SaucyBoy
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
The article said that 200 people had already made the move. I wasn't aware that many (which isn't a lot of people for a corporation like Disney) had already made the switch.
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Orlando Becoming East Coast Headquarters for Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products
- Thread starter The Visionary Soul
- Start date
hopemax
Well-Known Member
Thank goodness.
I feel bad for the employees who decided the move made sense for them, and I hope Disney will be generous in working with them to continue their employment, relocation or severance. I remember at one of the Disney panels, D23 or an anniversary event, one of the people involved with the development of WDW was tasked with determining fair relocation packages for people moving from CA to FL. So he researched what other companies did and presented his findings to Roy O. Roy O's response was, "It's not enough." You often hear about Roy being all business, but the story stuck with me because it demonstrated he shared the idea that taking care of your people would equal taking care of the company.
I feel bad for the employees who decided the move made sense for them, and I hope Disney will be generous in working with them to continue their employment, relocation or severance. I remember at one of the Disney panels, D23 or an anniversary event, one of the people involved with the development of WDW was tasked with determining fair relocation packages for people moving from CA to FL. So he researched what other companies did and presented his findings to Roy O. Roy O's response was, "It's not enough." You often hear about Roy being all business, but the story stuck with me because it demonstrated he shared the idea that taking care of your people would equal taking care of the company.
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CaptainAmerica
Premium Member
200 people relocating cross-country twice is probably $10 million. That's not nothing to just flush down the drain.
Here's the memo from Josh D'Amaro.
Team,
I wanted to let you know that we’ve just begun communication regarding our updated plans for the Lake Nona campus.
As many of you know, the company had decided to build a new Disney campus in Lake Nona and many cast members, Imagineers, and employees were asked to commit to making a move to Florida. While some were excited about the new campus, I know that this decision and the circumstances surrounding it have been difficult for others.
Given the considerable changes that have occurred since the announcement of this project, including new leadership and changing business conditions, we have decided not to move forward with construction of the campus. This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is the right one. As a result, we will no longer be asking our employees to relocate. For those who have already moved, we will talk to you individually about your situation, including the possibility of moving you back.
It is clear to me that the power of this brand comes from our incredible people, and we are committed to handling this change with care and compassion. I remain optimistic about the direction of our Walt Disney World business. We have plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 jobs over the next ten years. I hope we’re able to do so.
We are committed to our teams who call Central Florida home and to all of our Cast Members around the world, and I want to thank you for your continued dedication to Disney Parks, Experiences and Products and for delivering world-class entertainment for our guests.
Josh
Team,
I wanted to let you know that we’ve just begun communication regarding our updated plans for the Lake Nona campus.
As many of you know, the company had decided to build a new Disney campus in Lake Nona and many cast members, Imagineers, and employees were asked to commit to making a move to Florida. While some were excited about the new campus, I know that this decision and the circumstances surrounding it have been difficult for others.
Given the considerable changes that have occurred since the announcement of this project, including new leadership and changing business conditions, we have decided not to move forward with construction of the campus. This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is the right one. As a result, we will no longer be asking our employees to relocate. For those who have already moved, we will talk to you individually about your situation, including the possibility of moving you back.
It is clear to me that the power of this brand comes from our incredible people, and we are committed to handling this change with care and compassion. I remain optimistic about the direction of our Walt Disney World business. We have plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 jobs over the next ten years. I hope we’re able to do so.
We are committed to our teams who call Central Florida home and to all of our Cast Members around the world, and I want to thank you for your continued dedication to Disney Parks, Experiences and Products and for delivering world-class entertainment for our guests.
Josh
Disney Analyst
Well-Known Member
Sounds like Disney may help them get back, as they should.
el_super
Well-Known Member
Disney is going to offer to move them back, if that makes sense for them.
MagicHappens1971
Well-Known Member
I think this is a fair assessment, but I respectfully disagree. This move would’ve saved the company a pretty good amount of money in the long run
alphac2005
Well-Known Member
Yes, we have friends who’s relatives had relocated in the past year from Imagineering and were having homes built.
Andrew C
You know what's funny?
It still would have. I just don't think Iger's "heart" was ever in this move to begin with...
drnilescrane
Well-Known Member
WDI was an organization of about 1500 before the pandemic. It's probably about 250 or so now.
A large part of that attrition was people on project hires and contracts not being renewed with the pandemic, but it's remarkable how the organization was gutted under Chapek.
Which is what this was all about. Reshaping WDI was personal for Chapek, as he felt they were an organization unable to build in a timely and cost effective manner. The best way to clean house was to force them to move - with I think the added benefit of getting slightly more "grateful" and "loyal" employees in Florida.
Iger doesn't see things that way at all, and cancelling this was a natural move.
MagicHappens1971
Well-Known Member
Oh I don’t disagree that it still would save them money, I just think it’s the only real “damage” they can cause to FL without spiting themselves.
Disney Analyst
Well-Known Member
Did the homes ever get built? I've heard constructions sites are ghost towns these days in Florida?
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
MagicHappens1971
Well-Known Member
As a Floridian I don’t know where anyone could say that. I grew up in SoFlo and housing is sprouting up like weeds. I also went to FSU and lived in Tallahassee for a few years and they spring up new apartments the same way.
mightynine
Well-Known Member
Now now, what did Detroit do to be tarred with such a horrible comment as being compared to America's punchline?
el_super
Well-Known Member
I want to say ... before this spirals... that it probably has little to do with the politics in Florida right now. The move was problematic from an HR perspective and too many people were saying no or pushing out their move dates to find more work. We all assumed that their ultimate goal was trimming personnel from WDI, but I don't believe they imagined so many would flat out say no. Theyve had too many roles left empty and too much uncertainty over training replacements.
Additionally, building a giant new campus in the post COVID world, and for adding capacity after you just laid off 7000, just doesn't make business sense.
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