When Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger returned from his semi-retirement to oust CEO Bob Chapek last year, expectations were high for the returning Disney leader.
Many Disney fans were disappointed with Chapek’s decisions as CEO of the Walt Disney Company, and many Disney fans remembered Iger’s original CEO years fondly.
However, CEO Bob Iger seems to have fallen from grace in the past several months in the eyes of some Disney Fanatics — and this was extremely apparent today, during Destination D23!
The event celebrating D23 (Disney’s official fan club) involved presentations from Disney higher-ups like Josh D’Amaro, the Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products.
Iger did indeed attend Destination D23 — but he attended in the form of a pre-recorded message, which left many attendees or online viewers feeling disgruntled.
Fans Feel Abandoned
“He couldn’t even be bothered to show up,” one fan commented angrily. Walt is rolling, [this] shows how much he cares about the parks.” Many other fans echoed the unhappy sentiment. “[A] real CEO would’ve come in person,” another fan complained.
“If Bob cared he would be there,” yet another Destination D23 fan added sadly.
Iger Strikes Out Amidst Strikes
Many other viewers commented on the event’s live stream and Iger’s pre-recorded message (which sang Disney’s praises, but did not mention the writers behind its films), pointing out Iger’s avoidance of controversial subjects like the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes.
Dozens of comments demanded that Iger “pay [his] writers” and that he acknowledge the strikes, especially after his infamous comment from earlier this year — but Iger did not.
Was Chapek Actually “The Fall Guy”?
The outcry against the Disney CEO continued in the livestream’s chat, even going so far as to focus on a reevaluation of former CEO Bob Chapek and his performance.
“Did Iger ever give Chapek a chance to succeed?” one fan wondered amidst several comments mourning Chapek’s Disney career. “Or was Chapek the fall guy the whole time?”
Other news like the removal of DinoLand U.S.A, the addition of a new fireworks show, and the plans for a Zootopia attraction overshadowed the digital backlash that was raging against Iger, but seeing these comments flood the live stream during his speech is certainly telling.
Did you watch Destination D23 today, or attend in person? What do you think of Iger’s performance in his second round as Disney’s CEO?
