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

[tirian]

I agree, and I LOVE Paul Rudish’s Mickey design.

I would’ve loved it as a short-term merch line, similar to the old “Electric Mouse” or “‘80s Mickey and Minnie” or “‘90s X-Treme Sports Mickey.”

For me, the issue was more about Iger’s arrogance to attempt to completely replace decades of Mickey Mouse with the design style from His Reign as CEO. Sorry that Mickey’s design remained essentially unchanged from Fantasia (despite redesign attempts in the late 40s and 50s), but that’s Walt’s Mickey via Fred Moore. If it all started with a Mouse, it all started with Walt’s Mouse. Yet the birthday celebration and surrounding merch, even the POTC plush, looked like Iger’s Mickey. Luckily, it didn’t sell well and the company reverted to Walt’s Mickey. Maybe I shouldn’t complain because at least he didn’t insert his portrait into a gift shop like Phil Homes.

So as you can see, IMHO, the issue was larger—and maybe darker—than simply using the latest Mickey design for MRR.

It does relate to the thread’s OP because we’re talking about Iger’s ego and how it affected the company.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

You mean how all people follow a pattern to occasionally be right and have a tendency to be occasionally wrong?

I've been reading the board for a few years before I registered, so I get it. In this case I view this info to be rooted in enough truth, to give it and ear.

After the bonus free month I’m not even sure how it’s legal to not let in passholders when there is space - but the last time i mentioned that I was jumped on pretty quick.

 

[Lilofan]

Iger didn't play around when it came to drugs. He forced out the previous ESPN President to resign after John Skipper's cocaine dealer was going to spill the beans.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Iger didn't play around when it came to drugs. He forced out the previous ESPN President to resign after the President's cocaine dealer was going to spill the beans.

Lol.

No.

 

[Lilofan]

Lol.

No.

Yes.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

What’s funny is that I tried to get an AP reservation this morning for EPCOT today because I took a last minute long weekend from work. Nothing available. Except for day and resort guests. Seriously? That park is empty as empty can be during the week. So it may not seem like a lot, but Disney is losing at least $50 tonight from me not having the opportunity to go walk around, have a drink and some dinner.

If I had to guess...and I will...

APs are very tough situation.
There are too many close where they can’t allow “whims” to causes spikes a couple days out by a rush of bookings...

Their hotel capacity is also very limited.

And as always...they “want” them there...but don’t want them there because they aren’t as valuable per person as others.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Why are they artificially capping demand on specific TYPES of guests? Seems like could at least unblock Cast Members same-day to get some F&B revenue.

If I had guess...they are.

And they really don’t want to deal with this brand of headache.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

After the bonus free month I’m not even sure how it’s legal to not let in passholders when there is space - but the last time i mentioned that I was jumped on pretty quick.

“Space” is completely relative based on what they want.

It’s always been that way...no one will ever beat that In court in orange or Osceola County

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Yes.

John Skipper was ousted because he was running ESPN into the ground. The cocaine bit is what's known as a "cover story."

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

“Space” is completely relative based on what they want.

It’s always been that way...no one will ever beat that In court in orange or Osceola County

I mean... they are offering a refund on the pass so legally if someone is not happy they can get out. So yeah, no need to take it to a court.

But an annual pass has always granted admission if physical space was available in the park. It’s a weird way to put blackout day style restriction on non-blackout passes.

 

[UNCgolf]

It's literally almost exclusively a 90 year old plus nursing home problem.

This isn't even remotely accurate.

Most of the deaths are from older people, but plenty of younger people have had long-lasting serious effects from Covid, including developing auto-immune disorders. I personally know someone in their early 30s to whom this has happened.

Regardless, this doesn't belong in this thread.

 

[marni1971]

It's literally almost exclusively a 90 year old plus nursing home problem.

Ummm... no.

 

[ElvisMickey]

If I had to guess...and I will...

APs are very tough situation.
There are too many close where they can’t allow “whims” to causes spikes a couple days out by a rush of bookings...

There hotel capacity is very limited.

And as always...they “want” them there...but don’t want them there because they aren’t as valuable per person as others.

I agree with you 100%. I know they want to leave some openings out there just in case day or resort guests decide to go. But that’s just not been the case. Even all of the local vloggers who’ve been living at the hotels since Universal reopened are not enough to fill these parks to whatever capacity they’re letting in right now. I was at EPCOT a couple of Saturdays ago and it was pretty dead for a Saturday. Weekdays, it’s crickets. So because I’m also a Universal pass holder, I’m spending my money there tonight.

 

[KrazyKat]

Let guests park hop already! Or did I miss that they already did?

My family and I are extremely anxious to get back down to Orlando but unfortunately, we live in New York and both states have bans on each other. If not for that, we would be down there. New York currently is not allowing travel to and from 34 states plus Puerto Rico.

 

[Phil12]

Here's more data: 66,000 businesses have closed:
see: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/4...losed-for-good-during-the-pandemic-2020-06-25
and: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/13/business/small-businesses-coronavirus.html

Unless you prefer the Washington Post which calls out 100k businesses: https://www.washingtonpost.com/busi...icas-economy-pandemic-could-end-that-forever/

Should we ignore Neiman Marcus, True Religion, J Crew, Gold's Gym, Pier 1, Hertz, GNC, Lucky Brands, Cirque du Soleil, Brooks Brothers, Ascena, etc. since they've "only" declared bankruptcy?
see: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/co...-bankruptcy-coronavirus-pandemic-hit-n1207866
and: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/25/business/july-bankruptcies-coronavirus/index.html

and California Pizza Kitchen just filed as well: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/30/business/california-pizza-kitchen-bankruptcy/index.html

or do we want to go into furloughs that are turning into layoffs and permanent job losses? see: https://www.npr.org/sections/corona...ming-hopes-fade-that-jobs-will-return-quickly

The business and employment landscape has changed and is continuing to change drastically. The economy is currently on a downward spiral in a negative feedback loop that is making things worse daily. The longer things go the worse it's going to get.

Yes, but there is a positive side to this scenario. It makes room for more Walmart and Amazon brick and mortar stores. After all, we don't really need many of the stores that you listed. And I really like the self check-out offered by Walmart and Amazon.

For example do we really need Gold's Gym? Heck no. Walmart's are so large that all you have to do is run around one store about four or five times each day and you'll stay in great shape!

 

[UNCgolf]

John Skipper was ousted because he was running ESPN into the ground. The cocaine bit is what's known as a "cover story."

No he wasn't. If you're going to fire an executive because you don't think they're doing a good job, you don't do it out of the blue right after they finished making a bunch of big business deals. That's not how large corporations operate.

No clue if the cocaine stuff is true (there are rumors it was actually due to sexual harassment type allegations), but it definitely wasn't business related. ESPN was doing just fine with Skipper at the helm (it was probably Disney's most profitable division), which is why he had no trouble getting other executive positions shortly after.

 

[TheDisneyDaysOfOurLives]

See...I told you you’d come around? It worked already

I take it all back.

 

[Parker in NYC]

You may love Disney...but you haven’t demonstrated you have a grasp of current events very convincingly.

But he gave us lockdowns, face diapers, AND racist log flume rides all in ONE POST! Christmas morning (until it's cancelled).

 

[bpiper]

Here's more data: 66,000 businesses have closed:
see: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/4...losed-for-good-during-the-pandemic-2020-06-25
and: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/13/business/small-businesses-coronavirus.html

Unless you prefer the Washington Post which calls out 100k businesses: https://www.washingtonpost.com/busi...icas-economy-pandemic-could-end-that-forever/

Should we ignore Neiman Marcus, True Religion, J Crew, Gold's Gym, Pier 1, Hertz, GNC, Lucky Brands, Cirque du Soleil, Brooks Brothers, Ascena, etc. since they've "only" declared bankruptcy?
see: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/co...-bankruptcy-coronavirus-pandemic-hit-n1207866
and: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/25/business/july-bankruptcies-coronavirus/index.html

and California Pizza Kitchen just filed as well: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/30/business/california-pizza-kitchen-bankruptcy/index.html

or do we want to go into furloughs that are turning into layoffs and permanent job losses? see: https://www.npr.org/sections/corona...ming-hopes-fade-that-jobs-will-return-quickly

The business and employment landscape has changed and is continuing to change drastically. The economy is currently on a downward spiral in a negative feedback loop that is making things worse daily. The longer things go the worse it's going to get.

Not sure why your quoting me and are all foamy. I was responding to Trainchaser's post about DD shutting down 800 stores and clarifying what they are and why they are.

As to the rest of the your post, if you do some research on all those name brand stores/restaurant bankruptcies, would see a reoccurring thread running through most of them. They are trying to shed debt. Most were bought out by private equity companies, who then had the company borrow money to pay the PE company for the privilege of being purchased. A no cost purchase. Then they had any real estate they hold sold and the proceeds sent back to them as a special dividend. They then charge millions of dollars for management fees for their so called advice. So the company has no cash reserves and Billions in debt. Of course they have to file Chapter 11. Some will survive the process and some won't. The ones that do, will be loaded up with more debt and then Chapter 7'd. I feel sorry for the workers, but when a company is bought out by PE, its a kiss of death to the company. Any employee should head out the door before it implodes.

This same thing happened during the Great Recession...... Linen N' Things, Toy R Us, etc. Same thing.

 

[lewisc]

I mean... they are offering a refund on the pass so legally if someone is not happy they can get out. So yeah, no need to take it to a court.

But an annual pass has always granted admission if physical space was available in the park. It’s a weird way to put blackout day style restriction on non-blackout passes.

It's not a weird way. Its unethical. Its all but illegal. Passholders should have been given the option of freezing their pass until Disney is willing to honor the terms of the pass as marketed.