MAGICal DLP News, Rumours & Thoughts

[Animaniac93-98]

That's why I wanted to float on here what he said to see if anyone knows of an alternative narrative or if it more or less checks out. The turnaround of DLP may actually be one positive thing for which he deserves some credit.

The only alternative narrative would be if the initiative to take full control of the resort started before he became head of parks and it coincidently became true once he was in charge, but DLP had been such an afterthought of the company for so long that nobody else has bothered to corroborate or give their side of the story up until this point

That's basically what he describes. He mentions being shocked by decaying facades and fountains choked with algae and being shocked again when he was told they couldn't do anything about it because there was no budget and the ownership structure made it next to impossible to resolve that issue. Again, from his telling, he faced a lot of scepticism when he proposed Disney take over the resort, but pushed ahead also with Iger's support and made it happen which paved the way for the turnaround of the resort.

While they didn't own the resort outright, it's decline in the late 2000s, early 2010s happened under the watch of Iger and others. While we rightfully point out the lull in investment at WDW during that time they also weren't held accountable for allowing DLP to slide into decline so visibly. Obviously things have changed since but it shouldn't have gotten so bad to begin with.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Final new scene for Rivers of the Far West complete:

 

[Sir_Cliff]

While they didn't own the resort outright, it's decline in the late 2000s, early 2010s happened under the watch of Iger and others. While we rightfully point out the lull in investment at WDW during that time they also weren't held accountable for allowing DLP to slide into decline so visibly. Obviously things have changed since but it shouldn't have gotten so bad to begin with.

This is what makes Chapek's recounting of the situation make sense, in that it took a new person stepping in to the position visiting for the first time and being shocked at what they found to actually address the situation. I doubt Disneyland Paris was really front of mind for Iger during that period, for example, and seems everyone else had just put it in the too hard basket.

That decline did also happen after the opening of WDS, which does seem to have been an absolute disaster for the resort. I do wonder how close it came to sinking the resort entirely, especially if Disney hadn't of taken over before the pandemic.

 

[mrflo]

This is what makes Chapek's recounting of the situation make sense, in that it took a new person stepping in to the position visiting for the first time and being shocked at what they found to actually address the situation. I doubt Disneyland Paris was really front of mind for Iger during that period, for example, and seems everyone else had just put it in the too hard basket.

I do wonder how much of this is the classic HQ-executive version of events, though. Chapek may very well have been the person who pushed the full takeover through internally, but DLP management was hardly sitting around waiting for someone from Burbank to discover that the resort needed investment.

Tom Wolber and his team were already dealing with the recapitalisation and a major refurbishment programme before Chapek took over Parks, and Catherine Powell subsequently led the resort through the takeover period. Chapek himself later even credited Powell with having “reinvigorated” Disneyland Paris.

And anyone who has worked in a subsidiary/HQ environment will recognise the dynamic: if local management is good at managing upwards, you don't necessarily tell the new divisional boss, “Here is our brilliant idea and what we need you to approve.” You show him the problems, the numbers and the options, make the right asks, and ideally let him walk away convinced that the big solution was his idea all along.

So Chapek's recollection may be perfectly sincere. He may genuinely remember visiting DLP, being appalled by what he saw, and deciding that Disney needed to take full control. But that doesn't necessarily tell us where the diagnosis, groundwork and momentum for the turnaround originated.

I'd love to hear Wolber's or Powell's version of those meetings.

 

[cjkeating]

I do wonder how much of this is the classic HQ-executive version of events, though. Chapek may very well have been the person who pushed the full takeover through internally, but DLP management was hardly sitting around waiting for someone from Burbank to discover that the resort needed investment.

Tom Wolber and his team were already dealing with the recapitalisation and a major refurbishment programme before Chapek took over Parks, and Catherine Powell subsequently led the resort through the takeover period. Chapek himself later even credited Powell with having “reinvigorated” Disneyland Paris.

And anyone who has worked in a subsidiary/HQ environment will recognise the dynamic: if local management is good at managing upwards, you don't necessarily tell the new divisional boss, “Here is our brilliant idea and what we need you to approve.” You show him the problems, the numbers and the options, make the right asks, and ideally let him walk away convinced that the big solution was his idea all along.

So Chapek's recollection may be perfectly sincere. He may genuinely remember visiting DLP, being appalled by what he saw, and deciding that Disney needed to take full control. But that doesn't necessarily tell us where the diagnosis, groundwork and momentum for the turnaround originated.

I'd love to hear Wolber's or Powell's version of those meetings.

I think you sum up what was going on in the background very well. My interpretation of the situation at the time was Wolber was the ops/logistics man who whilst often seemingly quite forgotten started the Experience Enhancement Plan using some recapitalisation money to focus on guest facing improvements in maintenance and show whilst Powell came in as a very engaging 'face of the resort' who was going to see through the buyout of the resort in the most positive way possible. I think what really twisted their hand was the terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015 that pushed DLPs fragile balance sheet beyond breaking point.

And lets not forget (which I am sure isn't important enough to make it into Chapek's book) that Chapek did not support the expansion of WDSP - he thought it was too big in scale/expensive - and it was Powell who used her influence to ensure WDSP got the expansion of the scale shared upon announcement with Iger and Macron.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I think you sum up what was going on in the background very well. My interpretation of the situation at the time was Wolber was the ops/logistics man who whilst often seemingly quite forgotten started the Experience Enhancement Plan using some recapitalisation money to focus on guest facing improvements in maintenance and show whilst Powell came in as a very engaging 'face of the resort' who was going to see through the buyout of the resort in the most positive way possible. I think what really twisted their hand was the terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015 that pushed DLPs fragile balance sheet beyond breaking point.

Interesting, thanks for that background.

And lets not forget (which I am sure isn't important enough to make it into Chapek's book) that Chapek did not support the expansion of WDSP - he thought it was too big in scale/expensive - and it was Powell who used her influence to ensure WDSP got the expansion of the scale shared upon announcement with Iger and Macron.

He certainly does not mention that, though he kind of takes credit for Avenger's Campus at WDS.

I was curious about this, and generally how much fudging in terms of credit and timelines is going on in Chapek's book. Another example we have discussed on the dedicated thread is the idea for limited time releases at Home Entertainment, which Chapek strongly suggests was his initiative. As @Animaniac93-98 pointed out, however, this strategy was well-established before he arrived and it seems more like he may have come up with the Disney Vault concept and possibly been more aggressive in executing this strategy. I could see this being a similar case where something was in motion and he is presenting it as his own revelation, which perhaps is what executives at DLP wanted him to think.

 

[jagmed]

Finally got to visit DAW in the last few weeks. Whilst the park is considerably better and more coherent than it was 10 years ago, I couldn't help but think 'cant wait until its finished'.

World of Frozen is beautiful but feels, in my opinion, a style over substance addition at present. Its certainly not helped in this regards due to how isolated / unsupported it is - suspect this feeling will improve once the Lion King area is completed.

I was overall a little sad that I still wouldn't book an extra day to visit this park if I was pressed for time. Perhaps im being unreasonable & am just spoilt by a recent WDW trip & seeing what they did to DCA.

 

[cjkeating]

Finally got to visit DAW in the last few weeks. Whilst the park is considerably better and more coherent than it was 10 years ago, I couldn't help but think 'cant wait until its finished'.

Compared to the park next door for me personally I don't think DAW will ever feel finished and I've just come to accept that.

World of Frozen is beautiful but feels, in my opinion, a style over substance addition at present. Its certainly not helped in this regards due to how isolated / unsupported it is - suspect this feeling will improve once the Lion King area is completed.

Style over substance is a perfect way to describe it. But I think the park was lacking style hence it really needed it. The original front half of the park already has a decent amount of substance IMO. Tower, Rat, MATM, Together, Web Slingers, Flight Force and if not to my taste... Crush. Lion King should be a significant plus and I love in hope for a strong 3rd lake attraction as well.

I was overall a little sad that I still wouldn't book an extra day to visit this park if I was pressed for time. Perhaps im being unreasonable & am just spoilt by a recent WDW trip & seeing what they did to DCA.

Interesting. I visited DCA this year for the first time since Avengers/Pixar Pier/San Fransokyo and the park just felt so dead and soulless. I think the IP overlays have in general been a downgrade and the lack of any form of entertainment in the park is just shocking. World of Color has been downgraded from the version I saw before. With the exception of Cars Land and Grizzly Peak I think DCA is very skippable.

DCA is likely an upgrade from opening day (which I didn't attend) but whilst DCA has been on a downward trajectory in the last 10 years WDSP/DAW has certainly been on the up.

 

[jagmed]

Compared to the park next door for me personally I don't think DAW will ever feel finished and I've just come to accept that.

I think that's a fair point. It's a pity, when none of the parks at WDW feel that way (to me).

Style over substance is a perfect way to describe it. But I think the park was lacking style hence it really needed it. The original front half of the park already has a decent amount of substance IMO. Tower, Rat, MATM, Together, Web Slingers, Flight Force and if not to my taste... Crush. Lion King should be a significant plus and I love in hope for a strong 3rd lake attraction as well.

Agree. It's the disparity between the two areas that, at present, really made it stand out as style over substance. Once Lion King (& hopefully a 3rd area with at least 2 attractions...) are open, I think it will feel much more balanced.

Interesting. I visited DCA this year for the first time since Avengers/Pixar Pier/San Fransokyo and the park just felt so dead and soulless. I think the IP overlays have in general been a downgrade and the lack of any form of entertainment in the park is just shocking. World of Color has been downgraded from the version I saw before. With the exception of Cars Land and Grizzly Peak I think DCA is very skippable.

DCA is likely an upgrade from opening day (which I didn't attend) but whilst DCA has been on a downward trajectory in the last 10 years WDSP/DAW has certainly been on the up.

My comparison with DCA partially relates to Cars Land but also to the general re-imagining. I had hoped DAWs 'project' to be similar in scale and scope to DCA's, considering the (initially quoted) budget. However, I suspect this hope was misplaced - and thats my problem to deal with

I do agree that DLP, on the whole, is looking much better these days. Compared to several years ago, I was impressed by the shows on offer / general entertainment and thought the parks were looking better cared for. There were certainly some elements that I thought were being better executed than equivalents at WDW - something I have rarely thought in the past!

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Compared to the park next door for me personally I don't think DAW will ever feel finished and I've just come to accept that.

As long as World Premier Plaza and the former Toon Studios area remain a kind of empty void with sparse facades, it won't ever be complete or up to the usual Disney standards. Its seems the focus going forward will just be the lake area

 

[marni1971]

As long as World Premier Plaza and the former Toon Studios area remain a kind of empty void with sparse facades, it won't ever be complete or up to the usual Disney standards. Its seems the focus going forward will just be the lake area

Expect the ex Toon area to receive some work.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Final new scene for Rivers of the Far West complete:

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Finally got to visit DAW in the last few weeks. Whilst the park is considerably better and more coherent than it was 10 years ago, I couldn't help but think 'cant wait until its finished'.

World of Frozen is beautiful but feels, in my opinion, a style over substance addition at present. Its certainly not helped in this regards due to how isolated / unsupported it is - suspect this feeling will improve once the Lion King area is completed.

I was overall a little sad that I still wouldn't book an extra day to visit this park if I was pressed for time. Perhaps im being unreasonable & am just spoilt by a recent WDW trip & seeing what they did to DCA.

Fair. But it is what it is, they had to work with the worst Disney park in the world and did as well as they could. And now, eight years later...well It's still the worst park, but a thousand times better than before. Both statements are true.

 

[marni1971]

Refurbished Sequoia room booked for next year. Let’s see what it’s like.

 

[Richard]

Refurbished Sequoia room booked for next year. Let’s see what it’s like.

Us too, April 30th, then one of the new cabins at Davy Crockett in August

 

[marni1971]

What’s Fantasyland without roof work ??!!