Record profit for Disney

[WDW1974]

That's just it; the entire country of Japan is like that. They are polite and thin and attractive and pleasant to be around everywhere, and the "Hosts and Hostesses" in the Tokyo parks are quite noticeably unlike the blobby and slobby "Cast Members" in the American parks.

Going to a Department Store in downtown Tokyo to buy socks is like being treated as if you were royalty buying a new diamond crown. Tokyo Disneyland simply layers on a healthy dose of 20th century showmanship and happy-shiny pixie dust on that existing Japanese culture and VOILA! you are suddenly in the best Disneyland ever. Even better than Walt could have done it in SoCal in the 1960's when he was flush with cash and success and thin and attractive surfer girls and guys to staff the place.

I agree with your observations of Japanese culture. I don't believe that it can't be done here. I remember WDW in the 70s and 80s, while perhaps not up to TDL standards, the service was extremely high. That IS, after all, what Disney gained its reputation on. It wouldn't be able to spend 10-15 years resting on its laurels if it hadn't have earned the reputation to begin with.

And I also remember when CMs didn't average 325 pounds, but I believe that's all part of the cycle of poverty. I don't see many of the Internationals at EPCOT that need XXXL costumes.

All that said, there are some design mistakes in the original 1983 Tokyo park. My personal favorite is the totally bizarre placement of an antique Dumbo spinner in front of a copy of WDW's Haunted Mansion in Fantasyland.

Hilariously bad planning there! But now it's just so bad that it's good. :lol:

TDL was constructed as a 'best of' DL/MK park and the OLC literally walked through the American parks checking off items/attractions/aspects they wanted in Tokyo. So, you get bizarre vistas such as the one above.

My favorite is when you are walking past a 1970s Tomorrowland Terrace with 1975-era Rocket Jets above you and right across the way is a perfect DL version of Toontown, while to your left is this English countryside queue that leads you into Pooh's Hunny Hunt.

TDL does NOT have transitions.

But since almost every other aspect of the park is near perfect, I'll deal with them.

Much better than the wonderful transition from MK's Adventureland to Frontierland where you can go from a peaceful courtyard turned into an outdoor flea market for Pirates crap into a land with sticky tables from Pecos Bill's and on to two E-Ticket mountains where so many things don't work that it's just sad.

Honestly though, the American Cast Members in Disneyland or WDW can never be as good as the Japanese Cast Members simply because the Americans are not Japanese. An American Starbucks barista can never be as good as the average Japanese Starbucks barista, the very best service I've ever received in Nordstrom or Bloomingdales or Saks only rises to the level of "average" in the mid-range Tokyo department stores clustered around big train stations in Tokyo. Watch this video of a department store opening for a random weekday morning in Tokyo; perfectly outfitted hostesses open the doors, then batallions of perfectly uniformed sales clerks all behind their counter bowing to every customer and telling them phrases that translate to "Good Morning, it's an honor to be of service to you. How may I assist you?" Now imagine your average Macy's opening in an American mall and the lazy, slobby, sloppy service you get when they deem it convenient to unlock the doors for you. Watch this, and understand Tokyo Disneyland just a bit more! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cihM6zWjJpw

It's an ugly fact that a proud American like myself had to face.

The Japanese simply operate Disneyland way better than we ever have, or ever could have without major social and cultural change taking place in this country. We'll also need to change our diet, because our XXL sized "CM's" could never fit into the tiny uniforms their very attractive hostesses wear over there. And a person's physical appearance as they operate the rides and shows and stores in a Disney theme park is definitely part of the show.

Tokyo just does it all lightyears better than we ever have, or likely ever will.

Like I said, yes TDR does it better ... maybe they always have. But I do remember when WDW did it much, much better. I think you're letting Americans off as just being fat and lazy and incapable of having high standards (the Walmart way?) and maybe I'm not as hopeless as some would believe, but I don't buy it.

It's a cop-out that allows us to continue the status quo instead of striving to improve as we (and Disney) should be.

~GFC~

 

[WDW1974]

There are absolutely people within the fan community who receive perks from Disney. The question is whether you care or not.

WDW1974 clearly does.

I do not.

The theory behind this being bad is that these folks will in return for their "favored" status write glowing reviews of products and/or experiences. The reasoning goes that instead, Disney should be giving perks to real critics who are more likely to be objective.

No, I am not saying perks (as you call them) should be given to anyone. But when you are a real journalist/reporter/critic, they often are as it IS part of the job.

When you are simply a Disney fan living a Disney Lifestyle and running a website/business that leeches off the Mouse, it stands to reason that you're going to glow over every interactive queue, over every new planter, over every new foamhead meet-greet-and-grope, over every construction wall ... over any/every thing because you are in a symbiotic relationship with TWDC. What's good for them is what's good for you.

This isn't complicated, folks.

My counter to this is that while some people may report with a bias because they receive perks, this isn't always the case (I know of a number of bloggers/podcasters who slam Disney and still receive these perks), and when it is, fans will "vote with their traffic" and frequent other sites. The ones who skew towards Disney, I think, would probably skew that way regardless, but who knows. Assuming, arguendo, that they write favorably about Disney just for the perks, I think they will ultimately lose audience because of this. People aren't idiots (not all of them, at least) and most people appreciate objective reporting.

I do not know of one single regularly credentialed member of the fan community (podcaster/blogger/webmaster) who slams Disney on an even occasional basis. Not one. Not saying there isn't one (because they multiply like bunnies and I admit I don't know many of them).

And I don't think they'll lose an audience by being postive all/most of the time. First, their audiences are made up of almost entirely Disney fans to start with (this is my biggest gripe as a shareholder with Disney spending tens of millions annually on social media whores as they aren't reaching NEW audiences, they aren't helping Disney BUILD a larger base, they are preaching to the folks Disney already owns!)

But what's insidious is Disney fans tend to want to believe what they're being told by others who share the passion, the love, the MAGIC ... so if someone tells you that you should spend your hard-earned dollars on taking a Disney Dream cruise or buying into DVC or dining at the chef's table at Citricos or attending MVMCP, you should at least be getting it from people who would do likewise. In MANY cases, you're dealing with folks who would NEVER, EVER spend their own dollars doing just that ... but when they get free trips and meals and swag, it's very easy to tell other fans -- paying fans -- that they should do likewise.

I never saw a blogger tell anyone when they got off their free Dream cruises that while the ship is beautiful and they had a wonderful time that for the price of a three-night cruise in an inside stateroom they could take a balcony cruise on another line to much nicer ports for seven nights.

Just one example ...

Beyond that, if there is an issue with Disney targeting smaller sites rather than, say, the New York Times or OrSen to review things, my response is, again, who cares? I know, firsthand, that WDW1974 is absolutely wrong with his past implications that sites with 'a couple hundred hits a month' are getting freebies. The first thing that's asked when requesting media access is monthly uniques (although Disneyland is a bit more lax on who it will treat as press). In any case, it's a calculated move by Disney. A site like AllEars.net (just an example) may have 1/50th the readership of OrSen, but the audience is more "primed." Because the audience is primed, the conversion rate might go from 2-3% in an OrSen piece to 15-20% in an AllEars piece.

I have seen some incredibly shoddy little sites that have folks getting flown across the country for all-expenses (and then some) trips. I have no idea how many 'uniques' they get because I also know enough about social media to know it's largely a very inexact science. The way many sites piggyback on others with the same content often mean the same eyes are viewing the content, but on different sites (which certainly makes the people who provide the content look like they're reaching a much larger audience than they are in reality).

But when you say 'primed' that to me is another word for 'addicted' ... that means Disney isn't growing its business by spinning its PR for an audience tha it already owns.

Some people may have archaic views on what is a "news" source that may lead them to believe certain types of sites don't fit the bill, but those beliefs are just that: archaic. Disney is doing the same thing that countless companies throughout the country are doing. Good, bad, or otherwise, that's the way things work these days. You don't ignore a writer just because he doesn't work for a print newspaper (those things still exist?!) or because his site is powered by WordPress.

I would never say you ignore what's called 'new media' ... but that's not what Disney is doing. Disney has a concerted effort to ignore as much traditional media as it can (I know someone who lives in LA and has written about Disney for many top publications, some inhouse, and was highly dissuaded from doing anything on Aulani because a top PR hack told her that 'we're not inviting many traditional organizations' ... nope, much better to fly Lou Mongello from Florida to Hawaii and put him and his party up for a week because anyone listening to him is clearly not already addicted to Pixie Dust, right?)

A family in Texas that is contemplating a visit to WDW for the first time simply isn't going to be hanging out on fan sites looking at whether or not to do so. Common sense should tell you that.

They may visit a site like Deb Wills or Mousesavers to plan the trip AFTER the decision is made. But Disney isn't going to get new customers based on fan sites (and FWIW, I do think Deb should be on any media list -- and she is!)

~GFC~

 

[jakeman]

I have seen some incredibly shoddy little sites that have folks getting flown across the country for all-expenses (and then some) trips.

Name them.

 

[WDW1974]

Quote:
Originally Posted by asianway
At least a half dozen pro twitterers(twits?) got freebies to last nights MVMCP. I'm sure there were more. That's only the ones I follow.

Again, name them.

Jake, buddy (and I say that in the loosest terms), no one has to name anyone.

If you are saying you don't believe that Disney Social Media handed out free tix to MVMCP, then that's your perrogative. Disney has been doing this annually since at least 2007 (with online media, since the start with traditional).

I know you just wish to be contrary and, perhaps, I should ignore it.

But Disney really does give comps out ... and too much Pixie Dust can fry your brain. :xmas:

~GFC~

 

[jakeman]

Jake, buddy (and I say that in the loosest terms), no one has to name anyone.

If you are saying you don't believe that Disney Social Media handed out free tix to MVMCP, then that's your perrogative. Disney has been doing this annually since at least 2007 (with online media, since the start with traditional).

I know you just wish to be contrary and, perhaps, I should ignore it.

But Disney really does give comps out ... and too much Pixie Dust can fry your brain. :xmas:

~GFC~

I never said that. In fact I said just the opposite. I took the time to quote it below. Here I'll even bold it for you since you overlooked this post the first time:

I grow tired of reading this over and over again, even though anyone with half a brain cell knows it's true.

Name them.

Name the websites that are getting perks from Disney and enumerate what benefits they've received.

Then the fan community can decide for themselves if the information is slanted and continue to frequent those sites.

If it is such the problem you preach about incessantly, then name them.

I don't know the names of these twitter accounts or websites to determine, in my opinion, if it is a persistent problem, but you seem to.

I'm not denying that it is happening. I just want to know who has this horrific slant that you claim so I can evaluate them for myself.

So name them.

 

[WDW1974]

The entire subject was discussed in great detail on lp. Names were named and it got ugly. I don't think Steve is going to want names named here, but it became very apparent that the more pixie dusted positive reviews the bettering perks(Aulani trips, free cruises) and anyone in the fan
Community who tried to exercise any semblance of impartial unbiased reviews couldn't get invited to so much as a tweet up.

Um ... as the Spirit who started the thread, I'll disagree with that. It didn't ever get ugly. Not a single post was admined in 1100-plus. But I didn't place it here out of fear that it would. While this site has improved tremendously as far as having people think with open minds, it still skews to a 'WDW has never been better' mindset or at least a give them the benefit of the doubt one.

I'm not even sure how we're discussing it now ... and with work plus upcoming trips for business as well as DL AND WDW (since I hate them so much, right:ROFLOL:?) soon, I'm going to be heading back to occasional lurk mode soon, so I don't really intend to get pulled back ino the same discussion ... although you guys/gals can go right ahead.

It IS worth talking about. It does affect what kind of product Disney puts out in FLA.

~GFC~

 

[HMF]

Ah, so another one of the 99% who believes in defending the 1% ...let's all quote Ayn Rand as some hero and dance around in the streets waving flags ... hope you have your cabin in the mountains well stocked when the rest of the people wake up.

~GFC~

Oh, you don't know if every person works hard enough they can all be part of the 1%. It's mathematically impossible but apparently it can be done and if you don't think it can be done you are clearly a socialist. (sarcasm)

 

[njDizFan]

Since this thread has turned a little political and the powers that be are letting it slide, I will have to weigh in with my "talking points"

I think we can all agree that minimum wage does not equal a living wage. Has anybody ever tried to live on less than $1000 a month?

I can hear all the arguements already; what do you expect if you didn't go to college? If you don't like the pay don't work there. I could hire a monkey to push a button why should they get paid more than minimum wage. Why does the government have to tell business what they should pay their employees, and of course, They are just teenagers that is what they deserve for entry level positions.

To start, 3 million people today live on minimum wage. If they are lucky enough to mooch off their parents or have social security as supplemental income we can at least not classify them as the working poor.

Let's face it, not everyone is inclined or able (mentaly or financialy) to attend a college. Retail, maintenance,food service workers etc are neccesary in all societies. And for people who have actually done these jobs, it is a mundane and thankless position. I wouldn't want to see them paid at the level of a skilled/professional position but having a whole class of people living by the skin of their teeth is not acceptable in a civilized society.

And the macro-economics impact of putting more money in the hands of this economic class can be quite large. Statisticfally every $1/hour in a persons paycheck leads to $3500/year into the economy. Teens/young adults can leave their parents house(an alarming trend) and actually rent an apartment. Seniors can actually afford to enjoy their retirement a little more. Parents can work less hours and spend time with their children. And since Poverty/money problems are the biggest source of marital issues in the US maybe this would eliviate the stress.

Disney, as stated earlier is the largest private employer in Florida. If you live in the Orlando area, your choices on finding permanent employement is scarce. Disney could make a huge impact in Central Florida and show an example to the world if they decided to pay their employees a living wage. I'm sure this would entice a better recruit and have a more satisfied employee and probably a better guest experience.

Let the flames begin...

 

[DisneyJoe]

nope, much better to fly Lou Mongello from Florida to Hawaii and put him and his party up for a week because anyone listening to him is clearly not already addicted to Pixie Dust, right?)

Since Lou traveled with the owner of an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency, there is a strong possibility that the agency used it's reduced rates to be one of the first to be at Aulani at opening - especially since this agency is also associated with Allears.

These agencies were, and are, still being offered greatly reduced rates to Aulani so that we can familiarize ourselves with the property so we can sell it to our clients. This is standard practice in the travel industry.

Disclaimer - I am the owner of an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency.

Why shouldn't Disney court Lou and treat him well? What other personality has so many bases covered? (Only Deb Wills and her team comes close in my mind.) He's a published author, does a podcast/radio show, publishes a magazine, has a strong following on Twitter, and is also a professional speaker. He also has strong ties to other Disney sites as well as one of the top Disney-focused travel agencies.

 

[Hakunamatata]

this thread is teetering on yet another slippery slope.

Yep. Pretty much just tottered.

 

[jakeman]

Since this thread has turned a little political and the powers that be are letting it slide, I will have to weigh in with my "talking points"

I think we can all agree that minimum wage does not equal a living wage. Has anybody ever tried to live on less than $1000 a month?

I did for three years in college. No financial aid or help from my parents.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Since this thread has turned a little political and the powers that be are letting it slide, I will have to weigh in with my "talking points"

I think we can all agree that minimum wage does not equal a living wage. Has anybody ever tried to live on less than $1000 a month?

I can hear all the arguements already; what do you expect if you didn't go to college? If you don't like the pay don't work there. I could hire a monkey to push a button why should they get paid more than minimum wage. Why does the government have to tell business what they should pay their employees, and of course, They are just teenagers that is what they deserve for entry level positions.

To start, 3 million people today live on minimum wage. If they are lucky enough to mooch off their parents or have social security as supplemental income we can at least not classify them as the working poor.

Let's face it, not everyone is inclined or able (mentaly or financialy) to attend a college. Retail, maintenance,food service workers etc are neccesary in all societies. And for people who have actually done these jobs, it is a mundane and thankless position. I wouldn't want to see them paid at the level of a skilled/professional position but having a whole class of people living by the skin of their teeth is not acceptable in a civilized society.

And the macro-economics impact of putting more money in the hands of this economic class can be quite large. Statisticfally every $1/hour in a persons paycheck leads to $3500/year into the economy. Teens/young adults can leave their parents house(an alarming trend) and actually rent an apartment. Seniors can actually afford to enjoy their retirement a little more. Parents can work less hours and spend time with their children. And since Poverty/money problems are the biggest source of marital issues in the US maybe this would eliviate the stress.

Disney, as stated earlier is the largest private employer in Florida. If you live in the Orlando area, your choices on finding permanent employement is scarce. Disney could make a huge impact in Central Florida and show an example to the world if they decided to pay their employees a living wage. I'm sure this would entice a better recruit and have a more satisfied employee and probably a better guest experience.

Let the flames begin...

Economics is not a political topic. Politicians using economics for political reasons is a political topic.

 

[jakeman]

I'm not even sure how we're discussing it now ... and with work plus upcoming trips for business as well as DL AND WDW (since I hate them so much, right:ROFLOL:?) soon, I'm going to be heading back to occasional lurk mode soon, so I don't really intend to get pulled back ino the same discussion ... although you guys/gals can go right ahead.

So you're not going to name the sites then?

Figured as much.

 

[WDWFigment]

No, I am not saying perks (as you call them) should be given to anyone. But when you are a real journalist/reporter/critic, they often are as it IS part of the job.

When you are simply a Disney fan living a Disney Lifestyle and running a website/business that leeches off the Mouse, it stands to reason that you're going to glow over every interactive queue, over every new planter, over every new foamhead meet-greet-and-grope, over every construction wall ... over any/every thing because you are in a symbiotic relationship with TWDC. What's good for them is what's good for you.

This isn't complicated, folks.




I do not know of one single regularly credentialed member of the fan community (podcaster/blogger/webmaster) who slams Disney on an even occasional basis. Not one. Not saying there isn't one (because they multiply like bunnies and I admit I don't know many of them).

And I don't think they'll lose an audience by being postive all/most of the time. First, their audiences are made up of almost entirely Disney fans to start with (this is my biggest gripe as a shareholder with Disney spending tens of millions annually on social media whores as they aren't reaching NEW audiences, they aren't helping Disney BUILD a larger base, they are preaching to the folks Disney already owns!)

But what's insidious is Disney fans tend to want to believe what they're being told by others who share the passion, the love, the MAGIC ... so if someone tells you that you should spend your hard-earned dollars on taking a Disney Dream cruise or buying into DVC or dining at the chef's table at Citricos or attending MVMCP, you should at least be getting it from people who would do likewise. In MANY cases, you're dealing with folks who would NEVER, EVER spend their own dollars doing just that ... but when they get free trips and meals and swag, it's very easy to tell other fans -- paying fans -- that they should do likewise.

I never saw a blogger tell anyone when they got off their free Dream cruises that while the ship is beautiful and they had a wonderful time that for the price of a three-night cruise in an inside stateroom they could take a balcony cruise on another line to much nicer ports for seven nights.

Just one example ...



I have seen some incredibly shoddy little sites that have folks getting flown across the country for all-expenses (and then some) trips. I have no idea how many 'uniques' they get because I also know enough about social media to know it's largely a very inexact science. The way many sites piggyback on others with the same content often mean the same eyes are viewing the content, but on different sites (which certainly makes the people who provide the content look like they're reaching a much larger audience than they are in reality).

But when you say 'primed' that to me is another word for 'addicted' ... that means Disney isn't growing its business by spinning its PR for an audience tha it already owns.



I would never say you ignore what's called 'new media' ... but that's not what Disney is doing. Disney has a concerted effort to ignore as much traditional media as it can (I know someone who lives in LA and has written about Disney for many top publications, some inhouse, and was highly dissuaded from doing anything on Aulani because a top PR hack told her that 'we're not inviting many traditional organizations' ... nope, much better to fly Lou Mongello from Florida to Hawaii and put him and his party up for a week because anyone listening to him is clearly not already addicted to Pixie Dust, right?)

A family in Texas that is contemplating a visit to WDW for the first time simply isn't going to be hanging out on fan sites looking at whether or not to do so. Common sense should tell you that.

They may visit a site like Deb Wills or Mousesavers to plan the trip AFTER the decision is made. But Disney isn't going to get new customers based on fan sites (and FWIW, I do think Deb should be on any media list -- and she is!)

~GFC~

My response to this is: SEO.

Many of the Disney fan sites have better SEO for important keywords than do huge mainstream sites. Also because of SEO multiple sites are not reaching the exact same audience. At least no more than the travel writers for the New York Times and Washington Post reach the same audience. Because of SEO, Disney is reaching new consumers with these strategies.

I still have yet to see an example of website with little to no traffic receiving the huge comps you've indicated they receive. I've heard of more prominent ones receiving lesser-comps, but that's it.

I don't know if you're intentionally choosing to ignore certain aspects of online business development, or if you actually don't understand it, but you're certainly reducing what's happening to its most basic terms, and also misstating it.

I can understand objecting to Disney's strategy from a perspective that these fan-site writers don't present as balanced or vetted an analysis as a professional journalist (I don't agree, but I see your point), but the other arguments you're advancing about the strategy not leading to growth are inaccurate.

 

[WDWGoof07]

Since this thread has turned a little political and the powers that be are letting it slide, I will have to weigh in with my "talking points"

I think we can all agree that minimum wage does not equal a living wage. Has anybody ever tried to live on less than $1000 a month?

I can hear all the arguements already; what do you expect if you didn't go to college? If you don't like the pay don't work there. I could hire a monkey to push a button why should they get paid more than minimum wage. Why does the government have to tell business what they should pay their employees, and of course, They are just teenagers that is what they deserve for entry level positions.

To start, 3 million people today live on minimum wage. If they are lucky enough to mooch off their parents or have social security as supplemental income we can at least not classify them as the working poor.

Let's face it, not everyone is inclined or able (mentaly or financialy) to attend a college. Retail, maintenance,food service workers etc are neccesary in all societies. And for people who have actually done these jobs, it is a mundane and thankless position. I wouldn't want to see them paid at the level of a skilled/professional position but having a whole class of people living by the skin of their teeth is not acceptable in a civilized society.

And the macro-economics impact of putting more money in the hands of this economic class can be quite large. Statisticfally every $1/hour in a persons paycheck leads to $3500/year into the economy. Teens/young adults can leave their parents house(an alarming trend) and actually rent an apartment. Seniors can actually afford to enjoy their retirement a little more. Parents can work less hours and spend time with their children. And since Poverty/money problems are the biggest source of marital issues in the US maybe this would eliviate the stress.

Disney, as stated earlier is the largest private employer in Florida. If you live in the Orlando area, your choices on finding permanent employement is scarce. Disney could make a huge impact in Central Florida and show an example to the world if they decided to pay their employees a living wage. I'm sure this would entice a better recruit and have a more satisfied employee and probably a better guest experience.

Let the flames begin...

Yeah, 'cause we have it so hard in America...

 

[njDizFan]

Yeah, 'cause we have it so hard in America...

Seriously, you are going to give me a link from the Heritage Foundation?!? Their information isn't too bias.

I love their statistics: 70% of all "poor" people have a VCR...great and what's that 99.7% actually own a fridge.

Of course we live better than we did 100 years ago and yes most Americans live better than sub-sahara Africa.

I am definately happy to know that almost all Americans can afford their dollar menu dinner and pay their cable bills...AKA pablum for the masses

 

[WDWGoof07]

Seriously, you are going to give me a link from the Heritage Foundation?!?

Yes, I am because they're right. The poverty issues in America are blown way out of proportion.

You don't need to find skilled people to fill the "thankless, mundane" jobs you describe. That's why they pay minimum wage (which, frankly, is too much in some cases).

 

[googilycub]

Since this thread has turned a little political and the powers that be are letting it slide, I will have to weigh in with my "talking points"

I think we can all agree that minimum wage does not equal a living wage. Has anybody ever tried to live on less than $1000 a month? .

Yes I have. You may not be able to have the latest iPhone, the nicest car, or eat out much, but it can be done.

 

[njDizFan]

Yes I have. You may not be able to have the latest iPhone, the nicest car, or eat out much, but it can be done.

I also have lived on that if not a little less, heck anything is possible if you are willing to eat soup and walk to work. Afford an apartment, health care, a car, car insurance, food, electricity, it is almost impossible(at least here in NJ, where a 1 bedroom goes for $1000+/mo).

 

[WDW1974]

Lou Mongello - "A dinnertime dance party to kick off Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! (Disclosure:I am an invited guest of Disney)"

Steve Barett - Hidden Mickey author, part of Allears team possibly

I know one owner of a few Disney related sites, podcaster and travel agency founder that is invited to many Disney events and 90% of his comments are anti-Disney; but he is still continually invited.

I don't think it serves much purpose to list names ... because invariably your discussion will become a referendum or either what a great person this is and what a service they do as the living embodiment of the spirit of Walt ... or they'll just be called a good old-fashioned .

As someone who has been invited to events in the past as both media (legit) and VIP, there were always a few folks from small organizations that I wondered why they were there ... until I saw their 'coverage' ... so there have always been folks willing to put out PR talking points in exchange for free trips, swag and chances to drool on Dave Smith.:hurl:

And I go way back with Disney events as the first I attended was in 1990 for the opening of the WDW Dolphin Hotel and the new attractions at The Disney-MGM Studios.

But I'd love to know this guy you're talking about who is 90% negative about Disney, but still gets invited. First, I'm shocked that anyone could be that negative and involved in a Disney Lifestyle. (I do realize that some slow folks may think I'm that negative or worse when it comes to Disney or WDW and I'm not even close to that!) ... Then, I would wonder why Disney keeps inviting him back because he isn't legit media and they don't have to ... unless he keeps sending them enough business through his TA ... but, frankly, it all sounds fishy to me.

~GFC~