Disney Stock

I have been a shareholder for about 2 years (not a lot, but still!) and have never received anything regarding Disney shareholder meetings, reports or whatnot. The stock is held at Fidelity, don't they forward that sort of thing to us? I would love to know how this works, as this is really the only stock I actually care about and would want to see this stuff. Imagine how depressed I was when I found out that last year's shareholder meeting was being held in San Antonio, TX, where live and I only found out about it on the day of the meeting. I would have taken my kids, they bring characters to these meetings.

I did call Disney corporate and tried to ask questions but I really didn't get any good answers. I know there is a Disney investor site, but not too much info there either. Would appreciate anything you can tell me, thanks!!!

Fidelity, like many other shareholder services, has options that regulate what correspondence to send to account holders. Many people elect not to receive anything other than proxy statements. Call Fidelity and request that you receive all correspondence in regard to your Disney stock. Most likely, they currently have your account set to not receive anything.
 
I normally get my materials every year. I have my stock partially in the Reinvestment Program and partially in the Employee Stock Purchase Program. For the last couple of years they have only sent the proxy and voting materials, but given me the option to get the full Annual Report.

Of course, maybe they have decided to not send me anything this year after my actions at last year's Shareholder's Meeting.
 
I normally get my materials every year. I have my stock partially in the Reinvestment Program and partially in the Employee Stock Purchase Program. For the last couple of years they have only sent the proxy and voting materials, but given me the option to get the full Annual Report.

Of course, maybe they have decided to not send me anything this year after my actions at last year's Shareholder's Meeting.

As a beneficial holder of stock, which you may be, if your are in the ESPP and reinvestman program you are entiled to the reporting.

And even if you commented or proposed something at the meeting the company can't revoke those rights.

Personally, thank you for speaking out for whatever reason. I'm a proponent of shareholder rights.
 

Thanks for your input everybody! A few tidbits to fill in- DH and I just moved the stocks to Fidelity maybe in October. Before that it was at Scottrade. We moved because we wanted to re-invest our dividends, which is not an option at Scottrade. I'm having a hard time logging into the Fidelity because I have an existing account that has nothing to do w/ the holdings but I can't personally see them when I log in, so I gotta call. Hopefully I can find out what my settings are in terms of being sent investor materials.

As far as taking the kids to the shareholder meetings, I would totally do it! The meetings are held at the best resorts in town, so there's plenty to do and see at the resort. If your kids are really small, entertain them somewhere else in the hotel. The resort they had the meeting in last year in San Antonio was barely even open yet. It's also the largest Marriott in "the world". Super nice and beautiful, and only a 20 minute drive from where I live. :thumbsup2
 
Of course, maybe they have decided to not send me anything this year after my actions at last year's Shareholder's Meeting.

Do tell...

Yes, please!

My name is Mike T, from Orlando, Florida and I have been a shareholder for over 20 years.

Now, as you will see, I’m not much of a salesman, but I am going to try to sell you something that you already own.

This is what Michael Eisner used to call a “Figment question”.

Once upon a time, Epcot had an attraction called Journey Into Imagination.

The original had two exclusive characters; Figment - a cute purple dragon who represented the spirit of creativity, and Dreamfinder – a Santa Claus type who was Figment’s creator, mentor, friend and guide, on a uniquely Disney tour of the process of invention and discovery.

It was Imagineering’s way of sharing with the Guests how they make the Disney Magic.

Because of its family appeal, its whimsical nature, and catchy song, it was known as the “It’s A Small World” of Epcot.

In 1998 Epcot closed the endearing attraction, completely discarding the characters, and replaced it with possibly the most despised attraction in Disney Parks history. A grass roots fan movement, spearheaded by an Internet campaign, influenced the return of the Figment character to Epcot in 2002 with a new storyline.

Five years ago, at the Shareholders’ Meeting in Minneapolis, I asked your predecessor, Michael Eisner, about the status of the extremely popular character, Dreamfinder. Calling it one of “the best questions of the year”, he then expressed this regret: “I have not been able to elicit the passion you expressed in our animation department, in our live-action department, and in Mr. Iger to my left.”

I’ll bet that you never got that opportunity to talk with Eisner about this during your transition period, as you were both busy with the bigger picture.

Regardless of his assessment of the feelings in animation and live-action, the passion lives on.

To many in Imagineering they are unofficial “mascots”; at the Imagineering Complex, Figment is featured with Dreamfinder at Mickey’s of Glendale. Figment has also been used in two books written by Imagineers about the creative process: “The Imagineering Way”, and “The Imagineering Workout”. You see, they are Imagineering’s own babies, and that division has many good folks who would love to recreate the Original Imagination experience for our guests to enjoy again.

In our Parks, both Cast and Guests long for the return of the original ride and characters.

At the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the opening of Epcot, in October 2007, a fan conceived and driven event that attracted enthusiasts from all over the world, then Disney Imagineering Ambassador Marty Sklar, much to his delight, was greeted with a chorus of chants of “BRING DREAMFINDER BACK” from fans in attendance for his presentation. The repeated overwhelming and enthusiastic pleas stopped the show and caused quite a stir. At that time, Marty then stated that the reason it could not happen was “K-O-D-A-K”.

This is ironic since Kodak, in addition to sponsoring the attraction, was involved in the development of the characters as well as the original show.

But the copyrights belong to Disney, not Kodak. Now, I love Kodak as much as the next guy - but, if they don’t want to be involved in restoring the show, maybe we can find someone else with more imagination.

To add insult to injury, an episode of SOUTH PARK titled “Imaginationland” made a mockery of the situation with an obvious Dreamfinder knock-off character, a blimp-like flying machine and an “Imagination Song”, all elements from the original ride.

Fortunately, Merchantainment has kept the Dreamfinder character alive through a series of extremely limited edition collectible releases, mostly pins that sell out rapidly.

This loyalty is well earned. Most cherished and missed by fans was a character meet-and-greet with Dreamfinder and a Figment puppet. His unique way of relating to the guests is the stuff of Disney Parks legend, and many Guests claim that their visits with these Disney friends helped them through traumatic emotional times. Doctors are on record as stating that the visits extended the life of a terminally ill child. If that isn’t Disney Magic, what is?

As CEO, you are a lightning rod for blame. If you have to assume the blame, you should be able to bask in the credit of your achievements as well. All of us were eager to see what the Iger era would bring to our company.

It is said that “you can judge a man by his character”. Since joining the company as President and COO in January 2000, you have added several significant characters to the Disney stable.

There have been three new Princesses added; Princess Mia from “The Princess Diaries” in 2001, Princess Giselle from the wonderful comedy “Enchanted” in 2007, and, most recently, Princess Tiana from “The Princess And The Frog”.

In May 2004 you acquired The Muppets, no less!

Then you become CEO in 2005, and the next year sees the return of Oswald The Lucky Rabbit. Most important of all, the PIXAR characters also bear the Disney label.

We now have Pixie Hollow and Tinker Bell’s new Pixie companions.

And how about last year getting the MARVEL Superheroes on board!

In a year that brings us both “Captain EO Tribute” and “TRON Legacy”, we feel confident asking for the return of another Disney classic.

With Epcot’s 30th anniversary coming in 2012, the time is right to BRING OUR DREAMFINDER and the original concept BACK.

So, my question to you is twofold:

How do we elicit the passion in you that Eisner couldn’t, and how soon can you get somebody working on this?

Perhaps Spiderman could rescue The Dreamfinder…
 
CF, I love your letter!!!!

It really isn't complicated, rather than trying to work out what people want just look around and listen to what they are telling you they want.

Disney is a great example of a company who has lost touch with what people are telling them they want.
 
That is an excellent argument to bring back the Figment/Dreamfinder combo we all know an love. Very well stated.:thumbsup2

It kind of makes me nostalgic for the good old days. When I was 5 years old, Figment became my favorite character there, and yes, I had my picture taken with Dreamfinder and Figment. I can only hope my son will be able to do the same in a couple of years.
 
CF, I love your letter!!!!

It really isn't complicated, rather than trying to work out what people want just look around and listen to what they are telling you they want.

Disney is a great example of a company who has lost touch with what people are telling them they want.
That was not a letter.

That was the script I had written and I asked the question during the open question period last year.
 
I am a Disney shareholder, and so are my kids. I keep the stock certificates for my shares in a safe deposit box. My kids’ shares are held in street name at Fidelity.

My kids get all the same shareholder communications that I do, except I receive mine a few days before they get theirs. Coincidentally enough, I just received the 2010 annual report in the mail today. I’ll post on this thread again when their reports arrive.

My kids' Disney shareholder materials arrived from Fidelity a couple of days ago -- so, about a week after I received mine.
 
My kids' Disney shareholder materials arrived from Fidelity a couple of days ago -- so, about a week after I received mine.

I got something late last week from Fidelity, and I requested a hard copy. I received that this week, that was quick! Wish I could go to the meeting in SLC.
 


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