Bob Chapek

[BrianL]

He's...not that great. I try not to see him as some evil boogeyman out to ruin Disney, but sometimes it's hard not to. He isn't nearly the CEO Iger was either. Iger was also a money-man and good for the stock/shareholders, BUT he knew how to stay out of the way of the creatives and let them do their thing, knowing that it created bigger returns. Chapek likes to meddle, but he doesn't know what he's doing in that regard. He hasn't done any permanent damage yet, and I will cut him a little slack due to the pandemic, but overall he does not inspire confidence. I do not think he's the right guy for the role.

 

[hhisc16]

You mean Cheapek?

 

[manning]

I don't like the direction he appears to be taking the company but at the same time understand that the entirely of his reign has been during various stages of a pandemic. I'm hoping once that stabilizes he will make some changes but I wouldn't bet my house on it.

He has made a changes. Raised ticket and parking prices at Disneyland A LOT

WAITING FOR THE HAMMER TO DROP AT THE WORLD

 

[Jonfw2]

He has made a changes. Raised ticket and parking prices at Disneyland A LOT

WAITING FOR THE HAMMER TO DROP AT THE WORLD

Yeah. Nobody before him ever raised ticket prices.

 

[manning]

You mean Cheapek?

More like greednick

 

[BrianL]

Yeah. Nobody before him ever raised ticket prices.

This is true, but it's more than the one thing. They raise prices every year, but with the cutbacks in certain areas, it's a little harder to swallow. To me, it's more telling how he has mishandled relationships with some of the departments and creatives. I don't think he at all "gets" their world and sees evertyhing his way. That lack of flexibility and understanding is why I think he's a bad fit. The money stuff is kind of secondary.

 

[Jonfw2]

This is true, but it's more than the one thing. They raise prices every year, but with the cutbacks in certain areas, it's a little harder to swallow. To me, it's more telling how he has mishandled relationships with some of the departments and creatives. I don't think he at all "gets" their world and sees evertyhing his way. That lack of flexibility and understanding is why I think he's a bad fit. The money stuff is kind of secondary.

Fair. But he's brand new at the job. That is stuff that could improve as he grows into the job. Not saying it will, but it's fairly typical of a new CEO.

Regarding the cutbacks, I'm not condemning him or defending him at this point- I'd like to get as much as even a couple of years removed from Covid before we really judge that one. He entered at a time when none of the parks globally had been closed for any more than a single day at a time and suddenly, they were all closed simultaneously for months. It's just impossible for us to judge what that meant.

 

[C&Jx2]

As a customer, I don’t care for him because of course I don’t like any price hike or money grab!

However, the last two years have been unprecedented and he’s been left in a hard spot. I think in 10 more years we’ll be able to judge him more fairly.

 

[BrianL]

Fair. But he's brand new at the job. That is stuff that could improve as he grows into the job. Not saying it will, but it's fairly typical of a new CEO.

Regarding the cutbacks, I'm not condemning him or defending him at this point- I'd like to get as much as even a couple of years removed from Covid before we really judge that one. He entered at a time when none of the parks globally had been closed for any more than a single day at a time and suddenly, they were all closed simultaneously for months. It's just impossible for us to judge what that meant.

Covid is definitely a big factor here, which is why I can cut a little slack on that. Hopefully he can grow into the other stuff - he really mishandled the ScarJo situation, but that seems like it's smoothed over. I'd feel better if Alan Horn were sticking around too. Still, he's no Iger who really shepherded the company through some great times!

 

[CBMom01]

The only thing I hold against him at this point is that BS with Scarlett Johansen

 

[CBMom01]

Iger was the driver that turned the parks into something truly amazing then used the cash they generated to go on an IP spending spree. That IP is allowing the parks to survive. Smart man

 

[BrianL]

The only thing I hold against him at this point is that BS with Scarlett Johansen

Yeah, word was he got really miffed about that and was the driving force behind their harsh response. Contract disputes happen in Hollywood. They didn't have to get personal about it. I know the Imagineering Deparment isn't too thrilled with him either. Like I said, price hikes I can deal with - that's just economics. People complain, but at the end of the day, if we pay it, then it's our fault. They will charge what they can get, right?

 

[CBMom01]

Yeah, word was he got really miffed about that and was the driving force behind their harsh response. Contract disputes happen in Hollywood. They didn't have to get personal about it. I know the Imagineering Deparment isn't too thrilled with him either. Like I said, price hikes I can deal with - that's just economics. People complain, but at the end of the day, if we pay it, then it's our fault. They will charge what they can get, right?

I don't believe he would have reacted the same way if the dispute had been with, say, Ryan Reynolds or Tom Holland

 

[CBMom01]

The CEO of the Disney should never come off as petulant, petty, or uncomfortable speaking public, and Chapek has managed to do all three. Maybe Bob Iger was a worse person but we'd never have known it. Sometimes charm is an important part of the job, especially when your job is to create the image of magical happy family fun 24/7/365.

 

[BrianL]

I don't believe he would have reacted the same way if the dispute had been with, say, Ryan Reynolds or Tom Holland

One does have to wonder why he went that way. It was quite a jarring response. Legally speaking I even felt Disney was probably in the right (no matter how crummy the contract might have been), but after their heavy-handed and personal public response, I was team ScarJo all the way!

 

[MillauFr]

I’m not going to write what I really want to but..he needs to GO!

Even if he was replaced I'm not sure his replacement would be more to your liking. That parks are having massive problems that basically stems from way too much demand. DIsneyland had to stop selling their $1,400 annual passes after only 2 months. They way underestimated demand for the passes. Saturday and Sunday reservations are taken up a couple of days after they are released.

 

[MillauFr]

More like greednick

How do you suggest Disney controls the massive crowds overwhelming the parks?

 

[BrianL]

Even if he was replaced I'm not sure his replacement would be more to your liking. That parks are having massive problems that basically stems from way too much demand. DIsneyland had to stop selling their $1,400 annual passes after only 2 months. They way underestimated demand for the passes. Saturday and Sunday reservations are taken up a couple of days after they are released.

Yes, we are at a moment where Disney is a victim of their own success. Demand is high, therefore prices are going up. People (i.e. WE) are paying it and there is no shortage of guests. If that changes, they will change direction. I mean, I don't want to pay 15 bucks for a Rise of the Resistance time, but I'd consider it. The COVID construction slow-down did hurt though as WDW was supposed to have several more rides online for the 50th. If things were running more normally, with shows and parades, the parks wouldn't be so strained.

 

[bcla]

The CEO of the Disney should never come off as petulant, petty, or uncomfortable speaking public, and Chapek has managed to do all three. Maybe Bob Iger was a worse person but we'd never have known it. Sometimes charm is an important part of the job, especially when your job is to create the image of magical happy family fun 24/7/365.

I don't know if he would go on Jimmy Kimmel Live or sign Guillermo's time sheet Iger certainly knew how to work a room.

 

[BrianL]

I don't know if he would go on Jimmy Kimmel Live or sign Guillermo's time sheet Iger certainly knew how to work a room.

Iger could be absolutely captivating in appearances. I also like how he worked his way up from a paige at ABC. He was a really great CEO.