Vote of the week: Should Disney give Steve Jobs a window on Main Street?

October 6, 2011, 9:05 PM · When someone who made a profound impact on the Walt Disney Company, especially its theme parks, retires, often Disney chooses to honor that individual with a window on Main Street USA at Disneyland or Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. Look up at the second story windows the next time you visit one of those parks, and you'll see the names of dozens of former Imagineers, company executives and creative personnel who have helped make Disney the world's most popular entertainment brand.

Steve Jobs, who died this week at 56, wasn't a Disney employee, but he was part of the Disney family. Though he was world-famous as the Chairman and former CEO of Apple, he was the largest individual shareholder in the Walt Disney Company, a member of the Disney board, and the founder of Pixar Animation, which created a dozen blockbuster hits for Disney, as well as providing the inspiration for many popular attractions in the Disney theme parks.

So here's my question for you, as theme park fans. Do you think that Disney should honor Jobs with a window on Main Street?

No, he wasn't a Disney employee. Apple didn't sponsor any Disney theme park attractions. Jobs wasn't directly involved in the creation of any Disney theme park rides or shows.

But without Pixar, Disney wouldn't be the company it is today. Without Jobs' mentoring the career of John Lasseter, Disney wouldn't have its chief creative officer. And Jobs captured the imagination and earned the gratitude of the public more than any other CEO of a company in the creative arts since Walt Disney himself.

Let's hear what you think. (If you think Disney should honor Jobs, but not with a window, go ahead and vote no, then offer your suggestion in the comments.)

Thank you, again, for reading Theme Park Insider.

Replies (28)

Tim Chatlos

October 6, 2011 at 9:37 PM · While the intent would certainly be noble, the Main Street windows have generally been for individuals who have directly contributed to the parks (there might be an exception, such as a Disney relative, but I can't think of one at the moment). A case could certainly be made that a Steve Jobs window/tribute would be entirely appropriate on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure considering the amount of Pixar that runs through the park, particularly with the addition of Cars Land.

Becky Lee

October 6, 2011 at 9:57 PM · I don't think a window on Main Street but how about a billboard at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Maybe one for an Apple II.

67.169.196.82

October 6, 2011 at 10:14 PM · The Disneyland names are for founders and people that helped build Disneyland, Jobs didn't help build that park.

Robert Niles

October 6, 2011 at 10:36 PM · I hadn't thought about windows on Buena Vista Street, but that's certainly a place that Disney could do something to honor people who don't have the direct connection that the Main Street honorees have had.

TH Creative

October 7, 2011 at 2:34 AM · Considering the dollar value of his investment (stock holdings) was probably about a zillion times larger than Mr. Disney's and the success of the Disney/Pixar partnership (which re-invented the animated feature genre -- much like Mr. Disney did with 'Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs') ... YES!

And here's a challenge for you guys: What would that Window be?

How about:

Steve Jobs
Proprietor

Picks Our
Apple Orchards

174.252.129.45

October 7, 2011 at 5:26 AM · Main Street Grocery
Always Fresh Apples
Prop. S. Jobs

Derek Potter

October 7, 2011 at 6:10 AM · His contribution might not have been direct, but Pixar was a big shot in the arm for Disney, and it likely wouldn't have existed without Jobs... not to mention the fact that he held so much stock in the company and surely had some sort of influence. Setting all corporate BS and licensing agreements aside, he should get the window.

If you ask me, this man belongs with the all time great figures in American history...let alone on a window at Disney. His success story is as American as they come, and a lot of people could take a lesson or two from him and his methods. Everyone should take out their Iphones, Ipads, Macs, and Ipods and read or listen to his books and biographies.

50.58.117.34

October 7, 2011 at 7:45 AM · I voted no (and it's not for lack of respect for Jobs; he and Disney are the two people I admire most). Most of the windows on Main Street are really for those folks who had something to do with theme parks themselves, and not other parts of the company. Yes, there are exceptions, but I feel the Disney Legend honor seems more appropriate. From different news reports I've read, many organizations wanted to honor Jobs in the past few months; I wonder if Disney wanted to do so at the recent D23 Expo, it would make sense, but probably only Iger and a select few know.

If they did put in a window, I wouldn't be against it, but feel a Disney Legend award makes the most sense.

68.114.255.134

October 7, 2011 at 8:01 AM · I voted yes because Disney should do something. I don't believe a window on main street is right. They have meanings from the past. WDI or whichever department would be responsible can certainly find a means of honoring Steve Jobs.

217.122.175.170

October 7, 2011 at 8:54 AM · I think he would hate anything with Windows!

Enzo.

Robert Niles

October 7, 2011 at 9:09 AM · And we have a winner for comment of the day. Congratulations, Enzo. +1 :^)

Ted Heumann

October 7, 2011 at 9:59 AM · ENOUGH with the "god" like worship of Steve Jobs!!!

Name ONE thing that Steve Jobs contributed to the Disney company besides money?

He ONLY bought Pixar because of their computer division! He didn't care about the animation side, UNTIL it started winning awards and making money. And he was ONLY the largest stockholder because he sold Pixar to Disney. And John Lasseter LOVED Disney long before he met Steve Jobs. He was going to have an impact NO matter what. In fact, I heard that the Pixar sale was contingent on John's continued employment.

The ONLY person that I'm aware of that was not an employee of Disney that has a window ANYWHERE is Harrison Buzz Price. But he was a contractor and had a DIRECT impact on ALL the stateside parks (including the ones that were never built).

If they want to honor Steve Jobs, give him a Disney Legend. That program is a sham anyway.

Ray Schroeder

October 7, 2011 at 10:35 AM · I like the Billboard idea.
It should read:

Macintosh Orchards
S.easonal Jobs available

TH Creative

October 7, 2011 at 10:51 AM · Who do you think is Ted's favorite dwarf?

173.227.205.1

October 7, 2011 at 11:04 AM · why not change spaceship earth to actualy talk about steve jobs and just just hint to what computer and who made the first one in there cali gurage. One the ride it a quick bit not saying names or anything about who the two people were

Anon Mouse

October 7, 2011 at 11:57 AM · Based on what Steve Jobs has contributed, a window seem puny. He serves something bigger like a plaque at Carsland or a statue in the Animation Building.

Stephanie Blackwell

October 7, 2011 at 2:30 PM · Haha Enzo, cracked me up! TH Creative gets honorable mention for the next best comment of the day. Jeez, Ted, have a little respect, would ya??

68.59.130.74

October 7, 2011 at 7:33 PM · A little miss information, Apple DID sponsor an Attraction at Epcot's Innovention.There were interactive computer workstation and the "Newton" was showcased there. I know I was a cast member for the Attraction

Tony Perkins

October 8, 2011 at 2:18 AM · According to Bob Weis, when the Imagineers were showing the Disney Board the $1.1 billion upgrade blueprints to California Adventure, Jobs looked up and said, "Shouldn't we be doing more?" He was the biggest shareholder in Disney and therefore it was part of his money that would be going into California Adventure, and he said to put more in to make it ,presumably, "insanely great." That sounds like a Walt move to me (damn the money, make it great), and for that reason he deserves a window or some other dedication in DCA's new areas.

Randall Peek

October 8, 2011 at 3:41 PM · I would vote for a billboard along the route of Radiator Springs Racers, something that would honor him and his legacy.

67.169.41.197

October 8, 2011 at 7:51 PM · I'm with the other commenters who have said that the Main Street windows seem to be for those who directly impacted the parks. However, I do think that it would be very fitting for Disney to recognize Jobs' legacy. How about a Randy Pausch-like plaque near Toy Story Mania? It wouldn't have to be big -- Pausch's is so small that if you don't know it's there, you'll probably miss it, and I like it for its subtlety.

Wendy Purdy

October 8, 2011 at 9:12 PM · The Town Square flags at Disneyland were at half-staff Friday in his memory.

Anthony Murphy

October 9, 2011 at 6:48 AM · I wrote no. I do not think he had an impact on the Parks, the primary window requirement

72.177.5.199

October 9, 2011 at 3:48 PM · To me Steve Jobs always walked in Walt's shoes... from a damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead approach to making things every better. Trying to take the ordinary or typical and make it extraordinary... That said, I don't think a Steve Jobs window on Main Street makes sense. There are so many other opportunities to put a "hidden Jobs" into an attraction, or even name some other building after him. He SHOULD be represented in SOME way, because he was so instrumental in making the world and Disney what it is today.

Mike Gallagher

October 9, 2011 at 4:39 PM · To Anonymous Poster 173.227.205.1 above:

What?

English, please.

Skipper Adam

October 10, 2011 at 7:45 AM · I agree something should be done, but not a window. He's had some impact on the theme parks, but not like the one's who have windows. I would consider him Walk like, but Walt was involved in every single aspect of Disney and made all the final choices on all the little details. Jobs was creative and a leader too, but not the same ways that should earn him a window.

Something would be nice, and probably something high tech and something the world will want to buy millions at a time, but that's a hard one.

66.31.158.103

October 10, 2011 at 9:20 PM · NOT ON MAIN STREET!!

Honor him anywhere else but for someone who didn't have much direct involvement with the entertainment arm of the company and none what so ever with the theme park arm, a window on Main Street is sacrilege.

travis traymoore

October 10, 2011 at 9:28 PM · put a fruit cart on main st named after him since it has to do with "apples" and nothing to do with "windows"

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Vote of the week: Should Disney give Steve Jobs a window on Main Street?

Replies (28)

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