WDW Social 'Media' and Conspiracy

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

^ Seconded. Everything in moderation, though.

And even moderation in moderation. ;-)

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

How necessary is social media? ... A necessary evil? ... Or perhaps just downright evil?

Here in the USA we're already used to employers running credit checks. If your score is too low, forget about getting a job. After all, if you happen to make a mistake in your own financial planning (or just get billed for a fraudulent hospital visit when you were on the other side of the world and it winds up in collections) then you couldn't possibly make a good employee.

Now, now, you say it was just one mistake ... or it happened when you were young and you both were drunk and didn't know what you were doing (oh, wait, that's how fanbois discover other things) ... but, you see, you're just not worth the implied risk from a business standpoint anyhow. That $4,000 you defaulted on in unsecured credit when you were 25 ... yeah, that means you won't make a good employee at 35. Just can't take that risk.

Enter a new dawn. No, sorry we're not giving you a clean FB slate. To the contrary, let me introduce something called the soon to be ubiquitous PSMP 'Personal Social Media Profile'. It's exactly what you think it is. And employers are already employing it. There are firms that are already specializing in it, think of them as the Experian of the FB/Twtterverse/Blogosphere.

That digital footprint we've been discussing, people ... make that ... companies have taken notice. Applying for a job here in the good, old Homeland? Well, everything you've EVER put anywhere online will be searched and sifted and presented in report form to your prospective employer.

Sound like a good thing ... ? Makes me remember when a friend who has gone through great lengths to not have a digital footprint was not considered for a job because 'I Googled you and nothing came up'.

Seems to me this virtual world, this cyber frontier looks an awful lot like a trap.

But if it could get me free stays at WDW by lying about how MAGICal it was, well ... then I'd have to change my mind and sign right up! ;-)

Of course that brings me back to that medical bill (which really does exist)...

 

Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1

"Makes me remember when a friend who has gone through great lengths to not have a digital footprint was not considered for a job because 'I Googled you and nothing came up'."

Disgusting.

Oh and by the way - I watched "Gattaca" the other night.

For a fourteen year old film, it is surprisingly and scarily prophetic.

 

Originally Posted By Bolna

<<Oh and by the way - I watched "Gattaca" the other night.

For a fourteen year old film, it is surprisingly and scarily prophetic.>>

Funny, when I read Spirit's post this morning I was reminded of Gattaca as well. It made a huge impression on me when I saw it in the cinema (must have been 14 years ago then).

 

Originally Posted By Bolna

Sometimes it is really interesting to see what comes up on the Disney Parks Blog and when...

First, one thing that surprised me was that while Al Weiss' retirement was announced there, there never was a post about that Meg Crofton and Karl Holz would take over his role (at least that part which is the most relevant for the topics covered on the blog). Why?

And then there is suddenly this post about Downtown Disney:

<a href="http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/07/downtown-disney-update/" target="_blank">http://disneyparks.disney.go.c...-update/</a>

Which does not even mention Hyperion Wharf anymore and instead states:

<<Over on Pleasure Island, we’ve completed removing some of the buildings that aren’t part of our future plans. During the course of this site work, we identified opportunities to further refine our master plan and are pausing to evaluate them. What does this mean for you? While we’re moving quickly, it will admittedly cause a delay in construction. But we’re willing to bet that any delay will be worth the wait once we’re able to share details about the exciting work we’ve been doing.>>

This at a time when for the last weeks the discussion boards all seemed to discuss just those possible changes. They actually seem to admit to not knowing what they are going to do. Are they realising that they won't get that topic to die until they announce something? And do they hope that this non-announcement will be enough for that purpose? As I said - the timing of this seems very interesting to me.

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

>>But we’re willing to bet that any delay will be worth the wait once we’re able to share details about the exciting work we’ve been doing.<<

I'll take that wager.

 

Originally Posted By Bolna

<<I'll take that wager.>>

Hmmm, can it get any worse than "grass and mulch"? ;-)

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

That's classic really.

How clueless ... not just the folks running Disney P&R that they destroyed a vibrant entertainment complex and all these years later they are no closer to actually figuring out what will replace it ... but the PR hacks who can't even make it sounds like anything more than BS with Pixie Dust on top ... and how many apologists in social media fan circles will say this is all part of a grand plan and Disney knows exactly what it is doing and, btw, WDW has never been better!

 

Originally Posted By leobloom

Here, I translated that quote that Bolna posted:

<<Over on Pleasure Island [the formerly alive place that remains deader than dead], we’ve completed removing some of the buildings that aren’t part of our future plans [We're not sure what the future plans are as we admit in just a second, but we're sure those buildings aren't part of it]. During the course of this site work, we identified opportunities to further refine our master plan and are pausing to evaluate them [We don't really know what the hell we're doing, so maybe we should just take a break and see if anything good will fall into our laps]. What does this mean for you? [Don't you want to know how we can spin this cluelessness as a positive?] While we’re moving quickly, it will admittedly cause a delay in construction [Carly Simon sings, 'Anticipation...']. But we’re willing to bet that any delay will be worth the wait once we’re able to share details about the exciting work we’ve been doing [We can't share details about a project that's up in the air -- like that George Clooney movie about a guy who flies a lot and has that relationship with that woman who's married even though he doesn't know it...um, have we distracted you enough to convince you that we have great big plans that are going to be wrapped up in a magical pixie dust bow made out of childhood dreams and happily-ever-after fantasy?].>>

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

Just looking at Disney's Blog article and pretty impressed by the number of posts all referencing Adventurers Club. Considering I seldom look at the blog, is this normal? Spirit? Sure looks like they are trying to allow the free flow of opinions on that subject. Also saw the positive attempt in bringing up the campground's railroad.

 

Originally Posted By Bolna

<<Here, I translated that quote that Bolna posted:>>

Very well done! It is amazing how well you speak "Disney spin". ;-)

 

Originally Posted By Bolna

<<Just looking at Disney's Blog article and pretty impressed by the number of posts all referencing Adventurers Club. Considering I seldom look at the blog, is this normal?>>

I check the comments on the blog now and then and I don't consider it normal. However, when there was the announcement that Fantasmic would be shown daily during the summer there were quite a lot of comments about how little they had liked the original cut-back. I was a bit surprised then, but it still were positive posts.

Why don't you try to post a comment yourself and see what happens?

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

hahaha, good one Bolna. I wouldn't want to cause good ol' Tom's head to explode.

 

Originally Posted By ChiMike

Spirit's question is the real one. Why doesn't he come on any of the Disney discussion boards?

Lee McDonald does, why not Tom? He already has the authority to speak for the company on the Disney Blog.

 

Originally Posted By Bolna

I think it would be an interesting experiment if you tried to get comments in your posting style through. And this issue seems a good one since they are already allowing slightly negative posts...

I think they might do so because they know that all those Adventure Club fans would call shenanigans if their posts never show up. Those are the fanboys who should not find out how they are being manipulated by Disney Social Media. So they need to let some through in order to look still "trustworthy".

 

Originally Posted By Bolna

<<Spirit's question is the real one. Why doesn't he come on any of the Disney discussion boards?>>

You know, that was exactly my thought when I saw that post. He is obviously trying to answer a topic which is hot at the moment in the discussion boards. So why not tackle it directly. And so far there isn't one single reply - not even to those who asked plain questions.

 

Originally Posted By Bolna

Oh, and just to add one further circumstance: By now there were three more topics posted to the Disney Parks Blog, making the DTD entry the first one which appears abbreviated and without any picture.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

OK, so I just skimmed through the 49 comments to my pal Tom's (we're buddies now, right?) blog post on The Official MAGICal Pixie Dust-Filled Disney Parks Blog regarding TSFKaPI.

Now, I'm sure you noticed that the words 'Hyperion Wharf' are NOT used a single time by Tom.

While the words 'Pleasure Island' are used multiple times.

He didn't respond to one person's questions or comments. Anyone want to ask him if P&R is on the market, so we can clear that whole thing up ;-)

But what I noticed was ... well, here's Post 3:

<<Really like this concept, and the former site of the Virgin Megastore is a perfect venue and location. When plans for the blowing alley by the Wide World of Sports were put on hold, I was hoping that the idea might be placed elsewhere. I think this adds a new level of family entertainment, nightlife for all ages, and other experiences outside the parks.

I like the idea of making Downtown Disney a true destination with a variety of experiences and activities for families, couples and groups of friends, and think this is a great step in that direction!

Lou M.
WDW Radio>>

I'm sure I have no idea who this shill is. He could be any Lou, right? And that post was written in PR pandering fashion, was it?

And you are letting Lou advertise his personal on the OFFICIAL company site and there's nothing fishy with that?

You do know you might make the other podcasters cry Tom by playing faves with The Mongello?

What I also noticed were the comments were never really that negative. Some bemoaned the loss of the AC and/or PI as a whole, but they'd have something positive anyway (I feel like Bolna right now ... our resident research analyst ;-) ) to add.

Here's Post 8 from Brodie:

<<While that looks like a lovely bowling alley, I can still bowl at home.

I’m glad to see the Adventurers Club building is still standing so far, and offering the faint hope that an experience I can’t get anywhere else might return to Downtown Disney.>>

It looks like a lovely bowling alley ... just wishes he could get his AC groove on.

Or Post 11 from Ryan:

<<Was just there last week and very happy to see the Adventurers Club is still standing, hope that means it’s been saved from the chopping block. Also a bowling alley sounds awesome, what a simple yet great idea! Surprised no one had thought to build one before. >>

He's glad Disney hasn't bulldozed an empty club building. And that bowling alley is awesome (because people spend thousands to travel to WDW to bowl much like they spend that much for their kids to color! -- sorry, that was a Spirited editorial).

We have Peter from NY at Post 16:

<<I’ll reserve judgement until it’s built…but I can’t imagine that I am going to devote 1 second of my vacation time to going bowling. Perhaps aimed more at locals than tourists though.

How about this: Bring back some actual entertainment for adults? We have a child, but also enjoyed getting away from our child for an evening…I really miss the clubs (and Adventurer’s Club in particular). I have had a personal boycott of DTD since the clubs closed 3 years ago – and haven’t spent a dime there. (Other than one trip for La Nouba.) My mom is coming with us this trip – and if Pleasure Isalnd were still open, we would’ve gone at least a couple nights to the Island and dropped a couple hundred dollars. With that gone, we’ve planned one night to head to the Boardwalk next trip to check out Jellyrolls, I guess the best we can do for a night out now-a-days. A definite loss of revenue of Disney relative to what they *could* have gotten. I do not get why Disney has now chosen to ignore this portion of their demographic almost completely – adults without kids or who want to get out without their kids for an evening.>>

He's reserving judgment. Maybe the bowling is more for the locals anyway. He's been boycotting DD (a negative thing to be sure ... well, except for the hundreds of dollars spent on Cirque tix). ... Now, what are they going to do to punish Disney for closing PI? Yep ... head on over to Jellyrolls and hand Mickey his money that way.

See what I'm getting at yet? Even these so-called 'negative' posts are really not. There's a reason why they're letting them go.

And it isn't simply because they plans for an AC-themed eatery at MK, which will shut a lot of fanbois up so they don't mind the AC feedback here, but it's because these comments all have something positive to say as well.

Or most do.

Megan in Post 34:

<<Please bring back at least one of the clubs!!! Preferably Adventures Club or one just like it. . .notice how most of the comments mentioning up a club? This is a hint.>>

And Megan, perhaps the fact they are allowing so many AC posts is because it is coming back ... in another form and in another place, but still ...

Belinda in Post 39:

<<How about a Margatitaville restaurant/bar. The one at
Universal is nice, but who wants to pay $14 to park and go eat? Never mind all the Orlando traffic to get there…
So far so good with the other ideas. Splitsville in Tampa is fun.>>

First mention of the dreaded 'U' word (no, not uterus, this isn't the USA Congress). And it's nice, but who wants to schlep all the way there and then pay for parking (not sure that figure is accurate at night, anyone else know?) ... and the Splitsville in Tampa is nice, so the one at WDW will be too.

Finally in Post 46 Thor (he had a movie out recently, so Disney owns him!) brings up the HW concept:

<<I’m so glad Hyperion Wharf is still on track! I will be at the D23 Expo next month, so hopefully there will be more Hyperion Wharf news there! Thanks for keeping us updated.>>

I guess he missed the fact Tom never used those words. Almost like the concept is DoA.

And I'm looking forward to the PR at D23. How much do I have to pay you to attend your giant BRANDING commercial/brainwashing session?

 

Originally Posted By leobloom

>> When plans for the blowing alley by the Wide World of Sports were put on hold, I was hoping that the idea might be placed elsewhere. <<

I'm sure that was a honest mistake on Lou M's part to type "blowing alley"...

The jokes write themselves, right?

 

Originally Posted By leobloom

>> See what I'm getting at yet? Even these so-called 'negative' posts are really not. There's a reason why they're letting them go. <<

Great analysis, Spirit. I've noticed the same thing -- I think it was when they raised ticket prices, the comments on the blog were just as you've observed. People were disappointed, but not giving up their Disney -- (Essentially: "You'll get my expensive, overpriced Disney when you pry it from my cold, dead hands").

There's enough going on in this thread to fill several books, and the comments published on the official blog posts are an important part of this Disney-controlled message.