Bob Weis steps down as WDI President

[MrPromey]

So who buys out the Diz parks?

Good question.

I'm not sure any competitor would be interested at what would likely be the asking price if it came to that.

A big chunk of the value in the stateside parks is the sentiment and knowledge that they are Disney parks which changes considerably once they become Disney licensed parks.

OLC found itself in a unique position and I think that would be very difficult to pull off in this country, today.

I mean, when Anheuser Busch got bought out, their new owners pulled it off (but at a much, much, much smaller scale) though I know people that to this day sarcastically call Bush Gardens, Inbev Gardens.

Then again, I don't know anyone who went to Bush Gardens to satisfy an emotional attachment to the brand which is one of the reasons they've never been able to stop moving in an effort to keep their audience returning.

That said, if they (Disney) keep running things the way they are, maybe a (or a combination of) private equity firm(s)?

If that comes to pass, it may actually be true that people look back on the Bobs years as "the good old days".

 

[the.dreamfinder]

…oh wow…did they really put someone In charge of WDI who came from designing health clinics?

that’s like putting a class of kindergarteners In charge of a factory that makes glue and scissors

just like chapek…If your unqualified, you’re unqualified

Worked out “ok” for Universal.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Good question.

I'm not sure any competitor would be interested at what would likely be the asking price if it came to that.

A big chunk of the value in the stateside parks is the sentiment and knowledge that they are Disney parks which changes considerably once they become Disney licensed parks.

OLC found itself in a unique position and I think that would be very difficult to pull off in this country, today.

I mean, when Anheuser Busch got bought out, their new owners pulled it off (but at a much, much, much smaller scale) though I know people that to this day sarcastically call Bush Gardens, Inbev Gardens.

Then again, I don't know anyone who went to Bush Gardens to satisfy an emotional attachment to the brand which is one of the reasons they've never been able to stop moving to keep their audience returning.

InBev sold them off quietly as soon as they could…never in doubt. To the same company that ran universals prior to Comcast.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Worked out “ok” for Universal.

It’s working “better” for Comcast everyday…in truth.

they never feared Disney…right up to the board room. That’s the key.

 

[MrPromey]

InBev sold them off quietly as soon as they could…never in doubt. To the same company that ran universals prior to Comcast.

And the key there is they managed to completely separate the brand of the parks from their foundation - not that most guests really cared much, anyway. They brought back the courtesy house with two free beers a day which makes it a win for most people.*


*over the age of 21, interested in drinking responsibly, of course.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I think Disney parks will become an increasing nightmare for DISNEY to run…because they line item everything across a really varied media conglomerate portfolio now.

parks used to be able to strengthen and cross promote product…it worked brilliantly for decades. But that is impossible when everything is portrayed as “premium” now and they have to increase the take each quarter. It’s basically icarus’s flight path

and remember…Bob Chapek won’t be there for 20 years. He got 14 plus stock last year and 32 or something rubber stamped for this? He’ll have more money than he can ever burn at his age in about 3 years. Let it burn.

people’s discount how big the starting age gap is to the management

Eisner: 42
Iger: 54
Chapek: 60

 

[ImperfectPixie]

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 problem with that is what Disney is running into with Disney+...you have to constantly keep new, interesting, and DIFFERENT content flowing steadily, or people get bored and move on.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The problem with that is what Disney is running into with Disney+...you have to constantly keep new, interesting, and DIFFERENT content flowing steadily, or people get bored and move on.

They didn’t used to in parks…because the product was predictable/familiar and the pricing was stable - even as it increased

it was “comfortable”’and Americans in particular love that.

neirher of those things are true now.

 

[doctornick]

The problem with that is what Disney is running into with Disney+...you have to constantly keep new, interesting, and DIFFERENT content flowing steadily, or people get bored and move on.

Well that’s the problem with streaming in general and a big reason why Netflix is trying to churn out as much original programming as possible - do they will have a back catalogue they own rather than having to pay other studios for content. New content is expensive and more variable as you don’t always know what will become a hit.

that’s actually a big strength of D+ relative to other streamers is that their back catalogue is pretty large and full of stuff that is enduring with its popularity. Even without new content they will have a stranglehold on families with children (even as some families grow out of the service, others will replace them). What is more difficult for D+ is having content that draws people in and retains them who aren’t families/Disneyphiles - Marvel and Star Wars are good but not quite general interest enough. They could use a Stranger Thing/Ted Lasso/Cobra Kai type show with more broad appeal (trying to name one’s that would work for D+ as I don’t see Squid Game or Tiger King being a fit)

 

[the.dreamfinder]

It’s working “better” for Comcast everyday…in truth.

they never feared Disney…right up to the board room. That’s the key.

Yes and no. They never aim higher than they have to. UNI’s entirely reliant on the quality of their product because their approach isn’t tied into things Disney used to excel at like theme or inter generational connections. That’s probably a good thing, but they will never be, nor do they want to be, what Disney once was.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yes and no. They never aim higher than they have to. UNI’s entirely reliant on the quality of their product because their approach isn’t tied into things Disney used to excel at like theme or inter generational connections. That’s probably a good thing, but they will never be, nor do they want to be, what Disney once was.

Oh I’m not doing the “universal is just as good as Disney” thing. Silly

They Have however seized some initiative and closed the gap for 12 years. What they’re doing is working in the current environment.

 

[bcoachable]

Oh I’m not doing the “universal is just as good as Disney” thing. Silly

They Have however seized some initiative and closed the gap for 12 years. What they’re doing is working in the current environment.

Worth reminding and noting that many old wdi creative are now roaming around up the HWY…

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Worth reminding and noting that many old wdi creative are now roaming around up the HWY…

…you noticed that too?

best lands in Orlando and it’s not close…and one was repurposed which is much harder. Always more of a pain to renovate.

 

[bcoachable]

And now they have a blank slate to work with across the highway- like I said earlier, I have my popcorn ready- and I’m not waiting around to eat it out of a figment bucket anymore

 

[lazyboy97o]

I’ve stopped watching stuff coming from Imagineering news (cause it hurts too much) - but she must have something that makes her qualified to lead what is left of the Imagineering department, right? (I’m trying so hard to be positive today!)
ETA: will she lead from Lake Nona or Glendale? (Asking for a friend)

If you are going to get someone from the outside healthcare probably isn’t a bad place to look. Healthcare is hard. It is complex. All sorts of regulations and requirements along with all sorts of technological needs and a wide variety of stakeholders who exist at multiple levels. There’s also a lot of psychology in healthcare design as there is a strong need to make people feel
comfortable in a space.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

If you are going to get someone from the outside healthcare probably isn’t a bad place to look. Healthcare is hard. It is complex. All sorts of regulations and requirements along with all sorts of technological needs and a wide variety of stakeholders who exist at multiple levels. There’s also a lot of psychology in healthcare design as there is a strong need to make people feel
comfortable in a space.

But Healthcare is bland and modular/functional.

its not gonna go well. As always…I hope I’m proven wrong

 

[Sir_Cliff]

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

The problem is that it won't matter if another publicly traded company buys the parks as the same logic would apply.

It would need to be some private entity with enough cash. Looking at the individuals who could afford to make an offer, I'm also not sure I an Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos running the Disney Parks.

I'm positive the parks could be run better within the current logic of the market, but I find it hard to see an off-ramp from their current direct without either major adjustments to how success is measured within the current economic system or an epic failure that puts them into crisis mode.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

If you are going to get someone from the outside healthcare probably isn’t a bad place to look. Healthcare is hard. It is complex. All sorts of regulations and requirements along with all sorts of technological needs and a wide variety of stakeholders who exist at multiple levels. There’s also a lot of psychology in healthcare design as there is a strong need to make people feel
comfortable in a space.

Honestly, the most reassuring thing I found in that piece was her attention to the importance of things like connection to nature and ease of navigation to positive outcomes in healthcare situations and her suggestion the parks should provide opportunities for guests to decompress and experience a less stimulating environment. That, to me, seems quite a smart approach not only because it is in keeping with the architecture of reassurance as part of the reason Disney Parks have traditionally been successful, but also because I think it shows some insight into what people will be looking for in terms of escapism in coming years that most theme parks probably won't provide.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The problem is that it won't matter if another publicly traded company buys the parks as the same logic would apply.

It would need to be some private entity with enough cash. Looking at the individuals who could afford to make an offer, I'm also not sure I an Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos running the Disney Parks.

I'm positive the parks could be run better within the current logic of the market, but I find it hard to see an off-ramp from their current direct without either major adjustments to how success is measured within the current economic system or an epic failure that puts them into crisis mode.

Oh it’s a pipe dream, for sure. Private is the only way to make things better.

but here’s the thing: the domestic parks always make profit…always. So if enough big fish got together to buy them…they could literally never worry about them and do whatever they wanted. Rich kids in the sandbox.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Honestly, the most reassuring thing I found in that piece was her attention to the importance of things like connection to nature and ease of navigation to positive outcomes in healthcare situations and her suggestion the parks should provide opportunities for guests to decompress and experience a less stimulating environment. That, to me, seems quite a smart approach not only because it is in keeping with the architecture of reassurance as part of the reason Disney Parks have traditionally been successful, but also because I think it shows some insight into what people will be looking for in terms of escapism in coming years that most theme parks probably won't provide.

…yeah…I have that book too

I agree with you here…it’s a tact that I could embrace…but it’s at odds with the management Philosophy of using crowd pressure to drive sales. And imagineering has no power.