"Mommy Bloggers"

[ChrisFL]

Someone mentioned the fact that many people invited to a small ceremony at the new Fantasyland involving 20K water being poured into the new area and mostly "mommy bloggers" in attendance for it.

I know WDW1974 has his own opinions on this, but I wanted to mention at least as far as I'm concerned, is that they're a result, not a cause of, many of the big changes we've witnessed at WDW.

It seems like around the mid 1990's-2000's, Disney tried to appeal strictly to the demographic of families with small children, but it didn't obviously go to the fathers, and it only went to the children indirectly through TV ads. The big push was for the compulsive planners, the ones who want to feel in control of a schedule. The moms.

In my opinion, this is the reason why we have fastpass, then fastpass plus, then 180-day ADR's, meet and greets via tight schedules and lines instead of random encounters.

Whether this was a fully conscious decision by Disney parks management I don't know, but I do know it has since spread and the likes of which we can find in many places...most specifically the "moms panel", the boards that start with DIS, probably 80% of whom are women, and the recent event just done at the Fantasyland expansion and twitter being chock full of "mommy bloggers" promoting it. It seems that Disney continues to cater mostly to that crowd.

Thoughts?

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Someone mentioned the fact that many people invited to a small ceremony at the new Fantasyland involving 20K water being poured into the new area and mostly "mommy bloggers" in attendance for it.

I know WDW1974 has his own opinions on this, but I wanted to mention at least as far as I'm concerned, is that they're a result, not a cause of, many of the big changes we've witnessed at WDW.

It seems like around the mid 1990's-2000's, Disney tried to appeal strictly to the demographic of families with small children, but it didn't obviously go to the fathers, and it only went to the children indirectly through TV ads. The big push was for the compulsive planners, the ones who want to feel in control of a schedule. The moms.

In my opinion, this is the reason why we have fastpass, then fastpass plus, then 180-day ADR's, meet and greets via tight schedules and lines instead of random encounters.

Whether this was a fully conscious decision by Disney parks management I don't know, but I do know it has since spread and the likes of which we can find in many places...most specifically the "moms panel", the boards that start with DIS, probably 80% of whom are women, and the recent event just done at the Fantasyland expansion and twitter being chock full of "mommy bloggers" promoting it. It seems that Disney continues to cater mostly to that crowd.

Thoughts?

Hmmm...you do touch on interesting subjects.

I do wonder...WDW does seem to have shifted in its idea of whom it is primarily designed for. The MK was designed for the middle aged white American middle class male. It is his playground, his sensibilities, his idea of spending time. This has certainly changed. Changed towards an emphasis on kids, and, maybe you are right, also towards soccer moms / commando moms.

Is this why Fantasyland in the MK went from 'Jules Verne, fight the massive squid, walk-in any time you feel like it' to the New Fantasyland of 'Princess, fairy tale, meticulously planned'? There does seem to be a very strong change from an environment with male sensitivities into one of female sensitivities.


I do think the moms panel / mommy blogger is more another effect of this change than a cause of it.

 

[Gabe1]

It seems like around the mid 1990's-2000's, Disney tried to appeal strictly to the demographic of families with small children, but it didn't obviously go to the fathers, and it only went to the children indirectly through TV ads. The big push was for the compulsive planners, the ones who want to feel in control of a schedule. The moms.

In my opinion, this is the reason why we have fastpass, then fastpass plus, then 180-day ADR's, meet and greets via tight schedules and lines instead of random encounters.



Thoughts?

Before I get my shorts in a knot, am I following you? Did you just concoct a way to blame Mothers for all the red tape we all now endure during our Disney vacations on Mothers?

 

[disney fan 13]

This one is going to be good... (Goes to get Popcorn)

 

[Tom Morrow]

No, you're not following them. They're saying the mommy blogger types are the result of the way WDW has shifted over the last decade + .

Also, I'd have to say that while the rabid fanboy and pixie duster types are annoying, the type of "fans" that fall under the description of "mommy bloggers" (a term I am new to) are the most annoying of all.

 

[trylon57]

"Mommy Bloggers" - a very interesting and very descriptive term. I know just the type of persons you are refering to when you use this term. And not just WDW, but also this website, WDWMAGIC. I used to read comments by people like General Grizz, Mousermerf, Epcotservo, people who loved WDW, but also were a little edgy, a little controversial. Alot of those people have been replaced by what you describe as "Mommy Bloggers". ChrisFl and Tom Morrow you bring up some interesting points.

 

[flynnibus]

I think its the same demo - just reached via new means.

With the big Apple push, wordpress making blogging easy, etc.. you had this great new reach for technology in a demographic that always existed, but communicated differently in the past. The same 'soccer moms' that were planning their PTA bake sale with flyers.. now can do it with facebook and blogs. The same thing has happened with Disney moms. They have now been 'connected' and empowered to voice their message on a grand scale when they only did it within small circles before. The ground swell comes not from a new audience, but simply the audience being EMPOWERED to communicate new ways and hence be more visible outside those cirlces.

Disney has recognized that winning the mom = easier sell to the family. So now with this digitally connected world of Soccer Moms... just like before.. Peer reviews win over moms.

Moms are more likely to listen to other moms then goto the library and find the Consumer Reports issue on the topic. Women are beings of trust and being social.. so if you get the message to be spread by peers.. 'you're in' as they say.

The Moms Panel is a way of speaking at their level and infiltrating those trust circles.

Just like you may goto a fan site like WDWmagic to get your 'real' answer on a question... moms want to consult with other peers. By nurturing that community of Moms with Disney's intended messaging.. Disney makes sure its message is getting out there via 'compatible' messengers and tries to ensure those curious moms get a positive, encouraging message on why Disney is where they want to go.

It's simple marketing that has been used for ages - BUILD CHAMPIONS OF YOUR BRAND - That's what the Moms Panel and other social media outreaches are about. Building champions of your brand to advocate within their circles the benefits of your product.

 

[ChrisFL]

ok, flynnibus nailed it...couldn't have said it any better.

 

[marni1971]

They can't even spell their name properly...

 

[luv]

I do not know what mommy bloggers are. Are they bloggers who are moms?

I do know that almost everyone has a blog about Disney and most of these folks promote their dumb blogs on the Disney boards, which I find mildly annoying. Many of these blog people don't even know what they're talking about, but refer you to their blog for info, lol.

As a woman who happens to be a mother, I am not impressed or sucked in by people who have a blog. It doesn't mean they know wth they're talking about. It just means they (or someone close to them) have a little more tech knowledge than I do and they want to be recognized in some way.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

I think we need Tokyo Disneyland mommy bloggers.

 

[lazyboy97o]

As a woman who happens to be a mother, I am not impressed or sucked in by people who have a blog. It doesn't mean they know wth they're talking about. It just means they (or someone close to them) have a little more tech knowledge than I do and they want to be recognized in some way.

With just a few minutes of time, you could have your own blog utilizing the tech knowledge that you have. The process has been so simplified that its about as difficult as using this message board to blog.

 

[Britt]

I do not know what mommy bloggers are. Are they bloggers who are moms?

I do know that almost everyone has a blog about Disney and most of these folks promote their dumb blogs on the Disney boards, which I find mildly annoying. Many of these blog people don't even know what they're talking about, but refer you to their blog for info, lol.

As a woman who happens to be a mother, I am not impressed or sucked in by people who have a blog. It doesn't mean they know wth they're talking about. It just means they (or someone close to them) have a little more tech knowledge than I do and they want to be recognized in some way.

I'm sooooo with you Luv!! I hear someone say they have a blog, or ask me to follow theirs and I have a hard time not rolling my eyes a bit. I try not to judge, but come on....how arrogant do people have to be to think anyone wants to hear about their mundane lives. (Several of my mommy friends have them and they really are just about their kids and family. Great for OTHER family members, but I'd rather just talk to you. Lol)

Also I think I'm the only one who HATES the word "blog" lol

 

[lazyboy97o]

I'm sooooo with you Luv!! I hear someone say they have a blog, or ask me to follow theirs and I have a hard time not rolling my eyes a bit. I try not to judge, but come on....how arrogant do people have to be to think anyone wants to hear about their mundane lives. (Several of my mommy friends have them and they really are just about their kids and family. Great for OTHER family members, but I'd rather just talk to you. Lol)

How is it any different than posts here that detail the minutia of preparing for and going on a Disney vacation?

 

[Britt]

How is it any different than posts here that detail the minutia of preparing for and going on a Disney vacation?

I suppose because its a specific site directed at people seeking out this kind of information, where as you have people like my cousin in law who just blogs about her days....chores she did, bathing the kids. Not a specific topic other then the days of her life.

Specific TOPICS, I don't mind as much. Like health food blogs, travel blogs, or craft blogs or whatever. Specific topics geared towards a specific genre, but just.....life stuff? That's what Facebook is for

 

[luv]

With just a few minutes of time, you could have your own blog utilizing the tech knowledge that you have. The process has been so simplified that its about as difficult as using this message board to blog.

Why would I do that?

"So, today we went over to Epcot. Got there about six-thirty. Rode SSE. Line short. Wanted to ride Figment, but of course it was closed. Grr. Went to WS. Brenda wanted Germany, but it was my turn to pick, so we had dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh. The F&W crowds were not too terribly behaved, thank goodness. Rode Maelstrom. Still and excellent ride, but in a state of disrepair. Walked around the lagoon while Illuminations went off, then ran over and rode Soarin and left. Got home around ten-thirty, took a dip in the pool, talked to my sister."

Why would anyone care? I bet nobody even read that paragraph!

How is it any different than posts here that detail the minutia of preparing for and going on a Disney vacation?

People come here to discuss the minutiae of Disney planning. We discuss. Back and forth.

Blogs...I just don't get it. I'm not even very interested in my life...and I live it. Can't see why anyone else would care.

 

[Britt]

Why would I do that?

"So, today we went over to Epcot. Got there about six-thirty. Rode SSE. Line short. Wanted to ride Figment, but of course it was closed. Grr. Went to WS. Brenda wanted Germany, but it was my turn to pick, so we had dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh. The F&W crowds were not too terribly behaved, thank goodness. Rode Maelstrom. Still and excellent ride, but in a state of disrepair. Walked around the lagoon while Illuminations went off, then ran over and rode Soarin and left. Got home around ten-thirty, took a dip in the pool, talked to my sister."

Why would anyone care? I bet nobody even read that paragraph!
People come here to discuss the minutiae of Disney planning. We discuss. Back and forth.

Blogs...I just don't get it. I'm not even very interested in my life...and I live it. Can't see why anyone else would care.

OMG hahahaha I admit, I skimmed and then stopped when I got to Grrrr and skipped. Hahaha

 

[GeorgiaPinesRJB]

Also I think I'm the only one who HATES the word "blog" lol

From HIMYM
Barney (in disguise): "What's a blog?"
Marshall: "Something that was cool a few years ago..."

Why would anyone care? I bet nobody even read that paragraph!

Too long, didn't read.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Why would I do that?

"So, today we went over to Epcot. Got there about six-thirty. Rode SSE. Line short. Wanted to ride Figment, but of course it was closed. Grr. Went to WS. Brenda wanted Germany, but it was my turn to pick, so we had dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh. The F&W crowds were not too terribly behaved, thank goodness. Rode Maelstrom. Still and excellent ride, but in a state of disrepair. Walked around the lagoon while Illuminations went off, then ran over and rode Soarin and left. Got home around ten-thirty, took a dip in the pool, talked to my sister."

Why would anyone care? I bet nobody even read that paragraph!

omg...I totally skipped that paragraph after the first sentence too, skipped it to the line where I'm being called out for it.