Precisely. I don't understand why the fan community has already decided to burn Chapek at the stake.
He's literally the only person we've had who has come in and objectively called out all the problems we've been complaining about for years.
Epcot sucks, the resorts are not remotely up to the luxurious levels they should be for the price, One Disney was a disaster, TDO even more of a disaster, WDI project costs were fundamentally broken, what the hell is taking Disney so long to introduce their billion dollar acquisitions into the parks? Staggs or Rasulo never managed to see these flaws, Chapek seems to.
The jury is still out on if Chapek's solutions are good, but people have already burned him for many solutions coming online that are still tied to the Staggs era, or the fundamentaly broken TDO, in actuality.
It's an interesting juxtaposition where on one hand groups of people complain that Disney is stagnant and other hand are hesitant to support positive changes.
In everyone's defense, the Magic Kingdom Resorts represent some of Disney's best inventory. The Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, and Contempory have some of the most aggressive fan followings.
It's also worth noting Disney's recent track record for these hotels...
Contemporary: DVC. Some people really do not like the design, and feel it brought the entire Resort more down market. I can't speak to that, and I'll join a minority that actually likes Bay Lake Tower, but those sentiments are definitely out there.
So mixed.
Grand Floridian: The DVC building has been universally derided for failing to uphold design integrity. Negative feelings.
Poly: Despite their attempts to channel retro (make it a village!) most avid fans despise the new lobby. I feel like we lost one of the classic 70s Disneyisms that are increasingly slipping away. Well executed but still a negative for me. Throw in some highly priced, Alligator attracting, view ruining private villas and in spite of new amenities many view the changes poorly.
Mixed.
Wilderness Lodge: While too early to make judgement, there's strong negative sentiments already boiling about many of the changes. I hope things will pull through, but some are already calling catastrophe.
At best many of the changes over the last decade can be described as controversial. So at least here Chapek can be the one everyone blames when things go "horribly wrong" because he couldn't leave good enough alone. It's less about him and more the profound lack of trust anyone has in executive management. Skepticism is probably justified and trust is something that needs to be won back.
It seems like we're recovering from our own early 2000s Disneyland period. The decline was quieter, but it's been happening. I think we're on the mend and also I like the idea of a leader challenging the status quo. Asking why the way it's been done is good enough. It's disruptive and healthy to be introspective. Finally an executive that wants to learn! We need more leadership like Chapek, because it really seems like he's paying attention for the first time in years.
I'll nuance that by saying the "efficiency initiatives" mentioned in the last report (remember when people said they weren't real?) do put a damper on my enthusiasm. Though coming out of Shanghai the purse strings are being loosened and we're getting back to quality.
That's awesome.
Personally, I love the name Modern Luxury Resort. It invokes feelings of modernity and luxury in a resort setting. I guess gutting or removing most if the interior bits will give it the modern feel.
Hey, if it worked for The Contemporary!
