Originally Posted By barboy "Dude, what would your wife say ;-p" Ya good point, Wife has the smarts-- enough for herself and two others-- BUT she has been known to take things literally(culturally based) too often and that can lead to misunderstandings.
Originally Posted By SunshineOR I'm just a lurker for the most part, but I would like to speak up to defend some of the key personalities that have departed this site. In my opinion, debates here do get personal and become vicious attacks way too quickly and much too often. Darkbeer posts so much less and I miss seeing his frequent updates. I can't visit the parks all the time and loved to hear day-to-day news about the parks. Every time he posted anything, even the simple observation of a small change he noticed in one of the parks, he would receive bitter and rude responses I found very unwarranted. I thought Spirit always had interesting insight, intelligent answers and revealing insider information to bring to discussions. I miss the different perspectives presented by Spirit here. I enjoy coming here to see lively discussion and debate on different topics. I wish there was more of that and less repetitive personal attacks.
Originally Posted By mousermerf It's the same little group of -unfriendly- people at every site really. If different people, but with the same general purpose (all posting frequent updates, news, info, etc.. ) from different website all get fed up with the bull at about the same time it's a bit telling. Obviously their message is correct - Disney is screwing things up royally. The problem? People don't want to hear it.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: But, of course, they're going to keep on hearing about the 'screw ups' anyway--with or without our dear Spirit. Too many things are too obvious to too many guests. ORWEN: And that doesn't mean there aren't still a lot of things Disney is doing right!! ORGOCH: Got a two sided coins?
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys I'd like everyone to note the number of messages that this thread has received in just two days versus the number of messages posted on threads that are 2 -3 weeks old and tell me that this site doesn't need posters like Spirit and TDLFAN.Like them or dislike them, they are both an important part of LP.I can almost guarantee that when anyone who is familiar with them logs on and sees that they are posting on a thread, it's almost a given that you will open that thread. I know I do. BTW, I do not know either of these posters personally and only through limited interaction with both of them on this board.
Originally Posted By dshyates I have enjoyed both for years, but I also know many who get frustrated and go on hiatus for a while, myself included, but very few stay away forever. What I want to know is, what does Spirit know about Disney's Night Kingdom? OK buddy, spill the beans. We promise to keep it secret.
Originally Posted By figment1986 as Spirit has said: he left for various reasons.. just go look around and you will find his information getting out one way or another on the internet if you really want to know. That and TDLFan's photos are featured on Chatting Mice so there is no loss, and spirit posts on chatting mice from time to time with information... no loss! just look for it.
Originally Posted By Labuda As one who is well-aquainted with TDLFAN and Spirit, both online and in real life (I've met them both multiple times, dined with them, and hung out entire days with them), I think it's sad that they're gone. They are both wonderful men and good friends of mine, and I find it terribly sad that they've left our family here on LP. While I don't make it here anywhere near as often as I used to, LP is now and will always be my Disney "home" online. I may leave, but gosh darn it, I come back to visit home whenever I can. I'm just sad that I'm now going to have to viist another "town" in order to see these two gentlemen someplace online other than email. Hmm, time to email TDLFAN and see if he'll be available to hang out when I'm at WDW later this month. Have a wonderful day, all!
Originally Posted By jkayjs Does anyone really think that Spokker is a new poster? My guess is old poster/new screen name. Few if any would dive in like he/she did without an agenda or being stark raving or maybe both. I too missed most of this thread because a rarely log on anymore. I too used to try to check in daily but not so much these days. I never agree 100% with anyone, so what, that would be boring(as much of the posts these days). I have met a few of the folks on this board and was better for the experience. No one is irreplacable and I believe neither of these posters believe they are. That being said they are certainly valuable and for many of us are sorely missed. As mentioned they can be found @ another site and so much the worse for LP as this drives traffic away. I agree that the folks who provide this site do a wonderful job and are delightful to meet but I'm sure they notice a difference. I just viewed these boards for several yrs before I actually starting posting so have seen many of the screen names for yrs. It is indeed a shame when things change for the current reasons. I'll still check in now and again as there are still many folks that "get it" on these boards. I'm sure I won't be missed but as for the two first mentioned I know better. Take care all and demderedoseguys thanks for showing what a stand-up kinda guy you are for your effort in starting this thread.
Originally Posted By jkayjs Ann your post wasn't up when I started typing mine. It is wonderful to see your name and have fun @ WDW. Would be going myself but son in getting married end of May so can't get away now, darn!
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<It use [sic] to be I'd hurry to do so as soon as I got home from work, just to see what Spirit and others had stirred up. Much better than TV!>> <<Frankly, part of me is very happy things are boring here without TDLFAN and myself... It's funny. You post somewhere. You drive traffic to a site. You bring stimulating discussion/debate...>> I find it sad that the drama is what appealed to anyone about Spirit's or TDLFAN's posts. (Including Spirit, who -- despite numerous disclaimers, including the above -- clearly enjoyed putting the focus on himself as a "dramatic" figure.) TDLFAN's frequent and generous updates-with-pictures of ALL the Parks (that is, *E*V*E*R*Y* *S*I*N*G*L*E* *D*I*S*N*E*Y* *P*A*R*K* *I*N* *T*H*E* *W*O*R*L*D*), his perceptive, incisive, and fair "Quality control" reports on WDW, even his throw-away comments on anything Disney-related were a HUGE gift to LP. Timely. Substantive. Informed. Similarly, Spirit of 74 posted timely and thoughtful reviews of the Parks, as well as insightful news on Disney. Content we wouldn't get from anyone else. Why would anyone say they'll miss the drama, the arguments, the post-counts? I don't get it. If you want drama, you can go to PerezHilton or something. The CONTENT we're losing is staggering.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 And having said (and meant) what I did in Post #73... I know from personal communication with TDLFAN and with Spirit of 74 that they are making this break for reasons of self-preservation. I have deep personal respect and affection for each of them. I am happy for both of them that they're taking action that will make their lives easier. Sincerely. I want only the best for them. My priority is to support them as people, as friends. There's absolutely no question there. But, UGH!, I want them back on LP!!!
Originally Posted By Mr X **I know from personal communication with TDLFAN and with Spirit of 74 that they are making this break for reasons of self-preservation.** Wha? If that's true, then all I can say is they're taking the whole thing way too seriously.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<If that's true, then all I can say is they're taking the whole thing way too seriously.>> By "self-preservation," I meant to include the whole range of it -- all the reasons that someone might have to decrease his time on a website. Too much time on the computer in general. Too much time sorting photos and/or writing trip reports. Too much investment of time, energy, and emotion. I can't really speak for them, X. But I think you're right in that posting on LP was something "serious" for them.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I do miss both of these guys dearly. Their insightful, knowledgable and articulate postings are part of what made this site so great. But just as I lament the loss of Horizons at Epcot, or edutainment in disney parks in favour of characters, I too miss Spirit and TDLFAN, feeling a part of LP's soul has eroded a little. Ann - great to see you back, you have been missed!
Originally Posted By Labuda Howdy, howdy, howdy to jk, mele, and dave. As for TDLFAN & Spirit, just let's say that I'm 100% with Heinz. They're great guys, and if they need to be away from LP for a while, then so be it, but they are VERY much missed.
