Splitsville Blog Meet-Up

[KevinYee]

The best thing about this site (and the few left like it) is open discussion. I often am accused of wanting everyone to agree with me (just because I am right most of the time) when I find that incredibly boring. Different opinions make the world go around (although, to be fair, it largely sucks).

I agree with this, and even have two further reasons in my case for wanting to read dissenting opinion:

1. It keeps me centered and honest. Tunnel vision as a writer is too easy a trap to fall into, and that goes double when there's a community at your usual blogging site. It becomes an echo chamber. It's useful to read how you are NOT meeting the needs of some readers. That helps me do better for the next article.

2. It changes my mind sometimes. Early on in the days of alt.disney.disneyland, I was convinced that the Disney parks experience should be one of equality for all guests. We were taught at CMs that "Every guest is a VIP" so it seemed logical that the richer folks shouldn't get a better experience. It was pointed out to me that this is wishful thinking. The richer folks always got better experiences. They could buy more E-Tickets, they could shop for better souvenirs, and they could eat at better restaurants. Disneyland only gave the APPEARANCE of equality of outcome (and even then, mostly at the entrance turnstiles only). I couldn't argue for long with this logic and I long ago came to accept this reality.

 

[Swfewrmco]

I agree with this, and even have two further reasons in my case for wanting to read dissenting opinion:

1. It keeps me centered and honest. Tunnel vision as a writer is too easy a trap to fall into, and that goes double when there's a community at your usual blogging site. It becomes an echo chamber. It's useful to read how you are NOT meeting the needs of some readers. That helps me do better for the next article.

2. It changes my mind sometimes. Early on in the days of alt.disney.disneyland, I was convinced that the Disney parks experience should be one of equality for all guests. We were taught at CMs that "Every guest is a VIP" so it seemed logical that the richer folks shouldn't get a better experience. It was pointed out to me that this is wishful thinking. The richer folks always got better experiences. They could buy more E-Tickets, they could shop for better souvenirs, and they could eat at better restaurants. Disneyland only gave the APPEARANCE of equality of outcome (and even then, mostly at the entrance turnstiles only). I couldn't argue for long with this logic and I long ago came to accept this reality.

I would believe this if you hadn't blocked me on Twitter after I disagreed with one of your articles on MiceAge.

 

[KevinYee]

Interesting. I have no memory of this, and at this moment couldn't even tell you how to block someone on twitter. I truly am interested in constructive debate. If I blocked anyone, it must have been after feeling like there was only abuse, not debate.

 

[WDW1974]

I'm pretty sure he still holds that record.

That boy sure was prolific in his time here. I told him how much he is missed, but I think he enjoys the Twitverse more.

 

[WDW1974]

Tried to hug you back in November, but you wouldn't drag your up to the World for a day. Sheesh. But, given what you've been saying, I guess I'm glad my wife didn't get to meet you! And she too is the one that keeps ME in the parks longer than I want to be....but it led to my first "Park Closing + 1 hr" experience. That was cool, but definitely didn't break the Bricker record

A lot of people are whining about not getting hugs from me (no, not bloggers ... they just want plugs from me!), but I am sure we'll meet up in the future. ... As to closings, I've done last one out at both MK and DL (the latter during a few private events) and almost last one at DAK, but it's not a goal of mine. By closing time, I'm usually ready for either bed if it's late or food and drink if it's early. Bricker aims to be last one out at every Disney park in the world.

 

[WDW1974]

Ok...I too got sucked into this...

I haven't been on the forums in a good long time either. Not because I don't care about them or because I think I need to surround myself around people who support me but simply because life got too busy for me to spend time here. It's just how life works.

And I too have a horse in this race, like Tom, being a podcaster and blogger for TP. (Yes...I am one of those so called "countless" bloggers).

I can honestly tell you I have never once been given preferential treatment by Disney at this point. So no...Len Testa hasn't trained me to get any freebies and I am kind of offended you would think that I would.

First, since you've never met me and since I've never said a word about you, I think your offense is misplaced.
I do wonder, though. How many people work (yes, in the real world sense) for Len's operation? Because I admit I am not overly familiar with it at all. And it seems like many in the fan community do have ties to TP.

And do you have any idea how many Disney podcasts exist? Just wondering ...

I do know someone who told me that Len indeed 'taught' his bloggers/employees how to start their own blogs/podcast so they could get in on the social media feeding trough. Again, though, I'm not ripping his humanity if true. People are just playing by rules that Disney sets. If Disney decides it wants to throw money at bloggers because Josh Hallet and Shell Holtz and the like tell them that's what they should do, then the issue is with Disney (and IT IS!)

I also agree with Tom and think they should cap these meet ups to one or two a year to give more the opportunity to take part.

I think I said it first, but who cares? The point is valid. For ALL, not simply bloggers. You get in to this one? Great. We'll hope to see you back in a year. Very simple way of making it fair to all and not just the OCD bloggers and non-bloggers who live this stuff and take places from fans who enjoy it, but aren't on this 24/7.

I don't live near the mouse, but when I've been down in FL at the same time as the meet ups, I haven't been able to get in on the fun because the sign ups went so fast. I took think it should more of a lottery system. Where they have people sign up and then draw names out of the people that were able to sign up.

But all this moaning and complaining here isn't doing any one any good. If you really have a complaint, WRITE A HAND WRITTEN LETTER TO DISNEY. Hand written letters are one of the things they take the most serious. Try to get things to change. But I can tell you one thing. Complaining here isn't doing you any good in enacting change.

I hope things do change because I too would like to see more people get to experience what Disney puts on for it's fans. From what I can tell, these events seem really awesome.

I don't sign up for these things because I'm only sorta local and also because they don't really interest me. But I think Disney should have a level playing field.

 

[Hoop Raeb]

That said, I think "internet privacy" is an evolving concept, and one we'll continue to hear about in the next few years. Is Lou Mongello a public figure based on his social habits? Yes. Am I? Probably. Is Jane Doe who happens to express an opinion in a snarky way, which (unbeknowst to her) goes viral? I don't think so. While I don't like some of the flak I've caught on these boards, I can understand the basis for it. Point being, just because someone puts info out there online doesn't necessarily make them ripe for editorialization.

 

[Hoop Raeb]

You would be correct. WDWMAGIC has not been at any of the openings as an invited guest during our 15 years doing this.

Probably why "the rest of (the) community surpassed (this) beloved site".

Keep up the good work Steve. I love how the information is presented here. Leave it to the uber nerds to jump on details and yell "FIRSTIES!!!" at everything that Disney does. Celebrities in their own minds.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Not really. He's about average size, I'd say....

Bwahahahahaha..... I thought what happened in Disney, stayed in Disney

 

[Lee]

Bwahahahahaha..... I thought what happened in Disney, stayed in Disney

I didn't....I wasn't....ugh....you know what I meant.
Didn't you used to date an ant, by the way? Or was that a different photographer named Dave?

 

[PhotoDave219]

I didn't....I wasn't....ugh....you know what I meant.
Didn't you used to date an ant, by the way? Or was that a different photographer named Dave?

I've dated a few ladies.... We don't need to bore the general viewing populous here with that!

 

[Gtovryslf]

Found this rather interesting article on my twitter feed this morning. Talk about a "class act."

http://wakefieldreport.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-night-at-disney-parks-blog.html?m=1

"Being a party of only two Brandon and I were told we would be put on a lane with another larger party. Looking forward to the chance to meet some new people and share some great stories, I was more than willing to share a lane. Well imagine my surprise when Brandon and I were escorted to a lane that was occupied by Lou Mongello and his party. I was beaming and looking forward to the opportunity to talk to Lou throughout the night and really pick his brain and discuss some of the issues I had with his show. I walked over to Lou and said, “Well since we are going to be sharing a lane, I should introduce myself. Im Chris Wakefield.” Lou threw a look my way that would scare the white off of a snowman. A few minutes later I noticed Lou and his party being escorted to a different lane all the way across the alley."