Negatives of the Internet Age and Forums

[twinnstar]

Whatever makes the guests happy. We are a small population here on this forum. I'm sure there are plenty of people who are still surprised at the small things WDW does.

This.
The average person doesnt know everything we know. Hell, I am here and i know a lot, and I know most of you know more than i do. Theres degrees to what everyone knows based on how much a big fan they are, and how much they want to know. Odds are, most of the people in Disney World / Land at any given time are not HUGE Disney fans like we are...

 

[JillC LI]

I agree somewhat but not completely. For example, I read last year about some people interacting with PUSH the trashcan on this web site. Had I not read about that, I would not have made a point of keeping my eyes open for him during our trip this past December. Because I did, though, I noticed PUSH in the distance while we were in Tomorrowland, and our family ran over to watch what was going on. DD was wearing a Mickey Ears hat with her name embroidered on it, and PUSH approached her by name and had a long interaction with her including dancing and a wedding ceremony! It was such a special treat. It wasn't something I felt entitled to, but I hoped for it in advance, and I was in the right place at the right time in case something happened. I would never have even looked for PUSH and that experience would not have happened but for reading about someone else's experience online.

 

[bethymouse]

We need Ketchup! Those are the Whispering Canyon Cafe "buzz" words!
Year of a Million Dreams was the best thing Disney ever did! My Dad had those ears dropped into his scooter basket! We got 1st visit pins for the boys ( in 2007 those were new to us), and many different "special" unexpected things happened! Never won the "big" prize, but it was still cool!
BTW- don't get me started on the "internet" age or the fact that everyone feels "entitled"!

 

[HatboxGhost]

When my Wife and I went on our honeymoon back in 2009, we were wearing our....if I remember correctly.... the happily ever after buttons. We had just gone on Star Tours and were considering riding it again when a cm asked us if we wanted to go on a backstage tour. Now, I dont know if it was our buttons, the fact that my Wife had on a Boba Fett shirt, or a combination of both but we went on the tour. They let us see the control room, gave us a private ride, and even gave us a couple of light sabers signed by the ST crew. We both felt like someone had just given us a million dollars. So, I am trying to make it a habit when I see someone wearing a special button, especially a honeymoon or anniversary, to say congrats to them. Its cool when a cm says it to you but when someone just like you who is visiting the park says it, it feels great as it has happened to us. Also, I am so happy to see someone other than my Wife and I get the special treatment because we know EXACTLY how it feels.

 

[Gabe1]

I agree with you 100%.
Now with Magic Bands we can plan our entire day... and there will be no surprises. Personally I believe the surprises are part of the magic... But the world is changing. Everybody wants to have everything perfectly planned out... every minute of every day. Truth is those same people are discouraged when everything does not work out perfectly. We all need an element of surprise and we all need to "play it by ear" a little bit. I think then you really enjoy the magic...

And I am sad about the future of no surprises too.

I do disagree though about the changing times and everyone wanting to plan everything planned out. I don't, but I will. Take ADRs, I'm forced to into this system or the overwhelming odds are against me on the fly. I feel the same about FP+ Unless this FP+ system falls flat on its face because Disney can't deliver FP+ experiences reliably and to guests satisfaction, I will, like ADRs be forced into complying, the only other option being queue up in the long standby line. Opting out is not going to be an option if this all rolls out as designed. I hope it does fall on its face, I love spontaneity on vacation.

 

[englanddg]

And I am sad about the future of no surprises too.

I do disagree though about the changing times and everyone wanting to plan everything planned out. I don't, but I will. Take ADRs, I'm forced to into this system or the overwhelming odds are against me on the fly. I feel the same about FP+ Unless this FP+ system falls flat on its face because Disney can't deliver FP+ experiences reliably and to guests satisfaction, I will, like ADRs be forced into complying, the only other option being queue up in the long standby line. Opting out is not going to be an option if this all rolls out as designed. I hope it does fall on its face, I love spontaneity on vacation.

That's exactly how I feel with ADRs. I feel like I'm forced into the system...and that there is no chance of me working around it.

I think Trip Reports are my favorite thing online, not the rumors. I tend to avoid ride videos and other things, but tips and reading other's experiences has made my trips better in many ways.

For example, I probably would never have tried Jiko's had I not read a few trip reports that gave it glowing reviews. Now it's my favorite restaurant on the parks by far.

Also, I would never in the past have considered staying at the non-Disney run Swan or Dolphin as a viable option, but after reading reports, I have changed that view.

Finding little tips and tricks is nice.

I don't think it removes the magic, rather it helps enhance it. I go every year, and it's not going to be "new" to me as a result, unless I take another long hiatus. Keeping up on things at the parks gives me an idea of what I'm walking into.

That being said, when I know something new is going in, I shun most news about it. I stayed away from Cars Land news, for that reason, before my DL trip. Now that I've seen it, and been blown away in person, I will happily dig through those threads / youtube videos. I am doing the same with the New Fantasyland as well, outside of general notices. I know I want to get a Brew, I know I want to eat at BOG, etc...but, I've stayed away from detailed threads or ride videos, because I want to be surprised.

The internet is just a tool. Like any tool, how you use it is up to you.