More WDI Gloom

[airlarry!]

AV, Baron...really enjoyed your takes this time. Well, not enjoy, because it is so excruciating to read press releases like these. Maybe "agreed with" is a better term.

Anyway, isn't it wonderful to read Jim's column the same month as we read Big E's turn recently about "Content is King?"

How do you create new content (and I know I've said this, but movies and animated features are to Disney what R&D is to Cisco or AMGN or Intel) if you are firing all the creative people? You can't outsource creativity. I don't --yet-- own the quotable Disney, but I remember quotes from the Sherman Brothers, something about Walt always had his hand in just about everything. Not doing it himself, maybe something like the bee that pollinates all the flowers?

Where is our bee? And what will we do if the flowers and gardens in WDI have all been cut down and replaced with concrete?

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

Airlarry! Thanks for the compliments. And the same back at ya!!!

Walt always had his hand in just about everything. Not doing it himself, maybe something like the bee that pollinates all the flowers?

And I can’t think of a better thread to offer the following:

From the quotable Walt Disney:

My role? Well you know I was stumped one day when a little boy asked, “Do you draw Mickey Mouse?” I had to admit I do not draw any more. “Then you think up all the jokes and ideas?” “No”, I said, “I don’t do that.” Finally he looked at me and said, “Mr. Disney, just what do you do?” “Well,” I said, “Sometimes I think of myself as a little bee. I go from one area of the studio to another and gather pollen and sort of stimulate everybody. I guess that’s the job I do.”

Just one more. I can’t help it!!

Of all the things I’ve done, the most vital is coordinating those who work with me and aiming their efforts at a certain goal.

 

[ztbz]

At Downtown Disney (WDW) Disney Closed all of its Food Service Restraunts and sold the Space to the Likes of Mcdonalds, Planet Hollywood, Rain Forest, Wolf Gang etc. All are staff by the Companies that rent the Space, They may even have a Disney Nametag on the Employee but that does not mean that the Employee works for Disney.

Also Rain Forest is also at Disney's Animal Kingdom as well.

 

[larworth]

Many companies outsource non-core parts of their business. They deem that while these functions might be necessary to run the business, doing them well will not bring them any competitive advantage. The outsourcers do things cheaper, but if they can do your core better than you can what is the economic justification for your existence?

I'll borrow this quote to steer things back to the WDI topic

That is until you see where these cuts are made and what this means to the long term future of the corporation and more importantly as an indicator of what the current management philosophy really is.

Outsourcing, layoffs, I think we have plenty of signals that they no longer believe investment in the parks is good business.

One of the quotes that was a little confusing was the comment about "given the state of the bond markets today"? I always thought the most important determinant of whether something was a good business decision was how customers reacted to it.

Maybe someone who knows Marty can comment. Is this really his belief of how to run WDI or is he just playing the role he is being told to?

 

[Another Voice]

Marty's a survivor and really wants to see the opening of DisneySeas in Tokyo. That's all I'll say.

 

[HorizonsFan]

“What was Walt forced to do when finances wouldn’t allow any other course of action?”

What was Eisner forced to do when finances wouldn’t allow any other course of action?
I sure don't know the details of WDC's financial situation. Do any of you?

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

What was Eisner forced to do when finances wouldn't allow any other course of action? I sure don't know the details of WDC's financial situation. Do any of you?

Well, I really don't think you have to know much about it. Unless I'm really missing something here, there seems to be a world of difference between outsourcing parking security or a few vendors and outsourcing the entire WDI division! Maybe it's just me, but I don't think Walt would have done that. Do you?

 

[YoHo]

I understand that something insidous is supposedly going on at Disney, I just kind of found it offensive the trite way we are discussing other peoples lives and treating Disney folk as if they have more rights or more needs or are more important then anyone else. Truthfully, I'm simply not surprised at all, When massive layoffs happen, they happen to everyone. IF you really think that any company ever took the time to think about who to layoff as opposed to just slashing, then you don't know much about layoffs. If they are small little one division layoffs, then yeah, they pick and choose, if the whole company is hemmoraging people which it sounds like Disney might be doing, then they just go through the payroll at random. so, I guess while I suspect its something more, history suggests it isn't.

 

[All Aboard]

YoHo, I'm going to have to disagree. My company (and parent - a Fortune 500) just completed a very large workforce reduction. It was particularly painful for us. I can attest that we spent an enormous amount of time considering the business impact of every position that was cut. The process was extremely thorough at every stage. Now, we may be the exception, but at least here we did consider everyone individually.

 

[YoHo]

Can you really think about it when you slash 30,000 jobs?

From personal expireance, the only thing they may look at is length of employment as in the longer you've been there, the quicker they are to give you the boot.


I've seen where managers have the ability to contradict a higherup's choice, but then they have to choose someone else to let go. The choice of who was being made at a Vice Presidential level. VPs don't know much about individual employees.

 

[DisDuck]

Someone mentioned that Disney closed all the Food Service places in Downtown and leased the spaces to entities like McD, Wolfgang, etc.

Question: What food service shops? Prior to the remodeling of Downtown (when it went from Disney Village) the only food service I remember is Empress Lily and maybe some small snack type shops. I rarely visited the village because there was not a place to get much to eat only to shop. Now Downtown (WestEnd & MarketPlace) have many varied eateries. Who cares who owns/runs them as long as the food is good, service is good and price (for a vacation spot) is reasonable (of course, define reasonable when in a resort area, I have yet to find one).

 

[YoHo]

Good point DisDuck, I too have been to the Disney Village pre-dtd and as far as I recall, every food place there was run by outside companies from the get-go

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

Good point DisDuck, I too have been to the Disney Village pre-dtd and as far as I recall, every food place there was run by outside companies from the get-go

I don't think so. I know the Empress Lilly was there. And I'm sure the little snack shop and the lounge/cocktail bar was Disney run. And we were one of the last to eat at Chef Mickey's when it was located in the Market Place, before it moved to the Contemporary.

Now, I never spent too much time there, but quite honestly, I can't think of ANY outside food vendors before Ei$ner took over.

Can anyone else?

 

[*Robin*]

Landbaron,
Maybe we should start a fund to collect enough to buy Mr. Eisner the quotes book (Thank you by the way for sharing!)...maybe he thinks Walt Disney is just a myth.

 

[DisDuck]

Actually, DVC before converted from Village to Downtown there were very few places to eat. Pretty much those I and you mentioned. However, what AV said I believe was that ALL OF THE FOOD SERVICES were converted from Disney to outside vendors.

I believe nothing was converted but when Village expanded to WestEnd and MarketPlace (full Downtown) that all the new eateries were outsourced, and why not. Downtown is more like a shopping district than a park since the shops are outsiders in most cases what is wrong with the food service also being outsourced. Without that there would be no Ghiardelli's. Love their chocolate.

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

Now, contrary to popular belief, I hate to do an over abundance of quotes, but I really don't know how to handle this, except conversationally.

Actually, DVC before converted from Village to Downtown there were very few places to eat. Actually, DVC before converted from Village to Downtown there were very few places to eat.

I agree, Dis. In fact other than the ones we mentioned I can't think of any!

However, what AV said I believe was that ALL OF THE FOOD SERVICES were converted from Disney to outside vendors.

Yes, but when? WHEN??!! That's the important question! Pre or post Ei$ner. In other words, was it during the "Golden Age" (to be read as Homer Simpson saying 'donuts') "Ahhhh, golden age of Disney...." or was it after the cannibalization of the Walt philosophy began?

Downtown is more like a shopping district than a park since the shops are outsiders in most cases

Yes. How sad.

Without that there would be no Ghiardelli's. Love their chocolate.

Yeah! Like every other city in the country!!! Not much unique about it, is there?




PS: Robin says:

Maybe we should start a fund to collect enough to buy Mr. Eisner the quotes book (Thank you by the way for sharing!)...maybe he thinks Walt Disney is just a myth.

Well. There's three things wrong with your statement.

First using Mr. implies too much respect, and you misspelled his name.
Proper spelling: E - I - $ (very important) - N - E - R! Ei$ner! Ok?

Next, maybe it's just me, but I find it really difficult to hold a tag day for someone who received ¾ of a billion dollars!!

And finally, I'm not sure he can read!!!

 

[*Robin*]

Well yea, there is that, if you want to get TECHNICAL !

hehehe...

 

[YoHo]

"Ahhhh, golden age of Disney...."

Aw Jeez, Could you at least say the Golden age of WDW?

I comment on this every time you say that. For someone who uses Walt's picture, you'd think you'd let him be alive during the Golden age of his company. You know, When the Theme Parks, Animation (in general Captain), Live action and TV were all firng on all cylinders? You know?

Why do you insist on calling the medicore (for the company in general) 70's the golden age?

jeez, why don't you bring a chalkboard to my office and run your fingernails down it




On Topic, When was the Fireworks Factory put in? That was outsourced. It was also around before the proliforation of Brewery/resturants that serve the same type of food. So it was marginally unique.

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

Aw Jeez, Could you at least say the Golden age of WDW?

I stand corrected!!

The GOLDEN AGE of WDW!!!!!

Ahhh! That is better!!!

Thanks

 

[DisDuck]

DVC, the whole point was NOTHING WAS CONVERTED. The existing restaurants in the old Village were closed during the remodeling to Downtown. So, Eisner did not replace Walt's Village. The replacement of Village with Downtown in my view brought more magic. The children play areas, the lego sculptures, etc.

Not everything is part of the Magic nor should it be. I love strolling thru WestEnd and the MarketPlace. It has a nicer feel then you local indoor or strip mall.

I have honestly reached the point where Eisner could be the worst CEO since Attila and I will still love Disney and continue to enjoy my personal magic/show when I am at the world. I remember the whole Village/Hotel Plaza area of the 70's. It had ZERO APPEAL. I evened stayed twice at the old Dutch Inn (I think now the Groversnor) so I speak from experience. Downtown (even without PI) and the associated Hotel Plaza is way better than the old (which some consider to be the golden age of WDW).

Those of you who wish to continue fault finding, continue and have fun. It just gets tiresome after awhile. Case in point, someone on another thread decried the selling of 'land' at the Crossroads area. Duh, Crossroads is a typical shopping center built by others on Disney owned land (the land is leased). Disney has decided to remove itself from this venture by selling the land underneath the mall. I completely agree what does a SHOPPING CENTER have to do with WDW, where is the synergy? Yet someone complains that this move is typical of Disney 'not getting it' and losing its way. GIVE ME A BREAK.