Originally Posted By vbdad55 You know this mental health thread deal works both ways. For every totally pixie dusted lunatic there seems now to exist an almost clinically depressed naysayer that will complain about anything and everything...the difference is most pixie dusted people I know admit they are somewhat off the deep end. Now that being said, most pixie dusted people I know also have very few other vices- smoking, drinking, womanizing or whatever, they live for the mouse.. healthy, maybe not but less dangerous than many of the above. They have rooms in their homes dedicated to characters / movies, collectibles in boxes in closets and artwork in the home consists of cels and giclees. The next level, well call them the highly influenced fall into a few groups; 1/ those of us who grew up with things like the Mickey Mouse Club, the opening of Disneyland, the first round of classic movies etc., and have deep emotional ties to that era and what it stood for. 2/ children of the above who grew up attending WDW, DL and were around for the second golden age of movies...start of the cruise line etc. 3/ Those who attended a park and were blown away ( yeah it still happens, hard to believe here)- and retro themselves to a simpler time, lighter lifestyle --even if it is for a week at a time or so, escaping the pressures of corporate life, financial concerns, health issues or whatever. -- I always thought to myself, what a great place to exist than can displace such hardships for small amounts of time to give some please to those who seek it. Very few places like this exist. the art is not better than the Louvre, the movies (most) are not dramatic cliches of life, rides are not the scariest, lower level hotel rooms are hotel rooms in a themed building, not top of the rack and the deluxes are not Four Seasons, but most have a view that is unique. A trip to WDW / DL was a rite of passage for most kids. What age did you first go ?? Where did you stay ? What did you ride ? This was all good wholesome fun. --- Somewhere along the way a few people lost their zest for WDW or DL or Disney in general. It happens to every place. There are places I no longer find as appealing as I did when I was a child, or young adult, or heck 5-10 years ago...so I stopped going. I do not get on a blog and tell anyone who goes there and still enjopys themselves they are idiots,morons, shills for management, the reason the place sucks, blind or in the case of the other thread started, mentally ill. In a world where mental illness is increasingly an issue that is underfunded by government agencies, where I worry that thos ewho suffer are going to be left out of the next 'deal' our top government officials are making etc. - we find the time to equate a love for something in the same vein. It amazes me because many who have done that know far better than that..some lovongly work with said people which I admire greatly as I think it actually is a calling -- Disney management since the first 10-12 years of Eisner does seem to be lacking in some applications - fervor for the product- acknowledged. But mention that it might be a microcosm of the world around them also- and take a slap in the head. The same people who believe anyone with a lot of pixie dust is mentally challenged - expects however for all top Disney execs to have a daily dose. How many actually have spent their carers in management positions in multi billion dollar corporations to understand what have been going on the last 10-15 years ? Very few- but they are all experts. For those of us who actually have that experience, well it's a different industry, it's the quality don't you know ( as if we don't) - just drop $B- $2B on attractions and people will copme running. ( Like they ran to DCA I guess- or Hard Rock Park ( closed) - or any one of a number of places long shut down. Yes occasionally lightening in a bottle strikes when you include a phenomenon like HP. Although as discussed here often, there is exactly one of those in the last 25 years that transcends everyday life around the globe. Stockholders- maybe a few- but again experts all. --today the venom is so bad that basically anything Disney does sucks, blows- is crap compared to Uni etc. Let me ask you, how great did IOA do before Potter ? I remember some proclaiming the death of Disney parks when that opened. Disney FP-- totally horrid- the fact that Uni also has a version- just fine. --Then there's the anti-Christ - DVC. DVC has caused the collapse of Disney - in every facet of the company. It's their fault people stopped coming for awhile after 9/11- it's their fault we don't have 12 more e tickets in each gate, their fault for everything from monorail issues to complete lowering of standards. Make a case for ownership and you're an idiot. Every other company in the free world that offers what amounts to pre paid vacation time for some period does it better - Disney is the WalMart of the timeshare business. Not a thread gets to 50 posts before DVC becomes the 666 beast in the discussion. Forget that fact that a few of us are long time members and may understand what it did/ did not do for us - we're idiots. Unfortunately most of those idiots have left LP-- I am glad most are FB friends because there were some great people there. So for those who want to stick around for the bashing of the new Fantasyland, for any new attractions/shows added, whatever the outcome of DtD.. go in peace my friends but watch your mental health. SOme of you have already been labeled as deficient..others teetering. Funny that all the financial boards I beling to, none of them have Disney selling P&R. Now could it happen ? Anything and everything in business is techincally for sale to the highest bidders - hostile takeovers will prove that. Now there are equally as many runors in the financial world that the meeting was to discuss raising large cash amounts and some even that they themselves might be 'buyers' ..but whatever happens it doesn't sell as well as they're all outclassed morons. Time will tell but I am not a gambling man..so I choose to enjoy as much of what I can until said time. Any time one looks to purchase- the discussion of selling is on the table-- and vice versa..where is the profit and how well does it work long term. -- I will complain when something done is really lousy...I will complain to management when my expectations are not met, but I see little sense in complaining about something over which I have zero facts. -- So plain and simple, anyone here often is obsessed one way or another and by definition of the gods ..concerned about mentally. Whichever camp one happens to be in. I am not by any stretch a Pollyana..but if there are only two choices, I will choose to draw as much happiness I can out of an insane world today, rather than heap more misery on people. It's a conscious choice.. and one I feel very good about. I do not plan to enter counseling..I will ride the enjoyment wave my family feels as well as most of our friends. I will hope for more investment in top notch arenas for our parks- much like the class level of the Cruise Line. I do not have deadline for ALL to be fixed before I boycott, abandon ship etc. I enjoy many other things in life and if Disney fails to come close to meeting my expectations in the future.. I will deal with that as I have other things in my life that have gotten there. I though am not waiting for the apocalypse so that this can happen. -- SO as soon as I find out from Doobie whether or not when I delete my ID this thread goes away also--I will move on to enjoy my DVC membership, my AP. my Disney experiences and collectibles..and pray my stock has a better decade. Ride the Disney transportation at WDW as well as drive my own vehicle- nice to have a choice...dine as some of the nicest- most fun places anywhere and use my Tables in Wonderland ( okay they need to change that name) card for family and friends... hell even enjoy the 18 hour ride to get there. I will not apologize for the prices there seeming to be not as far out of line because of where i live. Hopefully this is a place for those who still have positive feelings to express themselves- even though many are gone.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I appoligize for upsetting you vbdad. Your a great guy and that was certainly not my intent. I admit I was having a bit of sarcastic fun about the over abundance of DVCs at WDW. But ask yourself this. How many unhappy DVC owers are there out there? Probably not many. Obviously Disney is doing something right and touches so many lives that people and familys are willing to lay down stakes and seek a claim a piece "The World" and call it home. I still fully support DVC ownership, always have, always will. So my arguement isn't with owners or Disney for providing something people want. I really enjoy WDW and I would like more than anything else to see Disney expand in the parks. To some extent Disney is doing that. And I applaud that. But I want to see more of it. If I came accross as one of the "darkside" people then I will let my fellow LPers be the judge. At any rate. I do appologize personally to you as a friend and as a fellow Disney parks fanatic. I guess I hit a few nerves. Open mouth, insert foot!
Originally Posted By leobloom I thought this guy retired from this forum last week in a dramatic exit? Back so soon?
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I understand your frustration and I as much as said the same thing on my post to the "crazy" thread. I don't see all the gloom and doom that has been expressed here on the boards. I don't even know or understand why I should take seriously anyone that seems to look down on everyone else as "idiots" because they have that inside knowledge that the rest of us are just too lowly to have access too. Could be all smoke and mirrors for all I know. But, we all have been forewarned that the total destruction is just around the corner. We'll see, I guess. You and I usually don't differ too much on items. The only one I remember is concerning Fastpass and we are definitely on opposite ends of the spectrum on that one, but other then that you seem to be a sincere lover of Disney Parks. I guess we have to excuse ourselves that we don't see the, so called, falling apart of everything. I, for one, am way to busy enjoying the positives to dwell on the negatives, even if I were to see them which I don't. And the best part of it is that you and I have probably been looking at it for a lot longer then most that seem to see it crumble. I wonder why that is since we have both expressed points that we wish were different, so we cannot be Pollyanna's can we?
Originally Posted By sjhym333 If you cancel your id the post still remains. Sometimes instead of deleting your id it is best just to take some time away, not look at the boards and just enjoy life. Personally I dont let things on the board get to the point that I let it get to me. When I get frustrated I walk away or lurk for awhile. Not sure why somone elses opinion should bother us so much. I also dont read every post. When I see a page of posts and they are all by one or two people I usually go past them figuring it is almost a private conversation. As for the DVC thing. I think it is great that DVC works for many people including some on this list. It's your money and you feel like your getting your monies worth and thats great. DVC has never been in my budget so I have never seriously looked at it as an option plus being local it doesnt make as much sense. I have stayed in some DVC resorts...Bay Lake Towers being the most recent and I have enjoyed them. We enjoyed BLT so much even my wife said she could be a DVC member there, though it still wont be in out budget for many years. I travel to NYC several times a year. Love NYC but I have friends who dont understand why I go so often. Dont really care what they think. I love it and its my vacation. That the way you obviously feel about your DVC resort options. Enjoy it. I enjoy reading your posts vbdad55 and would hate to see you go. I know it is frustrating here at times and it definately goes towards the negative alot. My suggestion is to take a break and put some distance between you and the boards. I find it helps. Even though many of us dont know each other personally I feel connected to many on the boards. So when I see the Witches or TDLFan post it usually brings a smile to my face because they have been here so long. Either way I am glad you enjoy WDW. It is a wonderful place and has a lot to offer. We all need alittle magic in our lives now and again.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I am glad vbdad took the time to post his final thoughts. I have already mentioned how upsetting it is to see anybody leave LP especially those that have many years invested in making this a uniquely successful web existence. Please reconsider for only one truly good reason and that would be the strength in showing your respect and friendship for Mr.Doobie and his family. Please show your loyalty and keep this a Welcome Place for all opinions. Remember these are only words and sometimes those that shout the loudest think that makes them stronger. We all know that is not true. I could never leave LP forever because these friendships are important to me.
Originally Posted By MousDad At the same time, the defenders have to be able to accept strong criticism of the company without taking it as strong criticism of themselves. And vice versa.
Originally Posted By ChiMike I've refrained from replying to many of Dave's posts from the past week to try and avoid fanning the flames. Dave is a good man and I hope he can clear his head, reconsider the big picture, and continue posting. Dave has taken issue with criticisms of Disney, but in turn, instead of voicing the other point of view per the subject, has decided to set his sights on the negative posters/messengers. That's not who he is. This is a guy who was negative over things he didn't like, things not directly pertaining to his own enjoyment, DDP, Pooh Playground, Stitch. So, I think seeing things he does like, looked at harshly by others was probably some sort of perceived, metaphorical, personal attack. So with that said, I hope he understands that we all want him back soon and are not taking this stuff personally.
Originally Posted By SeventyOne >>Now that being said, most pixie dusted people I know also have very few other vices- smoking, drinking, womanizing or whatever...<< Sorry, but this view of the "pixie-dusted" is, ironically, far too pixie-dusted. As I mentioned in the other thread, the AdvClub was probably Mecca for the Disney fanbois--it was a bar. Hard core Disney fans with merch-filled rooms, but they could pound down the Kungalooshes as well. It would be easier for me to list the pixie-dusted CMs I know who DON'T smoke weed than to list the ones who do. Same is true of the non CM fanbois/girls I know. As for womanizing...the College Program is a fanboi/fangirl magnet. There's a reason they call it's campus "Vista Lay." To say nothing of the gay "hook-up" sites with hundreds of CMs. You can continue to view the world through rose-colored glasses--frankly, I envy you if you do. But to say all Disney fans are a certain way is as crazy a generalization as saying DVC is the root of all WDW's ills (or that everything on Fox News is a biased lie, which I've seen you slip into other threads). I can point out the things that are right with WDW as well as the things that are wrong (for example, I was high on both the HoP and HM redos)...the problem is, they do so little right these days.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom << To say nothing of the gay "hook-up" sites with hundreds of CMs.>> Who needs a site. I got hit on by several cast members while attempting to ride Space Mountain.
Originally Posted By 3disneylocations << To say nothing of the gay "hook-up" sites with hundreds of CMs.>> Who needs a site. I got hit on by several cast members while attempting to ride Space Mountain.<<< WOW! You must be a hottie.... Oh wait, you said Space Mountian, that queue is dark - never mind.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox It's not that the queue is dark, 3dloc, but that he was hit on by cast members. Not park visitors. Cast members. Need I say more? 8^D
Originally Posted By Socrates Funny you should talk about mental health. I know a psychologist who has a theory that Disney fans have a lower suicide rate than the general population because of their hobby, but has never had the chance to research it. Socrates "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Funny you should talk about mental health. I know a psychologist who has a theory that Disney fans have a lower suicide rate than the general population because of their hobby, but has never had the chance to research it.<<<< OK, this I am interested in....
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>^^Wait til they sell the parks. That will change.<<< And all of us will be thrilled. LOL.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>And all of us will be thrilled. LOL.<<< I don't think you will be anywhere near as thrilled as you imagine. For one thing, an undeniable mental connection with folks is the Disney (direct) connection. That is where all the warm fuzzy's come from. It isn't that 80 year old mouse that was never particularly funny or entertaining to begin with. It was and, to a large extent, still is the Disney mystique. I will go ahead and predict that if that were to happen, within 20 years there will just be another 6 Flags where the Magic once stood.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I don't think you will be anywhere near as thrilled as you imagine. For one thing, an undeniable mental connection with folks is the Disney (direct) connection. That is where all the warm fuzzy's come from. It isn't that 80 year old mouse that was never particularly funny or entertaining to begin with. It was and, to a large extent, still is the Disney mystique. I will go ahead and predict that if that were to happen, within 20 years there will just be another 6 Flags where the Magic once stood.>> Doubtful. Disney will impose the same standards they impose on the OLC in Japan. I'm not a Disney fan. I'm a theme park fan. The quicker something is done to help the parks, the better.
