Originally Posted By Doobie This is a topic about the Swan Boats, the comment in the post had nothing to do with Swan Boats, it was just a dig at a particular person and the Disney Parks blog. But even if it were on topic - people manage to discuss all the rides without discussing the Imagineers who created them. There are certainly gray areas, but for the most part I think it's possible to discuss Disney's policies and practices without discussing the (relatively low-level) employees who create them. But if it's found that's not possible - I'm sorry. But that's where I'm drawing the line.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I'm honored that Spirit would materialize and answer my questions about the Swan Boats. But I'm perplexed as to why his post given the magical ADMIN eraser treatment. I hope he continues to haunt these parts.>> The Spirit kindly thanks you and is glad you were able to glean some information from my post before it disappeared. You're right Leo, there was NOTHING remotely offensive in it. Or anything that violated Community Standards. Standards that now appear to change from post to post, which should certainly make everyone feel good about the issue of credibility on/in the web. First, you can't mention this ... Then, you can't mention that ... And before you know it, you can't even recommend a restaurant at Universal in these parts because you make a harmless joke in the post. Although, as Doobie himself commented, we all play here by those rules. That's what Brand Y is all about folks. Accept it and move on. ~GFC~
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>(relatively low-level) employees who create them<<< Of course. But this was a high ranking position that has implications for how their social media department is run. Of course that's off topic here, but is it possible to have a thread on that? I think that's a very large topic for discussion. Assuming that that's what got the post admined...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 That is the problem with the Internet. Some of us enjoy Disney's creative content, while some of us simply love the BRAND. It is emotional. It makes no sense, but it doesn't have to ... does it? The bigger point is that the Internet, and the supposedly 'more refined' social media aspect of it, is supposedly all about creating a dialogue. But as someone with a fair amount of knowledge of the media industry, it is clearly all about following a script. Sadly, folks, life is an improv ... no script. What that means for places like this? Not my place to say ... that said, I'm sure the person I allegedly took a dig at (which is untrue, I simply dropped the name of someone VERY proud of his work for TWDC -- he IS a public figure, his entire career is predicated on that, and his name is his brand.) I'm sure he would be glad to offer his opinion ... for a price. Again, NOT A DIG, statement of fact. As to the alleged 'dig' at the Disney Parks Blog, are we now moving into censoring opinions on OFFICIAL aspects of the company? The 'dig' was much deserved considering the amount of mistakes and misinformation it often puts out. BTW, wasn't the purpose of The Disney Parks Blog to make sites like this irrelevant (I know I'm speaking as an insider here, but I'm sure people can read plenty into its existence and that of D23 and its fanzine that competes with Tales From the LP)? I guess the good thing to come out of it is that LP.com has never really had its own voice on its discussion boards. Now, with Doobie's participation, it does. As for its once exclusive impartiality on Disney, that loss is simply a necessary by-product of being with BRAND Y. ~GFC~
Originally Posted By DlandDug From the posted Community Standards: 7. NO PERSONAL ATTACKS: Personal attacks against anyone - other posters, public figures, names in the news - anyone, is not allowed on LaughingPlace.com 8. STAYING ON TOPIC: There is a section on LaughingPlace.com for each area of Disney. Please post your messages in the most appropriate section. If you feel a new section should be created, please send us Feedback and we will consider it. Number 7 is certainly open to interpretation. And I would trust that the owner of the site, who created the Community Standards, would be considered the final arbiter. It has also been noted that in certain areas (World Events), this rule is not enforced as rigidly. Number 8 also comes into play-- although again it is open to interpretation. If anyone needs a refresher, the full Community Standards are here: <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/MsgBoard-Rules.asp" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms...ules.asp</a>
Originally Posted By ReelJustice <<BTW, wasn't the purpose of The Disney Parks Blog to make sites like this irrelevant (I know I'm speaking as an insider here, but I'm sure people can read plenty into its existence and that of D23 and its fanzine that competes with Tales From the LP)?>> Actually, check out the Social Media Conspiracy thread, Disney has been registering trademarks for a "Project X" which sounds like a suped up message board/online community/social network and is very reminiscent of the upcoming Pottermore.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>WDW no longer has canoes?<< Nope. Can you imagine paddling a canoe around the Rivers of America in Florida in August?
Originally Posted By Doobie My rules are not based on whether or not someone is a public figure. It's whether or not they are a top level Disney exec. If not - I'd rather their name not be used here when criticizing them. It's irrelevant - criticize their work, their position, not the person. You're also free to criticize the Parks Blog, but it was clearly off-topic in this section and was simply an opportunity to take a shot at something even though it had nothing to do with what was being discussed here. That's the type of negative for negative's sake in an otherwise normal topic that I talked about in multiple posts in the other topic. One more thing <<< I'm sure he would be glad to offer his opinion ... for a price. Again, NOT A DIG, statement of fact. >>> If you don't see that as a dig, I don't know what to tell you. It's a personal attack plain and simple. If you don't see it that way, feel free to email me and we can discuss i further. I'd love if this topic could get back on topic now and not be derailed any more than it already has. Anyone can feel free to email me at Doobie@LaughingPlace.com if anything isn't clear. Doobie.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<From the posted Community Standards: 7. NO PERSONAL ATTACKS: Personal attacks against anyone - other posters, public figures, names in the news - anyone, is not allowed on LaughingPlace.com 8. STAYING ON TOPIC: There is a section on LaughingPlace.com for each area of Disney. Please post your messages in the most appropriate section. If you feel a new section should be created, please send us Feedback and we will consider it. Number 7 is certainly open to interpretation. And I would trust that the owner of the site, who created the Community Standards, would be considered the final arbiter. It has also been noted that in certain areas (World Events), this rule is not enforced as rigidly. Number 8 also comes into play-- although again it is open to interpretation. If anyone needs a refresher, the full Community Standards are here: <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms...ules.asp>>" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms...>></a> Doug, not getting into this one at all ... we all know what has been allowed here for years and what has not been tolerated. Nothing at all changed except I started a thread on Social Media that really didn't sit well with many people (again, I have no idea why anyone proud of what they do and how they do it would take issue). That thread was only one of the most intelligent and interesting discourses on ANY Disney fan forum on both Disney and social media in general. Then, I started a thread saying Disney was shopping its parks (a FACT that I know) that got lots of attention as well and probably should have gotten a shout-out on The Latest here, but that's not for me to say. Then ... well, everything seems to have changed and it has made the boards quite toxic to anyone who isn't in love with the Disney BRAND and believes in critical thinking. (Now, this is where I'd insert a pithy comment about the market crashing today, but that's off-topic, right?) ~GFC~
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 One more thing <<< I'm sure he would be glad to offer his opinion ... for a price. Again, NOT A DIG, statement of fact. >>> <<If you don't see that as a dig, I don't know what to tell you. It's a personal attack plain and simple. If you don't see it that way, feel free to email me and we can discuss i further.>> Doobie, this is my last comment on this topic here. But the thread derailed when my post, which was 90% responding to Leo about the Swan Boats and what they were and offered, as someone who actually experienced them and 10% Spirited 'personality', got red-lined. I strongly doubt the subject would have strayed much had it just been left. Oddly enough, the long dormant Social Media 2 thread got some life today I see. Everyone who participates on these boards is taking part in Social Media. They are spending time, energy and effort to discuss, inform, question or even play with others. None of them are being paid. I don't know why you are choosing to be obstinate on this point (and whether it's your site or not does not make you unquestionable) ... but when a highly paid consultant for TWDC comes to WDW on the company's dole, is paid handsomely for giving a seminar and is flown home (after getting a free weekend) that is NOT an attack. It a statement of fact. One this individual has put out to the world via Twitter ... via his own website ... via PRWIRE. One of my major points from the start of that other thread in May to today has been to draw a distinction between those of us who do this for free because we love Disney's products (or many cases, the BRAND) versus those who have a financial inducement. It is a very basic point. A very important distinction. And one where I can't just let you say that I'm 'attacking' someone or giving them a 'dig' when I simply state that fact. But again, I do grasp the whole point of Disney's social media efforts ... and that's to silence voices that stray from the script. Speaking of this, you may have missed this (and, to be fair, it belongs on the Business Board), but on Monday TWDC hired someone who while not directly responsible for social media has it in her brief as the No. 2 executive (SR VP of Corporate Communications) in Burbank. I'd put her name here, but that might be unacceptable these days. You might want to link to it yourself. ~GFC~
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ...The bigger point is that the Internet, and the supposedly 'more refined' social media aspect of it, is supposedly all about creating a dialogue. But as someone with a fair amount of knowledge of the media industry, it is clearly all about following a script... But that's just the thing, DIALOGS, true dialogs aren' scripts. It's actual communication, it's gritty, it's REAL. It's a group of people getting together and positing thoughts and opinions on a subject. If you start to control that, it's no longer a dialog.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Nope. Can you imagine paddling a canoe around the Rivers of America in Florida in August?" Ummm.... yeah, because I've done it. If the summer heat is an issue, why not make them seasonal?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Swan boats are pretty.<<< I REALLY wish I had gotten to see them.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I always enjoyed the Swan Boats and would like to see them brought back.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I REALLY wish I had gotten to see them." To me the canal winding around Central Plaza only makes sense if you consider that boats used to travel there. It's a visual treat to have the waterway, but it probably would have never built if the Swan Boats weren't a part of the original plan. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gjN436HKWfM/TLIQKcPrpnI/AAAAAAAACmw/uhMRyaC8Udw/s1600/wdwswanboats.jpg" target="_blank">http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gjN4...oats.jpg</a>
