Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Seems to be a lot of talk going on out there regarding the future of WDW's Sr. VP of Ops (matter of fact, her title has been altered a bit and no, I can't recall what it is right now ... long day). Trying to distill what it all means because either: Erin is on the way out and about to take the fall for WDW falling apart and WWoHP showing how pathetic WDW's recent offerings are; or Erin's responsibilities have shifted a bit to allow more power for Jim MacPhee (which would likely be good news for WDW); or Erin's responsibilities have shifted to give her power over DLR as part of OneDisney, which isn't good news for anyone. Those are three different scenarios I've heard and while I haven't posted this in the few weeks I've had the info ... Personally, I think Erin has more responsibility for the horrific condition WDW has been it than anyone else with the possible exception of Al Weiss and the MAGICal Disney Can Do No Wrong Fanbois. Time for her to spend more time with her family! Anyone know more, please spill ... I got some packing to do (escaping the country soon just ahead of the evildoers!)
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Erin is on the way out and about to take the fall for WDW falling apart and WWoHP showing how pathetic WDW's recent offerings are; or>> YAY! <<Erin's responsibilities have shifted a bit to allow more power for Jim MacPhee (which would likely be good news for WDW); or>> Still good news! <<Erin's responsibilities have shifted to give her power over DLR as part of OneDisney, which isn't good news for anyone.>> God help us all.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer GET RID OF HER. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end for TDO...Jim MacPhee would be very welcome in having more power, in my eyes.
Originally Posted By leemac <<<<Erin's responsibilities have shifted a bit to allow more power for Jim MacPhee (which would likely be good news for WDW); or>> Still good news!>> This is yet another example of fanboi foaming. Erin does exactly what her job entails as a resort ops lead - but for some reason she is regarded as pure evil. It isn't the individual at fault but the role - Al's Worldwide Ops brief has led to this point. I have virtually no interaction with Erin at all but she appears capable. Same as why I'm sure fanbois will have wet dreams if Jim is given more power. Jim is seen to have done no wrong - mainly because of one event. I have no idea what is going on at WDW Co. or what has led to this "chatter" - I thought that Jim was responsible for implementing Nick Franklin's mulit-billion dollar NGE so I'd be surprised if he was shifted to a new role - unless this NGE is so fundamental that it will affect the WDW Ops role.
Originally Posted By leemac <<mulit-billion>> Of course nothing to do with Billy Ray Cyrus' hair (sp too) - it is multi-billion.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>> Erin does exactly what her job entails as a resort ops lead - but for some reason she is regarded as pure evil<<< Probably because she does nothing to help the problems of WDW, as much as acknowledge that there is progress to be made?
Originally Posted By skinnerbox There needs to a connection here to the 'Matt's Free Again' thread on Disney Business: <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/MsgBoard-T-116489-P-1.asp" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms...-P-1.asp</a> The timing does seem coincidental, doesn't it? Erin Wallace replaced by Ouimet? YES!!
Originally Posted By leemac <<The timing does seem coincidental>> Sadly it is coincidental. Also Matt isn't interested in relocating from SoCal to FL from what he has told me (he didn't like commuting to White Plains, NY either when he was at Starwood). I also can't see Al wanting to work with him again - I think you'd need to see wholesale regime change before an individual like Matt returned to WDP&R. Maybe it is all smoke and mirrors but I doubt it.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper << Jim is seen to have done no wrong - mainly because of one event.>> Nope, Jim is awesome because I saw him all the time when I was working at Epcot, and he never hesitated to talk to the cast and treat them like equals. That's more than I can say about some of the other powers that be at WDW...
Originally Posted By leemac <<Probably because she does nothing to help the problems of WDW, as much as acknowledge that there is progress to be made? >> The perception of there being "problems" at WDW depends on which side of the fence that you sit. Fanbois and guests are on one side and management on the other - I'm sure that Al and his Ops team believe that everything is hunky-dory and based on two key metrics they SEEM to be correct - guest attendance is flat and spend hasn't collapsed - commendable in a flatlining economy. You really do live in Cloud Cuckooland if you think that a WDP&R will ever admit that there is a problem - even the strife at DCA didn't lead to an outright condemnation of the park's original direction - it just "wasn't as popular as we hoped".
Originally Posted By leemac <<Nope, Jim is awesome because I saw him all the time when I was working at Epcot, and he never hesitated to talk to the cast and treat them like equals.>> Sorry Hokie - that isn't the sign of a good executive. Granted all park veeps should be visible to their cast but it is a thin line between being visible and getting the job done - and the latter can't be achieved if they are out of the office all the time. Their sole job isn't to keep the cast happy - it is important but not their primary function.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper And it's definitely a sign of a good executive? How is it not? Giving a crap about your cast/seeing what they're dealing with and actually taking the time to INSPECT your product has to help.
Originally Posted By leemac <<But it sure as hell makes me respect him more.>> Sadly your respect as a CM just doesn't earn him his bonus - there should be non-financial KPIs like CM satisfaction but they just aren't interested in surveying.
Originally Posted By leemac <<And it's definitely a sign of a good executive? How is it not? Giving a crap about your cast/seeing what they're dealing with and actually taking the time to INSPECT your product has to help. >> Anyone can observe - a trained chimp can do that. It is about strategic direction - it is an input into your decision-making. Hokie - I should add that I believe that WDW Co. management should be doing more to improve the lives of regular FOH cast members. Sadly it isn't a priority - and won't be until recruiting becomes a problem again. A very sad state of affairs.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>The perception of there being "problems" at WDW depends on which side of the fence that you sit. Fanbois and guests are on one side and management on the other - I'm sure that Al and his Ops team believe that everything is hunky-dory and based on two key metrics they SEEM to be correct - guest attendance is flat and spend hasn't collapsed - commendable in a flatlining economy.<<< If they were really a progressive, and good company, they'd keep everything good on BOTH sides of the fence, which is possible. They don't have to radically change to be profitable. >>>You really do live in Cloud Cuckooland if you think that a WDP&R will ever admit that there is a problem - even the strife at DCA didn't lead to an outright condemnation of the park's original direction - it just "wasn't as popular as we hoped".<<< Cloud Cuckooland? Like the sound of that. Are my neighbors the Orange Bird, Jose, and Mr. Bluebird? ;-) And I'm not looking for an admission, like I said, I would never get it. I would like to see them being proactive about quality, and entertainment, though. All about image.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Sorry Hokie - that isn't the sign of a good executive. Granted all park veeps should be visible to their cast but it is a thin line between being visible and getting the job done - and the latter can't be achieved if they are out of the office all the time. Their sole job isn't to keep the cast happy - it is important but not their primary function.<<< Sure helps! And EPCOT did fine under his leadership. Though, you might know a bit more about that than I... care to tell us if he wasn't that great of a VP? LOL.
Originally Posted By Lee hisownself I understand Erin had a hand in the assassination of the Adventurers Club. Based on that alone...I want her unemployed.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<Maybe it is all smoke and mirrors but I doubt it.>> The one thing that's interesting to me is the timing of the Wallace chatter with Ouimet's upcoming departure from CC. The other factor in this situation is Matt's appearance on July 17 at the WDFM. The three-day event for DL's 55th was planned for and moderated by Marty Sklar, and featured a conversation with Ouimet, Jack Lindquist, and Tony Baxter. Matt fit in beautifully with Marty, Jack, and Tony, speaking as a knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic fan of the Disney parks. Listening to Matt's stories about following in Jack's shoes (behind Pressler and Harriss, of course) as DL's President before and during the Golden Anniversary celebration helped me to see why he was the best choice P&R could have made at the time to quickly turn around DL's dismal lack of planning for such a major milestone. Even more amazing was the enormous amount of profit DisCo raked in from the 50th, which they largely owe to Ouimet. He is precisely the type of executive sorely lacking at WDW now. He has a solid track record of increasing earnings wherever he's managed. Disney Cruise Line's success today is owed in large part to Matt Ouimet's tenure in the early nineties. And what he accomplished at DL in less than two years before the 50th celebration began was nothing short of a miracle. This is what TDO is seriously lacking these days. I hope Matt is made an offer he cannot refuse, to help WDW reverse its downward spiral in quality and flatlining attendance. They can't keep discounting forever.
