First time we have heard a timeline from you. Interesting.
Here is what I don't get however - it isn't like Iger's group has been shy about spending money at the parks. Also under his direction the animation studios has been successful and they have a major blockbuster hit in the Avengers - making his Marvel purchase look like he wasn't off his rocker. Additionally, Disney stock is doing well.
I'm not a defender - I'm just not sure why the B.O.D. would want him out. He seems to be a steady hand and financially a success as the boss.
They haven't gone overboard either. Fantasyland at MK was originally an $800 million massive reworking of the entire land. The project was cut by more than half (even after they put the kiddie coaster back in). The DCA project was approved at just the right time, I've been told if it had been as little as four months later than we'd still be walking in under the Golden Gate while hearing 'I Love LA' and "Do You Know the Way to San Jose' blaring in the Sunshine Court. REALLY!
And they are allowing Euro Disney SCA to default on its debt obligations, while the resort crumbles rather than put the billlion dollars into it that it desperately needs.
Avengers makes him look very smart (even after paying $115 million to Paramount plus a percentage of the gross believed to be about 10%), but John Carter and, more importantly Rich Ross makes him look like what he is -- a TV guy that never understood or appreciated the differences in running a film studio.
The stock is doing great ... now ... and last Friday you should have heard the CNBC talking heads basically saying he could turn water to wine (or oil, I kinda tuned out!)
The BoD, as far as I know, doesn't want him out per se. Board members with sway do ... and John Lasseter does -- and has for a while apparently.
Worse, Iger sorta (and I don't get this) opted to make himself a very long lame duck. He wants to leave and try politics out (which is where he belongs, IMHO) and the 'tude of many, even people who support him is 'if he's going to leave anyway, why not just go and let someone who wants to be here run the company?'
I agree. And I do think it may get messy if the BoD finds someone they like who is only available for a short window ... will they let him/her go? Or will they just say 'Bob, we think it's best for the company ..."?
I agree with your points here. I am pointing out the obvious in saying that these major theme park hit areas are based on well beloved and well known properties. It is absolutely what is helping drive the attendance in a big way. To deny that is folly.
In seeing this it is obvious to me - a non-suit wearing non-billionare non-excecutive - that they are chasing the next franchises for obvious reasons... Following the fire. What is the BIG idea that could save Hollywood Studios or go into AK (besides Avatar)????
It is all just for fun anyway. They would have to commit big dollars to re-imagining a park that receives 9 million turnstile clicks a year. Hard to picture that.
I don't know. That's the problem with going for what's hot now and not looking at staying power. We keep hearing how many fanbois would love a Star Wars/Lucas land and that makes a lot of sense. Star Wars Weekends show how popular that franchise is. The fact that ancient Harrison Ford will be donning the fedora for a fifth time tells you that Indy is still incredibly popular.
But you go for just the hot thing and you risk the danger of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles land!
![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)