Originally Posted By Dreamerica Wasn't there a time when Disneyland and Magic Kingdom each had thier own Electrical Parades? Or did one get shipped to Paris and that's why the U.S. parks have to share?
Originally Posted By Hista98 He has some power but not as much as people think, he does not decide where parades go. Regardless It will be interesting to see how DCA handles the crowd nightmare of both WoC and DEP during the corwded xmas season.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>>Wasn't there a time when Disneyland and Magic Kingdom each had thier own Electrical Parades? Or did one get shipped to Paris and that's why the U.S. parks have to share?<<< I was thinking of the same thing. I think you are right, too. LOL
Originally Posted By plpeters70 <<Wasn't there a time when Disneyland and Magic Kingdom each had thier own Electrical Parades?>> Yes, Disneyland and MK each had an Electrical Parade all the way up to the MK getting SpectroMagic. MK's parade was sent to Paris when it opened. I think it might actually be in Hong Kong now since DL Paris got Fantillusion from Tokyo, but I'm not totally sure about that. I still think it's sad that a company with as much money as Disney has to "share" parades amongst the resorts. For God's sake, I'm sure that WDW makes more than enough money to justify creating a new nightime parade for the MK. And if it doesn't, then they might as well shutter the place...
Originally Posted By plpeters70 <<Shows how chintzy TDO can be.>> It's not so much that they're "chintzy", it's that they are expected to show a greater and greater profit each year to satisfy the investors. It's no longer ok in America to run a business that makes enough money to stay in business - you have to make more and more each year. Wall Street expects growth all the time. Obviously, that's impossible - but no one seems to care. So, if you can't grow your business every quarter, you have to cut things to show a profit. It's sick and sad, but seems to be expected of all publicly traded companies in America these days - and not just Disney.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer I know, and I agree...it IS sad. and "cheap" of them, in that respect. Profits can be made while still spending money to improve the product.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I would be very surprised if Al is right this time based on what I have heard and just the way Disney operates. As to the MSEP, there were three parades (DL, MK, TDL) in the beginning. I believe one of them (likely TDL) does't exist any longer. WDW's MSEP went to DLP and played there. I've often heard two sets of rumors on its fate: either it was left to rot and eventually destroyed in Paris or it was sent to HKDL where it sits in a warehouse. Not sure I believe either of them. Oh ... and in parade 'news' that I don't think has been mentioned here yet, look for DCA's Pixar Pals Parade to migrate to TPFKaTD-MGMS just as soon as DCA's new parade is ready to debut (likely early 2012). And Block Party Bash will likely migrate off to DSP! ... see a trend here?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Profits can be made while still spending money to improve the product. >> That's not the American Way, though.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>That's not the American Way, though.<<< Would it be bad and unpatriotic to say that the American Way sucks? Or would I get some "liberal pinko commie" points from you and Pierce?
Originally Posted By leemac <<There is no head of the entire theme park branch. Each resort has it's own president who has the final say, if your refering to the chairman of themeparks and resorts role, that is pretty much a PR role only and has no real power. He's like the queen of england.>> Ah that made me chuckle. Next time Tom tells me to do something that I don't wanna I'll tell him he has no power and that he is like a 84-year old monarch. I'm sure he'd pummel my head with his weights if I said that. I'd have to avoid him in the gym forever. Tom is the single most important executive in the WDP&R universe - no major decision is made without his approval. Not one. The park VPs are mainly operational roles. The Prez role is the link into Burbank via Al.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Leemac....If you don't mind me asking... How does he compare to Mr. Rasulo thus far?
Originally Posted By leemac <<How does he compare to Mr. Rasulo thus far?>> I've always liked Tom. He is a straight shooter with no bs. Smart fellow too. At an Open House when he first started he was asked "what is your goal at WDP&R?" and he replied "Not to screw it up". He has publicly acknowledged that it is only a two year gig before he ascends to the Prez role as Bob's No. 2. It is tough to have any lasting legacy in Parks & Resorts when you are only there for a short time. Jay, well, Jay is Jay. He has his shtick - he dons the rude obnoxious persona for meetings - which made it very difficult to like him. Jay is his own worse enemy at times - he tried the power play for the Prez role and got knocked back which is why he got moved to the CFO role to give Tom some operational experience. It will be interesting to see how long he lasts in that role. Jay came from hospitality whereas Tom was an investment banker - I'm not sure Jay will last long.
Originally Posted By Lee hisownself >> He has publicly acknowledged that it is only a two year gig before he ascends to the Prez role as Bob's No. 2. << Who do you suppose is waiting to tale the top parks and resorts spot when Tom moves up? Weiss?
Originally Posted By leemac My one hope is that Tom deals with Jim Hunt. Hunt as WDP&R CFO has done so much damage to the way that we do business but he has been given free reign to do so. However he is a Jay man - like the entire leadership of WDP&R these days - and I'm not sure Tom wants to "rock the boat".
Originally Posted By RobinsonCrusoeEsq To the person who said it gave "every indication that it was staying for two years;" What were those indicators?
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<To the person who said it gave "every indication that it was staying for two years;" What were those indicators?>> Numerous respectible sources in the Disney community.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Who do you suppose is waiting to tale the top parks and resorts spot when Tom moves up? Weiss?>> Al was offered a new gig in Burbank when the last reshuffle happened. He declined as he didn't want to move from central Florida. He decided that the Worldwide Ops role suited his skills base. However what happens when both WDW and DLR are fully aligned? Al is a competent operator - I don't think he has the ability to run the division. Al's 40th anniversary with the company is in '12 and although he is only 56 I think his time has passed to become Chairman. Personally I'd question whether the division has any executives that could ascend to the chairmanship. Jay put his own people into every last senior role and I suspect that a future chairman may be brought in from the outside to bring fresh blood.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper God I wish Matt Ouimet would be brought in. I'm 100% certain I spelled his name wrong, but you all know who I'm talking about.
Originally Posted By leemac <<God I wish Matt Ouimet would be brought in.>> You got it spot-on. And you aren't alone. Matt should have bided his time a little better - instead he went up against Jay and lost his gig. He knew he was the sole outsider in the exec ranks and I just wished he had cooled his jets a bit. After 17 years with the company you would have thought that he knew how to play the game better. Matt has a good head on his shoulders. A CPA with practical business acumen.
