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

[yensidtlaw1969]

Ah, so let me understand. So Paul, who drove the entire project and who’s financial credibility with Staggs and the board was key to getting the funding does not get credit for the expansion, which he oversaw from start to finish.

That’s awesome. Thank your for perfectly illustrating my point.

He can take as much credit as he wants for that project. It paid off in almost none of the ways it was meant to.

Disneyland Park has basically always been successful. Disneyland Resort, as Pressler tooled it, has basically always had problems. More recently, the problems of Disneyland Resort have started to infect the success of Disneyland Park. Even before the current tragedy the resort was reeling in ways resultant from his bungling of the DL Resort Project.

Not really sure you're making the point you think you are. Maybe consider a different example?

Just because there's good and bad to everything doesn't mean it can't circumstantially be determined that one may outweigh the other. Pressler did noticeably more bad for DL than he did good. The only reason Disney Fans are so quick to jump to that conclusion is because we're the only ones who know or care enough about it to have an opinion - that we all basically have the same one is less a coincidence or conspiracy and more a byproduct.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Except no one uses Movies Anywhere. The most embarrassing project I've ever worked on.

I actually do, and know a bunch of people who do as well. I don't stream through Movies Anywhere, but every movie I have a digital copy of that can also be stored there, is...as a backup.

 

[SoFloMagic]

Exactly. A less sensationalist headline would read “Covid transmitted in supermarket in March before masks were introduced.“

"close contact with no PPE allowed airborne virus to spread"

 

[GimpYancIent]

Many people like WDW because it's not a coaster park. I myself being one of them. I enjoy Universal because my kids like it, but I have to pop a Dramamine about every three hours to get through it.

To each his or her own! There are coaster enthusiasts and then there is everyone else. I have ridden coasters in my life time and got the rush, so I can say I did it. The box was checked now me, myself, plus my family, and I move on. There are many that do not have the enthusiasm for coasters nor see them as the "thing" to do at an amusement park. Disney has always been different from other entertainment venues and that is key in their success. So to coaster enthusiasts I say enjoy! just don't expect everyone to see coasters the same way.

 

[_caleb]

why did people blame Chapek and not Iger?

This couldn’t possibly be due to an organized effort on social media and fan sites.

 

[MisterPenguin]

This couldn’t possibly be due to an organized effort on social media and fan sites.

The few dozen people online who follow and care about such things are so easily swayed...

 

[_caleb]

Which is worse, the Executive who can’t be bothered to even try to make a good impression, or the one who can’t seem to focus on anything other than his own reputation?

 

[solidyne]

Pixies
Unite.
C’mon people. I’ve been on these boards long enough, the tone has been wretched lately. Why is it now that ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that happens is met with such skepticism? Man, the Ratatouille sign can’t even change without someone being offended. Some guy the other day was ****ed about his 2022 plans. @Tuvalu was doubted. What is going on here? Keep it together. Debate as you must. Just remember why we are all here to begin with.

Apt user name!

 

[flynnibus]

The Internet didn't kill Epcot. It only killed Future World. World Showcase will be killed by Virtual Reality.

Imagine what World Showcase would be to adults these days if Disney hadn't come up with the festivals... It's biggest draw and awe is completely watered down now. No one walks into Italy anymore and is awed by the architecture... no one walks through England and feels like they are near the tower. It's a backdrop... no longer a 'travel the world' experience. People have had far too much exposure beyond the photos or grainy TV that the boomer generation grew up with.

Futureworld aged out in 8 years due to the rapid advance of technology. WS took longer, but it's premise as a culture doorway was surpassed by the same technology and social advances that 'shrunk' distances around the world.

 

[_caleb]

Imagine what World Showcase would be to adults these days if Disney hadn't come up with the festivals... It's biggest draw and awe is completely watered down now. No one walks into Italy anymore and is awed by the architecture... no one walks through England and feels like they are near the tower. It's a backdrop... no longer a 'travel the world' experience. People have had far too much exposure beyond the photos or grainy TV that the boomer generation grew up with.

Futureworld aged out in 8 years due to the rapid advance of technology. WS took longer, but it's premise as a culture doorway was surpassed by the same technology and social advances that 'shrunk' distances around the world.

Are you aware of the Instagram effect on travel?

Schofield’s Insurance found that 40% in the ages of 18-33 years are choosing their travel location based on the Instagrammability (how worth is it to post it on Instagram) of the location (Hayhurst, 2017).

Why wouldn't the same apply to World Showcase?

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Imagine what World Showcase would be to adults these days if Disney hadn't come up with the festivals... It's biggest draw and awe is completely watered down now. No one walks into Italy anymore and is awed by the architecture... no one walks through England and feels like they are near the tower. It's a backdrop... no longer a 'travel the world' experience. People have had far too much exposure beyond the photos or grainy TV that the boomer generation grew up with.

Futureworld aged out in 8 years due to the rapid advance of technology. WS took longer, but it's premise as a culture doorway was surpassed by the same technology and social advances that 'shrunk' distances around the world.

And disinformation/misinformation and “engagement” driven platforms have driven us straight into “a flood of electronic babble”!

 

[Brer Panther]

why did people blame Chapek and not Iger?

If the "Iger and Chapek are arguing over whether or not to keep Splash Mountain" thing is true, I think we might've misjudged Chapek.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This couldn’t possibly be due to an organized effort on social media and fan sites.

The legend of Iger has always been greatly exaggerated...

It’s this weird dynamic where all 3 of the vocal groups that comment on Disney are lined up.

 

[UNCgolf]

Remember when epcot was designed, viewing multiple countries meant going to the library and flipping through National Geographic. There was no form of film on demand... people didnt evn really have VHS yet.. and most people had just a handful of tv stations... not hundreds. Nevermind the lack of ethnic foods, etc.

Completely differnet experience to what a a millienial would have had...

I don't think the availability of ethnic foods has changed significantly. If you live in a big city, there are plenty of options and have been for years. If you don't, you're a lot less likely to have those options. I also don't think being able to look up countries on the Internet really affects the World Showcase -- especially since it's still pretty popular. Future World is the area of EPCOT that saw a dramatic decline; not World Showcase.

The other reason this argument doesn't pass muster to me is that EPCOT's collapse really happened before the rise of widespread, fast Internet. Sure, the Internet existed in the mid 90s. But the majority of people in the US didn't have home Internet access until the 2000s, and it was closer to 2010 before the majority of the country had high-speed Internet at home.

 

[flynnibus]

Are you aware of the Instagram effect on travel?

Schofield’s Insurance found that 40% in the ages of 18-33 years are choosing their travel location based on the Instagrammability (how worth is it to post it on Instagram) of the location (Hayhurst, 2017).

Why wouldn't the same apply to World Showcase?

Connect the dots... people not just want to take a picture, the instagram world wants to STAND OUT. No one is discovering or standing out by taking a instagram photo of the EPCOT version of the tower of london... or what everyone can pickout as the undersized WDW knockoff vs the grand originals.

 

[Brer Oswald]

The few dozen people online who follow and care about such things are so easily swayed...

I’m not sure you’ve been on these platforms...
It’s far more than a few dozen. Far less than the amount that shows in the parks. About as much to fill a petition for a ride retheme

 

[MisterPenguin]

I’m not sure you’ve been on these platforms...
It’s far more than a few dozen. Far less than the amount that shows in the parks. About as much to fill a petition for a ride retheme

Yeah, but how many of those petition signers know whose office to picket: Josh, Bob, Bob, or BoD?

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

Which is worse, the Executive who can’t be bothered to even try to make a good impression, or the one who can’t seem to focus on anything other than his own reputation?

Depends on their results, I suppose.

 

[Brer Oswald]

Yeah, but how many of those petition signers know whose office to picket: Josh, Bob, Bob, or BoD?

They don’t know who’s office to picket. They just go to Chapek’s office (no matter what chair he’s in) while “stanning” Iger And Josh.

 

[flynnibus]

I don't think the availability of ethnic foods has changed significantly. If you live in a big city, there are plenty of options and have been for years. If you don't, you're a lot less likely to have those options.

Exactly the point - in 1980 unless you were in an ethnic neighborhood or diverse mixing bowl of a city... the most exotic 'ethnic' food most people had access to was the chinese carry out in town. Now, there is a nation wide franchise for most.. and every food court in America will have a variety of tastes. It's no longer Sbarro... Chique and boutique is in...

I also don't think being able to look up countries on the Internet really affects the World Showcase -- especially since it's still pretty popular. Future World is the area of EPCOT that saw a dramatic decline; not World Showcase.

It's not just 'looking them up on the internet'. Look at your TV shows, movies, etc.. think the media and mediums people are surrounded by every day of the week. The era of 1000 cable channels... the advent of high quality media. The ability to get virtually anything to your doorstep in a week. The rise of other 'replicas' like Vegas, etc. The point is WS originally presented something that was foreign, different, otherwise new and exciting to you.

All those things erode the impact of something like WS. Imagine world showcase without the DDP, Illuminations, or the festivals. Do you really think it is the draw and has the significance today compared to what it was in the early 80s?