Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I have no idea. I think he has done a pretty good job of covering his beat since taking over from Powers. But he isn't stupid. Media (as far as journalism) is dying in this country and the Tribune Company is in bad shape. You'd hate to think he's thinking about his future career options when deciding what stories to push or pursue, but you'd be a fool not to as well.<<<< So, saying something like that, I'd think that he knows, but isn't talking. Great. Just great.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>>Disney hasn't spent years and countless $$$ to centralize everything under One Disney to simply do a 180 now and head in the other direction.<<<< Well, that's the rumor about Staggs. He wants to de-Rasulo things. If he's getting more power and selling off the parks... that would be the biggest step away from that.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Mickey Mouse better learn how to speak Chinese. That's all I can add.<<< That's something we have been neglecting in this thread... What do the chinese have to do? We already know quite a bit about Prince Ali, who wants to fill us in, here?
Originally Posted By dagobert Is there now any evidence that the Disney CEO and the BoD have been to WDW last week?
Originally Posted By GOB >>>>Disney hasn't spent years and countless $$$ to centralize everything under One Disney to simply do a 180 now and head in the other direction.<<<< >>Well, that's the rumor about Staggs. He wants to de-Rasulo things. If he's getting more power and selling off the parks... that would be the biggest step away from that.<< I think it's more related to the fact thst Rasulo installed a veritable fifedom within P&R and it's bothersome to Staggs to have an entire pro-Rasulo contingent of cronies running the division, which would be dangerous with or without the Disney parent company.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Just dropping in for a bit because there's a load of chatter going on today. Most of it is coming from the left coast. Most of it is saying that Disney has either reached a deal or is close to one with a Chinese entity. China has long committed to expanding its footprint globally through the use of 'soft power' and acquiring TWDC's P&R unit would be a tremendous gain. I can't confirm or deny any of this. Or whether it even has been leaked in an effort by some to play games with the stock price ... or to deflect attention from another move. I do know there are some folks saying that it's a done deal, but I absolutely have nothing to confirm that. I do know there is a large VIP Chinese delegation touring WDW today, but that in and of itself isn't unusual.
Originally Posted By njDizfan Maybe the appearance of the Prince in question was simply to give him right of first refusal, since TWDC has some dealings with him in the past. After he balked bring in the Chinese.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Uhm... So... Crofton in Paris? WOW <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-daily-disney/os-disney-executive-changes-20110705,0,6941221.story" target="_blank">http://www.orlandosentinel.com...21.story</a>
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Too expensive? Disney? That just couldn't be ... But in the end, really, doesn't it all always come down to the numbers? From the price you pay for your MAGICal LE WDW pin to the numbers in your 401K (those of you lucky enough to still have one) to the Pick Six for this week's lottery ... Well, when it comes to Disney and any potential (fanbois please reread that word) sale, partial sale or IPO of P&R, it really is all in the numbers folks. And if, as Leemac (who certainly knows the numbers better than I do) suggests, TWDC has placed an unreasonable 'premium' on its P&R division as determined by the investment community, this bodes poorly for the future of that division. I'm a capitalist (no, not like on Wall Street ... I do have a soul) and a firm believer in letting the market determine these matters, and there simply is no indication that Disney P&R is valued anywhere near what is being suggested. Mind you, I have no doubt that Leemac is correct in asserting that TWDC is likely looking for an above-market pricing on P&R (this is the company that charges $14.95 for pins that cost less than a quarter to manufacture, think they're just looking for 'fair value' on P&R?). That's why I still have some doubt any such offer is likely to materialize, especially given what I have been told. People who know this stuff far better than this Spirit have steadfastly maintained that as TWDC has quietly 'shaken the tree' to gauge interest in and the viability of any potential sale, there has been notable pushback from the folks who might have the money to do such a deal. I have been told it has much to do with the complex transactional nature of any potential sale. Bottom line, the buyer knows it is getting 'damaged goods' (years of brand degradation/Walmarting/homogenizing) and is beholden to TWDC for ... well, infinity and beyond. There simply does not exist the same confidence or 'goodwill' in the Disney BRAND anymore. Sorry my fanboi friends, investors are not interested in the pixie dust, the MAGIC, the memories, or you. This is all about one thing: money. I am confident we can all (hopefully) agree on that. Remember that the product ... the creative content ... remains that of Disney and the buyer would have to pay TWDC for use of that product. P&R, as has been addressed here often, is an extension in so many ways of the Disney BRAND. That doesn't/wouldn't change should the division find itself under the management of another company. Again, see TDR for an example of how this works in reality. I am quite sure the vast majority of Japanese visitors are well aware the OLC owns and operates the resort, but they also consider their visits/pilgrimages/Duffy quests to all be quintessentially Disney. It works there and it could work elsewhere. Even here. As Disney retains control of that product, of the content, and every aspect of it. Why are the parks so amazingly run in Tokyo? Tossing out the cultural element that the Japanese care and us fat and lazy Americans don't, the reality is TDR's parks are so wonderfully managed because the WDC DEMANDS it contractually as part of its iron clad (fanbois see the Mickey is gonna force UNI to hand over Spidey and the Hulk argument here) CONTRACTS/COVENANTS with the OLC. Now, who would buy a company whose product they do not own and use of said product incurs substantial and required payment to the previous owner? One heckuva Prince? ... Maybe a Chinese controlled conglomerate? The figure of $12-13 billion (maybe $15 billion ... realize Blackstone truly thought it could get $2 billion for its share of UNI-Orlando and what it got was no takers and then slightly over half that) is considered a legitimate number insofar as the economy of the US does not falter further and commodity prices do not continue to go up. Not high, not low. But accurate. It was given to me a while ago, but not long enough that I would consider it to be inaccurate. As I previously alluded to, some folks have estimated the value to be closer to twenty billion, however, considering the unusual liabilities the new 'owner' would take on, such a valuation does not appear to be a realistic one. A formal announcement of a 'double-dip' recession (when most of America realizes we've actually been in a full-blown depression for several years now with no recovery) along with commodities continuing their current trajectory and I have been told that price will drop with the economy. I am NO expert when it comes to these kind of numbers, so I go with what I've been told. Disney's P&R come with a hefty amount of capital expenditures currently committed to and far greater ones on the horizon ... especially with regard to the expansion in Asia and the needs (think infrastructure and not new attractions) of the domestic side of the operation that has been neglected for so long now (what isn't falling apart at WDW these days?). That's not going to appear on TWDC's ledger if they dump P&R and must be taken into account when looking at any valuation. Not a problem though if Leemac is spot-on, as he usually is. Who would buy a troubled division forever tied to (dependent upon) TWDC whose profits would largely be governed by Disney and pay a premium for that? ... Now, there are two parties that would be able to do so easily ... and who were those? I think the evil Spirit mentioned those before ... before all this news and/or misdirection was leaked. Twenty-five billion. If only ... if only, Bob. It's not 2006 anymore. And this ain't Kansas.
Originally Posted By Lee hisownself Never mind Paris... Meg now has control of Disneyland! Oh...this is getting good...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com...21.story>>" target="_blank">http://www.orlandosentinel.com...>></a> Comments ... This is very similar to what happened with Busch's parks in preparation for a sale. This in no way (sorry, Al Lutz) gives Georgie K and the Westcoast Bois (a new garage band) more autonomy. This continues the One Disney centralization and homogenizng that Rasulo began. And all it does is give increased power and responsibilities to two of the very worst P&R execs in Crofton and Holz. Oh, and you don't have a BoD meeting in secrecy in O-Town in order to do this. These decisions were made weeks (or months) ago.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Never mind Paris... Meg now has control of Disneyland! Oh...this is getting good...>> Yes. George doesn't work well with powerful women over him (no jokes here) ... he's gotta love that he went from long-time advocate/buddy Al Weiss to the 2011 version of Cynthia Harriss. This really is funny.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>In 2011, Bob Iger (leaving out the royalty, Staggs and the BoD) doesn't go anywhere in the Disney universe and not get his picture taken.<< Hah. You can say that again: <a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/Showpic.asp?filename=http://s231432788.onlinehome.us/lotion/pics/SS20110624-Cars2/big/P04-0001.JPG&caption=Disney+CEO+Bob+Iger" target="_blank">http://www.laughingplace.com/S...Bob+Iger</a> >>...at the same time people are commenting that DCA's new dining locations have had WDW chefs around and the menu options are similar (in some cases exactly) to offerings at WDW.<< Haven't seen any of those comments myself. And I don't agree. I've interviewed the DLR chefs over the last couple of years, and the same ones are on deck for Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta and Paradise Garden Grill. Unless they're all really long distance commuters...
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I'm putting together a trip to the Land of the Palins ... anyone want to contribute to my 'Send a Spirit North to Alaska' fund? Totally tax deductible and I'll send you a copy of Eyes and Ears from 1995 and/or a 1999 Disney Store LE pin and/or a 1996 Disney-MGM Studios guide map with a donation of at least $100. << One of the best trips of my life was a vacation to Alaska before I even knew what a Palin was (such a simpler, gentler time...). If you want any advice about AK, just ask. (I can point you toward all the nicest restrooms, too.) One place you should make a point to see is Denali NP, a couple of hours north of Anchorage. I also loved Seward and Kenai Fjords NP. You'll have a great time, I'm sure, wherever you choose to visit.
Originally Posted By leobloom What'd Meg Crofton do to earn this promotion? Guess Staggs wasn't the messiah the fanboys were hoping for?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer And Jason Garcia is letting on that he doesn't know anything about any rumors or sales over Twitter. Not that I expected him to, but only reporting this is very fishy. WOW.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>And all it does is give increased power and responsibilities to two of the very worst P&R execs in Crofton and Holz.<<< But they report to Staggs. That's gotta count for something. Unless Staggs is nothing new and our trust was grossly misplaced. Somehow, I bet it's the latter! Hooray! The Disney Decade of Decay continues!
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer But this streamlining of P&R is very worrisome... not only because it puts Meggy at the top of a devision we'd like to see her far away from, but because of the lack of opposition Staggs will have in making decisions. If this is what his leadership brings, I want the exact opposite.
