Originally Posted By FerretAfros I just recieved my most recent version of the Backstage Pass, the AP 'newsletter', and I have to say that I'm really confused why they even bother making it any more. My first reaction was immediately that it's now physically smaller, being about 10" tall and 5" wide. What had been magazine sized is now just an awkwardly large brochure. That confused me a little, but I decided to move on, but I noticed that on the cover it said that this is the June-December issue. What? I thought this publication went out quarterly. Now they're releasing one that's supposed to last for 7 months? Really? I may be mistaken, but I thought that at one time, not so long ago, I was getting it on a monthly basis. After opening it up, I became even more confused. Instead of having several different articles featuring various upcoming events at the resort, there is one centerfold promo for Summer Soundsational and one for The Little Mermaid. As far as any real content goes, that's it. Each is about 6 short paragraphs long, and the writing is nothing special; I probably would have a tough time passing a high school class with writing of that calibre. What follows is 7 bi-fold pages of a calendar (since we're not getting another issue until the new year, apparently) a centerfold of upcoming merchandise and AP discounts, and then the usual list of benefits and blockout days (which used to be reserved for the back cover, but that spot was given for an ad to stay on-property). Now this leads me to wonder, why did they even bother printing this out and mailing it to folks? It is a shell of it's past, which wasn't anything special, but was at least worth flipping through. This is literally just a calendar, with a bit of trimmings on the sides. With a fully-staffed blog up and running, I'm really confused with how they couldn't find enough content to fill the pages of the old version. For all I care, they could have just printed a couple stories that also ran on the blog, but it be nice if they were original too. Now if they're hurting for money (which I know they aren't), I would more than happily give up my monthly subscription to Family Fun for a decent version of the newsletter. I used to look forward to getting it in my mailbox every now and then. What came today is simply junkmail of the least interesting variety.
Originally Posted By DBitz2 If what you received turns out to be replacing the AP newsletter, yes, that is extremely disappointing. The Backstage Pass isn't as good as it could or should be, but, it is certainly better than what you described. (Awhile back a coworker gave me something they had received, called Main Street, or something like that, and it was much superior to the AP newsletter.) I do not have children and would also happily give up the Disney Family Fun for a better AP newsletter. Family Fun is completely useless to me. I give mine to a coworker who has young grandchildren. I always feel "cheated" because this AP "benefit" is no benefit to me.
Originally Posted By DBitz2 I looked at the online version on the AP website, and it is what you described.
Originally Posted By DlandDug I was also baffled by this issue when it came in the mail. But I am assuming it is intended to be used as a calendar. I hope this isn't really replacing the newsletter. (And we get FOUR ISSUES of Family Fun every month.)
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I guess what surprises me the most about it isn't the decline in quality, it's the decline in quality of a 'benefit' of being an AP holder, while they're vastly increasing the quantity free content that's very similar over at the blog. I don't expect it to be a masterpiece, but it should have a little bit of substance. I'm even fine with a calendar, if it's part of a bigger publication. This most recent one (and apparently the only one until January) just has me really confused. And what was the old option that you could pick instead of Family Fun? I seem to recall there being something else, even in the days after the Disney Magazine stopped existing (I recall having an option when I first got an AP about 5 years ago). I can't remember what it was for the life of me. It was something else that I didn't really care about, but was a heck-of-a-lot more useful than Family Fun.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros And Dug, getting four issues just means that you guys must have a lot of fun together. That's how it works, right? : |
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS If you look at the mailer, it does say "special edition passholder calendar". I dont think its intended to take the place of our real issues of Backstage Pass, is it? Thats why I didnt get worked up about it.
Originally Posted By Sparrow I didn't bother getting worked up because I'm not a passholder so I can get a behind the scenes magazine, I'm a passholder so I can go to the parks.
Originally Posted By ksargen Yep. It looks lame. Another reason why I'm not a passholder at the moment. I didn't even get an email about the AP contest for Star Wars. Long story on that, but let's just say, do not have one account for two passports with different expiration dates...
Originally Posted By DBitz2 >>My first reaction was immediately that it's now physically smaller, being about 10" tall and 5" wide. What had been magazine sized is now just an awkwardly large brochure.<< Since I have a Premiere Pass (that I got in March), I also got the WDW AP newsletter, the Mickey Monitor on the same day that I got my DL one. I don't know what the size of the Mickey Monitor was before, as this was my first one with this pass, but, the one I recieved was about the same size as the new size for the DL mailing that we received. I assist with mailing stuff in our mailroom from time to time and I know that the USPS has changed postage and the way postage is calculated for various types and sizes of mail a few times in the last year or so. I am guessing that the new size of the AP mailings is probably in response to these postal changes, to save Disney money.
Originally Posted By SafariRob My first reaction was similar. My wife laughed as I glanced at in in disappointment. I put the calendar up in my office...but I didn't want Ariel's picture staring back at me...so I rolled up two pages and paperclipped them. Now I can look at WOC for the month of June. It's better than nothing...but not much.
Originally Posted By hbquikcomjamesl When I declined to renew my Premium Pass, some years ago (after having been a passholder for a quarter century), the fact that "Disney Magazine" had ceased publication, and that they were sending "Family Fun" in its stead (as far as I'm concerned, worse than no magazine at all!), was one of the contributing factors to my decision.
