Originally Posted By njDizfan a few days ago, Tirian, a MAGICal poster started this thread about the disturbing maintnenance of splash mountain <a href="http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=760385" target="_blank">http://forums.wdwmagic.com/sho...t=760385</a> If you read through this thread you can see that it came to a head with some posters asking for a blog dedicated to calling out TDO and their lack of maintenance and increasing trend of "bad show". <a href="http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=761624" target="_blank">http://forums.wdwmagic.com/sho...t=761624</a> We need help getting this off the ground and I know there are many WDW enthusiasts here who are sick of the TDO, we need an Al Lutz type who will help keep them in check(or at least voice our displeasure). Anybody willing to help??
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer They know of our displeasure, they just don't care. As long as first time visitors and returners who just love everything keep going, and making Disney money, that's all they mind. And yes, SM is in horrid condition, saw it for myself on Sunday. CoP is even worse. And yes, I did tell City Hall. Doubt they listened.
Originally Posted By njDizfan Yes, I'm sure they know. WDW just doesn't have that segment similar to the SoCal Apers to stand up for themselves. There was a decent groundswell after the LoW fiasco. If we had that constant scrutiny maybe some things would be addressed. Hey got to start somwhere....
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^ Oh, I agree. I just think it would take actual action, like WDW losing money for them to change things, not just a talking head that can persuade the APs. Money is all that matters. Sadly.
Originally Posted By devoy1701 We gotta start someone EE, and this is the best place we can do it...applying some pressure on TDO is better than apply none. We're never going to be able to reach out to those average guests that make up 60-70% of the visitors to WDW, but perhaps we can scream loud enough to make even the slightest difference. Watch in the near future for www.fixthemagic.com to become active!
Originally Posted By magic0214 This isn't a question as much as a statement. I don't know who this should go to, but I want someone to see this because it isn't getting through to Disney World. The current state of Carousel of Progess and especially Splash Mountain is horrid. This looks like the Paul Pressler era, which is not a good thing. Splash just got out of a rehab and it looks worse then ever! When 3/4ths of the audio animatronics are broken, why even have the attraction open! Big Thunder is also looking pretty pathetic. I just wanted to let you know that because of this a lot of people are not renewing their passes, buying tickets, etc. This is NOT OKAY and this "At Least Its Open" mentality will not bring in money. Disneyland is doing SO much better then here and the stuff I am hearing about why the park is like this is depressing. Hopefully something can be done about this or I will not renew. Thank you for your time. This is what I wrote to disney. I encourage everyone to send an email and City Hall it up every visit. BTW, EE, how did you talk to City Hall, did you just start talking to a person?
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper If someone starts a legit blog site, I'd be willing to write a column here and there for it.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>BTW, EE, how did you talk to City Hall, did you just start talking to a person?<<<< Waited in line for a rep, they asked what was up, and told them. Took about 10 mins.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I have a great deal of respect for Tirian, and I get that some MAGICal fanbois are FINALLY waking up. I don't imagine Steve is all too happy that they are using his site in such a FAIR way to show very obvious concern and displeasure with Disney's continued desire to create the Walmarted World of Disney in O-Town. I did just read the thread over there and, frankly, some of the posts made me cringe. The guy in Indiana who wants to set up the blog is bending over backwards to not want to be perceived as being critical of Disney. If you choose to listen or believe only one thing I ever tell you as someone who has spent a lifetime in major media, that is NOT the way to get action. You can't apologize to Disney for criticizing them. You can't tell them about what 'might' be wrong when you KNOW what's wrong (and have the evidence to back your claims). You can't tell them how to fix their problems. That's what execs and managers and consultants get paid for. If they don't know, then you say that, you show that ... you don't tell them 'I'd do this, this and that.' That's dumb. And, OMG as the kiddies say, you can't be seriously thinking that people like Lou Mongello and his ilk (people whose lives and bank accounts depend on spinning company PR) are going to help you. They would want to shut you down! You need someone like an Al Lutz. Al Lutz is the type of guy that you sit across from dinner with the now Prez of the DLR and said exec asks YOU how YOU would neutralize him. WDW doesn't have one in the blogosphere because that Spirit would have a target on their back. Kevin Yee tries ... and he does good work, but he is also has a real full-time professional career (and a lovely family), which requires time. I also am convinced Kevin is still a bit of a softy at heart who believes if he's just fair and balanced (in his mind) that it will make a difference with Disney and readers. It won't. This isn't a game guys. If you think it is, then you think Disney is simply WDW or a theme park company. I'm sorry if you think this sounds arrogant, but you simply have no idea how a media giant like Disney operates and how you elicit change. You have to have a 'take no prisoners' 'tude or you will get nowhere. And fast. (As an aside, THIS is what PURE social media is all about for those following along with that discussion or understand the issues at play.) You have to go after people in decision-making positions and take shots and you have to back up your claims (like when a door at the Beach Club has been broken for a decade now ... or pictures of WDW's 'grittier' side, the stuff that won't wind up on a fan made $20 DVD!) I'd even argue that starting it from a hotspot of pixie dust such as MAGIC isn't the way to go. You go to a place where open discussion is welcomed, not squelched. You go to a place where the owner doesn't have an incredible bias toward WDW so he can't see (or won't admit to himself, let alone his audience) that the old gal ain't what she used to be. I could write a novel (and maybe I will?) on how WDW is being mismanaged and how Disney is diminishing its own BRAND through short-term goals and execs who are clueless (yes, they really are dumb ... get over the assumption that just because someone has a position and title that they're smarter than you are ... this isn't idealized 1961 America, this is 2011 where ignorance and avarice are valued). But it just seems right now like a bunch of undirected anger (or misdirected) and that doesn't get you results.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Also depends on the wording to get support and attention. If you target any specific management names(past or present) I can guarantee it will not be listened to or "officially" read. Do not forget to protect your legal rights so refrain from being inflammatory or accusing or dishonest. It is a good idea and would help to begin with online media or perhaps a local newspaper columnist for the increased attention and huge support you will need. Good luck. Remember when the entire Baptist Congregation boycotted Disney? It got lots of media attention but the end result was probably more negative for the Baptist Organization. I think we focus on Disney but in reality this is the treatment we receive in most aspects of the business world and political world.And sad to say even from friends and family often times. Ask yourself if you really want to pay the real price because the message we give is we want it cheap. We now want it cheaper too please. Dear Disney: Please give me ultra first class modern hi-tech top of the line treatment at rock bottom price to make me happy and loyal. Sincerely I can't afford Disney Fan
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub You know I once believed a person had no right to "criticize" without the answer to the problem and the willingness to work towards the solution. As a human this theory no longer works. I feel the choice is to totally boycott (which does not affect the Corporation) or desperately try to find the fun amongst the insanity.
Originally Posted By MousDad Funny how they run people off who've been saying this stuff for years. Makes me lol.
Originally Posted By devoy1701 oh '74 how I've missed your level headedness over on Magic. I get what you're saying...Mickeymouseclub said it in a bit more positive tone though. Give us a bit to get going, we have good ideas, and if we get the write people to contribute (and we'd be more than willing to have your help and input as well) we could get something going here. We ourselves might not necessarily have the clout needed to make a change, but it doesn't mean we can't spark the interest of someone who does. All we can do right now at this point is spread the word. The nice thing about the internet and our current ties to Magic is we might be able to wake up some of those starry-eyed pixie lovers that frequent the site and get some of those casual parkgoers to see that there actually is a problem instead of thinking we're crazy for complaining about light bulbs...
Originally Posted By standor The only way to make Disney listen is to affect their pocketbooks. I've said this many times STAY AWAY FROM WDW UNTIL THEY REALIZE WE MEAN BUSINESS. Make your thoughts known but don't buy their products. Eventually they will get the point and repair the mess in the parks. The longer we stay away, the more they will be hurting. When they come around and give us more bang for our buck. then we can return. I can remember when you dropped a piece of paper and it was picked up before it hit the ground. Everything was freshly painted. Birnbaum used to write about it in their books. When I wote this on other posts, I got answers like I love the place and nothing will keep me away. That is the wrong attiitude. BOYCOTT WILL FORCE RESULTS.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Just imagine if The Disney Parks Blog actually was more than just a PR-driven method of massively dosing Disney fans with pixie dust? Imagine if you could bring this to someone's attention on there and things actually got fixed? Imagine if it was a place where the company could/would speak to fans' concerns/issues etc? You'll have to just imagine that because it's not reality. I'd also argue how much the product has fallen when it needs fans to point out that more than half of Splash Mountain isn't working five months after a month-long closure. ... How sad when I'm not even sure most CMs (even those who work to maintain things) even realize how many things/effects/whatevers are missing? This is the company that has turned Adventureland fountains into planters! They not only threw away the book on runnng theme parks (the best in the world by far, I might add) for four decades, it seems like they shredded every copy and fired every employee who had read it. You think you know how bad things are, but you really don't. I kind of did, but tried to look away. Well, all it took me was one visit to TDR where virtually EVERYTHING works and the biggest complaint really is when you see a few lightbulbs out because things are that well-maintained and run, to make you quickly realize how ghetto (and, yes, I do realize that is an incendiary term, but it is the right one) much of WDW has been allowed to decay into. They are a completely bottom-line business nowadays and showmanship and quality just aren't very important at all. Not sure if they ever will be again ... but the best way of bringing about change is being LOUD and IN YOUR FACE but ... with the facts to back you up. It may be my opinion that the MK is ghetto. But it is fact that Splash Mountain is in deplorable show condition ... same for BTMRR ... apparently, same for CoP ... those are facts. EVERYTHING is supposed to be clean, maintained and operating. Just the basics. Just like there are people who spent 4-5-6 days a week in the parks, taking photos of planters and construction walls and new plush displays ... you need someone who's literally going to go around the entire resort (that means no playing favorites ... like 'I love EPCOT, so I'll ignore DAK' or 'I never stay at Port Orleans, so why do I care what is going on there?' etc ...) and showcase what Disney is getting wrong, horribly wrong in some cases. And that will not make the person (or people) fans of WDW Co ... they'll have targets on them and Disney can and does play hardball with people. Why has it come to this? ... yeah, I got some thoughts.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<You know I once believed a person had no right to "criticize" without the answer to the problem and the willingness to work towards the solution.>> I don't. Never have, because I'm a realist. They made the mess. It's their job to fix it. It's not my job to run WDW Co. If I did, it would be a better place for fans, casual guests and cast ... and more profitable for TWDC too. I could offer all sorts of solutions on everything from their SQS issues to their social media initiative to their dining program. And I am pretty well educated and traveled ... I know what I am talking about. And I see the Disney BRAND well beyond the blogosphere. But, as I'm constantly reminded, this IS a capitalist country, and I do know what my services are worth and, more to the point, what Disney pays consultants to break their product annually. They wouldn't buy a place in Golden Oak, but some of them sure could. So, I'll keep taking shots and pointing out what's wrong, but I'll be damned if I'll let Disney steal from me. If they want to hire me, believe me, they know exactly what realm to reach the Spirit in.
Originally Posted By hopemax > They wouldn't buy a place in Golden Oak, but some of them sure could. < Speaking of Disney's decline, and Golden Oak...my Dad's "favorite" "declining by degrees" thing to point out now is the directional sign for Eagle Pines that is still on one of Disney's roads.
