Mikey visits WDW

[NemoRocks78]

Eisner learns firsthand how Disney employees weathered storm

By Richard Verrier | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted August 18, 2004, 3:33 PM EDT

Walt Disney Co. chief Michael Eisner got a firsthand report today on how employees are coping after Hurricane Charley.

Eisner, warmly received by workers at Disney-MGM Studios, met with crew members and thanked them for their efforts in keeping the Walt Disney World resort operating during a time of crisis. With its own underground power system protected from outages, Walt Disney World was able to keep three of its four theme parks open Saturday.

During exchanges with employees, Eisner asked several people detailed questions about how workers coped with the storm and what type of damage it caused to their homes.

Employees described at length how they worked through the night Friday to clean up debris to get the parks ready to open the following day.

Disney shut down Animal Kingdom for a day, however, citing debris and a shortage of employees. The park re-opened on Sunday.

On Monday, Disney reopened its Typhoon Lagoon water park and Fort Wilderness campground.

 

[RnRJoe6114]

ME really does care!!
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sorta

 

[cherrynegra]

Oh TOTALLY EWWWWW!!! As if we could be fooled by the new compassionate, warm and fuzzy Eisner. Please!! A leopard cannot change its spots. :hurl:

 

[WDWEric]

I think it was nice if him to stop by and see how things were at WDW he didn't haver to you know.

 

[disney_dan]

why does everyonr hate him??

 

[Atta83]

It would of been amazing if he actually helped cleaned LOL

 

[Tim G]

Eisner learns firsthand

What hand... THAT hand???

 

[cherrynegra]

What hand... THAT hand???

LOVE THE AVATAR!!!! :sohappy:

 

[Kwit35]

LOVE THE AVATAR!!!! :sohappy:

It took me a minute, but now I get it. Hehehe, pretty funny. I am slow you know. :hammer:

 

[Kwit35]

I think it was very nice of Mr. Eisner to visit the troops. Shows class. And I think the assistance that Disney is giving in the wake of the storm is great. Makes me love Disney even more.

 

[Shaman]

Well seeing as the storm passed over nearly a week ago it was only ABOUT TIME that Eisner visited WDW...but hey better late than never...I suppose...

:hammer:

 

[General Grizz]

Just the thing we need. . . Hurricane Mike after Hurricane Charley.

:lookaroun



Frankly, I don't know think the majority of CMs WANTED him there. . . but that's my assumption based on voting/overall feel by most of those I come in contact with. (*sigh* I even had the displeasure of hearing a veteran CM accidentally cursing about him in a conversation over at the parks last week . . )

Dan - a lot of people dislike Disney's CEO for MULTIPLE reasons. For reasons why, check out Roy Disney's website at www.savedisney.com. :wave:

 

[Shaman]

why does everyonr hate him??

'Hate' is perhaps too strong a word (for some atleast)...most disaprove of his philosophies and the way he is running the Walt Disney Company...run a search there isn't a shortage of threads on the subject here on magic...

Welcome aboard btw! :wave:

 

[SewIn2Disney]

What took him so long? He should have been there the day after, not 5 days after!
But, at least it was nice of him to take time out of his ::busy:: schedule for a little CM contact.

 

[wannab@dis]

Eisner learns firsthand how Disney employees weathered storm

By Richard Verrier | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted August 18, 2004, 3:33 PM EDT

Eisner, warmly received by workers at Disney-MGM Studios

First, I guess they hand-picked the employees that "warmly" greeted ME at the studios. Second, it appears that this was a great photo op to get some "good" press since he doesn't get much anymore.

Now, some questions for those in the know... What's the breakdown on employees that dislike ME and his current leadership? Are there more "hourly" CMs or manager / salaried CMs? If it's the management, are they working internally to push for changes in corporate leadership or are they worried about losing their positions?

 

[General Grizz]

I've talked to Cast Members on all levels. Hourly, seasonally, etc. Not ONE has shown any hint of approval for Eisner.

When explaining how I agreed with Save Disney's vision, I was given a hand-shake by one Cast Member. . . even a MANAGER grinned (but couldn't say anything of course). Others cursed, sighed, etc. etc. All the Imagineers and (ex) Animators I know "hate" him, of course.

Of course they fear losing their job. . . but some are so mad, they'll speak out.

Unfortunately, some of the younger Cast Members (CPs?) don't really care (I assume). But then again, most are only temporary CMs. . . a majority of which do not even have a deep affection for the company or theme parks. (This does not pertain to any CP'er on these forums! )

 

[wannab@dis]

I've talked to Cast Members on all levels. Hourly, seasonally, etc. Not ONE has shown any hint of approval for Eisner.

When explaining how I agreed with Save Disney's vision, I was given a hand-shake by one Cast Member. . . even a MANAGER grinned (but couldn't say anything of course). Others cursed, sighed, etc. etc. All the Imagineers and (ex) Animators I know "hate" him, of course.

Of course they fear losing their job. . . but some are so mad, they'll speak out.

Unfortunately, some of the younger Cast Members (CPs?) don't really care (I assume). But then again, most are only temporary CMs. . . a majority of which do not even have a deep affection for the company or theme parks. (This does not pertain to any CP'er on these forums! )

Unfortunately, I have a feeling that you are correct about many of the hourly / seasonal CMs. They don't care about the corporate situation and don't understand that is necessary for the well being of the company as a whole. Disney has some basic problems in management and a new leader could bring the company back to extraordinary standing.

The Imagineer and Animators have to think about their job, but if enough of them could band together, they could make a difference. I'm not sure how it should be handled, but many voices can be heard and there is safety in numbers. Shareholders may not be the best voices to speak since they seem to sway based on the dividends. But, they need to look past the short term and see the company in the future. If something is not changed, the failed Comcast takeover could become possible in the near future.

 

[General Grizz]

Unfortunately, I have a feeling that you are correct about many of the hourly / seasonal CMs. They don't care about the corporate situation and don't understand that is necessary for the well being of the company as a whole. Disney has some basic problems in management and a new leader could bring the company back to extraordinary standing.

Usually if younger or international. The Cruise CMs really have no clue, but that's much more understandable.

As for the (majority of) park Cast Members who are into this -- It ranges. . . all ages, some worked there for a few years, but the big supporters have been working there for 10, 15+ years.

"So how do you think the company has done in the past ten years?"
"It's been going downhill! I can't stand the $*#*@#@ (etc. . .)"

^ From the most unexpecting WDW veteran CM ^ . . . and it's such a shame when morale is this low.

As one Cast Member said, "You just can't make a living here anymore."

This has led to -- (1) laying off veteran Cast Members and performers (classic MK CMs, marching band, Diamond Horeshoe, Dreamfinder, etc). (2) Classic long-time (MAGICAL) Cast Members leaving on their own, aggravated or needing more pay. (3) Replacement with college or international Cast Members. In general, the replacements just don't care. This leads to accidents, bad show, and overall bad service. Lonnie, the best CBJ Cast Member, was forced out of bears after over a decade for a stupid rule regarding Tom Sawyer Island and was replaced by some of the most lame CMs I'll ever encounter.

They still manage to shine through, but the company isn't their source of inspiration.

 

[wannab@dis]

That's the gist I was trying to get over in my post above. There are great CMs that have been there a long time and there are a few good CMs that just started. But the CMs that have been with the company for many years are starting to dwindle and are being replaced by complacent individuals who lack the magic. Don't get me wrong, I still LOVE going to visit WDW, but I have noticed a drop in service, but more prevalent is the drop in over-and-above service. THAT's what WDW has always stood for - better than the average.

If you lose the CMs that love the company and love bringing the magic to the guests, then you lose the most important quality that keeps Disney above the masses! What everyone needs to realize is those qualities must start at the top so they can be passed down throughout the ranks and on to the guests.

 

[General Grizz]

That's the gist I was trying to get over in my post above. There are great CMs that have been there a long time and there are a few good CMs that just started. But the CMs that have been with the company for many years are starting to dwindle and are being replaced by complacent individuals who lack the magic. Don't get me wrong, I still LOVE going to visit WDW, but I have noticed a drop in service, but more prevalent is the drop in over-and-above service. THAT's what WDW has always stood for - better than the average.

If you lose the CMs that love the company and love bringing the magic to the guests, then you lose the most important quality that keeps Disney above the masses! What everyone needs to realize is those qualities must start at the top so they can be passed down throughout the ranks and on to the guests.

I concur. Great points!