News Bruce Vaughn Returns to Disney as Co-Lead of Walt Disney Imagineering

[Vinnie Mac]

Joe's currently back as a consultant. It's a very recent development.

Not sure if his role will expand beyond that.

I hope he comes back fully. Imagine. Billions in WDW investment for the remainder of this decade, Joe being back in Disney creative, huge new developments at the Universal parks. The Orlando theme park scene is looking so active and interesting right now

 

[monothingie]

It's not just about enough people, but the right people

Exactly, if the current standard is represented by the generic hotel theming, stagnation in development, unending build times, and underwhelming attractions and entertainment; then a greater change is needed.

 

[SplashJacket]

Don't the Disney interns stay at those Disney apt complexes and keep feeding the Mouse by paying rent?

No.

 

[peng]

Joe's currently back as a consultant. It's a very recent development.

Not sure if his role will expand beyond that.

That seems realistic, allows him to be flexible on where to go next.

But real talk, Imagineering is a shell for a whole host of reasons. Lack of new projects and the mass exodus thanks to the Lake Nona move (I remember around the time Imagineer after Imagineer citing that as the straw that broke the camel's back) as the reason they won't return. Disney has been hollowing Imagineering since the late 90s and it will take years for the division to rebuild. I do agree new execs are necessary as D'Amaro is making Pressler look like a huge spender and the lack of active projects once Tiana and Fantasy Springs wrap is worrying with Universal using their money to get as many projects as possible off the ground.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Because we’re in year 4 of them spending almost nothing

Laughable and embarrassing

Meanwhile up the road everything is being finished off and it’s looking insanely good

WDI - esque

Draw your own conclusions

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Don't the Disney interns stay at those Disney apt complexes and keep feeding the Mouse by paying rent?

Those aren’t interns

 

[Lilofan]

I am not sure WDI interns are in the same bucket as regular CPs.

They are surely paid better than CPs!

 

[MagicHappens1971]

Don't the Disney interns stay at those Disney apt complexes and keep feeding the Mouse by paying rent?

Disney does not own or operate the CP housing. It’s owned by American Campus.

WDW based Professional Interns can choose to live at Flamingo.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

He's just following on the Eisner model.

Disney needs fewer MBAs outside of the finance office.

Nothing in parks from post 1995 should be taken as “the right thing to do”

There’s a linear correlation on the timeline

 

[Lilofan]

Disney does not own or operate the CP housing. It’s owned by American Campus.

WDW based Professional Interns can choose to live at Flamingo.

Flamingos is where CPs live so if Professional Interns live there also I would think they get paid more so their $$ goes further like more food and drink etc etc,

 

[SplashJacket]

They are surely paid better than CPs!

CPs are labor exploitation, Disney’s professional interns are paid competitive intern rates.

 

[Lilofan]

CPs are labor exploitation, Disney’s professional interns are paid competitive intern rates.

And a booming business is probably the liquor store nearby CP housing.

 

[larryz]

Dunno. "Who am I and why am I here?" is pretty close.

I dunno -- I kinda like

 

[larryz]

They are not.

What scares me is that they might be following the Boeing model.

That would be like if Disney bought ABC, but then let ABC executives take over management.

Oh, wait...

 

[larryz]

Rephrased, do they have enough people to spend $60B over 10 years delivering not good, not great, but excellent projects?

It doesn't have to be excellent, nor great -- not even good. It only has to be "Florida Tourist Grade"*.

* Roughly equivalent to Contractor Grade in the residential world...

 

[mkt]

They are surely paid better than CPs!

Well, yes, they are also being brought in for professional internships, not staffing bodies for unskilled work

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

CPs are labor exploitation, Disney’s professional interns are paid competitive intern rates.

Thank you

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I hope he comes back fully. Imagine. Billions in WDW investment for the remainder of this decade, Joe being back in Disney creative, huge new developments at the Universal parks. The Orlando theme park scene is looking so active and interesting right now

It’s damn near dead between 192 and Vineland apopka road

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Joe Rhode really is brilliant. Anyone that has had the pleasure of talking with him or seeing the way he approaches this art form is nothing short of special.

It isn’t the art I worry about…it’s the other 2 parts of the job

 

[Epcot81Fan]

Joe Rhode really is brilliant. .