Author visits the 'Reality' of Disney World
— -- Journalist and author David Koenig, in his new book, Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World, offers the first in-depth, unauthorized look at the sometimes-troubled making of the multibillion-dollar resort, which turns 36 on Monday. He offers USA TODAY a glimpse of life in the Mouse House.
Q: Tell us something we don't know about Disney World.A: In 1971, Disney's (heavily themed) Polynesian Hotel installed a wave-making machine in the lagoon in front of the Magic Kingdom to allow guests to surf. Unfortunately, the waves were so powerful they began eating away the hotel's beach! After months of tinkering, Disney finally gave up. Rusted remnants of the contraption still lie in the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Q: A case of Disney taking its famously elaborate theming a bit too far. A rare failure?A: There haven't been many, but more than Disney would care for me to recount. The Magic Kingdom's first parking lot trams were so deficient they constantly blew engines, scattered oil and transmission parts along the road, and stalled out. At the end of an average day, eight of the 20 trams might still be mobile. The entire fleet had to be replaced within six months.
Q: Was there ever a time when Disney World wasn't crowded?A: Until the mid-1980s, entire months, like October, would be so unpopulated that you could safely shoot a cannon down Main Street. (But) those days are long gone.
Q: Hard to imagine. What else has changed over the years? A: What started with one theme park, two hotels and 6,000 employees now encompasses four parks, 20 hotels and 60,000 employees. Park admission no longer costs $3.50, either.
Q: With a day ticket up to $71, it seems Disney is all about making money these days. Always the case?A: Disney has always enjoyed making money, but (in earlier days) its approach was long-term. (It aimed to) provide exceptional products at reasonable prices, creating customers for life. Visitors genuinely liked the company and told all their friends. Today the approach is short-term — separate as much money from customers as possible.
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