News EPCOT and Disney Springs Leadership Shakeup: New Vice Presidents Announced

djkidkaz

djkidkaz

Well-Known Member
Matt is a good guy and I believe he was actually sought out by Disney when they were transitioning Downtown Disney into Disney Springs due to his success with the Grove. As Steve said he is not really a Disney guy with a passion for the company. At Springs, Matt was really focused on trying to find those hip brands out in the world and get them to sign contracts to open locations at Springs. This is his strength and maybe the idea here is to have him work on finding better products to boost sales in the World Showcase countries.

As much as I like him as a person, it wouldn’t necessarily surprise me if he left the company at some point for a higher paying opportunity elsewhere.
 
J

jpeden

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
The Avalon time one of the nicest shopping centers in metro Atlanta but has suffered like all shopping centers post-COVID. If Matt opened it I can completely understand why they wanted him for Springs.

I don’t know if that’s the right choice for Epcot.
 
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Epcot82Guy

Epcot82Guy

Well-Known Member
UNCgolf said:
Avalon is (or at least was; last time I was there was years ago) pretty nice. I also thought the Grove was nice, but I was there years ago too.

Colony Square, on the other hand, was pretty awful. It's now been completely overhauled and is much nicer, but I don't know if that happened during his tenure.

Either way, seems like they plan to keep EPCOT heavily focused on retail and food and beverage.
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I know a couple of people who worked for the development company that redid CS, opened Avalon, redid the Forum redo. They all knew Matt and spoke favorably of him then. Obviously a Disney park is a different beast. So, we'll see.
 
HauntedPirate

HauntedPirate

Park nostalgist
Premium Member
WDWhopper said:
Sounds like Paul Pressler’s resume
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Be Quiet Ben Stiller GIF
 
Laketravis

Laketravis

Well-Known Member
wdwmagic said:
Matt is a well-liked leader at Springs, but does not have a strong Disney heritage. He has not been with Disney very long, and has a lengthy past in managing large retail operations. Based on his time at Springs, expect to see him out in the park a lot - very guest facing. His appointment to EPCOT perhaps suggests its continued focus on F&B and retail.
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For some reason my first thought was Epcot is becoming a Walmart that charges admission.
 
Smoky

Smoky

Member
jpeden said:
The Avalon time one of the nicest shopping centers in metro Atlanta but has suffered like all shopping centers post-COVID. If Matt opened it I can completely understand why they wanted him for Springs.

I don’t know if that’s the right choice for Epcot.
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It's a horrible choice for Epcot. He might be a nice guy like everyone is saying but look at how boring and generic DS currently is. I expect more of the same at Epcot. We won't see any meaningful positive changes at the parks until there's a massive top-down change in management starting with the CEO (which won't happen because Bob is going to appoint another bean counter/yes man).
 
aladdin2007

aladdin2007

Well-Known Member
Jrb1979 said:
I have felt that way about Epcot for years. It's a park you pay admission to pay more money for festivals. IMO the attractions at Epcot are mostly an afterthought
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agree, and how much have they spent on lights and trees and lounges, playspaces etc, meanwhile the actual attractions are left behind for years, figment, sse, wonders, etc...one recent plus gran fiesta finally is getting love of some sort, but still.
 
J

James Alucobond

Well-Known Member
I mean, the VPs seem to get shaken up quite often regardless. If the goal is for him to focus for a couple years on improving upkeep, ironing out whatever logistical issues prevent a summer festival from running, and programming exhibit spaces like CommuniCore properly while a few hopefully-already-in-the-hopper projects (SSE, Imagination) play out behind the scenes, I wouldn’t be especially mad.
 
HauntedPirate

HauntedPirate

Park nostalgist
Premium Member
James Alucobond said:
I mean, the VPs seem to get shaken up quite often regardless. If the goal is for him to focus for a couple years on improving upkeep, ironing out whatever logistical issues prevent a summer festival from running, and programming exhibit spaces like CommuniCore properly while a few hopefully-already-in-the-hopper projects (SSE, Imagination) play out behind the scenes, I wouldn’t be especially mad.
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Coming soon! The CommuniCore Shopping Experience!!! Featuring some of your favorites from around the parks, this exclusive merchandise location will be THE hot spot for those items you can't miss out on!

Not sure what he can do about summer at Epcot. I don't want yet another festival on its calendar.

Maybe he knows some lighting experts?
 
Laketravis

Laketravis

Well-Known Member
HauntedPirate said:
Coming soon! The CommuniCore Shopping Experience!!! Featuring some of your favorites from around the parks, this exclusive merchandise location will be THE hot spot for those items you can't miss out on!

Not sure what he can do about summer at Epcot. I don't want yet another festival on its calendar.

Maybe he knows some lighting experts?
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"ATTENTION Epcot shoppers! Green light special in Germany right now!"
 

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