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Michael Colglazier
- Thread starter Malin
- Start date
menamechris
Well-Known Member
I, too, have no idea what he has done to deserve head of Disneyland Resort. Maybe someone else knows more? I have never heard a bad thing about him - but never a good thing either. Maybe that's what corporate wants - a quiet leader...
I know very little about him, but here is some info I had when he was moved to DAK http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...vice-president-of-disney's-animal-kingdom.htm
Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
Harvard Business School
1992 – 1994
Stanford University
1985 – 1989
I demand that he release his school transcripts.
1992 – 1994
Stanford University
1985 – 1989
I demand that he release his school transcripts.
BlueSkyDriveBy
Well-Known Member
OK... this is interesting. And begs several questions:
1) Who is replacing Michael at DAK?
2) How will his replacement impact the development of future projects like Avatar?
3) What does this mean for Joe Rohde's future association with the park?
I'm surprised that Mary Niven wasn't picked to replace Special K at DL. The fact that they picked Michael concerns me, since DAK is apparently the WDW park that's getting the Next Best Disney Addition™ with Avatar.
Why not keep someone in the job who's been with the park for two years?
Why bring in a newbie to the position on the eve (supposedly) of a huge project like Avatar?
If I were the Spirit (which, mercifully, I am not)... I'd cite this promotion as a solid indication that Avatar isn't going to happen, and nothing major is heading towards DAK outside of fixing Disco Yeti and the Tree of Strife.
And if it's true that Avatar has been shelved, along with any other major DAK expansion project waiting for the green light, then I'd be worried about the forthcoming cuts in labor, if I were Joe Rohde. Joe is at that oh so delicate age of early retirement for Disney executives, so there just might be a bulls eye on his back now.
If some newbie greenhorn gets the DAK gig to replace Michael, then I believe both Avatar and Rohde's days are numbered.
TP2000
Well-Known Member
I wrote this over in the other Meg Crofton thread, but it relates directly here as well...
I will need to hear and learn more about Michael Colglazier before I can pass judgment. But I can say this much.... Disneyland is very different from a WDW park. And if Mr. Colglazier thinks he can get away with stuff like the Yeti not working for years while the rest of the attractions gather dust by the inch (cough... Dinosaur) and go long term without rehabs and upgrades (cough... Bug Show.... cough, cough... Kali, Jammin' Jungle Parade, FOTLK) then the Disneyland fan community will be a rude awakening for him.
I hope Mr. Colglazier is being set up by his superiors with an honest assessment of what he's getting himself into, and how little of what he's been doing at Animal Kingdom the last few years applies to Southern California. Putting an entire park in B Mode for several years while you focus on DVC upcharge experiences is not an option in Anaheim, Mr. Colglazier.
I will need to hear and learn more about Michael Colglazier before I can pass judgment. But I can say this much.... Disneyland is very different from a WDW park. And if Mr. Colglazier thinks he can get away with stuff like the Yeti not working for years while the rest of the attractions gather dust by the inch (cough... Dinosaur) and go long term without rehabs and upgrades (cough... Bug Show.... cough, cough... Kali, Jammin' Jungle Parade, FOTLK) then the Disneyland fan community will be a rude awakening for him.
I hope Mr. Colglazier is being set up by his superiors with an honest assessment of what he's getting himself into, and how little of what he's been doing at Animal Kingdom the last few years applies to Southern California. Putting an entire park in B Mode for several years while you focus on DVC upcharge experiences is not an option in Anaheim, Mr. Colglazier.
BlueSkyDriveBy
Well-Known Member
Which makes me think corporate is setting him up for failure. I can't imagine why Burbank would turn over DLR to someone with a bad track record at WDW, after spending over one billion dollars to refurbish DCA. Unless, of course, Staggs doesn't know he's doing. Which, I guess, is a strong possibility.I hope Mr. Colglazier is being set up by his superiors with an honest assessment of what he's getting himself into, and how little of what he's been doing at Animal Kingdom the last few years applies to Southern California. Putting an entire park in B Mode for several years while you focus on DVC upcharge experiences is not an option in Anaheim, Mr. Colglazier.
articos
Well-Known Member
1) Who is replacing Michael at DAK?
Already answered.
2) How will his replacement impact the development of future projects like Avatar?
It doesn't impact the development at all. Avatar is no more likely or less likely to go forward with or with Mike at the helm. Projects like this are not tied to any specific executive at the parks level.
3) What does this mean for Joe Rohde's future association with the park?
It has no bearing on Joe's association. DAK is Joe's baby from WDI's side, and that won't change.
Michael is a numbers and systems guy, and I would not expect to see him in the parks nearly as much as George. He has been at DLR before in other capacities on various projects, and he also has experience both in Burbank and within the P&R exec team. He was the person responsible for creating and rolling out Photopass.
Separately, I didn't see this being reported widely, but DLR has started photographing multi-day ticket users as of yesterday in order to cut down on ticket renting.
disney fan 13
Well-Known Member
Good luck...
BlueSkyDriveBy
Well-Known Member
Joe's contribution to Aulani was finished long ago. And I've heard from reliable inside sources that his role with Villages Natures is restricted to design only and has nothing to do with project management. Besides, the resort is separate from DLP. The Disney connection is financial only, since it's a joint venture between Euro Disney SCA and Pierre & Vacances. Any work that Imagineering contributes to this project, moving forward, could be done without Rohde, since his work was completed awhile ago.
But the point I'm making is that he is not tied down to Disney's Animal Kingdom. In recent years he has worked on other projects. So even if in the unlikely situation that new additions freeze up at Animal Kingdom. Disney still has other projects he can move over to like these Resort Hotels ventures. But I don't see it happening because its obvious to me Disney are looking to expand Animal Kingdom as its an area of the Resort that could provide further growth by keeping people inside the park longer and expanding operating hours. So even if Avatar falls through something else will be needed. Plus the Park has other projects that need to be addressed. Like the removal of Lion King to Africa if that news is true. So I feel his job is safe for now. He's a very talented Imagineer and one that I think is well liked within Disney going by Tom Staggs mocking him at the last D23 Expo.
Mickey1984
Active Member
Or that they didn't trust MC to oversee such a potentially huge project, whereas GK has "been there, dont that" ..... maybe this is a good indicator that it will/might happen all the more.
Who knows, all I can think is that GK coming east has to be a good thing for WDW, maybe not such a good thing for DL, but then saying that maybe DL short term (next 2-5+ years ish) is not moving anywhere.
Cosmic Commando
Well-Known Member
DL is still getting stuff in the next few years... they're actually going to respond when Harry Potter shows up at their door.
As far as what it means that Kalogridis is coming to WDW? @WDW1974 says that he's very good at playing politics and being in the right place at the right time, so I'm hoping that means he wouldn't put himself in the position where his last job before retirement is to be the person left holding up the WDW house of cards when it starts to tumble?
Mickey1984
Active Member
But maybe not on such a big scale as Avatar could potentially be (if / when it happens) plus the fact that really WDW is still to reply in a big way to WWoHP, and USO are of course expanding that cash cow. So why would DLC respond quicker than WDW has.
Time will tell, but get the feeling GK has been brough across to bring his expertise on big ventures, whether Avatar or something else (Carsland 2?)
Cosmic Commando
Well-Known Member
It's too late for WDW to reply to WWoHP. It's too late to even respond to WWoHP Phase 2; it will be open probably a full year before Disney's "response" even if they start building today.
Why would DLR respond to Harry Potter when WDW didn't? They're not stupid enough to think that they're untouchable, and they know that if they build quality additions to the parks, that will bring in guests.
Mickey1984
Active Member
Which I would say has already been done, was WWoHP additon to Hollywood not a "counter move" to Carsland being built?
I can't really see what more they are going to do in DisneyLand in the coming years, unless they shut something down, as their is essentially no real room. Or they build away from current location?
If we are talking big additions like Carland (2)/Avatar, I can see WDW being the next place to get something done. Over DLR Maybe I am wrong, but this is what I would expect. I dont work for Disney so couldn't possible say anything official, it is all purely speculation anyway.
Cosmic Commando
Well-Known Member
Is the moon a response to the sun? No, they are on their own timetables. WWoHP was enormously successful by every metric in Orlando. Comcast wanted to pour money into their parks. Potter would be in USH even if the DCA redo stopped with "a bug's land".
As for Disneyland, no, there are not a lot of open fields, but there are attractions that no one would miss, ghosts of old attractions, backstage facilities that can be moved, etc.
Here's a list:
-EO Theater: the movie has run its course (again). 3D movies in general may be on their way out of theme parks since 3D is becoming ubiquitous in the "real" world. If its sister theater in Epcot ever gets a new movie, there's a good chance it will be Figment-related and not a good fit for Tomorrowland.
-Redd Rocket's Pizza Port
-Innoventions building
-Motorboat Cruise area
-Autopia: If they built a Carsland Autopia and built something cool in this space, I don't think many would mind.
-Fantasyland Theater: getting a new show next year, but ten years from now...?
-Festival Arena/Big Thunder Ranch/Circle D Ranch: huge area behind BTMRR
-Critter Country: unknown plot somewhere in the Critter Country/RoA area that Al Lutz has mentioned
GiveMeTheMusic
Well-Known Member
Well, the current plan is to raze Innoventions (if not more Tomorrowland real estate) for a new Iron Man E-ticket for 2015. Baxter also has plans at the ready for an Oz land or Lone Ranger expansion into the Frontierland/Big Thunder Ranch areas, if either of those films is a big success.
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
1.) Josh D'Amaro, who currently runs the company's Adventures by Disney tours. Actually has a pretty good rep.
2.) No change. VPs in FL have very little impact on things of that magnitude.
3.) Nothing. Joe is still lead creative. A friend ran into him at DAK Lodge a few days ago.
Niven was Al Lutz's choice apparently. No one else's. Mary was a disaster when she took over Food and Beverage from the guy Mike ... why do I always forget his last name? She is the only top level manager from Cynthia's reign of terror to stay at TDA and advance. Nice in person, but not very ... um ... ah ... with it.
What is with the Spirit crack?!?!?
... I shouldn't even talk to you!!!Avatar is on life support again, but Joe isn't. ... Neither, it seems, is our pal Tony despite what he was saying at IAAPA.