Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[skippyrules104]

Do the freebies bias his reporting? Would he or others be more critical if they stopped coming? I think that's where many people have issues. Is Ricky truly being objective or does he hold back to keep the freebies coming?

And FYI, I do enjoy his podcasts and videos. For someone like me who has been a disneyland local for 40 years, I appreciate the news he provides on Orlando. I think he, like others, sometimes need to look in the mirror and question their own journalistic integrity. He himself directed this question towards the moms panel, "Is it for Disney's glory...or for yours?" How would he answer it?

He definitely gives his honest opinion. If you can give an example of a review that you find questionable, I'd love to see it. What do you think he said was good but really wasn't?

 

[englanddg]

Following up.... Since he's not a professional journalist, why should he be treated as such With media accreditation and access?

Why should he get treated better than the average guessed that actually pays $95 to get in the Magic Kingdom everyday?

Because he's part of the social media marketing machine...you know this already...

 

[englanddg]

He definitely gives his honest opinion. If you can give an example of a review that you find questionable, I'd love to see it. What do you think he said was good but really wasn't?

Don't challenge me to that...not to mention more frequent visitors. It's not a road you should go down.

 

[skippyrules104]

Neither do we.

So he should't accept free stuff because he's a professional or it doesn't matter because you don't consider him one anyways?

 

[Clever Name]

[Videos? Everyone forgive my ignorance of the Disney blogging sphere, is this the guy who sells old, copyright-infringing DVDs? Don't really care, the IP lawyer in me is just curious.]

That would be Jeff Lange.

 

[kagacins]

Because it's my childhood, bro. And it's my kid's childhood, bro. And that's how they market it to be, bro. So, people should be upset, bro. Disney doesn't say "come here because we have great roller coasters", bro.

They play on emotions, bro.

Because if they are not given what they are presented (how long did Disney use the fully functional Yeti in their adverts?)...they are being ripped off, bro.

Not to mention how the overall quality of the experience has dropped while the prices have gone up.

So, bro...

That's why people are mad...bro.

Inflammatory! I just had the hammer dropped on me as a direct response to my request for civility! I must apologize that I assumed a level of meme-awareness that is not accurate (please consult Urban Dictionary).

I completely understand and value that people are unsatisfied with Disney World for several legitimate reasons (most of these reasons, repeated here and in other places ad nauseum, I agree with), but are these legitimate grievances sufficient to debase the opinions of others and send out so much disrespect? I have no skin in the game, and again, this type of behavior is commonplace in most all forums - but is it too much to ask to attempt to steer clear from broad classism, self aggrandizing, and general boorishness? This thread can be such a fun place to spend time...

 

[Stevek]

If he wants to maintain some semblance of being a "journalist" or something like it, then yes.

If he does not, then no--then the real question is why TWDC pays money for a shill who they ultimately have no control over.

[Videos? Everyone forgive my ignorance of the Disney blogging sphere, is this the guy who sells old, copyright-infringing DVDs? Don't really care, the IP lawyer in me is just curious.]

No that was Dave O'neil and the extinct attractions club. Ricky does pretty high quality stuff filmed by him or his crew and makes them available for all via YouTube.

 

[skippyrules104]

Don't challenge me to that...not to mention more frequent visitors. It's not a road you should go down.

No, I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm really curious. And I'm not sure what you mean by more frequent visitors.

 

[Stevek]

That would be Jeff Lange.

No, Jeff sold his own home videos, not copyrighted Disney owned property.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Because he's part of the social media marketing machine.

Which is a sketchy business when you think about it. Why not hire these people full time as legit company staff if their purpose is to promote the parks? Because it's cheaper to pay people in "freebies" than give them a regular salary with benefits and you can always say they're "unofficial" when people start asking questions.

 

[skippyrules104]

You don't think getting free things--including a $50 gift card which in no way, shape or form can possibly be useful in sizing up the decor and menu of a new restaurant--has a tendency to cloud his judgment?

We did dine at California Grill again last night and used the $50 to get other things on the menu that were not available during the preview nights. The note that we got said to please come back and to feel free to use the gift card there.

 

[englanddg]

So he should't accept free stuff because he's a professional or it doesn't matter because you don't consider him one anyways?

<sigh>

Ethics...

No, he should be free to accept free stuff, as long as it doesn't impact his overall revue. Since his revues are nearly always positive, with very little critique, one of two things is happening...

1) He is being served the best because he's "tagged" by park operations, so he doesn't see what an average guest does

2) He is bought by the comps, and tempers his comments accordingly.

 

[71jason]

So he should't accept free stuff because he's a professional or it doesn't matter because you don't consider him one anyways?

Dave and I say the former (or at least an aspiring professional); Englanddg appears to be saying the latter. It's an interesting debate. Neither side particularly has your husband's back, I'm afraid.

 

[bhg469]

That would be Jeff Lange.

That's just pathetic. Never heard of him but how is this leech part of that event?

 

[skippyrules104]

Does he do this for the free cruises? Do you think those free cruises would stop if he was a little too negative?

No, he does not do a podcast and tons of videos to maybe get a free cruise when they happen to update a ship. That being said we will be cruising on the Magic when they do a media preview. Will it be a relaxing cruise? No, he'll be running around pretty much the entire two nights. But we have been on Disney cruises before where we have paid for them ourselves and actually got to relax and have a good time. So Disney actually won by getting our money because we wanted to go back and actually enjoy the ships without working.

 

[skippyrules104]

That's just pathetic. Never heard of him but how is this leech part of that event?

Jeff Lange is actually an extremely nice person.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Which is a sketchy business when you think about it. Why not hire these people full time as legit company staff if there purpose is to promote the parks? Because it's cheaper to pay people in "freebies" than give them a regular salary with benefits and you can always say they're "unofficial" when people start asking questions.

By being unofficial Disney also has no affiliation with their actions: past, present or future.

 

[bhg469]

Jeff Lange is actually an extremely nice person.

Lots of thieves are nice. But copyright is just that. Selling it is a weasel move.

 

[Clever Name]

No, Jeff sold his own home videos, not copyrighted Disney owned property.

He still sells that junk. He's a parasite.

 

[englanddg]

Jeff Lange is actually an extremely nice person.

That doesn't mean much. I don't know Jeff, nor do I know your husband, but I do know what I'm interested in when planning a Disney Trip...