Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Apparently, Phil Holmes doesn't. So while the MK rots more each day, while guests are subjected to filthy queues (PoC and Buzz Lighyear were worthy of a Six Flags park this week), a six-year-old stale parade that sucked when it was new and virtually no entertainment, Phil had an automatic door opener installed so he no longer needs to rise out of his chair and answer the door. He also made sure that the cast would be updated on WDW News (and Company Clips) while in the tunnels on flashy new plasma screens, but, hey, we got MILF, so what are we complaining about? And while many WDW CMs struggle to put food on the table, Phil has made numerous trips to Anaheim of late 'to study' how things are done there. Here's a tip, Phil, if you're that unfamiliar with the Disney product, WalMart likely has a great job for you so polish that resume and smile!
Originally Posted By figment1986 Plasma monitors in the utilidors?? Aren't tell a casts enough for info, and access to the Cast Portal (The Hub now??) Where is he getting that money?? why doesn't he look for more cast members. Maybe if custodial got a raise more people would work it and they can send people into the lines without fear... They do that at Disneyland (seen it myself) Perhaps spending that money of more refurbishments and maintenance (upgrading some mechanics not storylines) I know from Todays visit, the park could be much cleaner and worth the admission...
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Oh come on folks. Plasma screen costs in the utildors would ad what? 1 cent to salaries for a couple of weeks. I agree he needs to do better, but by giving cast members up to the minute info, they can deliver better quality guest services. I'm all for that. But the door opener is stupid.
Originally Posted By gusgoose Is he also cutting back on the employee insurance plan to save up for another ivory back-scratcher?
Originally Posted By -em >>He also made sure that the cast would be updated on WDW News (and Company Clips) while in the tunnels on flashy new plasma screens, << Guess I need to go take a walk to admire them... >>Here's a tip, Phil, if you're that unfamiliar with the Disney product, WalMart likely has a great job for you so polish that resume and smile!<< HEY be nice to Wal-Mart... I hear K-Mart's hiring though... -em
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 He's the dude sucking every last bit of magic out of the park. And doing a mighty fine job too!
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> He's the dude sucking every last bit of magic out of the park. << You must know a different Phil Holmes than I do. But then I've only met him at public CM or guest venues. I don't know him at meetings. And I don't know if there are direct connections between his policies and MK park issues. I myself like the guy.
Originally Posted By CMDad Sandy and I made comments on just how bad the queue was for Buzz Lightyear when we were there last week. The wallboards were ripped apart and peeling. People were helping it along as they went. It was awful!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<And I don't know if there are direct connections between his policies and MK park issues. >> really? You think the VP of the MK doesn't affect what happens in the park? I'll let others make up their minds about that. <<I myself like the guy.>> I've often said there's no accounting for taste.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Sandy and I made comments on just how bad the queue was for Buzz Lightyear when we were there last week. The wallboards were ripped apart and peeling. People were helping it along as they went. It was awful!>> Yep. And it has been that way for years now, getting slightly better once in a while and then falling right back ... but I'm sure Mr. Holmes has never walked in there and noticed ... he's too busy counting the dollars the Jon-Benet Boutique in the castle is going to bring in and if it will trigger a bonus.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< You must know a different Phil Holmes than I do. But then I've only met him at public CM or guest venues. >>> I don't really know anything about Phil Holmes, but the collective description here reminds me very much of how Cynthia Harriss (previous president of DLR) was described by many. Some of these people are very good at being incredibly personable and leaving positive impressions on those that they meet, while at the same time making decisions that adversely affect those very people that they impressed, let alone having very damaging effects on the business units they're in charge of. Yet, their ability to meet a cost control goal in order to Increase Shareholder Value is what got them to the position they hold, regardless of the long-term consequences. One of the reasons that these people can advance quite far in a corporate hierarchy is that the upside to their management style can be measured directly and immediately, but the downside takes longer to manifest itself. By the time that happens, they've often been promoted into yet another position within the company, leaving the downsides a problems for the next guy to deal with (and be tagged with blame for). But sometimes they do get their just desserts: either new management at the top comes in who sees what's going on and cleans house, or they get stalled in a particular position for longer than expected and have to accept responsibility for their own mess. And by "have to accept responsibility" I don't mean to say that they always come to terms with what they've done - sometimes this comes in the form of being forced to "spend more time with family" or "pursue other opportunities" even if they themselves never come to understand what they've done. Again, I'm not referring specifically to Phil Holmes, as I know next to nothing about him. What I'm saying is that a lot of what I have read seems to match what I describe above.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 As someone who knew Cyn personally, I find that comparison to be quite accurate. She could be amazingly charming when in person with CMs and guests. She was very touchy-feely ... even in this day in age when you're not supposed to ever touch anyone (see the ridiculous case of two 11-year-olds facing 10 years in jail and sex offender status for swatting a few girls' butts at school!) Cyn would hug, stroke and be very friendly to people. She was great at even remembering inane facts about people. If she knew a certain CM at the Emporium that had an aunt who had a French poodle named Doobie (just an example, not like ANYONE in the LP), she'd recall it six months later. But behind the scenes, she was tyranical and generally an insecure, ill-tempered woman in a position she had no background to be in. I'm sure ... actually, I know, Phil can be pleasant in person. He's supposed to be ... just part of exec training 101.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy <<And I don't know if there are direct connections between his policies and MK park issues. >> >> really? You think the VP of the MK doesn't affect what happens in the park? << Sure they do, Spirit. Your response to my comment ignored what I said and dragged the argument quickly back to your own personal beliefs. What I said was that there can be other factors as well. You're suggesting the VP of MK is supreme commander and all other means nothing? ------------------------------ <<I myself like the guy.>> >> I've often said there's no accounting for taste. << I've met Phil Holmes several times. I've never worked with him, so I don't know about his work image. But I've never met you and don't know you. You're suggesting I should listen to your opinion over my own observations. Thanks, but I'll take what you say for what it's worth. I prefer to believe my own observations.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy That said, it too drives me nuts to see custodial and maintenance work not addressed as they should. The only thing I've got going for me is that it's still much worse out in the real world. Compare just about anywhere else to Disney and you can see it. Yes, it used to be better. And I wish it still was.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORGOCH: Back in Morva, I used ta like the ol' Horney King, too, 'til I got ta really know the dang dude. Seemed likable 'nuff--'till he went 'n threw me inta one his dungeons fer a spell. Just goes ta show lots a folks start out nice 'til they gits 'round ta showin' their real colors. Didn't folks think Hitler was a nice guy, too, in the beginnin'?
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: It really doesn't matter how 'nice' a person is in their personal life when you're a fan who tends to judge a theme park president by his work ethics rather than his personal life. Sometimes these two different items over-lap but, really, it's what Phil Holmes does for Walt Disney World theme parks that makes or breaks his reputation with so many of us.
