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The Spirited Back Nine ...
- Thread starter WDW1974
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FloridaRes
Active Member
We were discussing Managers, not Guest Interactions
PS: Guest is always capitalized, FYI
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I've seen posts talking about George Kalogridis and what kind of man, what kind of leader he happens to be.
I know George. I knew him very well in his years leading EPCOT and his following roller coaster demotions and promotions until he came home as local boi makes good.
There is ultimately one reason why George started out with the company as a pharmacist's son working bussing tables at the Contemporary Resort in 1971 and is still with the company now, it's not likely what people want to hear but it is true: George wants to do good for his cast and guests, but he'll turn on a dime and cut your throat if it will keep him in the lifestyle he has grown used to (and Andy does like the finer things in life even more than G) and, more to the point, keep his overlords happy.
He doesn't like when attractions are in godawful show shape, but he will allow it before he ever rocks the boat about living up to standards that WDW once wrote the book on.
To the poster who had to chime in on all the folks who loved George during his tenure at the Grand Flo (from 1988-1993, first as head of Food and Beverage and later at GM of the entire resort), I'll absolutely concur. But it was a different era. Standards were much higher and Georgie was only too happy to make sure Disney stood behind them, unlike today. I haven't been to California Grill in years now (the dumbing down of the place by the DDP basically forced me to drop by favorite dining locale five years ago), but if Ray is still working the bar there, just ask him about George and the opening of Narcoosee's in 1988 and what kind of leader he was.
But that was a very long time ago. George sold his soul to stay with the company after he was fired in 2002 in Anaheim. The devil rewarded him with the keys to the kingdom he grew up at. And since you only live once I understand why he did what he opted to do. But he is as much a part of the problem as any exec in P&R because even with his millions, even being set for life (and having no kids to worry about), he still will let his backbone turn to grits if it means keeping Iger, Rasulo, Staggs and Crofton happy.
That is reality and I strongly doubt anyone here knows George quite like I do.
I know George. I knew him very well in his years leading EPCOT and his following roller coaster demotions and promotions until he came home as local boi makes good.
There is ultimately one reason why George started out with the company as a pharmacist's son working bussing tables at the Contemporary Resort in 1971 and is still with the company now, it's not likely what people want to hear but it is true: George wants to do good for his cast and guests, but he'll turn on a dime and cut your throat if it will keep him in the lifestyle he has grown used to (and Andy does like the finer things in life even more than G) and, more to the point, keep his overlords happy.
He doesn't like when attractions are in godawful show shape, but he will allow it before he ever rocks the boat about living up to standards that WDW once wrote the book on.
To the poster who had to chime in on all the folks who loved George during his tenure at the Grand Flo (from 1988-1993, first as head of Food and Beverage and later at GM of the entire resort), I'll absolutely concur. But it was a different era. Standards were much higher and Georgie was only too happy to make sure Disney stood behind them, unlike today. I haven't been to California Grill in years now (the dumbing down of the place by the DDP basically forced me to drop by favorite dining locale five years ago), but if Ray is still working the bar there, just ask him about George and the opening of Narcoosee's in 1988 and what kind of leader he was.
But that was a very long time ago. George sold his soul to stay with the company after he was fired in 2002 in Anaheim. The devil rewarded him with the keys to the kingdom he grew up at. And since you only live once I understand why he did what he opted to do. But he is as much a part of the problem as any exec in P&R because even with his millions, even being set for life (and having no kids to worry about), he still will let his backbone turn to grits if it means keeping Iger, Rasulo, Staggs and Crofton happy.
That is reality and I strongly doubt anyone here knows George quite like I do.
So, who is going to hang out with the bloggers/Lifestylers/whores at Friday's MVMCP kick-off?
And how many of them will tell their flocks that they shouldn't attend this very tired event that extorts Christmas from Guests annually? The over/under is ZERO.
And how many of them will tell their flocks that they shouldn't attend this very tired event that extorts Christmas from Guests annually? The over/under is ZERO.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
I'm discussing guest interaction.
I have no comment on your managers as I dont know them. I have met many. Some are good and interested in good guest service. Some are good and interested in helping cast with professional development. Some are GSMs straight out of College with zero management or real world experience. And others are interested in making themselves look good, covering their own rear and climbing the corporate ladder.
Hopefully you've had good managers. Hopefully you've helped others with professional development and helped to mentor other cast members. Hopefully your bosses have as well.
But thats not always how this company works. Anyone who has been here 42 years has seen the shift in the management winds.
MarkTwain
Well-Known Member
Wanted to say the same. I'm glad this tumblr post is getting attention, but different aspects of the WDW Co. can be VERY different. Managers have a wide range of personalities, like everyone else, so they have a wide range of ways they treat cast members as well.
I know in my CM days, there were many rules/policies that were in "gray areas" or varied by who you asked them to. We often hunted down particular managers to ask whether we could offer a certain guest service, or even whether we could have a shift cut short or a break moved. Many managers got started as regular CMs themselves and know the challenges of being on the front line. Some care about guests, some care about cast, some just care about numbers... but it's very difficult to criticize all managers as a group.
Don't anyone tell @PhotoDave219 that the new Star Wars film has a title.
That could be a spoiler, right?
That could be a spoiler, right?
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FloridaRes
Active Member
I know George as well, since 1979 in fact, when he was a F&B Analyst in the Disney Village. I worked closely with him over the years, and I have no doubt he fights as much as he can for his beliefs to this day. Nothing can convince me otherwise. I have known him for far too long.
Sorry, Spirit, but George did not sell his soul. Now as to his powers, I have no doubt they are severely curtailed. As some have said here, he steers the ship, he doesn't set the itinerary.
As for Andy, I worked with him as well, he is not a money grubbing devil either.
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PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Don't anyone tell @PhotoDave219 that the new Star Wars film as a title.
That could be a spoiler, right?
Hmmmmm.....
The Force isn't breaking Ground in Orlando in this fiscal year
MarkTwain
Well-Known Member
You should still do it. Don't let one article change your mind; just because someone can write a negative (but very valid) opinion, someone else can write a page gushing about how great it is. How you manage your attitude and expectations impacts everything, and you'll never know what your experience will be like until you seek it out.
CinematicFusion
Well-Known Member
Apparently so did the majority of people who voted.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Brigante is usually pretty down on the state of the parties.
Spirit. That whole saga is sad. There is so much we don't know yet, but the man deputies are looking for has gone through so much. Lost his hands and arms at age 16 to meningitis. Nothing could excuse the murder of his parents (if he is responsible) but few of us could fathom what he and his family have gone through. My prayers are with those grieving.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
No. A majority of voters supported Amendment 2, medical marijuana. 57% actually. But it needed 60% to pass.
So while I'm in that majority that you speak of, I'm dissatisfied with the outcome.
TalkingHead
Well-Known Member
According to the story in the Sentinel, the WDW spokesperson wouldn't comment on the where the father worked on property. I'm not sure if that's "necessary" information for the story, but it came across as "Disney doesn't want its name tarnished by being associated with this story." The response seemed disrespectful toward the CM victim, but then again I don't really care about protecting the Disney brand name.
aka_emilicious
Well-Known Member
10 times over this. It's not easy work at all, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. It also depends on who you report to (though that's true for any job).
For every "see honey, this is why you go to college" insult, I have many times more stories of "thank you so much for making our trip so memorable".
You are flat out mistaken, but entitled to that opinion. ... George was treated like garbage by Cynthia and if he had any backbone he would have taken his talents to UNI or Busch or Marriott or a cruise line etc. He sold his soul to remain with the company, and honestly shouldn't have had any position after his performance in launching DCA. ... He still is the highest level manager/exec for the nation's largest single site employer. He can call Governor Voldemort on his cell phone and get him. But he will never say a damn thing that goes against his leadership and their goals. George is a GREAT operations guy and he damn well knew that NGE/MM+ was a tremendous waste of money and resources. He also knew it wouldn't do what it was supposed to do and would create far more headaches for his CMs. All he did was turn a blind eye so he could be WDW's leader. If that isn't selling a soul, I don't know what is really.
As to Andy, folks who are concerned with entertainment cuts might see things differently. But I wouldn't call either man a devil. I was, a long time ago, rather fond of both of them (far more George, to be fair). What I would call them is typical management in 21st century American corporate exec suites. I think it's time they took their millions and spent more time with family (perhaps, even with George's very troubled brother!)
raymusiccity
Well-Known Member
Not sure about the fact checking in their article, when it opens with:
'The JW Marriott Ihilani Ko Olina Resort, about half-a-mile from Disney’s Aulani resort on Oahu, will be rebranded as a Four Seasons.'
JW Marriott adjoins Aulani. Sometimes you have to shoot at a funny angle not to show both properties in the same frame....Certainly not a 'half mile'!
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I would say no one should do it unless they go in with their eyes wide open, all the information AND, most importantly, the ability to have money from other sources.