If you’re looking for Disney news, chances are you’ve noticed that ALL focus is on the current Walt Disney World Resort situation. On April 22, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill terminating Disney World’s special district. Of course, how this all came to be tends to point back to one person… Disney CEO Bob Chapek.
Chapek has big shoes to fill as former CEO Bob Iger left the company at the end of 2021 in excellent standing. Now, as we near the end of April 2022, The Walt Disney Company seems to be doing its best to handle one hurdle after the next with Chapek at the helm.
Chapek’s reputation hasn’t been spectacular as Disney Parks have seemingly cut back on the overall Disney Guest experience with former experiences such as Disney’s complimentary Magical Express being removed as well as the new upcharge Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lanes… when it all used to be complimentary.
With petitions to fire Chapek, we’ve seen an overall growth of Disney fandom disliking the work Chapek and his team are doing. That said, anyone coming in after Iger would have a hard time winning over fans, and Chapek has also been managing Disney’s comeback after a global pandemic.
The fire was stoked as Chapek and DeSantis clashed over Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill (AKA “Don’t Say Gay Bill”). With Chapek and DeSantis in disagreement, DeSantis took it upon himself to get rid of Disney’s special treatment by terminating the Disney governed Reedy Creek District that was formed in the 60s.
Disneyland Resort news however is all positive! The Disney Park has welcomed back numerous nighttime spectaculars and CEO Bob Chapek was spotted at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California likely celebrating the return of such festivities on April 20, 2021.
Check out the video below of Chapek greeting Disney Park Guests as posted by @Itsallaboutjen_:
Chapek seems happy to be among the Disney Park Guests! Of course, this video is before the official signing of the termination of Disney World’s Reedy Creek District. We can’t help but wonder if fans would have had different things to say if he were visiting Walt Disney World Resort.