D23 Flowers & Fireworks Celebration at EPCOT

[jakeman]

Actually, the more events like this that pop up, the more obvious it will be that Disney knows they should have done this from the start.

Or maybe they were planning them and just didn't have the details available at the time of launch.

I know it's unpopular around here to suggest that Disney might know what they are doing, but every indication is that, after a small rocky start, they do with the D23 program.

 

[Matpez]

The planning is still bad though. How does this benefit any 23 member that isn't free 2 weeks from now and can quickly get to WDW, such as a local? I like the concept, but the execution so far has been terrible.

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

The planning is still bad though. How does this benefit any 23 member that isn't free 2 weeks from now and can quickly get to WDW, such as a local? I like the concept, but the execution so far has been terrible.

Agreed.

This is a step in the correct direction, but this is clearly a quick fix for something that should have been available from the beginning.

And to be honest, as an annual passholder, there's more events for me to attend for free that still does not justify membership in this "fan club."

(Besides, they would have to pay me $75 dollars to watch any of the past their prime Flower Power Concert series shows.) :lookaroun

 

[MichWolv]

I'll probably buy the magazines second-hand cheap on ebay someday if there were actually any good articles in it and save myself the overhead cost.:shrug: (Sorry for the negativity, but I really need to be convinced why I should bother investing in this.:veryconfu)

Why do you need to be convinced? Disney puts out a product/service, just as other companies do. Some people like it and buy it. Others don't. If you feel a desire to buy it, buy it. If not, don't. No big deal

Right, some of us could care less, so that whole argument isn't valid...:dazzle:

That fact that SOME could care less does not invalidate the WHOLE argument, unless the whole argument was that EVERYBODY would find it worthwhile, right?

Geez, D23 just can't win! First you say that they should do some more events, then you complain about segregation! Ugh. In a perfect world, we'd all get to go w/o membership, but these perks are exactly to justify the already reasonable (for most) price of membership. Now, who wants to forget about all of this and eat pie?

As for whether the price is reasonable -- I wouldn't go so far as to say it's reasonable for most. I happen to be lucky enough that $75 is not at all a burden, and I can afford to spend it even on speculation (which is what I felt I was doing when I joined day 1). But a lot of other people can't, or don't want to.

Or maybe they were planning them and just didn't have the details available at the time of launch.

I know it's unpopular around here to suggest that Disney might know what they are doing, but every indication is that, after a small rocky start, they do with the D23 program.

My read of the situation is that Disney always planned to have special D23 events, but weren't ready to committ themselves to how many and what kind right away. So they're taking this summer to experiment with a few different ideas to see what works. I don't think this is a reaction by Disney to backlash at all. I think it's in the direction of what they planned, and they announced the events when they were ready to announce them.

 

[jakeman]

My read of the situation is that Disney always planned to have special D23 events, but weren't ready to committ themselves to how many and what kind right away. So they're taking this summer to experiment with a few different ideas to see what works. I don't think this is a reaction by Disney to backlash at all. I think it's in the direction of what they planned, and they announced the events when they were ready to announce them.

My thoughts exactly.

I'm not a D23 member, but I see what they are doing and don't think they are as imbecilic as folks around here want them to be.

Of course, that would fly in the face of the fanboy mantra of knowing better for the company than the company execs know.

 

[MKCP 1985]

Agreed, Scott.

I don't know how many D23 events I'll be able to do. Maybe none. I'm hopeful the website adds premium content (as this one has :lookaroun ) over time to make my own personal membership more of a value, but even if things stay as they are I am glad that I could afford to join and that I did.

I wonder if anyone has considered whether the events have been made possible by the people plunking down their membership dues. It costs money to put on these events, and they are value enhancers for Disney fans, so D23 is probably a good thing.

 

[EpcotServo]

Or maybe they were planning them and just didn't have the details available at the time of launch.

I know it's unpopular around here to suggest that Disney might know what they are doing, but every indication is that, after a small rocky start, they do with the D23 program.

There's a difference between knowing what their doing, and us thinking what their doing is schlock.

:lol:

 

[jakeman]

There's a difference between knowing what their doing, and us thinking what their doing is schlock.

:lol:

:lol:

Yeah but you have chosen to see it that way.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

There's a difference between knowing what their doing, and us thinking what their doing is schlock.

:lol:

:lol:

:lol:

Yeah but you have chosen to see it that way.

And that's what we did...Just..."vocally".:lookaroun

 

[MichWolv]

My thoughts exactly.

I'm not a D23 member, but I see what they are doing and don't think they are as imbecilic as folks around here want them to be.

Of course, that would fly in the face of the fanboy mantra of knowing better for the company than the company execs know.

I'm certainly one to spout the fanboy line from time to time -- particularly about things like closing the Adventurer's Club :fork::fork:, but not on this...at least not yet.

There's a difference between knowing what their doing, and us thinking what their doing is schlock.

:lol:

:lol:

Yeah but you have chosen to see it that way.

We choose to see them however we see them. I don't think Travis has "forced" himself to see it the way he does -- he evaluated the situation and came to the view he has. Nothing wrong with that...he might be wrong, but g-d knows I've been wrong enough times before.

 

[fl_actuary]

This makes me sad. I am a D23 member who will be in the parks that Friday and Sat, but not Sunday.

But then even if we did stay, it would be me, wifey and two kids. We wouldn't be able to get in anyway.

Oh well, maybe next time.

 

[Matpez]

This makes me sad. I am a D23 member who will be in the parks that Friday and Sat, but not Sunday.

But then even if we did stay, it would be me, wifey and two kids. We wouldn't be able to get in anyway.

Oh well, maybe next time.

My point exactly, proven right there. Keep holding out hope though, the $75 might be worth something someday... if you can be in the right place at the right time with no warning.

 

[MousDad]

My thoughts exactly.

I'm not a D23 member, but I see what they are doing and don't think they are as imbecilic as folks around here want them to be.

Of course, that would fly in the face of the fanboy mantra of knowing better for the company than the company execs know.

What's worse: Thinking they don't know what they're doing based on what you do see, or thinking they do know what they're doing based on what you don't see? :shrug:

 

[WDW1974]

My thoughts exactly.

I'm not a D23 member, but I see what they are doing and don't think they are as imbecilic as folks around here want them to be.

Of course, that would fly in the face of the fanboy mantra of knowing better for the company than the company execs know.

Jake, did it ever occur to you that some fanbois actually do have better ideas and a better sense of what Disney should be doing than many of the execs?

I don't get the whole 'defending the man' mantra that has become en vogue since the 21st century began. It's very misguided to believe that just because someone attains a certain position with a company that they are somehow better, smarter etc .. then others.

What's transpired in DC and on Wall Street the past few years should show the fallacy in that type of thinking.

With all of that said, I think these things are great and exactly what D23 should be doing. It certainly makes membership much more appealing (at very little cost for the company) to me, even though I still am not signing up.

But rest assured if Disney had planned these from the start they would have either announced them or at least alluded to them in a general sense. They didn't. But in Disney's favor it also seems to show they are listening and paying attention to what critics on sites like this are saying.

So they should be commended for what they are doing ...

 

[Exprcoofto]

They should just make a different plan that is less money but doesn't include the magazine issues... but why would they do that? :ROFLOL:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Jake, did it ever occur to you that some fanbois actually do have better ideas and a better sense of what Disney should be doing than many of the execs?

I don't get the whole 'defending the man' mantra that has become en vogue since the 21st century began. It's very misguided to believe that just because someone attains a certain position with a company that they are somehow better, smarter etc .. then others.

What's transpired in DC and on Wall Street the past few years should show the fallacy in that type of thinking.
.

Take our love and knowledge of the company history, and their "degrees", and we have a perfect exec...:lookaroun:lol:

 

[jt04]

They should just make a different plan that is less money but doesn't include the magazine issues... but why would they do that? :ROFLOL:

What are the odds that as time passes the benefits will increase? In other words it would work like some credit cards and there will be platinum, gold, silver levels so to speak. So the longer you are a member in good standing the better the perks will get. I could imagine after 10 or 20 years as a charter member in good standing for all those years the perks could get quite compelling. Just a guess though.

By the way, I disagree with others. I think these perks have been a part of the business model from day 1. Now exactly what they will be in the future may not have been decided but I am sure it will continue to grow. They are getting very close to hooking me as I think that being a "charter member" will always have added benefits.

 

[EpcotServo]

What are the odds that as time passes the benefits will increase? In other words it would work like some credit cards and there will be platinum, gold, silver levels so to speak. So the longer you are a member in good standing the better the perks will get. I could imagine after 10 or 20 years as a charter member in good standing for all those years the perks could get quite compelling. Just a guess though.

That's when the fee is increased. Since it's a monthly payment, you have no claim to a flat fee just because you joined early.

 

[MousDad]

By the way, I disagree with others. I think these perks have been a part of the business model from day 1. Now exactly what they will be in the future may not have been decided but I am sure it will continue to grow. They are getting very close to hooking me as I think that being a "charter member" will always have added benefits.

Don't buy it. Disney has been reactionary since day 1 on this one.

It's the one and, frankly, only thing that really fleeces my goat about TWDC: They work from the price point first, with the tradeoff heavily weighted in their favor, and hope the public won't care. If the public does care or doesn't respond, they gradually backpedal to a reasonable level to placate.

Bad part is, they usually get away with it without backpedalling: (after-hours parties, cuts in entertainment/dining/offerings while raising prices, reduced hours during peak times, etc.).

 

[jt04]

Don't buy it. Disney has been reactionary since day 1 on this one.

It's the one and, frankly, only thing that really fleeces my goat about TWDC: They work from the price point first, with the tradeoff heavily weighted in their favor, and hope the public won't care. If the public does care or doesn't respond, they gradually backpedal to a reasonable level to placate.

Bad part is, they usually get away with it without backpedalling: (after-hours parties, cuts in entertainment/dining/offerings while raising prices, reduced hours during peak times, etc.).

Um, sorry but if they had started doing these things in 1971 there wouldn't be a WDW. It's an accusation without any facts to back it up. Naturally they are cutting back as the economy slows. They would be completely irresponsible not to. And that has pretty much been SOP since day 1 at WDW. And who can argue with the success they have had. Nothing new except for WDW74 getting his feelings hurt this time around and he has found an outlet to cry on everybodies shoulder.

As for D23, I stand by my belief ADDED PERKS WERE ALWAYS IN THE BUSINESS MODEL. i THINK THEY MAY ALSO PLAN TO ROLL out a d23 credit card that earns points towards your membership just like airline miles work.

Sorry hit the caps lock--not yelling.