Attention all Eisner haters...

[lebernadin]

Originally posted by raven
First of all, for a Disney CM, $7.50 is high. I started at The Disney Store for only $6.50/hr. All off the other stores in the mall started at at least $8. The Disney Managers ( or leads where I was) were only getting $10/hr. very poor for a management possition.

Why did I work for Disney then? Because I am a Disney nut and that's what they are looking for. Disney will hire people for a few reasons: 1) The people they hire want to work for the Disney company. 2) Since these people are nuts about the company, they will work great at selling and promoting the company. 3) The Disney nuts they hire (like me) spend their own income buying Disney merchandise due to their deep CM discounts. This means putting their employees money back into the company. Trust me, it happens. We get free theme park passes, but we still have to pay large emounts to take a vacation there. It just cycles back in.

As far as a $5 pay raise every year? This is highly unlikely for any Disney CM doing a normal job ( at least for TDS). I got on $7.25 after being with the company for 2 years. Disney CM's aren't working for the company for the money. And if you try to argue about your wages, they aren't worried because there are plenty of people out there wanting to work for them that will do it at the lower rate. That's how they get by with it.

Most CM's are only part-time. They cannot become full-time unless they are in a management possition. I was getting 35-38 hours a week and they sent me home if I was getting near the 40hr/week mark. In fact, I worked over a certain amount of hours within six months that my name was automaticly added to the mailing list for the Disney Health Benifits program. This is only for full-time possitions and I was quickly removed from the list and my hours were cut. They couldn't afford to make a regular CM full-time that isn't in a management possition.

I loved working for the company. It's just that I think that the CM's should be compensated fairly for their hard work and dedication. But it isn't happening.

And who is to blame for all of this? You guessed right, Mr. CEO. But look at his paycheck! He's not worried at all.

Re-read my post. It had nothing to do with Disney's pay scales(which i have no knowledge of) and was a general example in response to someone's post on people who do less work than others and blame their employers for their financial problems. :lookaroun :lookaroun :veryconfu

 

[mac388]

Regarding the minimum wage argument-
You should really read "Nickel and Dimed," a book by a New York Times columnist regarding the state of minimum wage in this country, and how it really is not a living wage. That's an unfair assumption to assume that even if people made more, they'd spend more. I mean, hey, I'm definitely one of those people, but still! :hammer:
Anyways, back to the argument-yes, I agree that we just need someone who can bring back the magic. This is basically quality and respect.
I was reading an article on savedisney.com how Eisner has soured relations with Miramax, the Winnie the Pooh heirs, and Pixar (Steve Jobs) is becoming increasingly frustrated with him.
I hate to say it, but it might take something big like Pixar walking out to have Eisner fired.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

Originally posted by mac388
Regarding the minimum wage argument-
I hate to say it, but it might take something big like Pixar walking out to have Eisner fired.

Pixar IS going to walk out. I don't blame them, either.

Maybe Lasseter IS the next Walt Disney, after all. :sohappy:

 

[mac388]

I definitely think he's the next Walt Disney. Maybe this is a new era.

 

[DMC-12]

Originally posted by mac388
I definitely think he's the next Walt Disney. Maybe this is a new era.

Wait... I am confused... From all the commotion around this place.... I thought Roy is/was/supposed to be the almighty messiah. :lol: :animwink:

 

[SIR90210]

Pull out Dino Rama (replace it with a time machine indoor themed launch roller coaster), do whatever needs to be done to makes the CMs happier, they just seemed so depressed and almost angry last time I was at WDW, bigger budgets, and most importantly LESS CLONES!!!

 

[Dash_Riprock]

Originally posted by DMC-12
Wait... I am confused... From all the commotion around this place.... I thought Roy is/was/supposed to be the almighty messiah. :lol: :animwink:

Doesn't matter, as long as the Disney heritage & future are both preserved!

 

[DMC-12]

Originally posted by Dash_Riprock
Doesn't matter, as long as the Disney heritage & future are both preserved!

Agreed :wave:

 

[General Grizz]

Originally posted by DMC-12
Agreed :wave:

Agreed. I just see it disintegrating. :lol:

Roy is great, but who says he's the "Messiah?" He's just the one who started this - and I'm grateful something finally may be getting done. And I agree - Pixar is a GREAT model.

 

[HennieBogan1966]

Boy Nancy, where to start:

(1) It's obvious by your comments that your vision is somewhat blurred. Michael Eisner has had 20 years to get things right. He is in charge, and it is his responsibility to make sure things are done properly. Now, of course he delegates many duties to others, as does anyone in a mgmt position at any company. But ultimately, the company's attitude and direction/course are set by the Captain of the ship. And Nancy?, that's Michael Eisner, in case you were wondering. As for his having bought into good investments gone bad, not gonna convince me of that. Any GOOD business man knows that if you take a volatile risk, there's a better than 50% chance you are going to lose money. And sports teams? Are you kidding me? Don't even get me started on that one!!! Nancy, I don't want to say you're living in Fantasyland, but...............

(2) I don't know Mr. Disney personally, but I'm thinking that he's probably not quite into sinility just yet. But I am thinking that given the choice?, I'd much rather have a Disney at the helm and not an Eisner. My Wife and I both worked for The Disney Store, and I can tell you from EXPERIENCE that most of what is said regarding product, merchandising, payroll, etc, etc, on this and other sites, is true. Stores are being closed in record numbers, good managers are walking away from the Company, as did my former Store Mgr., and District Mgr. in the last few months. Now, let's see , who's in charge of the company again? Hmm, who could that be. Oh that's right Michael Eisner.

(3) Basic economics is Supply and Demand. I don't need a degree to tell me how to sell product, communicate with the public, or create repeat business. I'm quite sure that 14 years of retail is probably enough experience to help out with that don't you? Now when you overprice your products, trim payroll, shorten park hours, overprice your merchandise, ($5 for a hot dog?), that tells me you're in deep trouble. No wonder they offer all of these discount codes. It's all they can do to get people into their parks/hotels. (don't you think $300 and up a night for a room is a bit high?). Oh that's right you've MET Michael Eisner. I forgot, I couldn't possibly understand what it takes to run a business.

(4) Good working relations with your castmembers, better pay, lower hotel rates, better product presentation/merchandising in your stores, and not buying into highly volatile businesses just might be a way to improve things here. But that's just little ole me, who doesn't know anything about running a business. But then again, you have MET Michael Eisner.

 

[lebernadin]

Originally posted by mac388
That's an unfair assumption to assume that even if people made more, they'd spend more. I mean, hey, I'm definitely one of those people, but still! :hammer:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

:animwink:

 

[MouseRight]

Originally posted by mac388
But, many of the successes of the company are originally attributed to Frank Wells.

Just to set the record staight. The above statement is not entirely true. Wells and Esiner made up a potent team similar to Roy and Walt, respectively. Through numerous published accounts (not just Eisner's Book) and CM's in the know, Eisner was directly involved in the "Creative" process from day one. It was, in fact, this attention to detail which made his early years at Disney successful. There are countless initiatives and successes (and yes failures like The Disney Institute) directly attributable to Eisner's involvement. Wells paid attention to the business while Eisner created, similar to Walt (Note, I did not say he was just like Walt). The team, as teams are supposed to be, played on the relative strengths of each other and allowed them both to make the right decisions to make the Company great.

JLW11Hi says, "Katzenberg left the place because of his apparent quarrels with Eisner too."

Again, JK reportedly has had his own realtionship problems with CM's, other Managment personnel, and even Roy Disney himself. I belive that Jim Hill wrote an article about how Roy had a hand in getting rid of JK. If it wasn't Hill, then I recently saw it on Mice Age or MousePlanet. The point is, it sounds like it was time for him to go and Eisner wasn't the only one who thought so. Though I wish they could have figured out a way to keep him on the team since he still has the creative juices somehwere (e.g., Shrek).

SIR90210 says, "Pull out Dino Rama"

I am not understanding everyone's hatred over this area. I like it and here's why. 2 rides, one a clone - so what?? Animal Kingdom needed a kiddie ride - keeps the families (You know, those tired people you young turks see walking around the park with a screaming kid in their arms wanting to go on a ride) happy. The other ride - Primeval Whirl is a fun, no nonsense roller coaster with a new twist (Pun Intended). I have gone on this ride with people (Yound and Old) who have never been on it and they laughed and screamed all the way and wanted to go back for more. Great middle of the road after riding the intense Dinasour and seeing Tarzan rocks. I understand that this type of coaster is in other theme parks - so what - I haven't ridden it anywhere else. I am willing to bet that most people going to WDW haven't either. The rides do what they are suppossed to do - get the people off of the other lines and reduce crowding. They did this quickly, inexpensively (not cheaply), and with a great back story. Come on folks, not every ride can be an M:S or Expedition Everest or Philarmagic or Motor Stunt SHow, or ....... Oh yeah, I forgot, they are spending hunderds of millions to create those and you guys are still not happy. I don't get it.

 

[mac388]

I do agree that Animal Kingdom needs a kiddie area, but that is what Camp Minnie Mickey was designed as. Walt Disney specifically said that he never wanted to build anything that resembled a carnival. So.....something designed for families doesn't have to be aesthetically loud with black pavement (hello? Animal Kingdom is hot enough!).
Alright Hennie! You said what I was trying to say.

 

[steve_virginia]

Eisner & Disney

I'm not going to make any judgements on anyone here but, I will say this. In the past 5 years that my family and I have been going to Disney World, this past year, Christmas of 2003 was the WORST! We noticed that the parks were not as clean, the people were not as friendly, and we even found a broken railing inside the Test Track ride! That is something unheard of until recently. Someone has got to take the blame for the condition of the parks and the friendliness of the people. Whether it is Eisner or someone else in his regime, something has got to be done. My family and I have decided not to return to Disney until something gets fixed. That is very sad since we all used to love going to the parks. The only place that seemed unaffected by anything was Downtown Disney. That area is still in real great shape.

We even spoke to other people while in the parks and they agreed that something just was not right anymore. Has anyone else experienced what we did this past year? I would be curious to hear more input on this.

Steve

 

[MouseRight]

Originally posted by mac388
I do agree that Animal Kingdom needs a kiddie area, but that is what Camp Minnie Mickey was designed as. Walt Disney specifically said that he never wanted to build anything that resembled a carnival. So.....something designed for families doesn't have to be aesthetically loud with black pavement (hello? Animal Kingdom is hot enough!).
Alright Hennie! You said what I was trying to say.

Camp Minnie Mickey is on the other side of the park. You have to space out the rides so that there is enough entertainment in each land appropriate to each age group. Otherwise, us adults with kids would never get to see any other part of the park.

I think your Walt quote is a little out of context. He said that he wanted to build a family park - not the sleezy carniavls that existed before he created DL. This area is not a "carnival" in the same sense that Walt said. It is part of a themed area with a back story. It's not dirty, the people running the rides are clean and have teeth, the rides are not falling apart at the seams. It's a story and it has rides that people like. Again, I'm still not getting why everyone hates this land.

 

[WDWKat26]

Originally posted by JLW11Hi
Eisner has also been accused of the "creative brain drain" in the company for the past few years. He isn't keeping very good relationships with the rest of the Disney team. Pixar has been bringing a lot of money into Disney for quite a while now, yet now they are considering not renewing their contract with Disney. I think it has something to do with the amount of money that Pixar recieves from each film.

I completely agree. Pixar has made some of the best movies in Disney's history (financial and popularity wise). Finding Nemo this year was the #1 at the box office for I don't know how many weeks, and so far is STILL the top selling DVD/Video of all time, and honestly agreeing with mac388, I do think that Pixar would need to cut their contract with Disney to finally get some change around here. I also agree to the fact that everything quality wise has gone downhill. I go to the Disney Store and there's nothing worth really buying, I go to Disney and it's the same thing in every store. Quality over Quantity, that should be the motto.

 

[niteobsrvr]

Re: Eisner & Disney

Originally posted by steve_virginia
I'm not going to make any judgements on anyone here but, I will say this. In the past 5 years that my family and I have been going to Disney World, this past year, Christmas of 2003 was the WORST! We noticed that the parks were not as clean, the people were not as friendly, and we even found a broken railing inside the Test Track ride! That is something unheard of until recently. Someone has got to take the blame for the condition of the parks and the friendliness of the people. Whether it is Eisner or someone else in his regime, something has got to be done. My family and I have decided not to return to Disney until something gets fixed. That is very sad since we all used to love going to the parks. The only place that seemed unaffected by anything was Downtown Disney. That area is still in real great shape.

We even spoke to other people while in the parks and they agreed that something just was not right anymore. Has anyone else experienced what we did this past year? I would be curious to hear more input on this.

Steve

You realize that some of the stuff that doesnt get fixed has relatively little to do with budget cuts and more to do with personnel and communication.

Here is an example:

I reported to my immediate supervisor a particular maintenance problem. They told me that it would be reported to the maintenance personnel. A few days later, the problem still existed. I inquired again to another supervisor and was told it had been reported by someone else to maintenance several times. Then I had to hear about how DIsney didnt put maintenance as a priority anymore and the service people were incompetent and so on.

A few days later, I saw the maintenance guys myself because they had stopped by to repair another item. I inquired of them the status of the item. They told me it had not been reported at all because if it had a work order owuld have immediately been generated by the maintenance tracking system.

The reality of the situation is the maintence processes are fine and the money is available for repairs, especially safety related repairs. The problem lies in the cast members who don't follow through. You can't fix what you dont know about.

As I stated earlier there are a lot of CM's at Disney, just like other places, that feel the company owes them something for the little work they actually do. Instead of taking initiative they blame someone else and say it isn't their responsibility because Disney doesn't pay them enough.

The reality is they are told at the beginning how much they will make and what their responsibilities are going to be. IF those folks don't feel the pay is adequate then they don't have to accept the position. The themepark industry is not General Motors or Microsoft etc. Nor are many of the jobs available in themeparks considered skilled labor. The pay scales reflect this fact. If you hire on at Disney in a highly skilled position, your pay and benefits certainly will reflect the local market for a similar position. Likewise the unskilled service positions also reflect the local market for pay and benefits.

I you want or need to make 30 or 40 grand a year, the themepark industry is not the place to do it. I would hate to see the admission and food prices if it were.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

Originally posted by mac388
... Walt Disney specifically said that he never wanted to build anything that resembled a carnival...

Two words: California Adventure. Bleeech (OK, that was 3 words).

That's my main gripe against Eisner. He's going against the entire Disney Legacy just to make a quick buck. Bars inside Disneyland / Disneyworld? Cheap parks just to get more people in? Park deterioration?

That's not Disney-like. Then again, who cares? His main priority is "pleasing the shareholders". :hammer: :hammer: :hammer:

 

[WDWKat26]

Originally posted by Dash_Riprock
Two words: California Adventure. Bleeech (OK, that was 3 words).

That's my main gripe against Eisner. He's going against the entire Disney Legacy just to make a quick buck. Bars inside Disneyland / Disneyworld? Cheap parks just to get more people in? Park deterioration?

That's not Disney-like. Then again, who cares? His main priority is "pleasing the shareholders". :hammer: :hammer: :hammer:

I completely agree. Why do you think he has everyone on the Board that he has? Because they won't oppose him and his choices, that's what Roy did that got to Eisner the most.

Think about it too, Treasure Planet was Roy's movie, and it got amazing reviews, yet it wasn't advertised at all...hmm I think that's a no brainer as to why. :hammer:

 

[General Grizz]

I remember a story about Walt being asked to build a park in Texas. When the proprieter of the land, I believe, said that alcohol had to be sold in the park, Walt walked up and left.

As for DCA, Screamin' makes me upset. Blah blah part of the theming blah blah still makes a story blah. Oy. If I ever go to DLR, it's only DL for me.