News Bob Iger is back! Chapek is out!!

[_caleb]

Chapek largely continued Iger’s work.

Obviously things can be seen from this perspective. But reports are that Iger has been critical of Chapek’s execution/leadership of these things that Iger started. While that’s clearly a PR narrative, it’s one many of us actually agree with. It hasn’t always been a problem of what, but of how.

That absolutely can tell us a good deal because it is very unlikely that Iger is going to come in and undo his own work.

If Chapek‘s bungled implementation of Iger’s ideas revealed the shortcomings of those ideas, of course Iger is going change (undo his own work)! He’s coming back to repair his legacy, and he has the benefit of a fall guy for some of his worst ideas. In order to be the savior and to raise morale and build trust, you’ve got to believe he will do at least a few things that please the fans/guests/customers/subscribers.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I think he's going to do a deal. He's going to buy something, sell something, or spin something off.

I would be surprised if another big acquisition is on the cards as it doesn't seem like the right moment for that and not sure there are any logical targets. Wouldn't be surprised if Disney spins or sells something off in the coming years.

 

[TQQQ]

Not in the grand scheme of the system, no. But when PP wants to cherry pick a point-in-time in the middle of the afternoon on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, that narrows the focus.

The point is, the PP said it wont be crowded because WDW is limiting attandance with park pass reservations in order to improve the experience


Thats simply not true and I dont think you would even argue with that

 

[jpinkc]

It all goes back, I would even say pre Eisner. Euro Disney, Shanghai, etc to expand the World Market by forgetting the place that made them World Class. Disneyland & WDW. Disneyland expanding is problematic, but the LACK of real Capacity additions in Florida is the biggest crime of all. Walt even said the greatest strength of WDW would be space to build......... to grow and dream.

 

[DCLcruiser]

Genie+ at $29 and ROTR at $25 pp, that would be an extra $270 for my family of 5 for today only!.....NO THANKS

I only need 2 tickets. The Genie+ increase would just have been part of the base price increase. Now it is transparent. Buy it or don't. ILL I find to be great, just pay up if you want it that badly.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

If Chapek‘s bungled implementation of Iger’s ideas revealed the shortcomings of those ideas, of course Iger is going change (undo his own work)! He’s coming back to repair his legacy, and he has the benefit of a fall guy for some of his worst ideas. In order to be the savior and to raise morale and build trust, you’ve got to believe he will do at least a few things that please the fans/guests/customers/subscribers.

I tend to agree. At least Iger can read the room and course correct, which Chapek didn't seem able to do. If Chapek implemented Iger's ideas and they didn't work out, I don't see Iger as so stubborn he would come back and still keep pushing them rather than doing something else and pretending everything that went wrong was all Chapek's doing.

 

[Fordlover]

You know you can just wait in line right?

And when ROTR goes down after waiting in line for 1.5 hours, I really get that special magic Disney feeling deep inside. ”Well, you can wait longer, the ride might come back up today, but if you leave you lose your spot in line.” Oh and no refunds on our up charge to allow you to ride a ride that isn’t operating.

 

[DCLcruiser]

I've seen Safari FP+ lines stretch back towards the drummers. And Space Mountain lines that folded over to the CoP bathrooms.

I'm just better at picking when I go? Dunno. I liked FP+ a lot.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I would be surprised if another big acquisition is on the cards as it doesn't seem like the right moment for that and not sure there are any logical targets. Wouldn't be surprised if Disney spins or sells something off in the coming years.

I think the other media chiefs are crapping their pants watching Disney get raked over the coals for streaming results. Outside of maybe some niche products here and there, I think there's going to be one or two competitors left for Netflix when the dust settles. The industry needs consolidation.

 

[_caleb]

I would be surprised if another big acquisition is on the cards as it doesn't seem like the right moment for that and not sure there are any logical targets. Wouldn't be surprised if Disney spins or sells something off in the coming years.

Yeah, I don’t expect a major purchase. I think he’s going to do stuff that boosts confidence without costing any money, like making big announcements (parks expansions, new films/series, etc.). I think selling his acquisitions might feel like losing for him, so I’m not sure about that, either.

 

[DCLcruiser]

Anyone that would wait 2 hours for Toy Story Midway Mania needs their head examined!


Current wait times in HS:

ToT: Temp closed, Genie+ gone
Toy Story Mania: 120 mins
ROTR: 145 mins
Slinky DD: 160 mins
RnR: 120 mins
MFSR: 110 mins
MMRR: 100 mins

TSMM is one of the best rides at WDW. I would grab a LL early, and rope drop Rise or something else.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The point is, the PP said it wont be crowded because WDW is limiting attandance with park pass reservations in order to improve the experience


Thats simply not true and I dont think you would even argue with that

They never said "it won't be crowded."

Have you ever been to the parks on Christmas Day? Because I've done it as a guest, and as a cast member, and it's terrifying. Like, terrifying to the point where you're worried for your safety. Limiting that sort of thing is the purpose of attendances caps. Not "it won't be crowded."

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I think the other media chiefs are crapping their pants watching Disney get raked over the coals for streaming results. Outside of maybe some niche products here and there, I think there's going to be one or two competitors left for Netflix when the dust settles. The industry needs consolidation.

True, but what does that leave for Disney to buy? Another streaming service bleeding money? It seems to be that's now what Iger is being brought back to do.

 

[DCLcruiser]

It has a couple of moderate thrill rides

They never put in much else and they have had every chance to

Rise, M:F, ST, TSMM (not thrilling, but it's way more fun than most), SDD, RnRC, ToT... I'm pretty sure that's more than the other parks. Outside of more roller coasters, or an Indy car ride I don't know what more they need.

 

[TQQQ]

I only need 2 tickets. The Genie+ increase would just have been part of the base price increase. Now it is transparent. Buy it or don't. ILL I find to be great, just pay up if you want it that badly.

some people need 8 tickets

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Rise, M:F, ST, TSMM (not thrilling, but it's way more fun than most), SDD, RnRC, ToT... I'm pretty sure that's more than the other parks. Outside of more roller coasters, or an Indy car ride I don't know what more they need.

People here dislike Studios because they've seen all of the shows a thousand times. If you're skipping Frozen, Indy, Beauty and the Best, Lightning, etc. then there's not quite enough to do. If you watch all the shows you need at least a day and a half.

 

[Dranth]

Iger is the reason the current company is the way it is.

He is why:
- The company ignores its greater history (with the exception of merch rollouts) in order to promote the legacy of things created under him
- Disney continues to price us out in the parks as a means of “controlling capacity” rather than properly investing in the parks to keep up with demand
- Remakes and acquisitions take priority instead of new ideas.
- Parks are merely viewed as an advertisement for toys and recent movies. Everything must be tied to a movie franchise!
- We got a horribly unqualified successor because he removed all of the executives that could have done a better job than him (famously also an Eisner problem, but Iger never gets criticized for it).
- Disney completely abandoned any interest in the video game industry, ignoring a massive entertainment medium that constantly increases in popularity.

I’m sure I’m missing a lot, but this guy has been horrible for the parks as a whole and has sucked all of the ambition of the company, turning into a soulless machine for Wall Street and the BoD.

I never said he wasn't, I said he is better than Chapek which makes him an improvement and that is something to be happy about. If anyone can look me in the eye and honestly tell me they would rather have Chapek after the last few years then I will show you someone who is smoking a whole lot of crack.

 

[DCLcruiser]

They never said "it won't be crowded."

Have you ever been to the parks on Christmas Day? Because I've done it as a guest, and as a cast member, and it's terrifying. Like, terrifying to the point where you're worried for your safety. Limiting that sort of thing is the purpose of attendances caps. Not "it won't be crowded."

I never understood why anyone would want to be away from home/family's home for Christmas. I like the WDW Disney parade show on Christmas morning, but besides that, plenty of better times to go.

I'm going next week, after Thanksgiving obviously, and it is usually less crowded.

 

[SteamboatJoe]

Yeah, I don’t expect a major purchase. I think he’s going to do stuff that boosts confidence without costing any money, like making big announcements (parks expansions, new films/series, etc.). I think selling his acquisitions might feel like losing for him, so I’m not sure about that, either.

Agreed unless the sale allows them to eliminate redundancies (i e., Hulu citing market oversaturation that previously didn't exist and the need to streamline distribution).

Its definitely going to be about cutting costs, making Disney+ profitable, repairing relationships, improving perceived value, and restoring trust in the company.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

some people need 8 tickets

Damn I bet your grocery bill is more expensive too.

Like... I get it, that sucks, but like... yeah, a bigger family is going to be hit harder by price increases.