05.24.09
Disney to open resort hotel near Washington D.C.
Disney is making it’s first move back into the D.C. area since giving up on plans for a history themed amusement park back in the mid 90’s. The resort is planned to have 500 rooms and be situated in the National Harbor area.
This could be a prelude to Disney moving forward with new park plans, or a possible purchase of Six Flags America, which has been underperforming in recent history.
Read the official Disney Press Release
04.19.09
Disney Parks Are Reorganizing
Disney has announced a restructuring of it’s park and resort operations. The wide ranging restructuring includes Disneyland, Disney World, Cruise Ships and Resorts; including those that don’t have the Disney name plate. Part of the restructuring, parts of Disneyland and Disney World will be consolidated into a single operation.
Jay Rasulo says “the company would streamline it’s operating structure to simplify operations and in the process, reduce overhead.” He goes on to say “The reorganization was a further step in an operational review begun back in 2005 as Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.” He also indicated the downturn in the economy move the planned changes along faster that planned.
Operations to be consolidated include procurement, menu planning and orders for stuffed animals. Walt Disney Imagineering group will also be simplified. The group will no longer be split into divisions that devote themselves to one location, but wil be merged into a nationwide development group that will handle all attractions, entertainment and resorts.
The changes help align 3 groups; one that identifies possible acquisitions and park expansioins, one that implements those possibilites and a third that is in charge of operations.
Read the full article
02.07.09
Disney & Universal making cuts
Disney has offered a buy out package to 600 managers at various US theme parks. If not enough managers take the offer, the company stated they may begin layoffs.
Universal Orlando has also layed off 70 employees.
And it begins. I was wondering how long the park operators would go before they started making cuts to staff.
Disney coming to Shanghai China
Early designs for the park
In a deal that would see a park open in 2014, Disney would have it’s fourth park outside of the US and it’s second in China. Disney would own 43% of the park and the govenment of Shanghai would own the remainder through a holding company. Nothing has been announced by either party at this point.
The first phase would include a theme park, a hotel and a shopping center.
