Customer Reviews

Disney: The Mouse Betrayed

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1 star:		(22)

 

 

It all boils down to the 'bottom line', doesn't it? For me, the underlying theme of this book was profits, profits, profits. Whatever it takes to increase profits, that's what Disney will do.

Walt Disney was a different kind of man than Michael Eisner. Walt wanted to create good, wholesome family entertainment - he knew if he did that, the money would come. Eisner, playing off Disney's well-earned reputation, used the profits from Disney classics and theme parks to bankroll projects that Walt would have been embarrassed to mention publicly.

There was a lot of anecdotal evidence in this book, and some reviewers claim that these two authors essentially had 'an axe to grind', or were pushing a conservative agenda. That thought occurred to me too, though I've discovered through other sources that Eisner and his people never really liked Walt Disney's "family values".

Disney is a business, and shareholders are entitled to a return on their money. Given the success of G-rated movies and wholesome family entertainment, the book makes you wonder why Disney would invest heavily in other forms that are certainly less profitable. But this book isn't trying to answer that question; it just sticks to providing insight into the new direction Disney is going, and the causes its management supports. Some of the 'behind the scenes' goings-on will surprise and shock you. The Mouse has its fingers in many pies, some quite unsavory. Ooops, careful, we must be 'tolerant'.

Upon finishing the book, you'll never look at Disney the same.

While much hoopla has been made over the past ten years regarding the Walt Disney Company's departure from everything its founder embodied, few exposes have probed as deeply or turned up a fraction as much dirt as this work offers. In fact, the Schweizers explore some new territory in their frontal assault on what may be America's most dishonest company. Many works of this nature rely heavily on anonymous sources, second-hand guessing, or other questionable inferences. Whatever one think of this thorough expose, it should be commended for corroborating nearly every charge with a named first-hand source. From the slaves who toil in Asian sweat shops making Disney merchandise to the Disney employees who identify their pedophilia-practicing or voyeuristic co-workers to the law enforcement authorities citing company cover-ups of homicides and fatal accidents occurring on Disney property, every specific allegation is supported by a one or more credible identified accuser.

The conglomerate's lust for profits regularly puts patron in harm's ways at its theme parks. Rides that once closed during electrical storms, now routinely stay open, and named Disney employees are quoted as saying they are told to lie to inquiring customers asking if it is safe to board. Whenever anyone is injured-even seriously--at a Disney park, face-saving policy dictates that Guest Relations is called before 911. This allows park ambassadors to schmooze victims before they can receive treatment.

Compared to these physical dangers, the debauched entertainment of the new Disney seems tertiary. Despite the widespread sleaze that it puts out under its various pseudonyms, The Walt Disney Company still claims to be family-friendly. With subsidies offering pay-per-view porn, satanic--drug-glorifying--pro-suicide heavy metal music, and movies among Hollywood's most depraved, that boast is seen to be nothing more than public relations prevarication. Even its allegedly family fare has undergone a massive transmogrification. From the politically correct fascism of "Pocahontas" which slandered the reputation of many real people of integrity, to the plagiarism behind "The Lion King," Disney animated features are not quite up to the standards of old. In Disney's Hall of Presidents diorama, the revisionist approach is also seen. A patriotic speech delivered by Abraham Lincoln was the exhibit's featured attraction for years. The new liberal mindset at Disney has replaced such deleterious nationalism with a more inclusive sounding talk. But the real kicker is that Lincoln is no longer the only president to speak; Bill Clinton's robot (and I don't mean Al Gore) is now given an oration to present!

Perhaps the most hateful aspect of this remade company is virtual contempt shown to the memory of it founder. Jeffrey Katzenberg and a handful of Michael Eisner's other camarilla seem to delight in disgracing his name. Remarks like "I haven't been out to his gravesite so I don't know if he's spinning" pepper their conversations. Objective readers will acquire at least a more suspicious view of the mega-corporation, and even the most ardent devotees should never allow their children on to Disney property without the supervision of a trusted adult. While some will dismiss this extensively researched work as the screed of "Disney-haters," the Schweizers maintain powerful credibility by being former long-time Disneyites, and they obviously still carry tremendous respect for Walt Disney the man. He was a remarkable talent who brought much joy to the world. Tragically, his legacy is now routinely betrayed by the empire he created and the obnoxious coterie that runs it.

If anything can be honestly said about the Disney Corporation, the truth would be that it is not the company founded by Walt Disney. Michael Eisner has definitely looked at Disney as more as a profit machine than as a family entertainment entity, and in many cases I agree with the authors that Disney has gone to far in the issues of crime and safety, although I have to disagree with the homophobic and righteous stand taken by the authors concering morality.

The Schweizers beg the question "Whose morality?" at one point in the book, and I would ask the same question of the authors. I think that if Walt were alive today, he would not agree with the albums produced or sexual inferences being condoned under the Disney umbrella, but I don't think he would disgree because of "moral issues". Interpretation of morality is in the eyes of the viewer, and it appears the authors would hate any company for what they perceive as anti-fundalmentalist ethics, so the criticism of Disney in this regard is actually part of an ulterior motive which is one of Christian and conservative ethics. Walt himself did not ascribe to any religion and viewed the Christian question as a moral dilemma. I cannot disagree that Walt would have hated the direction of his company now, but that is simply because he valued family entertainment and not adult entertainment.

The cases surrounding sex crimes, safety, and fatalities on property are true, and Disney prefers to govern these on their own rather than become a public spectacle. This portion I believe the authors covered very well and provide aquequate documentation to support their claims. I believe that Eisner has become more interested in profits and short term gains to please finicky shareholders and is merely interested in prevention and safety as long as it does not cost much.

All in all this is a good book. As long as one looks past the obvious conservative and puritanical overtones and sees the facts for what they are, one will see Disney is not at all what it appears to be.

I love the Disney image, most people do. But the fact is that Disney is a corporation, and whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, they do engage in big-corporation business. Most people look at the Disney brand name, and why not, it is squeaky clean. But as the authors reveal in this book, things go on in the company beyond the theme parks and movies. These two authors, backed by a whole lot of evidence, have uncovered some very shocking truths about Walt's company as it is today, and how it is being run by the likes of people like Michael Eisner. Do you know for example that Disney copied the whole idea for the Lion King from the works of a now dead Japanese animator? It is very much true, and the authors have gone to great lengths to prove it. And how about that when he came to Disney from Paramount, that Michael Eisner wanted to get rid of the animation department because he felt that what people really wanted to see was live action films, not childern's cartoon movies, though the fact that Disney still existed then, and now, was in the most major part, based on the high quality animated works that had made the company known worldwide. The fact that the mascot and logo for the company was a cartoon mouse created by Walt himself should have tipped Mr. Eisner off. Nothing personal on Mr. Eisner though, but he is the CEO of the company and he KNOWS what is going on, believe me. A lot of what I read makes me feel shame towards Disney today, and really challenged my view of the Walt Disney Co. And for those who may just think I don't like Disney and so I am trying to put its name in the mud, well not so. I am a Disney shareholder, and therefore I have ownership in this company and a hit against it is a hit against my investment. Not only have the people running Disney today (I mean at the very top)conducted activities that put the company name to shame and betrayed the mouse, but they have betrayed Walt Disney himself and his legacy, and ripped the pure white glove of his image and dream.

After reading this book, I feel that there is finally a source of information regarding disclosure that details theinner-workings of the Disney Corporation. I am a six-time employee of WDW (2 times for the company and 4 times for subcontractors), and have seenfirst hand exactly what takes place behind their facade. While working at a floral shop located in the Contemporary Hotel as a delivery driver, I witnessed male employees engaging in indiscreet sexual behavior. While working at Discovery Island, I witnessed employees ruthlessly killing the animals that frequented the island. While working foran asbestos removal team, I witnessed employees removing their protective gearand peering through torn protective sheeting of the containment area to viewfemale employees as they changed in the female cast member locker rooms. (note: this example not only endangered the health of the perpetrators, but the female victim's who were unaware of these incidents, and their exposure to the breached asbestos containment area).While working for a roofing contractor, I found that Disney would not cooperate in a workman's comp claim that I had to file regarding an infection I incurred while working on the roof of a resort hotel located on Disney property. This injury was serious enough to require intrusive surgery. I have other first-hand accounts of questionable tactics used by the Disney Corporation, but feel that I have made clear the point that all is not well at the "mouse"! My vision of Disney, which was filled with the Pixie-Dust of dreams andfantasies, was quickly distorted once I began to understand what Disney requested of me as an employee. The requests by Disney regarding my silence over what I deemed as inappropriate behavior by management and seasoned co-workers, has been appropriately examined, investigated and described by the authors of this book. In every instance, I took information that I had obtained directly to Disney management (Leads and/or Supervisors), only to be reassured that I had performed the requirements associated with my job by following the chain of command and assured that resolution would take place. It was also requested of me that I should not divulge this information toanyone else. I worked at WDW six times due to the simple fact that with a family to support, I needed as much income as possible to provide adequatelyfor their needs, and Disney paid enormous amounts of money to sub-contractors to complete required jobs in a timely fashion. Soon however, it became impossible to digest the ongoing events and situations that I wasexposed to, and eventually I resigned myfinal position. This book has opened my eyes even further to past and current events taking place at WDW that I consider shocking and distasteful. I am grateful that the authors took time fromtheir lives to expose the truths regarding Disney and Disney-related businesses. I consider it a must-read for anyone with or planning to have children, or anyone willing, or in a position to have an impact on a child's life. Let it be known that I am not a disgruntled ex-employee, but a one-time Disney fan and supporter (albeit misinformed)!

This title appears to jump on Disney from every angle, pardon the pun, and acts as a wrecking ball to the majorities' view of the magic kingom. This book isn't designed to give Disney more whitewash in the press; the authors strive to give another viewpoint and do so well. Some readers miss the main point by expressing that Disney is like any other business. Disney is not! We blindly trust our children with them and like other authority figures Disney must assume responsibility along with its superstar status and perks. In the overall scheme of things Disney probably doesn't have any greater number of incidents of crime per capita, but if this type of activety took place at your workplace or child's school could you tolerate it? As a father what really disenchants me is that Disney appears less than honest to the media, families, and local police. The cold war is dead and someone should tell them. Their lack of openess is troubling to say the least (No I am not asking them to hand out blueprints of the new rides and all their finacial papers with the park tickets). This book should be read with an open mind and taken for its worth. Reading about WWII or Vietnam isn't pleasant, but someone needs to give us more of the truth.

Forget the political propaganda some posters are trying to attach to this book. It isn't only for Conservatives or "right-wingers". Truth has no political ties. Everyone should know of the horrors Disney has been covering up for years.

These facts aren't gained from one source, nor are they a product of the author's imagination. Schweizer dug deeply into Disney's hidden secrets, talking with a ton of employees, many who weren't afraid to be named. He includes dozens of documents that Disney tried to hide - documents that expose the child molesters Disney hired to entertain your children.

Though Disney knows about unsafe conditions in their amusement park they do nothing to correct them. The pending lawsuits from deaths or serious injury are cheaper to deal with than the cost of repairing the dangers. It's all about profit and greed.

If only half of this book is true it's a frightful read. You and your children may be at serious physical and emotional risk. If you go to Disney World and get hurt, don't sign anything. Don't let the older kids wander off by themselves, not even for a second.

Read the book and judge for yourself the presented facts .

This book presents a very strong case against the mouse. Many of the things spoken are true and from reliable sources. But it fails on one level. It concedes that Miramax, which distribures explicit and mature films for adult audiences, is a directly connected to Disney's morales.

What the author fails to remember is that many people don't see Miramax or Dimension or ESPN as a Disney brand companies because they don't carry a Disney brand name, thereby disassociating it from the same film departments that produce their wholesome entertainment.
Many arms of the company are totally disassociated from each other. Disney parks are seperate from Disney Stores, Miramax is seperate from Disney Animation, ESPN is seperate from ABC.

Though the company is one unit, it is comprised of many people who have their own agendas.

Who framed Roger Rabbit was considered "too adult" for a Disney logo to come in front of it, so they released it under the Touchstone logo, so parents wouldn't think it was the just another family cartoon.

Disney does not peddle adult things to children; that's why they create the banners of "Touchstone" and "Miramax" and "Dimension": to keep the audiences seperate.

You will never see a Scream 3 ride at a Disney park, or a KIDS movie promotion at the Disney Store. But the author tells his story as if Disney is doing just that.

Other than that, many valid points are made, but please keep in mind that the book is a mix of substantiated fact, validated evidence, AND opinion. Be smart and be on the lookout to seperate them while reading.

I purchased this book about a year ago after reading a magazine review of it. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was surprised to find it in the "Business" section of a Borders book store. I could not resist reviewing it after reading the comments of other readers. To be as brief as possible: Does the book have a conservative agenda? Yes, most definitely. The authors clearly are not "for" the homosexual agenda. Does that make them "fanatics" or "homophobes"? No, one does not have to be a "hater" of anything to have a dissenting opinion on something. (I'm always surprised at how a lot of liberal readers quickly dismiss everything in the book, and it shows with what they say in three short lines.) Does Disney do a lot of deleterious things? Of course. Business is not for the faint of heart, and sometimes protecting the logos and pictures are necessary in our litigious society, as one informed critic of the book stated. Should we be concerned about the supposed apathy by Disney bosses about whether a ride is safe to go on? I guess I would be. Some things in the book should be taken as a given; for instance, I would automatically assume, without the authors telling me, that Disney World/Land (or other large theme parks) are places that would naturally attract pedophiles. Some of the things I didn't know, like the assertion that Disney World managers like to cover up unpleasantries and crimes, makes me wiser. It perhaps wouldn't stop me from bringing my kids there, but I would be more vigilant because of the book's information. Do I think the authors injected their own opinions into the book for their own agenda? Yes, I believe they did. I also think they did it because they were concerned, and wanted like-minded folks to be swayed. This is where the book stops at three stars; the lack of objectivity keeps it from rising any higher. I would recommend it on basic levels, nothing more. I will not recommend it to folks who are leaning left on the political scale, to homosexuals, or to Disney diehards. Hope this review was helpful to all.

This book is not for the faint of heart. It's a tough, journalistic look at one of America's great corportions. The authors prove that Disney does steal ideas and use them for their own ends, and yet, the company is quick to show up at your door if you are using Mickey Mouse to your own commercial advantage. Cry babies and Disney lovers will noit like this book, and will trash the journalistic integrity of the work. But believe me, it's real.