Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer OK, never mind, Mike, you are worried. LOL. I should read all the pages of unread posts before I post...
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>So I fail to see why you aren't worried about this. ...Or are you? << I am as much as I have been worried since the mid-90's. While it doesn't come across in writing, I am a pretty mellow fella. Anyone would be who has been following this long enough. I wasn't all gushing and excited during the 50th. I wasn't all filled with magical hope during the DCA makeover annoucement. Tried to stay pretty steady, so there isn't much of a letdown when I was never up on any of these folks to begin with. So, is this an issue and step backwards? Yes. It's just not out of the norm of how the company now operates.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>OK, never mind, Mike, you are worried. LOL. I should read all the pages of unread posts before I post... << No worries. I wanted to make a crack about if, "Bob had to make a reservation back in January for a table for 2 at Via Napoli" and if "he used his Blackberry to do so" on the other thread but I was late to the party. I guess it morphed to Chef Mickey's somewhere in my subconscious.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^ I gotcha. Same here on the voice of the writing... My sentiments expressed here are not in the slightest effecting of my demeanor IRL. LOL
Originally Posted By TP2000 Hans>> "I'm confused. Wasn't Al Weiss overseeing DLR before stepping down? You guys are making it sound as though Meg's role is different somehow. Am I missing something?"<< I'm confused on this too Hans. Al Weiss has technically been in charge of Disneyland Resort since late 2005. The era of 2006-2011 has been pretty darn close to a new Golden Age for Disneyland and the entire Resort. I won't list the long string of successes, new attractions and additions the little piece of property in Anaheim has gotten with Weiss at the helm. And at the same time, with Weiss living and working out of Orlando all that time, the WDW Resort took a decidedly different direction with its expansion and offerings at the parks. So why would Meg taking on a diminished version of Weiss' role be any worse? From the videos I've seen of her, and the info available online by WDW insiders, she seems like the typically bland and PC corporate drone reading from her script and smiling for the camera. And now I am going to be brave and wade into territory that is generally considered to be off limits.... CAUTION! Politically Incorrect thoughts ahead!... It would seem to me, if I were Staggs and Iger, that naming Meg to this new executive spot would be an important thing to do, simply because Meg is not a White Male. White guys make up nearly every other top executive spot on Disney's senior team, and the Parks division has been run through its entire 57 year history by nothing but white males, almost all of them Anglo-Saxon Protestants to boot! Meg may very well bring some great talent and skills to the table that we don't know anything about but that Staggs desperately needs at this juncture, but it certainly can't hurt that she is not yet another white guy in the long history of white guys who have run Disney's theme parks. Diversity! Yay! See everybody, we have a gal sitting at the big conference table with us and we don't even ask her to make coffee! Do you see her? She's in all the pictures! That may be an overly cynical take on it (and it wouldn't be the first time for me), but it certainly could have been a factor in the decision. But honestly, if Disneyland USA had nothing to fear from Weiss, why would it have anything to fear from Crofton in a noticeably diminished role?
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>So why would Meg taking on a diminished version of Weiss' role be any worse? From the videos I've seen of her, and the info available online by WDW insiders, she seems like the typically bland and PC corporate drone reading from her script and smiling for the camera. << >>But honestly, if Disneyland USA had nothing to fear from Weiss, why would it have anything to fear from Crofton in a noticeably diminished role? << Because as I pointed out TP, everytime they try to interject oversight over TDA it has worked out for the worse for DL. Anywhere from Leads disbanded, supervisors/managers increased, non-revenue generating offerings being restructured, and reduced operating and maintenance budgets. IMO. The accomplishments you point out hardly had anything to do with Al. My take is that Al pretty much stayed out of the way, and this new structure indicates to me that while Al's old role is diminished, Meg's new role has a stronger emphasis on domestic operations. It is my concern that she will be more involved over DL than Al ever was, not because she is evil, but because it is now expected of her in her promotion. I look at her track record at WDW much more than I base my opinion on Al's involvement with global WDP&R for the last several years. >>Diversity! Yay! See everybody, we have a gal sitting at the big conference table with us and we don't even ask her to make coffee! Do you see her? She's in all the pictures! That may be an overly cynical take on it (and it wouldn't be the first time for me), but it certainly could have been a factor in the decision. << Sure. Because the last attempt at this worked out so well that Laguna now has an additional local watercolor artist in their midst.
Originally Posted By TP2000 But Cynthia was just a local executive, she got no play nationally or on a corporate-wide stage. They've had women, and even a few people of color, move into top exec roles at the local/regional level. But this is the first time that a non-male person has taken on a senior leadership role. Is this perhaps the highest spot on Disney's corporate ladder a woman has ever gotten? I know they have some senior VP's and such in Burbank that are women, and of course a couple members of the board. But an international President title? Meg's new title appears to be the highest a woman has ever risen in Disney's Parks division, and perhaps any of Disney's divisions, by a long shot. Al Weiss stayed out of the way at Disneyland for his entire tenure, and was generally unheard of west of the Rockies even at his retirement. Let's hope Meg stays that way too.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>But Cynthia was just a local executive, she got no play nationally or on a corporate-wide stage. << Granted. Although I would argue as a very small unrelated point that she was a complete mess during the attention for the BTMR accident. Still, even just confined to TDA, Cynthia's situation mirrors what your opinion is above, that it wasn't promotion of the most qualified individual, it was corporate window dressing. Not sure if I agree with you, but to me the two situations both fit that scenario. >>But this is the first time that a non-male person has taken on a senior leadership role. Is this perhaps the highest spot on Disney's corporate ladder a woman has ever gotten?<< It depends how much stock you put into the president role. Could be a lot. I'm not about to argue it. Spirit's friend Zenia, both Leslie Ferraro and Goodman, (and now Erin) all seem to me to be folks who have been high up in the corporate hierarchy both overall and within WDP&R. They all seem infinitely more qualified than Meg or Cynthia could ever dream to be. While they have never held the position you feel is a glass ceiling, I would argue they have held extremely strong influence (not Erin so far) with direct interactions to the CEO.
Originally Posted By DlandDug There's a lot of ground between shrugging and gushing. It doesn't have to be one or the other. And as far as whether the average guest cares about who's in charge-- whether they do or not, it matters. The average guest cares if every attraction is open, all day. The average guest cares if shops are closed. The average guest cares if Disneyland/the Magic Kingdom/Epcot/etc. is clean. The average guest cares if the cast member handing them their corndog looks them in the eye with a pleasant smile and a cheery greeting, and has clean fingernails to boot. The average guest cares if it's a small world is filled with happy singing dolls, colorful lights, and delightful music. And the guy (or gal) in charge absolutely impacts every one of these things. It wasn't al that long ago in Disneyland that the guy in charge (not the gal who worked for him, the guy) dictated that attractions would open on a staggered schedule. Non-productive shops were simply closed, and their windows filled with static displays. Woodwork rotted. Cast members could be seen wiping their noses on their sleeves, and couldn't answer basic questions such as , "Why are all those people in choir robes walking down Main Street singing Christmas carols?"* And it was sad that small world looked awfully neglected (what you could see for all the burned out lights in the ceiling). More than sad that guests DIED due to reduced maintenance. So, yeah, it matters who's in charge, whether the guests know exactly who that is or not. *I was there when two of Paul Pressler's newly minted cast members puzzled over this question one December evening in Anaheim.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt >>You guys are making it sound as though Meg's role is different somehow. Am I missing something?<< "It is different... Meg will continue in her role in Orlando while also overseeing TDA and Paris. She does not pick up on Al's duties 1:1. Some of Al's supposed duties are going away. Some of Al's duties are now being taken up by the others with the 'expanded roles' listed in the release. And for the most part, I question how much Al really even did. How much Al covered something like DL." So then from the perspective of a DLR person like myself her role will be identical to Al's in regard to Disney's operations in Anaheim. That is, she will be George Kalogridis' boss. Thus, I see no substantial reason for alarm for DLR fans other than the fact that Disney continues to promote stupid people into high level positions.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Al Weiss stayed out of the way at Disneyland for his entire tenure, and was generally unheard of west of the Rockies even at his retirement. Let's hope Meg stays that way too." Yes, let's hope, however I frankly think that she will have far less impact on the resorts now than she does as President of WDW. She has a huge job. With the banks wielding considerable control of how Euro Disney operates I think much of the concern being expressed here about her oversight of DLPR and DLR is a little premature.
Originally Posted By TP2000 Great post #50 Doug! I couldn't agree more. And Hans, I'm just glad I'm not alone in shrugging this thing off. Maybe if I lived in Orlando and knew and/or cared who Al Weiss was, or similarly who Meg Crofton was. But we just don't hear about those folks out here in SoCal. And they quite clearly had no negative impact on the overwhelmingly positive 2006-2011 period of Disneyland Resort growth, expansion, and polishing. If anything, I'd love to see another five years for Disneyland Resort like the last five years that Al Weiss was in charge of the place.
Originally Posted By leemac Sorry not to have responded sooner but it has been a manic week. I'm saddened and disappointed about the announcement that Tom made to us personally earlier this week. I think most of us thought that the compulsory retirement of Al Weiss was the first piece in a dismantling of Jay's poisonous, bloated and redundant management structure. Sadly it is more of the same. I'm very surprised that both DLR's and DLRP's presidents no longer report directly into the chairman. Pushing both of those units under Meg does little but add another level of management. I thought that Meg's health would have seen her take early retirement soon - adding extra responsibility to her role isn't wise. I like Karl Holz - he is a good man and he does love the product. He is a good operator - I never understood why he got all of the business outside the berm as he isn't a visionary or big thinker - he is an operator. I'm delighted that Jim Lewis has effectively been demoted - he has had far too much control over capital expenditure at WDP&R - ran DVC too fast and too hard. I think adding both to the Exec Com is a good move. Oddly enough WDI has two execs on the committee but only one from Ops (Al). Giving both Meg and Karl access to the committee will help their business units. I've always liked Leslie Ferraro - a great marketing executive that didn't get the EVP role when she took over from Michael Mendenhall. I don't know if she is qualified to run Sales but I'm certain she will do well. Erin - less said the better. Another average operator. The real head-scratcher here is that they have promoted some folks that will be looking for retirement soon - Karl has always made it clear that he wanted to finish once the Disney Fantasy comes into service next year. Meg has serious health issues. I just don't see that there is any method beyond short-term fixes here.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>>The real head-scratcher here is that they have promoted some folks that will be looking for retirement soon - Karl has always made it clear that he wanted to finish once the Disney Fantasy comes into service next year. Meg has serious health issues. I just don't see that there is any method beyond short-term fixes here.<<<< That's very interesting. Very interesting indeed. WHY would they switch all those positions, then? Again, the only reasons in my mind revolve around the parks being sold off, or these positions being elivated to either further the person's resume or how they are perceived by others in the WDC and out. Very enlightening, Lee. Thanks.
Originally Posted By ReelJustice ^^EE, it could just be a stop-gap measure while they get new people for the positions. Do they really plan on elevating Danny Cockrell that fast????
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>And Hans, I'm just glad I'm not alone in shrugging this thing off. Maybe if I lived in Orlando and knew and/or cared who Al Weiss was, or similarly who Meg Crofton was. But we just don't hear about those folks out here in SoCal. And they quite clearly had no negative impact on the overwhelmingly positive 2006-2011 period of Disneyland Resort growth, expansion, and polishing. If anything, I'd love to see another five years for Disneyland Resort like the last five years that Al Weiss was in charge of the place. << TP, that's not necessarily the realty. Do we need to list all the Lutz articles during that time bemoaning loss of control to Orlando or '...thanks to Orlando and OneDisney'? Who was he referring to? Weiss. How many articles complained about lackluster promotions, or silly dressings on light poles? That was Weiss. So while DL benefited from a great six years, most of those positives had nothing to do with Al's position. While a lot of the knick-knack crap that everyone thought was unnecessary was specifically tied into initiatives Al was 'supposedly' shepherding. I said it some 20 posts ago, and I'll say it again, the wording of the release indicates to me that Meg will play a slightly larger role in the operations of DL than Al did. While, I AGREE, this is not devastating hysterical news as some on micechat have already claimed, it is not the good news everyone was expecting, and by default, imo, worse than if all things were kept the same.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I'm very surprised that both DLR's and DLRP's presidents no longer report directly into the chairman. Pushing both of those units under Meg does little but add another level of management." I'm hoping that someone can shed more light on this as I've asked several times now and I haven't gotten a straight response. Obviously I'm missing something and I'm sorry for being so dense, what is the difference in the corporate hierarchy for DLR management before the announcement and after?
Originally Posted By ChiMike >> I think most of us thought that the compulsory retirement of Al Weiss was the first piece in a dismantling of Jay's poisonous, bloated and redundant management structure. Sadly it is more of the same.<< Seems to me this news is surprising a lot of folks inside Disney? As I said earlier, a lot of Pressler era folks all seeing expanded roles. Not quite the fresh start, or "own team" that some ascribed to Tom. >>I'm very surprised that both DLR's and DLRP's presidents no longer report directly into the chairman.<< I think a lot of people are. >>I think adding both to the Exec Com is a good move. Oddly enough WDI has two execs on the committee but only one from Ops (Al). Giving both Meg and Karl access to the committee will help their business units.<< When are we going to hear about WDI? >>I've always liked Leslie Ferraro - a great marketing executive that didn't get the EVP role when she took over from Michael Mendenhall. I don't know if she is qualified to run Sales but I'm certain she will do well.<< It's nice to read your take/opinion on her. I'm serious. >>Erin - less said the better. Another average operator.<< Wow ... you are being kind. She's average? That's a nicer endorsement than I would have expected. There has been a lot of park 'operators' over the last 55 years, I'd like to know who balances out the curve as below average. >>The real head-scratcher here is that they have promoted some folks that will be looking for retirement soon - Karl has always made it clear that he wanted to finish once the Disney Fantasy comes into service next year. Meg has serious health issues. I just don't see that there is any method beyond short-term fixes here.<< So what is your take? What does your gut tell you? What do you see (in a generic sense) after the short-term fix. My gut reaction from the release is pretty clear in the last 30 posts, and it leads me to believe in the long-term there won't be much of a succession for some if Staggs moves on to COO. George perhaps being one.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>^^EE, it could just be a stop-gap measure while they get new people for the positions. Do they really plan on elevating Danny Cockrell that fast????<<< Oh, of course. Part of the whole corporate effect. Danny better remember his start in EPCOT!
