On layoffs, very bad attendance, and Iger's legacy being one of disgrace

[UNCgolf]

I disagree heartily. Epcot lost as Edutainment died off, it had nothing unique that couldn't already be found on the internet.

I don't think the Internet has anything to do with EPCOT's woes. You can "ride" every ride at Disney via the Internet, and that hasn't stopped people from going. All the rides were still unique (not that most of them wouldn't have needed some sort of update by now). The post show stuff was the easiest part to update/replace, but they just chose not to -- and even most of that was hands-on/experiential, which isn't replicable via the Internet.

It's not like other hands-on science museums etc. have lost popularity. EPCOT stopped working because they stopped spending money on it and gave up on the original concept, turning it into a random mishmash.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I don't really think Internet has anything to do with EPCOT's woes. You can "ride" every ride at Disney via the Internet, and that hasn't stopped people from going. All the rides were still unique (not that most of them wouldn't have needed some sort of update by now). The post show stuff was the easiest part to update/replace, but they just chose not to -- and even most of that was hands-on/experiential, which isn't replicable via the Internet.

It's not like other hands-on science museums etc. have lost popularity. EPCOT stopped working because they stopped spending money on it and gave up on the original concept, turning it into a random mishmash.

Disney runs a service literally called Movies Anywhere. The idea of the internet somehow being a substitute for EPCOT Center but not movie-based rides is just laughable.

 

[starwarsfan2]

I wonder what Disney Parks could have been if they had tried to bring in Jobs to run the thing?

 

[Ldno]

There is zero chance of the 'travel industry goes completely under' - They are too essential to the economic engines of the countries. What you will have tho is great reduction and a few 'chosen ones' left behind. Look for more gov backed loans to allow the airlines to stay private, but they will gut themselves to stay alive.

Like you said gut, I am panicking now because I am thinking what if they start gutting flight schedules all of the sudden and fly lesser hours during the day, I like to fly early in the day so i can have more to do when I get there, some airlines are doing like 2-3 flights out the week, but my plane is still basically empty!! The only major setback would be the plans i had for the day but other than that, curious to see what happens.

Wouldn’t take the pay cut.

The Apple and Disney relationship is a love and hate thing. edited for language

 

[MrHappy]

Pixies
Unite.
C’mon people. I’ve been on these boards long enough, the tone has been wretched lately. Why is it now that ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that happens is met with such skepticism? Man, the Ratatouille sign can’t even change without someone being offended. Some guy the other day was ed about his 2022 plans. @Tuvalu was doubted. What is going on here? Keep it together. Debate as you must. Just remember why we are all here to begin with.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Don’t know Paul but certainly know a lot of the players in that company over the years.

Oh, and I assume since you are so passionate in your criticism of him, you must know him intimately to base such aim informed, nuanced opinion.

I worked in a business unit as a young pup that reported up the chain to him...met him briefly twice.

Reputation was “meh”...I’d say that’s accurate. He didn’t excel too much if you look at every turn. Disney store went into steep decline after he moved, parks went into a period of turmoil before be bailed, and the gap sucks (ok...not totally on him...but he didn’t help)

Beyond that, tell me about “the company”...

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I think it’s both:

Travel is currently too much of a hassle (it’s also banned in most moneybag areas) AND its just starting to get wrecked and that’s gonna keep going.

 

[flynnibus]

It's not like other hands-on science museums etc. have lost popularity. EPCOT stopped working because they stopped spending money on it and gave up on the original concept, turning it into a random mishmash.

Remember when epcot was designed, viewing multiple countries meant going to the library and flipping through National Geographic. There was no form of film on demand... people didnt evn really have VHS yet.. and most people had just a handful of tv stations... not hundreds. Nevermind the lack of ethnic foods, etc.

Completely differnet experience to what a a millienial would have had...

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Remember when epcot was designed, viewing multiple countries meant going to the library and flipping through National Geographic. There was no form of film on demand... people didnt evn really have VHS yet.. and most people had just a handful of tv stations... not hundreds. Nevermind the lack of ethnic foods, etc.

Completely differnet experience to what a a millienial would have had...

If you’re saying “the internet killed Epcot”...I patented that phrase over in the Sugar Gum Drop Forums in about 2010

 

[MisterPenguin]

The Internet didn't kill Epcot. It only killed Future World. World Showcase will be killed by Virtual Reality.

 

[marni1971]

Headline should be "covid transmitted on planes before masks were required"

Exactly. A less sensationalist headline would read “Covid transmitted in supermarket in March before masks were introduced.“

 

[the.dreamfinder]

The Apple and Disney relationship is a love and hate thing. Movies Anywhere is a big F****** to itunes lolol

Yes, the service that had Apple as its first partner and helped drive digital and physical sales of films, which Apple is still the leading digital marketplace of.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

Ah, so let me understand. So Paul, who drove the entire project and who’s financial credibility with Staggs and the board was key to getting the funding does not get credit for the expansion, which he oversaw from start to finish.

That’s awesome. Thank your for perfectly illustrating my point.

He can take as much credit as he wants for that project. It paid off in almost none of the ways it was meant to.

Disneyland Park has basically always been successful. Disneyland Resort, as Pressler tooled it, has basically always had problems. More recently, the problems of Disneyland Resort have started to infect the success of Disneyland Park. Even before the current tragedy the resort was reeling in ways resultant from his bungling of the DL Resort Project.

Not really sure you're making the point you think you are. Maybe consider a different example?

Just because there's good and bad to everything doesn't mean it can't circumstantially be determined that one may outweigh the other. Pressler did noticeably more bad for DL than he did good. The only reason Disney Fans are so quick to jump to that conclusion is because we're the only ones who know or care enough about it to have an opinion - that we all basically have the same one is less a coincidence or conspiracy and more a byproduct.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Except no one uses Movies Anywhere. The most embarrassing project I've ever worked on.

I actually do, and know a bunch of people who do as well. I don't stream through Movies Anywhere, but every movie I have a digital copy of that can also be stored there, is...as a backup.

 

[SoFloMagic]

Exactly. A less sensationalist headline would read “Covid transmitted in supermarket in March before masks were introduced.“

"close contact with no PPE allowed airborne virus to spread"

 

[GimpYancIent]

Many people like WDW because it's not a coaster park. I myself being one of them. I enjoy Universal because my kids like it, but I have to pop a Dramamine about every three hours to get through it.

To each his or her own! There are coaster enthusiasts and then there is everyone else. I have ridden coasters in my life time and got the rush, so I can say I did it. The box was checked now me, myself, plus my family, and I move on. There are many that do not have the enthusiasm for coasters nor see them as the "thing" to do at an amusement park. Disney has always been different from other entertainment venues and that is key in their success. So to coaster enthusiasts I say enjoy! just don't expect everyone to see coasters the same way.

 

[_caleb]

why did people blame Chapek and not Iger?

This couldn’t possibly be due to an organized effort on social media and fan sites.

 

[MisterPenguin]

This couldn’t possibly be due to an organized effort on social media and fan sites.

The few dozen people online who follow and care about such things are so easily swayed...

 

[_caleb]

Which is worse, the Executive who can’t be bothered to even try to make a good impression, or the one who can’t seem to focus on anything other than his own reputation?

 

[solidyne]

Pixies
Unite.
C’mon people. I’ve been on these boards long enough, the tone has been wretched lately. Why is it now that ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that happens is met with such skepticism? Man, the Ratatouille sign can’t even change without someone being offended. Some guy the other day was ****ed about his 2022 plans. @Tuvalu was doubted. What is going on here? Keep it together. Debate as you must. Just remember why we are all here to begin with.

Apt user name!