Great Huffington Post article on what Disney really needs in a new CEO

[DDLand]

Universal anyone? They have been doing great since potter and they just keep building I don't see a problem there and it's all IP. Lasseter has no theme park say really he has an imagineering title but he much more focused on Pixar and the studios. Why would John raise red flags othe isn't wells. Kathy Magum was behind carsland. Yes John had input that's why we have floating tires because he couldn't live without it and Disney regrets it. Iger doesn't think things would turn south he's making millions and doesn't want to hurt his retirement check that's why he's still here. I also think he doesn't think staggs or rasulo are ready and maybe looking elsewhere for a replacement.

Universal has traditionally been a collection of random IPs that did not create a draw, my friend. It's true they struck the IP goldmine a couple years back, but for how long? Do I expect people to still go to Diagon Alley after decades like It's a Small World? Nope. These things never last forever.

He was able to get a ride through that everyone agreed was going to be a problem. Is that not proof of power rteetz? He was also the one selling Carsland to Tokyo. He's got power.

At this point he's done so much and made so much money that there's nothing really left for him to do career wise. At least nothing like Disney. So he's just waiting until he sees a problem or the board asks him to leave.

 

[rteetz]

Cool. If you want to know ask any other poster or me if for historical precedent. Have you noticed a single long time poster disagree with what I'm saying? Nope.

I suggest Disney War, Jim Hill Media, and any other archived article from that time.

You were just saying how horrible it was that Iger was surrounded by personal telling him where to go when Eisner did the very same thing.

It's nice that he still goes, I just couldn't tell by his years of crappy theme park management and poor attraction quality.

I listen to Jim Hill regularly I listened to him regarding the value resorts today in fact. I didn't say it was horrible. I said that Iger wouldn't be able to do it on his own and Eisner would be able too.

Splash Mountain, EE, ToT, Soarin, etc. are crappy?

 

[DDLand]

I didn't say that wasn't a good thing but if they didn't do something for the 60th their would be outrage from the disneyland locals. Disneyland can't remove a tree without the locals going crazy. They have over a millions AP holders.

WDW management is about the once in a life time vacationer and getting as much money from them simple as that. Why do you think there are so many dessert parties and hard ticket add ons.

Walt's Epcot is nothing like the Epcot today. Even opening day Epcot center is a lot different from what it is today and I never got to experience that.

I'm not against doing things right in short time periods. While POTC needs a good amount of work if they can successfully do it in 4 months great. But when I keep hearing sources say they need 6 or more I have my doubts.

Because some people actually like those things rteetz. I'm sorry you don't.

Yep, that's why I said replace Epcot with Epcot. The real radial based city complete with an international themed shopping district, mass transit, and all sorts of different housing options!

Let's let them announce first, let them build, and then see the results.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

That's just the thing. If Disney had started trying to build Disneyland in a market that was hostile, had bad weather, and was clearly the worse of two options Roy would have shut him down in a flash. Wells just watched... It's just a little bit of a red flag to me.

I've never been there but it looks beautiful in all the photos I've seen.

For a while I though that's what Iger was up to. Create cheap IP attractions that will ultimately not keep a draw and destroy the long term money makers. He gets short term profits and glory and leaves right before it collapses. Devious plan right? Then Carsland came out and my perspective changed. I think he believes he's doing the right thing with the IP. He's putting his money where his mouth is; spending big. That's why I blame Lasster. He should be raising flags and pointing out that IP attractions don't keep crowds long term. (Universal anyone?) Instead he's rebuilt Imagineering in Pixar's own image. It's brought us awesome attractions like RSRs but it's not anyway to operate a theme park.

Furthermore I think Iger really believes this because he keeps extending his contract. If he thought things were going to turn south real soon he'd have bowed out. He expects the growth to continue into 2018 at the very least.

I think the disney brothers tinkered with a european endeavour down the road as well. Americans to this point - and definitely 50 years ago…are very euro-centric with a romanticism about it. But they were both dead in 71…there last political contributions were to Nixon as a "good man" - for gods sakes.

Euro is outstanding…i love it. The studios at the time i was there…should have been imploded. Obviously the struggles continue and for disney - thats gonna get even more interesting as they are gonna lump it with DL and WDW and start to really bleed. The european economy is just never gonna be strong enough again to make gobs on an american park with cultural bias. Just not gonna happen.

Lasseter is a cartoonist. This notion that he should even be involved in strategic planning is redonkulous. he hit big with buzz and woody…and has done good work since. he was bankrolled by Steve J - that is an advantage that "props up" the creativity credit he may be getting too much of. If somebody is gonna drive park investment or ideas…id much rather he went to CalTech than CalArts. They're only worried about the characters on the storyboards now…forgetting that disney - also - has a long history of innovation and groundbreaking in the physical "arts" - they invented the modern roller coaster and the robot as we know them. But they used to care…when it was about "how do we get enough money to do this right? who we gotta lie to?"
Now its "gee…I've got 15,000 options in may and i don't want this budget to affect the 2nd quarter earnings…"

"Carsland"…was a necessary evil for disney. They realistically - as a burbank based "big four" media juggernaut…can't let their flagship down the street decline or fail. they knew that - even tiger - and nobody (at least none of the 2,000 opinions I've seen on it) has ever disputed that this was the reason. It was never to "give back" to fans or to "innovate"…it was expensive damage control. the disneyland fans REJECTED half finished crap…something that the east coast behemoth could never muster - but really needs to start pulling together.

Iger…lets be frank….is riding ironman and luke skywalker across the finish line. Come on - you think the fact the marvel franchises are printing money…and he's getting tons of rep on buying and "saving" star wars…might be the elephant in the corner there?
Even if they suck again - its guaranteed to make ridiculous profit for the next 5 years.
So why "extend the contract"? Quite simple…he's doesn't stand to make "millions more"…its far more like "tens" or multiple "hundreds" more.

Gold plated shoes for Willow then..

 

[rteetz]

Universal has traditionally been a collection of random IPs that did not create a draw, my friend. It's true they struck the IP goldmine a couple years back, but for how long? Do I expect people to still go to Diagon Alley after decades like It's a Small World? Nope. These things never last forever.

He was able to get a ride through that everyone agreed was going to be a problem. Is that not proof of power rteetz? He was also the one selling Carsland to Tokyo. He's got power.

At this point he's done so much and made so much money that there's nothing really left for him to do career wise. At least nothing like Disney. So he's just waiting until he sees a problem or the board asks him to leave.

Universal owns a very small amount of IP and they are a movie studio company. They got in the theme park game after Disney really following in their footsteps. Them coming to Orlando is what prompted Eisner to push for DHS. Yes its not the best park but it wouldn't be here with out him.

Thats what you expect but how do you know it will happen. People still flock to star wars and thats an IP. Potter is books and Movies and continues to make money today. They are building potter in Universal hollywood. They just opened it in Japan and more is supposed to be coming. I have never been to Universal but I know good theme park work when I see it.

Lasseter got it through and now it rumored to be replaced after a few years because its a problem.

Igor staying to long though could potentially hurt him like it did Eisner.

 

[DDLand]

I listen to Jim Hill regularly I listened to him regarding the value resorts today in fact. I didn't say it was horrible. I said that Iger wouldn't be able to do it on his own and Eisner would be able too.

Splash Mountain, EE, ToT, Soarin, etc. are crappy?

Nope, but Super Star Limo, Mullhound Madness, Montana Tomorrowland, and the Extreme Grizzly River Run were. Oh and DHK, DCA, DAK, and WDS are all the result of poor planning too. He was definitely a theme park nut when someone else was writing the check 'cough' Disney Sea.

 

[rteetz]

Because some people actually like those things rteetz. I'm sorry you don't.

Yep, that's why I said replace Epcot with Epcot. The real radial based city complete with an international themed shopping district, mass transit, and all sorts of different housing options!

Let's let them announce first, let them build, and then see the results.

Where did I say I don't? I have never been to Disneyland and I would love to go especially during the 60th. I said that the locals are much more vocal unlike those at WDW. I said if Disneyland didn't do anything many people would be upset. you won't get that voice at WDW.

I agree with the second part Im not against waiting and seeing to judge something.

 

[rteetz]

Nope, but Super Star Limo, Mullhound Madness, Montana Tomorrowland, and the Extreme Grizzly River Run were. Oh and DHK, DCA, DAK, and WDS are all the result of poor planning too. He was definitely a theme park nut when someone else was writing the check 'cough' Disney Sea.

Eisner has nothing to do with Disney Sea they license all the Disney brands to OLC. Imagineering also has a contract with them.
Would we have those parks without Eisner? In my opinion AK is one of the most beautiful park out there. I will agree those rides you listed were bad. But not every ride in those parks is. WDS we could probably agree is the worst of them all.

 

[DDLand]

Universal owns a very small amount of IP and they are a movie studio company. They got in the theme park game after Disney really following in their footsteps. Them coming to Orlando is what prompted Eisner to push for DHS. Yes its not the best park but it wouldn't be here with out him.

Thats what you expect but how do you know it will happen. People still flock to star wars and thats an IP. Potter is books and Movies and continues to make money today. They are building potter in Universal hollywood. They just opened it in Japan and more is supposed to be coming. I have never been to Universal but I know good theme park work when I see it.

Lasseter got it through and now it rumored to be replaced after a few years because its a problem.

Igor staying to long though could potentially hurt him like it did Eisner.

Most (I'm having a problem think of a lot of rides that aren't IP based) of Universal's rides are IP. They struck oil. That doesn't excuse their crappy performance before. For decades they were in Disney's shadow. Now they're riding high. That could change quicker then you think if HP loses steam...

Yeah, but he has power. He could be using it for good instead of only pixar clones.

That's true, he'll just have to time his exit right. Judging by his performance he's pragmatic and knows when to leave good enough alone. That should apply to his succession.

 

[DDLand]

Where did I say I don't? I have never been to Disneyland and I would love to go especially during the 60th. I said that the locals are much more vocal unlike those at WDW. I said if Disneyland didn't do anything many people would be upset. you won't get that voice at WDW.

I agree with the second part Im not against waiting and seeing to judge something.

Cool, if you do you should be pretty happy right now!

Yeah that's true. The difference is they're going above and beyond with the attraction refresh. That's the work of a new culture. That's great!

Excellent...

 

[rteetz]

Most (I'm having a problem think of a lot of rides that aren't IP based) of Universal's rides are IP. They struck oil. That doesn't excuse their crappy performance before. For decades they were in Disney's shadow. Now they're riding high. That could change quicker then you think if HP loses steam...

Yeah, but he has power. He could be using it for good instead of only pixar clones.

That's true, he'll just have to time his exit right. Judging by his performance he's pragmatic and knows when to leave good enough alone. That should apply to his succession.

Universal has really gained attendance they are building hotels, rumors of more expansion and currently building more in Orlando and around the globe. I think potter has staying power as for the rest of the Uni IP i don't know.

I really don't think he has enough theme park power though. If he wants to push a movie through he definitely could.

We will have to wait and see how the rest of Igers career goes.

 

[DDLand]

Eisner has nothing to do with Disney Sea they license all the Disney brands to OLC. Imagineering also has a contract with them.
Would we have those parks without Eisner? In my opinion AK is one of the most beautiful park out there. I will agree those rides you listed were bad. But not every ride in those parks is. WDS we could probably agree is the worst of them all.

Well let's just say Port Disney in California was a favorite of Eisner's that he knew was never going to get built. When OLC came along asking for a concept that's the one they got. Coincidence?

I'm not sure. I've said previously that I think we probably would've had something like them.

 

[rteetz]

Cool, if you do you should be pretty happy right now!

Yeah that's true. The difference is they're going above and beyond with the attraction refresh. That's the work of a new culture. That's great!

Excellent...

I don't necessarily think thats new culture they did big things for the 50th and that was Eisners end. Big things will come at Disneyland because thats what makes locals happy.

 

[rteetz]

Well let's just say Port Disney in California was a favorite of Eisner's that he knew was never going to get built. When OLC came along asking for a concept that's the one they got. Coincidence?

I'm not sure. I've said previously that I think we probably would've had something like them.

It was a concept that they only made better and many argue is the best Disney theme park in the world.

 

[rteetz]

Here is something interesting I found that is relevant to this conversation,

"Since 2005, Disney’s revenue has increased from $31.9 billion to $48.8 billion, a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%.

Many point to Disney President Frank Wells' death in 1994 as the beginning of Eisner's 'bad' years. Yet even during those 'bad' years, Eisner grew company revenue by a compound rate of 11.1% annually, more than double Iger's."

 

[rteetz]

Another interesting thing I am bringing into this. I did not make this of course a very good numbers person on wdwmagic did

"Under Eisner, domestic revenue grew at a compound annual rate of 9.7% over 21 years. Under Iger, it's grown at a compound annual rate of 5.5% over 9 years."

 

[DDLand]

I think the disney brothers tinkered with a european endeavour down the road as well. Americans to this point - and definitely 50 years ago…are very euro-centric with a romanticism about it. But they were both dead in 71…there last political contributions were to Nixon as a "good man" - for gods sakes.

Euro is outstanding…i love it. The studios at the time i was there…should have been imploded. Obviously the struggles continue and for disney - thats gonna get even more interesting as they are gonna lump it with DL and WDW and start to really bleed. The european economy is just never gonna be strong enough again to make gobs on an american park with cultural bias. Just not gonna happen.

Lasseter is a cartoonist. This notion that he should even be involved in strategic planning is redonkulous. he hit big with buzz and woody…and has done good work since. he was bankrolled by Steve J - that is an advantage that "props up" the creativity credit he may be getting too much of. If somebody is gonna drive park investment or ideas…id much rather he went to CalTech than CalArts. They're only worried about the characters on the storyboards now…forgetting that disney - also - has a long history of innovation and groundbreaking in the physical "arts" - they invented the modern roller coaster and the robot as we know them. But they used to care…when it was about "how do we get enough money to do this right? who we gotta lie to?"
Now its "gee…I've got 15,000 options in may and i don't want this budget to affect the 2nd quarter earnings…"

"Carsland"…was a necessary evil for disney. They realistically - as a burbank based "big four" media juggernaut…can't let their flagship down the street decline or fail. they knew that - even tiger - and nobody (at least none of the 2,000 opinions I've seen on it) has ever disputed that this was the reason. It was never to "give back" to fans or to "innovate"…it was expensive damage control. the disneyland fans REJECTED half finished crap…something that the east coast behemoth could never muster - but really needs to start pulling together.

Iger…lets be frank….is riding ironman and luke skywalker across the finish line. Come on - you think the fact the marvel franchises are printing money…and he's getting tons of rep on buying and "saving" star wars…might be the elephant in the corner there?
Even if they suck again - its guaranteed to make ridiculous profit for the next 5 years.
So why "extend the contract"? Quite simple…he's doesn't stand to make "millions more"…its far more like "tens" or multiple "hundreds" more.

Gold plated shoes for Willow then..

I hope for their sake you're wrong about the economy there... The writings on the wall. It could be Japanese style forever recession.

100% on Lasseter.

Of course they expect a return on investment. That's given. However where you and I disagree is I see what they did as going above and beyond. Perhaps you look at it as natural but they took real risk spending more then a billion on an expansion that may or may not succeed. There was no historical precedent for what they did on that project. Uncharted waters. The returns have been huge.

They're firing on all cylinders because he and his team had the pulse of consumer opinion. I can't tell yet whether they have long term potential. (Can 4 super hero movies a year stay mainstream?) At least so far, Iger and his team have been ahead of everyone else with these trends. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[rteetz]

More from the poster on wdwmagic

 

[rteetz]

This one I find really interesting. Look at the Eisner vs. Iger years.

 

[rteetz]

"Over 21 years, Eisner invested about 10% of domestic Parks & Resorts revenue back into domestic theme park growth initiatives.

Iger has invested about 2%."


-wdwmagic