Bob Weis steps down as WDI President

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'm starting to think the days of hiring someone who had prior theme park experience in the industry is a dying breed.

Everyone with actual experience might be dead soon

 

[Jrb1979]

Everyone with actual experience might be dead soon

Yes. There is still young people that work in the amusement park industry that would be a good hire. Look to the dark ride manufacturers, there has got someone there.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yes. There is still young people that work in the amusement park industry that would be a good hire. Look to the dark ride manufacturers, there has got someone there.

WDI’s production and growth from within has fallen on hard times…they can’t do what they need within the budget needed on anything close to a reasonable schedule. “Can do” used to be more than an exhibit in the archives/display case in the lobby

 

[JoeCamel]

Everyone with actual experience might be dead soon

Good, if there is no one to remember then the new normal will feel more "normal".
Moving on to other interests in 3 2 1........

 

[MrPromey]

Good, if there is no one to remember then the new normal will feel more "normal".
Moving on to other interests in 3 2 1........

Seems to be the strategy they're using with guests in the parks so why not?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Seems to be the strategy they're using with guests in the parks so why not?

You know…I found this fascinating in a related/unrelated sorta way:

Peloton’s Gears Are Stuck

It might be the rise-and-fall story of our pandemic-scarred times.

slate.com

Has anyone followed this?

here’s what they’re doing: they tried to “hold the line” on a ridiculous priced disposal product and now they are going down.

killed the niche…insisted that their valuation was more important than adapting to the market.

sound like a cautionary tale? They won’t be the last to convince themselves there’s unlimited money “out there” when it was never the case.

 

[JoeCamel]

You know…I found this fascinating in a related/unrelated sorta way:

Peloton’s Gears Are Stuck

It might be the rise-and-fall story of our pandemic-scarred times.

slate.com

Has anyone followed this?

here’s what they’re doing: they tried to “hold the line” on a ridiculous priced disposal product and now they are going down.

killed the niche…insisted that their valuation was more important than adapting to the market.

sound like a cautionary tale? They won’t be the last to convince themselves there’s unlimited money “out there” when it was never the case.

They can't really bring it down to a reasonable price after all those bought at pandemic pricing. That would make your customers feel foolish?
Like so many exercise devices these will become expensive clothes racks once their screen content is gone.

 

[MrPromey]

You know…I found this fascinating in a related/unrelated sorta way:

Peloton’s Gears Are Stuck

It might be the rise-and-fall story of our pandemic-scarred times.

slate.com

Has anyone followed this?

here’s what they’re doing: they tried to “hold the line” on a ridiculous priced disposal product and now they are going down.

killed the niche…insisted that their valuation was more important than adapting to the market.

sound like a cautionary tale? They won’t be the last to convince themselves there’s unlimited money “out there” when it was never the case.

Which leads directly into this:

Peloton's collapse spins up Apple, Nike, Amazon acquisition chatter

A flurry of developments with Peloton Interactive (PTON) has sent shares down 24.33% to start the year and have them sitting more than 80% below their 2021 high. Read about Peloton M&A talk.

seekingalpha.com

Unfortunately, this kind of outcome still ends up rewarding the poor choices of management who tend to walk away 50 pounds heavier (so to speak), usually at the expense of the day-to-day folks.

 

[MrPromey]

They can't really bring it down to a reasonable price after all those bought at pandemic pricing. That would make your customers feel foolish?
Like so many exercise devices these will become expensive clothes racks once their screen content is gone.

But what they can/could do is come up with lower-end more mass appeal models.

Look at what can be removed or reduced and what can be stripped off and offered as a modular add-on to reduce the starting price of a base product while still offering a road to something more premium - something that would lower the barrier to entry for more customers while still offering, if not really making many of the original products to reinforce the notion that their existing customers bought into something exclusive and premium.

In fact, with the link I just posted, I can just about guarantee if they end up getting bought out by the likes of Amazon or Nike, that's exactly what'll happen and with Amazon, a reduction in monthly subscription pricing, or at least lower tiers of it are all but a sure thing, too, since they're smart enough to realize there is more value and especially more security in a higher subscription count at a sustainable price than relying on a single small group to overpay in order to keep a business like this humming.

 

[JoeCamel]

But what they can/could do is come up with a lower-end model more mass appeal model.

Look at what can be removed and what can be offered as a modular add-on to reduce the starting price of their base product while still offering a road to something more premium - something that would lower the barrier to entry for more customers while still offering, if not really making many of the original products to reinforce the notion that their existing customers bought into something premium.

In fact, with the link I just posted, I can just about guarantee if they end up getting bought out by the likes of Amazon or Nike, that's exactly what'll happen and with Amazon, a reduction in monthly subscription pricing, or at least lower tiers of it are all but a sure thing, too since they're smart enough to realize there is more value and especially more security in a higher subscription count at a sustainable price than relying on a single small group to overpay in order to keep a business like this humming.

I've not looked into the product but from the ads it seems like the screen content with the tracking is the real draw to these. Many bikes are available with "features" but Peloton was selling the content on the screen more than a bike. Subs are the mana of today's business, they all envision unlimited growth because their content is so compelling that they will never satiate all the hungry consumers. Too bad it really doesn't work like that.

 

[MrPromey]

I've not looked into the product but from the ads it seems like the screen content with the tracking is the real draw to these. Many bikes are available with "features" but Peloton was selling the content on the screen more than a bike. Subs are the mana of today's business, they all envision unlimited growth because their content is so compelling that they will never satiate all the hungry consumers. Too bad it really doesn't

It is but knowing a few people with them, I can tell you they find ways to bring that they've used it or their experience with it up in conversation, too.

Instead of "I biked today" or "I worked out" it's a casual "I did x on the Peloton" or "I was in so-and-so's Brittany class on the Pleanton yesterday when _____ texted me" - that sort of silly thing.

They (sometimes not so) subtly want you to know they own and use one (which is why I roll my eyes at these people I otherwise love) so I can attest that there is also a status factor to these things.

I have a friend who sold hers (for a profit) during the height of the pandemic and the person who came to pick it up actually was like "are you sure you want to sell?" - as if they'd bribed her into parting with a kidney and felt bad for it.

It absolutely was a bubble the company was apparently not preparing for a way forward from but again, for leadership in the company, does it really even matter? Are they going to go broke or lose their jobs without hefty compensation when the brand is scooped up?

 

[bcoachable]

You know…I found this fascinating in a related/unrelated sorta way:

Peloton’s Gears Are Stuck

It might be the rise-and-fall story of our pandemic-scarred times.

slate.com

Has anyone followed this?

here’s what they’re doing: they tried to “hold the line” on a ridiculous priced disposal product and now they are going down.

killed the niche…insisted that their valuation was more important than adapting to the market.

sound like a cautionary tale? They won’t be the last to convince themselves there’s unlimited money “out there” when it was never the case.

Thanks for sharing-
I’m convinced that the Diz plan all along was to reduce crowds, but have those that do come spend more… I think it’s working - in the short term…. But the long term is they are killing off the “come back year after year” crowd-
got my popcorn ready to see the long term show

 

[bcoachable]

But what they can/could do is come up with lower-end more mass appeal models.

Look at what can be removed or reduced and what can be stripped off and offered as a modular add-on to reduce the starting price of a base product while still offering a road to something more premium - something that would lower the barrier to entry for more customers while still offering, if not really making many of the original products to reinforce the notion that their existing customers bought into something exclusive and premium.

In fact, with the link I just posted, I can just about guarantee if they end up getting bought out by the likes of Amazon or Nike, that's exactly what'll happen and with Amazon, a reduction in monthly subscription pricing, or at least lower tiers of it are all but a sure thing, too since they're smart enough to realize there is more value and especially more security in a higher subscription count at a sustainable price than relying on a single small group to overpay in order to keep a business like this humming.

So who buys out the Diz parks?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Thanks for sharing-
I’m convinced that the Diz plan all along was to reduce crowds, but have those that do come spend more… I think it’s working - in the short term…. But the long term is they are killing off the “come back year after year” crowd-
got my popcorn ready to see the long term show

Oh I agree…

but we have to clarify: it’s not the smokescreen that a lot of fans/defenders have put up for Iger for years. It’s not “they’re trying to reduce crowds to increase satisfaction”

they’re actually stripping it down, taking it apart and trying to charge the maximum amount for each tiny piece…
And then when the riff raff who don’t pat themselves on the back for paying as much as possible are gone…they’ll try to pull more into the new order that does.

not the same thing at all…

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

So who buys out the Diz parks?

I hope someone does…this can’t continue under the casino rules of modern Wall Street.

but it would have to be the biggest of whales…like four seasons

 

[bcoachable]

Oh I agree…

but we have to clarify: it’s not the smokescreen that a lot of fans/defenders have put up for Iger for years. It’s not “they’re trying to reduce crowds to increase satisfaction”

they’re actually stripping it down, taking it apart and trying to charge the maximum amount for each tiny piece…
And then when the riff raff who don’t pat themselves on the back for paying as much as possible are gone…they’ll try to pull more into the new order that does.

not the same thing at all…

I agree-
I just think they are going to miss us “Riff Raff” when we are gone (and won’t come back, even if they beg us with free dining)
The park fans I’m talking to are feeling a bit burnt these days.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I've not looked into the product but from the ads it seems like the screen content with the tracking is the real draw to these. Many bikes are available with "features" but Peloton was selling the content on the screen more than a bike. Subs are the mana of today's business, they all envision unlimited growth because their content is so compelling that they will never satiate all the hungry consumers. Too bad it really doesn't work like that.

The reality is their equipment is inferior and come with stipulated, ridiculous additional fees…they’ve been undercut by nordictrack, proform, echelon, etc.

I looked at one about 18 months ago and went with another that offered better features and less longterm BS. Proven right.

 

[bcoachable]

I hope someone does…this can’t continue under the casino rules of modern Wall Street.

but it would have to be the biggest of whales…like four seasons

How would we feel with the Diz under ownership from another country?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I agree-
I just think they are going to miss us “Riff Raff” when we are gone (and won’t come back, even if they beg us with free dining)
The park fans I’m talking to are feeling a bit burnt these days.

You mean like the locals that have carried them for 50-60 years? Or the timeshare they’ve sold at a premium to hundreds of thousands for 30? Or the pass holders spread across 50 states and dozens of countries?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

How would we feel with the Diz under ownership from another country?

I’d crawl to Japan if olc would take it right now with a bow wrapped on it…