Just saw this, thought it was interesting

[disneynewbee]

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...519_1_mymagic-walt-disney-world-nick-franklin

Disney Exec who lead mymagic+ leaving the company

 

[rteetz]

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2014-05-19/business/os-disney-mymagicplus-executive-leaving-20140519_1_mymagic-walt-disney-world-nick-franklin Disney Exec who lead mymagic+ leaving the company

There was another thread about this already. No one has commented on this publicly but Disney most likely pushed him to leave.

 

[disneynewbee]

Do you have the link by any chance to the other thread. I looked for the topic before I posted and didn't see anything.

 

[rteetz]

Do you have the link by any chance to the other thread. I looked for the topic before I posted and didn't see anything.

It's in the top 30 threads on this board I don't have the link right now but it says Disney executive who oversaw mymagic+ is leaving

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Disney's leading MyMagic+ executive leaving the company
Leah Zanolla | Posted: May 19, 2014 | Updated: May 19, 2014 - 3:46:56 PM
Nick Franklin, the executive who is in charge of MyMagic+ at Walt Disney World is leaving the company to pursue other ventures. Franklin will leave in July after being with the company for 17 years and is the executive vice president for next generation experience at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Kim Prunty, a Disney spokeswoman, said, "Nick let us know that after 17 successful years with Disney, he wanted to help other companies innovate in how they provide products and services to their customers, much like he did here in leading the development of MyMagic+. We want to thank Nick for his tremendous accomplishments throughout his tenure with Disney."

Franklin has been working with MyMagic+, originally known as "NextGen," since 2009. The MyMagic+ program revolves around the FastPass+ system, which allows theme park guests to reserve a specific time in advance to enjoy an attraction or show. Guests wear wristbands that use RFID technology to activate sensors - to enter the rides, to enter their hotel room, or to pay for dining and merchandise.

The MyMagic+ team consists of over 1,000 cast members. Over $1 billion has been invested in new technology advances for the Resort. Six months ago, Franklin passed control of MyMagic+ to a Disney World management team so he would have more time to work on other technological advance, including possibly bringing the MyMagic+ program to some of the other Disney parks.

Prunty says, "There has been a team working on how best to incorporate elements of MyMagic+ into our other locations and businesses, and that work is continuing."

One of the advantages for Disney about getting the MyMagic+ program up and running is increased guest spending in the parks. When guests plan more details of their trip in advance, they are more likely to spend more time at Disney instead of traveling off property, ultimately leading them to spend more money at the theme parks.

Franklin is a member of Disney Parks' Chairman Tom Staggs' 11-member executive committee, the group who oversees all the Disney parks. Franklin was instrumental in getting the agreement signed to build Shanghai Disney, as well as Hong Kong Disneyland.


Looks like Disney has commented on it.
My first thought was Disney sent him packing too, though why?
Cost overruns? Rollout 6 months to 2 years late?
We can only speculate.
Guess the why is none of our business though.

 

[mcd2745]

Sounds like he was "asked" to fall on his sword.

 

[rteetz]

Disney's leading MyMagic+ executive leaving the company Leah Zanolla | Posted: May 19, 2014 | Updated: May 19, 2014 - 3:46:56 PM Nick Franklin, the executive who is in charge of MyMagic+ at Walt Disney World is leaving the company to pursue other ventures. Franklin will leave in July after being with the company for 17 years and is the executive vice president for next generation experience at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Kim Prunty, a Disney spokeswoman, said, "Nick let us know that after 17 successful years with Disney, he wanted to help other companies innovate in how they provide products and services to their customers, much like he did here in leading the development of MyMagic+. We want to thank Nick for his tremendous accomplishments throughout his tenure with Disney." Franklin has been working with MyMagic+, originally known as "NextGen," since 2009. The MyMagic+ program revolves around the FastPass+ system, which allows theme park guests to reserve a specific time in advance to enjoy an attraction or show. Guests wear wristbands that use RFID technology to activate sensors - to enter the rides, to enter their hotel room, or to pay for dining and merchandise. The MyMagic+ team consists of over 1,000 cast members. Over $1 billion has been invested in new technology advances for the Resort. Six months ago, Franklin passed control of MyMagic+ to a Disney World management team so he would have more time to work on other technological advance, including possibly bringing the MyMagic+ program to some of the other Disney parks. Prunty says, "There has been a team working on how best to incorporate elements of MyMagic+ into our other locations and businesses, and that work is continuing." One of the advantages for Disney about getting the MyMagic+ program up and running is increased guest spending in the parks. When guests plan more details of their trip in advance, they are more likely to spend more time at Disney instead of traveling off property, ultimately leading them to spend more money at the theme parks. Franklin is a member of Disney Parks' Chairman Tom Staggs' 11-member executive committee, the group who oversees all the Disney parks. Franklin was instrumental in getting the agreement signed to build Shanghai Disney, as well as Hong Kong Disneyland. Looks like Disney has commented on it. My first thought was Disney sent him packing too, though why? Cost overruns? Rollout 6 months to 2 years late? We can only speculate. Guess the why is none of our business though.

Well it is a fact that disney is behind in releasing this they wanted it done at the end of fiscal 2013. And tons of rumors are out there that mymagic+ is costing around 2 billion even though disney says otherwise. No large company is going to admit that they are over budget that would mean problems on Wall Street. By putting something like this out it shows disney doesn't want bad publicity and they wanted him to leave on his own terms before they would have to fire him. If disney came out and said we are firing him that pretty much confirms there was or are major problems with the system.

 

[Son of Gadsden]

"We want him to continue innovating with MyMagic+, just with other companies.

...Preferably Universal."

 

[rteetz]

"We want him to continue innovating with MyMagic+, just with other companies. ...Preferably Universal."

If that does happen I wonder how much they would consider spending on this compared to Disney.

 

[Son of Gadsden]

If that does happen I wonder how much they would consider spending on this compared to Disney.

I wouldn't expect it to happen until Disney has it right.

From what I see, Universal is more imitative than innovative.

They're like the real life version of Slugworth.

 

[rteetz]

I wouldn't expect it to happen until Disney has it right. From what I see, Universal is more imitative than innovative. They're like the real life version of Slugworth.

Since either start of mymagic+ I've wondered if and when other theme park companies would do something similar like going to RFID type cards and getting rid of turnstiles and etc.

 

[dbramer]

Why is everyone assuming he was pushed out? Sounds to me like he had plans to leave months ago when he "passed control" of the project. That usually signals plans to move either laterally or vertically. Besides, he probably realizes that other companies will pay handsomely for his services and know-how in implementing similar systems. He can pretty much write his own check now and Disney knew they would not be able to afford him.

Much like when a cabinet secretary leaves mid-term to make big bucks on the lecture circuit or in private industry.