Jim Lewis Fired from WDWCo

[CarolAnnC]

I tend to agree with you Carol!

hehehehe

 

[tink1969]

Is this another April Fool's Day joke? I fell for the lifetime refillable mug joke a few months ago lol

Me too!

 

[tjkraz]

It's my understanding that there was an issue with the [RE sales] registration paperwork in Hawaii. It was discovered something was done wrong, and they (Disney) were not actually licensed to sell Aulani and needed to correct the legal filings. As a result, they could not do so much as even publicly acknowledge it existed never mind solicit sales.

Promotional events were scheduled in Orlando as well, for the explicit purpose of pushing Aulani. Invites had been sent and loads of responses received; all requirements were in place, except for that one little piece.....

That fits other things I've heard. Assuming our stories are accurate, this is not only extremely embarrassing for Disney but also very costly.

I know a lot of folks here are disappointed with things DVC has done in recent years. Not trying to trivialize that but it isn't really fair to use the DIS as a barometer for overall member satisfaction. But when you combine an (apparently) enormous legal snafu with a few other issues (BLT furnishings & Studio sinks come immediately to mind; OKW extension) I can see how a change may be warranted. Particularly with Karl Holz just now assuming oversight of DVC.

 

[disneynutz]

While certainly not unique to Disney, they seem to let people go at the end of the day on Friday. It's less disruptive to staff members. If this is indeed true, it makes sense to do it on a Friday.

And depending on the announcement, has less of an effect on the stock value and the media picking up on the story.

Bill

 

[DonnaL]

Got to agree with above posters....

 

[Graydon]

My original post is true - no Pinnochio here.

He was a ruthless selfish man that made everyone's life miserable. As a founding and 17+ year DVC cast member I got the call late afternoon. Ex DVCers were smiling and dancing on cars from Long Island to Chicagoland to DLR and those on the Cruise Ships.

It appears its tied to Aluani's screwup in selling when they shouldn't have - something I hear he knew all about. Couple that with internal investigations by Corp HR on Cast Member related issues and purposefully not allowing Members to book vacations on the Dream to minimize expenses out to DCL - he's a piece of work that had to go. I don't think I recall having to work with such a manipulative, ego-centric person in all my years there.

My sources are real and factual. Praise the lord change is in the air... Karma kinda stinks doesn't it?

 

[nunzia]

My original post is true - no Pinnochio here.

He was a ruthless selfish man that made everyone's life miserable. As a founding and 17+ year DVC cast member I got the call late afternoon. Ex DVCers were smiling and dancing on cars from Long Island to Chicagoland to DLR and those on the Cruise Ships.

It appears its tied to Aluani's screwup in selling when they should have - something I hear he knew. Couple that with internal investigations by Corp HR on Cast Member related issues and purposefully not allowing Members to book vacations on the Dream to minimize expenses out to DCL - he's a piece of work.

My sources are real and factual. Praise the lord...

sooo...this is good then??

 

[Sammie]

It was not just members that were dissatisfied too, it was employees. That many long time agents retired early due to recent policy.

 

[CarolAnnC]

My original post is true - no Pinnochio here.

He was a ruthless selfish man that made everyone's life miserable. As a founding and 17+ year DVC cast member I got the call late afternoon. Ex DVCers were smiling and dancing on cars from Long Island to Chicagoland to DLR and those on the Cruise Ships.

It appears its tied to Aluani's screwup in selling when they shouldn't have - something I hear he knew all about. Couple that with internal investigations by Corp HR on Cast Member related issues and purposefully not allowing Members to book vacations on the Dream to minimize expenses out to DCL - he's a piece of work that had to go. I don't think I recall having to work with such a manipulative, ego-centric person in all my years there.

My sources are real and factual. Praise the lord change is in the air... Karma kinda stinks doesn't it?

Not just the Dream, but the Wonder and Magic too...... disclaimer, not that I am agreeing with everything quoted here, just clarifying the cruise booking fiasco part...

 

[Sammie]

My original post is true - no Pinnochio here.

He was a ruthless selfish man that made everyone's life miserable. As a founding and 17+ year DVC cast member I got the call late afternoon. Ex DVCers were smiling and dancing on cars from Long Island to Chicagoland to DLR and those on the Cruise Ships.

It appears its tied to Aluani's screwup in selling when they shouldn't have - something I hear he knew all about. Couple that with internal investigations by Corp HR on Cast Member related issues and purposefully not allowing Members to book vacations on the Dream to minimize expenses out to DCL - he's a piece of work that had to go. I don't think I recall having to work with such a manipulative, ego-centric person in all my years there.

My sources are real and factual. Praise the lord change is in the air... Karma kinda stinks doesn't it?

Graydon, my apologies for my very first post, thinking you might be a troll. But usually when an unknown comes on with a HUGE story, it usually is.

I have verified your account with many long time Disney employees and yes your news is fact on.

Thanks for being the first to share.

I don't know if you lurk here but the regulars know very well my feelings on Jim for quite some time now.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I just copied this from Wikipedia:

Career with the Walt Disney Company

Lewis began his Disney Career in 1996 as the Director of Planning and Finance for Walt Disney Attractions. He later progressed to become Senior Vice President, Business Development and Public Affairs for the Walt Disney World Resort. Jim became the General Manager of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) in November 2003;[1] he was promoted to the position of President in 2006,[2][3] making him one of the most senior African-Americans in the Disney Company.[4]
During his tenure as President of the Disney Vacation Club, Lewis' division has expanded rapidly. When he took over, DVC had approximately 70,000 members in 2003; there were over 300,000 in 2006. The LA Times reported that the Disney Vacation Club's sales and profits more than doubled from 2003 to 2007.[5] Lewis has overseen the expansion of his division to California with the addition of time-share rooms at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and to Hawaii with the forthcoming Aulani Resort.[6] The Disney Vacation Club has also opened a sales and preview center at the Tokyo Disney Resort.[7]
Lewis was terminiated from Disney on August 12th, 2011.

Under "employment" it says, "unemployed".

 

[CarolAnnC]

Though Wiki is not foolproof evidence, lol, I have gone with my gut feeling that the postings on this event are probably factual. Hopefully, some type of press release will be forthcoming..

 

[Cyndibear]

Wow!!! Very interesting!!!

Cyndi

 

[Sammie]

While I had no idea this was coming down the pipe, the fact that Al Weiss suddenly without any warning up and retired and then Karl Holz was made JL's boss, I had a feeling somethinig was not right in DVCland.

It will be very interesting to watch.

 

[disneynutz]

Two years ago at the Association meeting he promised that he would contact me about some questions that I had. Guess I can stop waiting for the call.

Bill

 

[arthur06]

Two years ago at the Association meeting he promised that he would contact me about some questions that I had. Guess I can stop waiting for the call.

Bill

Not necessarily... he has plenty of free time now.

 

[goofydad99]

Two years ago at the Association meeting he promised that he would contact me about some questions that I had. Guess I can stop waiting for the call.

Bill

I don't know. It seems like he would have a lot more free time now.

 

[Sammie]

I think we will be having a very interesting DVC Member Cruise next month..

I might actually go on one now.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I might actually go on one now.

The scalpers will be heading to Ebay!

 

[restorethemagic]

100% True. Jim will land on his feet, he is a smart guy. But DVC is so much better off without him.

Member, DVC Cast Member, Etc.