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Josh D’Amaro speaks out on why Disney changes are happening now

Josh D’Amaro speaks out on why Disney changes are happening now

There are so many great things coming to Disney Parks soon, but the reason may not be what you think it is.

Change in Leadership

Credit: The Walt Disney Company

In November, Disney shook things up from the top. Several Disney executives left the company, but the most surprising change was the firing of Bob Chapek. At that time, Disney also announced that Bob Iger would be returning as Disney’s CEO.

Iger is loved and adored by many Disney fans. He was responsible for Disney’s acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. Things were going great until February 2020 when Iger announced he was stepping down.

This change gave Disney fans hope because, unlike Chapek, Iger communicated how important guests are to the company. There are several ways Iger reached out to fans recently including spending time at Disneyland with the Chairman of Parks, Experiences, and Products Josh D’Amaro and sending an encouraging email. In addition, he addressed Cast Members thanking them for being the best part of Disney.

Then, yesterday, January 10, a flood of park announcements were released.

Disney World Resort

Credit: Maggie

In the next few months, Annual Passholders can visit theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation. The only exception is Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom.

Disney is also adding a new complimentary offering for guests buying Genie+. Soon, guests purchasing Disney Genie+ will receive complimentary digital downloads of their Disney Photopass attraction photos!

That’s not all! Now Disney World Resort guests will receive complimentary self-parking at the resorts. Finally, Disney announced Happily Ever After return date, Harmonious’ replacement show, and TRON’s opening date HERE.

Disneyland Resort

Credit: Monica

Disney shared that it increased the number of days for the lowest-priced one-day one-park ticket ($104) to making visiting the parks more affordable.

Beginning February 4, Disneyland guests may Park Hop at 11:00 am instead of 1:00 pm PST. That gives guests an extra 2 hours to spend in a second park! Also beginning February 4, complimentary Disney PhotoPass digital attraction photo downloads will be given to guests during the 100th celebration.

The demand for Disneyland Annual Passes continues to grow since new Magic Key pass sales were halted. However, we have great news! Disneyland Resort will sell magic key passes as inventory becomes available.

Josh D’Amaro Interview

Credit: Disney

While it may seem like these announcements were due to new leadership, Josh D’Amaro shared that they were not directly tied to a management shake-up.”

When asked in a New York Times interview why Disneyland was reducing ticket prices, D’Amaro replied: “We want to make sure our fans are feeling the love. We’re listening to them, and we’re trying to adjust. Then, he added that none of these changes reflect demand.

“If you move a tree, if you change a procedure, if you start asking for reservations — that’s a big deal to our guests,” he added. “They care. They really, really care. And if people care that much, then I have an obligation to listen and, when appropriate, to make some changes and modifications.”

Credit: KtP

If people care that much, then I have an obligation to listen and, when appropriate, to make some changes and modifications.

Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products

What do you think of these changes? Are they enough or are you wanting other changes to be made? Please let us know in the comments below and share with a friend to continue the discussion.

Source: nytimes.com


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Mike Schneider

Sunday 15th of January 2023

Give DVC owners the ability to purchase Annual Passes

Natasha

Wednesday 11th of January 2023

Mr D’Amaro is not listening at all to fans & guests. Thes “sweeping changes” are so not anything special. He knows what he needs to do to bring Disney’s loyal guests & fans back - but he has no interest. The board & those making all the horrible decisions are only interested in the money. Not the experience or policies that the once loyal DISNEY loving fans care about. STOP charging to ride. STOP THE RIDICULOUS RESERVATION & no park hopping policies. Bring back the Magical Express, Fadt Passes, Free Parking, Early & Extra Magic Hours for all guests...STOP catering to only the “wealthy”. It’s such a slap in the face to middle class families & to Walt’s memory. Bring back discounts & coupons on the quick serve receipts. Bring back the Dining Plans! Bring back Annual Pases with former perks. Bring back the VALUE. No one wants to pay mor to get in to a hugely overcrowded park that charges for Genie+, which guarantees NOTHING, then have to pay another $15+ per person, per ride, per day to only get to ride your favorite ONE TIME? Seriously??? Anyone who thinks this is ok for a family is seriously out of touch with reality. Bring back late hours. The prices for DISNEY are so not worth the short hours they have now. Oh! And for Goodness’ sake - get some decent toilet paper in the parks & resorts. It’s ridiculous that our last trips before we stopped vacations to WDW, that we had to ship our own toilet paper. And in case it need explained to the powers that be one more time...97% of the peopje do not approve of the “new woke agenda” DISNEY has. It’s disgusting. Our family & friends will not even attend a DISNEY affiliated movie, or watch a Disney show, series, cartoon, or special because we will not expose our children to what DISNEY is deeming “appropriate”! They can do whatever they want...but with the changes they’ve implemented the last few years - we will not be giving one penny to DISNEY. Sad but true. Our once “Hapouest PlCe On Earth” has turned into a cesspool of greed. These “sweeping changes” are pretty sad. Nothing the fans wanted.

SpacePolice

Wednesday 11th of January 2023

Also, in WDW, if you have a park reservation, and want to go to a different park after 2pm and have not gone to the park in your reservation, you still have to go into the reservation park and make a u turn before you can park hop. You don't have to do this at DL and it would be so much easier there since the parks are so close and transportation is suck a pain in WDW just to turn around and leave. This process is so dumb.

Jennifer

Wednesday 11th of January 2023

Why haven't they changed the park hopping time for WDW? I would LOVE to be able to hop to a different park whenever I wanted, but 11am would be MUCH better than the current 2pm. I know WDW got a lot of good news, yesterday, but I can't help to think Disneyland received the better news. That's great that Mr. Damaro is listening to the Disneyland fans, but what about WDW fans? We have strong opinions & feelings, too.

Ian Lamble

Wednesday 11th of January 2023

And yet DVC remain silent…..not good enough

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