WDW Social 'Media' and Conspiracy

Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1

On the subject of Lou becoming a WDW CM - I must admit, when I was listening to his podcast two years ago I wondered myself why he didn't just move to Orlando and sign up? Especially since I remember him stating in one "episode" that it was a lifelong dream.

I guess it's like the story of when late media shock jock and regular political commentator Stan Zemanek was asked why he didn't run for prime minister. His response,

"What and take a pay cut?"

Realistically speaking, I guess $400 per hour tours ARE more lucrative than $7.00 per hour ride operator positions!

 

Originally Posted By skinnerbox

OK... if Lou isn't blackmailing some suit in TDO... then perhaps that suit is getting a piece of this $400/hr action?

Seriously, where is heck is Burbank? Why is Burbank allowing this to happen?

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<You do live a sheltered life. Evidently you have never watched URGH! A Music War.

You probably have never seen The Cramps perform either.

WARNING!!! They may be a bit to extreme for you!


<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...LqiRoIE8>>" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...>></a>

Cramps? ... I'm a fanboi ... we're more into say ... Carpenters!

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<This situation is markedly different to how this decade began. When Duncan Wardle was farmed out to the swamps from Disneyland they gave him viral marketing and social media to play with. It took a long time for WDW Co. to come up with a comprehensive policy in regards to dealing with this non-traditional media - now it seems to have taken over the farm. I don't doubt that it should have a place in this world but it appears to be the domineering force now - which is ridiculous. These Mom 'n' Pop website just won't give WDW the eyeballs/clicks/page reads that mainstream media and the Company's own channels will - and where they do it is preaching to the choir as it is solely the fanbois who will go anyhow.>>

I've probably said this 100 times here now, but I do not see how this makes any sense from a business PoV at all.

And isn't money the only thing Disney is really concerned with?

These sites that have sprung like weeds with people, who maybe a decade ago wanted to move to O-Town to work for WDW even if it meant minimum wage driving a boat, seeing an opportunity to throw anything on the web and wind up on Disney's Preferred Whores list.

Most folks who visit WDW, even repeatedly aren't online nuts.

These sites aren't increasing Disney's business at all.

One could argue they are costing it business by giving the product away (or say giving a family of four a 5-night stay at the GF with meals and tix for under a grand to get around the FTC disclosure issue ... it's not free after all if you give a blogger an 85% off trip, right?)

And while social media has a place at the table, it sure seems like they've taken over the entire buffet (and brought doggie bags). It also seems to be a situation rife with corruption and Disney playing favorites with some sites, while ignoring others. Giving tens of thousands of dollars in trips/services/gifts to some, while just allowing others to feel important with a lanyard.

I don't get it. But there's no way Disney should be credentialing/legitimizing the volume of online folks they are.

<<The social media team has grown by stealth and now it is about protecting their patch - so they will continue to do what they do irrespective of whether it makes commercial marketing sense. It is amazing how many people now work at both US resorts in this media. This isn't a criticism per se - it is the modus operandi of any new WDP&R sub-set - it is exactly the same with the Next Gen Experience team.>>

I was recently asked if Disney had hired a whole (blank) load of social media 'publicists' and it sure seems like it. Look at all the names on The Disney Parks Blog ... sure seems like a lot of folks exist in their salaried positions to put out a 250-word blurb of something of very little significance.

I would guess if Disney suddenly lopped a third of these bloggers/podcasters off their Preferred Whoring List, then they wouldn't need quite so many people at Celebration Place.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<You're the one with all the connections. My only inside sources are the CM's who rent ECV's, and the bartender at Territory Lounge.>>

My connections are not the type who would deal with these folks generally ... or even know they exist.

Bartender at Territory ... very nice dude who used to work at ESPN Zone in Vegas.

>> Pool-hopping, reusing soda mugs (that many were told were good for future visits) and ways to avoid paying for parking at WDW seem to generate more anger and back-and-forth and 'you're stealing from Disney and will burn in hell!' when it's pretty obvious that you can't set up a business inside WDW. Yet, that's exactly what these folks are doing. <<

<<Pool hopping, and stealing soda water, and parking at resorts, and DtD are more widespread issues, that way more folks are more aware of.>>

Well, I think people are catching on ... of course, many are likely thinking 'I could walk around WDW with a posse and get freebies' ... or 'I can take DVC construction pics or wall pics on a daily basis' ... or 'I can eat free food for a week at WDW and tell everyone that everything was great' too ...

<<This is a gray are issue if we don't know if these people have permission or at what level it might come from if they do.>>

Maybe we can get an official statement from TWDC here? ;-)




<<Wouldn't TDLFAN make the perfect alternative tour guide. I bet he would ban children from his tours too.>>

Probably ... although TDLFAN is quite good with children ... I was with him walking around TDS with a friend's young child (a child with endless energy, I might add!) and he seemed to be enjoying himself!

But tours probably would have age requirements.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

"but when Thomas Smith or Gary Buchanan's taking Lou on a lunching around the world deal or bringing some voice talent from Clone Wars to him for a 10-minute one-on-one for his podcast"

<<Try Julie Andrews and the Sherman Brothers.

THAT is how far he is "in" with TDO!>>

Robert Sherman, as someone who knows the man and his wife, will do anything for a fan ... so that doesn't surprise me.

Julie is a much more difficult person to snag.

I would guess Lou's friends at Disney knew it would add legitimacy to his endeavor's by being able to speak with her on his podcast.

Again, I don't know that he is in with anyone at TDO beyond the highest levels of Social Media/Press and Publicity.

I don't think Al Weiss is saying 'take care of this guy' ...

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<OK... if Lou isn't blackmailing some suit in TDO... then perhaps that suit is getting a piece of this $400/hr action?>>

I'd guess you have folks in WDW's Social Media Dept. and WDW Guest Relations who are trading favors ... whether it's out and out financial, who knows?

There's clearly something in it for folks other than Lou (or Mike or the ones we don't even know about) to allow this to fly ...

<<Seriously, where is heck is Burbank? Why is Burbank allowing this to happen?>>

Don't know. I do know the person I brought it to there was incredulous and had no clue this was going on ... what happens next, I'm not really sure.

 

Originally Posted By skinnerbox

<<I was recently asked if Disney had hired a whole (blank) load of social media 'publicists' and it sure seems like it. Look at all the names on The Disney Parks Blog ... sure seems like a lot of folks exist in their salaried positions to put out a 250-word blurb of something of very little significance.>>

Would the semi-regular LP poster, "WaltDisneyPictures" fall into this category?

Does anyone working at LP know who this "poster" actually is? One person? Several people? What's the deal?

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

>> Cramps? ... I'm a fanboi ... we're more into say ... Carpenters! <<

I can tell you are a fanboi because you did not put the in front of Carpenters.

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

>> Don't know. I do know the person I brought it to there was incredulous and had no clue this was going on ... what happens next, I'm not really sure. <<

How in the world can anybody that has anything at all to do woth P&R, and takes an interest in them, not know that this is going on?

 

Originally Posted By skinnerbox

<<I do know the person I brought it to there was incredulous and had no clue this was going on>>

If this doesn't sell the whole "Disney's left hand never knows what the right hand is doing" argument, then nothing will.

Those in the know have been shouting for years that P&R needs a major shakedown and overhaul, that the leaders are basically clueless and out of touch with the business unit.

Well, DUH!

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<I was recently asked if Disney had hired a whole (blank) load of social media 'publicists' and it sure seems like it. Look at all the names on The Disney Parks Blog ... sure seems like a lot of folks exist in their salaried positions to put out a 250-word blurb of something of very little significance.>>

<<Would the semi-regular LP poster, "WaltDisneyPictures" fall into this category?

Does anyone working at LP know who this "poster" actually is? One person? Several people? What's the deal?>>

Have no idea on any of the above, skinner.

But on the larger point ... if WDW has hired you for a job that really shouldn't exist, then it stands to reason
you might do anything to justify its existence by making insignificant fanbois into something more ...anyone wanna go into the Spirited Tours business?

And do you think Disney would have a problem if I told my 'flock' about what CMs used to regularly use the Cindy Castle suite for before it was created (think I'm gonna call that part of the tour 'Two (or Three) Princes').

Thoughts?

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>> Cramps? ... I'm a fanboi ... we're more into say ... Carpenters! <<

<<I can tell you are a fanboi because you did not put the in front of Carpenters.>>

Shhh ... Pierce ... busy listening to Rainy Days and Mondays ...

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>> Don't know. I do know the person I brought it to there was incredulous and had no clue this was going on ... what happens next, I'm not really sure. <<

<<How in the world can anybody that has anything at all to do woth P&R, and takes an interest in them, not know that this is going on?>>

You really don't get how TWDC runs, do you? I admit it may not be how we'd run it ... but they can be clueless.

Hell, our own well-connected Leemac wasn't aware of the Mongello until he got a mic stuffed in his face ...

People really don't know ... whether they should is another matter entirely. I do think they, or a whole lot more of them, do now

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

>> Hell, our own well-connected Leemac wasn't aware of the Mongello until he got a mic stuffed in his face ...

People really don't know ... whether they should is another matter entirely. I do think they, or a whole lot more of them, do now <<

That's not his area though. He's an international money man, and cordinator. He would have no need of knowing about such things. Plus he isn't a fanboi that roams from Disney forum to Disney forum.

I certainly don't expect the upper executives of TWDC to read all of these sites, and know what is going on. I do expect them to have underlings that their job entails protecting Disney properties, and keeping the big guys informed.

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

<<I certainly don't expect the upper executives of TWDC to read all of these sites, and know what is going on. I do expect them to have underlings that their job entails protecting Disney properties, and keeping the big guys informed.>>

Do you think if I whored for Disney by reading all the sites and preparing a weekly update for the suits they would maybe give me free park tickets and hotel rooms? Just curious... LOL

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

>> Do you think if I whored for Disney by reading all the sites and preparing a weekly update for the suits they would maybe give me free park tickets and hotel rooms? Just curious... LOL <<

I've already got the job, so don't bother.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>> Hell, our own well-connected Leemac wasn't aware of the Mongello until he got a mic stuffed in his face ...

People really don't know ... whether they should is another matter entirely. I do think they, or a whole lot more of them, do now <<

<<That's not his area though. He's an international money man, and cordinator. He would have no need of knowing about such things. Plus he isn't a fanboi that roams from Disney forum to Disney forum.>>

I give Leemac a lot of credit (wish he'd give me some cash in turn ... even Disney Dollars!) ... he is usually on top of many parts of the Disney world.

And since through Tales, and even less so this website, he is part of 'social media', I'd think he'd know more about the whores.

Now, I kinda respect the fact he wasn't aware of them ... so I don't look like the only one who was so clueless that this crap was going on.

<<I certainly don't expect the upper executives of TWDC to read all of these sites, and know what is going on. I do expect them to have underlings that their job entails protecting Disney properties, and keeping the big guys informed.>>

Like I've said, if you only knew how things really worked (or didn't) at TWDC (which I don't really think is all tha worse than most major corps) ... you REALLY have NO idea the tales I can tell.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74


<<Do you think if I whored for Disney by reading all the sites and preparing a weekly update for the suits they would maybe give me free park tickets and hotel rooms? Just curious... LOL>>

Sadly ... I am not at all certain that they wouldn't ... and, no, I am not kidding.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

>> Do you think if I whored for Disney by reading all the sites and preparing a weekly update for the suits they would maybe give me free park tickets and hotel rooms? Just curious... LOL <<

<<I've already got the job, so don't bother.>>

C'mon, Pierce ... we both know that for Disney, the more whores, the merrier and the more MAGICal!