Josh D’Amaro

[TP2000]

To be completely fair to Bob, he is wearing a microphone in the same area where his name tag should be. I'm guessing he, or his handlers, moved it so the mic wouldn't rub up against the name tag.

I don't think the microphone clipped lower on the lapel had anything to do with it. The nametag should have been there all day higher on the lapel long before the mic was clipped on to do the interview, remember.

The problem is this isn't the first time he's done the Dorky Nametag Placement thing, and he's certainly not the first Burbank exec to put on a nametag sloppily after he gets out of the car for a media event down in Anaheim.

If a CM is wearing a suit jacket or sport coat, the nametag should be placed under the notch of the left lapel, so that it's prominently in the right location and not being covered by the lapel or competing with the chest placket. See Josh in the photo above. Too often, Bob gets handed his prop nametag just before he goes onstage or does the media event, and he slaps it on like the clueless dork he apparently is. A man with no knowledge of the unique theme park culture he is allegedly leading. It's a bonehead mistake for a leader to make, and it looks sloppy.

If Josh D'Amaro can figure this out, and Bob's predecessor Tom Staggs can figure this out, a guy who was described by the Wall Street Journal as "an oddly waifish man of anemic personality" (Ouch! And you guys thought I was snarky! I've got nothing on the pros at the Wall Street Journal!)

If Dockers clad lower-middle managers in the theme park can figure this out...

Then Bob Chapek should be able to figure it out. Or at least recognize he doesn't know much about Disney theme park culture and should have his assistant ask someone if he looks okay. What's telling is that no one in Chapek's inner circle can either recognize this tiny but noticeable error, or they are too afraid to say something to him about it. It's probably both of those combined, and that's a problem. As Walt often said "The magic is in the details!"

 

[TP2000]

Probably 99.9% of those greedy, remorseless Disney suits are quite normal and nice people. Including Chapek.

You're probably right. But then what would we talk about?

 

[Practical Pig]

If a CM is wearing a suit jacket or sport coat, the nametag should be placed under the notch of the left lapel, so that it's prominently in the right location and not being covered by the lapel or competing with the chest placket.

Name tags worn too low are a small pet peeve of mine. They need to be well inside your peripheral vision when making eye contact with the person, so a quick referential glance will provide you with the information you need without confusing the moment. This is particularly true if the person is female and a glance at a low name tag could be mistaken as an inappropriate gaze.

 

[Ryan120420]

I don't think the microphone clipped lower on the lapel had anything to do with it. The nametag should have been there all day higher on the lapel long before the mic was clipped on to do the interview, remember.

The problem is this isn't the first time he's done the Dorky Nametag Placement thing, and he's certainly not the first Burbank exec to put on a nametag sloppily after he gets out of the car for a media event down in Anaheim.

If a CM is wearing a suit jacket or sport coat, the nametag should be placed under the notch of the left lapel, so that it's prominently in the right location and not being covered by the lapel or competing with the chest placket. See Josh in the photo above. Too often, Bob gets handed his prop nametag just before he goes onstage or does the media event, and he slaps it on like the clueless dork he apparently is. A man with no knowledge of the unique theme park culture he is allegedly leading. It's a bonehead mistake for a leader to make, and it looks sloppy.

If Josh D'Amaro can figure this out, and Bob's predecessor Tom Staggs can figure this out, a guy who was described by the Wall Street Journal as "an oddly waifish man of anemic personality" (Ouch! And you guys thought I was snarky! I've got nothing on the pros at the Wall Street Journal!)

If Dockers clad lower-middle managers in the theme park can figure this out...

Then Bob Chapek should be able to figure it out. Or at least recognize he doesn't know much about Disney theme park culture and should have his assistant ask someone if he looks okay. What's telling is that no one in Chapek's inner circle can either recognize this tiny but noticeable error, or they are too afraid to say something to him about it. It's probably both of those combined, and that's a problem. As Walt often said "The magic is in the details!"

I stand corrected.


Its a really bad look when the CEO of a company can't comply with the simplest of dress codes. Sets a bad example.

 

[Nunu]

Let's dig into this fantastic photo from @hismattjesty (great screen name!), because this might be Peak Josh D'Amaro we are looking at here. I don't know that it's ever going to be able to get better than this, and we can look back on this photo decades from now and smile warmly.

First, his wardrobe is spot on perfection for Early 2020's Cool Dad Executive. This man has not just nailed it with this look, he's applied it permanently with some sort of Space Age polymer.

Look at that Peter Millar (I'm betting) sport coat tailored to his svelte runner's physique, with the contrasting pocket lining popped up on the breast pocket. The crisp yet casual dark jeans, sporty business belt. The smooth shaved, lean face (beards are for bellhops, not businessmen) with the obviously coiffed yet still tousled salt and pepper hair. I have a hunch there's a Nordstrom Personal Shopper at Fashion Island that's invovled here, with natural help from Mrs. D'Amaro (who I have been told is a genuinely kind and fun lady to be around, like her husband), but there's also an obvious personal style he has here. This man owns it.

My God, he even gets his nametag right; instead of that awkward too-low nametag placement most Burbank executives do when they never wear one and their assistant reminds them to put it on at the last second, Josh puts his own damn nametag on himself without thinking and places it perfectly right below the notch of his slim lapel. Impressive!

If I have one quibble, it's that I'd like to see just a hint of white shirt cuff at the sport coat sleeve, and that he's unbuttoned two (2) buttons on his starched yet sleek white dress shirt. This isn't a Chippendales revue, Josh! It's a family park! But when @Curious Constance returns eventually for a check in here she will absolutely lose her mind and claim his two undone buttons are perfection and that I should just shut up and let Josh put on his own version of the Disneyland Show.

Yup, this is Peak Josh D'Amaro on display here, and it's impressive to behold. No wonder Josh leapfrogged his career quickly over the snobby and charmless Michael Colglazier. (How's Virgin Galactic going Michael? Not good? Oh.)

Can I just say how much I enjoy your fashion analyses' posts? They're the best!

I'm tempted to post a photo I took of Josh (and Jeff Vahle). We crossed paths on Oct 2020 at MK's Main Street USA. I'd love to know what you think. Would you indulge me?

 

[TP2000]

Can I just say how much I enjoy your fashion analyses' posts? They're the best!

I'm tempted to post a photo I took of Josh (and Jeff Vahle). We crossed paths on Oct 2020 at MK's Main Street USA. I'd love to know what you think. Would you indulge me?

Do it! I'm in the middle of moving my life and I was busy today sorting the garage crap, so I haven't had a drink. I need to make a late evening cocktail to celebrate my accomplishments today, and I'd love something to indulge over.

 

[TP2000]

I stand corrected.


Its a really bad look when the CEO of a company can't comply with the simplest of dress codes. Sets a bad example.

It's fun, isn't it?

It's just one of those small little details that any theme park employee or theme park fan could spot from 20 feet away. But a clueless Burbank exec who claims he's the "leader" of the theme parks often completely fails at.

Trust me, when Bob Chapek walks onstage at some theme park event or cuts the ribbon on some "immersive adventure!" and his nametag is slapped too low on his jacket over his breast pocket, everyone in the audience who has worked their lives off for Disney theme parks looks at him and thinks "That guy is a dork and a phony."

Bob Chapek instantly loses street cred by appearing repeatedly in public with dorky nametag placement. You can just picture the equally clueless assistant who also never worked at Disneyland trying to fish the prop "Bob - Hammond, IN" nametag out of her messenger bag before he goes onstage to read his PowerPoint script badly.

 

[Nunu]

Do it! I'm in the middle of moving my life and I was busy today sorting the garage crap, so I haven't had a drink. I need to make a late evening cocktail to celebrate my accomplishments today, and I'd love something to indulge over.

Thank you for taking the time!
Here you go:

 

[TP2000]

Thank you for taking the time!

Oh, how timely! I have just taken two aspirin for my aging back after a day sorting the garage, I have tuned in KJZZ on the hi-fi, and I have just made myself a celebratory late nite martini with: The Botanist gin, extra dry with Dolin vermouth, and even though Auntie Mame says olives take up too much room in such a little glass I put an almond-stuffed olive in for effect.

Let's see what we've got here...

Oh, my. A rather surreptitious action shot! Bravo to you for snapping this! This looks like Florida, which would explain why Josh is not wearing a sport coat (heat, humidity). And yet... Josh wins. He looks great. He's super casual here, really just about as casual as an executive should get in public like this. But he's able to pull it off because, again, that lithe runner's physique of his lets him get away with what others could not. The black chinos are spot on, the shoes are on trend yet he's able to make them age appropriate. He's belted, like an adult.

His nametag placement has nailed it again like an old pro who doesn't need an assistant to fish out a prop nametag for him. Look at his hair. Just perfect. Coiffed, has product in it, but looks entirely natural. Not a hair helmet, but a hair statement. Brilliant stuff.

What always impresses me about Josh is his attention to detail. His mandatory mask is tagless, brandless, sleek and well fitting. His simple white magicband freaking matches his outfit! There was a line that Mary Tyler Moore said in Thoroughly Modern Millie about motorcars that "machines, like gloves, should only be black or white" and Josh has taken that excellent advice to heart here with his magicband.

If I have only one quibble with Josh, it's again his shirtsleeves. I'm not sure he should have rolled his up like this. He's not rebuilding a carburetor, he's walking to Adventureland. I think he should keep them rolled down. I'm sure his Personal Shopper at the Fashion Island Nordies knows he's a lanky man with a 36 inch arm, and his shirts fit him well. So don't roll them up like this. I get it, it's Florida and it's hot and crappy, but you are the Chairman. You're going to have to sacrifice a little.

Otherwise, this is Josh at his most daringly casual, and yet Josh being Josh D'Amaro. The man is a legend at this point.

As for the other one? Jeff Vahle? Well... not quite the worst we've ever seen from Burbank/Orlando exec types. But next to Josh, it's not good. He's trying to be cool like Josh, but not quite getting there. The slouchy grey jeans are too ill-fitting. The Nike sneakers are a bit beat up and not the latest, and the white soles are yellowing. Notice how Josh's white soles on his sports shoes are gleaming, like he just visited one of those kids that heckle you to clean your soles at the mall kiosk? Mr. Vahle has never done that, obviously. His shirt is off the rack and untucked, slouchy instead of sleek. The Mickey corporate logo makes him look dorky, like he doesn't own any cool casual shirts he didn't buy with a CM discount. It doesn't help it's buttoned to his neck, the opposite of Josh's Chippendales lobby pre-show look with two undone buttons. His mandatory mask has an ugly white tag on it. His magicband doesn't match anything. I'm not loving the haircut, it looks too Kissimmee strip mall Supercuts for me. And for the love of God, the nametag is crooked! This isn't hard, people. There are mirrors. Check before you go onstage.

Did I miss anything? I need to focus on this martini for a few moments....

 

[Lilofan]

Oh, how timely! I have just taken two aspirin for my aging back after a day sorting the garage, I have tuned in KJZZ on the hi-fi, and I have just made myself a celebratory late nite martini with: The Botanist gin, extra dry with Dolin vermouth, and even though Auntie Mame says olives take up too much room in such a little glass I put an almond-stuffed olive in for effect.

Let's see what we've got here...

Oh, my. A rather surreptitious action shot! Bravo to you for snapping this! This looks like Florida, which would explain why Josh is not wearing a sport coat (heat, humidity). And yet... Josh wins. He looks great. He's super casual here, really just about as casual as an executive should get in public like this. But he's able to pull it off because, again, that lithe runner's physique of his lets him get away with what others could not. The black chinos are spot on, the shoes are on trend yet he's able to make them age appropriate. He's belted, like an adult.

His nametag placement has nailed it again like an old pro who doesn't need an assistant to fish out a prop nametag for him. Look at his hair. Just perfect. Coiffed, has product in it, but looks entirely natural. Not a hair helmet, but a hair statement. Brilliant stuff.

What always impresses me about Josh is his attention to detail. His mandatory mask is tagless, brandless, sleek and well fitting. His simple white magicband freaking matches his outfit! There was a line that Mary Tyler Moore said in Thoroughly Modern Millie about motorcars that "machines, like gloves, should only be black or white" and Josh has taken that excellent advice to heart here with his magicband.

If I have only one quibble with Josh, it's again his shirtsleeves. I'm not sure he should have rolled his up like this. He's not rebuilding a carburetor, he's walking to Adventureland. I think he should keep them rolled down. I'm sure his Personal Shopper at the Fashion Island Nordies knows he's a lanky man with a 36 inch arm, and his shirts fit him well. So don't roll them up like this. I get it, it's Florida and it's hot and crappy, but you are the Chairman. You're going to have to sacrifice a little.

Otherwise, this is Josh at his most daringly casual, and yet Josh being Josh D'Amaro. The man is a legend at this point.

As for the other one? Jeff Vahle? Well... not quite the worst we've ever seen from Burbank/Orlando exec types. But next to Josh, it's not good. He's trying to be cool like Josh, but not quite getting there. The slouchy grey jeans are too ill-fitting. The Nike sneakers are a bit beat up and not the latest, and the white soles are yellowing. Notice how Josh's white soles on his sports shoes are gleaming, like he just visited one of those kids that heckle you to clean your soles at the mall kiosk? Mr. Vahle has never done that, obviously. His shirt is off the rack and untucked, slouchy instead of sleek. The Mickey corporate logo makes him look dorky, like he doesn't own any cool casual shirts he didn't buy with a CM discount. It doesn't help it's buttoned to his neck, the opposite of Josh's Chippendales lobby pre-show look with two undone buttons. His mandatory mask has an ugly white tag on it. His magicband doesn't match anything. I'm not loving the haircut, it looks too Kissimmee strip mall Supercuts for me. And for the love of God, the nametag is crooked! This isn't hard, people. There are mirrors. Check before you go onstage.

Did I miss anything? I need to focus on this martini for a few moments....

Valhe spent years in charge of Facilities and Engineering Dept in charge of upkeep of Parks and Resorts among other things. That's not a role where one gets fitted in corporate boardroom attire.

 

[TP2000]

Valhe spent years in charge of Facilities and Engineering Dept in charge of upkeep of Parks and Resorts among other things. That's not a role where one gets fitted in corporate boardroom attire.

Well, that's good to know.

But this is not boardroom attire, this is two execs casually checking out the park. But wearing nametags, as leaders.

I had to Google up Mr. Vahle. It's time for him to dress like he's in charge of Walt Disney World. Tailored pants, new shoes, tucked in shirt he didn't buy at Company D, better haircut, and check the mirror to make sure your nametag is straight.

I will say, it's difficult to know how to do this casual dress code correctly. It was so easy when men wore suits in any business situation. A business suit was powerful armor, a known uniform, always kept pristine by your dry cleaner.

Dressing this casually when you are at work is actually harder. You either nail it like Josh, or you look like Mr. Vahle.

 

[TP2000]

I will say, it's a shame there's not a Nordstrom in Orlando. Their Personal Shopper service is invaluable, especially to career men and women.

Judging by that Peter Millar sport coat Josh was wearing in the first photo, which is a popular menswear brand at Nordstrom stores, Josh either has a Personal Shopper at the Nordies at South Coast Plaza or Fashion Island, or Mrs. D'Amaro takes care of that for him with a Nordstrom Personal Shopper and his measurements.

Again, it was much easier when a business suit was everyday attire for anyone higher up the corporate food chain than a theme park assistant manager. Now a man has to have a variety of outfits and levels of business wear, and he has to know when to wear them; Dress Business, Business Casual, Friday Casual, and then whatever that slouchy outfit is called that Mr. Vahle wore to the park that day. Maybe we call that Running To Home Depot Casual?

Most busy professionals don't have time to worry about all that. A Nordstrom Personal Shopper can fix that though, and it's a complimentary service Nordstrom offers because they work on commission. (Although I always tip them at Christmas) I know there's not a Nordstrom in Orlando, but is there maybe a Bloomingdale's? Or maybe you'd just need to hire a business personal stylist on your own, who would pull from Nordstrom and other fine clothing websites and have them shipped to Orlando.

 

[Lilofan]

I will say, it's a shame there's not a Nordstrom in Orlando. Their Personal Shopper service is invaluable, especially to career men and women.

Judging by that Peter Millar sport coat Josh was wearing in the first photo, which is a popular menswear brand at Nordstrom stores, Josh either has a Personal Shopper at the Nordies at South Coast Plaza or Fashion Island, or Mrs. D'Amaro takes care of that for him with a Nordstrom Personal Shopper and his measurements.

Again, it was much easier when a business suit was everyday attire for anyone higher up the corporate food chain than a theme park assistant manager. Now a man has to have a variety of outfits and levels of business wear, and he has to know when to wear them; Dress Business, Business Casual, Friday Casual, and then whatever that slouchy outfit is called that Mr. Vahle wore to the park that day. Maybe we call that Running To Home Depot Casual?

Most busy professionals don't have time to worry about all that. A Nordstrom Personal Shopper can fix that though, and it's a complimentary service Nordstrom offers because they work on commission. (Although I always tip them at Christmas) I know there's not a Nordstrom in Orlando, but is there maybe a Bloomingdale's? Or maybe you'd just need to hire a business personal stylist on your own, who would pull from Nordstrom and other fine clothing websites and have them shipped to Orlando.

Nordstrom, Saks, etc left Orlando years ago, not enough demand. The Saks at the FL Mall is now a gigantic food court. Nordstrom is a Dicks Sporting goods but Sears and JCPenny remain in the FL mall.

 

[Disney Irish]

I don't think the microphone clipped lower on the lapel had anything to do with it. The nametag should have been there all day higher on the lapel long before the mic was clipped on to do the interview, remember.

The problem is this isn't the first time he's done the Dorky Nametag Placement thing, and he's certainly not the first Burbank exec to put on a nametag sloppily after he gets out of the car for a media event down in Anaheim.

If a CM is wearing a suit jacket or sport coat, the nametag should be placed under the notch of the left lapel, so that it's prominently in the right location and not being covered by the lapel or competing with the chest placket. See Josh in the photo above. Too often, Bob gets handed his prop nametag just before he goes onstage or does the media event, and he slaps it on like the clueless dork he apparently is. A man with no knowledge of the unique theme park culture he is allegedly leading. It's a bonehead mistake for a leader to make, and it looks sloppy.

If Josh D'Amaro can figure this out, and Bob's predecessor Tom Staggs can figure this out, a guy who was described by the Wall Street Journal as "an oddly waifish man of anemic personality" (Ouch! And you guys thought I was snarky! I've got nothing on the pros at the Wall Street Journal!)

If Dockers clad lower-middle managers in the theme park can figure this out...

Then Bob Chapek should be able to figure it out. Or at least recognize he doesn't know much about Disney theme park culture and should have his assistant ask someone if he looks okay. What's telling is that no one in Chapek's inner circle can either recognize this tiny but noticeable error, or they are too afraid to say something to him about it. It's probably both of those combined, and that's a problem. As Walt often said "The magic is in the details!"

In business I've always been taught that name tags were to be worn on or above the right pocket of the shirt or blazer. And if it must be worn on the left side to do the same, on or above the left pocket. It was only a lapel pin or flower that was to be worn on the lapel. So it always looked weird to me to have the name tags on the lapel.

I mean this is even what the Chamber of Commerce teaches -

Name Tags and Lapel Pins: Are you wearing them correctly?

institute.uschamber.com

On Disney's own guidelines they don't state it must be worn on the lapel. But rather "in an upright, readable position on the upper left
shoulder area of the outermost layer of clothing. "

https://disneycasting.net/downloads/wdpr/Disney_Look_Book.pdf

So I give Chapek a passing grade here as he is following the company guidelines for nametag placement.

 

[Nunu]

Oh, how timely! I have just taken two aspirin for my aging back after a day sorting the garage, I have tuned in KJZZ on the hi-fi, and I have just made myself a celebratory late nite martini with: The Botanist gin, extra dry with Dolin vermouth, and even though Auntie Mame says olives take up too much room in such a little glass I put an almond-stuffed olive in for effect.

Let's see what we've got here...

Oh, my. A rather surreptitious action shot! Bravo to you for snapping this! This looks like Florida, which would explain why Josh is not wearing a sport coat (heat, humidity). And yet... Josh wins. He looks great. He's super casual here, really just about as casual as an executive should get in public like this. But he's able to pull it off because, again, that lithe runner's physique of his lets him get away with what others could not. The black chinos are spot on, the shoes are on trend yet he's able to make them age appropriate. He's belted, like an adult.

His nametag placement has nailed it again like an old pro who doesn't need an assistant to fish out a prop nametag for him. Look at his hair. Just perfect. Coiffed, has product in it, but looks entirely natural. Not a hair helmet, but a hair statement. Brilliant stuff.

What always impresses me about Josh is his attention to detail. His mandatory mask is tagless, brandless, sleek and well fitting. His simple white magicband freaking matches his outfit! There was a line that Mary Tyler Moore said in Thoroughly Modern Millie about motorcars that "machines, like gloves, should only be black or white" and Josh has taken that excellent advice to heart here with his magicband.

If I have only one quibble with Josh, it's again his shirtsleeves. I'm not sure he should have rolled his up like this. He's not rebuilding a carburetor, he's walking to Adventureland. I think he should keep them rolled down. I'm sure his Personal Shopper at the Fashion Island Nordies knows he's a lanky man with a 36 inch arm, and his shirts fit him well. So don't roll them up like this. I get it, it's Florida and it's hot and crappy, but you are the Chairman. You're going to have to sacrifice a little.

Otherwise, this is Josh at his most daringly casual, and yet Josh being Josh D'Amaro. The man is a legend at this point.

As for the other one? Jeff Vahle? Well... not quite the worst we've ever seen from Burbank/Orlando exec types. But next to Josh, it's not good. He's trying to be cool like Josh, but not quite getting there. The slouchy grey jeans are too ill-fitting. The Nike sneakers are a bit beat up and not the latest, and the white soles are yellowing. Notice how Josh's white soles on his sports shoes are gleaming, like he just visited one of those kids that heckle you to clean your soles at the mall kiosk? Mr. Vahle has never done that, obviously. His shirt is off the rack and untucked, slouchy instead of sleek. The Mickey corporate logo makes him look dorky, like he doesn't own any cool casual shirts he didn't buy with a CM discount. It doesn't help it's buttoned to his neck, the opposite of Josh's Chippendales lobby pre-show look with two undone buttons. His mandatory mask has an ugly white tag on it. His magicband doesn't match anything. I'm not loving the haircut, it looks too Kissimmee strip mall Supercuts for me. And for the love of God, the nametag is crooked! This isn't hard, people. There are mirrors. Check before you go onstage.

Did I miss anything? I need to focus on this martini for a few moments....

You didn't miss a thing, TP! Thank you for indulging me.

Wish I had taken a photo with Josh that day, (just like @hismattjesty did), but the man was walking with purpose, it looked to me like he was on a mission. Which brings me to add that Josh not only benefits from being tall and lanky, he also has good posture. The rolled-up sleeves don't bother me that much, he could've done a better job at it, though.

That being said, he definitely honors his italian last name by looking dandy no matter what he wears, he's got that bella figura concept going on for him.

Moving is brutal!, I dread knowing that the day when we have to downsize and move, is slowly but surely, coming up for us too. Hope your back is doing better today and that everything about your move runs as smoothly as possible.

 

[TP2000]

You didn't miss a thing, TP! Thank you for indulging me.

It was my pleasure! And a fun way to spend the wind down of a long day.

Wish I had taken a photo with Josh that day, (just like @hismattjesty did), but the man was walking with purpose, it looked to me like he was on a mission. Which brings me to add that Josh not only benefits from being tall and lanky, he also has good posture. The rolled-up sleeves don't bother me that much, he could've done a better job at it, though.

That being said, he definitely honors his italian last name by looking dandy no matter what he wears, he's got that bella figura concept going on for him.

Great point on the Italian aspect. He owns his style and is a very confident man in his own skin, you can just tell.

Moving is brutal!, I dread knowing that the day when we have to downsize and move, is slowly but surely, coming up for us too. Hope your back is doing better today and that everything about your move runs as smoothly as possible.

Thank you! I've been here for about 30 years and it's a larger house, so you know, there's just a bunch of "stuff" hiding in the garages and closets. It's got to be sorted to decide if it's going with me or not, and Marie Kondo is suddenly very inspirational. But when it comes time to move all the big stuff, luckily I already have a "Logistics Moving Specialist" lined up with Bekins and they'll do it all for me.

After I finished my first walk thru of the house and belongings with the nice young lady from Bekins, I was reminded why I went with them. They are an original Disneyland sponsor! From 1955 until into the late 20th century Bekins had the sponsorship contract for the lockers on Main Street, themed as a "Parcel Check Room" across from the firehouse. Terribly clever of Walt to have Bekins sponsor the storage of items at Disneyland! And sad to think they aren't there anymore and it's just a generic automated locker facility further up Main Street now.

 

[TP2000]

Nordstrom, Saks, etc left Orlando years ago, not enough demand. The Saks at the FL Mall is now a gigantic food court. Nordstrom is a Dicks Sporting goods but Sears and JCPenny remain in the FL mall.

Oh, dear.

The saga of great American department stores over the last 20 years is a sad one. It's not just about Orlando, it's every mid sized city in America. I get it, the Internet killed 'em in all but the most lucrative and largest of markets. But I hope there's still a place for a big, fancy department store in the future. I do Amazon Prime as much as the next guy, but sometimes you just need to dress up a bit and drive to Nordstrom and let them work their magic for you.

In the spring and the fall I go to the Nordies at South Coast Plaza and make it an splurgey event; a little meal and a cocktail in their stylish bar on the top floor, making an appointment with their stylist for ideas and then gliding around the mens floor schmoozing and chatting with all the nice clerks, and leaving with an age-appropriate dinner party outfit or two upon their recommendations to prevent me from looking like an old fuddy-duddy.

That's the sort of thing Amazon Prime can never do.

 

[Phroobar]

I remember Bullocks in west Los Angeles used to have a hidden restaurant in the 70s my parents would go to. It was all fancy and kids were not allowed. I don't think it was the Wilshire tea room because I think it was in Santa Monica. It's very strange that I have memories of such a place.

 

[WDWJoeG]

I don't think the microphone clipped lower on the lapel had anything to do with it. The nametag should have been there all day higher on the lapel long before the mic was clipped on to do the interview, remember.

The problem is this isn't the first time he's done the Dorky Nametag Placement thing, and he's certainly not the first Burbank exec to put on a nametag sloppily after he gets out of the car for a media event down in Anaheim.

If a CM is wearing a suit jacket or sport coat, the nametag should be placed under the notch of the left lapel, so that it's prominently in the right location and not being covered by the lapel or competing with the chest placket. See Josh in the photo above. Too often, Bob gets handed his prop nametag just before he goes onstage or does the media event, and he slaps it on like the clueless dork he apparently is. A man with no knowledge of the unique theme park culture he is allegedly leading. It's a bonehead mistake for a leader to make, and it looks sloppy.

If Josh D'Amaro can figure this out, and Bob's predecessor Tom Staggs can figure this out, a guy who was described by the Wall Street Journal as "an oddly waifish man of anemic personality" (Ouch! And you guys thought I was snarky! I've got nothing on the pros at the Wall Street Journal!)

If Dockers clad lower-middle managers in the theme park can figure this out...

Then Bob Chapek should be able to figure it out. Or at least recognize he doesn't know much about Disney theme park culture and should have his assistant ask someone if he looks okay. What's telling is that no one in Chapek's inner circle can either recognize this tiny but noticeable error, or they are too afraid to say something to him about it. It's probably both of those combined, and that's a problem. As Walt often said "The magic is in the details!"

One of the reasons you see name tags over the breast pocket is so they are not pinned to the suit - there is a plastic card they are pinned to and that slips into the coat pocket so you don't have to put a pin through a jacket material. Not saying it is more aesthetically pleasing, but that's the functional reason for it.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

I've only had one park encounter with Josh (thus far) - it was on opening day at Avengers Campus.

But he was "incognito" in the moment, walking briskly through the crowd but gamely stopping for selfies with all of us park fans who recognized him with mask and without name tag.

Here's the pic I posted to my blog in my review of the day:

While he was on his own that afternoon, later that night I saw him being escorted through the back into the Doctor Strange area to see the evening show (Pro Tip: only go see the Doctor Strange show in the evening or you miss the beautiful effect of the glowing lights!).