Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest-ID-77963.asp" target="_blank"><b>Latest: Disney Parks President of Worldwide Operations Al Weiss Announces Retirement</b></a> <p><font color="#333333" face="Arial" size="0">The Official Disney Blog has just made the following announcement...</font></p> <p><font color="#333333" face="Arial" size="0"><i>We have some news to share today regarding a key member of the Disney team. Al Weiss, former head of Walt Disney World and current President of Worldwide Operations for all of Disney Parks and Resorts, has decided to retire after almost 39 years with the company. Al started off working at Walt Disney World as a teenager and will leave his imprint on so many aspects of our business. Some of the highlights of his tenure include launching Disney Cruise Line, opening Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World and integrating worldwide park operations. Al’s official retirement date will be November 1 of this year. To learn more about Al’s announcement please click on the link below</i></font></p>
Originally Posted By HMButler79 Utterly FANTASTIC. He began the decimation of MK. In fact, his style was a prequel to Pressler. I hope this means major changes in the way the parks are run.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Fantastic news.... if his successor brings back the sorely needed quality, uniqueness and innovation back to the parks. I'm quite happy to hear this, though.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper This means nothing until his replacement is named. It could be someone just as bad or worse.
Originally Posted By ChiMike ^ Hokie, typically I would agree with you, but on this one I'll start singing "Ding Dong..." While the replacement could be worse, on a principled front, this is wonderful news regardless. For having the longevity that Al has had with Disney, he has shown a remarkable knack for marginalizing the Disney Way and flippantly going on with his career in spite of those he railroaded out of the company. I don't wish the man any ill will in his retirement, but Disney can't get rid of him soon enough.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^ Exactly. Glad he's gone... nervous and eager about his replacement. Hope it's someone we like.
Originally Posted By Bolna The interesting question for me would be (besides the one Hokie mentioned): how voluntary is this retirement?
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<how voluntary is this retirement?>> Very true. If he was urged to "spend more time with the family" it could be telling of where the parks are headed.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Seeing that this posiiton is under Staggs.... I can see a new underling facilitating Staggs' wishes for the parks in a much more streamlined way. Not only is this telling for who will fill the position, but also how Staggs will work with the parks.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 Since his retirement is effective immediately (though he will work with Staggs till Nov) my guess is that this is not a voluntary retirement. The man is 57 years old. Staggs has said he is not naming a replacement and is looking to change the management structure for the parks division. Hold on to your hats. This could be very interesting.
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 I going to be more classy and wish him well in the future, really some of you are absolutely pathetic.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper I don't know the man. But I know he had a hand in th decline of wdw. If being happy that the parks may get better is pathetic I'll happily be pathetic
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>> Staggs has said he is not naming a replacement and is looking to change the management structure for the parks division.<<< Where was this said?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I have heard from a VERY trusted source that this absolutely was NOT voluntary (but remember, no one in an exec capacity at Disney is ever fired unless they are found playing with little boys or in a crack den with a pipe and needles!) It's also a reminder that anyone over the age of 55 is considered done by Disney standards of today (Iger excepted naturally!) I don't know what the plans are. I do hope Staggs restructures because the thought of an Al Jr. (anyone in the ranks from Erin Wallace to George Kalogridis to Karl Holz etc ... ) would be just more of the same thing. They need fresh blood from the outside the company that also familiar enough with the good things Disney does to not eff that up. Two interesting things ... this comes a day after the best guy for the job (Matt Ouimet) gets plucked up by Cedar Fair ... and gee, I wonder what Paul Pressler's availability is right now.
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 <<I don't know the man. But I know he had a hand in th decline of wdw. If being happy that the parks may get better is pathetic I'll happily be pathetic>> Oh cripes sake, you didn't like the parks while he was in charge. I'd say in the grand scheme of life that's pretty far down on the importance scale.
Originally Posted By HMButler79 Me thinks Staggs is trying to gut the bloated DisneyParks burecracy created by Cheney ...errrr oppps... i mean... Rasulo, and possibly be grooming Dan as WDW Pres. But Queen Megara HAS to go!!! This woman has been a one woman disaster. The Disney version of Palin/Bush. She has reigned over a dead PI, one Mono DEATH, countless other Mono safety incidents, countless bus deaths and accidents, and Tikis catching on fire, selling off the land to third parties and the explosive growth of DVC. This woman has GOT TO GO!
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>I going to be more classy and wish him well in the future, really some of you are absolutely pathetic.<< Using that logic, Al must be pretty pathetic for all the hard working folks he terminated throughout his career with little regard to their future.
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 He's retiring and after 39 years that's usually a good time to go. He never personally affected my life in a negative way. I've been to WDW ten times. I've had a great time each and every visit.
