Category:

Uncategorized

Some Thoughts on the 2019 IAAPA EXPO and more

by Mark Eades December 3, 2019

Another November and another visit to Orlando to attend the annual IAAPA Expo, 2019 edition, and some reflections on what I saw this time and more.

Photo courtesy: Themed Entertainment Association

The TEA Booth

First of all, the TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) booth was always crowded. Not just at times they were making announcements, such as about the THEA Awards. But, almost all the time. The booth needs to be about twice the size it has been with more chairs.

That said, it was great meeting up with so many folks in the business looking for their next project gig.

I do wish more booths had seating so folks could just visit and network — and rest their weary feet.

The characters from the Garfield comic strip. Garfield’s creator gets paid very well. Photo by Mark Eades

Proper Pay for Creators

I met with a few young folks, fresh out of college or about to graduate, and talked about a variety of things – including how to break into the business. During that discussion I talked with one young writer who had gotten a few small writing assignments and I inquired about the pay rate.

Let me tell you, it was not enough. By the time that person would have had to pay for all of Social Security and Medicare, and then would have made less than $12 an hour. Shame on the person and company that paid that ridiculously low amount.

I’ve heard similar stories from a few starting (starving) artists too.

I’m not saying that inexperienced folks should be paid as much as high end experienced creative talent, but the pay should at least be more like at least $17 an hour after paying the government mandates.

I also think that TEA should give lessons on things like how to understand the tax consequences of getting paid via a flat rate that does not cover those things, and the resulting hit on income taxes.

The artists and writers are the creators and should be compensated fairly for creating attractions for companies that are the ultimate revenue and attendance drivers of folks visiting themed entertainment venue. They should either get paid more or get a part of the gate.

I know these businesses expect a return on their investment, but maybe better deals would offer some kind of profit sharing. In the movie and TV businesses those that create share in the money those items make mostly through something known as residuals. Maybe there should be a consideration of the same thing for the theme park business.

The IAAPA Expo 2019 Floor. Photo by Mark Eades

Total Solutions

Many companies at IAAPA offered “a total solution” to theme park design. The “one-stop” shop that has become so vogue. All these businesses are like mini versions of Walt Disney Imagineering was back when they were WED/MAPO.

From a contracting standpoint that can make sense, but it doesn’t always work. Often, by the time the finished product opens (be it a ride, attraction, land or more), it sometimes seems like it doesn’t really work as originally conceived – to the bitter disappointment of everyone, including the public and a company’s bottom line.

That is partly the fault of the company doing the hiring. Everyone buys into the concept as it moves along through the design, production and construction pipeline. It seems, sometimes, that no one says “wait a minute.”

Several times in my years in and around the business, I’ve heard people say “we should have taken a step back.” Well maybe companies should think about hiring an independent person or persons whose sole job is to be that “step back” person, and point out issues they can see as they are not so close to the project to begin with.

Catching the problems in the various stages before they lead to something that doesn’t work right at all when it opens to the public should be an important adjunct function. The themed entertainment business is littered with failed rides, shows and more because everyone involved was too close to it and could not see that they were no longer on the yellow brick road to success.

Saying goodbye to IAAPA Expo 2019. Photo by Mark Eades.

I’m a curmudgeon truth sayer

Yes, I’m saying all these things because I’m a bit of a curmudgeon and in my two careers (in theme park design and then covering them as a journalist) I’ve seen a lot of these. Maybe that’s the consulting business I should start: Nothing but the blunt truth, whether you like it or not. Think of how many cruddy projects I would stop in their tracks!

Those are my thoughts coming out of IAAPA 2019. Feel free to comment with the unvarnished blunt truth. Or hire me to tell it to you.

December 3, 2019 0 comment

Disney California Adventure Uncategorized

Fun Yamaha Concert at NAMM

by Mark Eades January 26, 2015

I was lucky enough to get to attend Yamaha’s NAMM 2015 Concert. It was held in the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure Friday night, January 23rd.

Sinbad was the emcee for the Yamaha NAMM 2015 Concert at the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure.

The line-up of musical talent was very impressive with the three and a half hour concert emceed by Sinbad.

The Piano Guys do their thing on a Yamaha Grand Piano. No, they did not wreck the piano.

The first act was “The Piano Guys.” What the four of them do to a piano should be illegal, but its wonderfully exciting.

The next to perform was Tom Scott on his saxophone. He also doubled as the conductor of the more than 30 piece orchestra for the night. And baby, he made that sax talk.

Nathan East got the chance to perform a song from his new album. He was the musical director for the night.

Toto on stage at the Yamaha NAMM 2015 concert.

He also played with Toto, which also featured Mr. Talkbox. Toto also performed their classic “Africa.”

Colbie Caillat sang “Bubbly” along with two of her other hit songs at the Yamaha NAMM 2015 Concert.

Colbie Caillat came out next to perform three of her hits, bringing the crowd to its feet.

Next up was Bob James, the 75-year-old piano and jazz fusion legend. He performed one of his classics with the orchestra, then played a tune with Nathan East.

Bob James, the 75-year-old piano and Jazz Fusion legend, plays a song with Nathan East.

Then Bob James tinkled the ivories of the Yamaha Grand Piano on his own, bringing the crowd to its feet for a standing ovation.

Jonathan Butler plays his guitar and sings for the audience at the Yamaha NAMM 2015 concert.

Jonathan Butler sent the audience soaring with his magical finger work on his guitar, and with his soaring voice, causing yet another standing ovation.

James Blunt stopped by from his overseas tour to sing some of his love songs.

James Blunt came out, fresh from his overseas tour, and had the audience singing along with some of his songs.

Jaimie Cullum brought his brand of exciting piano play to the Hyperion Theater Stage at Disney California Adventure for the Yamaha NAMM 2015 Concert.

Finally, Jamie Cullum closed out the show with his electric performance on the piano and his remarkable singing. But that was not all. For a finale he brought Bob James out and the two of them played a classic Cole Porter tune, in an exhilarating fashion.

The artists showed how music can be played without artificial efforts, and how songs can be sung without autotune. All I can say is “Wow!”

January 26, 2015 0 comment

This steam locomotive replica chugs around Tom's Farms in Corona, California.

Railroads steam locomotives theme parks trains Uncategorized

Tom’s Farms is a great place for the little ones in Corona

by Mark Eades March 17, 2014

This steam locomotive replica chugs around Tom’s Farms in Corona, California. Photo by Mark Eades

I had never visited Tom’s Farms in Corona before, but when I found out it had a train with a replica steam locomotive it was time to stop by.

I did it on the same day I paid a visit to the Orange Empire Railway Museum. I stopped by in the morning and had breakfast.

The breakfast was fresh, I had French Toast. After breakfast, I walked around the 10-acre facility and checked it out.

This large rooster is at Tom’s Farms. Photo by Mark Eades

Sure enough they had a small train. It looks like a smaller steam-powered locomotive, but it is just a replica. Rides are $2. The train goes through a covered “Amish-style” covered bridge, then takes a loop on the other side of the dry stream bed and returns. There are a few full-scale animal statues that can be seen on the ride on the other side.

There is a large cement pond in the main area, with a fountain, plenty of outdoor seating and lots of shade trees.

Some of the other attractions at the small entertainment center include a merry-go-round, a tractor ride for small children, a shooting gallery, and a place where kids can pan for objects – but not gold.

A grizzled prospector sits on a bench near the Merry-Go-Round at Tom’s Farms. Photo by Mark Eades

Besides the one restaurant, which serves country style breakfast and burgers for lunch, there is a Mexican restaurant, an ice cream and popcorn shop, an order your own pizza food stand, and a candy store.

None of the restaurants have waiter service. You order and take the food to the table. Some alcoholic beverages are served in the pizza food stand.

Other shops include a wine and cheese store, a home furnishings store, and a farmer’s market.

It’s a nice stop over for those with kids, and is also a great place for groups to meet and have breakfast before setting off for the desert and points beyond. I met my friend there, and we traveled together to the Railway museum.

Don’t go expecting Disneyland or even Knott’s Berry Farm, though the food is a lot cheaper. But for small kids, it’s a great place to stop off, particularly if the drive out from the OC or LA has all ready started driving them or their parents a little nuts.

One of the things for kids and parents to do is the shootin’ gallery at Tom’s Farms, a family entertainment zone with restaurants, shops and a few rides and attractions. Photo by Mark Eades

Tom’s Farms is located just west the I-15 freeway, south of the 91. You exit Temescal Canyon Road and it’s right there.

Read about a privately owned live steam scale model railroad here.

March 17, 2014 1 comment

Recognize this Red Car? You might have seen it in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." It is on display at the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA.

Disney Disney California Adventure Disneyland Imagineer Railroads steam locomotives trains Uncategorized

The Railroad Zone: Disney Train Connections in the Desert

by Mark Eades March 16, 2014

This Pacific Electric Red Car #717 is operational at the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA. It has appeared in many movies including “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” Photo by Mark Eades

Do you recognize this Pacific Electric Red Car? If you’re a Disney fan you should. It was used in the movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”

It also still runs many weekends at the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, California.

That same Red Car and many others are housed at the outdoor museum, and were the inspiration for the Red Cars seen at Disney California Adventure.

The museum was started by a group of men concerned that the Red Cars were disappearing in the fifties. The group began as the Electric Railway Historical Association of Southern California and immediately went to work collecting what they could of the old system that used to serve much of Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

An electric streetcar from the Los Angeles Railroad plies the narrow-gauge rails at the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA. Photo by Mark Eades

The growing collection was initially housed at Travel Town in Griffith Park, but when the Ventura Freeway was going to claim some of that land, the group purchased the land in Perris and moved it there in 1958.

Named the Orange Empire Railway Museum, it collecting more and more railroad-related items including steam engines, cabooses, diesels, various cars, more Red Cars and other trolleys and more.

This steam locomotive belonged to Ward Kimball, one of Walt Disney’s “nine-old-men.” Ward arranged for the locomotive and its passenger car to be donated to the museum upon his death. The family retained the locomotive for a number of years. The steam engine was originally used on a sugar plantation. It has no actual brakes. Photo by Mark Eades

Among the steam engines at the museum are two related to Disney – they once belonged to Ward Kimball, one of Walt Disney’s nine-old-men of animation.

Ward owned two engines, some passenger cars and other train-related items that used to run on tracks at his home in San Gabriel.

He donated money for a barn named after his railroad at the museum, and designated it to receive his collection.

As you can see in the photos, the Grizzly Flats Railroad equipment still lives. The smaller engine, the Chloe, does not have a brake system, so the museum does not try to operate it.

Grizzly Flats/Nevada Central Railroad #2

This steam engine belonged to Ward Kimball. It was built in 1881 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. It is a 2-6-0 Mogul type. Brakes were added in 1901. It weighs 44,000 pounds. The tender weighs 20,000 pounds. The Orange Empire Railway Museum is looking for donations to help pay for its restoration. Photo by Mark Eades

The larger engine, the Grizzly Flats/Nevada Railroad #2, however, does and the museum is seeking donations to get it back into running condition with its other operational engines on the rails.

The museum is run by an all-volunteer staff, and members can learn how to do almost anything, including becoming an engineer for a steam locomotive – though that takes years to get certified by the state.

The museum is located at: 2201 South A Street, Perris, CA 92570.

You can find out more about the museum, including when its rolling stock will be operating (usually weekends) on its website, oerm.org.

You can see more photos in a slide show here.

March 16, 2014 2 comments

Load More Posts