Bob Iger at WDW now ... BoD to Follow?

[SYRIK2000]

My guess is the DHS revamp.

I agree, Hopefully something will be announced once the funds are official.

 

[evilzorac]

Since we are giving unsolicited advise...it is becoming frustrating coming to a Spirited thread and listening to you give umbridge over his writing style over and over. We get it, you do not care for his online persona or whatever. Are we hear to debate the merits of each person's prose as written in context to a online forum.

Personally, I enjoy the narrative as written but I also enjoy the matter-of-fact style of @Lee when he has information to provide. If you feel Spirit's writing style detracts from the information given, rest assured we are all now painfully aware of that fact.

So the advice, you can do the same as I do, when I see one of your posts with a 1000 word wall of text in response to a simple question, just scroll right past.

Best post in this thread.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I have it on good authority that the Board will be sampling three new varieties of beer to be rolled out in Wandering Oaken's to improve guest reviews of Frozen Ever After. The winner will be dubbed Bud Light Snow: Let [Your Inhibitions] Go!

 

[GeneralZod]

Since we are giving unsolicited advise...it is becoming frustrating coming to a Spirited thread and listening to you give umbridge over his writing style over and over. We get it, you do not care for his online persona or whatever. Are we hear to debate the merits of each person's prose as written in context to a online forum.

Personally, I enjoy the narrative as written but I also enjoy the matter-of-fact style of @Lee when he has information to provide. If you feel Spirit's writing style detracts from the information given, rest assured we are all now painfully aware of that fact.

So the advice, you can do the same as I do, when I see one of your posts with a 1000 word wall of text in response to a simple question, just scroll right past.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I agree, Hopefully something will be announced once the funds are official.

I can't remember the threshold, maybe @ParentsOf4 or @Lee knows but in order to spend a capital expenditure over a certain amount, the board must give its blessing.

Though they schedule these things months in advance. Doing so at one of their many convention resorts around the country is also within normal behavior.

I don't believe this is anything special but given the location, the studios may be on the agenda.

I refuse to consider this significant other than "Holy Crap, they actually admitted Orlando exists more than just a line item on a spreadsheet!"

 

[TP2000]

My god. For just a moment, the old Pixie Duster in me sparked back to life in abhoration of such a notion...
Then I realized that I've known for years that that'd be best for theme park enthusiasts.

Until OLC managers tried to impose their traditional (Read: 1980's) behavioral standards on "Guests" and Cast Members alike. Then watch people here, paying visitors and WDW CM's, scream bloody murder that they were being held to a higher standard than they wanted to be held to while they were at work or on vacation.

Stuff the OLC requires of their "Guests" and actively police in Tokyo Disneyland parks and hotels, like... Visible tattoos not allowed at Disney hotel pools. Jackets required for men at fine dining restaurants. No sitting on the curb more than one hour before parade time. No chewing gum in attractions (a CM will take out a little pad of paper and tear off a sheet and require you to spit your gum out and wrap it up and put it in the trash before you are allowed to enter the queue/building). And when they are that serious about gum chewing, you can darn well bet you won't be bringing your Coke or popcorn into a queue or building either. No flash pictures, and no photography of stage shows, or you will be escorted out of the show or building politely yet firmly.

Stuff the OLC and Tokyo Disneyland management require of their CM's, like... Perfectly pressed and fitted uniforms, with perfectly coiffed hair. No facial hair of any kind for men. Shined leather shoes with a defined heel, no sneakers or athletic shoes. No CM sign-in privileges because the parks are already busy enough. (Tokyo CM's have an opportunity to buy a limited number of Tokyo tickets per year at a slight discount, but can't even get themselves into the parks for free). An extremely high standard for professionalism, courtesy, poise and polish, and proactive customer service where loafers and leaners and grumps are not allowed.

If the Oriental Land Company were to take over WDW or Disneyland Resort, and then actually impose their current management practices that impact both visitor expectations and employee standards, most 21st century Americans would absolutely lose their mind. Internet message boards would explode in rage from DVC'ers, AP's, and CM's alike.

I can just hear it now...

Hold me to a higher standard?!? Not allow me to display my trashy tattoos in public?!? Not let me into California Grill wearing my Jorts and Crocs?!? Not let me and my family into the parks for free as a CM 16 times per year?!? Forget the OLC, bring back George Kalogridis and Meg Crofton and their lower standards of theme park management!!!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

UStuff the OLC requires of their "Guests" and actively police in Tokyo Disneyland parks and hotels, like... Visible tattoos not allowed at Disney hotel pools. Jackets required for men at fine dining restaurants. No sitting on the curb within one hour of parade time. No chewing gum in attractions (a CM will take out a little pad of paper and tear off a sheet and require you to spit your gum out and wrap it up and put it in the trash before you are allowed to enter the queue/building). And when they are that serious about gum chewing, you can darn well bet you won't be bringing your Coke or popcorn into a queue or building either. No flash pictures, and no photography of stage shows, or you will be escorted out of the show or building politely yet firmly.

Stuff the OLC and Tokyo Disneyland management require of their CM's, like... Perfectly pressed and fitted uniforms, with perfectly coiffed hair. No facial hair of any kind for men. Shined leather shoes with a defined heel, no sneakers or athletic shoes. No CM sign-in privileges because the parks are already busy enough. (Tokyo CM's have an opportunity to buy a limited number of Tokyo tickets per year at a slight discount, but can't even get themselves into the parks for free). An extremely high standard for professionalism, courtesy, and proactive customers service where loafers and leaners and grumps are not allowed.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I can't remember the threshold, maybe @ParentsOf4 or @Lee knows but in order to spend a capital expenditure over a certain amount, the board must give its blessing.

That's definitely true, though I don't know what that dollar amount is myself.

 

[Electricsoup]

A few things:

I am (literally) driving away from Boardwalk right now after a 5 night stay. With the amount of upkeep and beautification they were doing our first few days I wouldn't be surprised at all if Iger was there.

That being said, I saw or heard nothing that even remotely looked like anyone special was there. I'd also heard previously that BWI is his favorite resort. I usually stay at GF and it's much better suited for those who may not want to interact with others.

I can't wait to hear what they announce. While the parks do need some work it was a fantastically fun trip, and m so glad I haven't turned bitter about WDW.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

That being said, I saw or heard nothing that even remotely looked like anyone special was there. I'd also heard previously that BWI is his favorite resort. I usually stay at GF and it's much better suited for those who may not want to interact with others.

I believe the speculation is that he is, in fact, staying at the GF, but using the BW convention facilities.

 

[TP2000]

Sorry, I slipped into a Tokyo rant, didn't I?

Back OT, I think it bodes well for the WDW parks if they've flown out not just Iger but also the BOD. And to ask them to go to Orlando in summer is quite a demand, so it must be important.

Perhaps it's nothing, but this type of convening of the BOD at a specific property usually means something needs major approval. Get out the rubber stamps, kids, Bob Iger is making us go to that Disneyland thing they have out in Florida!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I can't remember the threshold, maybe @ParentsOf4 or @Lee knows but in order to spend a capital expenditure over a certain amount, the board must give its blessing.

Though they schedule these things months in advance. Doing so at one of their many convention resorts around the country is also within normal behavior.

I don't believe this is anything special but given the location, the studios may be on the agenda.

I refuse to consider this significant other than "Holy Crap, they actually admitted Orlando exists more than just a line item on a spreadsheet!"

I don't think you're saying otherwise, but just because it's routine doesn't mean it's "no big deal." It may be a quarterly, regularly scheduled meeting, but those quarterly, regularly scheduled meetings are where "big deal" things like a potential DHS revamp would be discussed. It's not like Bob would be able to assemble the Avengers ad hoc to discuss DHS. They'd just wait until whenever the next meeting was.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

This is most definitely about hammering out a budget for the DHS redo. This is going to be bigger than DCA's do over.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

This is most definitely about hammering out a budget for the DHS redo.

Boards of Directors don't hammer out budgets. The budget has been hammered. This is for them to look it over and say "yep, sounds good."

Along those lines, does anyone (maybe @WDW1974) know whether there's any dissent among the ranks on the Disney board, or are the all lined up in support of what Iger says?

This is going to be bigger than DCA's do over.

Fingers crossed. Is that based on something you know, or just a gut feeling?

 

[gmajew]

This is most definitely about hammering out a budget for the DHS redo. This is going to be bigger than DCA's do over.

I hope your right! Even then though people won't be happy....

 

[PhotoDave219]

I don't think you're saying otherwise, but just because it's routine doesn't mean it's "no big deal." It may be a quarterly, regularly scheduled meeting, but those quarterly, regularly scheduled meetings are where "big deal" things like a potential DHS revamp would be discussed. It's not like Bob would be able to assemble the Avengers ad hoc to discuss DHS. They'd just wait until whenever the next meeting was.

Exactly. This would be the normal meeting, just located near something they possibly cold be discussing.

Plus I'm trying to temper expectations accordingly.

 

[Mike S]

Until OLC managers tried to impose their traditional (Read: 1980's) behavioral standards on "Guests" and Cast Members alike. Then watch people here, paying visitors and WDW CM's, scream bloody murder that they were being held to a higher standard than they wanted to be held to while they were at work or on vacation.

Stuff the OLC requires of their "Guests" and actively police in Tokyo Disneyland parks and hotels, like... Visible tattoos not allowed at Disney hotel pools. Jackets required for men at fine dining restaurants. No sitting on the curb more than one hour before parade time. No chewing gum in attractions (a CM will take out a little pad of paper and tear off a sheet and require you to spit your gum out and wrap it up and put it in the trash before you are allowed to enter the queue/building). And when they are that serious about gum chewing, you can darn well bet you won't be bringing your Coke or popcorn into a queue or building either. No flash pictures, and no photography of stage shows, or you will be escorted out of the show or building politely yet firmly.

Stuff the OLC and Tokyo Disneyland management require of their CM's, like... Perfectly pressed and fitted uniforms, with perfectly coiffed hair. No facial hair of any kind for men. Shined leather shoes with a defined heel, no sneakers or athletic shoes. No CM sign-in privileges because the parks are already busy enough. (Tokyo CM's have an opportunity to buy a limited number of Tokyo tickets per year at a slight discount, but can't even get themselves into the parks for free). An extremely high standard for professionalism, courtesy, poise and polish, and proactive customer service where loafers and leaners and grumps are not allowed.

If the Oriental Land Company were to take over WDW or Disneyland Resort, and then actually impose their current management practices that impact both visitor expectations and employee standards, most 21st century Americans would absolutely lose their mind. Internet message boards would explode in rage from DVC'ers, AP's, and CM's alike.

I can just hear it now...

Hold me to a higher standard?!? Not allow me to display my trashy tattoos in public?!? Not let me into California Grill wearing my Jorts and Crocs?!? Not let me and my family into the parks for free as a CM 16 times per year?!? Forget the OLC, bring back George Kalogridis and Meg Crofton and their lower standards of theme park management!!!

Introducing the brand new Watch Guests Go Crazy Popcorn Party, WDW's latest upcharge event

 

[PhotoDave219]

This is most definitely about hammering out a budget for the DHS redo. This is going to be bigger than DCA's do over.

I Truly hope you're right.

 

[Mike S]

I hope your right! Even then though people won't be happy....

I would

 

[CDavid]

Until OLC managers tried to impose their traditional (Read: 1980's) behavioral standards on "Guests" and Cast Members alike. Then watch people here, paying visitors and WDW CM's, scream bloody murder that they were being held to a higher standard than they wanted to be held to while they were at work or on vacation.

Stuff the OLC requires of their "Guests" and actively police in Tokyo Disneyland parks and hotels, like... Visible tattoos not allowed at Disney hotel pools. Jackets required for men at fine dining restaurants. No sitting on the curb more than one hour of parade time. No chewing gum in attractions (a CM will take out a little pad of paper and tear off a sheet and require you to spit your gum out and wrap it up and put it in the trash before you are allowed to enter the queue/building). And when they are that serious about gum chewing, you can darn well bet you won't be bringing your Coke or popcorn into a queue or building either. No flash pictures, and no photography of stage shows, or you will be escorted out of the show or building politely yet firmly.

Stuff the OLC and Tokyo Disneyland management require of their CM's, like... Perfectly pressed and fitted uniforms, with perfectly coiffed hair. No facial hair of any kind for men. Shined leather shoes with a defined heel, no sneakers or athletic shoes. No CM sign-in privileges because the parks are already busy enough. (Tokyo CM's have an opportunity to buy a limited number of Tokyo tickets per year at a slight discount, but can't even get themselves into the parks for free). An extremely high standard for professionalism, courtesy, and proactive customers service where loafers and leaners and grumps are not allowed.

If the Oriental Land Company were to take over WDW or Disneyland Resort, and then actually impose their current management practices that impact both visitor expectations and employee standards, most 21st century Americans would absolutely lose their mind. Internet message boards would explode in rage from DVC'ers, AP's, and CM's alike.

I can just hear it now...

Hold me to a higher standard?!? Not allow me to display my trashy tattoos in public?!? Not let me into California Grill wearing my Jorts and Crocs?!? Not let me and my family into the parks for free as a CM 16 times per year?!? Forget the OLC, bring back George Kalogridis and Meg Crofton and their lower standards of theme park management!!!

While their are obviously cultural differences in how strictly such standards should be interpreted and enforced, these examples also reflect standards which most of us - to varying degrees - sincerely want to see at Walt Disney World. We want dress codes for finer restaurants, whether jacket or just a collared shirt, and flash pictures and food & beverages within shows and attractions are already things which shouldn't be happening. Disney in Florida, however, has a real problem with even enforcing rules which do exist - something they certainly need to be actively doing within the guidelines currently in place. If rules were even politely enforced there would be no need for mistaken solutions such as Rapid Fill.

Yes, there would be push back from some guests, but that is no reason to abandon (culturally) reasonable and appropriate standards of dress and conduct - from guests or cast members. You occasionally see men without shirts stroll into a restaurant with "No Shirt No Shoes No Service" signs. That is perfectly reasonable, and in fact probably appreciated by most fellow diners, and nobody has legitimate cause to complain when they are turned away. But, it becomes meaningless when those guests are served anyway.

We don't need police-state enforcement, but Walt Disney World does (and badly) need enforced standards.