In Defense of Bob Chapek

[kimmar067]

....he's upset a lot of people within the company who have left and taken years of experience with them...

Speaking as the mom of a CM, this is ABSOLUTELY on point.

 

[kimmar067]

I think Bob Chapek has lost his way - he has lost sight of the vision that Walt has laid out and envisioned. I don't think that Mr. Disney would have approved of many of the decisions that have been made in recent years....

 

[lugnut33]

From the three comments here, it appears the only two that didn't have fairly major flaws are Walt and Roy Disney.

So perhaps we give Chapek a shot at this?

Give me your ranked list of Disney CEOs from best to worst.

 

[ChipnDale79]

There have been some comments that have been released publicly from Bob's team that are cringe worthy, that are less than magical.

Here's one:

“We have things on the cost of goods side,” McCarthy said. “And it's interesting. Just last week … I was talking to our parks senior team about things we could do there. And there are lots of things that are worth talking about. We can adjust suppliers. We can substitute products. We can cut portion size, which is probably good for some people's waistlines.”

https://www.sfgate.com/disneyland/article/Disney-fans-angered-by-CFO-comment-16613190.php

and another:

“Some people have more money than they have time and others have more time than they have money,” stated McCarthy.

https://wdwnt.com/2022/03/disney-cfo-christine-mccarthy-states-some-people-have-more-time-than-they-have-money-in-regards-to-which-guests-purchase-genie/#:~:text=McCarthy was quoted saying that,have money,” stated McCarthy.

I'm sure these are comments that have been said behind closed doors for decades at disney, but are now being said out in the open to the press.

For what disney charges for food, there shouldnt be any cutting on portions, and waistline comments about their customers is down right disgusting.

We're also well aware that those with more money are a higher priority with disney, but there used to be a somewhat level playing field in the parks. Those days are gone.

 

[ChipnDale79]

This sure turned out to be accurate:

View attachment 682157

that guy is a pretty smart fellow........

 

[Moliphino]

He didn’t do that though. Parks have had record traffic since Covid.

Lots of revenge travel going on now. We'll see how they do when that bubble bursts. And there will always be first timers, though with astronomical price increases there won't be as many of those as before.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Lots of revenge travel going on now. We'll see how they do when that bubble bursts. And there will always be first timers, though with astronomical price increases there won't be as many of those as before.

There's a ton or revenge travel with people that have extra money to burn from the past few years, on top of that, certain age groups just now getting access to vaccines.

It's not just Disney that is booming, the travel industry as a whole is doing pretty well right now. there is a bubble to that.

 

[kimmar067]

“We have things on the cost of goods side,” McCarthy said. “And it's interesting. Just last week … I was talking to our parks senior team about things we could do there. And there are lots of things that are worth talking about. We can adjust suppliers. We can substitute products. We can cut portion size, which is probably good for some people's waistlines.”

I'm sure these are comments that have been said behind closed doors for decades at disney, but are now being said out in the open to the press.

For what disney charges for food, there shouldnt be any cutting on portions, and waistline comments about their customers is down right disgusting.

WOW......just......wow.

 

[kimmar067]

that guy is a pretty smart fellow........

 

[ChipnDale79]

WOW......just......wow.

to be fair, my 11 year old can't eat $70 worth of food at Space 220, or really anywhere. i didnt realize they were barely making it by based on how much they're charging.

 

[kimmar067]

to be fair, my 11 year old can't eat $70 worth of food at Space 220, or really anywhere. So i'm not seeing how cutting portion size is going to help there....

I definitely get what you are saying. So, would you not have a problem with WDW cutting your DS's food portions [since he cannot eat $70 worth] but not also lowering the price? [..not trying to start an argument or anything; just curious... I said 'wow' because the statement was callous and superficial]

 

[ChipnDale79]

I definitely get what you are saying. So, would you not have a problem with WDW cutting your DS's food portions [since he cannot eat $70 worth] but not also lowering the price? [..not trying to start an argument or anything; just curious... I said 'wow' because the statement was callous and superficial]

oh they should without a doubt cut the price. i think its insane how much they charge for an "adult" that's 11 years old. They're making bank off of him.

I find the CFO's comments out of touch and disgusting.

$70 for a meal is probably cheap for her.

 

[kimmar067]

...I find the CFO's comments out of touch and disgusting.

$70 for a meal is probably cheap for her.

....so true....

 

[Jonfw2]

Give me your ranked list of Disney CEOs from best to worst.

No. Some are better than others. I can't rank them. I didn't ask the person I was responding to to rank them either, so we're clear. I just asked for an example of "the magic" that Chapek is lacking.

 

[Disney Bobby]

How 1about the fact that the parks are open and just about back to normal. I can’t comprehend how some people diminish the role of a CEO of huge corp like its simi to being a manager at the local McDonalds

That's a pretty low bar, especially considering they have to bring back the previous CEO to get it done and still had numerous unforced errors totally unrelated to covid.

 

[AvidDisReader]

No. Some are better than others. I can't rank them. I didn't ask the person I was responding to to rank them either, so we're clear. I just asked for an example of "the magic" that Chapek is lacking.

Is Chapek a good CEO, only time will tell. One of the most important part of being CEO of an entertainment giant as Disney is being the face and spokesman for the company. Let's be honest, regardless of everything else done Chapek has been a PR disaster. Can he rebound, maybe. Right now it does not matter as he has that new 3 year deal, so he is not going anywhere.

 

[lugnut33]

No. Some are better than others. I can't rank them. I didn't ask the person I was responding to to rank them either, so we're clear. I just asked for an example of "the magic" that Chapek is lacking.

That's exactly my point. You're asking people to be specific and meanwhile you're not willing be specific about where Chapek ranks for you.

 

[wabbott]

Give me your ranked list of Disney CEOs from best to worst.

There ain't been that many.

• Roy O. Disney (1929–1971)
• Donn Tatum (1971–1976)
• Card Walker (1976–1983)
• Ron W. Miller (1983–1984)
• Michael Eisner (1984–2005)
• Bob Iger (2005–2020)
• Bob Chapek (2020–present)

From the Wikipedia entry on Roy: Disney became the company's first CEO in 1929, although the official title was not given to him until 1966. He also shared the role of chairman of the board with Walt from 1945 and succeeded Walt in the position of President around this time as well. He held the position until 1968 when he handed it to Donn Tatum. In 1960, Walt dropped the chairman title so he could focus more on the creative aspects of the company.

 

[Jonfw2]

That's exactly my point. You're asking people to be specific and meanwhile you're not willing be specific about where Chapek ranks for you.

Not at all my point. THEY mentioned the "magic" other CEOs had brought and I just wanted a couple of examples.

 

[wabbott]

Not including the Disney brothers, here's my list

1. Eisner - No question he reinvigorated the company when it needed it in the mid 80s. Then he succumbed to hubris, and almost wrecked the company he had rebuilt.
2. Iger - The Pixar deal was of incalculable value.
3. Miller - Started Disney Channel on cable and reinvigorated movie studio.
4. Tatum - Kept the team functioning during WDW construction.
5. Walker - Store window dummy. Had he done his job, the Eisner earthquake would never have happened and Miller would have been able to hang on.

Too soon to rank Chapek fairly.