This man is a genius, no question. The way he articulates, the way he talks so passionately about the principals of design and storytelling. He knows PRECISELY what he's talking about and it's absolutely engrossing. Brilliant interview.
This interview was absolutely engrossing. So many fascinating stories. It's always inspiring to hear from someone so passionate and thoughtful about their work. No wonder Disneyland Paris is so beautiful.
Absolutely love that interview! Eddie Sotto is an absolute gem. How he gives so much info about the park and answers fan questions on Twitter is remarkable. Really missed him on the Imagineering Panel yesterday, but glad we could his side on this interview
The worst part about this video is that it's only 80 mins instead of the twelve hours I was absolutely prepared to carry on listening for. Absolutely fascinating
Some of theming mentioned here has been completely destroyed, I met Tony Baxter on a tour he gave and he admitted that change will always come, but with pain in our hearts. I'm looking at you Discoveryland...
Great interview Tom! Interesting, entertaining, and informative. Hopefully the next generation of Imagineers will continue in this tradition of well thought out design, innovation, and connection to the guest.
Yes the interview is MAGIC, what a great pity that all the little details are not appreciated by the visitors. I know because I was there for the project.
DLP is my park as a Brit but my love is Tokyo. This episode has raised my respect for DLP and boosted my love for its history. Thank you so much for this.
Thanks Eddie...but why is there never any mention of the Guest Entry Sequence...which was a first-time thematic "ENTRY" to the park...and don't forget that Michael Eisner said "make it a paved area like in front of the Pompidou Center"...glad Tony said no...and we created the most detailed, most beautiful entry transition from the Toll Plaza,, Parking Lot, Moving Sidewalk, Kennel/Bus Driver's Lounge, Picnic area, and as "scale is everything"...a multi-level Fantasia Gardens with seating, fountains, gazebos, water features, gravity streams and REAL TOPIARY (not the fake cage ones). The first time GES Team, created a garden for the Hotel and entry to a theme park that HAS NEVER EVER BEEN BETTERED!
So true, what a great way to approach the park and not given the credit and consideration it truly deserves. Good point, now's your chance! Awesome Job! You need to do the interview and break it all down for the fans, I'm sure they d love it! I didn't talk it as I was not as involved as you guys, but it needs to be told. Hey WDWnews, this is Jack Perry, the man to reach out and interview! He has the untold story. Thanks for an astounding job! Happy 30th! - Eddie
So glad y’all are posting the full things- I can’t imagine this ever being too long to sit through. That park is so full of amazing stories! Edit now that I’m going through it but the idea of “they aren’t buying merch because they can’t ‘find the merch’ when the interiors are too good and they’re getting ‘lost or confused’ by getting swept up in it.” Excuse me? Am I a clueless monkey?
This was such a great interview of Eddie, Sotto! A grew up next-door to him when we were young kids and I remember that model that he made out of business cards. I remember one time they were having some guest stay at their house, and Eddie made some postcards that he hand drawer with a pencil of the front of his house. It was like going to a hotel that had a picture of the hotel that you would have stayed. I remember him being very very creative. Now, after watching this video, I can’t wait to one day go to Disney Paris! Again, I very much enjoyed this interview and I’m planning to share it with some of my family and friends. Thanks!
Next year (Apr 2023), Tokyo Disneyland will celebrate its 40th Anniversary. Can we have another interview like this with Eddie Sotto or Jim Cora please?
Thank you Eddie, that special "magic" that you guys create inspires many of us to create and build more "magic" in different ways. God bless you in Jesus Christ. C:
The reason why they saw their sales in the Disneyland stores go down, is because Europeans are no fools when it comes to quality and design buying souvenirs. For years on end the stores all sold the same cheap pink glittery girlie crap in EVERY single store. Bad overpriced merchandise with off model characters and cheap materials everywhere. The last couple of years they finally started doing original (and beautiful) designed merchandise and the sales went through the roof. Learning curves i guess.
This man is a genius, no question. The way he articulates, the way he talks so passionately about the principals of design and storytelling. He knows PRECISELY what he's talking about and it's absolutely engrossing. Brilliant interview.
This interview was absolutely engrossing. So many fascinating stories. It's always inspiring to hear from someone so passionate and thoughtful about their work. No wonder Disneyland Paris is so beautiful.
Absolutely love that interview! Eddie Sotto is an absolute gem. How he gives so much info about the park and answers fan questions on Twitter is remarkable. Really missed him on the Imagineering Panel yesterday, but glad we could his side on this interview
Wow, great interview - great to see Eddie Sotto 😁😁😁
I love this interview! I’m very engrossed
The worst part about this video is that it's only 80 mins instead of the twelve hours I was absolutely prepared to carry on listening for.
Absolutely fascinating
Some of theming mentioned here has been completely destroyed, I met Tony Baxter on a tour he gave and he admitted that change will always come, but with pain in our hearts. I'm looking at you Discoveryland...
Great interview Tom! Interesting, entertaining, and informative. Hopefully the next generation of Imagineers will continue in this tradition of well thought out design, innovation, and connection to the guest.
Thank you for this! These details are what I love about Disney. I hope the company realizes that these details are what makes Disney unique.
I am so thankful that Disneyland Paris is still going, my daughter and I were there for the twentieth and want to return for the thirtieth too.
Thank you for sharing your story Eddie Sotto. Can't wait to see some future projects somewhere.
Yes the interview is MAGIC, what a great pity that all the little details are not appreciated by the visitors. I know because I was there for the project.
Such a greatly entertaining interview. Thank you
Amazing. Thank you Tom.
Incredible interview, thanks for putting it together, Tom!
Haha Eddie's Michael Eisner impression was spot on!
What a wonderful and informative interview! As a former 30+ year cast member, I was there at opening and it is still my favorite park!
DLP is my park as a Brit but my love is Tokyo. This episode has raised my respect for DLP and boosted my love for its history. Thank you so much for this.
Wonderful, enlightening interview! Thank you for this content!
Thanks Eddie...but why is there never any mention of the Guest Entry Sequence...which was a first-time thematic "ENTRY" to the park...and don't forget that Michael Eisner said "make it a paved area like in front of the Pompidou Center"...glad Tony said no...and we created the most detailed, most beautiful entry transition from the Toll Plaza,, Parking Lot, Moving Sidewalk, Kennel/Bus Driver's Lounge, Picnic area, and as "scale is everything"...a multi-level Fantasia Gardens with seating, fountains, gazebos, water features, gravity streams and REAL TOPIARY (not the fake cage ones). The first time GES Team, created a garden for the Hotel and entry to a theme park that HAS NEVER EVER BEEN BETTERED!
So true, what a great way to approach the park and not given the credit and consideration it truly deserves. Good point, now's your chance! Awesome Job! You need to do the interview and break it all down for the fans, I'm sure they
d love it! I didn't talk it as I was not as involved as you guys, but it needs to be told. Hey WDWnews, this is Jack Perry, the man to reach out and interview! He has the untold story. Thanks for an astounding job! Happy 30th! - Eddie
We would love to chat sometime! Email us at tom@wdwnt.com
This could have been 10 hours and been just as captivating.
what a great interview. I could listen Eddie for hours
So glad y’all are posting the full things- I can’t imagine this ever being too long to sit through. That park is so full of amazing stories!
Edit now that I’m going through it but the idea of “they aren’t buying merch because they can’t ‘find the merch’ when the interiors are too good and they’re getting ‘lost or confused’ by getting swept up in it.” Excuse me? Am I a clueless monkey?
Thanks for this wonderful interview! It's always so inspiring to hear the stories from the people who worked on my favorite place in the world.
Absolutely incredible. Thank you to everyone involved.
My soul is exploding. What great insights and overall well done interview. 👏🏼
Great interview! So interesting.
This was such a great interview of Eddie, Sotto! A grew up next-door to him when we were young kids and I remember that model that he made out of business cards. I remember one time they were having some guest stay at their house, and Eddie made some postcards that he hand drawer with a pencil of the front of his house. It was like going to a hotel that had a picture of the hotel that you would have stayed. I remember him being very very creative. Now, after watching this video, I can’t wait to one day go to Disney Paris! Again, I very much enjoyed this interview and I’m planning to share it with some of my family and friends. Thanks!
This is great!
Next year (Apr 2023), Tokyo Disneyland will celebrate its 40th Anniversary. Can we have another interview like this with Eddie Sotto or Jim Cora please?
thanks for this great content
Very interesting video.
Thank you Eddie, that special "magic" that you guys create inspires many of us to create and build more "magic" in different ways. God bless you in Jesus Christ. C:
both US parks got rid of the minor attractions that made Main Street Main Street. The Penny Arcade/Main Street Cinema
One of the things I hate about DCA is there is no reveal...you can see in from DL entrance..bs
Eddie *is* Disney’s Demel.
The reason why they saw their sales in the Disneyland stores go down, is because Europeans are no fools when it comes to quality and design buying souvenirs. For years on end the stores all sold the same cheap pink glittery girlie crap in EVERY single store. Bad overpriced merchandise with off model characters and cheap materials everywhere. The last couple of years they finally started doing original (and beautiful) designed merchandise and the sales went through the roof. Learning curves i guess.