News Expose reveals WDC control in online fan community

[RSoxNo1]

Have we ruled out @PorterRedkey’s involvement in all of this?

 

[Monorail_Orange]

Have we ruled out @PorterRedkey’s involvement in all of this?

Not to single you out, as I had the same thought myself, but I do think this sentiment will be the fallout from all of these shenanigans for some time to come.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Just wanted to point out that TP was upset about one thing in all of this, and it was being labelled a Republican. He claims to be unaffiliated with any political party.

I believe the Medium articles use of the label was to reference how TP2000 portrays himself online as a Mad Men era conservative gay man, not that he is or was a member of that organization (which is a real thing).

 

[JustAFan]

To the people that are shocked that Disney would do such a thing, do you think other corporations don't do the exact same thing? This is common PR work. A rather shrewd play by Disney, I say.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

To the people that are shocked that Disney would do such a thing, do you think other corporations don't do the exact same thing? This is common PR work. A rather shrewd play by Disney, I say.

Sure. But when you're caught with your hand in the cookie jar, you're caught.

 

[BigYikesFromMeDawg]

Responding to a whole bunch of quotes, here, up to end of page 59.......

Just my own research, FWIW.

Thanks for the info I'll keep this knowledge in mind.

Is it just me or weird that a bunch of insides including @TP2000 have returned to normal activity without addressing larger concerns about their intent in other threads leading up to D23?

I was trying to be positive, but the activity feels more like bots than real human behavior. I don’t like being manipulated by either Disney or the Snyders.

Yes you are absolutely correct here the people involved in this grand conspiracy, want you to go back to the way you were and FORGET ABOUT THIS........ they want to be seen as a member of the fan base so they can manipulate you with corporate opinions and push internal corporate agendas!

Here's a hint for your next new identity.... true newbies or lurkers coming out of the shadows don't post 50+ messages in their first 24hrs.

Hahahahaha thank you, I can't believe you think I'm one of them! Thanks for making me feel like one of the important ones ......

Honestly, I feel this may end up being a bigger thing that comes out of this than anything else. Using your website's database to not only look up but also release a user's real name is a huge breach of privacy. As a web developer, I can tell you that one of the worst things you can do is compromise a user's information; especially if they never agreed to have that information used in the way that it was (like in this case). Quite frankly, his post could open up him and MiceChat to legal action.

Absolutely this point is amazing they got themselves into hot water, here, and legal action not out of the question this is perhaps the next big part of this drama, thanks for mentioning it.

So I've been away a couple days and missed the fireworks to start the week, but after getting caught up on this thread (I'm not even touching the DL thread), this is my biggest takeaway, as well.

I think it's safe to assume all public entities (corporate and political) actively monitor social media activity about themselves and to varying degrees, attempt to influence their public perception. I have no doubt the Disfan community has been manipulated by strategically-timed leaks over the years to gauge reaction and craft a marketing strategy to combat any negative sentiment.

The Snyders, meanwhile (via their Spirit and dreamfinder personas) do the same exact thing. It's clear they have a personal grudge against certain WDC executives, and their connections to a rival media company also cannot be understated.

It's hard to know exactly where the truth lies, and both sides of this debate are counting on that to push their narrative. Regardless of which camp you side with, the undisputed fact is we're being used to advance a specific agenda. That should make everyone who participates in these forums uneasy and desire to take action to preserve the credibility of the site.

That being said, I'm very sensitive to claims of being a "corporate shill," "ideological plant" or "bot." In the past, I've been pretty active on social media combating antivax misinformation. I've been called a "Big Pharma" shill (and worse) more times than I can remember, and had my name circulated on a list of "Provax trolls." I even had someone share a picture of my daughter I posted (getting her annual flu shot) in a particularly vile antivax group where the members preceded to make fun of her, and wish harm on her in the form of a "vaccine injury" so I would "learn my lesson."

Even on here, I've had my fandom of Disney and Star Wars questioned, just because I may like something or have an opinion contrary to certain posters.

I take @TP2000 at his word that he is not a WDC CM ghostwriting for Al. To do otherwise is to transform rumor, gossip, innuendo and coincidence into full-on conspiracy theory. I just don't have room for that level of cynicism in my life.

I've personally always found both TP and Al's writings to be loving of Disney as a brand, yet critical of the current state of the company. I find it much more likely for that attitude to be the result of passionate fandom rather than the product of a Machiavellian plot to oust Eisner (especially 14 years after the fact).

Yes ........ EVERY SIDE involved in this is pushing their own narratives..... just remember that ......

In any case, this doesn't look good for the currently leader of Miceage/Micechat since their own PhotoMatt moderator went rogue and tried to validate the claim that TP2000 is Troy Porter and ghostwritten Al's columns. Too late to put that to rest. This was an inside job in any case and Dusty Sage's ex was right there. Conspiracy or not. Something is up.

Absolutely correct something is indeed UP !!!!

I would've been absolutely livid. Also, bare minimum, Micechat needs to remove PhotoMatt from their staff/moderators. Ignoring the legal aspect, it's an absolute misuse of company resources.

Agreed, again, with the legality question Photo Matt messed up here!

 

[Monorail_Orange]

Yes ........ EVERY SIDE involved in this is pushing their own narratives..... just remember that ......

 

[BigYikesFromMeDawg]

Responding to later page quotes .....

Ding ding ding. This guy gets it.

And anyone who believes that it's just a lover's quarrel and that's where it ends, you're wrong. Completely.
Although that's exactly what TP and Micechat want you to think.
But they're totally credible and would never lie, right? I mean, honestly, what evidence do we have of them not telling the truth? So if they say it's just a lover's quarrel, and to move along, we have no reason to doubt them, do we?

They are engaged in shady practices, best not to trust anything that goes on from that website, even if it is true they might have leaked users private information to bring the truth to light.

Maybe Tom Unscrupulous is behind all of this to make WDWMagic look bad after all the grief we gave him over the past few months. LOL I am sure Tom is on here. Hmmmmmmmmmm?

Not sure what the deal is with this but I was told that site is bad news, so, it's best not to trust it

It is bizarre and I don't love the idea of being manipulated but....what are we really going to do about it?

The mods and site owner will have to determine appropriate actions (or inaction) going forward. Each poster is just going to have to decide how they feel about everything and do what feels right for them. If you believe TP, keep reading. If you don't, put him on ignore.

Nothing that has supposedly come out so far has drastically changed my opinion about the company, the higher ups, the decisions being made in the parks, or the products they are putting out there. I guess you stockholders have a vested interest in this, if it's true, but the rest of us really don't in the grand scheme of things. I always figured, at the very least, some low level corporate employee was monitoring boards like these anyway.

I'm relatively new to the fandom so I had no prior familiarity with Lutz. Also, I have had no involvement with MC so none of that really means much to me either.

Good observations here but, your opinion of the higher ups should have changed, with their propaganda campaigns coming to light and being exposed. It's perfectly normal, to like the company still and I do .... but higher ups are all fighting against each other ....... ultimately they all want more POWER AND MONEY and they will do whatever it takes including ghost writing articles under "fans", that criticize other insiders and lay blame ......... one word best describes it..... GREED .........

See, there's a big difference between "monitoring" and "manipulating the narrative." That's why many posters are still frustrated by it.

I am a marketing consultant who has worked with several Fortune 500 companies, and I speak about social media at conferences. While it is certainly the norm for some brands to engage in this behavior, it is unethical. I personally have not and would never work with a company that engages in unethical behavior. And that's one reason why I'm particularly appalled here.

Monitoring is fine, of course Disney wants to know how people "In the real world" are reacting to their products and company as a whole but they should not be manipulate it .... PERIOD. That's getting into dangerous territory, nation states have done this type of behavior on a grand scale, it's called propaganda and a company should not be involved just to make a quick buck, somehow.

I didn't see it but did TP2000 deny being who people are connecting him to?

Yes he is denying by omission he isn't saying he is Troy Porter, constantly changes the subject whenever it's brought up even in the face of overwhelming evidence, connecting the 2 names together.

I haven't seen him come out and definitively admit it. If you want to read it

He has not admitted, every time it comes up, he deflects. Plain and SIMPLE.......

However, even if he follows that advice, stylometry will reveal his identity every time. Even when he attempts to change his syntax, his writing is so distinctive that his identity (and ego) can not be hidden.

Spot on you can't hide from the truth, do something enough (like writing) it becomes ingrained like muscle memory. It becomes another link, and another way for people to identify you ...... and for Troy one more thing for him to deny and spin, somehow, in vain, that he isn't who everyone thinks he is ......... an elaborate act, and the only one he's fooling with it is himself.

 

[BigYikesFromMeDawg]

View attachment 400357

Responding to this post specifically, I have not been shy saying that my opinions are my own, of course I am my own person with my own thoughts and bias. Go ahead and look through my post history on this board, even, I've said multiple times to take EVERY POST with a grain of salt, that's always also included a disclaimer about my own posts!

If any readers on this board like what I have to say that's great, but, a note to everyone, don't just blindly trust me, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH and make sure you have the TRUTH!

 

[Monorail_Orange]

Responding to this post specifically, I have not been shy saying that my opinions are my own, of course I am my own person with my own thoughts and bias. Go ahead and look through my post history on this board, even, I've said multiple times to take EVERY POST with a grain of salt, that's always also included a disclaimer about my own posts!

If any readers on this board like what I have to say that's great, but, a note to everyone, don't just blindly trust me, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH and make sure you have the TRUTH!

That was in no way meant as a slight against you, personally, nor do I think you took it that way, but I
want to be clear. It was meant to be a funny reminder of exactly what you say in the second half of this post.

 

[Rutt]

Responding to this post specifically, I have not been shy saying that my opinions are my own, of course I am my own person with my own thoughts and bias. Go ahead and look through my post history on this board, even, I've said multiple times to take EVERY POST with a grain of salt, that's always also included a disclaimer about my own posts!

If any readers on this board like what I have to say that's great, but, a note to everyone, don't just blindly trust me, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH and make sure you have the TRUTH!

One person's 'truth' is another person's 'propaganda'.
Not directed at you but in general, 'truth' is a very compromised and overused word anymore.

 

[BigYikesFromMeDawg]

That was in no way meant as a slight against you, personally, nor do I think you took it that way, but I
want to be clear. It was meant to be a funny reminder of exactly what you say in the second half of this post.

Agreed I didn't take it that way at all, it's always a good reminder, to be skeptical of everything you read and hear!

One person's 'truth' is another person's 'propaganda'.
Not directed at you but in general, 'truth' is a very compromised and overused word anymore.

I would be inclined to agree, for anyone, it's important to analyze the facts yourself and come to your own truth, given all the available evidence

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Folks: I've read thru 50+ pages and I'm tapping out. There's backstabbing in not just politics, but business, religion, etc. I learned very early on in my retail management/radio life that it's not what you know, but WHO you know and how they can (or can not) potentially help you. I've read the posts on here and lost a lot of respect for some people and gained a LOT of respect for others. Anyone who actually believes that SOME but not all the insider info and rumors that we hear isn't coming from corporate is just a fool, plain and simple.
I was never a big fan of "The View", but when the show first started, Star Jones said something that I always remembered and used in business "The feet you step on today, are connected to the A** you're gonna have to kiss tomorrow" EVERYONE should remember that.

 

[flynnibus]

Best way to deal with the “I created another account to let you all know something...” is to just ignore them. If they can’t post as themselves... don’t give them the attention they crave.

 

[Stevek]

Yes, He issued several denials In the Al Lutz Returns thread in the Disneyland Resort Forum. More recent posts indicate that he knows he's been caught and he is Troy Porter, although I haven't seen him come out and definitively admit it. If you want to read it yourself, start on page 18, that's where all the fun starts.

I must have missed the posts where he knows he's caught.

 

[The real rescueranger]

Wow! the last few days have cured my appetite for reading. I just want to go on record as saying that I am not paid by Disney, I don't know who's telling the truth, and I have never liked Spirit.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I must have missed the posts where he knows he's caught.

It's pretty implicit in the post where he says the whole truth can't be said because there's an innocent third party who would be outed/hurt in the process. Thus, implying, the charges are correct and he's pleading nolo contendere.

Thus, there's not much more to be said or done. One either accepts or rejects the standard theory of events (taking certain claims as needing further proof). @TP2000 is going to continue his forum persona, take it or leave it. The insider claims from @TP2000 or Al Lutz need to stand on their own and time will tell how reliable they are. The true source of his insider info is claimed to be from the CEO and his henchwoman according to one of the Snyders. Is that true? We don't know.

The other players in the game, the Snyders, have stopped posting here under their avatars of @the.dreamfinder and @WDW1974. So, nothing more to be done there.

The role of Micechat in all this is in a he-said/he-said state from their own defense from the charges levied by the Snyders. And this site's moderator, @The Mom, has made clear several times that any drama from that site over this is not to appear here.

And unless someone knows how to contact the ailing Al Lutz or Zenia or Iger... it seems we're at a dead end except for newly created accounts to react to every single post as if whatever they're trying to do matters.

 

[Bleed0range]

But guys... how is this all connected to Buzzy??!!

 

[Rodan75]

It's pretty implicit in the post where he says the whole truth can't be said because there's an innocent third party who would be outed/hurt in the process. Thus, implying, the charges are correct and he's pleading nolo contendere.

Thus, there's not much more to be said or done. One either accepts or rejects the standard theory of events (taking certain claims as needing further proof). @TP2000 is going to continue his forum persona, take it or leave it. The insider claims from @TP2000 or Al Lutz need to stand on their own and time will tell how reliable they are. The true source of his insider info is claimed to be from the CEO and his henchwoman according to one of the Snyders. Is that true? We don't know.

The other players in the game, the Snyders, have stopped posting here under their avatars of @the.dreamfinder and @WDW1974. So, nothing more to be done there.

The role of Micechat in all this is in a he-said/he-said state from their own defense from the charges levied by the Snyders. The owner of this site has made clear several times that any drama from that site over this is not to appear here.

And unless someone knows how to contact the ailing Al Lutz or Zenia or Iger... it seems we're at a dead end except for newly created accounts to react to every single post as if whatever they're trying to do matters.

Your title should really be Chief Summarizer instead of Rumormonger.

 

[Touchdown]

The thing that was shocking was the Iger/Eisner angle and that Disney has potentially active sleeper agents posting. Mainly because I always assumed that Disney monitored this site at a distant and acted through trusted insiders to try and control the message I frankly thought we were beneath them to warrant such time. You know what would be really nice, now that we know they are here, why not have an official Disney PR rep patrol some of these boards (probably not n&r for obvious reasons) FlyerTalk has this for many of the hotel/airlines and it would be really great to have someone around who could answer trip planning questions, Fastpass issues and the like. It would build some good will.

Lastly, I can’t believe so many of you thought Disney is full of puppy dogs and rainbows, their products may be for the most part but this is a publicly traded company who is solely interested in profit full of executives who are high functioning narcissists who only want to amass wealth and power for themselves. Their message they put out I believe currently betters the world for the most part so I continue to be a fan of them because I like their product, the moment that is no longer the case I’ll be gone. In this age where churches and universities are being exposed as being made up of these same men and politicians are celebrated for having despotic tendencies why in the world would you trust a corporation to be pure?

I’m also surprised people think leakers didn’t have an agenda. There are only two types of leakers, naive ones and political ones. The former eventually stop once they realize their friends betrayed their confidence or they’re fired; the latter are usually much higher up in the company and have some cover, they also have an agenda and are using leaks to push that. The only thing that changed was that I thought I could tell the difference between inside sources who were pure fans and those who had agendas, and honestly that doesn’t change much.

I frankly love hearing about “how the sausage is made” and don’t care if it comes from a biased source I also have no problems being probed for information by the company, because, they may actually listen to me and do what I want them to do; that’s called a win-win people.

This view also allows me to view the company with a critical eye, and like him or not, Spirit is right storm clouds are on the horizon. On the parks side, it has become very clear that Disneyland has reached its ceiling, SW:GE did not generate the growth expected of it and something needs to be done. I would hope that the company would respond with increasing entertainment budgets, targeted discounts and better customer service (longer hours, going back to WOC having 2 shows on the weekend, shrinking the size of the Dining Plan areas to allow more guests better views of Fantasmic! and WOC) but time will tell and I fear current leadership is only going to respond with more cuts which I will fear will hurt the company, and it’s fans further.

This fall is going to be critical for WDW and early signs already point to trouble (Midday Magic tickets, discounts in October and rooms still available) again I fear leadership is going to get the wrong message and push for further cutbacks. Time will tell.

Disney+ is a huge gamble, I don’t know how that is going to turn out but with my prediction that parks, film (more on that below) and the continued slide of TV it is becoming more and more apparent to me that this gamble is going to make or break the companies future for the next few years.

Ok now to film, Disney has been flying high for a historic time and is due for a fall. As long as they keep Kevin Feige and let him work his magic I expect Marvel to do fine, but narrative wise they are not going to be able to push out an Infinity War or Endgame for sometime, and while there will likely be more Black Panthers and Capt Marvels I expect there to be more frequent Ant Man and the Wasp type returns from them for a while as Kevin casts his next world colliding event (please be Galactius.)

Outside of Marvel, however, I see the other divisions failing. I can’t believe they just dumped all of 20thCF film slate, why in the world do you buy a film studio and then shut it down? I believe we will look back on that decision as a huge mistake, while this was a bad summer for Fox, they have done well in the recent past and should have been given a chance. Animation (both Pixar and WDFA) had to fire their golden goose, while I absolutely agree with their decision to fire Lassiter and have no respect for him on a personal level, Wreck it Ralph 2 and Toy Story 4 while I enjoyed them, were missing something, and fear that something is John Lassiter, while I reserve the right to change my opinion if Frozen 2 and Onward unexpectedly knock my socks off, I fear the “revival” golden age has come to an end and we are about to enter another dark age. Finally, the sweet crack cocaine that is live action remakes has nearly already blown through all of the back catalogs sure hits. Unless they can land solid hits with the Great Mouse Detective, Hercules or Hunchback or somehow make a successful live action Peter Pan I really don’t think another of them is going to make a billion like the Lion King or Aladdin.

On top of all this, a recession is coming and that always bodes poorly for entertainment companies.

Anyways, I guess to sum up my rambling, I’ll just say: don't believe anything you read on the internet, I will continue to enjoy insider information here even if they are from biased sources, I wish Disney would asign a PR guy to be the official wdwmagic rep, never trust a large organization to do anything other then seek wealth and power, support only those who you feel produce things that make the world a better place (or at the very least your life better) and I fear Disney’s hot streak is at an end and I fear what may happen to it unless the company course corrects soon.

And with that, I say goodnight, unless new information appears or someone wants to discuss with me my points I think I’m done responding to this thread.