Disney Moves Bob Chapek to Replace Tom Staggs as Parks Chairman

What's your take on this hire, Robert? Good move? Bad move? Yet-to-be-determined move?

Wall Street analysts are bullish on the choice, noting that theme parks are largely an outdoor activity and Mr. Chapek's persona lends one to belive that sales of sunscreen will likely increase dramatically.

Ahhhh

Sounds like he knows next to nothing about theme parks. Perfect. Maybe we can look forward to more shops in the parks?

TH, would you say the task in front of Mr. Chapek is daunting, and perhaps even hair-raising?

@THCreative and @Bigwig30 - I don't get it. Could you please explain your jokes in detail? I find it more humorous when people describe exactly why what they're saying is funny.

We're not being funny, we're just a hair away from being flat out mean. And we should stop. Apologies to all involved and best of luck to Mr. Chapek was he assumes his new position in my dream job.

James: Hair raising & a hair away. You're within a hair's breadth of being humorous....It's dangerous to attack the PC police.

My take? Disney appears to be fond of moving its top executives laterally, so that they can gain experience in the many different operations of the company. (Remember how Staggs and Jay Rasulo swapped jobs?)

Obviously, coming from Consumer Products, Chapek will have some relevant experience to bring to the merchandise operations of the parks, as they sell a heckuva lot of Disney Consumer Products. But Chapek will face the challenge of maintaining the success of a division that's been bringing in massive profits and driving record attendance while facing unprecedented creative competition.

Iger and Staggs did not accomplish that by being reckless or foolish. Obviously, they see Chapek as having the ability to do this, and all I've heard about him (which, I'll admit, isn't much), is that Chapek is very much a Disney fan. Those are good signs, enough to buy him the benefit of reserved judgment.

Merchandise operations? Exactly my point. His appointment is perfect if they want to turn the parks into giant malls with rides.

Mr. Comeau writes: "His appointment is perfect if they want to turn the parks into giant malls with rides."

I respond: And how would you rate his appointment if "they" (the Walt Disney Company) does not want "to turn the parks into giant malls with rides?"

I am not sure I was even that close to being humorous, Rob. And there is nothing funny about Mr. Chapek's job. If he wants to compete with Harry Potter he will have to build up a full head of steam, and will be harried from one part of the property to the other, asked to add new attractions, not cut old ones. Right?!

@TH and Sylvain, exactly what is wrong with giant malls filled with rides????

Merchandising! Merchandising! Where the real money at the theme park is made.

Kris V: You're right about that. The HP merch numbers created a huge spike in per guest spending at Universal Orlando. And it seems that Disney has recently taken a historical step back in merchandise by returning to their roots offering some diversified product like the Haunted Mansion & Cars merchandise, and getting away from the One Disney merchandise concept. Hopefully they will continue down that road.

Great...another Disney Parks head whose background is in merchandise. Didn't we learn our lesson with Paul Pressler? Anyone?

Why do people only think of rides and attractions?

You have to run the stores and restaurants in the park just like you have to run the ticket booths. Making hassle free customer transactions is the essense of running a theme parks. Enticing people to buy is a good thing.

It's a question of emphasis and having your priorities straight. Putting merch ahead of attractions is putting the cart before the horse.

I definitely understand why you guys are so worked up about this. But maybe you worry needlessly.
What I love so much about Disney is that they always know how to please people. So The only two scenarios where I think that Disney would turn their parks into "giant malls with rides" are if everyone suddenly decided for whatever reason that that's what should happen, or if they became that desperate. Besides, the Orlando resort kinda already has a big outdoor mall in the form of Downtown Disney...or Disney Springs...or whatever they're calling it now (I'm not quite sure).

Mr. Comeau writes: "It's a question of emphasis and having your priorities straight. Putting merch ahead of attractions is putting the cart before the horse."

I Respond: Uh-huh ... And what does it say about the company's priorities that the former head of Disney Parks has been elevated to a position that makes him the heir apparent for CEO? And that the same guy is the person Mr. Chapek reports to?

I like the direction the merchandise has been going in lately. It seems like someone who likes the Disney brand is making decisions about what products to develop and not just label slapping onto generic products. He had other non consumer product related positions before so it isn't like that is the only thing he is interested in. Maybe he will take the parks in a great direction as well.