Internet Bad for Disney??

[Fantasia Fan]

Has the internet become a problem for Disney? I ask because it seems that people with the Internet are able to spread their thoughts, good or bad, to other people through the Internet. People who previously could only hear word of mouth through friends and family are now able to go online and get millions of opinions on Walt Disney World. Right now, it appears that the folks who are disappointed in Disney seem to be a vocal group and could be swaying folks away from Disney. Also, it APPEARS that people who are complaining about Disney are doing it mainly to the Internet as opposed to management. Another thing is that there are sites like this one that seems to have inside information about Disney before even Disney announces it. People can find out so much more than they could before: discounts, codes, special deals, ways to do things, etc.

A second question would be: What would you have done in the days before the Internet had a Disney vacation been less than satisfactory?

One final question: Do you feel internet posters actually make up a reasonable cross-section of the average Disney World guest or do they represent a vocal minority that is attempting to get changes without help from a largely non-vocal majority?

:hammer:

 

[Herbie53]

(I'm going to answer the last question first.) I think the majority of people who post Disney information on the web are Disney enthusiasts (or maybe extremists, either for or against). So no, I don't think they are a good cross section. (But that's not to say that their opinions are not valid. )

(Now back to the first question.) I certainly don't have any inside info on the matter, but I would think that generally speaking the internet has been a good thing for Disney, as it has been for many companies. If you have a good product, then additional exposure is a good thing. Maybe the guidebook industry would have some complaints about the internet. Some sites devoted to Disney may not be positive for Disney, but all of the sites devoted to Disney cut down on the need to go out and buy guide books.

I'm going to skip the second question for now, sorry .

 

[Fievel]

Well I think the internet is good for Disney and bad....

Good: People communicate good ideas, and inform each other on rehabs, closings, best times to go, etc. Basically a constantly updating Guide book.

Bad: Copyright issues (mp3's, etc), small groups get power to get bigger (online petitions)

Overall, we represent a VERY small percentage of Disney's target group. Actually, we might not even be the target group, since we tend to keep going no matter what. Being small has it's disadvantages though. If you would judge everything by what happens on a board such as this, you would assume that CoP was the most beloved Disney attraction currently running (or not). The people that don't care far outweigh those who do, but do not ever go to a message board to voice these opinoins. That is why you see Disney Research people taking polls at night. They get a good sample population. If they were to come to a board such as this for all their input, the parks might please the disney purists, but I'm betting would not appease 90% of the population.

 

[pheneix]

>>>Right now, it appears that the folks who are disappointed in Disney seem to be a vocal group and could be swaying folks away from Disney.<<<

It's not that their vocal, it is jus that more and more people are joining them. And as more and more people jump ship from the "Pro-Eisner" camp to the "Friends of Walt" camp (I'm just generalizing here, I am in no way saying these groups actually exist), they seem to be more and more bitter than the last bunch. It's kind of like the realization that a loved one has a drinking problem. If you face the facts early and try to help out that loved one and move on with your life, it is always easier to deal with than when you ignore it and the situation escalates into something fatal. That's when the gravity of the situation hits you head on.

>>>Also, it APPEARS that people who are complaining about Disney are doing it mainly to the Internet as opposed to management.<<<

That's because they are sick and tired of either having their letters thrown out or responded to by a form letter. Indeed, the only letter I have ever sent to anywhere within the Walt Dsney Company that has EVER had a heartfelt and personalized response was a letter sent to Imagineering last year (what all that pretains to is none of anybody elses business, so don't ask).

If anything, the Internet is actually going to help Disney be restored to it's former glory. Everything that has happened in the last few years that would have otherwise been the knowledge of a select few is now very public knowledge, and that will help keep Disney on their toes whenever they finally have a management team that actually gives a damn about such things as quality and guest service.

>>>Do you feel internet posters actually make up a reasonable cross-section of the average Disney World guest or do they represent a vocal minority that is attempting to get changes without help from a largely non-vocal majority?<<<

Who knows. Websites like the DIS that have a positively HUGE membership are generally a good indication of how the general public as a whole feels. And so far that indication is that more and more people are noticing Disney's problems everyday.

 

[cymbaldiva]

Interesting subject...

I could go into a really long and boring speech, but I won't. Basically things are working as they always have...Generally people with complaints (about almost anything) won't go to the management of the business that they have a problem with - no matter what sort of business it is. Does not matter if it's a local resturant or WDW, customers generally don't complain to management. They tell other people - the only change is that with the internet dissatified customers have a lot more people to talk to.

Point being, all companies - no matter their size - need to emphasize customer service. The general rule in CS is not to be worried about the customers that do call and complain (at least we can solve their problems), be worried about the ones that don't - those are the ones that are telling everyone they encounter how terrible their experience was!

As for Disney before the internet, all I can speak of is Disney before I personally had the internet (that was pre fall 98) - that was before all of the cutbacks, so I didn't have anything bad to say!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Originally posted by Fantasia Fan
A second question would be: What would you have done in the days before the Internet had a Disney vacation been less than satisfactory?

Use the phone or write :hammer:

 

[KevinPage]

The thing that is bad about the internet is that it gives every moron out there a chance to whine and complain without having to wn up to it face to face.

Hence, it makes you think there is something wrong with the parks and trivial points that you would not have noticed, unless heard otherwise from someone "moaning and groaning".

Honestly, there is sooo many times where I just get sick of it and refuse to read anything people have to say as it kinda kills the Magic for me to a certain extent.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Originally posted by KevinPage
The thing that is bad about the internet is that it gives every moron out there a chance to whine and complain without having to wn up to it face to face.

However, most people are experienced enough to detect constant axe grinders and moaners, and can form an opinion for themselves. It may however confirm things that you had thought were just you being picky.
Big companies have always ignored the little people, the net just allows them to shout louder.

Is it good or bad for buisness ? thats a double edged sword, i would have got a package had I not found out about room rate discounts and the benefits of AP from boards like this, so Disney loses out, however im able to afford an extra trip this year and to stay on property for 3 weeks next August because of savings I made by booking independently of travel agents. Disney wins big time cause of all the money ill spend when im there.

 

[Erika]

We are deffinitely not a good representation of the general public. Most people don't care enough to devote this much attention to Disney. They may LIKE Disney, but they think we're weird :lol: kinda like Trekkies.

I think the internet is good for Disney, especially when it comes to vacation planning. People can learn a lot about the parks via the web before they even go. Those people aren't looking too deeply- they are just looking for basic information, like you can find on our front page here or at a site like wdwig.

 

[GoofyMike29]

I feel that for Disney and for any company or anything in a sense, the internet has brought both good and bad qualities to our everyday life.
The internet gives everyone a freedom of speech this too has its ups and downs. For example some jack@$$ can post whatever he or she wants about Disney, with out even having to go to the resort. Then again someone who has actually gone to the resort can do the same thing...I am starting to ramble but here is my moral.
It is our duty as the readers to depict what is valid and was is not, just because you "read it somewhere" does not mean its true

 

[gjpjtj]

Originally posted by Erika
We are deffinitely not a good representation of the general public. Most people don't care enough to devote this much attention to Disney. They may LIKE Disney, but they think we're weird :lol: kinda like Trekkies.

What..you mean we're not normal.... :lol:

 

[Erika]

I'm sorry- But we're not

 

[Merlin0402]

I think that the internet has, for the most part, been very good for Disney, but on the other hand, it's been god-awful. For every positive thing said about them, there are 10 nasty things that someone else has to say. I personally don't like how the internet has influenced the way I see Disney and my opinion about it. For example, I could ride an attraction and love it, but then based on what seems to be an endless amount of negative feedback, not like it as much. Normal things, like peeling paint, or a burnt out lightbulb, are blown WAY out of proportion, and made into huge deals.Sometimes, when I read posts like that, I think, wow, these people have no lives, ( did anyone else catch the article about mis-aligned manhole covers at Disneyland Paris?, give me a break...). I'm getting off topic, basically what I'm saying is that when someone has something bad to say about them, it gets a hell of a lot more attention than something good does.

 

[Quentin Disney]

Originally posted by Merlin0402
did anyone else catch the article about mis-aligned manhole covers at Disneyland Paris?, give me a break

I did.

This is what happens when Disney fans complain TOO much. Yes, I believe in consructive criticism, but the mis-alignment of a freakin manhole cover is something that %99 of the people who visit there would care less about.

 

[cymbaldiva]

Originally posted by gjpjtj


What..you mean we're not normal.... :lol:

Naw, we're not normal....we have far better taste than most everyone else! :animwink:

 

[Erika]

Originally posted by Merlin0402
I think that the internet has, for the most part, been very good for Disney, but on the other hand, it's been god-awful. For every positive thing said about them, there are 10 nasty things that someone else has to say. I personally don't like how the internet has influenced the way I see Disney and my opinion about it. For example, I could ride an attraction and love it, but then based on what seems to be an endless amount of negative feedback, not like it as much. Normal things, like peeling paint, or a burnt out lightbulb, are blown WAY out of proportion, and made into huge deals.Sometimes, when I read posts like that, I think, wow, these people have no lives, ( did anyone else catch the article about mis-aligned manhole covers at Disneyland Paris?, give me a break...). I'm getting off topic, basically what I'm saying is that when someone has something bad to say about them, it gets a hell of a lot more attention than something good does.

This is true, however, MOST people who go on the web to look for Disney don't get that deeply into it where whey will actually find forums and read through them. Most people are looking for basic, simple information, find it, and then move on to something different.

 

[wishiwere@wdw]

Do you work for Disney? Sorry, but the questions seemed a bit scripted to me as though you were being asked to do this. Not even 1 response from everybody’s reply?

Anyway, fan sites are just that, for the fans. The bad press that Disney (or you) need to worry about appear in articles from the Orlando Sentinel, WSJ, NYT, etc. The GP reads them and could base their opinion of Disney on them. Only the diehard fans wander around sites such as this. Some of those fans may complain a bit too much; from everything to do with a piece of gum on the ground to a bad paint job but IMHO, they would still go back anyway.


EDIT:
I just read the next topic.....Draw on Paul

Perhaps the internet can be really GOOD for Disney:lol:

 

[celticdog]

1. i think the internet is good for Disney. It has allowed greater access to infomation as well as access to those who think "like minded". I found the internet to be a great tool in planning my vacations.

2. When i had a less then satifactory vacation, i usually complained right on spot to the manager. Now, i tend to wait and handle things once i'm at home, either via phone or the web.

3. Those of us here are the "like minded", we are enthuists, that also can see areas for improvement, just because some of us complain about an attraction doesn't necessarily mean we hate it, sometimes it's good just to vent. Other times it good to just get some feedback about ones own ideas.

I'm not trying to change WDW, if i was i would've gotten a job there, I'm just trying to get the most enjoyment out of each trip.