Chapek out - Iger back

[Aprilshack]

I doubt much will happen in the parks as they are doing well but with Epic universe on the not so distant horizon, who knows. I agree that the studio side is what needs the help and that’s what he will focus on. I hope his first act is pay rises for the CM’s. I hope he realises to stop treating customers like cash machines & start giving value for money again. There needs to be a better balance between Disney/consumer. There’s a recession coming if he likes it or not. If it bites really hard it could affect the parks. Depends how long and deep it goes on for.

 

[yorkieteacher]

I think this is gonna be more to do with Disney studios rather than the parks as far as any changes being made....

It sucks because I wish there was some way price rollbacks would happen but the public has shown they will pay for everything (sans maybe the Galactic Cruiser to an extent), so the board would have his head if he messed up that easy revenue for the company...

The Starcruiser is destined to become a pricey deluxe hotel without the interactive experiences. Just theming and bars and restaurants with Star Wars themes.

 

[SCWildcat04]

I doubt much will happen in the parks as they are doing well but with Epic universe on the not so distant horizon, who knows. I agree that the studio side is what needs the help and that’s what he will focus on. I hope his first act is pay rises for the CM’s. I hope he realises to stop treating customers like cash machines & start giving value for money again. There needs to be a better balance between Disney/consumer. There’s a recession coming if he likes it or not. If it bites really hard it could affect the parks. Depends how long and deep it goes on for.

Yeah I am curious to how they're gonna handle the recession (that we're already in) once it's "official"....

 

[Jrb1979]

Fresh news on Sunday night so a lot of people aren't even in on the discussion yet, but everywhere I look people are assuming this CEO swap means whatever parks-side change they personally hated the most is going to be instantly rolled back just in time for Christmas like.....I admire your optimism but that's not how this works.

Agreed. I also don't think much will change at park level. He was brought back to fix the studios side cause that's where the problems are.

 

[Aprilshack]

Yeah I am curious to how they're gonna handle the recession (that we're already in) once it's "official"....

I want a premium product for the premium price we are paying. I hope Iger realises that. He may find it harder to sell a product where you are paying more for less especially in a recession. I’ve been looking at staying offsite for my next trip but will wait to see the prices/offers for 2024 before I decide.

 

[mkb3]

While Iger is responsible for some of the things we hate in the parks I think a few changes will be made immediately to repair brand image. It may be something small but something will change or go back to like it was.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

You're probably right - just hoping There are some things they could potentially do like getting rid of park pass, park hopping restrictions, etc. That wouldn't necessarily cost them anything or lose revenue - but could improve guest satisfaction.

Hopefully though some additional investment in the parks, maybe a response to Epic Universe

Honestly the part pass reservation systems isn't all bad. In a way fast pass + was a mini version of it since it forced you to pick at least part of where you will be ahead of time, since while you could switch sometimes last min you often couldn't get the top fast passes. The pass reservation system is the only way I would ever consider going on New Years Eve since you know for sure whenever you want to enter the park you can get it , and can leave and still get back in.

The parks are not nearly as crowded as they were in 2019/early 2020. We don't see 5-6 hour waits for FOP or 3-4 for soarin or test track.

I will say I wish park hopping was more like noon or 1pm and not 2.

 

[rwdavis2]

The Wall Street Journal article alluded to the fact that the parks, at times, subsidize the rest of the company. Let’s hope they don’t bleed more money out of the parks.

 

[starlite_]

So, they bring back Bob Iger the person responsible for this debacle ? The stock market will go back up temporarily. Art of Bad Deal Bob spent tons of money on all these deals that have not helped the bottom line. He bought Fox and didn’t get the sky networks which was the “crown jewel” of the deal. Star Wars is still dead after spending 4 billion to not give the fans what they want. Marvel is in big trouble. End game may have been properly named for the franchise. I guess China is happy that Bob is back!

Chairman of the Board Susan Arnold and Christine Mcarthy CFO need to go as well. Susan Arnold has no experience in any of the markets that Disney is in and to be blunt she was a leader in the demise. The same goes Christine McCarthy. If she worried about the financials of the organization instead of demeaning the guests the company wouldn’t be in this person.

What are you talking about, I'm a fan and Star Wars has given me exactly what I want for the last 5-6 years.

 

[bbeagle]

Yeah I am curious to how they're gonna handle the recession (that we're already in) once it's "official"....

We're not in a recession. Unemployment is at a 50 year low, 6 million jobs have been created this year, the economy continues to expand.

https://rsmus.com/insights/economics/why-the-us-economy-is-not-in-a-recession.html


The only ones who are touting a recession are Republicans who want to get rid of Democrats.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bob Chapek for giving it the best he possibly could in the singular worst time for any entertainment company to operate, the COVID years. While many on these boards will dance like Ewoks watching the second Death Star explode, I feel badly he lost his job during the holidays no matter how much his severance package is.

Big Papa Iger is living a charmed life. He inherits Kevin Feige and watches Marvel blossom into a powerhouse. He buys SW and Kathy Kennedy is the object of the fandoms hate, not him. Iger does deals with the Chinese government to open parks in China and he is lauded doing business with the sleaze of humanity, the CCP. Iger leaves right before COVID shuts down movie theaters, TV/movie production, parks, cruises, etc. He returns with a massive slate of movies and Disney Plus projects in 2023. Iger hand-picked his successor, and when that fails he is given a second chance to find a successor.

Life is good for Big Papa Iger. Based upon how fast the Disney fandom turns on leaders, I wish him luck, a whole lot of it.

 

[BrianL]

While Iger is responsible for some of the things we hate in the parks I think a few changes will be made immediately to repair brand image. It may be something small but something will change or go back to like it was.

Exactly. This is all about image. They will use the opportunity to win back some hearts with a few "concessions" - things that can change now. I bet the Park Hopping rule will be the first to go. I do not expect the newly monetized Genie+ to go away at all, though some changes to the program wouldn't surprise me. I do expect he will reinvest and greenlight at least one big parks project to get people excited, possibly something that was previously shelved. No matter what happens, Iger is a much better communicator and just more well-liked, even if he does some stuff that we don't love. He is better at balancing things out.

 

[GAN]

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bob Chapek for giving it the best he possibly could in the singular worst time for any entertainment company to operate, the COVID years. While many on these boards will dance like Ewoks watching the second Death Star explode, I feel badly he lost his job during the holidays no matter how much his severance package is.

Big Papa Iger is living a charmed life. He inherits Kevin Feige and watches Marvel blossom into a powerhouse. He buys SW and Kathy Kennedy is the object of the fandoms hate, not him. Iger does deals with the Chinese government to open parks in China and he is lauded doing business with the sleaze of humanity, the CCP. Iger leaves right before COVID shuts down movie theaters, TV/movie production, parks, cruises, etc. He returns with a massive slate of movies and Disney Plus projects in 2023. Iger hand-picked his successor, and when that fails he is given a second chance to find a successor.

Life is good for Big Papa Iger. Based upon how fast the Disney fandom turns on leaders, I wish him luck, a whole lot of it.

There is NO chance he picked his successor(Chapek) ...not sure where you got that from. But I guarantee he isn't coming back to "train" someone that he didn't agree with the Board on. That person has already been selected. And the other thing is, I'm fairly certain that a good sized deal will be in the works for some entity. Whoever takes over needs to be able to navigate through the complexities of a narrowing "meta" verse ..and I assure you, Iger already understands that this is key to Disney's future success.

 

[Aprilshack]

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bob Chapek for giving it the best he possibly could in the singular worst time for any entertainment company to operate, the COVID years. While many on these boards will dance like Ewoks watching the second Death Star explode, I feel badly he lost his job during the holidays no matter how much his severance package is.

Big Papa Iger is living a charmed life. He inherits Kevin Feige and watches Marvel blossom into a powerhouse. He buys SW and Kathy Kennedy is the object of the fandoms hate, not him. Iger does deals with the Chinese government to open parks in China and he is lauded doing business with the sleaze of humanity, the CCP. Iger leaves right before COVID shuts down movie theaters, TV/movie production, parks, cruises, etc. He returns with a massive slate of movies and Disney Plus projects in 2023. Iger hand-picked his successor, and when that fails he is given a second chance to find a successor.

Life is good for Big Papa Iger. Based upon how fast the Disney fandom turns on leaders, I wish him luck, a whole lot of it.

He’s a multi millionaire who will get a multi million dollar settlement. I wouldn’t feel too sorry for him. It’s the underpaid and under appreciated CM’s you should feel sorry for. Paycheck can afford the bills and sleep at night. Many cast members won’t.

 

[DonMacGregor]

While Iger is responsible for some of the things we hate in the parks I think a few changes will be made immediately to repair brand image. It may be something small but something will change or go back to like it was.

The biggest immediate effect will be the morale boost amongst CM's. There are already plenty of positive reactions in the Cast community over Bob's return. Happier CM's = a better guest experience.

After that, Bob's focus will be on the more macro moves to boost investor and shareholder confidence. The Street needs to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Lastly, I'm guessing Bob will reach out to his senior leadership team (probably sooner rather than later) and ask each of them for a moving forward plan that will increase consumer/guest confidence and mitigate the bad vibes/experience/perception created during the Chapek regime. I think THAT will be the point where we will see what Josh D'Amaro and Bill Dierkson have on their wish lists and what on those lists is ultimately implemented. Some of those moves will be easier, and quicker to be implemented and others may be slow to follow.

 

[BrianL]

The biggest immediate effect will be the morale boost amongst CM's. There are already plenty of positive reactions in the Cast community over Bob's return. Happier CM's = a better guest experience.

After that, Bob's focus will be on the more macro moves to boost investor and shareholder confidence. The Street needs to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Lastly, I'm guessing Bob will reach out to his senior leadership team (probably sooner rather than later) and ask each of them for a moving forward plan that will increase consumer/guest confidence and mitigate the bad vibes/experience/perception created during the Chapek regime. I think THAT will be the point where we will see what Josh D'Amaro and Bill Dierkson have on their wish lists and what on those lists is ultimately implemented. Some of those moves will be easier, and quicker to be implemented and others may be slow to follow.

The move alone has already boosted the stock without any operational changes being made. Iger inspires confidence, which is what really sets him apart.

 

[john1012a]

Roll genie+ into the ticket price and you can only get a lightning lane when you are in the park. You can get another one every hour regardless of the one(s) you have (So stacking allowed) Eliminate the paid for lightning lanes. Park hop as much as you want but if you leave a park you lose your lightning lanes.
Keep the park reservation system to help balance the initial entrance into the parks.
Bring back the citizens of Hollywood and other street performers

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

He’s a multi millionaire who will get a multi million dollar settlement. I wouldn’t feel too sorry for him. It’s the underpaid and under appreciated CM’s you should feel sorry for. Paycheck can afford the bills and sleep at night. Many cast members won’t.

I love people, all people. I have empathy for all who suffer. I don't like seeing anyone getting fired. Rich or poor. Big time or small potatoes. It's just no fun to see. But, I'm made differently than most people. I'm really happy that I'm cut from a different cloth than everyone else, and I'm thankful for my grandma for raising me to love one another.

Happy Thanksgiving, Aprilshack. I hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday.

 

[Scalemaster34]

Be interesting to see how much they bought that unfinished ship for, and how much more they sink into it's "renovations" to make it a Disney ship... over the next two years. When Royal Caribbean did the same thing... they were hoping to start getting a ROI within a few months, not years.

But Streaming business is facing some big up hill issues... that I'm not sure Ads, price increases or cutting new content was going to solve.

 

[DonMacGregor]

He’s there to train someone for the job- possibly Josh D’Amaro. I just feel he will be less about cutting service to save money in the parks. He seems to focus more on magic and less on money than Chapek did. Of course, Chapek seemed to never think of anything but money-

D'Amaro isn't on the Disney CEO track (at least not right now). Disney typically likes their CEO to have some experience in multiple divisions and Josh has spent his entire Disney career in Parks. Highly doubtful they would elevate a guy who's never spent any time in any of the studio arms, content production, or Consumer Products. No studio experience in a company built on the studios and motion picture production won't fly.

Now, if you see Josh getting moved laterally in the near future into another division, THAT would be a very good sign.

** Before anyone tries to "yeah, but" me: Yes, Eisner came in with ZERO Disney experience at all, but a strong creative background at Paramount, and Roy E. and Sid Bass brought him in on the heels of a series of hostile takeover attempts with the feeling that someone from outside the company would send a stronger signal of change and convey the message that it wasn't business as usual (many on Wall Street felt Disney leadership was ageing and falling behind the times with many in senior leadership still holdovers from the old Walt/Roy O. days).