Longing for Disneytown

[Mr. Engagement]

Looking at the current state of Disney fan media, I'm noticing how many YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram channels *really want to approach Disney Parks news as though WDW was a real town.

It makes sense. The fandom is hungry for news, rumors, insider takes, speculation, etc. Influencers and fan site owners need a steady flow of content to keep people coming back for more.

Despite all the effort put into making WDW look and feel like a collection of fully inhabited places, it is not a real town. So while the idea of a daily news report from inside the parks is intriguing, fan sites can't really provide the kinds of news/updates fans crave. Other than CMs (who are required to stay out of the limelight), the parks' "citizens" are essentially NPCs (non-playable characters, like in a video game). We don't usually know actual Imagineers (the ones we do are usually *former Imagineers, and many of those are not currently in the Company's good graces).

Interestingly, WDW did publish a tabloid-style newspaper called The Walt Disney World News in the 1970s!

But these days, despite WDW being bigger than its ever been and more going on than we even know, we're left to discuss announcements from Disney Executives. Anonymous debates about what we're seeing as we peer over construction fences. Fans armchair Imagineer from positions of ignorance. We go round and round about ride throughput, and the use of AI, but we're talking about Disney World without the benefit of much actual input from anyone at Disney. This is why we all hold onto any tidbits of info from "insiders" around here.

I don't really have a point to this; it's just something I observed and a weakness in all the "daily WDW news report"-type sites and people. I think we all want a Hollywood Reporter-style outlet for reports from the inside; I just don't think it's possible.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Disney parks and property is like a town/ community which people feel a connection to. Thus the comments made when making return trips.... "Im coming home" and "Disneys is my home away from home". The more guests return the more guests develop stronger ties to resorts and parks. Its also why guests feel depressed and feel a genuine loss when their favorite attractions and park areas get taken down and changed.
The more people show interest in anything, the more it develops a following. Disney has attracted fans and followers forever and theres no lack of a curiosity and need to know about whats new, whats changing, whats going on behind the scenes and whats influencing every move they make. All the podcasts, influencers, fan sites and Dis reporters are like journalists trying to out scoop each other, be the first to report or have a unique take on any subject.
Newspapers and magazines have been slowly losing subscribers and replaced by our devices which we can instantly hear the latest news, so the more we tune in the more new ones will come on the scene and build followers.
Until and unless Disney itself develops a Disney qualified and sponsored reporter/ spokesperson that reports to us the corporate side of things, we will continue hearing from those who appoint themselves Disney spokespersons.

 

[Mr. Engagement]

Disney parks and property is like a town/ community which people feel a connection to. Thus the comments made when making return trips.... "Im coming home" and "Disneys is my home away from home". The more guests return the more guests develop stronger ties to resorts and parks. Its also why guests feel depressed and feel a genuine loss when their favorite attractions and park areas get taken down and changed.
The more people show interest in anything, the more it develops a following. Disney has attracted fans and followers forever and theres no lack of a curiosity and need to know about whats new, whats changing, whats going on behind the scenes and whats influencing every move they make. All the podcasts, influencers, fan sites and Dis reporters are like journalists trying to out scoop each other, be the first to report or have a unique take on any subject.
Newspapers and magazines have been slowly losing subscribers and replaced by our devices which we can instantly hear the latest news, so the more we tune in the more new ones will come on the scene and build followers.
Until and unless Disney itself develops a Disney qualified and sponsored reporter/ spokesperson that reports to us the corporate side of things, we will continue hearing from those who appoint themselves Disney spokespersons.

I think you’re right.

And I agree that, unless/until Disney starts doing daily press briefings (way beyond the Disney Mom’s Panel, D23 announcements, or attraction previews for bloggers), reporting is just whatever insiders and influencers put together.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

The more guests return the more guests develop stronger ties to resorts and parks.

I don’t disagree with anything you posted. I just find it ironic that every action Disney is taking is pricing out and alienating many of the loyalists who create the demand.

 

[JIMINYCR]

I don’t disagree with anything you posted. I just find it ironic that every action Disney is taking is pricing out and alienating many of the loyalists who create the demand.

Its all about the numbers. Those in control now at Disney dont care about the past and who created the demand or who is possibly being alienated now. Their main concern is that the money is continuing to come in. It doesnt matter where that money is coming from or if its from a new guest or a returning guest. They certainly want the loyal returning guest but if not their spot will be filled in by someone else. And at some point the loyal guest will return because they will miss a Disney vacation.