News Disney Parks Chief Josh D'Amaro Says Pricing Model Aims to Keep Vacations Affordable for Families

[pdude81]

Have you noticed Bob has made zero effort at transition? And he’s supposed to be leaving in six months?

Because that doesn’t play

There was more “transitioning” of staggs and Rasulo…and we saw where that went.

And before anyone say it: yes…I hate me too

I thought Bob was here on paper through the end of 2026, though I agree with your take that he is dragging his feet and we should know who the replacement will be by now. My thinking is that he is trying to sell Josh to the board as his successor and hasn't won enough of them over yet. Possibly because he screwed up so badly last time that he needs more than just promises of future investment to have a positive legacy.

 

[nickys]

Not quite stripper poles but Josh could turn Jellyrolls into a Rave Destination themed to Alice in Wonderland with princesses as go go girls.

Just curious if you can elaborate on the Alice theme? Does the Queen of Hearts have a specific role to play?
Thanks,
Josh’s marketing intern.

 

[Chi84]

I thought Bob was here on paper through the end of 2026, though I agree with your take that he is dragging his feet and we should know who the replacement will be by now. My thinking is that he is trying to sell Josh to the board as his successor and hasn't won enough of them over yet. Possibly because he screwed up so badly last time that he needs more than just promises of future investment to have a positive legacy.

Do you think it matters who is chosen to replace Iger or even whether Iger stays?

My question is whether there’s been any indication by the company that they want someone with a new vision to take the company in a different direction.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I thought Bob was here on paper through the end of 2026, though I agree with your take that he is dragging his feet and we should know who the replacement will be by now. My thinking is that he is trying to sell Josh to the board as his successor and hasn't won enough of them over yet. Possibly because he screwed up so badly last time that he needs more than just promises of future investment to have a positive legacy.

I think history is working against your theory on multiple levels here

 

[pdude81]

I think history is working against your theory on multiple levels here

Certainly possible. I guess the biggest difference here is that you are seeing the same patterns and assume the same result. I'm seeing a change in behavior and assume a different result.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Certainly possible. I guess the biggest difference here is that you are seeing the same patterns and assume the same result. I'm seeing a change in behavior and assume a different result.

It’s really 2020-22 that is the concerning part…it leaked out…we know exactly what happened and it was worst case scenario

And I might have the year wrong? Thought it was for a “year” in November 2022 and then gave himself a 2 year extension

Or was it 2 and 2? Far too long…results are exactly the same to be honest. Getting worse on multiple fronts as well

 

[pdude81]

Do you think it matters who is chosen to replace Iger or even whether Iger stays?

My question is whether there’s been any indication by the company that they want someone with a new vision to take the company in a different direction.

I do think it matters. Now I don't think there will be a radical departure from what's happening now, but partly because I think that Bob is hearing a different message about how to grow revenues from Parks/Experiences now versus the Watto era. Also I don't think this board would tolerate a sudden change in strategy. And it would be pretty wild for the company to publicly say that they need a big change in strategy and their (board extended) CEO has to go.

 

[pdude81]

It’s really 2020-22 that is the concerning part…it leaked out…we know exactly what happened and it was worst case scenario

And I might have the year wrong? Thought it was for a “year” in November 2022 and then gave himself a 2 year extension

Or was it 2 and 2? Far too long…results are exactly the same to be honest. Getting worse on multiple fronts as well

I don't remember all the pieces, but I think that he was brought back through 24 originally, then sometime in 23 they gave him another 2 year extension with a "focus" on succession.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I don't remember all the pieces, but I think that he was brought back through 24 originally, then sometime in 23 they gave him another 2 year extension with a "focus" on succession.

Perhaps…

But they must have grease on that lens trying to “focus”

You’re right…it’s to 2026…so we still have time for the “emergency” extension until at least early 2026

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I do think it matters. Now I don't think there will be a radical departure from what's happening now, but partly because I think that Bob is hearing a different message about how to grow revenues from Parks/Experiences now versus the Watto era. Also I don't think this board would tolerate a sudden change in strategy. And it would be pretty wild for the company to publicly say that they need a big change in strategy and their (board extended) CEO has to go.

This might be the least independent “board” on the street…as evidence during the coup that would have made the Dulles brothers blush…

So the idea they aren’t being told what to think carries little gravitas as it stands

 

[ctrlaltdel]

I am personally somewhat shocked that D'Amaro is a frontrunner. While parks is the most consistent Disney business, having the studio experience and relationships are crucial. Much easier to "learn" Parks then the other way around. Would have thought if he was the frontrunner, he may taken off parks and put into a studio leadership position. But they may view the huge $s they are throwing around parks are too important to the company's future to take him off.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I am personally somewhat shocked that D'Amaro is a frontrunner. While parks is the most consistent Disney business, having the studio experience and relationships are crucial. Much easier to "learn" Parks then the other way around. Would have thought if he was the frontrunner, he may taken off parks and put into a studio leadership position. But they may view the huge $s they are throwing around parks are too important to the company's future to take him off.

Parks guy isn’t the ceo guy…for a reason

They can’t support their entire operation off parks revenues…it’s too far already and they’ve run into the price wall…

You can’t keep drilling what is tapped out

 

[monothingie]

I am personally somewhat shocked that D'Amaro is a frontrunner. While parks is the most consistent Disney business, having the studio experience and relationships are crucial. Much easier to "learn" Parks then the other way around. Would have thought if he was the frontrunner, he may taken off parks and put into a studio leadership position. But they may view the huge $s they are throwing around parks are too important to the company's future to take him off.

It's not like the current brain trust running studios, streaming, and linear are great at what they are doing.

Josh, unlike Chapek is a slippery pliable object. He's got the same reptilian tendencies as Iger, so he can pretty much slither his way anywhere.

 

[Jrb1979]

Parks guy isn’t the ceo guy…for a reason

They can’t support their entire operation off parks revenues…it’s too far already and they’ve run into the price wall…

You can’t keep drilling what is tapped out

While they can't, they might have to.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/streaming-dead-disney-waning-appetite-173137712.html

Not a good sign when the creator of Disney s biggest series comes out and says that.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

While they can't, they might have to.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/streaming-dead-disney-waning-appetite-173137712.html

Not a good sign when the creator of Disney s biggest series comes out and says that.

…oh I saw that…and didn’t want to open the lid on that can of worms

Because it defeats the entire BS narrative tossed around here for like 8 years

 

[CJR]

While they can't, they might have to.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/streaming-dead-disney-waning-appetite-173137712.html

Not a good sign when the creator of Disney s biggest series comes out and says that.

That's the thing, it's night and day (to me) between the internal executives.

Do you go with the people who can't seem to turn around the business they're supposed to be good at or do you go with the one that has gained momentum in the areas that they oversee? Sure, there's issues, but growth is still happening regardless. One division has made the company money and the other has struggled, at best.

D'Amaro has done a good job with his limited media reach too, which is very unlike what Chapek did. More people know who Josh is (vs Chapek before he got promoted), simply because he's made an effort to do that.

I will keep saying that they should go external, but if they go internal, which is most certainly what they will do, unless something crazy happens before a decision is formally made, it should be an easy decision - if it's based on merit.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

That's the thing, it's night and day (to me) between the internal executives.

Do you go with the people who can't seem to turn around the business they're supposed to be good at or do you go with the one that has gained momentum in the areas that they oversee? Sure, there's issues, but growth is still happening regardless. One division has made the company money and the other has struggled, at best.

D'Amaro has done a good job with his limited media reach too, which is very unlike what Chapek did. More people know who Josh is (vs Chapek before he got promoted), simply because he's made an effort to do that.

I will keep saying that they should go external, but if they go internal, which is most certainly what they will do, unless something crazy happens before a decision is formally made, it should be an easy decision - if it's based on merit.

Woah woah…which one has “gained momentum”??

 

[ctrlaltdel]

Parks guy isn’t the ceo guy…for a reason

They can’t support their entire operation off parks revenues…it’s too far already and they’ve run into the price wall…

You can’t keep drilling what is tapped out

Yeah it's not a enormous growth industry, but it likely will be forever a massive profit generator. They definitely are reliant on streaming for growth (which they are doing okay at the moment, the forecast isn't nearly as good as the combo of studios/cable was for them for decades). The studios side is vital as it actually creates a lot of the public's connection to the IP they utilize/exploit in the parks.

D'Amaro looks the park and is charming but the streaming side is more important than the parks side, even if the raw numbers of the business are heavily slanted to the parks.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Who’s family, Josh? Larry Ellison’s?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yeah it's not a enormous growth industry, but it likely will be forever a massive profit generator. They definitely are reliant on streaming for growth (which they are doing okay at the moment, the forecast isn't nearly as good as the combo of studios/cable was for them for decades). The studios side is vital as it actually creates a lot of the public's connection to the IP they utilize/exploit in the parks.

D'Amaro looks the park and is charming but the streaming side is more important than the parks side, even if the raw numbers of the business are heavily slanted to the parks.

Might want to peruse the fine print of the article posted below…

While they can't, they might have to.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/streaming-dead-disney-waning-appetite-173137712.html

Not a good sign when the creator of Disney s biggest series comes out and says that.