January Boycott of Disney underway.....

[MasterGracy]

F.Y.I. - this is a copy of the letter sent to Michael Eisner from the Haunted Mansion Fan Club.


The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank California 91521

To Mr. Michael Eisner and the Walt Disney Executive Staff:

AN IMPORTANT OPEN LETTER CONCERNING THE CURRENT WORLD WIDE JANUARY BOYCOTT OF THE DISNEY COMPANY

In cooperation with Disney Fan sites across the world wide web and consumers around the world, The Haunted Mansion Fan Club will be shut down from January 1st to February 1st 2004 in protest against Michael Eisner's gross mismanagement of the Walt Disney Company resulting in the resignation of Walt Disney's nephew, Mr. Roy Disney, and multitudes of superior Imagineers; and we seek nothing less than Mr. Eisner's own immediate resignation and the reinstatement of Mr. Disney and his fellow Imagineers.

We encourage Disney fans everywhere to join us in showing Mr. Eisner our dissatisfaction with his erosion of Uncle Walt's dream by refusing to visit Disney parks, purchasing Disney merchandise, or patronizing a Disney theater film for the month of January.

We would also encourage Disney fans to write to Mr. Eisner demanding his resignation from the PUBLICLY TRADED Disney company.

The list of accusations leveled against Mr. Eisner by family groups, children advocates, safety officials, the press, consumers, stock holders, and Disney cast members is voluminous and can no longer be ignored or tolerated. Don't stand by as this man leads to ruin the dreams and memories of untold millions of people. Help take back OUR magical kingdom and restore what Walt created and gave to us. Enough is enough.


- George Gracy, president
Haunted Mansion Fan Club

 

[Tiggeroo]

I'm not familiar with this club. What are their membership numbers?
Count me among those who have had serious concerns about Eisner for a long time. If I could see some sort of concerted effort at a boycott, that has the potential for the kind of numbers to make an effect, I would participate. There will have to be some serious numbers in order to even get the attention of persons in power.
I hope it happens. Unfortunately, I believe that if the executives at Disney don't pay attention to the rumbles of discontent, and don't consider what Roy has to say important, they are going to go to the point where repair will be very difficult.

 

[Chuck S]

Originally posted by MasterGracy

The list of accusations leveled against Mr. Eisner by family groups, children advocates, safety officials, the press, consumers, stock holders, and Disney cast members is voluminous and can no longer be ignored or tolerated. Don't stand by as this man leads to ruin the dreams and memories of untold millions of people. Help take back OUR magical kingdom and restore what Walt created and gave to us. Enough is enough.

While I am no Eisner fan...Roy would have had to retire soon. anyway...so big whoop, there still would be no "Disney" at Disney

You mean religious based "family" groups and child advocates wanting to make political statements? The same groups with an anti-Gay Day agenda, even though the Disney Company does NOT sponsor any events. And never mind some of their "demands" would be illegal.

Safety Officials - I realize that the recent tragedy at BTMR at DL was deemed a maintenance problem...but I didn't know the the State agency that investigated called for Eisner resignation.

The press, oh yes, any major company should do exactly what the "press" deems they should, no matter the costs involved...or even the legalities. If "the press" wanted to run Disney then ABC should have purchased Disney instead of vice-versa.

Consumers - Hmmm the WDW resorts are full.

Stock Holders - it seems the majority stock holders are NOT calling for his resignation, and the stock price has improved slightly.

"OUR" magic kingdom, sorry, but it the Magic Kingdom belong to the Walt Disney Company...it is NOT "OURS", we pay admission...even stockholders pay admission.

 

[mus muris asinus]

I'm sure you've got Mr. Eisner shaking in his boots now

 

[mudnuri]

exactly what are we suppose to be debating????

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Yay! I'm all for it! Less lines when I leave in 3 weeks.

 

[Lanshark]

How busy is Jan 1 to Feb 1? I would think this is a pretty slow time. If they were serious they would call for a year round boycott or until the changes they are seeking are made.

 

[DawnCt]

Personally, I came to that conclusion on my November 02 trip. After years of going to Disney with my family, I have seen a major erosion of customer service, increased prices with decreased hours, no major improvement in over all attractions, (Figment comes to mind) and unnecessary crowding when attendance is down. Longer lines are tolerated when both sides of an attraction could be opened and the transportation system has made getting around longer and more unpleasant. Interestingly enough, my teens and 20ish DS's came to this conclusion spontaneously. We found Disneyland much more accommodating, clean and reminiscent of how WDW was 15 years ago. My brother and his wife and family have been tenacious Disney fans as well and were very disappointed in thier most recent October 03 trip. Fortunately they were able to get military discounts for admissions and hotels, and even then, the trip disappointed compared to many previous trips. They described customer service as almost non existant. They stayed at the Yacht Club and did not feel the welcoming ambiance that they had many times in the past. Roy Disney is echoing what a lot of disallusioned guests have noted for a while.

 

[KNWVIKING]

But I think I'll save my boycotts for more important issue. After all, when all is said and done on these boards, we're till only talking about Disney.

 

[DisFam95]

Agree!! Disney is a company..period. Their JOB is to make money for a service. In these very bad economc times during the last 2 years they have had to make big cutbacks (ie cutting out an hour an EPCOT (which is now back), closing some minor food establishments early) They have to make money if you want them to continue major projects like Mission:Space, Soarin' Over California, the new AK coaster, and many other major projects. Yes it's not as 'perfect' as it once was but neither is the rest of the world. They are expanding with more attractions and resorts to give you, the loyal Disney Fan, more choices. How do you expect them to make money when the travel industry had bottomed out??? Things WERE beginning to pick up (until this latest terror alerts and over 8 flight cancelations due to terror info). I hope people still start traveling more. We can't stay at home and be afraid.

Yes I agree Eisner has mande some very bad choices but anyone who is griping obviously knows NOTHING about business or economics!

Please stay home in Jan so I can enjoy it all to myself.

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by DisFam95

Yes I agree Eisner has mande some very bad choices but anyone who is griping obviously knows NOTHING about business or economics!

Please stay home in Jan so I can enjoy it all to myself.

I don't think that it was wise for Disney to make the cuts that they did, despite "difficult economic times". They suffered in terms of customer loyalty. When I spend my hard earned discretionary income on vacation, I don't want to hear that hours are being cut, restaurants are closed and services are being cut because income is down. The cruise industry didn't cut back, they cut prices, they filled their ships and the business now is more than "afloat". I found that is where we get the biggest bang for the buck. They have built newer and bigger ships, increased service and have cut prices so they are nothing but attractive.
The same is true of other destinations. We were able to get great hotel rates when Hawaii's economy was down. They didn't send the help home and close restaurants. They provided a service at an enticing price. Eisner has squandered enough money on his pay offs for people he couldn't get along with and have placed that burden on the theme park visitors. He should have allowed enough cushion to maintain the level of services that long terms guests were accustomed to. He didn't and he has lost some formerly loyal guests for quite a while.

 

[SCDizFan]

Someone didn't think this boycott through.

You aren't hurting Micheal Eisner.

You know who your boycott is hurting? The little guys. You are hurting the employees of Disney. Fewer people at the parks mean fewer jobs. Your are hurting the residents of Orlando. Less revenue taken in by the tourists mean less of a tax base for things like education and roads.

In an area still reeling from the devastation of tourism downturn since the attacks of September 11, 2001, your boycott isn't going to do anything but compound that problem.

Think about your family and what the breadwinner in your family does for a living. Tourism and hospitality are the main industries in Orlando. Tourism is the industry that supports hundreds of thousands. That has been hurt and you sir, a making the problem worse.

 

[Goofyposter]

Roy would have had to retire soon. anyway...

No....actually this IS a "big whoop".

Other directors of equal age were NOT mandated to step down.......ROY had the designation of 'MANGAGEMENT'....and by defination within the board policy....that SHOULD HAVE exempted him from stepping down due to his age.

IN FACT Esiner's GREED and BLOODLUST to RID the company of a member of the Disney family is what lead to Roy's removal!!!!!!!

 

[MasterGracy]

I'm sorry if some of you were under the impression that the Haunted Mansion Fan Club is the initiator of the boycott. To the contrary, we are just one among many. Boycott organizers also include Disney cast members and their fan clubs. I believe one of the posters on this board said that such a boycott would hurt employees. Actually, the employees are already hurting, which is why they called for the boycott. Another poster attempted to refute my statement that Disney is OUR company. It IS OUR company, and I say so being a stock holder myself. But to the point, the original post on this board about the boycott was for your information about things taking place in the world of Disney. If you are not interested in the topic or disagree with the boycott, I'm not here to fight with you. I'm just here to spread the word.

For those of you who have not yet seen Mr. Roy Disney's resignation, I reprint it here so that you can see the extent of Mr. Eisner damage to the Disney Company. I encourage you to also visit Mr. Disney's own web site - www.SaveDisney.com - for more information about the imminent downfall of the entire Disney franchise. Those who care are participating in the boycott. Those who do not care are of no consequence.

"Dear Michael [Eisner]:

It is with deep sadness and regret that I send you this letter of resignation from the Walt Disney Company, both as Chairman of the Feature Animation Division and as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.

You well know that you and I have had serious differences of opinion about the direction and style of management in the Company in recent years. For whatever reason, you have driven a wedge between me and those I work with even to the extent of requiring some of my associates to report my conversations and activities back to you. I find this intolerable.

Finally, you discussed with the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors its decision to leave my name off the slate of directors to be elected in the coming year, effectively muzzling my voice on the board -- much as you did with Andrea Van de Kamp last year.

Michael, I believe your conduct has resulted from my clear and unambiguous statements to you and to the Board of Directors that after 19 years at the helm you are no longer the best person to run the Walt Disney Company. You had a very successful first 10-plus years at the company in partnership with Frank Wells, for which I salute you. But, since Frank's untimely death in 1994, the Company has lost its focus, its creative energy, and its heritage.

As I have said, and as Stanley Gold has documented in letters to you and other members of the Board, this Company, under your leadership has failed during the last seven years in many ways:

1. The failure to bring back ABC Prime Time from the ratings abyss it has been in for years and your inability to program successfully the ABC Family Channel. Both of these failures have had, and I believe will continue to have, significant adverse impact on shareholder value.

2. Your consistent micro-management of everyone around you with the resulting loss of morale throughout the Company.

3. The timidity of your investments in our theme park business. At Disney's California Adventure, Paris and now in Hong Kong, you have tried to build parks "on the cheap" and they show it and the attendance figures reflect it.

4. The perception by all of our stakeholders -- consumers, investors, employees, distributors and suppliers -- that the company is rapacious, soul-less, and always looking for the "quick buck" rather than long-term value which is leading to a loss of public trust.

5. The creative brain drain of the last several years, which is real and continuing, and damages our Company with the loss of every talented employee.

6. Your failure to establish and build constructive relationships with creative partners, especially Pixar, Miramax, and the cable companies distributing our products.

7. Your consistent refusal to establish a clear succession plan.

In conclusion, Michael, it is my sincere belief that it is you who should be leaving and not me. Accordingly, I once again call for your resignation or retirement. The Walt Disney Company deserves fresh, energetic leadership at this challenging time in its history just as it did in 1984 when I headed a restructuring which resulted in your recruitment to the Company.

I have and will always have an enormous allegiance and respect for this Company, founded by my uncle, Walt, and father, Roy, and to our faithful employees and loyal stockholders. I don't know if you and other directors can comprehend how painful it is for me and the extended Disney family to arrive at this decision.

In accordance with Item 6 of Form S-K and Item 7 of Schedule 14A, I request that you disclose this letter and that you file a copy of this letter as an exhibit to a Company Form 8-K.

With sincere regret,

(signed by Roy E. Disney)"

 

[myhandd]

I went to Master's website, about 3/4 of the posts on it are his. I'm guessing there are 10 members of this boycotting group, and over half are his family.....This oughta get Eisners's attention lol!!!

 

[MasterGracy]

I'm sorry you were under the impression that the Haunted Mansion Fan Club is the initiator of the boycott. To the contrary, we are just one among many. Boycott organizers also include Disney cast members and their fan clubs.

One of the posters on another board said that such a boycott would hurt employees. Actually, the employees are already hurting, which is why they called for the boycott. Another poster attempted to refute the statement that Disney is OUR company. It IS OUR company, and I say so being a share holder myself. But to the point, the original post on this board about the boycott was for your information about things taking place in the world of Disney. If you are not interested in the topic or disagree with the boycott, I'm not here to fight with you are deal with your rude attitude. I'm just here to spread the word.

For those who have not yet seen Mr. Roy Disney's resignation, I reprint it here so that you can see the extent of Mr. Eisner's damage to the Disney Company. I encourage you to also visit Mr. Disney's own web site - www.SaveDisney.com - for more information about the imminent downfall of the entire Disney franchise. Those who care are participating in the boycott. Those who do not care are of no consequence.

"Dear Michael [Eisner]:

It is with deep sadness and regret that I send you this letter of resignation from the Walt Disney Company, both as Chairman of the Feature Animation Division and as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.

You well know that you and I have had serious differences of opinion about the direction and style of management in the Company in recent years. For whatever reason, you have driven a wedge between me and those I work with even to the extent of requiring some of my associates to report my conversations and activities back to you. I find this intolerable.

Finally, you discussed with the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors its decision to leave my name off the slate of directors to be elected in the coming year, effectively muzzling my voice on the board -- much as you did with Andrea Van de Kamp last year.

Michael, I believe your conduct has resulted from my clear and unambiguous statements to you and to the Board of Directors that after 19 years at the helm you are no longer the best person to run the Walt Disney Company. You had a very successful first 10-plus years at the company in partnership with Frank Wells, for which I salute you. But, since Frank's untimely death in 1994, the Company has lost its focus, its creative energy, and its heritage.

As I have said, and as Stanley Gold has documented in letters to you and other members of the Board, this Company, under your leadership has failed during the last seven years in many ways:

1. The failure to bring back ABC Prime Time from the ratings abyss it has been in for years and your inability to program successfully the ABC Family Channel. Both of these failures have had, and I believe will continue to have, significant adverse impact on shareholder value.

2. Your consistent micro-management of everyone around you with the resulting loss of morale throughout the Company.

3. The timidity of your investments in our theme park business. At Disney's California Adventure, Paris and now in Hong Kong, you have tried to build parks "on the cheap" and they show it and the attendance figures reflect it.

4. The perception by all of our stakeholders -- consumers, investors, employees, distributors and suppliers -- that the company is rapacious, soul-less, and always looking for the "quick buck" rather than long-term value which is leading to a loss of public trust.

5. The creative brain drain of the last several years, which is real and continuing, and damages our Company with the loss of every talented employee.

6. Your failure to establish and build constructive relationships with creative partners, especially Pixar, Miramax, and the cable companies distributing our products.

7. Your consistent refusal to establish a clear succession plan.

In conclusion, Michael, it is my sincere belief that it is you who should be leaving and not me. Accordingly, I once again call for your resignation or retirement. The Walt Disney Company deserves fresh, energetic leadership at this challenging time in its history just as it did in 1984 when I headed a restructuring which resulted in your recruitment to the Company.

I have and will always have an enormous allegiance and respect for this Company, founded by my uncle, Walt, and father, Roy, and to our faithful employees and loyal stockholders. I don't know if you and other directors can comprehend how painful it is for me and the extended Disney family to arrive at this decision.

In accordance with Item 6 of Form S-K and Item 7 of Schedule 14A, I request that you disclose this letter and that you file a copy of this letter as an exhibit to a Company Form 8-K.

With sincere regret,

(signed by Roy E. Disney)"

 

[MasterGracy]

MYHANDD,

The Bulletin Board you visited is mainly for Haunted Mansion Fan Club managers to communicate quickly through the net with members and the site is only an introduction to the club. We mainly communicate through a newsletter. We are a fairly small group (that is, we do not have thousands of members), but that doesn't prohibit us from participating in the boycott and sharing the information with others. You seem to be a very bitter person who is easily agitated, so I do not take your insults personally. I hope you have a better day.

 

[SCDizFan]

I find it difficult to beleive that the employees this boycott will hurt the most are behind the boycott.

 

[MasterGracy]

I was under the false impression that this was a group of Disney fans who cared. I was therefore mistaken that this group would be interested in supporting the vast majority who want Eisner removed. That is the reason the informaion about the boycott was shared with you. Apparently this is, in actually, just another group of snobby know it alls in their own little clique. I'm sure Eisner thanks you.

 

[Mr D]

I am just one voice. one person and with MY free will have decided to boycott Disney in any way possible, coincidentally I leave in just a few hours for a 5200 mile trip from Alaska to Orlando.

I will NOT totally ignore recent changes at WDW like M:S and Philharmagic so at the very least Disney will see my money for admittance to two parks at the very least, a far cry from what I usually purchase which is the PAP.

And of course my 28 day in Orlando will be at a very nice private vacation rental home, much more value per my hard earned money.

I don't care if my effort has minimal or nil effect, but it gives me a feeling of participation in pursuing this, and hopefully one becomes two, two becomes four and others as well may publicly decry the urgent change of leadership needed.

Thats all folks, except for trip reports....of OTHER places than Disney