So, who has led since Eisner....and do we like him/her?

[ChrisFL]

I agree, although I think with WDW's 40th anniversary quickly approaching, people may catch on if nothing really good is done, attraction-wise

 

[c4a]

I disagree that it is Disney that is starting the rumors.
A quick scroll down the "rumors" board and I can find over 20 rumors that are started by "wish listers" that simply got out of hand. Then there are the threads that are started by someone who instead of posting what Disney actually released has the poster's personal "spin" on it. Add to that, the posts by someone who took the release out of context and posted what they thought the release meant.
I work with Disney on a daily basis-10 hrs a day, 5 days a week. I know first hand how hard it is to get them to admit/deny any rumors until THEY are ready. This is a company that dots it's "i"s, crosses it's "t"s, has to have everything promotional wise 5x copies and 10 days to review before they will clear it. Plus, has a legal department that looks for any reason that Disney could be held liable...including false advertising.
Paranoid to a fine point.Definately. However, in our "sue happy" society...they have to be.
Do I believe that Disney purpously "fans the fires" of the rumors by not clarifying what their plans are...ABSOLUTLY! It is free press for them. The rumors build our expectations and drive us to a new level of excitement for their product.
That said, I have to say when the rumors start getting out of hand-Disney DOES step in. An example of this is the "Fantasmic" fiasco. According to the rumor mill-"Fantasmic" was being completely cancelled. Not so-it is under tighter scheduling constraints due to budget cutbacks with a replacement show (American Idol) available. There is a big difference between the two facts. Another rumor was that the new counter service plan was replacing the base dining plan...also NOT true. It is in addition. Then there is the always popular "Disney to buy Sea World". No sooner had Sea World went on the market, and Disney fans had committed the company to a multi-million dollar contract...complete with what rides/attractions are staying/going/coming.
When it comes to the rumor mill surrounding Disney-we, the consumers, are usually the ones turning the crank

 

[YoHo]

All I can say is that I've heard from credible sorces that Disney pays people to churn the rumor mill. In fact, the errors are part of what makes it work. It generates more discussion.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

All I can say is that I've heard from credible sorces that Disney pays people to churn the rumor mill. In fact, the errors are part of what makes it work. It generates more discussion.

I know this (from a credible source) to be true as well.

 

[minnie61650]

I started the original Eisner thread (very interesting, thanks for the feedback!). Now I am wondering who has been running the show since he left and if the die-hards here are happy with that leadership.

So, here are the questions:
1) Who is leading?
2) Are you happy?
3) What is the direction that you see the parks going, and how does that differ from where they have been in the past? Better? Worse? Predictions?!?!?!

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is what I posted on Nov.11/2007

From this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=21723050


While Bob Iger may not be as Pro Disney parks as some Park enthusiasts would wish he would be, I feel he has taken some baby steps in the right direction.
----------------------------------------------------------
In January 2006 Disney teamed up with Pixar.

House of Mouse is teamed up with Pixar in a $7.4 billion deal. As part of the deal, Jobs became a board member of Disney And John Lasseter, the highly respected creative director at Pixar who had previously worked for Disney, rejoined the House of Mouse as chief creative officer for the company's combined animated studios and is helping to oversee the design for new attractions at Disney theme parks
For story see this January 2006 link:
http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/disney_Pixar_deal/

----------------------------------------------------------
Bob Iger also made a trade so Disney could get the rights back to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

Press Release from Disney.com - February 9, 2006
WALT DISNEY'S 1927 ANIMATED STAR - OSWALD THE LUCKY RABBIT - RETURNS TO DISNEY

Mickey Mouse's Predecessor Rejoins Disney's Family of Animated Characters through Agreement with NBC/Universal

Burbank, CA (February 9, 2006) – Disney President and Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Iger announced today the return of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to The Walt Disney Company by agreement with NBC/Universal, the company that had previously owned the rights to Oswald since his theatrical debut in 1927.

"As the forerunner to Mickey Mouse and an important part of Walt Disney's creative legacy, the fun and mischievous Oswald is back where he belongs, at the home of his creator and among the stable of beloved characters created by Walt himself," said Iger.
"When Bob was named CEO, he told me he wanted to bring Oswald back to Disney, and I appreciate that he is a man of his word," said Walt Disney's daughter Diane Disney Miller. "Having Oswald around again is going to be a lot of fun."

When Walt Disney opened his animation studio in 1923, he spent four years producing The Alice Comedies, a popular series of shorts featuring a live girl in a cartoon world. After four years, Walt created a new character – Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Walt produced 26 Oswald cartoons, which were distributed by Universal and well-received by audiences. However, on a trip to New York to renew his contract for Oswald, Walt discovered a clause in his contract that gave Universal ownership of his popular new character. On the train ride back to Hollywood, Walt was devastated but realized he needed to create a new character – one that he would own entirely – and during that long trip across the country, Mickey Mouse was born.

This transfer of ownership is part of an agreement permitting sportscaster Al Michaels to contract with NBC. In the transaction ESPN also acquired significant programming and promotional rights, including telecast rights to the live Friday coverage of four Ryder Cup golf championships through 2014, expanded video highlights for the Olympics through 2012, video promotion for ESPN's Monday Night Football during NBC's Sunday night football through 2011, and expanded highlight rights for other NBC Sports properties through 2011.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
In October 2007:

Trowbridge, who was vice president of Universal's Creative Studios, went to Walt Disney Imagineering -- Disney's worldwide attractions-design company -- as vice president for creative research and development.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Lassiter played a big role in the massive 5-year, $1.1 billion expansion and makeover of DCA park announced in Oct. 2007.

-------------------------------------------------------------

My point is even though Bob Iger may not really understand or love the Theme Parks division of Disney he has hired some very talented people who do care. A good team is important in a large comany that has many divisions.The team needs to be made of people who represent and have top knowlege of each division. If Bob Iger continues to hire talented people who do want to improve the parks and if he and the board will follow through and put money back into the parks for improvements and upgrades then the Disney theme parks may once again make the Walt Disney Company proud.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Bob Iger was also the man who personally greenlit "Caveman"...'Nuff said?

 

[KYMickey]

Since Disney went out of their way to obtain the rights for Oswald the Lucky Rabbit what have they done or what do they intend to do with him? So far it certainly hasn't been any great use of the character nor any announced plans. Getting the rights is one thing using them to Disney's advantage is something completely different.

 

[minnie61650]

Bob Iger was also the man who personally greenlit "Caveman"...'Nuff said?

That was also brought up in the thread I posted a link to in my PP.

This was my reply:

I agree that the Disney company has had a few flops in the last couple of years but they have had several successes as well. The Disney Channel and ESPN are enjoying top ratings. It was reported November 8,2007 that Euro Disney revenues increased 12%this year. That was growth in the Theme parks attendance and the hotel occupancy. The Domestic Parks have also reported near record attendance. During the 4th quarter WDW resort occupancy rate was reported be 90% which is up from 83%.
I think a 90% occupancy rate is a very good showing especially when one considers that WDW has over 20,000 rooms.



I agree Caveman was a really bad idea. I can't even believe that show made it onto the drawing boards let alone into production. On the other hand two of ABC's new network shows Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money are doing very well in latest fall ratings.

Underdog the movie was a cute movie nothing to write home about but cute. Disney should be able recoup more of it's investment when it is released to DVD.
Game Plan has had very good box office ratings so far.
And even though Ratatouille did not have as high a box office turnout in the US as expected it has been very popular internationally. In fact Ratatouille is now Pixar's second-highest grossing film right behind Finding Nemo.



Just my 2 cents.

 

[deej696]

Thank you Linda for getting us back to the original topic, and bailing me out of my outnumbered Eisner debate

Bob Iger was also the man who personally greenlit "Caveman"...'Nuff said?

And Eisner forced the sale of the rights to "The Sixth Sense," but even his harshest critics dont sum up a career on based on this one decision....

 

[minnie61650]

Since Disney went out of their way to obtain the rights for Oswald the Lucky Rabbit what have they done or what do they intend to do with him? So far it certainly hasn't been any great use of the character nor any announced plans. Getting the rights is one thing using them to Disney's advantage is something completely different.

I was so happy when the Disney Company got the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit back.
It was like he was finally home again.
That is truly the important part.
The marketing and taking advantage is not as important IMHO.

I did get the 2 disk DVD set with Oswold and a piece of artwork with Oswald for my guest bedroom.

Here is a photo of the Oswald DVD set:

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Thank you Linda for getting us back to the original topic, and bailing me out of my outnumbered Eisner debate



And Eisner forced the sale of the rights to "The Sixth Sense," but even his harshest critics dont sum up a career on based on this one decision....

That (one example) was just the epitome of Bob Iger's genius. We could also talk about his PIXAR 'steal' or maybe the 'selling' of WDW (see the 4 Seasons thread) or maybe the 'branding' of everything Disney...Any way you slice it Iger's a dog without a flea collar, IMO.

 

[YoHo]

Bob Iger has had not one thing to do with the success of ESPN and the Disney Channel. Most of what has made them a success occured outside his perview. ESPN in particular.

So what has Iger done? Well, he decidedLlost was a terrible idea. He decided Desperate Housewives was a bad idea. He pushed millionaire to air multiple days a week. Yeah, he's a frickin Genious.

 

[c4a]

I believe we have witnessed a miracle. Other than a few pts. of contention (Oswald should/should not be used, actual ESPN involvement), we all are in agreement. HALLALUAH and pass the Mickey Bars and Dole Whips!

How much of the recent changes/announcements really belong to Iger? Granted, as the "big cheese"-the buck stops at the top. However, are the Presidents just holding "toe-dee titles" or are they helping to pull the puppet's strings?

I'm noticing a HUGE difference in the two parks Presidential styles and recent histories.

Meg Crofton came to be President of WDW in Aug. 2006. Under her leadership, we have seen a rise in ticket prices, a decrease in activities and services, and non-theme park related developments proposed (Eagle Pines & Osprey Ridge golf course being turned into a 4 Seasons Golf Community, & the western edge of WDW being proposed as 3rd party owned hotels/housing and shopping district.), renovation of resort rooms with an increase in the per night stay price, a new dining plan addition that costs more than POP, the demise of PI, and LTT going Characterless. If anyone can name 1 good thing (and please do not say more places to shop) that Ms. Crofton has accomplished-please...I beg you...fill me in.
http://corporate.disney.go.com/corporate/moreinfo/four_seasons030207.html

On the other side of the country (& accomplishment list, I must add),
Ed Grier, is the recently named President of Disneyland. Under Grier, 253 rooms are being added to the Grand Californian, the new Tinker Bell attraction is slated to open in Ocober, "Little Mermaid" ride (opening in conjunction with the release of "Ariel's Beginning"), a 1920's Plaza, a "Toy Story Mania" ride, and a new lagoon show "World of Color" are ALL being added.
Now Disneyland is also saying "BYE. BYE" to a few things as well...the Golden Gate Bridge, the giant letters "CALIFORNIA", and the Golden Dreams theatre. Personally, I'm not going to wax poetic on any of these items leaving. Nor do I feel that their loss takes from the park experience in any single way.
Grier has admitted to some possibilities coming to Disneyland: 2 GardenWalk hotels, a third theme park on the "left over" 88 acres of land, a hotel/shopping/dining district (similar to DTD) between Katella Ave. and Disney Way (another additional 866 hotel rooms).
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disney-grier-disneyland-2025017-hotel-plans?orderby=TimeStampAscending&oncommentsPage=1&showRecommendedOnly=1

My point is both of these Presidents answer to the same boss. Both Presidents/Parks are going in vastly different directions. It just leaves me questioning how many of the decisions are made by the individual Presidents and not by the Walt Disney Company President/CEO.

 

[deej696]

You know what would be a fun thread?...

"Its 1984. You've just been made CEO of Disney. What would you do?"

I'm a little scared to start that one though

 

[rutgers1]

I am reading Meatball Sundae by Seth Godin. It is an awesome book that looks at what we buy and how companies get us to buy things in this new Internet world. Actually, there is a bit more to it than that, but you get the point. Seth is the guru of marketing. I really value his insight.

Anyway, I am just about at the end of the book when, all of a sudden, he devotes like 5 pages to Disney. Basically, he outlines everything he thinks that Disney should do to get with the times and make the most of this totally changed landscape. A very interesting read! If you are near a library or book store, pick up the book and flip to the back!

 

[zulemara]

You know what would be a fun thread?...

"Its 1984. You've just been made CEO of Disney. What would you do?"

I'm a little scared to start that one though

It's funny because when my bf asked me what I would do if I were CEO, I found it hard to answer. that's why I bought Disney War. I'm on page 100! It gets more interesting every day!

That would be a fun thread though.

 

[zulemara]

so I'm now above page 250, halfway through the book. While I'm enjoying it, it doesn't talk much about the theme parks and the issues there. I understand movies put Disney on the map, but DL is what really propelled Walt into stardom I think. Can anyone recommend a book the talks about the theme park developments with Eisner and/or Iger?

That said I'm enjoying the book although I think it gets into my head a little too much. Last night I had a dream I met Eisner and Iger and asked them both why PI was closing.

 

[rutgers1]

I am 62 pages into Disney War. So far, a great read. Here is my question. Was Disney grinding towards a slow death at the time that Eisner came in? If we are to believe the portrayal of Eisner later in the book (I haven't gotten to that part, but I get a sense of it from what I read here), then I guess we should believe the author's portrayal of Disney pre Eisner, which was not so great. From what I gather, it was run by an "old boys club" who thought they were following through with Walt's vision but were mainly playing golf and sticking to the status quo while riding the coattails of the past by bring back old Disney cartoons every 7 years. I can't possibly see how Walt would have been happy with the way Disney was run from the time of his death to the hiring of Eisner.

 

[deej696]

In my opinion, thats pretty much dead on. It was a company stuck in the past, and nearly ceased to exist as a result. Eisner's critics say that he really isnt responsible for turning the company around, because any idiot would have done the same things he did. Obviously I disagree...

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I may be wrong here but I think nearly everybody will give Eisner some credit for 'turning things around' though mostly it was via his relationship with the Bass Brothers and because of them Frank Wells and it very well may be semantical.

Eisner did do things to save Disney if by "save" you mean keeping it independent. He did very little though to adhere to the sanctity of the original business though and to be fair the crew ahead of him did precious little as well. Eisner's idea to save Disney was through huge growth and branding. It worked and Disney is still independent today but many will argue and legitimately so that the act of maintaining their independence overwhelmed and eventually eliminated the very tenants of Walt's ideals which was all that was, in actuality, worth saving.

Disney is now an independent conglomerate that was no longer capable of producing good animated movies (so they bought the 'new' Disney, PIXAR), they don't care about guest experience except in relation to how that affects the bottom line and have admitted they aren't capable of running a 5 star hotel and the theme parks are still being milked thanks to the creative mass marketing to the wal mart masses.

IMO, Eisner did do some things that I think were good, the Water Parks, the themed hotels, good dining (while it lasted) but the overall picture certainly is not favorable, IMO.