Roy Disney at NFFC
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The next question asked what should be done about low cast morale and Roy tied it in to this problem. Seeing your leaders and knowing they appreciate your hard-work is a big part of cast morale and the current leaders have not been present, according to Roy. He said that people used to want to work for Disney because of the fun atmosphere. He does not feel that is the case anymore. He said, "You know, patting people on the back is not such a bad thing to do". He said that then biggest paycheck of all is the joy you bring home after a day's work. If that could be reinforced, the company would be stronger. In Roy's opinion the current leaders do not understand and appreciate the cast and therefore their actions cause irritability instead of joy.
The next questions asked what it was like to grow up with Walt and if Roy's father had a fun side or was he all business. He said that while everyone loved to play around his father was the more serious of the two brothers. Walt used the company as his playground, but to do that they had to make money, and that was Roy O. Disney's job. Roy E. talked about his business background to dispel a rumor about himself regarding his current campaign: "You're going to read about me at some point: Roy just wants to go back to the past. He doesn't care how much money we spend on stuff. All he wants to do is spend a lot of money." Because of his father, Roy E. realizes that you create value for the company by investing in the company. Changing subjects Roy talked about when the other two brothers Herb and Ray would visit and play croquet. He got sent to his room because he would have had certain words added to his vocabulary at too young an age.
LaughingPlace.com's own hopemax had a question for Roy. Hopemax mentioned that on many internet discussion boards there is a sense of futility because Michael Eisner is viewed as being too powerful. When asked if Roy had any message for them he said if he had any one message for his supporters it was to be patient. While they have thousands of supporters their main message at Shamrock, Roy Disney's investment company, it is to keep the heat on and to keep the ball in the air. He said that he has heard from third-party sources that they are having an effect and that the leadership of Disney is saying some strange things that Roy could not repeat in public. The annual meeting is being held March 3rd in Philadelphia. Roy brought up how odd it was for Disney to have an annual meeting there and that is was a sign of escapism. He also said that suggestions for how to handle proxy materials will be posted on their website shortly but that due to SEC regulations he could not discuss it further at this time. Roy wanted ot be very conscious about not breaking any laws. Someone from the audience brought up Martha Stewart and Roy replied, "No, not like Martha Stewart, I can promise you that won't happen". The next question asked what a non-Disney stockholder can do to support Roy's cause. He said stick with him through the website. "We are going to cost you some money in phone bills."
The next question asked how he felt TV animation has affected feature animation and the closure of the Florida animation studio. Roy said he felt terrible about the closure of the Orlando studio and felt it was a case of throwing out the baby and the bath water. He said they were good as proven by Mulan, Lilo and Stitch, and Brother Bear. Roy is still convinced that "A Few Good Ghosts" which halted production could have been a good feature as well. He feels that the closure of the studio is an example of leadership being unable to figure out how to handle creative people. Roy said that the company was founded on creativity and, "every time we've ever been successful at anything, it was because we had creative people who had found new ways to do things, new things to entertain with and maybe instruct a little bit with too". He said that Disney needs creativity to allow people to escape the real world for a bit. He mentioned that is why Disneyland was built with a berm and that when Disney's California Adventure was built we lost that. He then said, "Creativity and making good creative material, I promise you, is the most fun thing to do in the whole world". But now instead of having fun, Roy feels many people are too busy looking over the shoulder or living in fear of being fired. He said that when he was on the board he was not allowed to speak about company business outside the boardroom. The only way he could say the things he is saying now is to leave the company and that many would be saying the same things if they could. Roy went on to say, "If you can't have fun and you're trying to make other people have fun, how the hell do you do that? That's yet another answer to a question that may not have been asked".
The last question was whether he still visits Disneyland Park and, if so, what changes had he seen over the years. Roy started off by saying, "Well, now I have to pay to get in, that's one thing". He then corrected himself saying to his astonishment he had just received a silver pass from the studio. This news brought applause from the crowd. He mentioned that he is actually visiting the week after next but that he feels that there is less paint and more burnt-out light bulbs than there used to be. He also feels the park is dirtier, both at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Roy did endorse new Disneyland Resort President Matt Ouimet. He just hopes that his bosses allow him to make the positive changes he wants to.
This concluded Roy's presentation. He received a standing ovation from the crowd. Talking to many NFFC members after the presentation, they felt that he has been saying what they have felt for a long time. While he might not have answered questions directly, the members were glad to hear what he had to say. Roy has a long battle ahead of him and he is being smart to get fan support. The NFFC, the largest Disney fan organization in the world, was a receptive audience. They connected not only with Roy's legacy but also with his vision. Only time will tell what impact Roy and Stanley have on the future of The Walt Disney Company, but after Saturday's presentation Roy can count on having a large part of the fan community behind him.
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-- Posted January 20, 2004
-- Story by Benji Breitbart
-- Pictures by Dave Mastanich
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