Originally Posted By irishfan Marne-la-Vallée, April 11, 2008 – Euro Disney S.C.A. today announced the nomination of Philippe Gas to the position of Président of Euro Disney S.A.S., the management company of Euro Disney S.C.A. and Euro Disney Associés S.C.A., the operator of Disneyland® Resort Paris. Philippe will take over the responsibilities of Karl Holz who has been appointed President, New Vacation Operations, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. James A. Rasulo, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts said: “ Philippe’s 17 years of Disney experience, more than half of which was spent at Disneyland Resort Paris, along with his expertise in human resources ideally prepares him to lead Euro Disney’s team of 12,300 cast members. Together with the strong international management team, Philippe is committed to the Company’s long-term strategy and to its continued growth as Europe’s number 1 tourist destinationâ€. Philippe’s appointment will be effective on September 1, 2008. He will transition into this new role over the summer, working closely with Karl to ensure continued commitment to the Company’s long term strategic priorities : driving results towards profitability ; providing a high-quality guest experience ; and developing our cast members. Philippe Gas, 44 and a 17-year Disney veteran, has extensive experience with both Euro Disney and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts worldwide. After having completed his master of law from the University of Paris Assas, he joined the Disney organization in 1991 as Finance Controller and was a member of the opening team at Disneyland Resort Paris. Over the next six years, he held a variety of positions at the Resort. In 1997, he was promoted to Director, Corporate Compensation and moved to The Walt Disney Company headquarters in Burbank, California. In 2000, he served as Regional Vice President, Human Resources, The Walt Disney Company Asia-Pacific, overseeing the HR strategy in 13 countries in Asia – first based in Tokyo and then in Hong Kong. In 2004, he returned to Disneyland Resort Paris as Senior Vice President, Human Resources, where he was responsible for all HR Operations for its more than 12,300 cast members. In 2005 he was appointed Senior Vice President, International Human Resources, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and in 2006, he was promoted to his current position as Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts worldwide. In this role, he is responsible for the Human Resources strategy and services for nearly 100,000 Cast Members. Philippe said : “ I am pleased to return to Disneyland Resort Paris, where I started my Disney career to build on the solid foundation which Karl and the leadership team have achieved. I look forward to working with the cast to continue delivering high-quality Disney experience for all of our guestsâ€. Source: EDL s.c.a.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 This is very good news for DLP. Phillippe is highly regraded inside and outside the company and his French background is likely to be a huge plus. Karl was ill-suited to his role and, frankly, ill-suited to Disney period. I'll need to find out more information about his new responsibilities to determine if he can cause damage elsewhere. But on the surface this sounds like very good news for DLP!
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 Karl was ill-suited to his role and, frankly, ill-suited to Disney period. I'll need to find out more information about his new responsibilities to determine if he can cause damage elsewhere.<< I've read good things about him on the internet, in fact yours were the first negative comments I have heard concerning him. What made him so bad? Just curious.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Phillipe does have a good reputation, and the fact he is a native french speaker c'est tres jollee. I just hope things are carried out more in a disney vane than the wierd stuff like Carnival and Toon Circus of days gone by.
Originally Posted By Malin <<< Karl was ill-suited to his role and, frankly, ill-suited to Disney period. I'll need to find out more information about his new responsibilities to determine if he can cause damage elsewhere. >>> Care to coment further on this because I've been rather impressed by the job Karl Holz has done over the short period of time that he's been at DLRP. We have seen an improvement on maintenance, and I've never seen the Resort looking better.
Originally Posted By Malin Has this got something to do with Karl Holz once being senior vice president of operations at Walt Disney World Resort.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 I have done some digging and on various message boards, they are lamenting the fact he is leaving, saying he has had a succesful run and has improved the park tremendously over the past few years.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << What made him so bad? Just curious. >> That's just one poster's schtick on nearly all Disney management. Very predictable comments, not based on any sort of reality.
Originally Posted By u k fan To be fair, I feel that a lot of what's happened at the resort recently would have happened with or without Karl around. He didn't suddenly make it DLP's 15th for example!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Agreed UKFAN, just like Matt Ouimet got a lot of credit for the 50th. Mix of time, place and skill. Let's see how the new guy does. BTW Kiz, where is your review of the new WDSP attractions?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Karl was hired by Disney in the mid-90s when they had started losing (chasing away) the old guard ... in less than a decade he went from being food nd beverage manager of Orlando's DD to Prez of DLP with no real-world justification other than being a classic 'yes' man for Jay Rasulo. To watch him jump up rungs on the ladder, one might think he was actually some wunderkind instead of a middle-aged manager with little tolerance for creativity. The changes made at DLP as far as maintainance would have happpened with or without him. The park was rotting away. The park was turning 15. The media was coming. Those are the facts. It also isn't the same as Matt because Matt actually cared about the product and not just the bottom line and was passionate about his job and the company. But, yes, he did get a lot of credit for things at DL that would have happened no matter who was in charge. On a personal level, Karl is one of the most unpleasant Disney execs I have ever come across and that's saying a lot. While at DLP, Karl has steadfestly ignored major safety issues from things such as the rotting away (literally) of the Treehouse (in the USA, legal would have had it closed down years ago) to things behind the scenes. He also has been at the helm as the product was dumbed down in a WDW manner -- yes, no surprise as that's where he came from. Merchandise got homogenized, resturants got buffeted and park hours were cut to save on labor. Oh, and after 'entertaining' a delegation from Shanghai (including the Mayor and leaders), they suddenly decided they weren't interested in getting into bed with Disney ... it was like trainwreck. Those are my reasons for wishing him a magical future in his new position and welcoming Phillippe and wishing him a bright future.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Merchandise got homogenized, resturants got buffeted and park hours were cut to save on labor.<<< The merchandise was rubbish before Karl, but the ruination of the restaurants is something I am really annoyed about. DLP had some fabulous restaurants, ruined in favor of buffets for people to come to the trough!!!
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << On a personal level, Karl is one of the most unpleasant Disney execs I have ever come across and that's saying a lot. >> So, you know this guy on a personal level? It would be interesting to know if he would characterize the relationship with you the same way?
