In Defense of Bob Chapek

[Jonfw2]

I disagree. Chapek has committed a number of monstrous blunders.

The Scarlett Johansson fiasco, the Don’t Say Gay fiasco, and the on-right-now-oops-we-were-just-joking forced Lake Nona Florida move fiasco all happened on his watch.

The Imagineer corps has suffered under him.

More, he was a no-show on the WDW 50th Anniversary, reportedly because he was afraid of being booed off the stage.

The pandemic was hard on almost every publicly held company in America. But under Chapek, Disney stock has underperformed even a down market:

If you had put $100,000 in a DJIA-indexed fund on the day Chapek took over as CEO, you’d have $114,800 today.

If you had put $100,000 in Comcast (Universal’s parent) on the day Chapek took over as CEO, you’d still have $93,300 today.

If you’d put $100,000 in Disney stock on the day Chapek took over as CEO, you’d have just $75,000 today.

The man has overseen the gross “IP-ification” of EPCOT, the transformation of Illuminations into the soulless Harmonius, and several other obscenities. He disingenuously characterizes Genie+ and the park reservation system as “enhancements to the guest experience,” and he doesn’t know the difference between The Happiest Place on Earth and The Most Magical Place on Earth.

I’m convinced that the only reason WDC extended his contract was fear the stock value would tank even more with perceived turmoil if he was fired right now.

This is truly silliness. Was it Chapek’s fault you tripped on a crack in the sidewalk?.

 

[vinotinto]

I would give Chapek a pass if it weren't for the fact that they have introduced G+ / LL+. If they wanted to monetize FP+, then they should have made people purchase it and turned some rides into individual purchases. But, anything that requires me to be up by 7am *every day of my vacation* is enough for me to absolutely hate the man. It does NOT have to be implemented this way and yes, it's up to him as a leader to make sure the implementation of it is a good user experience.

 

[john7994]

I would give Chapek a pass if it weren't for the fact that they have introduced G+ / LL+. If they wanted to monetize FP+, then they should have made people purchase it and turned some rides into individual purchases. But, anything that requires me to be up by 7am *every day of my vacation* is enough for me to absolutely hate the man. It does NOT have to be implemented this way and yes, it's up to him as a leader to make sure the implementation of it is a good user experience.

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

 

[DVC92]

One thing that I hate is the park reservation system that was enacted. As a DVC member for 30 years, who visits 20+ days a year, and always stays in a DVC resort, I should be able to visit any park I desire on any given day. I should not have to make park reservations. If I wake up in the morning at VGF and its pouring rain, have a park reservation for AK which I don't want to use because of the rain, and a dinner ressie at BOG, I shouldn't have to go over to AK to walk in and walk out so i can get into MK. That is just ridiculous.

 

[DVC92]

Also, bring back FP+ for DVC members. We deserve at a couple of decent perks. If he can't resist charging us, so be it, but at least let us get on at least 3 rides at our park of the day w/o the hassle of Genie+.

 

[Jonfw2]

One thing that I hate is the park reservation system that was enacted. As a DVC member for 30 years, who visits 20+ days a year, and always stays in a DVC resort, I should be able to visit any park I desire on any given day. I should not have to make park reservations. If I wake up in the morning at VGF and its pouring rain, have a park reservation for AK which I don't want to use because of the rain, and a dinner ressie at BOG, I shouldn't have to go over to AK to walk in and walk out so i can get into MK. That is just ridiculous.

Change your reservation day of.

 

[Jonfw2]

Also, bring back FP+ for DVC members. We deserve at a couple of decent perks. If he can't resist charging us, so be it, but at least let us get on at least 3 rides at our park of the day w/o the hassle of Genie+.

You get a discount and the ability to book your rooms sooner.

 

[Jrb1979]

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

Yes it does but the top attractions are usually gone quickly.

You get a discount and the ability to hoop your rooms sooner.

Not that easy when most days all that's left is Epcot.

 

[DVC92]

Change your reservation day of.

What if is not available?

 

[Jonfw2]

What if is not available?

In the rare case that a reservation is not available you’d just have to suck it up and go to the first park.

 

[john7994]

Yes it does but the top attractions are usually gone quickly.

Not that easy when most days all that's left is Epcot.

If the person touring is not interested in going to the park early - then later times are available throughout the day on both LL/IAS (and IAS is also only one ride at each park anyway). Oh thats right, you haven't used Genie+ - I forgot!

 

[john7994]

In the rare case that a reservation is not available you’d just have to suck it up and go to the first park.

Nah - Disney just needs to control the weather better, individual preferences and other reservations on an individual basis - forget everyone's else's park experience!

 

[Brett Wyman]

1. Forcing workers to move to Florida (now delayed).
2. Angering Hollywood studios and talent.
3. Not removing park reservation system after COVID.
4. Handling of LBGTQ issues.
5. Disney reputation dropping in public eye.

These are a few a few of the many ball drops by Chapek that are not related to COVID.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

.

 

[KittyKitty]

This is truly silliness. Was it Chapek’s fault you tripped on a crack in the sidewalk?.

Haters are going to hate. I just move on.

This should be Chapek's song..

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

.

 

[MillauFr]

And it's amazing how those high salaries are justify by stock price even when the market is doing well, yet when they market tanks and the stock tanks, they get a pass. The stock is worth HALF of it's 52 week high. Sorry, that not just the market as a whole. DIS stock has been a disaster.

High salaries? That is one of the main problems with DIsney is they don't pay enough to get great talent. Just look at their IT department. A complete joke. In Seattle Disney IT is paying half of what the competition is paying across the street.

 

[john7994]

Not hating here. Not at all. I have previously posted that regardless of our opinions, the Board of Disney elected to renew his contract for 3 years. He is only 61 years old, so in "CEO-speak" he could have a tenure of 10 years or more from now. The Disney fans have to adapt -- or move on. We do not have to wear blinders or like all the changes.

Or worse, you could get someone worse. Not sure why disposable CEOs make for a more stable company ...

 

[bsmcneil]

If the person touring is not interested in going to the park early - then later times are available throughout the day on both LL/IAS (and IAS is also only one ride at each park anyway). Oh thats right, you haven't used Genie+ - I forgot!

When I traveled in Feb and May, there were LL/IAS options that were only available at 7am (and we didn't travel to the parks early any day, although I did wake up to make selections/buy things).

 

[MillauFr]

11. No Dining Plan.

It would be an unmitigated disaster and would result in another lawsuit if they brought back the dining plan with the current restaurant situation. People would be upset with Disney charging them $199 per day for dining when they couldn't get reservations at any signature restaurants. Many would sue.