The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[WDW1974]

He also did a total 180 on the Maelstrom re-do. The below is from an Orlando Sentinel article in March.

"Lou Mongello, host of an unofficial Disney World podcast on WDWRadio.com, said it's natural that when a Disney movie becomes a hit, "everyone starts talking grand plan: 'Oh, they're taking out Maelstrom and they're putting in the Frozen ride.'"

But Mongello noted that creating an attraction takes years, and he's not sure about the plausibility of revamping Maelstrom, a dark boat ride that tours Norwegian seas.

"World Showcase is a world's fair," Mongello pointed out. "It's meant to showcase the culture of ... these countries. If all of a sudden it becomes a 'Frozen' ride, it's something very different."

On his most recent podcasts, he is now defending the change because the parks need to evolve.

Of course he did.

Because no one at CP bothered to tell him in March that Frozen was a done deal and he likely thought Disney would do something ... BIGGER ... to celebrate the top animated feature of all-time (not adjusted for inflation).

Now, he has to backpeddle because he can NEVER be remotely negative about anything at WDW.

OK, I've had a few people call me a douchebag here and get away with it, so can I just say he is one giant freaking douchebag?!? ... Because we know he is.

 

[WDW1974]

Jim Hill was shut down in Disneyland. The explanation I had heard was that because Lou has a Florida Travel Agent License he can operate the tours in park. As for the $179 after hours tour, I have no idea.

Who gave you that tall tale?

 

[WDW1974]

So. With the current crackdown on tripods and their belief that anyone without fancy tripod is doing some sort of commercial filming, you would assume their next target would be Lou.

I've been unfairly accused of commercial filming twice now and honestly I just don't like having to conversations with security. That being said, I don't understand how Disney can continue to allow him to do tors of its parts with him charging money for it or any of the other numerous things he does and makes money off of it.

Since no one at CP seems willing to ''take credit'' for their top BRAND advocate ... have you thought about asking your friend exactly who Lou's benevolent protector at Team Disney Burbank is? ... Because I am flat out telling you that CP knows exactly who-- and under whose orders -- Lou is allowed to do what he does. Otherwise, they would have stopped him in the past when he has blatantly flouted WDW rules and regulations (no, you can't stick a mic under a frontline CMs nose while they are working and start questioning them ... unless you are Lou, that is).

Anyone at CP who says they don't know who Lou's protector is is either lying or choosing to not find out.

 

[WDW1974]

Hasn't '74 been saying that for a while too? Makes no sense unless he's unofficially on the payroll, or has something on them...

He's absolutely not on the payroll unless he has a confidential 'consulting' deal (you know the kind they should be offering 3-4 people on this thread and one Spirit).

More likely, he gets free trips, free cruises, meals at Citricos and $400 bar tabs just wiped out because he's special.

My issue isn't with him personally, even though he comes off like a slimebag.

No, my issue is with companies (not only Disney) having BRAND advocates that have some veneer of independence when they dance to whatever music the company is playing. And then working to ensure those advocates get as much time and space in real media as possible to get the company's message out.

That harms journalism and it harms consumers.

THAT is my issue with Loveable Lou!

 

[WDW1974]

Try to charge admission on your event and see how that works out for you. Spirit summarized all of Lou's special treatment on the laughing place social media thread. Required reading for everyone

Yeah. I still think that was one of the best discussions on Disney had anywhere. It opened my eyes to so many things I really didn't know were happening.

 

[WDW1974]

I need to run ... but I was just about to rant and bash Millennials for our society's ills ... oh well, another time ...

 

[PhotoDave219]

Why haven't the Epcot fanboys gotten off on the righteous indignation of the biggest problem in the park? The new lighting sign using the LED on the front side of spaceship Earth.

John Hench is flipping over in his grave. It looks awful. It's not even. It's not aimed properly. How can they allow this to happen?

 

[Disneyhead'71]

There is a hard ticket after hours event that is absolutely NOT sponsored by Disney.

 

[asianway]

There is a hard ticket after hours event that is absolutely NOT sponsored by Disney.

From the people who brought you the Beach Ball no doubt

 

[the.dreamfinder]

There is a hard ticket after hours event that is absolutely NOT sponsored by Disney.

Just keep the imagineers away and we'll be ok.

 

[alissafalco]

Why haven't the Epcot fanboys gotten off on the righteous indignation of the biggest problem in the park? The new lighting sign using the LED on the front side of spaceship Earth.

John Hench is flipping over in his grave. It looks awful. It's not even. It's not aimed properly. How can they allow this to happen?

Did you take any pics? I'd love to see what it looks like.

 

[aladdin2007]

Did you take any pics? I'd love to see what it looks like.

I was there today and didn't see it..how could I have missed that

 

[Captain Neo]

Are we seriously going to have to wait till 2021 for new Soarin' film or is that an exaggeration? Is 2016 a realistic opening date for that because that is what I am hoping for

 

[PhotoDave219]

Did you take any pics? I'd love to see what it looks like.

I'll try to remember on my way out....

 

[PhotoDave219]

I was there today and didn't see it..how could I have missed that

Nighttime.

The front side looks horrid

 

[Sue_Vongello]

Are we seriously going to have to wait till 2021 for new Soarin' film or is that an exaggeration? Is 2016 a realistic opening date for that because that is what I am hoping for

Well come on ... you know it takes at least ten years to make a 5 minute film.

 

[MonkeyHead]

As has been pointed out, there are plenty of third party events that go through Disney Events that charge their own admission.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

I can respect that. The prequels were garbage...but I still want some Kenobi movies

Agreed, with some cautiousness obviously but i'm open minded about the concept. Some may disagree, but I honestly felt (IMHO) Ewan McGregor as Obi Wan Kenobi was one of the (admittedly very few) actually GOOD things about the prequels. He's a good actor who did the best he could within the poor scripts, but I totally bought him as a young version of the wise old jedi master formerly played by Alec Guinness.

If they can get some talented writers behind it and get Ewan to return (hope so and he seems to have enjoyed the role), i'd be up for an Obi Wan spinoff. I'm not assuming it's going to be good (spinoffs aren't a reason to assume quality by any means) but i'm not going to write it off either if they treat it with respect and class.

With hopefully Lucas having far less of a role in the franchise going forward, i'm going to keep a more positive and open mind about Star Wars until i've been given a good reason to assume otherwise. Star Wars 7 legitimately has me excited I must admit. Hell, I went into Rebels thinking it was going to be utter garbage (the animation is) due to the teaser trailers rubbing me the wrong way, but was actually pleasantly surprised by it (only saw two episodes though and there's still room for improvement)...

 

[AEfx]

Agent Cooper will be back. Kyle MacLachlan tweeted:

"Better fire up that percolator and find my black suit #Twinpeaks"

I'm pretty sure he's has had some...refreshing done in preparation. Saw a new pic of him a few weeks back and noted he looked very...well-rested, compared to when he was a regular on Housewives a few years back.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Who gave you that tall tale?

Honestly, I don't remember. I know the question was asked here back in the day. It could have been on WDW Today, it could have been on here, it could have been Jim Hill.