Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[PhotoDave219]

What happened?

Exactly what was stated. Jeff videotaped me and my lady friend goofing around with Lotso.

Creepy as Hell.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Thank you all for the entertainment this evening!

2 things I will say about the video in relation to what has transpired tonight(

1. Skippy, if you think most of those people in attendance was in "business casual" dress attire, as you said was required, its apparent that most of those people really have no clue what business casual is...

2. No matter who you work for, whether it be a blog or a real media company, if you receive perks, of course your opinion is going to be bias on the subject at hand because of those said perks! I just find it sad that Disney think they have to stoop so low and actually cater and give in to that...

I really hope you enjoyed Mya making fun of all of you, which if you didn't realize by now, Is essentially Disney, the company you all love, making fun of you guys, and using you to spread their pixie dust for basically peanuts!

Like I said.... Disney is a multi-billion dollar company. The opinion of a few bloggers will not affect the stock price one bit.

These bloggers need Disney way more then Disney needs them. None of these people, nor the collective sum of the whole, nor you or I are bigger than the Mouse.

The New York Times on the other hand.... it most certainly will.

 

[Goofyernmost]

In the traditional media, many (not all) news agencies with any kind of credibility at all generally have rules against freebies in most cases - and disclosures about them when they do accept freebies for a reason.

There are issues of objectivity.

The issues are even bigger when, instead of a newspaper that covers everything, it's a Web site that covers a single company - and is accepting freebies from that company as part of that coverage. In fact, in many ways relies on freebies - whether it's a gift or just special access - for that coverage.

There comes a point when you need to know if this is an objective source of good information or essentially a secret extension of the company's marketing.

In any case, I can't speak to anyone else here, but I know I would love it if Ricky would enter the conversation here and explain his views on these things/take questions regarding it.

This constant comparison between Disney Blogs and legitimate news agencies is total BS. How can anyone hold a fan-base group to the same standards as an information based, organization. News personalities make millions of dollars for their ability to "dig" up and pick apart items of importance that negatively or positively affects the population. How many millions do you suppose these smaller groups get that are doing this because of their "arrested development" or "mental illness". As stated most, if not all of these people do it for the love and attachment they feel toward Disney. They may not dress like they are going to a red carpet affair. Want to know why? It's because they are not going to a red carpet affair, they are going to a Disney sponsored "Thanks for your support" greet and eat.

If I discuss with you or 74 or the rest of the "group", your opinions of WDW, will I be getting an objective source of good information? Hell no, I would be getting the World according to you. The difference is that your slant is mostly negative. You want newbies to enter the parks in that same negative viewpoint. God forbid that anyone might go there without comparing 2013 with 1955. And in all honesty, if they did compare it based on that, 1955 would lose.

Why should Ricky enter this conversation? So all of you with a superior attitude can attempt to ridicule him or prove just how wonderful you are and how warped he is? All he is doing is living his life as he wants too. If someone tries to point out the similarities that you guys have compared to him, you go all ballistic. Yea, but we are right and he is wrong. Hypocrites, all of you! It must be getting pretty close to the point in time when everyone realizes that we are talking about a freaking Theme Park and it's operation. We do not require it for our life, on a scale of one to ten on a list of importance to maintaining life, it is a minus four.

I guess if it is all that important that their obsession is classified as arrested development and yours is squeaky clean healthy, that justifies putting down, name calling, laughing at other human beings then have at it. Just don't look for a lot of respect coming from anyone whose opinion may not include putting others down to make themselves feel better.

 

[Megalodumb]

If I discuss with you or 74 or the rest of the "group", your opinions of WDW, will I be getting an objective source of good information? Hell no, I would be getting the World according to you. The difference is that your slant is mostly negative. You want newbies to enter the parks in that same negative viewpoint. God forbid that anyone might go there without comparing 2013 with 1955. And in all honesty, if they did compare it based on that, 1955 would lose.

I honestly don't miss the WDW of 1955.

 

[Lucky]

I honestly don't miss the WDW of 1955.

Too many snakes and mosquitos. But at least it wasn't crowded.

 

[Nemo14]

I think that's sort of the hidden story with this video and this entire Social Media event at the California Grill.

The California Grill Cast Members looked great, all very sharply uniformed and groomed. They smiled big smiles. They said "Welcome! Would you like to try...." a hundred times over to guys sporting neck beards and their best untucked polo shirts. The restaurant managers wore full suits and ties, even though the Social Media team didn't and apparently there's no air conditioning in Florida in September and so you shouldn't have to wear anything nicer than a 6 year old untucked polo shirt out in public. The CM's stuck to their scripts and remained very gracious and stylish and even elegant. And then they smiled some more.

But can you even imagine the hilarious stories those CM's told at the end of the night when it was all over?!?

Bravo to the Cast Members of the California Grill! True professionals, all of them.

The managers should make those Cast Members t-shirts... "I Survived Social Media Night - California Grill Reopening 2013"

In big neon letters - maybe with a big picture of Stitch in the middle, or Phinneas & Ferb,... or maybe a goat....

 

[Darth Sidious]

Pass the popcorn.

 

[flynnibus]

It is simple put that way.. In that room was there one objective journalist?

Or... why does anyone suggest there was supposed to be?

Does Ricky pretend to be one?

I think the answer to both of the above is 'no'

 

[flynnibus]

Also, his site, if I'm in the right place, clearly has a column labeled "news." So a non-journalist who reports news? That's oxymoronic.

Uhh.. glass houses dude. *looks at top of page and thread title*

 

[flynnibus]

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.

It's not sketchy... it's called building 'brand advocates'. This is not unique to Disney.. Do you think people leak news to journalists purely based on who they think are really swell guys/gals?

Information is power... and companies can divy it out to promote their own interests as well.

 

[steve2wdw]

Could "anyone" try to get into this "meet-up".....was it for any reader of the Disney Parks Blog, or was it only open to the social media types?

 

[bhg469]

Could "anyone" try to get into this "meet-up".....was it for any reader of the Disney Parks Blog, or was it only open to the social media types?

It wasnt an invite only situation from what I gather. I believe it was pushed for the Disney social media elite with nothing bad to say about Disney world. Its Disneys right to do this and they're just securing the devotion from the leeches. Besides its much cheaper to buy off these people than to actually build needed attractions and satisfy the minority of people that demand the best Disney has to offer.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Could "anyone" try to get into this "meet-up".....was it for any reader of the Disney Parks Blog, or was it only open to the social media types?

According to Disney, anybody can enter to partake in the DisneyParks Meets. Part of the issue is if Disney should allow people whom they have invited to the media even to also attent these Meets. There is also the inverse of if people who are going to the media event voluntarily not trying to go to the Meets so others can enjoy the often similar offerings. Another factor is part of the reason why these people are called "lifestylers." The Meets are usually announced on short notice on either a first come, first served basis or with a small window to register. The lifestylers/bloggers are the ones constantly watching the DisneyParks Blog and the associated Twitter accounts. Many also already live in the area.

While I wouldn't put it past some at Disney to selectively choose and lie about the randomness of their choices, I think its more a factor of the latter two. People are being selfish but also have nothing else to do with themselves.

 

[Skip]

I am a huge fan of Universal and what they've been doing with their parks & resorts lately - but can I point out something a bit timely and worrying?

Last night Universal held a media preview event for this year's Halloween Horror Nights 23. Many of the usual "blogs" were invited (Inside the Magic, Behind the Thrills, etc.) while several notable websites were excluded (Orlando United) [disclaimer - not associated with any of these sites]. This is all fairly expected - despite OU's relatively massive traffic compared to some of these other sites, they are not on Uni's good list thanks to the leaks provided from resident insider @HTF .

However - I think they crossed a line last night, and I want to acknowledge it since a lot of people either missed it or afraid to speak about it for fear of backlash.

In addition to being pretty obviously selective in inviting sites that "played ball," Uni saw fit to invite several "fans" as media to attend the event. Why is this a problem? These specific fans I'm referring to are known for never criticizing Halloween Horror Nights and in fact outright attack people who do criticize it, even when the criticism is fair. I know this based on following a popular Facebook group that is frequented by Universal creatives in which many arguments have broken out - criticism of any kind is stifled and outright attacked on said page, and only positivity will be embraced. It's very DISBoards in a way, and kind of frightening - and the notion that Universal would choose to invite some of these "die hards" who refuse to see any flaw sends an extremely alarming message. Other fans are now going to feel compelled to never criticize & always lather on the praise, in the hopes that they might get a special invite to a "media" junket. Is this not the very problem we've been admonishing Disney for?

Something just seems very rotten about this. I realize it's a bit of a tangent, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts, @WDW1974 .

 

[steve2wdw]

According to Disney, anybody can enter to partake in the DisneyParks Meets. Part of the issue is if Disney should allow people whom they have invited to the media even to also attent these Meets. There is also the inverse of if people who are going to the media event voluntarily not trying to go to the Meets so others can enjoy the often similar offerings. Another factor is part of the reason why these people are called "lifestylers." The Meets are usually announced on short notice on either a first come, first served basis or with a small window to register. The lifestylers/bloggers are the ones constantly watching the DisneyParks Blog and the associated Twitter accounts. Many also already live in the area.

This is how I understood it to work.....thanks. So when it comes to registering for this type of event, it's pretty much the same as the mad rush to get seats to the Beyonce concert-make sure that you're on your computer at said time, hit refresh a lot, and if you're lucky you get a ticket. If not, you go to a ticket broker (or in this case, a friend who was lucky enough to get on the list). If I'm not mistaken, it seems as though Tables in Wonderland and D23 both operate in this same manner when holding special events.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Could "anyone" try to get into this "meet-up".....was it for any reader of the Disney Parks Blog, or was it only open to the social media types?

Anyone could apply. These things fill up within a minute of it being opened.

My issue right now with this is that it is a "first come, first serve" RSVP process rather than a random drawing.

Due to the popularity of these events, a random drawing seems to be the most fair.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

It's not sketchy... it's called building 'brand advocates'. This is not unique to Disney.. Do you think people leak news to journalists purely based on who they think are really swell guys/gals?

Information is power... and companies can divy it out to promote their own interests as well.

These people are frequently given much more than leaks, inluding media access and "goodies" for barely qualifying as "journalists". You can give somebody press photos and info without wining and dining them for free. The special treatment is too much for so little.

 

[PhotoDave219]

This constant comparison between Disney Blogs and legitimate news agencies is total BS. How can anyone hold a fan-base group to the same standards as an information based, organization. News personalities make millions of dollars for their ability to "dig" up and pick apart items of importance that negatively or positively affects the population. How many millions do you suppose these smaller groups get that are doing this because of their "arrested development" or "mental illness". As stated most, if not all of these people do it for the love and attachment they feel toward Disney. They may not dress like they are going to a red carpet affair. Want to know why? It's because they are not going to a red carpet affair, they are going to a Disney sponsored "Thanks for your support" greet and eat.

No, you misunderstand my point. My issue is with people demanding to be treated as they are a professional journalist when they freely admit they are not.

I would also make the case that a news personality is not a professional journalist either but thats a different conversation for another day.

 

[lazyboy97o]

This is how I understood it to work.....thanks. So when it comes to registering for this type of event, it's pretty much the same as the mad rush to get seats to the Beyonce concert-make sure that you're on your computer at said time, hit refresh a lot, and if you're lucky you get a ticket. If not, you go to a ticket broker (or in this case, a friend who was lucky enough to get on the list). If I'm not mistaken, it seems as though Tables in Wonderland and D23 both operate in this same manner when holding special events.

That's my understanding. I think the people running these events are also comfortable with who is repeatedly showing up.

 

[ford91exploder]

No, we're definitely not losing money. His videos do VERY well. But getting freebies is certainly a wonderful bonus. Do you think he should decline free cruises and invitations to events?

I paid for college by being a press photographer and runner and I still after all these years have a state house press pass, So as a one time newsie I would say skip the swag and accept the invites to the events but cover them as a journalist would with detachment and objectivity.