However, he had vision. He had a desire to make the Disney Parks the best they could be. If he hadn't misread the culture in France, and Euro Disney was a hit, we would have soooooooo much more investment in the parks. DCA originally looked cheap because he got scared about spending too much money with little pay off as he did with Euro Disney. If Euro Disney was a hit initially, we would have seen some AMAZING things. Please appreciate this man! While he wasn't perfect, he was everything that a Disney CEO should be. Another great video, Dallin!
@Lombaz Exactly! They didn't market it properly and overestimated crowd attendance, and the company became hesitant investing into the parks after that.
@Caleb You are 100% correct. They were definitely the Dynamic Duo! I believe that once Frank passed away, and the struggles of Euro Disney shook Eisner's confidence, which is a shame. He was so damn ambitious when it came.to the parks!
I’ve always been amazed how Michael Eisners significant role in Disney history and development has been horribly forgotten. Thanks for putting together this documentary. An entire month should be dedicated in recognition of his success and legacy at Disney
@@dropzonegolfSC several books have covered the Eisner era, which really energized the company and set it on the direction to being the major media company today.
@@Theentertainingsis you need to study the history of Disney to realize that the company was on a serious downward spiral. Eisner made the company relevant again and brought new synergies to reimagine the company, build upon its strengths and create an era of substantial growth in its animation department, television media and park properties. Wells, Katzenberg and Roy Jr. helped him to steer and create a decade of unprecedented success.
Micheal Eisner once said he was the “last of the creative types” to run a studio or entertainment company and I don’t think he was wrong. Pre-Wells’ death/Euro Disney, Eisner had a lot of great ideas and/or fostered creativity among imagineers, cast members and other employees. Unlike Bob Iger who overspent on purchasing assets and left Bob Chapek to become the scapegoat that Disney needed.
Yeah, for all his weird decisions and preoccupations, Eisner really did care about the creative side of the company--he wanted to be another Walt. It wasn't just about acquisitions and brand synergy.
@@surfer_surfer Iger was really good at developing the stuff he got from all those acquisitions. But 20th Century Fox was just so huge a bite that it's a major financial burden for the company, and they haven't done a lot that's interesting with the content yet, aside from putting it on Disney+ and making some little tweaks around the edges at Marvel. I guess we'll see.
@@surfer_surfer Iger's acquisitions, starting right off the bat with Pixar, began the conversion of the Walt Disney Company Ltd. into an IP management firm like Classic Media. Every single brand, and the Disney brand itself, have been reduced under his watch into an IP mine for regurgitated content, from the Star Wars sequels to live-action remakes of animated films to the Pixar sequel factory to just building bland Hotel 6's across WDW property.
You forgot Fastasmic, the show was a game changer, epic entertainment that changed night time and live entertainment throughout the parks. An utter creative triumph!
I miss the Eisner era. It was peak Disney in my lifetime, and I'm not sorry about that opinion. Even though I love Galaxy's Edge, I truly think the Eisner Disney decade felt closer to Walt's legacy than the "IP-centric" vision of Iger. Naturally anything is better than Chapek, but I digress
Eisner saved Disney. Disney was facing a HOSTILE TAKEOVER before Eisner and Frank Wells went to Texas and convinced the Bass Group to help them turn Disney around
I will forever be grateful for the Eisner/Wells era. Eisner seems like he was a creative first (for better or worse), business man second and Frank Wells just kept him in check professionally. Wish we could have seen more (RIP Frank Wells) from them.
Eisner was not creative. "We have no obligation to make art. We have no obligation to make a statement. To make money is our only objective.” - actual memo from Eisner
As an aside, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" probably never would have come together the way it did without Eisner. Possibly not at all. Looking back, I feel I was too harsh. Disneyland under Eisner were some incredible times in my life. His reservations about Iger stifling creativity were 100% valid. Defunctland covered Eisner's departure elegantly in a video he did a few years ago- "The Failure of Hong Kong Disneyland". The worst of Eisner is preferable to the state of the parks currently.
Don't forget about the start of the Disney Cruise line. Wasn't that in the 90's? I grew up with Eisner as the head of Disney so for me he was the face of Disney. I think he did a lot of good. I would have loved to see WestCot.
I hope you have more on Michael Eisner let's face it! He was the only that cared about Walt Disneys Legacy Iger and Chapek destroyed Walt Disneys Theme Park and wanted to make their own Legacy I wish we still had Michael Eisner and I still say that you would make an Awesome CEO
Disney is such a unique company & has shown that it works best when you have a creative minded person & financial minded person in charge, a yin & yang. I almost think it should be in the board's guidelines when selecting a President & CEO of the company (or at the very least an un-written rule).
As a kid, I loved the '90's, we got four new Disney princesses that decade, the Wonderful World of Disney was never better, and One Saturday Morning cartoons were the best.
Eisner gets a bad rap because of the last half of his tenure. The first half was HUGE, but after the failure of EuroDisney he became extremely gunshy. The last half of the 90's saw a lot of subpar stuff. Everything at Disneyland was done on the cheap (I'm looking at you, new Tomorrowland). I always say the first half of Eisner's tenure was some of the best that Disney has seen while the last half was some of the worst.
"go back in time" *Shows the presidents* "Or to the future" *Shows Star tours* What part of "LONG TIME AGO" did the Disney marketing team not understand?
I believe the 90s was a colossal triumph for Disney. Disneyland had been around for 35 years and I had heard of it, but never had any ambition to visit whatsoever. Disney World had been there since 1971 and I had barely head of it, so no desire to visit there, either. In 1997, my daughter was five years old and my wife decided to take her to the Magic Kingdom in Florida. I still didn't see the point, so I stayed home. They came home with stories and photos and got me intrigued. I said, "Hey, let's go again next year and I'll come, too!" It didn't happen. Not because we couldn't afford it, not because I changed my mind, but because we had a second child. So we went again in 2000, technically the last year of the 90s decade, and we had a great time as a family. If Michael Eisner hadn't done what he did during the previous decade, I never would have wanted to visit a Disney park. Now I have been many times and I am a huge Disney enthusiast. You should see my pin collection!
I always like Michael Eisner. He saved the company from being sold off in parts, he made a few mistakes, but that’s business. You take risks, and sometimes they don’t pay off. But overall, I think he did a good job.
Yeah I never understood the hate for Eisner. The animated Disney Renaissance, the building of Animal Kingdom, DCA, Hollywood Studios, etc, his buying of the Muppets, Pixar, ESPN, etc, all make him arguably the second best Disney CEO behind the man himself. 90's Disney was insane
I know it's an inside joke to hate on Eisner but I honestly think he and Wells were the Dream Team, second best only to Walt himself. And after all the shit Bob Cheepskate has pulled, I'd die to have Eisner back.
What made Michael Eisner good for me was any time he was on TV to introduce a movie or show or ride to the world he was right there with the popular characters in animation or live action interacting with him as if Mickey and friends were real life actors who had jobs at the studio. It was a special kind of magic we lack today. He was also responsible for the best movies and if things had not gone south he could have had the best parks. The ideas that never got made always sounded fun. We also had the idea that Micky and friends could do crossovers appearing along side Muppets and Full House and Rosane and Cheers. the other cool things I like about Disney that I miss and I suspect they are not from his era but I'll list them any how were DVD menus where the characters adventured with you to each next menu , the fact that DVDs ALWAYS had special features, The Disney Store at the mall where I could buy toys and stuff and the days when the cartoons and movies all made toys and the time when Disney actually made video games and those video games homered there history. and props to whoever bought Oswald back and whoever did the acquiring of mostly every thing. To Disney's fault there was the underutilized canceled too soon not really a good idea to begin with Disney Infinity , live action reboots, making deals with China who keeps making them censor stuff, the idea they should get involved in politics the decision to not treat the TV shows as good as the movies, the closing of the animation studio, the stopping of direct to DVD sequels, the lack of respect for the books after they acquired Star Wars, not having an agreed story for 3 movies when they started the new trilogy, the fact that Spiderman never dates any more and isn't married the fact that they don't value teen to adult animation fans or internet numbers, the fact that they spread them selves out over multiple cable channels , the choice to not put Disney+ shows on DVD more things maybe. But Michael Eisner did a lot right. He made the 90s Disney today needs to listen to the many polarized sides of the internet and learn how to please each of them with out betraying the others and would do best to cut ties with unfriendly restrictive countries.
I must say Michael Eisner remains a hero. He did sooo much to save the company and created the trend today to continue to grow the parks... He is amazing
Great video its crazy how much Michael Eisner had played an important role of changing Disney for both the good and bad. I really remember the most of the Eisner era mainly during the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland by not only adding some additions to the park but also the parks worldwide. Also, this would be a great series to talk about each and every CEO of Disney of the "GOOD, BAD and UGLY". 😃
Walt: The gold standard Roy: Finished his bros dream Donn: The one we forget about Card: Ok Ron: not great Eisner: Aggressive but unlucky Iger: Lazy but super lucky Cheep-ass: Cheap and short sighted We in for some rough years, unless they make a change soon.
I think Brayden of Mickey Views has it right here: Chapek's problems are of Iger's making. Iger had one idea, which was to buy existing content people already loved, or had the potential to love, and develop and market and synergize the hell out of it. That actually worked for him over and over and over; it was really remarkable. Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm. Then he bet the whole company on buying Fox, and put it hugely into debt to do so, and handed the keys to Chapek just as it was starting to get hairy. Now, granted, Disney+ seems to have been a real lifeline for the company through the pandemic, and buying Fox greatly helped Disney+. But a lot of the material they got doesn't seem to be a great fit with Disney's other properties and operations, and Chapek now has to deal with a company struggling under a crushing debt load for the Fox acquisition. A lot of his apparent cheapness is probably just a response to that.
Eisners tenure was an exciting time for Disney creatively. For the fans it it was at its best; unfortunately he made some bad budgetary decisions that torpedoed some of his accomplishments. I will always cherish the great movies, entertainment, and theme park additions made during his era.
Eisner allowed Imagineering to imagine and innovate without force IP into everything. Chapek is all about squeezing every penny out of things Disney already made or owns.
@paulspivey6799 Unfortunately, Iger is more like Chapek, but Iger could make you smile while he said you would pay more. Investors loved Chapek, but fans didn't. Iger isn't reversing many decisions for a reason.
Eisner crushed WDW, if you’re a fan of other parks or facets of the company, can understand some sour tastes for him. But as a WDW exclusive kid (5) and teen (15) in the 90s. He is very fondly remembered in my book.
Alien Encounter was a top 10 attraction. It's too bad they didn't have a minimum age requirement to keep out the little ones. Definitely not for those under 10. What I think stinks is being restricted to the same show buildings in Tomorrowland. They seem to limit the success of the new attractions.
Michael Isner: “Let’s build an American-themed theme park!” Me: “Where?” Michael Isner: “Virginia!” *Insert Disney’s America getting scrapped here.* Michael Isner: “Let’s build a California-themed theme park!” Me: “….where?” Michael Isner: “CALIFORNIA!”
Sort of surprised you didn’t mention Disney rocket rods, that removed the people mover attraction entirely from Disneyland Park and happened in the 90s.
Offhand tends to be a bit of broken record about the peoplemover lol those who have watched him for bit know that he’s a peoplemover lover and advocate
Early DCA was downright charming compared to the IP infested thematic and imaginatively bankrupt mess that it is now. It was just starting to be 'fixed', when they tore it up again.
The parks were rather unclean and customer service was spotty during the 90’s; but at least they were still fairly affordable and the rides and animatronics worked.
I much prefer Eisner's Disney Decade to Iger's Anything-But-Disney Decade. Eisner did accrue a lot of bad mojo at the end of his reign, but if it wasn't for him we wouldn't have had the Disney Renaissance, Disney Afternoon, Disney on Broadway, Disney Cruise Lines, Disney Store, expansion of Walt Disney World or Disneyland, or Disneyland Paris. Eisner's love affair with Michael Graves' postmodern architecture demonstrates a certain creative vision lacking today, a certain refinement of taste beyond merely making money. Even Eisner's corporate synergy and direct-to-video sequels are superior to Iger's wholesale conversion of the Walt Disney Company Ltd. into a high-end IP management firm of which "Disney" is just one brand, mined ruthlessly for content, and we're back to a style of managing the parks that would make Paul Pressler go "whoa, guys, come on."
Meanwhile, in Virginia, Disney tried to propose a park next to a National Battlefield Park, it made basically everyone angry, and it vanished after EuroDisney did it’s best impression of a fish out of water.
14:57 Blizzard Beach was WDW’s THIRD water park. River Country was still in operation throughout the 90s, and they would even sometimes advertise themselves as having “three” water parks.
I can remember taking my daughter to Disney Animal Kingdom and that initially it was kind of boring with not much to do . Overtime it grew into what we have today while it’s still not my favorite I do enjoy it .
I have always had a great respect for Eisner and Wells but Wells death destroyed Eisner and decades later much to my surprise he took over Portsmouth FC and looks so much more at peace and relaxed.
Micheal is the reason CEO’s should have term limits. He did some good things- but I feel the second half was all popularity, no follow through. But, he’s better than Chapek.
I’m so thrilled that Disneyland Paris is finally coming up trumps & getting things right! They seem to putting lots of love in to their parks at the moment. Their renaissance 🥳 Would love to hear your thoughts of what their 3rd park would be (that they have to build by 2036)
Well, personally I would welcome a third gate, but on the other hand, we're coming up to 30 years of no ride additions at Disneyland Park. Anyway, some quickly say "European EPCOT", but that would be just as good an idea as building a park themed around California on California. Next to that, Europa Park, one of THE competitors, has already done World Showcase, and is relatively close to DLP too. Future World then is done by the even closer Futuroscope park. So what then? Animal Kingdom I don't see happen. It could work, but opening a new, big zoo is sure to attract a bunch of protesters. A DisneySea would be fantastic, but that's a lot of water that's not there. So what then? Well, personally I think Disney should consider a Calisota park, because Disney doesn't seem to know it, but Donald Duck and the whole Duck family is massively popular in Europe and you can do a LOT with that direction.
ALL Disney fans owe Michael Eisner a HUGE apology. His tenure as CEO was by far the best Era after Walt. In comparison, the Era of the Bobs have been nothing but a disaster. Iger sunk the company into creative bankruptcy and Chapek is burying it.
Future histories of the company are going to speak of the COVID pandemic following immediately on the 20th Century Fox acquisition in the same tone these histories of the 1990s use for Euro Disney. "All this stuff was going to happen until..." There were even earlier plans for a complete transformation of Epcot Future World. Mission: Space and Test Track are more or less the bits that survived from it.
Anybody remember Michael Eisner appearing during showings of Mickey's Christmas Carol and (I forget the name of the Winnie the Pooh). He appeard with Winnie the Pooh characters and Tigger got a plam tree to decorate instead of an evergreen. Anybody remember that or am I the only one that remembers this?
I notice this a lot in the context of old Disney commercials, but I wonder why 30 year old TV always seems so corny looking back, but not as much during the time they aired.
I prefer the way the Disney theme parks were in the mid to late 80's before Eisner started changing things. Glad I was able to experience it and have little interest returning to a theme park now.
Say what you will about Michael Eisner but Disney was at their peak in the 90s. The Disney Renaissance movies were some of the best animated films they've ever made. The Disney Afternoon block elevated the quality of TV animation. We got MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom. Maybe not all of Eisner's initiatives worked but there were quite a few successes in that era. I have fond memories of growing up in the "Disney Decade." Also, I don't care what anyone says. Dick Tracy was an awesome movie and I wish it had done better at the box office.
Given the complete and utter disaster Disney and its parks have become since Iger and Chapek have taken over, Eisner's tenure doesn't seem all that bad now.
If Westcott was built, I think my family would have far less wanted to go to Disneyworld (Until the Avatar attraction came out). Epcott is a massive highlight.
Eisner didn’t handle failures well. But I’d rather have Eisner at his worst than Iger and Chapek at their best. Bob and Bob are the worst thing that’s ever happend to the Walt Disney Company.
That's why Disney needs a CEO and a president who will rebuild and reform it, and then maybe Disney will be forgiven, win back our hearts and justice will be served.
Dick Tracy was heavily marketed to children back in the day. I honestly did not even know that the film was a flop due to the exposure it got growing up. Watching it as an adult, I appreciate the cinematography and use of color, but question why on earth anyone would let their child watch this.
I remember riding the Alien encounter ride when I was six years old, I could escape the restraints the ride had and everyone around me was screaming, I was just sat there wondering what was going on and when the Alien "breathed" on me I just wiped it away.
Did Eisner do some bad things during his tenure? Sure, but let's not ignore all the good he did for Disney and how he essentially saved the company from death.
I love your presentations on the parks. I would suggest you monitor your audio levels.... Some content is almost unaudable and some is loud. On laptop computers and such it can be hard to hear. Maybe a boost in levels would be great! Thanks!
The "Disney Decade" got worse and worse and worse as the decade went on into the present. The Disney Co. has never been in a lower place than it is right now as this video releases. Giants are falling.
In Disney history, so much is attributed to "the failure of Euro Disney". I think most of it is revisionist history, finding something to blame failures on. The facts: the park opened in 1992. The financials were bad the first seasong, with fewer guests and less spend per guest than estimated. But they turned things around quickly. Already in 1995 the park turned a profit. It is not unusual for big projects like a theme park to lose money in the beginning. But it if off course easy to blame all failures during the 90s on to one single park doing worse than expected for a couple of years... I think Wells passing was much more important to the downfall of Eisner than the Paris parks financial result.
Cast Members have confirmed that Disney has not come out to confirm or deny the cancellation of the Play Pavilion therefore it is currently in a state of limbo.
I heard Westcot had issues with getting its startup because the lack of space and not being able to expand due to the people of Anaheim protesting against it. Can anyone confirm this?
one of my dad's friends works with Michael eisner at his investment company...my dad has resisted asking for a minute long call just to go wow thank you but also wow
It's difficult to summarize Disney under Eisner's leadership, but I do think people tend to focus more on ridiculing his failures rather than appreciating his successes. Eisner's Disney was full of highs and lows. Personally, I'd rather have that sort of ambitious attitude than one that's risk-averse and always trying to play it safe. Mistakes were made, especially towards the end of his leadership, but those shouldn't overshadow the many great things that happened. It is undeniable that the company and brand would not be where it is today without Eisner's major contributions.
I often compare the public opinion of Michael Eisner to George Lucas. With Lucas, the prequels (despite still being successful) made so many fans angry that they began to completely resent him without recognizing all of the amazing things he brought to the franchise over several decades. Ironically, it has taken some of Disney's recent direction and perhaps a little bit of nostalgia for fans to reconsider their feelings towards both Eisner and Lucas.
The problem with Euro Disneyland was the way in which it had been set up. Eisner and Well's couldn't beleave how much money Disney left on the table when setting up Tokyo Disneyland. This was not going to happen with the new park. With Frances very high tax rates Disney set up different divisions to run the new park and they all leased and rented to each other. Here is just one example Disney the park, had to pay royaltie's to Disney ( Burbank) to use the characters etc. If a Disney Hotel had a Character Breakfast, they were charged a seperate royalty to use them. Also in the terms the company set up Disney was to be payed all it's commisions before anyone else. Then on top of all that Disney charged a management fee. In 1994 all commisions and bank payments were frozen. The park needed 10 million visitors a year to be profitable. When "Space Mtn" opened attendance shot up. 1995, 10.7 million visiters, 1996, 11.7 million, 1997 12.6 million. In 1997 the park was able to start paying back some of the frozen commisions and bank payment's as well as paying it's current outgoings and still be profitable. Cheer's Chris Perry.
Eisner took Disney out of the dolldrums. I don't agree with some of his changes (bring back the people mover) His era took Disney forward at that time.
You said you fixed your mic/sound but I haven't been able to hear the two videos you've put out since unless I put my volume to 100. Is this the ASMR Disney channel now?
Michael Eisner is the most underrated CEO ever! He saved the company from corporate raiders, and he made every Disney Park a resort destination. Did he always hit a home run? No. However, he had vision. He had a desire to make the Disney Parks the best they could be. If he hadn't misread the culture in France, and Euro Disney was a hit, we would have soooooooo much more investment in the parks. DCA originally looked cheap because he got scared about spending too much money with little pay off as he did with Euro Disney. If Euro Disney was a hit initially, we would have seen some AMAZING things. Please appreciate this man! While he wasn't perfect, he was everything that a Disney CEO should be. Another great video, Dallin!
Your so right!
Euro Disney wasn't a hit initially. But now it is the most beautiful Park of all, and the most profitable!
@Lombaz Exactly! They didn't market it properly and overestimated crowd attendance, and the company became hesitant investing into the parks after that.
I could be wrong about this but it seemed to me that Eisner struggled more when Frank Wells died. They worked great as a team!
@Caleb You are 100% correct. They were definitely the Dynamic Duo! I believe that once Frank passed away, and the struggles of Euro Disney shook Eisner's confidence, which is a shame. He was so damn ambitious when it came.to the parks!
I’ve always been amazed how Michael Eisners significant role in Disney history and development has been horribly forgotten. Thanks for putting together this documentary. An entire month should be dedicated in recognition of his success and legacy at Disney
Disney got roasted by 'Some More News' a number of Times now, just like Media-Monopolys overall. Including in "Death to baby Nut".
Totally agree. Do people realize Disney would be no where the company today without him. He saved the company.
Why😂😂😂😂😊
@@dropzonegolfSC several books have covered the Eisner era, which really energized the company and set it on the direction to being the major media company today.
@@Theentertainingsis you need to study the history of Disney to realize that the company was on a serious downward spiral. Eisner made the company relevant again and brought new synergies to reimagine the company, build upon its strengths and create an era of substantial growth in its animation department, television media and park properties. Wells, Katzenberg and Roy Jr. helped him to steer and create a decade of unprecedented success.
Micheal Eisner once said he was the “last of the creative types” to run a studio or entertainment company and I don’t think he was wrong. Pre-Wells’ death/Euro Disney, Eisner had a lot of great ideas and/or fostered creativity among imagineers, cast members and other employees. Unlike Bob Iger who overspent on purchasing assets and left Bob Chapek to become the scapegoat that Disney needed.
Yeah, for all his weird decisions and preoccupations, Eisner really did care about the creative side of the company--he wanted to be another Walt. It wasn't just about acquisitions and brand synergy.
Iger basically sold out to China for hopes of becoming an ambassador and overspent when he acquired other companies
@@surfer_surfer Iger was really good at developing the stuff he got from all those acquisitions. But 20th Century Fox was just so huge a bite that it's a major financial burden for the company, and they haven't done a lot that's interesting with the content yet, aside from putting it on Disney+ and making some little tweaks around the edges at Marvel. I guess we'll see.
@@surfer_surfer Iger's acquisitions, starting right off the bat with Pixar, began the conversion of the Walt Disney Company Ltd. into an IP management firm like Classic Media. Every single brand, and the Disney brand itself, have been reduced under his watch into an IP mine for regurgitated content, from the Star Wars sequels to live-action remakes of animated films to the Pixar sequel factory to just building bland Hotel 6's across WDW property.
I think you nailed why Disney is going downhill now. No creativeness behind the Big Suits.
You forgot Fastasmic, the show was a game changer, epic entertainment that changed night time and live entertainment throughout the parks. An utter creative triumph!
I cry every time I see Fantasmic and I’m not ashamed of it
I’ll take Eisner over Chapek all day every day
Disney got roasted by 'Some More News' a number of Times now, just like Media-Monopolys overall. Including in "Death to baby Nut".
@@slevinchannel7589 what
Literally. I was about to say he was like the last ceo that company has had
Chapek is better than Iger. Iger resigned as CEO with NO Notice 10 days before Covid shut everything down. #Failure
Well you got your wish haha
I miss the Eisner era. It was peak Disney in my lifetime, and I'm not sorry about that opinion. Even though I love Galaxy's Edge, I truly think the Eisner Disney decade felt closer to Walt's legacy than the "IP-centric" vision of Iger. Naturally anything is better than Chapek, but I digress
Eisner saved Disney. Disney was facing a HOSTILE TAKEOVER before Eisner and Frank Wells went to Texas and convinced the Bass Group to help them turn Disney around
I will forever be grateful for the Eisner/Wells era. Eisner seems like he was a creative first (for better or worse), business man second and Frank Wells just kept him in check professionally. Wish we could have seen more (RIP Frank Wells) from them.
Eisner was not creative. "We have no obligation to make art. We have no obligation to make a statement. To make money is our only objective.” - actual memo from Eisner
As an aside, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" probably never would have come together the way it did without Eisner. Possibly not at all.
Looking back, I feel I was too harsh. Disneyland under Eisner were some incredible times in my life. His reservations about Iger stifling creativity were 100% valid. Defunctland covered Eisner's departure elegantly in a video he did a few years ago- "The Failure of Hong Kong Disneyland".
The worst of Eisner is preferable to the state of the parks currently.
Don't forget about the start of the Disney Cruise line. Wasn't that in the 90's? I grew up with Eisner as the head of Disney so for me he was the face of Disney. I think he did a lot of good. I would have loved to see WestCot.
I hope you have more on Michael Eisner let's face it! He was the only that cared about Walt Disneys Legacy Iger and Chapek destroyed Walt Disneys Theme Park and wanted to make their own Legacy I wish we still had Michael Eisner and I still say that you would make an Awesome CEO
As a child of the Eisner era I feel very nostalgic about it, and while not perfect I don’t fully think he deserves some of the hate he gets.
Eisner is still my favorite era of em all. So many hits and misses, experiments and weird stuff, going big, also going down - love it!!
Disney is such a unique company & has shown that it works best when you have a creative minded person & financial minded person in charge, a yin & yang. I almost think it should be in the board's guidelines when selecting a President & CEO of the company (or at the very least an un-written rule).
As a kid, I loved the '90's, we got four new Disney princesses that decade, the Wonderful World of Disney was never better, and One Saturday Morning cartoons were the best.
Eisner gets a bad rap because of the last half of his tenure. The first half was HUGE, but after the failure of EuroDisney he became extremely gunshy. The last half of the 90's saw a lot of subpar stuff. Everything at Disneyland was done on the cheap (I'm looking at you, new Tomorrowland). I always say the first half of Eisner's tenure was some of the best that Disney has seen while the last half was some of the worst.
"go back in time"
*Shows the presidents*
"Or to the future"
*Shows Star tours*
What part of "LONG TIME AGO" did the Disney marketing team not understand?
I believe the 90s was a colossal triumph for Disney. Disneyland had been around for 35 years and I had heard of it, but never had any ambition to visit whatsoever. Disney World had been there since 1971 and I had barely head of it, so no desire to visit there, either. In 1997, my daughter was five years old and my wife decided to take her to the Magic Kingdom in Florida. I still didn't see the point, so I stayed home. They came home with stories and photos and got me intrigued. I said, "Hey, let's go again next year and I'll come, too!" It didn't happen. Not because we couldn't afford it, not because I changed my mind, but because we had a second child. So we went again in 2000, technically the last year of the 90s decade, and we had a great time as a family. If Michael Eisner hadn't done what he did during the previous decade, I never would have wanted to visit a Disney park. Now I have been many times and I am a huge Disney enthusiast. You should see my pin collection!
I always like Michael Eisner. He saved the company from being sold off in parts, he made a few mistakes, but that’s business. You take risks, and sometimes they don’t pay off.
But overall, I think he did a good job.
Yeah I never understood the hate for Eisner. The animated Disney Renaissance, the building of Animal Kingdom, DCA, Hollywood Studios, etc, his buying of the Muppets, Pixar, ESPN, etc, all make him arguably the second best Disney CEO behind the man himself. 90's Disney was insane
I know it's an inside joke to hate on Eisner but I honestly think he and Wells were the Dream Team, second best only to Walt himself. And after all the shit Bob Cheepskate has pulled, I'd die to have Eisner back.
you are one of the five creators I truly watch and just want to say these videos are brilliant
I have such a different view of that era than many guests. One of Michael Eisner's sons was the goalie on my brother's hockey team.
oh shit, did you ever meet any of them?
What made Michael Eisner good for me was any time he was on TV to introduce a movie or show or ride to the world he was right there with the popular characters in animation or live action interacting with him as if Mickey and friends were real life actors who had jobs at the studio. It was a special kind of magic we lack today.
He was also responsible for the best movies and if things had not gone south he could have had the best parks. The ideas that never got made always sounded fun.
We also had the idea that Micky and friends could do crossovers appearing along side Muppets and Full House and Rosane and Cheers.
the other cool things I like about Disney that I miss and I suspect they are not from his era but I'll list them any how were
DVD menus where the characters adventured with you to each next menu , the fact that DVDs ALWAYS had special features, The Disney Store at the mall where I could buy toys and stuff and the days when the cartoons and movies all made toys and the time when Disney actually made video games and those video games homered there history. and props to whoever bought Oswald back and whoever did the acquiring of mostly every thing.
To Disney's fault there was the underutilized canceled too soon not really a good idea to begin with Disney Infinity , live action reboots, making deals with China who keeps making them censor stuff, the idea they should get involved in politics the decision to not treat the TV shows as good as the movies, the closing of the animation studio, the stopping of direct to DVD sequels, the lack of respect for the books after they acquired Star Wars, not having an agreed story for 3 movies when they started the new trilogy, the fact that Spiderman never dates any more and isn't married the fact that they don't value teen to adult animation fans or internet numbers, the fact that they spread them selves out over multiple cable channels , the choice to not put Disney+ shows on DVD more things maybe.
But Michael Eisner did a lot right. He made the 90s
Disney today needs to listen to the many polarized sides of the internet and learn how to please each of them with out betraying the others and would do best to cut ties with unfriendly restrictive countries.
Disney could use Michael Eisner right now!
Or someone like him.
I must say Michael Eisner remains a hero. He did sooo much to save the company and created the trend today to continue to grow the parks... He is amazing
While Iger remains a villain. He ruined the memories of Disney's golden days, and nearly sent the company to its doom.
Great video its crazy how much Michael Eisner had played an important role of changing Disney for both the good and bad. I really remember the most of the Eisner era mainly during the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland by not only adding some additions to the park but also the parks worldwide. Also, this would be a great series to talk about each and every CEO of Disney of the "GOOD, BAD and UGLY". 😃
Walt: The gold standard
Roy: Finished his bros dream
Donn: The one we forget about
Card: Ok
Ron: not great
Eisner: Aggressive but unlucky
Iger: Lazy but super lucky
Cheep-ass: Cheap and short sighted
We in for some rough years, unless they make a change soon.
I think Brayden of Mickey Views has it right here: Chapek's problems are of Iger's making. Iger had one idea, which was to buy existing content people already loved, or had the potential to love, and develop and market and synergize the hell out of it. That actually worked for him over and over and over; it was really remarkable. Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm. Then he bet the whole company on buying Fox, and put it hugely into debt to do so, and handed the keys to Chapek just as it was starting to get hairy.
Now, granted, Disney+ seems to have been a real lifeline for the company through the pandemic, and buying Fox greatly helped Disney+. But a lot of the material they got doesn't seem to be a great fit with Disney's other properties and operations, and Chapek now has to deal with a company struggling under a crushing debt load for the Fox acquisition. A lot of his apparent cheapness is probably just a response to that.
Eisners tenure was an exciting time for Disney creatively. For the fans it it was at its best; unfortunately he made some bad budgetary decisions that torpedoed some of his accomplishments.
I will always cherish the great movies, entertainment, and theme park additions made during his era.
4:10 That’s actually a concept art for the “Indiana Jones et le Temple du Peril” attraction at Disneyland Paris!
Eisner allowed Imagineering to imagine and innovate without force IP into everything. Chapek is all about squeezing every penny out of things Disney already made or owns.
Speaking of Chapek. Iger is pretty much the same way.
@paulspivey6799 Unfortunately, Iger is more like Chapek, but Iger could make you smile while he said you would pay more. Investors loved Chapek, but fans didn't. Iger isn't reversing many decisions for a reason.
Eisner crushed WDW, if you’re a fan of other parks or facets of the company, can understand some sour tastes for him.
But as a WDW exclusive kid (5) and teen (15) in the 90s. He is very fondly remembered in my book.
I thought Eisner did an amazing job in comparison to Chapek. I've never had a problem with how he ran the company
Alien Encounter was a top 10 attraction. It's too bad they didn't have a minimum age requirement to keep out the little ones. Definitely not for those under 10.
What I think stinks is being restricted to the same show buildings in Tomorrowland. They seem to limit the success of the new attractions.
When I think Michael Eisner, the theme song to "Videopolis" immediately starts playing in my head.
Please make another of these videos from 2000 to current day. This was so interesting.
I know Eisner was an egomaniac, but as a 90s teen going at least once a year, Walt Disney World during the Disney Decade was truly a wonder to behold.
Michael Isner: “Let’s build an American-themed theme park!”
Me: “Where?”
Michael Isner: “Virginia!”
*Insert Disney’s America getting scrapped here.*
Michael Isner: “Let’s build a California-themed theme park!”
Me: “….where?”
Michael Isner: “CALIFORNIA!”
“Unstoppable” “ish”!
HILARIOUS!!! Great video dude
Sort of surprised you didn’t mention Disney rocket rods, that removed the people mover attraction entirely from Disneyland Park and happened in the 90s.
The People Mover / Rocket Rods is sore subject with him and all of us who want the People Mover back.
Offhand tends to be a bit of broken record about the peoplemover lol those who have watched him for bit know that he’s a peoplemover lover and advocate
@@eatingcereal777 Agreed, I have watching or awhile too.
Early DCA was downright charming compared to the IP infested thematic and imaginatively bankrupt mess that it is now. It was just starting to be 'fixed', when they tore it up again.
Chapek literally sent everyone to universal I’m pretty sure he almost killed Disney
The parks were rather unclean and customer service was spotty during the 90’s; but at least they were still fairly affordable and the rides and animatronics worked.
To borrow a phrase from Eisenhower
“I LIKE MIKE!” 🐭 🏰
Best CEO IMO!
I much prefer Eisner's Disney Decade to Iger's Anything-But-Disney Decade. Eisner did accrue a lot of bad mojo at the end of his reign, but if it wasn't for him we wouldn't have had the Disney Renaissance, Disney Afternoon, Disney on Broadway, Disney Cruise Lines, Disney Store, expansion of Walt Disney World or Disneyland, or Disneyland Paris. Eisner's love affair with Michael Graves' postmodern architecture demonstrates a certain creative vision lacking today, a certain refinement of taste beyond merely making money. Even Eisner's corporate synergy and direct-to-video sequels are superior to Iger's wholesale conversion of the Walt Disney Company Ltd. into a high-end IP management firm of which "Disney" is just one brand, mined ruthlessly for content, and we're back to a style of managing the parks that would make Paul Pressler go "whoa, guys, come on."
Meanwhile, in Virginia, Disney tried to propose a park next to a National Battlefield Park, it made basically everyone angry, and it vanished after EuroDisney did it’s best impression of a fish out of water.
If they had just moved Disney's America to WDW, it might have been a great idea.
@@MonsterKidCory idk, the subjects of historical accuracy and slavery might have sunk the project no matter where it was
14:57 Blizzard Beach was WDW’s THIRD water park. River Country was still in operation throughout the 90s, and they would even sometimes advertise themselves as having “three” water parks.
I can remember taking my daughter to Disney Animal Kingdom and that initially it was kind of boring with not much to do . Overtime it grew into what we have today while it’s still not my favorite I do enjoy it .
You can't really blame Eisner for the cancellation of the Soviet Union at Epcot when the Soviet Union itself was cancelled in 1991.
I think if Frank didn't pass we would of gotten more they were literally walt and roy reincarnated
Thank for your documentary it was great inside . Please do more Michael Eisner related content such an interesting person and a great creative mind.
I have always had a great respect for Eisner and Wells but Wells death destroyed Eisner and decades later much to my surprise he took over Portsmouth FC and looks so much more at peace and relaxed.
Micheal is the reason CEO’s should have term limits. He did some good things- but I feel the second half was all popularity, no follow through. But, he’s better than Chapek.
Better than Igor
I’m so thrilled that Disneyland Paris is finally coming up trumps & getting things right! They seem to putting lots of love in to their parks at the moment. Their renaissance 🥳 Would love to hear your thoughts of what their 3rd park would be (that they have to build by 2036)
Well, personally I would welcome a third gate, but on the other hand, we're coming up to 30 years of no ride additions at Disneyland Park.
Anyway, some quickly say "European EPCOT", but that would be just as good an idea as building a park themed around California on California. Next to that, Europa Park, one of THE competitors, has already done World Showcase, and is relatively close to DLP too. Future World then is done by the even closer Futuroscope park.
So what then? Animal Kingdom I don't see happen. It could work, but opening a new, big zoo is sure to attract a bunch of protesters. A DisneySea would be fantastic, but that's a lot of water that's not there. So what then? Well, personally I think Disney should consider a Calisota park, because Disney doesn't seem to know it, but Donald Duck and the whole Duck family is massively popular in Europe and you can do a LOT with that direction.
when the code is changed to just OFFHAND is when you know you've made it
So excited for this Eisner video. He really understood the disney magic
Michael may not have stuck the landing completely with his tenure as CEO but Bob cheapskate makes him look like a Renaissance master
ALL Disney fans owe Michael Eisner a HUGE apology.
His tenure as CEO was by far the best Era after Walt. In comparison, the Era of the Bobs have been nothing but a disaster. Iger sunk the company into creative bankruptcy and Chapek is burying it.
I'm not sure why anyone thought Chapek was going to work out.
#BringBackEisner
Eisner was the start that sparked the Magic at Disney. It just took time to see profits, but it would cost consumers more to enjoy the magic.
Future histories of the company are going to speak of the COVID pandemic following immediately on the 20th Century Fox acquisition in the same tone these histories of the 1990s use for Euro Disney. "All this stuff was going to happen until..."
There were even earlier plans for a complete transformation of Epcot Future World. Mission: Space and Test Track are more or less the bits that survived from it.
Anybody remember Michael Eisner appearing during showings of Mickey's Christmas Carol and (I forget the name of the Winnie the Pooh). He appeard with Winnie the Pooh characters and Tigger got a plam tree to decorate instead of an evergreen.
Anybody remember that or am I the only one that remembers this?
I notice this a lot in the context of old Disney commercials, but I wonder why 30 year old TV always seems so corny looking back, but not as much during the time they aired.
It’s called nostalgia, my dude. Works both positively & negatively
Home sick today and this is JUST what I needed!
Great video Dallin
I prefer the way the Disney theme parks were in the mid to late 80's before Eisner started changing things. Glad I was able to experience it and have little interest returning to a theme park now.
Say what you will about Michael Eisner but Disney was at their peak in the 90s. The Disney Renaissance movies were some of the best animated films they've ever made. The Disney Afternoon block elevated the quality of TV animation. We got MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom. Maybe not all of Eisner's initiatives worked but there were quite a few successes in that era. I have fond memories of growing up in the "Disney Decade."
Also, I don't care what anyone says. Dick Tracy was an awesome movie and I wish it had done better at the box office.
Anyone else notice the resemblance between OD and Hercules? Imean just look at that DIsneyHair!
I preferred Eisner over our current Bob Paycheck
This was a amazing video. I would love to see this turn into a mini series if possible.
Given the complete and utter disaster Disney and its parks have become since Iger and Chapek have taken over, Eisner's tenure doesn't seem all that bad now.
That's why Disney needs a CEO kind of like Eisner who will reform and rebuild the company, making it new and improved.
I can’t believe the play pavilion is canceled
If Westcott was built, I think my family would have far less wanted to go to Disneyworld (Until the Avatar attraction came out). Epcott is a massive highlight.
I don’t think Eisner was that bad, knowing what came after with auger and thumb head.
Eisner didn’t handle failures well. But I’d rather have Eisner at his worst than Iger and Chapek at their best. Bob and Bob are the worst thing that’s ever happend to the Walt Disney Company.
That's why Disney needs a CEO and a president who will rebuild and reform it, and then maybe Disney will be forgiven, win back our hearts and justice will be served.
"Disney hesitates to announce attractions until everything's set in stone" Okay so explain the D23 2022 Parks Panel lol
Dick Tracy was heavily marketed to children back in the day. I honestly did not even know that the film was a flop due to the exposure it got growing up. Watching it as an adult, I appreciate the cinematography and use of color, but question why on earth anyone would let their child watch this.
I remember riding the Alien encounter ride when I was six years old, I could escape the restraints the ride had and everyone around me was screaming, I was just sat there wondering what was going on and when the Alien "breathed" on me I just wiped it away.
hot take, i think if Westcot was built it probably would end up falling into disrepair like epcot has. maybe not but its worth consideration
No, I will never get over wondering what would have happened if Jim Henson hadn't died.
Did Eisner do some bad things during his tenure? Sure, but let's not ignore all the good he did for Disney and how he essentially saved the company from death.
I recommend Disney Wars to learn all about Eisner- wild stuff
I love your presentations on the parks. I would suggest you monitor your audio levels.... Some content is almost unaudable and some is loud. On laptop computers and such it can be hard to hear. Maybe a boost in levels would be great! Thanks!
The "Disney Decade" got worse and worse and worse as the decade went on into the present. The Disney Co. has never been in a lower place than it is right now as this video releases. Giants are falling.
In Disney history, so much is attributed to "the failure of Euro Disney". I think most of it is revisionist history, finding something to blame failures on. The facts: the park opened in 1992. The financials were bad the first seasong, with fewer guests and less spend per guest than estimated. But they turned things around quickly. Already in 1995 the park turned a profit. It is not unusual for big projects like a theme park to lose money in the beginning. But it if off course easy to blame all failures during the 90s on to one single park doing worse than expected for a couple of years... I think Wells passing was much more important to the downfall of Eisner than the Paris parks financial result.
Awesome vid ! Can’t wait for more!!!!
Cast Members have confirmed that Disney has not come out to confirm or deny the cancellation of the Play Pavilion therefore it is currently in a state of limbo.
I would like too know why and who had Toon Town removed from WDW 😢😢😢
Eisner gets too much hate. Dude signed off on alien encounter
Saw the Dick Tracy film a few years ago, and it’s one of my favorites. Surprised it flopped! I throughly enjoyed it!
Movie made over $162 million off a $47 million dollar budget. They wanted a Batman size hit, but missed. Hardly a major flop though.
I heard Westcot had issues with getting its startup because the lack of space and not being able to expand due to the people of Anaheim protesting against it. Can anyone confirm this?
Miss Big Thunder Ranch- such a shame they got rid of it.
Fantastic video. Objective and fair. 👍
And then he went on to invest in Bojack Horseman. I don't know if that was his idea but we all appreciate that the money was given.
one of my dad's friends works with Michael eisner at his investment company...my dad has resisted asking for a minute long call just to go wow thank you but also wow
I Love ❤️ Old Disney
It's difficult to summarize Disney under Eisner's leadership, but I do think people tend to focus more on ridiculing his failures rather than appreciating his successes. Eisner's Disney was full of highs and lows. Personally, I'd rather have that sort of ambitious attitude than one that's risk-averse and always trying to play it safe. Mistakes were made, especially towards the end of his leadership, but those shouldn't overshadow the many great things that happened. It is undeniable that the company and brand would not be where it is today without Eisner's major contributions.
I often compare the public opinion of Michael Eisner to George Lucas. With Lucas, the prequels (despite still being successful) made so many fans angry that they began to completely resent him without recognizing all of the amazing things he brought to the franchise over several decades. Ironically, it has taken some of Disney's recent direction and perhaps a little bit of nostalgia for fans to reconsider their feelings towards both Eisner and Lucas.
The problem with Euro Disneyland was the way in which it had been set up. Eisner and Well's couldn't beleave how much money Disney left on the table when setting up Tokyo Disneyland. This was not going to happen with the new park. With Frances very high tax rates Disney set up different divisions to run the new park and they all leased and rented to each other. Here is just one example Disney the park, had to pay royaltie's to Disney ( Burbank) to use the characters etc. If a Disney Hotel had a Character Breakfast, they were charged a seperate royalty to use them. Also in the terms the company set up Disney was to be payed all it's commisions before anyone else. Then on top of all that Disney charged a management fee. In 1994 all commisions and bank payments were frozen. The park needed 10 million visitors a year to be profitable. When "Space Mtn" opened attendance shot up. 1995, 10.7 million visiters, 1996, 11.7 million, 1997 12.6 million. In 1997 the park was able to start paying back some of the frozen commisions and bank payment's as well as paying it's current outgoings and still be profitable. Cheer's Chris Perry.
Eisner took Disney out of the dolldrums. I don't agree with some of his changes (bring back the people mover) His era took Disney forward at that time.
You said you fixed your mic/sound but I haven't been able to hear the two videos you've put out since unless I put my volume to 100. Is this the ASMR Disney channel now?