Originally Posted By pheneix I've been told that Brad Rex, the VP of Epcot, has been asked to step down. More to come if I hear anything.
Originally Posted By Rebekah Brad Rex has always reflected the hospitality and spirit that I expect from Disney so I'd be sad to see him go. I don't work at Epcot so I can't speak to his effectiveness as its head. During a holiday media event we had the priviledge of sitting at his table and he was a terrific ambassador for the resort and the company. I always hate to see people leave who so visibly love their job at Disney and make others wish they could be part of the team of magic makers. Rebekah.
Originally Posted By MPierce I believe that rumor is from a post on MiceAge.com. I don't know if it's true or not, but a lot of people speak very highly of Brad Rex. I think it will be a lost to Walt Disney World.
Originally Posted By pheneix Its not a rumor. Its true. He's already taken another job with a different company. My feelings are mixed about his departure. Personally I don't think he was best for Epcot, and I think his operational skills needed some improving, but he was BY FAR the best of the four VPs running WDW right now. I will definitely miss his influence within the ranks.
Originally Posted By pheneix So this is a question that will probably require a "spirited" answer. When did Mr. Rex become the VP of Epcot? When I was telling a friend about the shake-up the first thing he asked was "hey, is that the *************** who closed Horizons?" Unfortunately I do not know the answer to that question...
Originally Posted By basas <<but he was BY FAR the best of the four VPs running WDW right now>> Well rumor has it now that all 4 are leaving...
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Did all the criticisms on the LP boards cause this? Wouldn't that be something, that the "little people" have a say in things. My question is, did they leave of their own choice, or were they pushed out?
Originally Posted By Disneybrad He started with the Disney Company in December 1999. Which is why it is funny, that on a few otrher websites people are still blaming him on decisions that were made years before he was ever even hired.
Originally Posted By Disneybrad We Dont know, but he is leaveing becuase he acctepted a job with another company. Not that he was forced out, like some are implying.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 It's good that he left on his own terms... Not that it is good, it's just that it is good that he was not forced out.
Originally Posted By haiderodes Brad Rex was a nice guy. I only met him once, but coincidentally, I happened to hang out with his daughter one night during my college program.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Did all the criticisms on the LP boards cause this? Wouldn't that be something, that the "little people" have a say in things. My question is, did they leave of their own choice, or were they pushed out?>> Absolutely!! I had a conversation with John Pepper last January shortly after he was named Chairman of Disney's Board or Directors. He told me that the various directors stressed to him the importance of consulting LP'ers before making any significant decisions.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 I was being facetious. But he didn't answer my question, which I was serious/curious about.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Did all the criticisms on the LP boards cause this? Wouldn't that be something, that the "little people" have a say in things.<< We could only be so effective, but I doubt it. Besides, if Disney did do things according to our criticism, then WDW would not be in the sorry shape it it today. So, NO, as much as some of us would love to take credit for Mr. Rex's departure, we are not the ones responsible for it.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Wish I could word things so people read them the way I meant them. When I said ">>Did all the criticisms on the LP boards cause this? Wouldn't that be something, that the "little people" have a say in things.<< I was joking, because I know, as TDLFAN said "We could only be so effective, but I doubt it. Besides, if Disney did do things according to our criticism, then WDW would not be in the sorry shape it it today. So, NO, as much as some of us would love to take credit for Mr. Rex's departure, we are not the ones responsible for it." My next question was.. was his leaving, his choice, or was he ousted? Maybe we should have emoticons here to express our feelings more accurately. Was someone else being facetious or did all 4 park leaders leave? Sorry for all the misunderstandings.
Originally Posted By mickeyboy43 while i did not no who the vp of epcot was, my family and i had always thought that epcot had made a large change for the better. in the past, we ded not like to go to epcot, but because of Mr. Rex, he made the place a different place to be. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I know Brad, not well. I have spoken to him on more than a few occassions. I have no opinion of him as a human being, but I do have one of him as the leader of Epcot and it isn't a kind one. He was a numbers guy placed in the job when another talent-impaired exec in Karl Holz (now head -- and rear -- of Euro Disney SCA) moved on. Epcot has had a revolving door of leaders since Greg Emmer (No. 2 in Anaheim now) left the position in 1995. Each subsequent leader destroyed a bit more of what made the original EPCOT Center such an amazing place. I feel no sympathy toward Brad for being shown the door, and he was shown the door. Told his job wasn't his for long. Then Hilton came along and made him an offer more up to his talents. I wish him well. But seeing a six-figure exec (who is worth much more when stock is thrown in) lose one good job for another just doesn't elicit one iota of sympathy from me. Least of all, when it was obvious from the start that Brad was ill-suited for an ops VP position. But the fact Epcot has, with the exception of Soarin (and he does deserve some credit for wrangling the $$$ from Burbank), stagnated for years has started to get noticed by people with real power at Disney ... people who don't owe their careers to Jay Rasulo. People like ... I dunno ... let's say John Lasseter. As to Brad's replacement, I've been told who it is but I am not currently at liberty to say only that he is someone with lots of parks experience (Brad had ZERO before being annointed Epcot VP) and is well-respected. The info may already be out there, but since I'm writing from across the pond, I feel safer with less said. But I will leave you with this tidbit: now that Brad is gone, Phil Holmes will be next. The WalMarting of the MK has been noticed and he's gonna pay the piper good for that. I can't wait to write his Disney obit. Others are likely to follow as well. WDW's bloated, recycled exec team will be getting a much needed makeover ... but don't expect to see an ABC version! Change can be a very healing experience.
