"Disney Parks" reorganization

[Sir Clinksalot]

Didn't see a thread on this, hope it's not a duplicate:

 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business ... ?track=rss

 

The Walt Disney Co. on Wednesday said it would eliminate an undisclosed number of jobs as part of a sweeping corporate overhaul at its domestic resorts, which includes plans to combine back-office operations at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

 

Disney would not say how many jobs it intends to cut or how much money it expects to save through the moves. The company employs about 80,000 people at its U.S. resorts, including 62,000 in Central Florida.

 

With the shakeup, Disney will consolidate East and West Coast "operating infrastructure" - responsibilities ranging from procurement to menu-planning to merchandise - under Al Weiss, the president of worldwide operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

 

more at the link ...

 

I'm not going to say if this is a good or bad thing yet. I'm willing to wait and see a bit.

 

But can we PLEASE get the food menu options from WDW at Disneyland??? They are MUCH better.

 

Oh, and an "All Park AP" would be awesome too.

Edited May 18, 2010 by jedimaster1227

[Jew]

Oh boy. More destruction of the brand as WDW/DLR will inevitably try to standardize as much as possible.

 

It's good that they will be trimming the fat and getting rid of the bloated management structures, but no good can come from having a central planning team aside from cost savings. That's how Eisner ran the parks...

[Sir Clinksalot]

^ I dunno, there is an awful lot of "DisneyParks" merchandise sitting at the outlet store in Fullerton.

[Jew]

^Gee, I wonder why? Perhaps because people don't want generic crap?

[Sir Clinksalot]

^ Totally agreed.

 

I think it was Kevin Yee's newest article that stated something about the most "unique" merchandise these days are the pins. Which is fine and dandy if you like pins. For those of us who don't, it sucks.

[RaptorBoyASU]

But can we PLEASE get the food menu options from WDW at Disneyland??? They are MUCH better.

 

Only if you're talking sit down food, I'll take WDW any day over DLR. But as far as counter service, I'd rather have DLR over anything but Epcot at WDW. At least there's some variety in food from place to place in both DLR parks.

[packfanlv]

Jay Rasulo is the head of Disney Parks and the mastermind of managing and marketing the parks as one unit. Since he is still there, I think this just means that the two U.S. resorts will continue receiving clones of each others rides and nothing unique. The generic Disney Parks marketing is unfortunate IMO as well.

[Sir Clinksalot]

Only if you're talking sit down food, I'll take WDW any day over DLR. But as far as counter service, I'd rather have DLR over anything but Epcot at WDW. At least there's some variety in food from place to place in both DLR parks.

 

I'd certainly take Pecos Bills or Flame Tree or Electric Umbrella or Harbor house or Sushine Seasons over ANYTHING that Disneyland has to offer.

 

I think the only lackluster counter service meal I've had at WDW was at Cosmic Ray's. Granted, we don't eat alot of counter-service when we go to WDW though.

 

Of course, it's unfair to compare the restaurants in World Showcase although I wish that Alfredo's would come back. I loved that place.

[jedimaster1227]

Here is the latest update regarding the restructing of Walt Disney World's management operations...

 

Walt Disney World announces new executive assignments

 

The number two executive at Walt Disney World is being bumped up to run newly merged resort functions between Orlando and Anaheim, Calif.

 

Erin Wallace, who has been the senior vice president of operations at Disney World since August 2006, moves to the new position senior vice president of operations integration/line of business for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

 

Disney announced the move Thursday, one day after unveiling a broad restructuring of its U.S. theme parks designed to consolidate operations between Disney World and Disneyland. The company, which has been hit hard by a sharp drop in consumer spending, will cut an undisclosed number of jobs in the coming weeks as part of the streamlining.

 

In her new role, Wallace will oversee a series of combined functions at Disney’s domestic parks. They include merchandise development, entertainment and imaging, attractions, lodging, animal programs and environmental initiatives, sales and marketing.

 

Wallace, 49, has been with Disney for more than 23 years. She began in the resort’s industrial engineering department, and her assignments have included vice president in charge of the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s flagship theme park.

 

Wallace will report to Al Weiss, president of worldwide operations at Disney’s parks and resorts division.

 

Disney also said Thursday that it has named Dan Cockerell to run Epcot, the second-busiest of Walt Disney World’s four theme parks. Cockerell, previously a general manager in the Magic Kingdom, succeeds Jim MacPhee, who will now oversee special projects at the Orlando resort.

 

Each of the vice presidents overseeing individual theme parks will continue to report directly to Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton. So will MacPhee and the executives in charge of Downtown Disney, golf operations, sports facilities and transportation.

 

Crofton will continue to report to Weiss.

 

At the same time as it combines operational functions at its U.S. parks, Disney is also consolidating real-estate and business development functions into one unit and all of Walt Disney Imagineering, the company’s attraction-design arm, into another unit.

 

The goal, a Disney spokesman said, is to develop “a three-pronged team” within Disney’s parks division, with one charged with developing new initiatives such as new parks and expansions, another with designing and building the infrastructure, and the third with running day-to-day operations.

 

Disney’s parks division, which accounts for more than a quarter of the Disney Co.’s total revenue, has taken other streamlining steps. Last week, the division announced that Disney Cruise Line and the Adventures by Disney packaged-tour business would be merged into a single department “focused on operating the businesses that take the Disney brand to new places.”

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2009/02/walt-disney-world-announces-new-executive-assignments.html

[Jew]

The goal, a Disney spokesman said, is to develop “a three-pronged team” within Disney’s parks division, with one charged with developing new initiatives such as new parks and expansions, another with designing and building the infrastructure, and the third with running day-to-day operations.

 

It's like Michael Eisner never left. Sounds like the accountants will be in charge again.

[mcjaco]

Disney also said Thursday that it has named Dan Cockerell to run Epcot, the second-busiest of Walt Disney World’s four theme parks. Cockerell, previously a general manager in the Magic Kingdom, succeeds Jim MacPhee, who will now oversee special projects at the Orlando resort.

 

I guess we can expect rides being in terrible shape, trash all over, and things in need of paint jobs. What a craptacular move for EPCOT.

[jedimaster1227]

WDWMagic is reporting that Jim Macphee (former VP of Epcot, and previously overseer of special projects at the Walt Disney World Resort) has been promoted.

 

Jim MacPhee (former VP of Epcot and 30 years with the Company) has been promoted to take on the new role of 'Vice President, Next Generation Experience and Walt Disney World Parks'.

 

This means that Jim will now lead the Walt Disney World Park Operations team. Phil Holmes (VP MK), Dan Cockerell (VP Epcot), Rilous Carter (VP DHS) and Kevin Lansberry (VP AK) will all report to Jim MacPhee. Jim will report to Meg Crofton.

 

I've been a fan of Jim since he took his post as VP of Epcot, and I'm sure he'll do great things in this new role.

 

EDIT: The Orlando Sentinel has confirmed the story here: http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2009/12/former-epcot-chief-tapped-to-oversee-all-disney-world-park-operations-and-next-generation-experience/

 

Walt Disney World has a new executive in charge of theme-park operations — as well as new technology.

Disney has appointed Jim MacPhee to the position of vice president, next generation experiences and Walt Disney World parks.

MacPhee, 51, is a former vice president in charge of Epcot who earlier this year was moved to vice president for “special projects,” and the chatter is that he has been involved in developing new interactive technologies that can eventually be deployed in the parks.

Regarding the new “next generation experience,” Disney would say only that “we are constantly exploring new ways to deliver high-quality immersive experiences to new and existing audiences. Our goal is to take every element of the vacation experience to a new level.”

MacPhee will report both to Nick Franklin, the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts executive in charge of global business development who is also getting a new title of “executive vice president, next generation experience,” and to Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World.

[jedimaster1227]

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/

 

When Tom Staggs was asked what he’d like to do first as new chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, he said, “Get to the sites, spend time with the Cast and benefit from their knowledge.” And this week, he’s doing just that.

 

During his visit to Walt Disney World, Tom spent time learning the business firsthand during a whirlwind tour that included meetings with Cast, time in the parks and interaction with backstage operators. One important stop was Fantasyland, where Tom learned more about plans for an upcoming major expansion. He also met with Cast Members at the Disney Reservation Center, Space Mountain Operations Center (where he worked in a spin on Space Mountain) and other locations around Walt Disney World Resort property.

 

And at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, Tom met with Cast Members during a backstage tour of The Festival of the Lion King attraction before enjoying a live performance. He also visited with the animal programs team and observed a cardiac ultrasound on a gorilla.

 

As Tom wrapped up his first Walt Disney World visit in his new role, he noted that he will celebrate two decades with The Walt Disney Company this month. “After 20 years, it’s nice to say I just had two of the best days of my career, being out on the property and seeing the Cast in action.”

[Chroniq]

I'm reminded of the book "Disney War". The book essentially begins with explaining how the top execs have to spend a day dressed up as one of the charachters to try and understand what Disney is about from every level. This chapter in the book discusses Eisners day as well as the authors.

 

This press release while encouraging, seems like a bit of posturing and reminds me ominously of that passage.

[jedimaster1227]

http://tinyurl.com/yab2na8 (I'm sorry for having to use tinyurl, but the link wouldn't work any other way.)

 

Michael Colglazier is the new Vice President of Disney's Animal Kingdom. He replaces Kevin Lansberry who has moved onto senior vice president, Worldwide Travel Operations. Michael has been with Disney for 20 years, and has held positions at Disneyland, Epcot, and Business Development. Michael will be reporting to Jim MacPhee.

[jedimaster1227]

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/03/new-chairman-visits-disney-parks-around-the-world/

 

Tom Staggs has been on the move this month, touching ground in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris and Germany during his first “world tour” as chairman of Parks & Resorts. And at each stop, there’s been a recurring theme: people passionate about building the future.

That’s certainly happening in Germany where construction on the Disney Dream cruise ship has been moving right along. Tom arrived right as they were beginning to join the hull sections together to form a ship structure that will feature 14 decks and 1,250 staterooms with a capacity of 4,000 guests. It’s hard to imagine, but there will be approximately 66 million pounds of steel cut and welded together, some 37,000 pipes produced, and nearly 5,000 miles of cabling used by the time it is complete. The ship will sail from Germany to its new home in Port Canaveral, Florida later this year before embarking on its maiden voyage in January.

 

Tom also visited Disneyland Paris just in time for the launch of The New Generation Festival. The year-long celebration will highlight a new generation of heroes from Disney films such as “The Princess and the Frog” and “Lilo & Stitch,” as well as Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story,” “Ratatouille” and “The Incredibles.”

 

Tom also got a status report on the new Toy Story Playland coming to life at Paris’ Walt Disney Studios this August.

 

Earlier in March, the team at Hong Kong Disneyland also welcomed Tom during his first visit to Asia as chairman. Tom met with Cast Members, dived into the operational details of the resort and was briefed on Hong Kong Disneyland’s celebration honoring the Chinese Year of the Tiger. Tom said one of the highlights of his visit was meeting with Hong Kong Disneyland’s very first Cast Member, Mariam Im, and presenting her with a 10-year service pin.

 

And during his visit to Tokyo Disney Resort, Tom managed to pack in more than even our most seasoned guests by touring both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. He met with several Cast Members and Imagineers – and tried all eight flavors of popcorn sold at the parks.

Tom summed up his recent travels this way: “When you spend time at all our properties, you appreciate how unique each one really is. Of course, there is a lot that is the same. Our properties share the same DNA. But at the end of the day, each has its own identity, its own heritage. And each has its own individual challenges. One thing stands out above all else though, and that is the quality, strength and passion of our Disney Cast members.”

[jedimaster1227]

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/05/disney-hires-san-fran-mass-transit-exec-to-run-resort-transportation/

 

Walt Disney World has hired a top official from San Francisco’s public-transit agency to oversee its own transportation network.

 

Samuel Lau will assume the new post of vice president for transportation at Disney World on June 1. Lau will be responsible for the operation of Disney’s vast transportation system, which includes a 15-mile-long monorail, multiple ferry boats and a fleet of nearly 300 buses.

 

Lau, 41, comes to Disney from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which operates a mass transit system that carries more than 200 million riders a year aboard everything from light rail and buses to San Francisco’s historic streetcars and cable cars. Lau was deputy chief operating officer for the agency, overseeing 3,400 employees.

 

Before that, Lau was deputy director of operations for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose, Calif. The Santa Clara agency operates a 42-mile-long light rail system and a fleet of low-floor buses.

 

Lau will report to Jim Vendur, the Disney vice president in charge of transportation, utilities and telecommunications.

 

With Lau’s hiring, Disney concludes a transportation-leadership shakeup it began last fall following the first fatal monorail accident in the resort’s history. As part of those changes, Disney merged its transportation operations and maintenance departments, transferred several transit managers to other areas and created the new transportation vice president slot.

 

Disney said the moves were unrelated to the monorail accident, in which 21-year-old monorail driver Austin Wuennenberg was killed when two trains collided and which sparked two federal safety investigations. Disney said the realignment was instead part of a broader corporate restructuring that began in early 2009 in which the company laid off more than 850 employees in Central Florida.