On layoffs, very bad attendance, and Iger's legacy being one of disgrace

[nickys]

The people posting rumors on this board at the very least aren't doing so for financial gain.

Our long standing insiders aren’t.

But some of the newer self-styled “insiders” are posting what they may have heard or even read on here, sprinkled with liberal amounts of opinion, and then use those posts as their “source” on their own YouTube channel.

It’s the next step up from simply using the genuine insider information as source material.

 

[kong1802]

I'd love to see Martin and a Kevin Perjurer collaboration.

I've recently discovered Defunctland! That show is so well produced. Not sure how he does it. Amazing stuff.

 

[_caleb]

Real.

The attraction opened with ceramic heaters in the foliage. In its first 15 years the diorama was phenomenal

Thanks! I actually remember this, I just wasn’t sure.

P.S.- I love that I often have to ask, “is this real?” about the sensations I get from well-designed and well-executed attractions. It shows how effective they can be.

 

[marni1971]

Our long standing insiders aren’t.

But some of the newer self-styled “insiders” are posting what they may have heard or even read on here, sprinkled with liberal amounts of opinion, and then use those posts as their “source” on their own YouTube channel.

It’s the next step up from simply using the genuine insider information as source material.

There’s so much kiddy bull flying around in an attempt to be right - even when they’re not - it would be funny if it wasn’t sad.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Real.

The attraction opened with ceramic heaters in the foliage. In its first 15 years the diorama was phenomenal

Wasn't there a mist effect on LwtL at one point, I believe before the American prairie scene? I remember getting chilled by it and then being warmed in the prairie scene.

 

[marni1971]

Wasn't there a mist effect on LwtL at one point, I believe before the American prairie scene? I remember getting chilled by it and then being warmed in the prairie scene.

I’d have to check back. There were temperature changes for sure. And it rained in the rainforest.

 

[GeekySparkles]

As Pro left the house.... hmmmmm

He did? Oh that's a bummer.
No, I'm here often, I just don't sign in.
Been blogging on Disney for years now....always been around, just never registered. I often recommend this blog and forum to people as a good source of Disney information, both good and bad. Even when some slam on me all the time. Some of the ones doing so now were people I not only supported but recommended and promoted. Some I even got stories from (always giving credit because we don't believe in not crediting people unless they ask us not to) but they say I make stuff up...but sometimes they are the source so.......

 

[Ldno]

I've recently discovered Defunctland! That show is so well produced. Not sure how he does it. Amazing stuff.

Could have sworn they did haha, their content is gold!! I’m a sucker for Expedition theme park, offhand disney And park ride history

He did? Oh that's a bummer.
No, I'm here often, I just don't sign in.
Been blogging on Disney for years now....always been around, just never registered. I often recommend this blog and forum to people as a good source of Disney information, both good and bad. Even when some slam on me all the time. Some of the ones doing so now were people I not only supported but recommended and promoted. Some I even got stories from (always giving credit because we don't believe in not crediting people unless they ask us not to) but they say I make stuff up...but sometimes they are the source so.......

pirates and princesses as shown on clownfish tv right? Your voice is legendary!

 

[nickys]

He did? Oh that's a bummer.
No, I'm here often, I just don't sign in.
Been blogging on Disney for years now....always been around, just never registered. I often recommend this blog and forum to people as a good source of Disney information, both good and bad. Even when some slam on me all the time. Some of the ones doing so now were people I not only supported but recommended and promoted. Some I even got stories from (always giving credit because we don't believe in not crediting people unless they ask us not to) but they say I make stuff up...but sometimes they are the source so.......

You’re here often? You just joined!

Or do you mean you‘ve been lurking? By the way there are other people here who have blogs, and have them listed in their profile. It isn’t against the rules and it isn’t a secret. So what’s your blog, might be interesting for people to know, and help drive viewers / readers there.

 

[NickLovesDisney]

I never thought I'd EVER say this...
In fact I just threw up in my mouth a little bit...
But can we bring Eisner back?

It's better than the dumpster fire we have now...

 

[doctornick]

I never thought I'd EVER say this... in fact I just threw up in my mouth a little bit... But can we bring Eisner back? It's better than the dumpster fire we have now...

How is it a “dumpster fire”?

I’m not happy with a lot of choices or priorities that the company has had under the Bobs (particularly with the parks) but it’s tough for me to see it characterized in such a way. It’s more that the parks are addressed in ways that parks purists don’t like than they are run “poorly”.

That’s my problems with a lot of these types of discussions on here. They often go from a reasonable and even enlightening discussion about concerns or complaints about the parks into a huge leap about how the company as a whole is somehow poorly run or on the verge of financial ruin (without any evidence).

Not trying to pick on your post in particular just that I see it often and don’t get it

 

[Tha Realest]

I'd love to see Martin and a Kevin Perjurer collaboration.

Are we sure they're not the same person?

In all seriousness, I've enjoyed Martin's posts and not sure how to find his videos. Anyone have a link?

 

[GeekySparkles]

Could have sworn they did haha, their content is gold!! I’m a sucker for Expedition theme park, offhand disney And park ride history

pirates and princesses as shown on clownfish tv right? Your voice is legendary!

Yeah.....

 

[GeekySparkles]

You’re here often? You just joined!

Or do you mean you‘ve been lurking? By the way there are other people here who have blogs, and have them listed in their profile. It isn’t against the rules and it isn’t a secret. So what’s your blog, might be interesting for people to know, and help drive viewers / readers there.

Yes..lurking. I've been watching for a long time and I have told many people to come over here. It's a great forum! I appreciate all your insight over here, even when people disagree with me

 

[marni1971]

Are we sure they're not the same person?

In all seriousness, I've enjoyed Martin's posts and not sure how to find his videos. Anyone have a link?

I don't think I’m the same person!

MartinsVidsDotNet

www.youtube.com

 

[NickLovesDisney]

How is it a “dumpster fire”?

I was a lot like you for the better part of the Iger regime. Full of optimism for the parks. And that's not a bad thing at all, in fact it's better than being cynical like some of us. However when Chapek took over I remember sitting down and crying. A full grown man crying. Why? Because I knew this was the final nail in the coffin of Walt's legacy. Whatever magic and inspiration that was left had died out.

I'd say the match that lit the dumpster fire was Frank Wells' death and Micheal Eisner going off the deep end. Here's some of the main reasons I and others view the company as a dumpster fire:

1. Rising costs with diminishing additions/enhancements to the property. Nothing has opened at any of the parks in the last few years to justify the ticket and pass increases implemented under the Bobs.

2. Disgusting upkeep of the parks. Magic Kingdom and the other Disney parks haven't looked as it should in terms of Walt's quality standards since the late 90's. Disneyland was in the worst shape in the late 90's. The monorails in WDW are a disaster.

3. Mistreatment of Annual Passholders. This is a big one. Josh D'amaro really helped fix this in Disneyland (he's really the only hope we have for the Parks). Kalogridis really ruined this at WDW. Occasional magnets, while nice, are not enough. APs are treated as an after thought due to the fact that paying guests are more profitable.

4. IPs being inserted everywhere. No need for elaboration here.

5. Disregard for the history, legacy, and classics. The Bobs simply don't care. Classics such as Splash Mountain (though I highly doubt this will actually happen), Mealstrom, Great Movie Ride and the ENTIRE EPCOT overhaul are just a few examples of complete diregard for the company's rich history.

6. Poor Business Decisions in an attempt to make Iger's legacy one of "expansion". This has gone on for YEARS under Iger and has really been debatable. There was NO reason to acquire Fox, and the acquisition ultimately ended up using TONS of money that did not need to be wasted.

There is so much to list, but I'll keep it short to this for now, as these are the main reasons.

 

[UNCgolf]

How is it a “dumpster fire”?

I’m not happy with a lot of choices or priorities that the company has had under the Bobs (particularly with the parks) but it’s tough for me to see it characterized in such a way. It’s more that the parks are addressed in ways that parks purists don’t like than they are run “poorly”.

That’s my problems with a lot of these types of discussions on here. They often go from a reasonable and even enlightening discussion about concerns or complaints about the parks into a huge leap about how the company as a whole is somehow poorly run or on the verge of financial ruin (without any evidence).

Not trying to pick on your post in particular just that I see it often and don’t get it

I don't think the company as a whole has been run poorly, but I think the parks have been. Maintenance levels, food quality, and so on have declined tremendously over the past couple of decades (which started with Eisner, but Iger certainly didn't do anything to fix it). Budgets have ballooned to insane levels and they still end up slashing things because they can't get them done for that gigantic price.

More importantly, (and this applies to the company as a whole to an extent) a lot of decisions have been made for short-term gain without much thought (or at least much care) for how they might affect things long-term. That's actually understandable to an extent, because their job in the current economy (for better or worse) is to maximize shareholder gains right now, not to worry about what might happen 15 years down the road when they will likely no longer be in their current jobs anyways. But it's certainly not good for parks fans who of course are concerned about what things will look like 10-15 years from now.

The company isn't on the verge of financial ruin, though. That's silly.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I don't think the company as a whole has been run poorly, but I think the parks have been. Maintenance levels, food quality, and so on have declined tremendously over the past couple of decades (which started with Eisner, but Iger certainly didn't do anything to fix it). Budgets have ballooned to insane levels and they still end up slashing things because they can't get them done for that gigantic price.

More importantly, (and this applies to the company as a whole to an extent) a lot of decisions have been made for short-term gain without much thought (or at least much care) for how they might affect things long-term. That's actually understandable to an extent, because their job in the current economy (for better or worse) is to maximize shareholder gains right now, not to worry about what might happen 15 years down the road when they will likely no longer be in their current jobs anyways. But it's certainly not good for parks fans who of course are concerned about what things will look like 10-15 years from now.

The company isn't on the verge of financial ruin, though. That's silly.

Fantastic.

 

[denyuntilcaught]

3. Mistreatment of Annual Passholders. This is a big one. Josh D'amaro really helped fix this in Disneyland (he's really the only hope we have for the Parks). Kalogridis really ruined this at WDW. Occasional magnets, while nice, are not enough. APs are treated as an after thought due to the fact that paying guests are more profitable.

So, this is the only one I disagree with. "Magnets, while nice, are not enough." You're paying for repeated entry in the parks. Everything else is extra, IMO.

You touch on other great points though. I wouldn't say it's a dumpster fire, but the criticisms are valid.

 

[NickLovesDisney]

Yes, but I am referring more to the fact that single day guests get treated as superior simply because they spend more money in short bursts. Passholders commit a few thousand each year while day guests spend a fraction of that. Honestly passholder treatment has declined over the course of 20 years.