Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[flynnibus]

SHOCKING NEWS TODAY!

Disney has soiled the Star Wars brand by allowing SLOT MACHINES based on Star Wars! That's right.. you heard it here first... Lucasfilm licensed Star Wars to IGT in 2012.. and Disney hasn't stopped it!

Can you believe LucasFilm soiled the Star Wars brand by making a child's toy brand into GAMBLING devices?

 

[Bolna]

Why is it that any time somebody holds a different belief or a different opinion than you do, they're suddenly just trying to discredit you and your information or disrail your threads? I honestly mean no disrespect by this question, but I feel that it hurts your case when you can't seem to have a civil discussion involving various beliefs and views.

The thing that makes me wonder though is that some of the people who post on this thread have nearly no or very few posts on other threads. And as soon as @WDW1974 posts something they come in to say that he is very wrong. There is disagreement and then there is posters whose only (or main) purpose on this site appears to be to jump on the threads started by @WDW1974. I think that's why he might come to the conclusion that there is another motivation for these posters than just an interest in discussion.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

Personal observation- I've seen gambling ruin marriages and families first hand. As I've heard it described, the rush is similar to those received by sex addicts. Really.

 

[misterID]

What message did you get when Monopoly was the top slot machine? (BTW there are 40+ versions of Monopoly slot machines now)
Or how about many other board games aimed at children?
Clue?
Yatzee?

They all have slots games. Has the image of these brands been tarnished?

Or how about other properties like..
WIlly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? (based on the Gene Wilde film)
Lookout.. Superman (based on the movies) and the DC Comic version are in slots..
The Wizard of Oz?
Goldilocks and the 3 bears?
Star Trek?

All have slots released in the last 2 years.

Can you name any of the above properties as being tarnished or stained in the public's eye because of their use of the IP in gaming?

Wasn't there supposed to be the Disney standard, though? And Monopoly isn't exactly the same thing, now is it? Look at the subject matter. I've never seen any IP you mentioned specifically targeted at toddlers and children under 12, except DC.

Tarnished? I don't know. I don't think it's a good thing. I would have never guessed any Disney related item would be used on anything relating to gambling, because of how sensitive they've been about that stuff in the past. It's surprsing. Like seeing a goofy coaster at The Doll House. Or mickey tassels. Or Donald Duck Vodka. I think I'm giving them ideas

I think there was a bigger outcry over Avatar being too "adult" to be put into a Disney Theme Park, among other IP's that get shot down for being too adult.

And if your entire forum existence is centered around following, contradicting and arguing with Spirit... yeah, I understand the discrediting thing.

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

And if your entire forum existence is centered around following, contradicting and arguing with Spirit... yeah, I understand the discrediting thing.

But, again, what exactly does anybody stand to gain from discrediting him? As in, WHY would anybody want to try to do so?
Maybe I'm just ignorant in regards to this sabotage that apparently goes on as I find these threads generally pretty hard to follow (they grow so fast!) and tend to not read them... but it just comes across as unfounded paranoia to me. Any time that I've seen him call people out for trying to discredit him or launching personal attacks at him, they've generally just been trying to make their own point.

 

[flynnibus]

Wasn't there supposed to be the Disney standard, though?

Sure, but you are making the assumption that this somehow damages it or challenges it. The point of the list was to show you how this 'has happened' plenty and had zero impact on the general perception of these brands. So.. is the Disney standard really being challenged or at risk?

And Monopoly isn't exactly the same thing, now is it? Look at the subject matter. I've never seen any IP you mentioned specifically targeted at toddlers and children under 12, except DC.

No?

No?

I would have never guessed any Disney related item would be used on anything relating to gambling, because of how sensitive they've been about that stuff in the past

And Disney brands have not been - it's their subsidiaries that have been licensed. But even if they had been... would you have even known? The brands above have not been redefined or derailed by being licensed to gambling devices.

I find it amusing people are getting worked up over this... the company that has whored their icons and characters for everything under the sun.. and people get worked up over subsidiaries licensing actions due to Disney's attempts to keep competition out of florida.

Rich it is...

 

[misterID]

But, again, what exactly does anybody stand to gain from discrediting him? As in, WHY would anybody want to try to do so?
Maybe I'm just ignorant in regards to this sabotage that apparently goes on as I find these threads generally pretty hard to follow (they grow so fast!) and tend to not read them... but it just comes across as unfounded paranoia to me. Any time that I've seen him call people out for trying to discredit him or launching personal attacks at him, they've generally just been trying to make their own point.

It's actually really weird. People have followed him over other boards. People in this forum have admitted they were going to follow him around and argue just to bring "balance" to the board. That's where all the "Disney bashing" comments come from. Some want attention. There was a guy a couple weeks ago who posted all of 74's personal info: email, phone number. So yeah he does have stalkers here. And they fill up every great thread with garbage when they see his name posted. I have no clue what they get out of it.

 

[Nemo14]

The thing that makes me wonder though is that some of the people who post on this thread have nearly no or very few posts on other threads. And as soon as @WDW1974 posts something they come in to say that he is very wrong. There is disagreement and then there is posters whose only (or main) purpose on this site appears to be to jump on the threads started by @WDW1974. I think that's why he might come to the conclusion that there is another motivation for these posters than just an interest in discussion.

Exactly!!!!!!

 

[misterID]

Sure, but you are making the assumption that this somehow damages it or challenges it. The point of the list was to show you how this 'has happened' plenty and had zero impact on the general perception of these brands. So.. is the Disney standard really being challenged or at risk?



No?

No?

And Disney brands have not been - it's their subsidiaries that have been licensed. But even if they had been... would you have even known? The brands above have not been redefined or derailed by being licensed to gambling devices.

I find it amusing people are getting worked up over this... the company that has whored their icons and characters for everything under the sun.. and people get worked up over subsidiaries licensing actions due to Disney's attempts to keep competition out of florida.

Rich it is...

I'm not saying or assuming anything about it damaging the brand. I think it's bad show, personally. Again, I'm shocked because I never thought Disney would allow any of their products to be associated with anything like that.

 

[Nemo14]

I have no clue what they get out of it.

or who's funding it....

 

[bhg469]

SHOCKING NEWS TODAY!

Disney has soiled the Star Wars brand by allowing SLOT MACHINES based on Star Wars! That's right.. you heard it here first... Lucasfilm licensed Star Wars to IGT in 2012.. and Disney hasn't stopped it!

Can you believe LucasFilm soiled the Star Wars brand by making a child's toy brand into GAMBLING devices?

The most atrocious thing about this is they appear to be penny slots.

 

[1023]

Hmmmm.... I was going to stay out of this gambling aspect of the thread but I saw a post that needed some follow up.

I think all I'm trying to figure out here is how exactly putting Marvel characters on slot machines is in any way equivalent to pushing gambling on children?

How exactly are these children in a place where they can even see the slot machines?

Honest question.

Sidenote: Any casino I've ever been to also has Wizard of Oz, Batman, and Star Wars slots... should we not be mad about these properties "pushing" gambling on children? Why only hold Disney to this strange standard?

Sometimes I really think that there is a lot of grasping at straws to find things to pick at the Mouse over. All it really seems to do is drown out the bigger (more important) picture of things that are actually flawed in the company.

Okay lets take it one by one:
I think all I'm trying to figure out here is how exactly putting Marvel characters on slot machines is in any way equivalent to pushing gambling on children?

My response to this is a question. How was "Joe Camel", celebrity use ads, and similar advertising responsible for getting children to smoke? (Uh oh, I hear the din of the usual suspects taking this question to task.) The threat was so bad, the federal government and outside interest spent decades limiting speech to keep kids from smoking.

How exactly are these children in a place where they can even see the slot machines?

Walking through any big casino in Vegas, kids are walking with their parents on their way to everything. Aside from the actual lobby portion of any major Vegas property, restaurants, arcades, elevators, escalators, and restrooms are located amongst the many "wheels of chance." You can sit in a restaurant as a child and watch adults playing these games. Heck, you can see out of the arcade windows. At the Native-American casinos, visibility of these games are no different.

Don't think the previous paragraph is relevant? It's also not limited to casinos. Ever been to the Vegas airport? Slots and video are mixed in the terminals and adjacent to all waiting areas. In fact, if you have a couple of quarters in your pocket while waiting for your table at Macayo's, you can wager them in the waiting area. When getting a pack of gum at the Circle K, you can use your change on the video slot behind you.

Honest question.

Honest answers.

Sidenote: Any casino I've ever been to also has Wizard of Oz, Batman, and Star Wars slots... should we not be mad about these properties "pushing" gambling on children? Why only hold Disney to this strange standard?

I enjoy games of chance. Some people have objections. On a Disney oriented website and discussion board, you are going to find the conversations focused on Disney. There are probably people upset that those other entities have diluted their brand but again this site is mostly Disney. I am sure you can still find people upset by the "designated hitter". They just might not relate it to Disney here, but I digress.

Some people that have posted here are focusing on the "family friendly" image that many divisions of the company hon and craft. Those folks might have "moral" issues also. Companies and their leaders still take "moral" stands to their betterment or detriment such as Chick-Fil-A.

Other people here have clearly stated that this clear hypocrisy, especially in Florida, is the thing that concerns them. This can be for business reasons, (read: Preventing competition from casinos while still benefiting by licensing IP. ) or concerns from stockholders that the value might take a hit if someone really focuses on Disney's hand in the "gambling cookie jar". There have been a myriad of explanations for concerns expressed by individuals.

Sometimes I really think that there is a lot of grasping at straws to find things to pick at the Mouse over. All it really seems to do is drown out the bigger (more important) picture of things that are actually flawed in the company.

People find value in different things. I completely agree that there are HUGE issues with Disney theme park operations in the United States. The company also has made some errors in live action and animation decisions lately. Ultimately, it seems, most of the blame for The Walt Disney Company's issues is in management. That box of rocks will get tossed in the river soon enough. (Maybe not soon enough for me.)

Personally, I do not gamble much anymore. I have other diversions that consume my "play" money. I have no problem with what people want to spend their money on.

I do have a problem in any loss of "value" with any part of my investments in TWDC. If they can successfully navigate the PR issues that could be associated with the "gambling" issue, so be it. I would prefer they not grab any third rail.

I do think Disney should stay out of gambling for all the reasons folks have stated above. Most especially this one:

The most atrocious thing about this is they appear to be penny slots.

*1023*

EDITED: For clarity...

 

[Nemo14]

It seems that once again we've lost the point that '74 was making. It has nothing to do with how any of us or anyone else for that matter feels about gambling, Marvel, Dole Whips or Pixie dust. It's the fact that of all that Disney has done to keep gambling out of the state of Florida while at the same time enjoying profits from those same gambling entities.

 

[flynnibus]

I'm not saying or assuming anything about it damaging the brand. I think it's bad show, personally. Again, I'm shocked because I never thought Disney would allow any of their products to be associated with anything like that.

How about toliet paper roll craft dolls? Found on disney's family website

Maybe there is alot of stuff a company as big as Disney is in that people don't realize. Mainly because its insignificant to the mothership as whole.

 

[flynnibus]

It seems that once again we've lost the point that '74 was making. It has nothing to do with how any of us or anyone else for that matter feels about gambling, Marvel, Dole Whips or Pixie dust. It's the fact that of all that Disney has done to keep gambling out of the state of Florida while at the same time enjoying profits from those same gambling entities.

You mean... another earth shattering relevation... That Disney pulls no punches when it is about lobbying politics in Florida for it's own self-interests?

This isn't the anti-gay legislator getting caught with a gay prostitute.. This is Disney defending it's turf.

 

[1023]

How about toliet paper roll dolls? Found on disney's family website

Maybe there is alot of stuff a company as big as Disney is in that people don't realize. Mainly because its insignificant to the mothership as whole.

Yikes! My main complaint there is not enough paper for a mornings' read. Maybe a full roll made the Dwarves to fat.

*1023*

 

[HMF]

It's actually really weird. People have followed him over other boards. People in this forum have admitted they were going to follow him around and argue just to bring "balance" to the board. That's where all the "Disney bashing" comments come from. Some want attention. There was a guy a couple weeks ago who posted all of 74's personal info: email, phone number. So yeah he does have stalkers here. And they fill up every great thread with garbage when they see his name posted. I have no clue what they get out of it.

If the people doing this are indeed on Disney's dollar than you know that the Company knows they have nowhere to run and is willing to do anything at all costs, legal or otherwise to make the 10/31 Project succeed, Business Ethics and the rule of law be damned. It angers me that Corporate Criminals have invaded this once great Company.

 

[misterID]

How about toliet paper roll craft dolls? Found on disney's family website

Maybe there is alot of stuff a company as big as Disney is in that people don't realize. Mainly because its insignificant to the mothership as whole.

Someone, somewhere inside of Disney just saw this picture and laughed, then he cried, felt ashamed and then, ordered the Snow White series of hemorrhoid pillows.

 

[Tom Morrow]

SHOCKING NEWS TODAY!

Disney has soiled the Star Wars brand by allowing SLOT MACHINES based on Star Wars! That's right.. you heard it here first... Lucasfilm licensed Star Wars to IGT in 2012.. and Disney hasn't stopped it!

Can you believe LucasFilm soiled the Star Wars brand by making a child's toy brand into GAMBLING devices?

Typical of every casino ever outside of places like Vegas. They're always just full of old people blowing away their life savings for hours on end. The most offensive thing to me about casinos is that they are just depressing.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Sorry to get back on the topic of Florida Gambling, but I was under the impression that one of Disney's real reasons for opposing gambling was convention space and the potential loss of bookings.
http://bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-08/genting-fights-disney-south-beach-over-miami-casino-on-the-bay.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/28/r...h-of-casino-gambling.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
The development of one or both resorts could also threaten the Miami Beach Convention Center, which at 640,000 square feet is considered too small for many gatherings. Genting plans to include some 700,000 square feet of meeting space in its Resorts World complex, while the Miami Worldcenter developers have floated the number 1.5 million square feet.