Kodak cuts ties with EPCOT pavilion

[peaches magee]

Kodak cuts ties with Epcot pavilion
By Jason Garcia on September 10, 2010

Eastman Kodak Co., a corporate sponsor in Walt Disney Co. theme parks since the opening of Disneyland in 1955, has pulled out of a prominent Epcot attraction.

Representatives for Rochester, N.Y.-based Kodak and Walt Disney World confirmed this week that the venerable photo-and-film company ended its sponsorship of Epcot’s Imagination! pavilion, home to the ride “Journey Into Imagination with Figment” and a play area dubbed “ImageWorks.”

Neither company would discuss the reasons behind the move. Kodak has also ended its sponsorship of a theater in the Tomorrowland section of Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.

“Our alliance partnerships are ever-changing, and this adjustment reflects the dynamic nature of the sponsorship business,” Disney World spokesman Zoraya Suarez said.

Disney said the move will not lead to noticeable changes around Imagination! beyond the removal of Kodak signs. The resort made cosmetic changes to a theater in the pavilion earlier this summer when it revived the “Captain EO” 3D movie featuring the deceased pop singer Michael Jackson.

Disney said that about a dozen employees who worked at the pavilion through a Kodak contractor were given opportunities to apply for other jobs at Disney World.

Even without the Epcot attraction, Kodak will maintain a substantial sponsorship presence throughout Disney’s theme parks. The company continues to sponsor the 3D movie “Mickey’s PhilharMagic” in the Magic Kingdom and approximately 50 “Kodak Picture Spots” scattered throughout Disney World and Disneyland.
Disney will also continue selling Kodak products in its parks.

“We continue to have a positive, productive relationship with Disney, and we are discussing possible future collaborations,” Kodak spokesman David Lanzillo said.

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/09/kodak-cuts-ties-with-epcot-pavilion/

[mickeyfan1999]

I am sure will see more of HP now.

[kgar2121]

as i was reading the article, i was wondering if they would go around and "white out" the kodak picture spots, but it looks like theyre going to stay

[disneylover1955]

Maybe figment will be restored to its glory days! :happy:

[Phylers]

I think I pointed out somewhere else that this move isn't too big of a surprise. Kodak has been struggling to find ways to stay relevant in the consumer market ever since the dawn of digital. It only makes sense that they'd want to cut some expenditures whilst they're dealing with financial hard times. I don't know the going rate, but it can't be cheap to sponsor an Epcot pavilion. I'm sure Disney'll still sell those little (and ridiculously overpriced) disposable cameras, so in addition to Philharmagic and the picture spots, Kodak will still have plenty of presence around the property.

Plus, with any luck, the Imagination pavilion might get a new partner willing to sink some money into the area. Fingers crossed for a return of the original Figment post-ride stuff!

[minniemose35]

Maybe figment will be restored to its glory days! :happy:

We can only hope that Dreamfinder finds his way back too!

[chemnerd09]

We can only hope that Dreamfinder finds his way back too!

That would be great. I think a lot of people would be happy for him to return.

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

Maybe figment will be restored to its glory days! :happy:

Let's hope! :happy:

[disneylover1955]

Let's hope! :happy:

Get on that and make it happen! :rofl:

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

Get on that and make it happen! :rofl:

What? Am I supposed to go myself and make Disney put the ride back to the original format?

[disneylover1955]

What? Am I supposed to go myself and make Disney put the ride back to the original format?

Ummm yeah! :doh: I would do it from over here in California but its a Walt Disney World ride! :rofl:

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

Ummm yeah! :doh: I would do it from over here in California but its a Walt Disney World ride! :rofl:

I'd like to see that happen. :lol: If I had that power, I so would (I'd also have a job, but that's besides the point)

[disneylover1955]

I'd like to see that happen. :lol: If I had that power, I so would (I'd also have a job, but that's besides the point)

Hahaha I will do it if you do it in Walt Disney World! :rofl:

[Anders Limpar]

Tony Baxter was spotted at this pavilion as part of the same trip where he was spotted at the Wizarding World... People are speculating that this fact, coupled with Kodak pulling out, and stuff going on at the Imageworks, indicates that some kind of monumental change is on the way.

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

Tony Baxter was spotted at this pavilion as part of the same trip where he was spotted at the Wizarding World... People are speculating that this fact, coupled with Kodak pulling out, and stuff going on at the Imageworks, indicates that some kind of monumental change is on the way.

Ohhhh interesting. (Yea, I had to look up who he was...:look:) but interestinggggg

[Phylers]

Tony Baxter was spotted at this pavilion as part of the same trip where he was spotted at the Wizarding World... People are speculating that this fact, coupled with Kodak pulling out, and stuff going on at the Imageworks, indicates that some kind of monumental change is on the way.

I'd take it with a grain of salt. Most likely, he was just checking things out. I know I'd want to check out a competitor, even an inferior one. ;-)

The Kodak pullout should have happened years ago - I'd say it says more about the current state of Kodak than Disney.

I mean, I'm all for new ideas, and the Imagination area certainly has space for development, but I think this might just be the case of the Internet reading too much in between the lines.

Plus, WWoHP is cool, but it's no threat to Disney. When you consider all the hyperbole going in, it's actually a disappointment.

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

I'd take it with a grain of salt. Most likely, he was just checking things out. I know I'd want to check out a competitor, even an inferior one. ;-)

The Kodak pullout should have happened years ago - I'd say it says more about the current state of Kodak than Disney.

I mean, I'm all for new ideas, and the Imagination area certainly has space for development, but I think this might just be the case of the Internet reading too much in between the lines.

Plus, WWoHP is cool, but it's no threat to Disney. When you consider all the hyperbole going in, it's actually a disappointment.

If anything, it's bringing in more business for Disney. People may be going to Universal, but they're staying at Disney.

[disneylover1955]

Tony Baxter was spotted at this pavilion as part of the same trip where he was spotted at the Wizarding World... People are speculating that this fact, coupled with Kodak pulling out, and stuff going on at the Imageworks, indicates that some kind of monumental change is on the way.

Ahhhhh I love Tony Baxter! I really hope he restores the Imagination Pavilion to what did when it first opened! :happy:

[Anders Limpar]

If anything, it's bringing in more business for Disney. People may be going to Universal, but they're staying at Disney.

Apparently he had a big part in the attraction when it was first built. Also apparently, he pretty much only works out of CA these days, so maybe there is something there. I'm not necessarily suggesting something new is on the way. I think that while it would incredibly dumb, if they don't get a sponsor they could easily Wonders of Life the pavilion, which is to say turn it into a glorified convention center. But I think they would have massive protests on their hands.

[disneylover1955]

Apparently he had a big part in the attraction when it was first built. Also apparently, he pretty much only works out of CA these days, so maybe there is something there. I'm not necessarily suggesting something new is on the way. I think that while it would incredibly dumb, if they don't get a sponsor they could easily Wonders of Life the pavilion, which is to say turn it into a glorified convention center. But I think they would have massive protests on their hands.

Uuughhhhh that would stink! But hey its a huge pavilion with an upstairs that isn't being used! :rofl:

[kgar2121]

Apparently he had a big part in the attraction when it was first built. Also apparently, he pretty much only works out of CA these days, so maybe there is something there. I'm not necessarily suggesting something new is on the way. I think that while it would incredibly dumb, if they don't get a sponsor they could easily Wonders of Life the pavilion, which is to say turn it into a glorified convention center. But I think they would have massive protests on their hands.

That would be terrible..just terrible

---------- Post added at 01:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:41 PM ----------

hey! turn the upstairs into a DVC Hospitality Lounge! A nice place to cool off, make dining reservations, meet up with others, etc....ridiculous, but better than closing it all together

[hawkeye]

So....does this mean Disney could possibly build the Mt. Fuji Coaster in Japan?:shrug: