Instead of producing a typical video essay, I’m choosing to go off script and offer my thoughts on the recent ousting of Chapek and the shocking return of Bob Iger.
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Hey, let me know what you think of this format once you watch. I'm not really sure if I like this less structured, stream-of-consciousness type of video, but it might be useful in discussing more recent news.
Love your videos! I would love to see more video-essays on Animal Kingdom
Would you consider doing a video on if Disney+ was a good or bad idea?
This type of video was great!
My opinion: they should take the company private.
I truly enjoy all your content, it's very good, honest and thoughtful. I've never been to most of the parks that are discussed, as I've never been to the USA. Thankfully, I have the European parks close-by instead. This new format is great, your voice and diction are as easy to follow as they are in your essays – but slightly more "human" which might even make people comment more to the video as a bonus. But that's just a guess. I think this format is really good for the more immediate, timely, matters and can live happily besides your more produced work. Whatever it may be, I'm happy to support it – while I hope that Disney gets a grip and that my childhood dream of visiting Disneyworld become viable and interesting again (before I die).
Iger saying he doesn't like how costly the theme parks have become is HILARIOUS. Chapek didn't raise the price of WDW tickets (though there are some upcoming). Meanwhile the dude who's allegedly worried about costs raised ticket prices
EVERY
SINGLE
YEAR
he was CEO. Sometimes TWICE in one year! The price of a ticket to WDW was $37 the year Iger took over. Tickets topped out at $159 the year he left.
Shut up, Iger.
The fact that there are claims of Avatar 2 being budgeted with the assumption of grossing $2B+ is a show of how badly they're managing finances. I wonder, if the rumors or true, how big a change Apple management would make and if the company as it is now is destined to either die or be replaced.
I enjoy both scripted and unscripted videos you produce. This one was great, I agreed with you a lot, except a few points, but for the most part I 100% agree.
I think the issue with streaming is Disney has been using it as a crutch
It was high during the pandemic because people were stuck at home…now they are going out again…also they charged an extra $30 for people to watch the new movies that were supposed to be in theaters early so that brought in subscribers
Also Disney+ has too much in terms of movies and too little with shows…what I mean is they keep releasing movies on D+ rather than a theater so they don’t make much in return like at the box office…and most of the newer movies weren’t that good…add that to price increase and you have a recipe for losing subscribers…on the flip side they have many shows but some are missing or shows are missing episodes and/or specials
D+ could work but they need to be smart about content…find and add missing shows and episodes put more energy into original ideas and go beyond the movies and shows…the backstage episodes and park history series are so fascinating and you can’t find them anywhere else…movies are On Demand and TV and DVD and Blueray as are many shows…the park shows and specials aren’t
These were some of the same thoughts/concerns I had when I got news of the announcement (while my family was AT Disney World no less) It was our first time using Genie+ and it definitely made things feel more stressful and rushed throughout the day. The idea of paying $200 extra for unlimited unscheduled fastpass is honestly more palatable now after having experienced that, even with recession rolling in.
Love this format by the way. You always offer a well thought out perspective in your vids, so hearing ad lib your thought process is refreshing. Would love to see/hear more of these in between the longer scripted releases. Keep it up!
I really enjoyed this video and think it would be good to do both types of videos.
I like this format better. You came across like a “know it all” when reading from your essays which was cringeworthy. You sound like a human being with this format. Regardless, you always bring up good points and aren’t a Disney shill. Nice job!
I appreciate your commentary and I appreciate you bringing attention to these issues. Like you, I want Disney to be more genuine or something like that. Go back to their roots. Do something all the way, not half assed. Unfortunately, I don't hold out much hope that Disney will ever return to its former glory, or even something akin to it. Disney has grown too big (disjointed even) and a lot of greedy people have their hands in the pot. Such was the case in the 80s and 90s, but Walt's memory wasn't so far away then, so that was fine. This new Disney feels very far from the comfort of WALT'S Disney. I'll hold out the tiniest sliver of hope that a miracle might happen and the Disney magic will be restored, if only to pacify my inner child.
But Iger can hopefully see the down turn and be able to back track to get Disney back to more of the magic. Knowing he had a hand in the "great Disney distrust" maybe he's the one to fix it because Chapeck just seemed to wanted to railroad fans to drive cash when if he would just let it grow organically the cash will come. Before this it was my impression that people didn't care what they spent because children of all ages could still feel/have/keep the magic. I went for the first time in March and I've never spent so much money, to work so hard, to have a good time.
I like this new format for quick updates and big news. I really enjoy your formal essays for reviews and deep dives to really chew and get the most out of a subject. Keep it up!
I think one of the biggest problems with the parks is none of Disney s recent movies have been very memorable. Frozen was perhaps the last disney princess every little girl dressed up as for Halloween and wanted for thier birthday party.
Encanto, strange worlds and so on exist, but fan demand to see them build a ride or park around it near null. After the flop that was Galaxy edge with a franchise as strong as Star Wars behind it, i have heavy doubts any new park experience based upon recent IP will be any good.
Iger made his name by buying a lot of stuff (Marvel, etc) at a time of low interest rates. Now with the recession, the Fed increasing interest rates and Disney in great debt, that formula won't work anymore. Netflix still has a wider audience, while Disney is too much focused on children, so I am not sure that streaming is the answer.
Pretty balanced take. It will be more interesting to see what sort of leadr replaces Bob Iger in 2 years.
I wish this video had like 100,000 views. This content is so underrated and it levels people’s expectations and spreads more awareness about what is going on with Disney management.
Well this was just verbal vomit…
Honestly While I'm Happy Chapek Is Gone I'm Kind of mixed When It Comes to Iger Cause While I Agree That Iger Was Where Alot Of These Issues Started He Is Marginally Better Than Chapek However In My Opinion Igers Replacement Should Be A Duo Not Just One Person Because You Need A Creative And A Financial That's Historically When The Company Is At It's Best (Ex. Walt And Roy and Eisner and Wells) One Person Can't Save An Empire like Disney By Themselves
The Genie+ system needs to be completely overhauled or eliminated. When every attraction is up and operating, Genie+ probably isn't worth the cost for the average family of 4 or 5, as it could be an additional $100/day. The problem is when things are down….We were there in early November in HS and Tower of Terror AND Rockin' Roller Coaster were both down most of the day. This funneled all the Genie+ reservations to other attractions. We waited for 2 hours to get on Mickey and Minnie Railroad watching the Genie+ people waltz on with little or no wait. Never again. Hello Universal Studios.
I am a die hard disney fan, I have been more often than I can count. I have been a season passholder and as well worked at wdw. I believe Cheapskate has destroyed the fan base big time, I am one of them. I just hope Iger can fix so many wrongs and change the parks back to how it used to be.
Iger wasn't perfect, but he actually does seem to care about the consumer experience and is also much better than Chapek.
Enjoy your channel, always, in either the scripted or unscripted format. Like you, I’ve visited just about every Thrill, Amusement & Theme Park across the globe and watch your videos to reminisce, see updates or just relish in a kindred spirit, talking shop. I firmly agree that WDW is in trouble. Living in Asia for the past 15 years, Tokyo, HK and Shanghai Disney have become what used to be my WDW, DL and DLP go-to Resorts, when I needed a Theme Park fix. Due to global travel restrictions, I decided to come back to the USA, booked a family trip for 4 to WDW to celebrate the 50th for Dec 2021 only to cancel it when the darn reservation system was being fully implemented in the midsts of FastPass removal, changing or no Extra Magic Hours at all BS, etc… Needless to say, I’ve not rebooked and honestly, if Lightning Lane, Genie and Genie+ remain, I will NEVER go back but I will go to Universal, soon, because they still get-it, in terms of balancing perks & guest needs. To put this in perspective, during that canceled 2021 trip, we were also considering joining Club 33 (they asked us to join during a Shanghai stay) and also buying a spot in Golden Oak as Massachusetts, where I’m stuck (family is from), doesn’t have the weather of Singapore that I have grown used to. My gripes with Disney are not about the actual cost of Bob Chapeck’s increases (though I feel they are horrendous for the average family consumer who should get the chance to go to Disney, like I did as a kid, without having to mortgage their home), it’s the inconvenience, the lack of spontaneity and the feeling of being nickeled and dimed, that eats at me. Hopefully, Bob Iger will see this sentiment and reverse it. Won’t hold my breath.
For me the format works if it's convenient for you. I enjoyed watching the random videos. The structures ones are preferred, but the analysis is great so keep it up in whatever way is convenient.
As you stated yeah Iger did bring in a lot of the problems and they just became significantly worse under Chapek. What Iger CAN do is undo some of those bad ideas and just blame them on Chapek. The whole Genie thing has just been a really terrible idea. As you've said, it causes standby lines to become basically stationary and makes people just either stand around waiting for their timeslot – which gives the illusion of more crowds in the park when it's not really – or keeps them running from one end of the park to another if they are able to actually use it. People have the fear of missing out unless they buy it if this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and they'll feel pressured into buying it. Not great for consumer joy. I like your idea of a super high priced all-you-care-to-enjoy pass that would be purchased by a small number of people due to the very high price. That could also be limited to the number sold per day.
Another thing they could bring back to ease crowding would be fully unrestricted park hopping with no additional charges. Think about it – if people were free to hop around, a good 10% of the guests if not more are between the parks at any given time. They are not just standing around taking up space in a single park. Today, they can't go between parks without paying an additional fee and then only after a certain time. This was an Iger idea actually but it's failed. What happens is that people will stay all day long in a single park regardless of crowds. This is not good for crowd control. Instead of letting people naturally even out the attendance on their own and creating a better experience for everyone they figured they could cash in. I think it's backfired on them. Now people stay put taking up space. Now think of the thousands of people on an hourly basis that are in monorails, buses, and boats going between parks NOT taking up space inside the parks. Crowds even out this way and it makes for a better experience for all.
Anyway, my ranting could continue for hours. I think Iger can be smart and make some small good-will changes right away and it might make some previous fans come back to try things out again. I'll be watching blogs as time goes on. Went recently to EPCOT after two years of staying away. Was totally unimpressed. The giant pit in the front is a disgrace. The merchandise is so generic it's something that can be found at any toy store. The merchandise in world showcase is depressing (just look in the UK store and all English merchandise is gone and is now replaced with Alice in Wonderland, Winnie the Pooh, and Mary Poppins…shameful). Feels fake. Cheap. Opportunistic. Little authenticity at all left in World Showcase. It's sad. Some of those bad changes could be undone. Merchandise could be better and less generic. These are things that all went wrong under Chapek. Of course it's cheaper to make a single 'thing' that states Disney Parks versus something distinctive for each individual park. He's a banker so of course he'll take the cheapest way out. Bad for the experience and bad for sales in the long run.
Rant over. Keep your videos coming. Appreciate your insight.
I liked the format. Disney is in for trouble. Universal is going to snap up more market share as they have lower prices, offer more perks, have cleaner and better staffed parks with better emploees and their attractions becoming even more top notch. Iger is back for lack of better more expedient options.
I enjoyed this off the cuff type of video. Maybe mix one of these in for every few scripted videos?
I don't normally comment but I loved this format!! Generally just a sucker for listenable content but for stream of consciousness, this was really well articulated and and not a huge deviation from other vids
Very much liked this format!
I don't usually comment, but feel free to do more of this format if you like it, it was very enjoyable to listen to on my drive to work
Iger atleast created and I enjoyed the parks under his era. Chapek was a complete and udder disaster. Not only is he Disney's worst CEO of all time, but he's one of the worst CEOs in American history. The fact iger is upset about the direction of the parks is a good sign atleast. The reservation system and Genie+ being the big ones.
The best way to spot a ‘new’ Disney fan is to see someone excited about Iger coming back,
17:05 You said it perfectly. My family and I live near Disneyland. We used to try to go once a year/2 years. Over the past few years though, Disney has become too expensive for us. This year, we decided to go to Cedar Point instead. None of us had ever been before. I like Disney but I have to be honest, the experience I had at Cedar Point completely blows Disney out of the water. The park was way less crowded (even in the middle of summer), the pass to skip the lines felt more fair and reasonable, and there was a fun festival with speciality foods celebrating cherry season. Instead of planning trips to Disney, we’re planning trips to other parks (btw you’ve inspired me to go to Universal lol). We’ve even started considering going to lesser known parks like Kings Island and Silver Dollar City. We’re just one family but I wonder if there are more people out there who are having a similar experience.
NGL, but I was pretty surprised for his return. I mean sure, he has made some blunders back sometime around 2016 – 2020 before leaving the company, so I'm highly hoping that he has actually learned some things from all of this so that he can get rid of it all, and clean the mess that chapek has made with the company. Because despite his recent return to the company, the entertainment industry is still pretty hopeless
I like the unscripted take on things. You should try to do a podcast kind of thing like this maybe once a month or like a quarterly basis or something. Even if it's just over random B-roll footage or a still image/logo. Part of the reason I like this and your video essays is the realistic cynical nature rather than the "everything is perfect" presentation so many vloggers use when they are in the parks.
I very much preferred the cadence of your voice when you speak without a script. I think it felt more natural and relaxed than your scripted videos