Originally Posted By WDWFigment I think it comes down to what people are saying with regard to current performance of WDW, sadly, as well as the poor performance of DCA. I also think it's a matter of high level management not being able to micro-manage everything. Eisner had some success doing this for a while, but ultimately alienated a lot of people by micro-managing everything (or so it seemed). People in lower level management positions have to be competent to handle certain decisions. If they're not, why are they there in the first place? I think a lot of what's wrong with WDW comes down to its success, and the people in management positions within the parks/resort don't feel a need to work aggressively to maximize the look/feel/what-have-you of the park. In short, I think that some heads need to roll to send a message that meeting financial goals alone is insufficient. Those goals will be met regardless of who is in charge of the respective divisions. Iger and others at the top should make clear that preserving and strengthening the "Disney name" are a basis on which management in the WDW parks will also be judged. Otherwise, management therein will just be able to ride the coattails of the WDW-cash cow.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>> I think Al should move to Florida. They need his kind of bird dog attack mentality down there.<<< That would be welcome.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<n short, I think that some heads need to roll to send a message that meeting financial goals alone is insufficient. Those goals will be met regardless of who is in charge of the respective divisions. Iger and others at the top should make clear that preserving and strengthening the "Disney name" are a basis on which management in the WDW parks will also be judged. Otherwise, management therein will just be able to ride the coattails of the WDW-cash cow. >> Bingo. Couldn't have said it better myself. I think they should start by getting rid of the absurd practice of higher bonuses for being as far under budget as you can get.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>> In short, I think that some heads need to roll to send a message that meeting financial goals alone is insufficient.<<< We've seen that a it in DL and we've had some better results over there. The only thing that sounds like that in WDW would be the appointment of Jim McPhee, and since then, we have seen some improvement. I am pretty sure that Nightastic can be attributed to him. That's all temporary, however. We need more than that. Hopefully, we are getting it, albeit slowly. >>>I also think it's a matter of high level management not being able to micro-manage everything.<<< If this is what happened when Iger is worried and involved...We need more Iger. Can't believe I'm saying that...but...The Weatherman looks to be a stickler. He just needs to do it for ALL of his resorts and parks.
Originally Posted By mousermerf I get the feeling Jay glossed over everything and pretended to have it under control. Staggs on the other hand, gets in there and is like "this is a cluster...." Points that out to Bobby-boy, and they start chipping away at the issues using the good ol' "The CEO is scarier then I am" tactic. Just before the D23 presentation Iger saw Fantasyland's plans. A week or so later there's imagineering scampering to explain Pixie Hollow and how it may/may not be coming and they don't really know and gee.. it's all up in the air. I dont think that's coincidental.
Originally Posted By MPierce When the DVC folks start standing in line to complain is when you will see a change come over WDW. They really are the only ones that go on a regular bases in number to have the clout to make a difference.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>> Staggs on the other hand, gets in there and is like "this is a cluster...."<<< That would make sense, seeing the timetables for some things. Hopefully they've just begun in Cali and are working their way across...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<And going back to an idea I brought up in another post - there is a differnce in what is built between Disney resorts but in general the management is mostly the same. I've been a DLR local for a year and was a WDW local for several years and spent an entire summer with an AP in Paris. They're the same - as much as anyone's hometeam rivalry wants to pretend otherwise, they make the same dumb decisions and they generally misunderstand guests the same ways. There is some regional difference but not major enough to pin on TDA/TDO - most notably because TDA/TDO are very much merged in being the same exact people in many departments. The big decisions are made by the same people between the resorts.>> There are plenty of regional differences between the way resorts are run, although I do agree with the core point. But it also wasn't always that way. It was only under Jay Rasulo (hope he enjoyed the W in Barcelona last week!) that the deck was stacked worldwide with WDW execs largely. Many of the folks who work in management around thw world now came from/thru O-Town and that is the mentality that they have. You wonder if they ever realize there is a difference in audiences and tastes and needs from resort to resort. Al Lutz in his latest droolfest over TDA actually used George Kalogridis's weakest public comment (the 2001 laughable statement about folks having to 'walk across the esplanade and settle for DL when DCA reaches capacity daily') as a positive that 'could' come true simply due to World of Color. What he should have been writing/asking is 'Has George learned a thing since his disasterous first 18-month stint in Anaheim?' because one of the biggest problems he had was getting the concept that you couldn't make DLR over into WDW even by adding a second gate, DD and new hotel.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I think Al should move to Florida. They need his kind of bird dog attack mentality down there.>> Al is too ignorant about WDW to do the job. But the mentality is certainly needed. Kevin Yee is a good guy and means well, but he, frankly, is too nice and in his zeal to be 'fair and balanced' too often comes off as wishy-washy. And beyond him, WDW is blogged about by folks who are just fans and not very worldly.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I get the feeling Jay glossed over everything and pretended to have it under control. Staggs on the other hand, gets in there and is like "this is a cluster....">> You sure you aren't blinded by Tom's good looks and charm? Don't get me wrong, I've heard nothing but good things about him and my sources go well beyond theme parks. But I can't help but think you've got a major crush on Major Tom!
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>> Al is too ignorant about WDW to do the job. But the mentality is certainly needed. Kevin Yee is a good guy and means well, but he, frankly, is too nice and in his zeal to be 'fair and balanced' too often comes off as wishy-washy. And beyond him, WDW is blogged about by folks who are just fans and not very worldly.<<< You could do it.... ;-)
Originally Posted By MPierce >> >>>> Al is too ignorant about WDW to do the job. But the mentality is certainly needed. Kevin Yee is a good guy and means well, but he, frankly, is too nice and in his zeal to be 'fair and balanced' too often comes off as wishy-washy. And beyond him, WDW is blogged about by folks who are just fans and not very worldly.<<< >> You could do it.... ;-) << If somebody gave him free food he would.
Originally Posted By MPierce ^^^ You might even be able to buy him off cheaply with a coupon for a free iced latte at McDonalds.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 First he admits to being a whore, now I find out he's a cheap whore. What a letdown. Unless he's an equal opportunity whore. I guess that would be noble.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer I *think* when you are a whore, "equal opportunity" is just a given.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I knew he liked coffee, but this is good info. << I think he's addicted to Starbucks iced latte's, but I know he likes McDonalds also.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> First he admits to being a whore, now I find out he's a cheap whore. What a letdown. Unless he's an equal opportunity whore. I guess that would be noble. << Which reminds me of a an incident that happed to me just last week. I noticed an extremely beautiful woman while I was shopping at Macy's in Willowbrook Mall. I shyly approached her, and started a conversation. After a while I said "Would you sleep with me for a million dollars?". She thought about it for a while and said "Sure!". I then said "Would you sleep with me for a dollar?". She looked outrage, and yelled OF COURSE NOT! WHAT DO YOU THINK I AM?'. I looked at her in a shocked manor, and said "We've already established that. Now we're just haggeling over the price".
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>> I think he's addicted to Starbucks iced latte's, but I know he likes McDonalds also.<<< I can confirm on Starbucks, been there a few times with him. I can only imagine what he'll think when he reads this...LOL
