Chapek out - Iger back

[Liquidice]

I’m not sure it was a choice as much as they needed someone they knew could steer the ship and restore some confidence in the company while they figure out who can lead in the long term.

Agreed - not really sure why Chapek was replaced, but whatever happened they weren't left with a lot of choices. The real direction change will be 2 years from now when they select the longer term CEO, thats why I was wondering if Josh goes onto the short list of replacement CEOs, or do they hire someone from the outside. They definitely need someone with creativity and a customers first and foremost mindset leading the company for the long term.

 

[RanDIZ]

About time! Guess there’s still hope for Disney.

 

[Liquidice]

Unfortunately the one thing it really needs (a lot more ride capacity) is likely the one thing they won't consider.

FP+ always worked well for me, but agree additional ride capacity would really help. A 5th gate imho also would help too.

 

[Jrb1979]

While Chapek needed to go, I don't know that Iger was the right choice. Whatever happened, I'm sure they weren't left with a lot of choices. Iger left Disney with tons of debt (a lot from the 21st Century Fox acquisition) - debt that Chapek was forced to address. Chapek did an awful job handling it imho - trying to prioritize short term profits at the long term expense of the brand. Lets hope whoever they choose to replace Iger in 2 years will pave a much better future for the company. I wonder if Josh D'Amaro is now on the short list to succeed Iger?

Lets start the petition now, bring back Fastpass+, bring back Magical Express, bring back Extra Magic Hours!

Unfortunately none of that is going to happen. Chapek did everything they wanted to always do. Which includes Genie+ and getting rid of Magic Express. Iger is being brought back for one thing only and that is to fix the studios side of the company. The parks are doing well so they have no need to change things. IMO the damage has been done and bringing Iger back isn't going to change that.

 

[Lori Duck]

According to CNBC tonight.

THANK YOU, LORD!!!!

 

[Liquidice]

Unfortunately none of that is going to happen. Chapek did everything they wanted to always do. Which includes Genie+ and getting rid of Magic Express. Iger is being brought back for one thing only and that is to fix the studios side of the company. The parks are doing well so they have no need to change things. IMO the damage has been done and bringing Iger back isn't going to change that.

You're probably right - just hoping There are some things they could potentially do like getting rid of park pass, park hopping restrictions, etc. That wouldn't necessarily cost them anything or lose revenue - but could improve guest satisfaction.

Hopefully though some additional investment in the parks, maybe a response to Epic Universe

 

[Frank4202]

As much as I hated Chapek, he was thrown into a crappy situation and made it worse. The debt of acquiring FOX and the money pit of Disney+ is really hurting the company.

 

[zackiedawg]

Wow - a surprise indeed. A good one as far as I'm concerned. Iger wasn't the best CEO ever, but I'd take a chipped brick over Chapek. I just really didn't think it was going to happen anytime soon - at least the end of his current term and maybe another renewal.

Iger hopefully can correct a few of the money-grab ideas over the two years and maybe do a better job picking a successor next time - someone who actually respects Walt's legacy and concept a bit more.

The company needs to be profitable and hopefully will be massively so, but never at the cost of removing what makes Disney Disney. Squeezing every last penny out of the wallets of the most loyal fans and removing all of the perks and touches that made it feel special is what hurt for me. I'd be OK with increasing the ticket prices if I was getting the same level of service and entertainment - but stripping away perks, services, upcharging everything, and charging for things that used to be covered under the ticket prices just destroyed the entire spirit and magic of the Disney parks.

At the very least, I don't think Iger can do any worse than Chapek had done and was going to continue to do.

 

[Moose66]

According to CNBC tonight.

Good. Chapek was running the company into the ground with alacrity.

 

[RamblinWreck]

While Chapek needed to go, I don't know that Iger was the right choice. Whatever happened, I'm sure they weren't left with a lot of choices. Iger left Disney with tons of debt (a lot from the 21st Century Fox acquisition) - debt that Chapek was forced to address. Chapek did an awful job handling it imho - trying to prioritize short term profits at the long term expense of the brand. Lets hope whoever they choose to replace Iger in 2 years will pave a much better future for the company. I wonder if Josh D'Amaro is now on the short list to succeed Iger?

Lets start the petition now, bring back Fastpass+, bring back Magical Express, bring back Extra Magic Hours!

No thanks on fast pass+, that was an unmitigated disaster

 

[kverdon]

Hopefully things will turn back to Walt’s vision of “People will pay extra for a quality experience” instead of “ People will pay more and accept less because it’s “Disney””.

 

[scoobdoo]

BOOO! Chapek was no picnic, but I cannot STAND Iger.

found chapek’s sock puppet

 

[buzlite]

So happy about this move. Iger is a visionary. He’s not perfect but he’s the reason Disney is where it is.
I hope they focus on the Movie Studios and start rebuilding their relationships with the Artists. And invest back into imagineering. Very few of disney new developments have had the same level of detail as they had in the past.
Chapek never understood Disney. He didn’t understand the personal relationship people have with the stories.
It’s a lot different then taking over Sony Studios or even Universal.

 

[superme80]

found chapek’s sock puppet

Eisner fan actually!

 

[GAN]

There’s some talk about Iger and Disney‘s debt “issue.” There really is no issue -they have a very favorable rating and excellent outlook .

https://www.fitchratings.com/resear...alt-disney-idr-at-a-outlook-stable-01-09-2022

 

[Elijah Abrams]

There’s some talk about Iger and Disney‘s debt “issue.” There really is no issue -they have a very favorable rating and excellent outlook

.

https://www.fitchratings.com/resear...alt-disney-idr-at-a-outlook-stable-01-09-2022

That article was made while Chapek was in charge.

The debt of acquiring FOX and the money pit of Disney+ is really hurting the company.

Iger left Disney with tons of debt (a lot from the 21st Century Fox acquisition) - debt that Chapek was forced to address.

They really should sell off 20th Century Studios (along with 20th TV and Searchlight Pictures) in order to control their debt. They should also scrap Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!

 

[ChipTheRescueRanger]

Park wise josh d'amaro should go too. He is the one that has implemented all the changes. Yet avoids criticism

 

[Her Dotness]

Best Disney Christmas gift lovers of all-things-Disney have had in too long. Happy Christmas to us all!

 

[PBB]

So, they bring back Bob Iger the person responsible for this debacle ? The stock market will go back up temporarily. Art of Bad Deal Bob spent tons of money on all these deals that have not helped the bottom line. He bought Fox and didn’t get the sky networks which was the “crown jewel” of the deal. Star Wars is still dead after spending 4 billion to not give the fans what they want. Marvel is in big trouble. End game may have been properly named for the franchise. I guess China is happy that Bob is back!

Chairman of the Board Susan Arnold and Christine Mcarthy CFO need to go as well. Susan Arnold has no experience in any of the markets that Disney is in and to be blunt she was a leader in the demise. The same goes Christine McCarthy. If she worried about the financials of the organization instead of demeaning the guests the company wouldn’t be in this person.

 

[GAN]

That article was made while Chapek was in charge.

Well… yes. Because some people, if you read the thread, are saying Iger has left Disney in some kind of terrible(paraphrasing) debt situation that they’re struggling with today. Which isn’t true, as shown in the article. He may have increased their debt but nowhere near something that wasn’t manageable. Just trying to clear up confusion because facts ARE important