• The new WDWMAGIC iOS app is here!
    Stay up to date with the latest Disney news, photos, and discussions right from your iPhone. The app is free to download and gives you quick access to news articles, forums, photo galleries, park hours, weather and Lightning Lane pricing. Learn More
  • Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
    Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.

News Jeff Vahle Announces Retirement

D

DCBaker

Premium Member
Original Poster
Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle has announced he is retiring this summer - here's the announcement:

Today, I shared with our team that after 36 years with Disney, I’ll be retiring this summer.

I started my career as an engineer at Magic Kingdom and I’m wrapping it up with the best job ever, leading Walt Disney World into a period of remarkable growth in partnership with our incredible Cast Members and community.

I’ll be here through late July, so I’ll save the reminiscing for later. In the meantime, there’s a lot ahead, from launching Cool KIDS’ Summer to opening Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets and an updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.

It’s an exciting time at Walt Disney World, and I’m looking forward to being part of it in the months ahead.
 
djkidkaz

djkidkaz

Well-Known Member
I mean we have all known and heard for a long time that Jeff has always been tight with the wallet. So I would imagine with all these projects coming up they will be looking for someone who is willing to invest in the parks and get them back to their glory.

What I do think is interesting is I don’t know that there is anyone within the WDW sphere that has tenure and fits the bill to be president. I wouldn’t be surprised to see someone take on this role that isn’t currently at WDW.
 
britain

britain

Well-Known Member
Or in other words...

1778534874580.png
 
dmc493

dmc493

Well-Known Member
djkidkaz said:
I mean we have all known and heard for a long time that Jeff has always been tight with the wallet. So I would imagine with all these projects coming up they will be looking for someone who is willing to invest in the parks and get them back to their glory.
Click to expand...
I’ve always wondered much of a final say he has for those decisions though. I’m sure he didn’t have the power to veto the current slate of investment. It’d make sense that he had more sway tho with smaller scale projects and maybe resort level projects outside the park
 
J

James Alucobond

Well-Known Member
dmc493 said:
I’ve always wondered much of a final say he has for those decisions though. I’m sure he didn’t have the power to veto the current slate of investment. It’d make sense that he had more sway tho with smaller scale projects and maybe resort level projects outside the park
Click to expand...
Things like attraction maintenance are squarely in his domain, and that has been awful, especially relative to the other parks in the portfolio.
 
djkidkaz

djkidkaz

Well-Known Member
dmc493 said:
I’ve always wondered much of a final say he has for those decisions though. I’m sure he didn’t have the power to veto the current slate of investment. It’d make sense that he had more sway tho with smaller scale projects and maybe resort level projects outside the park
Click to expand...

I think where he really makes an impact is on deciding WHAT to invest in. For example, he is going to provide them with his knowledge of where he thinks investment should go. So when you see things like Stitch’s Great Escape sitting empty for years, there is no doubt proposals being brought to someone in his position who then has to decide if the return on investment is worth it. His impact will also reach the budget for projects where he is going to say “yeah go ahead and update stitch’s great escape but it needs to be X amount of this budget”. So imagineering says here is a 20 million dollar redo and he will say “what can you do for 10 million?”.
 
dmc493

dmc493

Well-Known Member
djkidkaz said:
I think where he really makes an impact is on deciding WHAT to invest in. For example, he is going to provide them with his knowledge of where he thinks investment should go. So when you see things like Stitch’s Great Escape sitting empty for years, there is no doubt proposals being brought to someone in his position who then has to decide if the return on investment is worth it. His impact will also reach the budget for projects where he is going to say “yeah go ahead and update stitch’s great escape but it needs to be X amount of this budget”. So imagineering says here is a 20 million dollar redo and he will say “what can you do for 10 million?”.
Click to expand...
Great perspective thanks
 
Sirwalterraleigh

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
djkidkaz said:
I think where he really makes an impact is on deciding WHAT to invest in. For example, he is going to provide them with his knowledge of where he thinks investment should go. So when you see things like Stitch’s Great Escape sitting empty for years, there is no doubt proposals being brought to someone in his position who then has to decide if the return on investment is worth it. His impact will also reach the budget for projects where he is going to say “yeah go ahead and update stitch’s great escape but it needs to be X amount of this budget”. So imagineering says here is a 20 million dollar redo and he will say “what can you do for 10 million?”.
Click to expand...

The wdw ops (sundial) hierarchy has ZERO say on actual capital expenditure other than maybe an opinion and a presser rubber stamp
 
dmc493

dmc493

Well-Known Member
So who would people bet on? From the park VP ranks, a sideways shift from the rest of Experiences, or from rest of the company?
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom