Leadership shuffle at WDW resorts

[rteetz]

Granted the ratio with Bay Lake Tower coming in was far beyond 1 for 1, but I used the Contemporary as an example that having conventions at a hotel doesn't shield it from DVC coming in. That said, at the Yacht Club Disney could always do something like taking the wing closest to the Dolphin and double or even triple its height and add a good number of rooms. While it would take away from the symmetry of the site it wouldn't be any worse than contrast between Bay Lake Tower and the Contemporary, at least in my opinion. Heck, the upper floors of that increase would provide a nice viewpoint for Illuminations.

But see I think of the yacht and beach as an interesting set of hotels. You can't really compare them to anything else because nothing else is really connected the way they are. If your going to add DVC why not just add more at the beach club. I really do see the yacht as more of the convention section and the beach as the Disney resort guest section. They share a bunch of restaurants and a pool. They are connected buildings. This is why I don't think DVC will come to the YC I really do see them adding more DVC to the BC tho.

 

[eadavis]

I had the opportunity to work for Kim when she was at DAKL and can't wait to see what she'll bring to GF, truly a phenomenal leader that interacted with not only the Managers, but the hourly Cast as well.

With that said...
As far as 'changes' this mix up will bring, not much. WDW Resorts are very Corporate, simply adding a 'No Smoking' sign near a bus stop took approval from three separate departments. Having worked in leadership positions in Front Desk, Housekeeping, and Custodial over the years at five different WDW resorts, you learna couple things. GM's focus on the resort from an operational perspective (budget management, escalated guest situations, maintaining quality assurance and performance metrics, etc.) under the guidance of the Company's annual theme. As far as strategy, marketing, and business development go, those are handled by the Strategy, Marketing, and Business Development departments. Yes, the GMs have influence, but they are not the decision makers.

 

[ned911]

BC and YC are my favorite hotels but I've been priced out of them. Need to increase the occupancy rate... lower the damn price. $400+ a night is insane.

 

[Andrew015]

As far as 'changes' this mix up will bring, not much. WDW Resorts are very Corporate, simply adding a 'No Smoking' sign near a bus stop took approval from three separate departments. Having worked in leadership positions in Front Desk, Housekeeping, and Custodial over the years at five different WDW resorts, you learn a couple things. GM's focus on the resort from an operational perspective (budget management, escalated guest situations, maintaining quality assurance and performance metrics, etc.) under the guidance of the Company's annual theme. As far as strategy, marketing, and business development go, those are handled by the Strategy, Marketing, and Business Development departments. Yes, the GMs have influence, but they are not the decision makers.

Good post, which I tend to agree with. The only hope is that the newly created VP position (which is a corporate role) will be able to make some additional calls without having to get management approval, but I really doubt that to be the case. It's unusual, especially in a giant corporation such as Disney, for management to relinquish power to one, newly hired individual, but time will tell.

I agree that shuffling doesn't necessarily change a lot but Norm Noble headed two resorts now he can only focus on one which is a better move in my opinion even if it's no one new.

Unfortunately, the fact that Norm's scope has been decreased by 50% doesn't really mean much. As pointed out above, the GM role is more or less a figurehead position that carries out the edicts set forth by Corporate. Surely, it will be a load off for Norm, but I really doubt that it will dramatically change anything for either resort. It seems to me that the same, broad-brush approach is applied to the deluxe's across the board (again, set forth by Corporate).

 

[rteetz]

BC and YC are my favorite hotels but I've been priced out of them. Need to increase the occupancy rate... lower the damn price. $400+ a night is insane.

that's the case with every Disney deluxe

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Ya, thats why I went through a certain travel agency to get the Yatch Club for less than $200 a night (including the taxes) last year. Disney realizes that people are not wanting to pay the prices they want for the deluxe resorts. Kinda like DCL having to offer numerous discounts at the last minute or so to fill many of their sailings. They have just got to dam greedy!

 

[rteetz]

Ya, thats why I went through a certain travel agency to get the Yatch Club for less than $200 a night (including the taxes) last year. Disney realizes that people are not wanting to pay the prices they want for the deluxe resorts. Kinda like DCL having to offer numerous discounts at the last minute or so to fill many of their sailings. They have just got to dam greedy!

DCL is a lot more than most other cruise lines. I will say though I've never heard a bad review about a Disney cruise tho in terms of service and quality. The wonder is starting to get average reviews but I'm sure that will get a dry dock soon like the magic did.

I myself have never stayed in a deluxe resort because they are just to expensive for my family.

 

[wallrock]

Ya, thats why I went through a certain travel agency to get the Yatch Club for less than $200 a night (including the taxes) last year. Disney realizes that people are not wanting to pay the prices they want for the deluxe resorts. Kinda like DCL having to offer numerous discounts at the last minute or so to fill many of their sailings. They have just got to dam greedy!

People are still paying but not as much as they used to. This is the reason (at least I think) that Disney is marching down the DVC road with the deluxe resorts and are now canibalizing instead of adding. And I don't think that march will stop until all the rooms have been converted.

 

[KYMickey]

People are still paying but not as much as they used to. This is the reason (at least I think) that Disney is marching down the DVC road with the deluxe resorts and are now canibalizing instead of adding. And I don't think that march will stop until all the rooms have been converted.

I believe that many of the Deluxe's will certainly be cannibalized but I'm betting that At least a couple of them will be left relatively untouched. Once I think are in the least danger are the Yacht Club, Grand Floridian in the main building of the Contemporary for a variety of reasons. Mainly being the location and the type of business they cater to.

 

[eadavis]

I believe that many of the Deluxe's will certainly be cannibalized but I'm betting that At least a couple of them will be left relatively untouched. Once I think are in the least danger are the Yacht Club, Grand Floridian in the main building of the Contemporary for a variety of reasons. Mainly being the location and the type of business they cater to.

I'm not so sure about Grand Floridian in the main building. Look at DAKL, currently the only resort with Concierge level DVC. I could see maybe the top floor only being converted like DAKL, same with Contemporary.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Plus, more DVC, less housekeeping cost as well. Right?

 

[rteetz]

Plus, more DVC, less housekeeping cost as well. Right?

That's very true Disney loves saving money

 

[rock_doctor]

Plus, more DVC, less housekeeping cost as well. Right?

Yep, DVC pays for construction of the building, maintenance, management, housekeeping, all utilities and any materials it may need to function.