Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=4182" target="_blank"><b>Latest: DCA Executive to lead Shanghai Disneyland</b></a> <p>Executive Vice-President, Creative, Walt Disney Imagineering Bob Weis has been appointed as creative lead for the upcoming Shanghai Disneyland Resort. Bob has never led a foreign park project and was chosen over Vice-President, WDI R&D Scott Trowbridge. Bob will lead all of the creative and master planning activities for the Shanghai project (inlcuding all hotels, retail, dining and entertainment development) that is currently awaiting approval from the central government in China.
Originally Posted By Britain So what does this mean about DCA's expansion? Has the bulk of the design work been wrapped up?
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<So what does this mean about DCA's expansion? Has the bulk of the design work been wrapped up?>> I'm sure it has been completed. They've had over two years to work on this. And it wouldn't surprise me if the design work on Phase II has been completed as well. My head is reeling over this news. Leemac stated in another thread that Trowbridge was 'sold a lemon' regarding his move from Uni Creative to WDI at the end of 2007. Well... I'm guessing this is what he was referencing. Did Disney dangle Shanghai under Trowbridge's nose to get him to leave Uni and return to Imagineering? What a shitty thing to do to someone's career, if that's the case. Lee? Can you chime in on this topic now?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 As the pointy-eared Vulcan would say ... fascinating ... I can't say I saw this coming, although Bob is a very talented guy (one who was screwed over in his first stint with WDI). On the other hand, this is a project of huge magnitude. I'm fairly certain this wasn't given to him on the basis of DCA's makeover since it largely is just starting to happen and, while many aspects look very promising, the jury is out on the Extreme Makeover and what it will be seen as creatively and financially. One might now wonder if Shanghai was a huge part of why Bob returned to the company to 'fix' DCA to begin with. As for Scott, it sure seems like his talent isn't being utilized very well by the powers ... but there's more than Shanghai so it would seem to be he's purposely being left on the sidelines (typical Glendale/Burbank politics anyone?)
Originally Posted By leemac <<My head is reeling over this news. Leemac stated in another thread that Trowbridge was 'sold a lemon' regarding his move from Uni Creative to WDI at the end of 2007. Well... I'm guessing this is what he was referencing. Did Disney dangle Shanghai under Trowbridge's nose to get him to leave Uni and return to Imagineering? What a shitty thing to do to someone's career, if that's the case. Lee? Can you chime in on this topic now?>> I don't think it is appropriate for me to discuss the decision to not appoint Scott to lead the creative efforts on SDLR. There are always a host of potential candidates and I'm certainly not privy as to why Scott left a senior role at Uni-C to join R&D. Ultimately Bob is a rarity in WDI Creative Development - an EVP who is already a portfolio leader. His seniority would rank over Scott. However I do not wish to discuss the circumstances behind the appointment. I am not aware that it is common knowledge about the decision over Shanghai.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I can't say I saw this coming, although Bob is a very talented guy (one who was screwed over in his first stint with WDI). >> Bob Weis is a wonderful creative executive - he leads by example and has assembled a first-class team on the DCA expansion. I have no doubt he is capable of leading efforts on other projects. I'd have to check but I thought he was involved on the original Studio Tour for Tokyo Disney Resort prior to the decision to can it. I know that Tim and Steve Kirk were also on that early development team for Tokyo's second gate.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Hmm ... that sounds vaguely familiar to me. Bob seemed to work on a lot of great parks that never got built ... from Disney's America to Disney-MGM Europe ... I am glad to see him getting a huge opportunity here. I still don't get Scott's 'situation' either, but WDI is an enigma in the best of times. Maybe if he stays long enough he'll take over both DL and DCA when Bob gets going in China and Tony nudges off into retirement/consulting?
Originally Posted By dizkid Why Shanghai? I mean of all the places it is really not a great choice. It has a very miniscule tourist numbers compared to the numbers that hong kong had before they built a park there.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Shanghai is the second most populated city on the planet with a little more than 19 million citizens. It's one of China's most important cities for business and finance, which brings millions of visitors each year. Shanghai doesn't need to be a "tourist destination" like Orlando.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Now that the cat is out of the PR bag... Any rumors yet about who'll be working with Bob Weis on the development team, who will be the producers for the "lands"? Anyone we know from past park projects, such as Tom Morris? With the recent "retirement" of Tim Delaney and past departures of other noted Imagineers, I don't know who's left at WDI with previous creative development experience for brand spankin' new parks. Lee... have you heard anything?
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Shanghai doesn't need to be a "tourist destination" like Orlando. >>> Orlando was a swamp, not a tourist destination, prior to WDW.
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes I don't mean to be a problem, but what has Bob Weis ever done for me to put my faith in him? My interest in Disney is almost entirely with the parks. The resume I've seen for Bob Weis so far has been unimpressive. Mbut then neither was Marty Sclar's and he was (mostly) brilliant So is he just a great leader? I have a lot of heroes at WDI, but most have been let go. What can Bob really offer that isn't what Jay R isn't going to apprrove? By the way, I think Jay is the worst thing that ever happened to WDI.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Scmitty, I totally agree. That was my feeling when he took up the post. He was at DLP at the time, and he was the start of the declines in quality for that resort. He has neutered the company, and for the first time in my life, I care little about the new announcement. That is depressing after a life time of obsession.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***<<< Shanghai doesn't need to be a "tourist destination" like Orlando. >>> Orlando was a swamp, not a tourist destination, prior to WDW.*** According to DavewasBaloo, it still is! ;p
Originally Posted By Manfried Bob Weis should be running WDI, not just a portfolio. But with him heading up the Shanghai park, along with the DCA expansion, I think that tells us that some new winds are blowing through WDI, and not the usual stink.
