Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[Goofyernmost]

Again, I think you're taking this too personal, and your post reflects that. I don't care about the blogs. I'm making a simple statement that once you accept gifts and perks, you are automatically tainted, in my eyes. That doesn't have to reflect your thoughts.

If you and others were cool with people thinking a different way, there wouldn't be the patronizing , dismissive attempts you contradict other's opinions in this thread.

I disagree with others opinions and discuss them. I don't call you names or laugh at your physical appearance or in any way try to connect them to whatever or however your life is going. That is my concern. The holier then thou attitude because someone does something that you either don't do or don't agree with. That doesn't make anyone superior, just different. I don't feel superior to anyone, but I am totally aware that my opinions sometimes differ from the "popular" group. That doesn't change my opinion, just how I react to it. As far as reflecting their thoughts...isn't that some kind of super power that enables one to know what other peoples thoughts are and assume that they were somehow modified. Reinforced maybe, but I don't think that they became a Disney lover just because of it.

 

[WDW1974]

Well, I have your answer. Ricky doesn't consider himself a professional.

Free SPIRITED advice: Do not say this again in public. Seriously.

 

[flynnibus]

We're not talking swag here, though. I got a lot of free stuff. I've gotten free stuff from Disney and UNI when I was a kid. It was all stuff to help promote their property. It is different if you're operating your business or blog specifically to get the treats. Bloggers are actually more vulnerable than anyone, imo.

How about lavish parties? What about drawings for free prizes? (you didn't honestly believe those were random drawings did you?) How about free concerts? Free transportation? Free hall passes?

All this swag and freebies are common examples given through multiple industries and is the NORM when it comes to marketing, attracting customers, influencing buyers, and trying to build brand recognition and advocates. If you think the above automatically 'taints' people... then you are the only true virgin in the mob of whores.

 

[WDW1974]

Jeff Lange is actually an extremely nice person.

Extremely nice people can still do things that are morally repugnant to others.

 

[misterID]

I don't.. and actually I haven't read most blogs in ages since Google Reader was shutdown and I really haven't found an alternative I like.



You lump things together that are not the same. Shilling is NOT the same as influencing. Creating false representation is an entirely different league than swag or influencing. Those are world's apart. One is bias, the other is LIES.

If you're buying good publicity, it's the same. You're actually trying to use an independent voice to market your stuff. You either like something, agree with something, or you don't. Allowing yourself to be influenced is worse than lying because you're getting payment for it. Do we really know how far that ends? Instead of creating a false blogger, we'll buy a real one to make it look as legit as possible. I don't know which is worse?

Being critical does not make you objective or balanced. You can just hate on something day after day and be critical and be the most ill informed, biased, slanted idiot in the west. The standard referred to here constantly was that of journalists.. and Lutz would be the first one to tell you he wasn't a journalist. Why? Because he didn't want to be held to those standards and be judged for failing to meet them. He was a great example of a popular site that had nothing to do with Journalism.. and everything to do with providing content readers were interested in hearing about. Commentary, insider news, and reporting on activities of the company people were interested in. All things he did without having to be a journalist or objective. And yet most here would line up to shake his hand.

You brought Al up, I didn't. I didn't claim him to be anything. I said, people will flock to what they want to hear. People didn't flock to Al because he was all smiles and sunshine about Disney. Mostly, he voiced a lot of peoples concerns and opened a window, no matter who was opening it for him or for what reason, they weren't getting the same pixie dust as the other sites were giving out. I'm sure people within Disney used Al too. I wouldn't doubt it.

 

[WDW1974]

Here's a better question - and I am asking this honestly because I am not a frequent visitor to his site, nor do I listen to his podcast (although I have in the past): When has Rickey used his voice to demand a better product from Disney?

(I mean publicly, not literally pulling a "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM???" in the parks and demanding free stuff.)

Just as an honest positive review can help people make a decision about how to spend their vacation dollars, an honest and constructive negative one can help a company to improve its products and respond to its customers.

THIS!!! A million times over.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I disagree with others opinions and discuss them. I don't call you names or laugh at your physical appearance or in any way try to connect them to whatever or however your life is going. That is my concern. The holier then thou attitude because someone does something that you either don't do or don't agree with. That doesn't make anyone superior, just different. I don't feel superior to anyone, but I am totally aware that my opinions sometimes differ from the "popular" group. That doesn't change my opinion, just how I react to it. As far as reflecting their thoughts...isn't that some kind of super power that enables one to know what other peoples thoughts are and assume that they were somehow modified. Reinforced maybe, but I don't think that they became a Disney lover just because of it.

I have to say as someone with no affinity to any clique, your posts do appear to carry many of the attributes you deny

 

[WDW1974]

To add, in regards to something of consequence. That's what has turned me off the show, and I love podcasts too. It seemed like there would be plenty to say about something like less than tasty foods at the Food and Wine Festival, but with anything of note a disagreement will be stated it is quickly dropped. I recall even hearing something like "so not to be negative." Rants, to me, add interest as they show a multifaceted approach.

I specifically recall someone calling Ricky out on Twitter about ignoring negative issues with Disney and his response was something to the tune of 'I don't like go write negative things, so I don't' ...very childlike and just what Disney demands.

 

[misterID]

How about lavish parties? What about drawings for free prizes? (you didn't honestly believe those were random drawings did you?) How about free concerts? Free transportation? Free hall passes?

All this swag and freebies are common examples given through multiple industries and is the NORM when it comes to marketing, attracting customers, influencing buyers, and trying to build brand recognition and advocates. If you think the above automatically 'taints' people... then you are the only true virgin in the mob of whores.

Ha, you have no clue what you're talking about. I never said anything about Disney being alone in this (your very favorite quote btw, you should have it stamped), I brought up Microsoft and how it blew up in their faces, just like when they plant people on THEIR forums and they're quickly sniffed out.

I went to a lot of free places by a lot of companies... And it was never for doing their bidding, and it sure as hell wasn't ever because we were trying to get it. They knew where their bread was buttered. We weren't doing a service specifically for those gifts, it was a business they wanted a piece of. You should have seen the things we passed up!

 

[raymusiccity]

Right, but here's the thing. Let's look at Cars Land vs. Star Wars Land vs. Harry Potter Land. The fans of Cars merchandise are relying largely on their parents to purchase that merchandise. Comparitively, the same isn't true for Star Wars or Potter. There are far more adults that like the latter two franchises than adults that like Cars.

You can look at it any way you like.... but, I challenge anyone to walk into a Target or Toys R Us and find a selection of Harry Potter merchandise!

 

[danlb_2000]

I specifically recall someone calling Ricky out on Twitter about ignoring negative issues with Disney and his response was something to the tune of 'I don't like go write negative things, so I don't' ...very childlike and just what Disney demands.

But what is wrong with that?

 

[WDW1974]

Exactly what was stated. Jeff videotaped me and my lady friend goofing around with Lotso.

Creepy as Hell.

You allowed that? He isn't a CM and doesn't have a right to simply tape you ...

 

[WDW1974]

I am a huge fan of Universal and what they've been doing with their parks & resorts lately - but can I point out something a bit timely and worrying?

Last night Universal held a media preview event for this year's Halloween Horror Nights 23. Many of the usual "blogs" were invited (Inside the Magic, Behind the Thrills, etc.) while several notable websites were excluded (Orlando United) [disclaimer - not associated with any of these sites]. This is all fairly expected - despite OU's relatively massive traffic compared to some of these other sites, they are not on Uni's good list thanks to the leaks provided from resident insider @HTF .

However - I think they crossed a line last night, and I want to acknowledge it since a lot of people either missed it or afraid to speak about it for fear of backlash.

In addition to being pretty obviously selective in inviting sites that "played ball," Uni saw fit to invite several "fans" as media to attend the event. Why is this a problem? These specific fans I'm referring to are known for never criticizing Halloween Horror Nights and in fact outright attack people who do criticize it, even when the criticism is fair. I know this based on following a popular Facebook group that is frequented by Universal creatives in which many arguments have broken out - criticism of any kind is stifled and outright attacked on said page, and only positivity will be embraced. It's very DISBoards in a way, and kind of frightening - and the notion that Universal would choose to invite some of these "die hards" who refuse to see any flaw sends an extremely alarming message. Other fans are now going to feel compelled to never criticize & always lather on the praise, in the hopes that they might get a special invite to a "media" junket. Is this not the very problem we've been admonishing Disney for?

Something just seems very rotten about this. I realize it's a bit of a tangent, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts, @WDW1974 .

My thoughts are I do not know enough about the situation offer a real comment beyond it doesn't sound very cool to me.

 

[ford91exploder]

Free SPIRITED advice: Do not say this again in public. Seriously.

Agree - 74' is spot on here.

 

[WDW1974]

There still may be an IP problem here as I would not be surprised if Disney reserves the commercial reproduction rights for photos/video's taken at Disney, I sell a fair amount of my photos but sell NONE taken at disney just to make sure I don't run afoul of Disney's IP department even if it's an abstract shot.

If you recall all the sports leagues copyright all images taken at their events.

There is a huge issue with Lange selling Disney IP. For whatever reason, Legal has opted to not shut him down (maybe the coverage he and his partner give) ...but that could change at any time.

 

[ford91exploder]

You allowed that? He isn't a CM and doesn't have a right to simply tape you ...

74' is Right - if he wants to use this on his site he needs a model release.

 

[PhotoDave219]

You allowed that? He isn't a CM and doesn't have a right to simply tape you ...

I did not allow it. I looked up and Jeff was videotaping us.

So what I did do was turn and point the camera and said "let's all turned the creepy guy with the video camera that we don't know."

Then we walked off.

 

[Captain Chaos]

So, for the 24 hour event a few months ago, a friend of mine was visiting WDW... She planned to spend the 24 hours in MK with a friend of hers from Orlando... During the course of the day, her friend alerted her to the fact that he was meeting up with a bunch of bloggers that evening, to go around and tour the park... She agreed to partake in the "festivities"... Needless to say, I started receiving texts early that evening from her... She left the group and hung out on her own for a while... She told me she rather be by herself than to be with a bunch of mental patients, that each one of them had serious mental issues... They were embarrassing, they were immature... they were acting like 5 year olds... She mentioned them by name, sadly I knew who they were... No, I won't mention their names here as they have already been mentioned many times on this site... But here is someone who is NOT on the Disney fan forums, who does NOT read any Disney blogs, and does NOT listen to any Disney podcasts, and she even had the opinion these people have major mental problems...

 

[janoimagine]

That was in reference to the guests leaving the Disney Parks Blog event.

Wow ...Thats even worse ... you would think that someone who wants to be taken credibly in the media, be it social or otherwise, would dress the part, leave the mo-moo's at home, ditch the graphic tee's and maybe, just maybe throw on some cocktail attire. Istead what you have is a bunch of underdressed overweight freeloaders making fools of themselves on video, which Disney should wise up to ... this 'individual' is definately not depicted in their national marketing.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

I feel like you guys all know each other... maybe because you're local? and we're on the outside. :\

I wouldn't be able to pick anyone out of a crowd here unless you had a neon sign with your username and giant, flashing arrows pointing at you... and there's a chance I'd miss that too.

But I'd love to meet ya'll sometime.