Originally Posted By ChiMike >>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? << I've tried to answer this, and I have failed. Lee will give you the best answer, heck, he already has. As mentioned earlier, from what I can tell the org chart has been expanded and TDA no longer has a direct report to the Chairman of WDP&R (which they did even during Weiss). They now go through Meg who sits on the newly formed Exec Committee. That's my crude interpretation, Lee I'm sure has a much better one.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 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. ---------------------------------- there are many potential reasons in the corporate world EE_ not as simple as boosting someone for others to view. These promotions also have a good posibility of being tied to retirement pensions as well- especially based on what Lee is saying about Meg's health. They boost her position and in turn the last few years of her salary - which net effect increases her pensionable earnings as well. This is not uncommon and occurs in many executive positions as well as for teachers / government workers etc. According to Lee not everyone received bumps and promotions- notable exception is Jim Lewis from DVC- so this is not a wholesale showcase to others. In fact if people are looking to retire there would be no need to showcase them for other opportunities. This appears to be as much about 'taking care of' people as anything else
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>This appears to be as much about 'taking care of' people as anything else<< It's not. Now folks are reading into things. If Meg is short-term, it suits the strategic plans for corporate. It's not a cash-grab payoff like in the public sector. Not for someone as low as Crofton.
Originally Posted By leemac <<It's not a cash-grab payoff like in the public sector. Not for someone as low as Crofton.>> Agree with that. This isn't about keeping Meg sweet until she retires.
Originally Posted By leemac <<As mentioned earlier, from what I can tell the org chart has been expanded and TDA no longer has a direct report to the Chairman of WDP&R (which they did even during Weiss). They now go through Meg who sits on the newly formed Exec Committee.>> Perfect. Historically park presidents have reported directly into the chairman of WDP&R - that is now no longer the case. Only two folks report direct to Tim - Bill Earnest (HKDLR) and Meg (WDW, DLR and DLRP).
Originally Posted By Bolna <<Historically park presidents have reported directly into the chairman of WDP&R - that is now no longer the case.>> Thanks for clearing this up - that can indeed make quite a difference. Having worked in a hierarchical organisation I know how tedious it can be if you have another level of management between you and the level where the real decisions are being made. In my experience the degree to which it is annoying depends on the person you have to go through. But it does indeed remove Staggs one level further from the parks. However, there might also be a positive side effect: If DL, WDW and DLP can speak with "one voice" they might actually become a more important voice - which is kind of shown in the fact that Meg Crofton will be in the executive committee. So, I think there might be some sense behind that restructuring.
Originally Posted By leemac <<If DL, WDW and DLP can speak with "one voice" they might actually become a more important voice - which is kind of shown in the fact that Meg Crofton will be in the executive committee. >> Why would they want to speak as "one voice"? They are three completely different resorts. It should be down to the resort president to stump up for his property - now Meg has to choose which horse to back in Exec Com.
Originally Posted By Bolna <<Why would they want to speak as "one voice"? They are three completely different resorts. It should be down to the resort president to stump up for his property - now Meg has to choose which horse to back in Exec Com.>> I meant in contrast to DCL or DVC for example. I could imagine that those could be competitors for investments. But I understand what you mean.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt <<As mentioned earlier, from what I can tell the org chart has been expanded and TDA no longer has a direct report to the Chairman of WDP&R (which they did even during Weiss). They now go through Meg who sits on the newly formed Exec Committee.>> "Perfect. Historically park presidents have reported directly into the chairman of WDP&R - that is now no longer the case. Only two folks report direct to Tim - Bill Earnest (HKDLR) and Meg (WDW, DLR and DLRP)." Thanks to both of you I finally I get it. Muchos gracias. >>Why would they want to speak as "one voice"? They are three completely different resorts."<< As a subdivision of Parks & Resorts grouping these particular resorts together kind of makes sense. From what I can tell these changes are more about organizational efficiency and reporting than it is about shaking the way the individual theme park destinations are run in any meaningful way that the average visitor will notice.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>Why would they want to speak as "one voice"? They are three completely different resorts...<< Glad to see this view presented so succinctly. True, most guests have no idea (and could care less) who is in charge (or REALLY in charge) of a given park. But decisions made on high filter down and have a direct impact on guest experience. Each president should have the best handle on what is the best fit for their own resort and its attendant parks. One size does NOT fit all when it comes to the Disney parks. (As we have seen in recent years.)
Originally Posted By TDLFAN God Help us. Thank God OLC retains TDR..and that is where *TRULY* the Disney magic lives on.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >> Historically park presidents have reported directly into the chairman of WDP&R - that is now no longer the case. Only two folks report direct to Tim - Bill Earnest (HKDLR) and Meg (WDW, DLR and DLRP).<< And may I ask.. exactly what do these two overly compensated managers report to Tim? Do they report about...say: -The outdated state of the MK park? -The horrific state of the monorail system/busses? -The poor cleanliness of the parks' facilities? -The poor food choices? -The poor "Disney look" projected by the WDW CMs on "stage"? -The poor staffing levels? -The poor pay? -The ****ed up Fastpass system that causes clutter at high ridership attractions like Peter Pan's Flight and has no positive effect on merchandise sales? Exactly WHAT do they report to TIM? Hopefully Earnest will give Crofton some tips on how to run a nicely appointed but classic Disneyland park, with decent entertainment to make for other shortcomings..
Originally Posted By leemac <<Only two folks report direct to Tim>> Teach me not to proof-read my post - I meant Tom Staggs.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN WE knew what you meant.. reason why I wrote TIM (in caps). We are not as dumb as you think we are
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<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. >> A lot gets missed when you don't put things in context, though. Much of what you look at as positive great changes at DLR were shepherded through under the auspices of the PRIOR Prez of DLR 'Invisible Ed' Grier and due to people at the highest level of the company (Bob Iger , John Lasseter and, yes, the evil Jay Rasulo) to 'fix' the 'DCA problem'. To say Al Weiss was in charge of the place is a mischaracterized conclusion. He was largely a level of oversight, but not the guy who did much ... other than push through more homogenization in the product through One Disney. Some think Meg will just be more of the same, but considering her track record in Florida, one should be careful jumping to conclusions.
Originally Posted By leemac <<We are not as dumb as you think we are >> No but I am - can't spell Bill Ernest's name either. The heat, humidity and persistent rain of Singapore is getting to me....
Originally Posted By leemac <<DLR 'Invisible Ed' Grier>> A great guy and very passionate operator. Sadly he just wasn't the warm fuzzy type that CMs like to see out in their parks. He had an excellent track record in Tokyo and a lot of the good things happening in SoCal are down to him. I miss Ed.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Why would they want to speak as "one voice"? They are three completely different resorts. It should be down to the resort president to stump up for his property - now Meg has to choose which horse to back in Exec Com.>> You do realize, either consciously or not, that you are adding fuel to the 'dumping P&R' (even an IPO) fire, right? Because streamlining operations and doing it with folks who are likely not going to be working for the company much longer sure makes things easier for a new owner.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<We are not as dumb as you think we are >> <<No but I am - can't spell Bill Ernest's name either. The heat, humidity and persistent rain of Singapore is getting to me....>> I can imagine ... is Disney looking for P&R suitors there as well? <<DLR 'Invisible Ed' Grier>> <<A great guy and very passionate operator. Sadly he just wasn't the warm fuzzy type that CMs like to see out in their parks. He had an excellent track record in Tokyo and a lot of the good things happening in SoCal are down to him. I miss Ed.>> I don't know Ed. But TDR didn't seem to 'suffer' under his lead ... although perhaps others like you and TDLFAN can speak better to that. But I am astounded that Georgie K just needs to go out and pose for pictures with fanbois on Main Street and suddenly he isn't just the second-coming of Matt Ouimet, but of Jack Lindquist. It's scary how fans ... and even intelligent observers don't get how everything from WoC to Mermaid to Carsland to Star Tours were approved and started when Ed was in charge. Yet, George is lauded for all of them when he had very little to do with them. Hell, even Jay Rasulo (while I feel was a terrible fit in his role) did get these projects approved. Not Tom Staggs. I wish we all could come into jobs like George where so many good things are underway and then get to take credit for them.
