In Defense of Bob Chapek

[jade1]

check out the nearby Margaritaville Vacation Club design

It's a great addition to the area. We visit a lot for dining/drinks. We bought a house next door a year and half ago (which has about doubled already) but looked hard here as well.

The 3BR (really small, no pool, no garage but very nice) were always right around $325,000. Now they are $600,000 plus if you can find one.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

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[jade1]

Far as Chapek, good points OP and am glad WDW/Disney did get through this pandemic, and we had some of our best trips to WDW during it. I do think it could have been far worse, just kinda hoping we get somebody amazing in soon/eventually.

And yes we have US AP as well and go there far more than we ever thought-been so nice to have nearby.

 

[john7994]

Yes. You are right. Thank you for your thread too, Jon.
I know there is quite a long list of items people complain about. If I had one wish, it would be that Disney would communicate to fans and passholders and tell us when things might return or if it is not in the planning to have it return. Like annual passes, for instance. A little bit of information would be so appreciated.

 

[LSUmiss]

I don't understand - Genie+ allows LL selections after 7A and throughout the day - so I am not getting the requirement of being up at 7A

During busy times, you absolutely need to be up then & start stacking.

 

[LSUmiss]

Change your reservation day of.

You must not visit during busy times. That’s usually impossible.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Yes. You are right. Thank you for your thread too, Jon.
I know there is quite a long list of items people complain about. If I had one wish, it would be that Disney would communicate to fans and passholders and tell us when things might return or if it is not in the planning to have it return. Like annual passes, for instance. A little bit of information would be so appreciated.

They will never do that. It would be suicide. It is convenient for us to know things in advance but they would prefer to keep everyone hanging on their every word indefinitely. Imagine how many more people would be selling their contracts if they came out and announced something like:
“We have no plans in the next 5 years to reintroduce annual passes, parking lot trams, or daily resort housekeeping. (Non points reservations)
Hey, we are still packin em in! It obviously doesn’t matter if we offer those things or not.”

 

[Jonfw2]

Yes. You are right. Thank you for your thread too, Jon.
I know there is quite a long list of items people complain about. If I had one wish, it would be that Disney would communicate to fans and passholders and tell us when things might return or if it is not in the planning to have it return. Like annual passes, for instance. A little bit of information would be so appreciated.

Totally agreed. They are far from perfect.

 

[john7994]

During busy times, you absolutely need to be up then & start stacking.

I have no problem getting up at 7A - that's not to say we don't sleep in from time to time either. Regardless of touring day, we have made it work effectively - which was my point.

Of course, the more daylight that passes, the less availability of anything and more chance of weather, rides being down, or other issues creating problems - regardless of Genie+ or not. So to the post I was responding too - I was expressing that I didn't understand the requirement of having to get up at 7A.

 

[bsmcneil]

Yep. Like most days. And this weekend is one of the busiest.

Again, I had difficulty (though it was with one day notice, not staying at a resort/AP) getting a MK or DHS park reservation in early May (a Friday). I started at Epcot and bought a park-hopper and went to the others - but park reservations aren't always available for everyone.

 

[bsmcneil]

We have made it work effectively - which was my point.

Which is great for you but your experience doesn't necessarily mean everyone else's in the same (just like someone saying that EVERYONE finds it difficult or a problem would be wrong). Why keep dismissing experiences different than your own?

 

[john7994]

Which is great for you but your experience doesn't necessarily mean everyone else's in the same (just like someone saying that EVERYONE finds it difficult or a problem would be wrong). Why keep dismissing experiences different than your own?

Haha - you are jumping down the wrong throat - not that I really get fussed about it
Did either of my posts suggest anyone was wrong? Nope - they didn't. I questioned, from the person I was responding to, whether it was a REQUIREMENT to get up at 7A - as they stated because I had a different experience (goodness forbid right???)

I know its not fashionable to be pro-Disney on here these days - but you know - it is what it is...

 

[T.G.I.Friday]

Wal-Mart
Verizon
Ford
Abbvie Pharmaceuticals


All large companies that play a significant role for many people in their daily lives. How many could name the CEO of at least one? Bonus points if you could name the CEO prior to the current one. Double bonus points if you could name the founder and provide examples on how the current leadership aligns or strays from the founding vision.

Unless it’s a Tesla, I doubt most could name the CEO of their car manufacturer. The car that they drive everyday and trust to safely transport them and their loved ones. Or the CEO of the company that they trust to make the drugs that keep them alive.

Yet we can all wax philosophical about the leadership of a theme park. Where we might go for a few days of vacation.

I’ve always been amazed at the strong emotions that Disney brings out in people. That somehow the feeling of nostalgia must also bring out a feeling of ownership or protectiveness? I don’t know what it is, but it’s fascinating.

*my questions are rhetorical, and I needed to Google for the answers, yet could easily talk about Chapek, Iger, Eisner, etc.

 

[k5xs]

Wal-Mart
Verizon
Ford
Abbvie Pharmaceuticals


All large companies that play a significant role for many people in their daily lives. How many could name the CEO of at least one? Bonus points if you could name the CEO prior to the current one. Double bonus points if you could name the founder and provide examples on how the current leadership aligns or strays from the founding vision.

Unless it’s a Tesla, I doubt most could name the CEO of their car manufacturer. The car that they drive everyday and trust to safely transport them and their loved ones. Or the CEO of the company that they trust to make the drugs that keep them alive.

Yet we can all wax philosophical about the leadership of a theme park. Where we might go for a few days of vacation.

I’ve always been amazed at the strong emotions that Disney brings out in people. That somehow the feeling of nostalgia must also bring out a feeling of ownership or protectiveness? I don’t know what it is, but it’s fascinating.

*my questions are rhetorical, and I needed to Google for the answers, yet could easily talk about Chapek, Iger, Eisner, etc.

I am surprised that anyone would be "amazed" at the emotions Disney evokes in others, particularly on a website devoted to Disney fans and others with Disney interest.

Disney to us is far more than "a theme park," and many of us are invested with far more than "a few days of vacation." We are invested emotionally and in many cases financially.

Many people have strong, warm memories of the iconic man Walt Disney, grew up on Disney entertainment, and have reared our kids and grandkids on Disney. Many of us have among our warmest memories of family vacations decades of trips to WDW. We are not nearly as passionate about Wal-Mart, Verizon, Ford, or any pharmaceutical company.

And when we are critical of current leadership of WDC--at least in my case--it's because we care so much about the company and we are distressed at what we see as misguided changes.

I get it, others see things very differently, but this is a forum where respectful disagreement is allowed, so...

 

[Disney Bobby]

Haha - you are jumping down the wrong throat - not that I really get fussed about it
Did either of my posts suggest anyone was wrong? Nope - they didn't. I questioned, from the person I was responding to, whether it was a REQUIREMENT to get up at 7A - as they stated because I had a different experience (goodness forbid right???)

I know its not fashionable to be pro-Disney on here these days - but you know - it is what it is...

Sure, it not even a requirement to use it, even if you pay for it. But most people buy it to maximize their chances of getting the rides they want. And if you want to do that, you need to be up trying to get the rides at 7am like most other people will be doing..

 

[afan]

Wal-Mart
Verizon
Ford
Abbvie Pharmaceuticals


All large companies that play a significant role for many people in their daily lives. How many could name the CEO of at least one? Bonus points if you could name the CEO prior to the current one. Double bonus points if you could name the founder and provide examples on how the current leadership aligns or strays from the founding vision.

Unless it’s a Tesla, I doubt most could name the CEO of their car manufacturer. The car that they drive everyday and trust to safely transport them and their loved ones. Or the CEO of the company that they trust to make the drugs that keep them alive.

Yet we can all wax philosophical about the leadership of a theme park. Where we might go for a few days of vacation.

I’ve always been amazed at the strong emotions that Disney brings out in people. That somehow the feeling of nostalgia must also bring out a feeling of ownership or protectiveness? I don’t know what it is, but it’s fascinating.

*my questions are rhetorical, and I needed to Google for the answers, yet could easily talk about Chapek, Iger, Eisner, etc.

If I was a car person like I am a Disney person I'd probably know. But I do know who the gm of my favorite baseball team is. I know my fav hockey team is looking for one. I may not be able to name the owners but give me multiple choice and I could.

That's the comparison to Disney, not Wal mart or verizon.

 

[john7994]

Wal-Mart
Verizon
Ford
Abbvie Pharmaceuticals


All large companies that play a significant role for many people in their daily lives. How many could name the CEO of at least one? Bonus points if you could name the CEO prior to the current one. Double bonus points if you could name the founder and provide examples on how the current leadership aligns or strays from the founding vision.

Unless it’s a Tesla, I doubt most could name the CEO of their car manufacturer. The car that they drive everyday and trust to safely transport them and their loved ones. Or the CEO of the company that they trust to make the drugs that keep them alive.

Yet we can all wax philosophical about the leadership of a theme park. Where we might go for a few days of vacation.

I’ve always been amazed at the strong emotions that Disney brings out in people. That somehow the feeling of nostalgia must also bring out a feeling of ownership or protectiveness? I don’t know what it is, but it’s fascinating.

*my questions are rhetorical, and I needed to Google for the answers, yet could easily talk about Chapek, Iger, Eisner, etc.

Although to be honest - I stopped paying attention to the CEO shortly after Iger took over - more of a "wow Eisner is still there kind of thing". It wasn't until Pete Werner was railing on Chapek on one of his DVC shows that I even bothered to look him up. Of course soon after, the Disboards were alight with the Chapek noise

 

[Jaymarkm]

Businesses don’t just want loyal customers, they want loyal profitable customers. A lot of these so-called $.05 & $.10 changes will make some of the most loyal/most unprofitable (or lower-than-average profitable) customers bail as really they are only hugely noticeable to them. That’s probably not a bad thing as long as there are new customers to replace them, which there appear to be.

I’ve been going to Disney for decades with family that were DVC members, for conferences, on vacations, ran the marathon, etc. Hadn’t been there in maybe 5 years though, but just bought DVC resale and took first trip. Things are different, sure, but it was awesome! New rides were great, food was great, resort was great, cast members were great, and it was a heck of a lot more fun than some stuff I spend money on.

 

[john7994]

Businesses don’t just want loyal customers, they want loyal profitable customers. A lot of these so-called $.05 & $.10 changes will make some of the most loyal/most unprofitable (or lower-than-average profitable) customers bail as really they are only hugely noticeable to them. That’s probably not a bad thing as long as there are new customers to replace them, which there appear to be.

I’ve been going to Disney for decades with family that were DVC members, for conferences, on vacations, ran the marathon, etc. Hadn’t been there in maybe 5 years though, but just bought DVC resale and took first trip. Things are different, sure, but it was awesome! News rides were great, food was great, resort was great, cast members were great, and it was a heck of a lot more fun than some stuff I spend money on.

Welcome Home! - we are headed there in a few weeks for our third trip this year! Been wanting to book during the runs - haven't yet been lucky enough to line them up yet. Maybe January!

 

[Disney Bobby]

I don't see any positives from his tenure so far. Even if you factor out COVID and supply chain issues, the rest has been a train wreck by any reasonable measure. Especially for someone paid $32.5 MILLION.