The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

AEfx

Well-Known Member
It would be interesting, though, if the only planning tool people had was the official website.

I've often thought the same thing. Disney's website to begin with used to be notoriously terrible just to use (lots of crashing, timeouts and such) - the last few years since the last revamp have been better access-wise at least. But the fact that the information given is often so pithy and fantastical/hyperbolic that it's rather useless for informing folks on the things that really make a difference in a vacation experience.

Lou was speaking nothing but the truth. He does control a lot of Disney's marketing message. He's pretty much the highest profile blogger out there and if he starts turning that positivity into slightly more realistic based reporting, which would mean reporting the positive AND the negative, Disney all of a sudden has an unexpected problem in their marketing.

I think there are two things that need to be acknowledged there, though - one, that Mongello is usually so full of mouse droppings and political posturing (same difference) that it's very difficult to read anything he says and not assume there is some ulterior motive or at least an alternative motivation for him to do so.

Second, that what he said was rather out of touch and in the bubble at the same time with that statement. It would have been more accurate ten or even five years ago. Now, sites like that have been eclipsed by Twitter/Facebook. Sites like that are generally frequented by existing guests/fans. New guests aren't going to spend much time reading about things at sites like that anymore. It's just the ongoing development of how the Internet is used. Folks like him are way less important than they used to be.

My take is: he knew the gist of the story they wanted to tell, he gave them the sound bite they wanted, and he has his sights set higher than the online Disney community - he wants to use it as entry into larger journalistic endeavors. If so, he'll likely end up like Hill when after several attempts at being recognized and able to climb out to broader media reporting got his Huff Post "cred" (coincidentally, after that site had already lost theirs), which then fizzles out because he has no idea how to do anything but pander to pixie dusters and function in the "real" world. Hill is the perfect example of that - he burned his bridges with the fan communities jumping ship, and ended up irrelevant after he couldn't hack it in the bigger leagues.
 

AEfx

Well-Known Member
Disney has officially bailed on John Carter of Mars, much to Andrew Stanton's chagrin.
http://badassdigest.com/2014/10/21/...he-rights-to-public-domain-john-carter-books/

Smart move on their part. Andrew Stanton should just stick to animation. He's lucky he has that to fall back on, because a bomb like John Carter could have ruined his career entirely.

I'm sure Disney live action will somehow manage to eek by on their other properties, like Marvel and Star Wars.

Side note, interesting after the conversation we had re: Mickey and copyright vs. trademark the other day that the same questions are coming up with John Carter. We're only going to hear more about this in the near future, as the use of trademarks to keep things that by constitutional law are supposed to be in the public domain from being so. The Superman case really set some legal precedence with "what is a character" even though the case wasn't ultimately about it.
 

AEfx

Well-Known Member
I get the feeling there are quite a few people who are using the current state of things as an excuse to break the habit of going to WDW every year and are planning a few 'years off', where instead of WDW they'll try different vacation destinations, or if they're sticking to a Disney fix, they're switching to California, cruises or overseas parks for a few years until TDO gets its house in order.

Yup, right here. Just look at those of us that are skipping WDW and heading off to Disneyland instead.

I think that's why the Disney Mom's has fizzled - most of the folks who joined when it began years ago have kids who have grown up into teenagers or older now, and aren't feeling the need to go several times a year anymore.

At one point, it would have been argued that "repeat" guests were less important to be catered to - but that doesn't seem to be the case, since Disney has been so laser-focused on that market. And they are losing that market.
 

the.dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
Side note, interesting after the conversation we had re: Mickey and copyright vs. trademark the other day that the same questions are coming up with John Carter. We're only going to hear more about this in the near future, as the use of trademarks to keep things that by constitutional law are supposed to be in the public domain from being so. The Superman case really set some legal precedence with "what is a character" even though the case wasn't ultimately about it.
What if one of the main reasons the Disney Channel is creating the new Mickey Mouse shorts to begin an assault by TWDC to get the copyright term extended?
 

AEfx

Well-Known Member
Also... overheard yesterday was a CM in front of BOG discussing lunch with a guest and saying "We dont do walkups".... they should just make lunch a table service menu and put it in reservations. That would be easiest and no more of this FP+ sillyness.

Or, the opposite. Open the place up at 10am and keep it open until close. Counter service all day long. Give the most guests access to the "attraction". It's infuriating right now that Disney has built another "Castle" to beckon you to New Fantasyland, to see this most iconic location from one of the most beloved Disney films of all time, only to be rudely stopped at the bridge like you are trying to negotiate with the Frey's to pass through The Twins.

The entire venture was terribly planned out from the start.
 

AEfx

Well-Known Member
As Spirit would point out if he was here, Michael still owns most of his DIS stock. Bob, on the other hand, can't wait to sell it once it vests.

Have you been in touch with his Investment Banking team? If so, you should contact the SEC because it's unethical of them to share someone's personal investment strategy with you. Because of course, you must know this for a fact, right?
 

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