WDW Social 'Media' and Conspiracy

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>>>Dolly Parton <<<

<<Pardon? I do not understand.

Both are awesome, for different reasons.>>

Yes ... yes, they are

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<I'm not disagreeing with you at all. I'm just saying that it is Disney's responsiblity to protect their intellectual properties.>>

Yes, that it is.

The waters are muddied when people at TDO have different agendas and self-serving ones than folks in Burbank.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>> I dunno ... one Lee is from the UK and they're very uppity ... I can't even finish one of Davewasbaloo's trip reports and he's been a bed buddy of mine! <<

<<That accent just makes them sound so sophisticated.>>

Sophisticated?!?!? That's not quite how I was gonna put it ...

<<I hope Dave's wife never finds out that he's been unfaithful>>

I haven't breathed a word to a single spirit!

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>> And I really am not THAT scary (now go back to the dungeon and tell me what Meg threw out in yesterday's trash!) <<

<<She probably threw out a portion of an uneaten Casey's Corner hotdog because it's no longer all beef, and a sack full of 2000 Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand WDW logo pins. >>

Really? I actually would say the dog I had at Casey's a few weeks ago was the best one I've ever had at a theme park.

Wouldn't you love to know what Meg REALLY has in her trash?

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>> Considering how few people in Burbank know (even apparently Legal) or ... knew, I'd say the number is tiny.

But neither that, nor how many would care, are pertinent issues.

It's all about protecting your brand and your IP/copywrights and not having people opening businesses inside your business where the business model is based on stealing out and out ... those issues matter. <<

<<I am certain that Burbank is aware of the matter now. It is not stealing unless the Disney company says to cease and desist, and the activity continues.>>

Stealing is pretty straight forward these days. I've learned from watching our government and Wall Street.

If I walk into a Walmart (which, of course, I'd rather take 100 lashes) and walk out with a TV and don't pay, but Walmart security fails to stop me, it still IS stealing.

When people try and take whatever they can grab, whether they get away with it or not doesn't change a thing.

How many people would steal from children or the disabled or charities if they felt they could get away with it?

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>> But since everything we talk about here (well, what we start out with anyway) is about TWDC's business ... I'd say that point holds less water than one of your Depends! <<

<<I keep telling you I'm a redneck. I don't use Depends. I just stuff an old t-shirt in my NASCAR boxer shorts. It serves the same purpose.>>

Um ... ah ... Mrs. Pierce said you stuff your pants to impress the cute young gal down the block ... you know, the one with the restraining order against you?

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>> $3,000???!!

That's all you spend on a MAGICal WDW vacation??!?!

You aren't even a tadpole in their pond ... (that's some Southern talk for ya) <<

<<Actually at the time of booking it's a little less than that. After I buy beer at the Park it comes to a little over $15,000.>>

Ah ... that makes more sense!

<<I've got a cousin named Tadpole.>>

I totally believe this.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>> Oh, my comment wasn't that serious either... I never expected you to know the exact number of pieces of a pin that has to live in your garage... <<

<<He has over 400 pins, and refuses to disclose the number of vinylmations he owns. He has a 15' by 8' walk-in closet filled with Disney t-shirts. He has park maps going back to 1974. He has had all the WDW vacation planners convertd over on to Blu-Ray Disc. His Disney memorabilia collection is estimated at being in the mid six figure range. He has dual personalized Mickey, and Minnie sinks, a Pluto towell holder, a Goofy toothbrush holder, a Donald Duck soft soap dispenser. and a Chip and Dale shower curtin in his master bathroom. His walls are covered with limited edition cels, and prints from hundreds of Disney Movies. When you ring his doorbell it chimes to the tune of It's A Small World.

We are talking ULTIMATE FANBOI here.>>

And people still think I hate Disney ... unFREAKINGbelievable!

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<I was reacting to this specific statement:
>>The issue is there are some online whores out there who want to privatize a for-profit company's business ... it is outright theft. And as a shareholder, that IS a concern. There shouldn't really be clouding of this issue when it is crystal clear<<
...as well as the immediate conversation about whether a shareholder should have a greater interest in this. To you it is crystal clear; to others not so much.>>

Cool. I get it.

<<But to the subject of those who offer "services" on Disney property, as I have said before, it isn't as clear as one would hope. I personally find this whole cottage industry absurd-- the notion that there are "experts" out there who sell their knowledge to credulous "fans." (Before reading this thread I had never heard of ANY of these people.)>>

I thought I knew way too much about the fan community (in all its many insane aspects) but didn't have a clue about these tours. For all the time I've been at WDW, you'd have thought I'd have seen them ... I am also amazed to a lesser degree, because I do believe many fans are nuts, that people will actually pay them for their 'services'.

<<But it is NOT illegal to take a bunch of "friends" around a Disney theme park and tell them stories about what they are seeing. Even if those friends have bought and paid for the experience. It is only if money changes hands on Disney property that it is "crystal clear.">>

True enough. But Disney knows who is doing what as a business and advertising and could shut them down as soon as they entered a park. I can take some fanboi friends around the MK and point things out, but I am going to draw Security's attention if I have official looking lanyards and clipboards and a computer strapped to my waist and an entourage ... that's what some of these folks are doing.

And if someone comes up say Lou Mongello while he's giving a tour, do you think he sends them to City Hall to sign up for an official one? Or does he whip out business cards and tell the people to check ourt his site and sign up?

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>> If he did, I might think he is a bit nuts. <<

<<He is, but he thinks we all are. >>

I will cop to being a little nuts ... I will not cop to being anything like the typical online Disney Lifestyle fan.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>>Not to mention the tattered EPCOT Wall Map on the wall.<<

<<For a brief second there I thought you were gonna spill the beans about his Epcot tattoo. You know, the giant one of Figment hugging SSE that covers his back.>>

You mean the one ONLY YOUR WIFE HAS SEEN?

She seemed very impressed!

 

Originally Posted By GOB

Not to totally derail the discussion, but on the topic of conspiracy and corporations minimizing dissent or negative publicity as much as possible...I found this article today:

<a href="http://healthfreedoms.org/2011/05/02/dead-missing-jailed-bp-whistle-blowers/" target="_blank">http://healthfreedoms.org/2011...blowers/</a>

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

I don't want to derail the thread by going off on BP, GOB ... and it's not like I don't believe they would engage in some scary as hell behavior.

But I'd rather see it in World Events and not take this totally in another direction.

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>For a brief second there I thought you were gonna spill the beans about his Epcot tattoo. You know, the giant one of Figment hugging SSE that covers his back.<<<


You've seen it? I haven't.... Luckily!

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>I haven't breathed a word to a single spirit!<<<

Yes, but you've typed it out quite a few times...

 

Originally Posted By GOB

<<I don't want to derail the thread by going off on BP, GOB ... and it's not like I don't believe they would engage in some scary as hell behavior.

But I'd rather see it in World Events and not take this totally in another direction.>>

Didn't see that sub-forum until now...I'll be reposting it there presently. Apologies!

 

Originally Posted By SeventyOne

<I thought I knew way too much about the fan community (in all its many insane aspects) but didn't have a clue about these tours. For all the time I've been at WDW, you'd have thought I'd have seen them ... I am also amazed to a lesser degree, because I do believe many fans are nuts, that people will actually pay them for their 'services'.>

There are two types of tours going on here. The fanboi ones--like Mongello's--I think are fairly rare. Do we know for certain he even sold one at $400 a pop? I think it may just be a certain amount of ego-stroking: "Oh yeah, I get paid to give tours. See? it says it on my website."

However, "Tour Guide Mike" and those who copy him are NOT directed at fanbois. They're going after the people with maybe a couple million in the bank but who aren't famous enough to get a private tour, and who have no idea that if you wanted to eat at a real restaurant in the park you needed to make an ADR 60 days ago or that the line for the princesses goes from zero to 2 hours between 10:00 and 10:15.

I know one of TGM's main source of customers is the NFL (has a deal with the Player's Association). Sure Brady or Brees gets the star treatment, but what about a journeyman running back or lineman? Ditto the VP of a nondescript company here for a convention with his kids. Not guys who are going to hit the DIS for tips on how to tour. Not excusing the theft, but in a way Disney invited this with FastPass, DDP, etc. They force guests to look for ways around these, be it the "commando" fanbois or those willing to drop the cash on a private tour.

Also let me stress, TGM's tour company and TGM's web board serve two very different audiences. The web board is fanboi central, makes the MAGICal board look sane. But very few of his KoolAde drinkers there are actually putting down the money for a private tour.

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

Good idea. We could do a chapter on how to build a portable still, and how to hunt squirrels, and rabbits on property to keep from spending money on Disney's overpriced food, and drink options
----

great, now I have the Beverly Hillbillies theme song playing in my head -- don't forget the recipe for possum stew

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

>> Stealing is pretty straight forward these days. I've learned from watching our government and Wall Street. <<

We continue to reelect the same corrupt people to office. So who's fault is it.

>> If I walk into a Walmart (which, of course, I'd rather take 100 lashes) and walk out with a TV and don't pay, but Walmart security fails to stop me, it still IS stealing. <<

You are so very sly. If the folks at WalMart are aware that you take the TV, and openly allow you to take the TV, then how can it be stealing?

Steal
1. To take (the property of another) without right or permission.
2. To present or use (someone else's words or ideas) as one's own.
3. To get or take secretly or artfully:

>> When people try and take whatever they can grab, whether they get away with it or not doesn't change a thing. <<

It changes everything if they are being allowed to do it. Isn't that what we are talking about here?

>> How many people would steal from children or the disabled or charities if they felt they could get away with it? <<

A lot of them do steal from the charities, and get away with it legally. We both know that though don't we.

Before anyone contributes to a charity they should check out that organizations 501C3. It's always wise to know how your charitable money is being spent. Also request a list of salaried exectutives, and employees. Along with a list of affiliated charities. As well as charities they support.

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

>> Um ... ah ... Mrs. Pierce said you stuff your pants to impress the cute young gal down the block ... you know, the one with the restraining order against you? <<

She made all those accusations up. I've never dressed up like Klaus Nomi, and sang outside her window.