Confused

[Disneynutbsv]

Ok, I've been reading the Happyhaunts trip reports and now see that it is locked??? They want her to stay on topic through the whole report...but I think to do that, sometimes its not fun to read. This was fun, it made me lol and you get to know her family. I don't like to make trouble, and I'm honestly not trying to but I just don't understand why an interesting report and a report that a lot of people really want to read gets locked? :confused3

[Bonnie40]

:confused3

Can the mods please explain why they seem to 'have it out' for Mel and her ever-so-popular trip reports? You continue to shut down the most popular trip writer on this board...I don't get why you guys have such a problem with her in-depth trip stories. They're better than anything anyone else can write on here IMHO! If people don't like her writing style, they don't have to read it. My guess is my post is going to be deleted, but I think it would be prudent of you to answer to the questions that I'm sure a ton of people are asking of you!

[Linxzy]

They did explain it in the thread from the report. And also posted, yet again the guidelines for the trip report message board.

[Bonnie40]

So if I understand this correctly, Mel's reports are shutdown because her trip reports include side stories that enhance the overall report? I think the mod's are gunning for her and that's not fair! Everyone was careful in their responses.

The mod's are winning anyone over with this one that's for sure! :confused3

[Linxzy]

That is not the first trip report closed because of out of topic stories/comments, so I don't think they are gunning at her directly.

Hopefully, Mel will come back and keep writing her reports.

[sheridac]

That is not the first trip report closed because of out of topic stories/comments, so I don't think they are gunning at her directly.

Hopefully, Mel will come back and keep writing her reports.

Why would she?? Would you?? Would anyone?? I don't believe it is right or acceptable for ANYONE to dictate someone's writing style.

[OhMari]

Bonnie,
Please see the sticky on top of this thread. Also the DISboards have guidelines, we were following them. Here is the link; http://www.wdwinfo.com/guidelines.htm
We closed 1000HappyHaunts because of this guideline6. STAYING ON TOPIC: The boards are named to reflect general topics. Please refrain from asking questions about park hours on the DVC board, or questions about the Caribbean Beach on the Trip Reports board.

Also many personal messages were posted which should be done with e-mails or PM's.

Hopes this helps.
OhMari Trip Report Co-moderator

[sheridac]

Bonnie,
Please see the sticky on top of this thread. Also the DISboards have guidelines, we were following them. Here is the link:http://www.wdwinfo.com/guidelines.htm
We closed 1000HappyHaunts because of this guideline6. STAYING ON TOPIC: The boards are named to reflect general topics. Please refrain from asking questions about park hours on the DVC board, or questions about the Caribbean Beach on the Trip Reports board.

Also many personal messages were posted which should be done with e-mails or PM's.

Hopes this helps.
OhMari Trip Report Co-moderator

OhMari,

I'm sorry, but no, that doesn't help. Mel's Trip Report was posted on the Trip Reports Board. If, in fact, it was off topic, it should have been moved to a more appropriate board instead of being closed.

[Bonnie40]

sheridac:

Do you know where Mel went? I think I missed all this when it happened. I remember when this happened the last time.

They're gunnin' for ya Mel! I don't blame her if she never comes back but it'll be a pretty uneventful trip reports board. No one got the kind of support she did!

Rock on Mel!

[sheridac]

sheridac:

Do you know where Mel went? I think I missed all this when it happened. I remember when this happened the last time.

They're gunnin' for ya Mel! I don't blame her if she never comes back but it'll be a pretty uneventful trip reports board. No one got the kind of support she did!

Rock on Mel!
Bonnie~

I would be happy to discuss that with you in a more private forum. According to rule # 6 that would be off topic here.

[connorsmom911]

Bonnie,
Please see the sticky on top of this thread. Also the DISboards have guidelines, we were following them. Here is the linkhttp://www.wdwinfo.com/guidelines.htm

We closed 1000HappyHaunts because of this guideline6. STAYING ON TOPIC: The boards are named to reflect general topics. Please refrain from asking questions about park hours on the DVC board, or questions about the Caribbean Beach on the Trip Reports board.

Also many personal messages were posted which should be done with e-mails or PM's.

Hopes this helps.
OhMari Trip Report Co-moderator

I agree that this does not help in any way...so many other trip reports on this very board are guilty of the exact reasoning you are giving here and do not get locked, in fact they get praised and encouraged by all the moderators here. Why is it ok in some reports and not in Mel's? Do you not agree that this looks like favoritism? The answers many of us are asking for are not being given to anyone's satisfaction. Perhaps that is why everyone keeps asking the same question.

And perhaps you could explain why my post asking the same question 2 nights ago was completely deleted within 10 minutes of being posted without so much as an explanation? I read the posting guidelines and I clearly read that "we do not believe in censorship, we encourage discussion". Can you please explain how my post violated the guidelines? If you did not read it, I have kept a copy and could send it to you via pm.

I do not mean to be a problem and I sincerely hope the tone coming across in print is not indicating that. I am simply feeling so disappointed and disillusioned with a community I felt was so welcoming in the past and seems not to be now.

[aGoofyMom]

I feel the need to put my two cents worth in. I was reading and enjoying the trip report in question. I did not feel the responses were crossing the lines - but coming from her close friendships that have developed on the board. Some of the responses were warranted to explain references that although may not have been directly about the trip, but helped enhance the read.
I wondered more than once if the activity on her report was perhaps too much and the chance to shut it down was not to be missed. Perhaps all previous warnings from her other reports were combined, I am not sure.

I would like to say that I appreciate a little background on the cast of the trip in question as it helps me to not just connect with, but to recognize when something from the trip report will work for my group and when it won't. That is one of the big reasons why I read these trip reports.

Perhaps the moderators can be more specific in guidelines for how much is too much information?

[Winnie Pooh Fan]

Perhaps the moderators can be more specific in guidelines for how much is too much information?

This is definitely needed!!!!!!!!

I could give example after example after example of off topic information that was posted.

Anyone read the recent report that explained for nearly a page about why the trip was important because of problems as a teenager???

How was that not off topic :confused3

Instead of posting a warning to the OP the moderators jumped on board with :cloud9: about how wonderful the trip was :confused3

That is only one trip report that included a lot of off topic stuff that the moderators gushed over instead of posting a warning. I can go through others but it will be a long list that are still open and running with no warning whatsoever.

If the moderators want to police this board fine then police it fairly.

There was absolutely no reason for that TP to be closed. It was on topic for the most part and the few sections that weren't only allowed us a glimpse into a family.

The absolute worst thing I have ever seen anywhere on a message board is what happened to Mel. To close an OP's report after posting about a child loosing their best friend by being run over by a bus in front of them and how important that made their WDW trips was just outright horrible. It was the day I became embarrased to say that I was a Dis member.

Now is that time that if the moderators will not admit they made a judgment error and reopen Mel’s trip report, then the Webmaster needs to step in and do it himself!

May the sprit of Walt Disney be alive in all of us! And may the moderators realize what they have done and rectify this horrible mistake!

[sdy]

I agree that this does not help in any way...so many other trip reports on this very board are guilty of the exact reasoning you are giving here and do not get locked, in fact they get praised and encouraged by all the moderators here. Why is it ok in some reports and not in Mel's? Do you not agree that this looks like favoritism? The answers many of us are asking for are not being given to anyone's satisfaction. Perhaps that is why everyone keeps asking the same question.

And perhaps you could explain why my post asking the same question 2 nights ago was completely deleted within 10 minutes of being posted without so much as an explanation? I read the posting guidelines and I clearly read that "we do not believe in censorship, we encourage discussion". Can you please explain how my post violated the guidelines? If you did not read it, I have kept a copy and could send it to you via pm.

I do not mean to be a problem and I sincerely hope the tone coming across in print is not indicating that. I am simply feeling so disappointed and disillusioned with a community I felt was so welcoming in the past and seems not to be now.

Well said. Very, very.

I completely agree with you. A similar thing happened to me yesterday-- I posted a respectful opinion/query with regard to the actions of the moderating team. Within moments it was deleted and the thread locked.

I'm baffled not only by the decision to lock Mel's thread (and the harshness of said decision) but also by the absolute reluctance of the moderating team to engage in a topic so many are, obviously, anxious to discuss.

As I stated in my deleted post, "guidelines" are just that. And as long as no one is offended or offensive, all efforts should be made to be flexible.

It seems that the biggest issue, in a macro sense, is the tone that the action(s) of the mods set, not the "popularity" of a particular member or thread. A board that endeavors to be friendly instantly became not a bit uncomfortable. And remains to be such.

I'm sure we all appreciate the efforts of everyone who works to keep this board up and running. I most certainly do. I think we're all simply looking for some tangible assurance that this is, indeed, a safe place where ALL are welcome.

[sheridac]

At the risk of being off topic, I must say, I've been monitoring the progress of this thread with a kind of morbid curiosity. Will it be locked? Will it disappear altogether? Will any of these questions be answered?

It would help, greatly, if these trip report writing guidelines could be clarified. Currently they are ambiguous at best.

[PoohnPglet]

I love to come over here and read the trip reports and notice there was a little bit of a controversy going on here. So I thought I would take the advice that the moderators offered and read the guidelines for this board.

So as I am reading the guidelines, I see that they were posted on 6-16-06 and I was wondering if anyone knew what the specific guidelines were before that date.

Thanks

[PixieMixie]

I'm going to go ahead and be "off topic".


I have used disboards for over 4 years. I used it to help plan 3 trips to WDW, and always lurked more than anything else. But since I started to plan another trip in Sept I came back....now I'm left with a question or two.

What exactly happened to Disboards? What exactly is considered "off topic" Over on the tip board there is a thread about granny bathing suits...what does that have to do with DISNEY tips? The budget board is like a make shift shopping and freebie forum instead of DISNEY on a budget. There is also a million and a half "game" threads that serve no purpose but to bump post counts and has made "search" useless. All in what I mentioned should be in the OT forum.

Instead there is an issue with a ON topic thread running slightly off topic?

[bdg100]

I have never read Mel's reports but I'm going to try to now. I'm going to run a search for them. In the meantime, LET HER POST, LET HER POST, LET HER POST.

[SandraVB79]

IMHO, this looks like the mods are "mobbing" Mel, and are jealous because her trip reports are so popular.

Yes, in other trip reports of her, the off-topic comments were getting a little too numerous (is that an English word?), but it in this one???? :confused:
After each (frequent) installment of Mel, there were a couple of people that said they liked the episode, and there were a couple of them that gave a remark or asked a question about something they read. And because of that the thread gets locked??
Not even a warning on this thread and some days to behave well again (although I don't think anyone behaved bad)?

As someone else said, this smells like favouritism and censorship, and it's a start to get ashamed you're a member of the DIS.
There are so many trip reports where the writer goed off topic. Way off topic. And nothing gets done about those, not even a remark.
Mel writes ONE paragraph about a most horrible trauma her daughter had to live through as a small child, and how that influenced her and how a Disney vacation can make her happy again, and the thread gets locked??

In that case, you also have to lock Zzub's thread. Because his whole post-trip report thing has nothing to do with a WDW-vacation either. And I am oh so sure many other threads are like that too.
But no, only Mel's thread gets locked.

It seems to me, the webmaster should re-assess the need for adequate mods for the trip report boards.

[fizz13]

Well I stated my opinion on this subject last time Mel's thread was locked and had it deleted and a "lovely" :guilty: reply from one of the mods calling it an undisguised attack on them. let me tell you, I wasn't trying to disguise it. I don't see how this expresive form of writing is harming anyone. It is not blasphemous, racist,or offensive in any way, just descriptive, and enriched with real life. No one is made to read it if they choose not to, and everyone who chose to read and reply, had been sure to be careful this time as we did not want a repeat situation.
Of course, I'm sure this thread will be deleted in due course, so i wouldn't waste too much more time writing here, I have a feeling our grievences will be in vain.

[MrsMcMouse]

Hi,

I very seldom post on the boards but I read fanatically and I just love reading everyone elses views and stories.

I'm planning a 2007 trip and have found reading the trip reports so useful. It is so disappointing to see yet another funny and entertaining trip report being locked.

Whilst I understand that there may be occasions where trips need to be locked if something offensive etc was said. It seems like excessive censorship to close a thread just because it gets a bit longwinded. It is by hearing all about people's family and personality that you can decide if they are people who are like you and therefore if their experiences relate to something you would enjoy or avoid.

It is my understanding that web forums are for information and also for entertainment. It seems to me that it is an abuse of power to inconsistently lock threads for going off topic. If it was so far off topic no-one would read it, or it could be moved. A great deal of people were enjoying this thread and I'm disappointed that yet again it has been closed.

The DIS crowd seem to me to be a generally friendly and self censoring group and this heavy handed moderating seems so unnecessary - and indeed unusual for web forums. I think it unlikely that I would ever bother writing a report since chances are if people were to enjoy it and express their enthusiasm then it could well end up locked.

This brings me back to the title of my post - What's the point? If this excessive censorship continues then I expect many members will have the same thought and not bother writing their reports. Then the trip reports board will become pointless. Surely this is worse than a few lengthy reports?

[horsegirl]

I have to agree with you, Mrs. McMouse. I am struggling to finish my trip report and will not write another as long as the current interpretation of the guidelines remains in effect. We have potentially also lost one of the most loved trip report writers, Zzub. I suspect many more of the talented writers will no longer feel inclined to post here.

I may have not worded this correctly and added the word potentially. Sorry Zzub for the confusion.

[stitchesmom]

:sad2: I agree with MrsMcMouse. What's the point? I love the trip reports. I never write them because I couldn't possibly write as well as Mel. Your decision to end her report just makes me sad. I want to hear more about her trip and all of her trip. Your decision to end it has us hanging and not in a good way, the good way Mel has left us hanging more than once.


I was not offended by her report in any way. Her reports are nothing but entertaining and informative. This web site I thought was about information and entertainment.

I am just sad sad sad sad sad. :sad2: :sad2: :sad2: :sad2: :sad2:

[paslea_pooh]

The absolute worst thing I have ever seen anywhere on a message board is what happened to Mel. To close an OP's report after posting about a child loosing their best friend by being run over by a bus in front of them and how important that made their WDW trips was just outright horrible. It was the day I became embarrased to say that I was a Dis member.
Now is that time that if the moderators will not admit they made a judgment error and reopen Mel’s trip report, then the Webmaster needs to step in and do it himself!

May the sprit of Walt Disney be alive in all of us! And may the moderators realize what they have done and rectify this horrible mistake!

VERY WELL SAID !!!!!!
That was the most heartless and cruel thing I've seen done in a long while. It did make me ashamed to be associated with the Disboards. Jealousy is as cruel as the grave. That is what it comes down to.

[DebIreland]

Jealousy is as cruel as the grave. That is what it comes down to.

:thumbsup2 Very well said, this whole issue is personal and has nothing to do with guidelines and rules in my opinion. The amazing thing is, of all the trip reports on this board, I would say that the recent HappyHaunts one was the most ON-topic! So many reports meander off topic and include details that have nothing directly to do with Disney and I love those too because all the asides help build and maintain the atmosphere. But it's like the mods waited for that report to go off-topic and then they gleefully jumped on it and locked the thread. She posted about a tragic event in her daughter's life and to lock it because of that was really sick. Or was it locked because Canada was mentioned? :lmao: How on earth does a person from Canada *not* mention Canada in her trip report! The ahem 'rules' are a little absurd!!!

Of course I'm typing into fresh air here - my last post was deleted very efficiently! :teeth:

I wonder how long this thread will last?! :)

[nataliz]

I haven't been on these boards for very long. In fact, I just found it as I was researching for my up-coming trip to Disney. It contains a wealth of information and people who share a common love- Disney.

To me, trip reports are a way for people to share their vacation memories with others. They help me to look forward to my upcoming trip, while making me think about our last trip two years ago.

Mel's report has had over 34,000 views since she started writing it at the end of May. That's about 2000 times a day! She has to be doing something right if so many people are looking at it.

I love to read trip reports. I especially love to read the ones that let me live vicariously through another person's eyes. I think that it's a shame that we are shutting a person down who has done a great job of sharing her trip with us.

[2infinity&B-ond]

I agree with the above posters. What a sad state of things here on the Trip Reports Board of the DIS. We have lost several great writers. :sad2:

[DisneyGirl4188]

I am the person that asked this same question the other night. I believe I mentioned a "witchhunt" and my post was quickly removed. I then asked why it was removed and instead of being given an answer, EVERYONE'S posts were removed from the thread and the thread closed.

I don't think it's fair for Mel's reports to be locked; she is a great writer! I understand that the mods don't want people to talk about something that happened at home, that has nothing to do with Disney (**this has to do with the original report, NOT this one). However, adding a bit of background into a person and give insight into them is what a good writer does.

This post will probably be removed and it's sad. It's like the mods don't want anyone to question them. They give generalized answers and don't explain themselves.

Please mods, just explain why you have such a problem with Mel? Please don't give the reason that she strayed from the topic, she didn't. She was just giving background on why she went to Disney with her family and what it means to them.

I feel that many people will stop writing here because they will be afraid of adding anything of interest to their stories.

[Bonnie40]

This is definitely needed!!!!!!!!

I could give example after example after example of off topic information that was posted.

Anyone read the recent report that explained for nearly a page about why the trip was important because of problems as a teenager???

How was that not off topic :confused3

Instead of posting a warning to the OP the moderators jumped on board with :cloud9: about how wonderful the trip was :confused3

That is only one trip report that included a lot of off topic stuff that the moderators gushed over instead of posting a warning. I can go through others but it will be a long list that are still open and running with no warning whatsoever.

If the moderators want to police this board fine then police it fairly.

There was absolutely no reason for that TP to be closed. It was on topic for the most part and the few sections that weren't only allowed us a glimpse into a family.

The absolute worst thing I have ever seen anywhere on a message board is what happened to Mel. To close an OP's report after posting about a child loosing their best friend by being run over by a bus in front of them and how important that made their WDW trips was just outright horrible. It was the day I became embarrased to say that I was a Dis member.

Now is that time that if the moderators will not admit they made a judgment error and reopen Mel’s trip report, then the Webmaster needs to step in and do it himself!

May the sprit of Walt Disney be alive in all of us! And may the moderators realize what they have done and rectify this horrible mistake!


VERY WELL SAID! I was surprised to still see my thread here this morning! I have been PM'd and told where to check out the fabulous writers that have left the DIS...that website's gain is the DIS's loss!

[darrylpan]

I think one of the great things about visiting a Disney Park is how the magic of the place makes all our worries and cares disappear. I think the comments in Mels TR reflected just that. Disney can help heal and bring the smile back to your face. I found nothing off topic in Mels report. In fact her trip report just enhanced my view of the Disney experience and magic.

[KTSMOM]

VERY WELL SAID! I was surprised to still see my thread here this morning! I have been PM'd and told where to check out the fabulous writers that have left the DIS...that website's gain is the DIS's loss!

Would you please PM me and let me know the new website? I would love to continue to read her fabulous trip reports! Thanks!

[horsegirl]

At the risk of this thread being locked too, if people have questions, please pm me and I would be happy to help. I have recieved numerous pms in the last few days, and will keep my box open. I recognize it is hard when there is no place to vent. PMs are a good use. Feel free to PM one another as well. Just a thought, if that is not too presumptuous.

[kpk89]

Disappointed doesn't even begin to cover my reaction to the latest lockdown. Mel (and her fans) have made every effort to keep to the trip, and the report. It's not as though the reply posts went off on wild tangents (this time).

Mel Happyhaunt is an excellent storyteller. She is not the first trip reporter to intertwine background stories about her family into the report. Such additions to a report provide substance and cause the readers to CARE about the family and their trip. Which makes the report far more compelling than one that merely provides details about where they stood to watch Wishes or how long they waited for a bus from whatever resort. Those details are important too, for a different reason, but IMHO I can find out that kind of info on the tips or theme park boards. I go to the Trip Reports board for entertainment.

Or, I used to. :(

I have hope that the mods can take another look at the lockdown of Mel's latest report, and perhaps give some thought to reversing their decision. I realize that moderating is a volunteer job, and a thankless one -- and for the most part I applaud their hard work in keeping the DIS a safe, friendly environment. I happen to think this particular decision was inappropriate. Very.

[MrsMcMouse]

I have to agree with you, Mrs. McMouse. I am struggling to finish my trip report and will not write another as long as the current interpretation of the guidelines remains in effect. We have also lost one of the most loved trip report writers, Zzub. I suspect many more of the talented writers will no longer feel inclined to post here.

I don't blame you for struggling to finish (though I wish you would - yours is one of my favourites!). If I was writing one I would feel the same!!

There are lots of great reports on the boards - people don't need to be able to write like Zzub or Mel to still have a great report but it just seems madness to me that the most popular reports are those that the mods have most trouble with.

GRRRR - rant over! :furious:

I also think, considering the feelings expressed my those who have posted, it would appropriate for the mods to give a better response than has been provided thus far. Perhaps if they gave a better explanation we could understand it better? :confused3

[MrsMcMouse]

Disappointed doesn't even begin to cover my reaction to the latest lockdown. Mel (and her fans) have made every effort to keep to the trip, and the report. It's not as though the reply posts went off on wild tangents (this time).

Mel Happyhaunt is an excellent storyteller. She is not the first trip reporter to intertwine background stories about her family into the report. Such additions to a report provide substance and cause the readers to CARE about the family and their trip. Which makes the report far more compelling than one that merely provides details about where they stood to watch Wishes or how long they waited for a bus from whatever resort. Those details are important too, for a different reason, but IMHO I can find out that kind of info on the tips or theme park boards. I go to the Trip Reports board for entertainment.

Or, I used to. :(

I have hope that the mods can take another look at the lockdown of Mel's latest report, and perhaps give some thought to reversing their decision. I realize that moderating is a volunteer job, and a thankless one -- and for the most part I applaud their hard work in keeping the DIS a safe, friendly environment. I happen to think this particular decision was inappropriate. Very.

Excellent post - I couldn't agree more :thumbsup2

[Frickles]

That is not the first trip report closed because of out of topic stories/comments, so I don't think they are gunning at her directly.




TLinden, the Mod for Mel's TR, was very curteous to reply to my PM and she told me that they have only had to close Trip Reports by two posters, so it isn't like they go around closing a lot of reports...you know. I don't want anyone to think TR's are being shut down like crazy because they are OT. She said Mel was shut down because she, not the subscribers who posted, went off topic. To me this just seems like a very low blow especially because of the story Mel had just shared. It isn't right.

[DisneyGirl4188]

I think it's fair to assume that many people will be finding other outlets to write. I just found ZZUB and I will be following his lead (not that I am half the writer that he and Mel are, but I don't want to be censored, this IS America after all).

I fear the TR report board is going to be a very boring place soon.

[jw50]

This post will probably be removed and it's sad. It's like the mods don't want anyone to question them. They give generalized answers and don't explain themselves.

Well the mods "explained" why the thread was closed. The thread violated one of the rules and the thread originator had been warned previously to stay "on topic" so to the mods she was a repeat offender and as such any violation (however slight) was justification for closing the thread.

Any further questioning of the mods actions or their intentions also violates one of the board rules and that is why so many of the posts questioning the mods have been removed.

And the mods do generally take appropriate action when they are informed of board rule violations, as evidenced by the removal of a trip report to Alabama that was not Disney related after this brought to the mods attention recently.

The Dis is not a democracy, it is a privately owned board and the Admins and Mods are selected by the board owner to intrepret and enforce the board rules as they see fit. The board owner is aware of the issues related to the closed TR threads and fully supports the actions of his moderation team.

So basically if you do not agree with the way the Dis is being run then your best option is to find another board that is more to your liking.

If you do wish to remain a member of the Dis then I recommend that you be very careful about making any posts that might be construed as criticizing any member of the moderating team.

[Kolache]

Ditto! I'd like to know as well. Loved both of those writers!

[DisneyGirl4188]

Well the mods "explained" why the thread was closed. The thread violated one of the rules and the thread originator had been warned previously to stay "on topic" so to the mods she was a repeat offender and as such any violation (however slight) was justification for closing the thread.

Any further questioning of the mods actions or their intentions also violates one of the board rules and that is why so many of the posts questioning the mods have been removed.

And the mods do generally take appropriate action when they are informed of board rule violations, as evidenced by the removal of a trip report to Alabama that was not Disney related after this brought to the mods attention recently.

The Dis is not a democracy, it is a privately owned board and the Admins and Mods are selected by the board owner to intrepret and enforce the board rules as they see fit. The board owner is aware of the issues related to the closed TR threads and fully supports the actions of his moderation team.

So basically if you do not agree with the way the Dis is being run then your best option is to find another board that is more to your liking.

If you do wish to remain a member of the Dis then I recommend that you be very careful about making any posts that might be construed as criticizing any member of the moderating team.

I just wanted a better explaination of why the report was closed (and so suddenly). It's not OK do question the decision of a mod? Even if it will shed light on what is and isn't allowed?

I need clear cut guidelines. If it is not OK to mention anything off topic, that's fine, it just needs to be followed across the board. To many of us, it seems as though people are being singled out.

I love the DIS, I am on many other boards here and think that for the most part the moderating is well done. That being said, when a guideline is posted, I think it is up to the mods to answer any and all questions, so that everyone can be on the same page of what is and isn't allowed.

[sheridac]

Oh gosh, I was afraid this might go south. I must admit I am astonished this thread is still here.

JW~

You know I adore you. And, I know you are just trying to keep us safe. Because you adore us too. Me anyway!! :teeth: And you are, as ever, the voice of reason. Unlike myself, who lacks self control. And reason. :teeth:

I don't want this to get ugly on you.

[BratTink]

Well the mods "explained" why the thread was closed. The thread violated one of the rules and the thread originator had been warned previously to stay "on topic" so to the mods she was a repeat offender and as such any violation (however slight) was justification for closing the thread.

Any further questioning of the mods actions or their intentions also violates one of the board rules and that is why so many of the posts questioning the mods have been removed.

And the mods do generally take appropriate action when they are informed of board rule violations, as evidenced by the removal of a trip report to Alabama that was not Disney related after this brought to the mods attention recently.

The Dis is not a democracy, it is a privately owned board and the Admins and Mods are selected by the board owner to intrepret and enforce the board rules as they see fit. The board owner is aware of the issues related to the closed TR threads and fully supports the actions of his moderation team.
So basically if you do not agree with the way the Dis is being run then your best option is to find another board that is more to your liking.

If you do wish to remain a member of the Dis then I recommend that you be very careful about making any posts that might be construed as criticizing any member of the moderating team.

Its a very sad state of affairs. This was/is a great place to hang out and read entertaining reports about our favorite place in the world. I just hope that with the rules the reports don't become "we landed, checked in, ate dinner, went on a ride, came home". Admittedly its much funnier to hear how much pepto was needed after dinner :)

[DisneyGirl4188]

jw50: I thank you for warning me. I wanted to clairify what I meant in previous posts.

I am not trying to get into an argument with anyone here, including the mods. I wanted to express my opinion and get answers. I think it's best if I step away now, so I don't get myself or anyone else in trouble.

[Minnie]

JW - On most of your posts I find that I agree with many things that you have to say. I enjoy reading your posts and your views.

However on this particular instance I have to disagree with your post. I agree it is a privately owned board but when there is an issue that a member feel is continuing to be unresolved the only thing a member can do is continue to ask for clarification and resolution.

I am hoping that this thread and the many others that have been posted will bring actual guidelines so that they are known to all and are enforced equally. It's beyond time for this to happen :hourglass

[Ron from Michigan]

I have to agree with everyone. Mel's trip reports were the bomb. I read at least 7 or 8 trip reports every week and they are all different, which is what we wan't here on the boards. There are several writers that go OT to enhance there stories with stories about there families that only add's to there reports. That is what makes great writers. There have been many great writers here on the trip reports board that have gone OT. ZZBUB, Horsegirl, janet2k, Kevin Stringer, FSUMARCHIEF, GADISNEYGIRL etc. It's such a shame that someone who is as talented as HappyHaunt can no longer write reports here. She was never offensive, mean spirited etc. I posted on the Community board inviting HappyHaunt to post her report there and it was deleated within minutes. So see she's not even welcome there. :)

[dandee00]

.

Any further questioning of the mods actions or their intentions also violates one of the board rules and that is why so many of the posts questioning the mods have been removed.

If you do wish to remain a member of the Dis then I recommend that you be very careful about making any posts that might be construed as criticizing any member of the moderating team.

I haven't posted for a while, but I couldn't resist. ;)

I am curious to know why one cannot question a mods' action and/or their intention. Also, why is it if one does question, we would do so at the risk of being expelled from the Dis?
I realize this is a "private" board and is not a "democracy", but I was never under the impression it was a dictatorship.

Yes, there are rules and they are interpreted differently by individuals. I think in order for some Dis posters to understand why Mel's trip report was locked, we must ask questions. There may be some of us who need clarification of the rules, so we do not break them and end up being locked.

I enjoy this board and luv trip reports. :lovestruc
I hope my comments will not have me "axed" from the board or have this thread locked.

[M.T.Lott]

Quote: (sorry, don't know how to properly quote from other threads)
Originally Posted by 1000thhappyhaunt
I believe you will enjoy your travels through WDW with the happyhaunts much better if you actually know who we are. So... I add stories and dialogue and little pieces of us... along the way... so you KNOW us. At least a little bit. It helps you see Disney the way we do. And to understand the wonderful spell it casts over five ordinary people from Canada. I want you to live it through OUR eyes: through my laughing ones, through my husband's loving ones, through Tommy's innocent ones, through Calvin's spirited ones and, also, through Beth's eyes. Ones which are old before their time. Otherwise, I figure, what's the point? Of it. After all? (end quote)

I thought her TRs were incredible, she's quite talented, and I'm sad to see it go. That's all I have to say :)

[FSUMARCHIEF]

I am tempted at some level to stay out of this thread. I will admit to my disappointment in the decisions that have been made around here as of late. I will also confess my own anger, and contribution to the button pushing that has seemingly gone on between various folks and the mods.

That having been said, one thing I would like to encourage us to remember is that there are people on both sides of this issue. First, many of us have grown to care for each other and consider each other friends. It is a natural reaction that when one of us hurts, we all hurt. You mess with one of us, you mess with all of us. All for one and one for all - you know what I mean.

I believe the decisions made are wrong. But there's nothing I can do about it, as of yet. I have made the decision that if the guidelines stay as they are, I will not post more trip reports on this site. Its just not me. I am who I am, and that's all that I am. (Quick name that song!) I put a part of me in everything I do. It's just not in me to leave me out. I will hang around on the CB and in other places as well when I have time. I'll even pop in on the TR board to see what's happening.

But the thing I have been reminded of in my prayer time and thoughts about this is that the folks on the other side of this affair are people too. They have feelings. They too are fallible. (Did I spell that right?) They too make mistakes. But they hurt. Just like us. Many of us have said hurtful things, myself included, and that is regretable. In the spirit of open mindedness and kindness, I think it prudent that we remember who we are in all places.

Mods, I am sorry for any hurtful things I have said.

Having said that, I reiterate the fact that on this issue, I disagree with you. In the spirit of openness and fairness, I think it healthy that these conversations continue. I also think it would be appropriate for the loosening of the strings a bit.

But then again, I am not a moderator, nor do I have any interest in this website, other than the entertainment and information it provides. But any good leader ought to be able to hear the voice of their people. Sometimes being a good leader means making unpopular decisions. However, this isn't the President of the United States that we're talking about. We're talking about people who enjoy reading about other people's trips to the happyiest place on earth. That's all.

Might I just remind us that all of us are people. Rude comments from both sides are hurtful. We can disagree in a spirit in which people are not hurt - on either side.

Blessings!
MarkyMark

[sheridac]

Many of you have sent me pm's or emails. I promise I will get back to each and every one of you.

Just so you know. :teeth:

[tiki23]

Mark, you certainly have a point. I posted a thread in this forum regarding The HappyHaunts TR that was deleted because I struck out in anger and disappointment.

People who moderate on bulletin boards are almost always volunteers and usually put in loads of time because they are passionate about whatever subject is being discussed. I'm one of them; I'm an Admin on one board and a Mod on another that discusses saltwater aquariums. When situations such as what's happening here on the TR board go on, it's gut-wrenching; mods lose sleep, they cry, they post like mad in the mods' private forums and I feel for them.

But with all of that said, I still feel they are wrong. Mel did not disrespect anyone, she didn't use bad language, she didn't write mean or hateful things - she wrote a wonderful, funny, joyful, tearful trip report that we all enjoyed.

What the owners and mods of this board need to understand is that information is everywhere - I could google a hundred Disney sites right now - but that the sense of community and joy at an internet bulletin board are rare. With the decision to close Mel's report yet again, it has become rarer still.

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

Would a slightly off topic trip report be more accepted on say the community board where everything under the sun is posted?

Maybe it could be a disney story instead of a "trip report"

[MrsMcMouse]

Mark, you certainly have a point. I posted a thread in this forum regarding The HappyHaunts TR that was deleted because I struck out in anger and disappointment.

People who moderate on bulletin boards are almost always volunteers and usually put in loads of time because they are passionate about whatever subject is being discussed. I'm one of them; I'm an Admin on one board and a Mod on another that discusses saltwater aquariums. When situations such as what's happening here on the TR board go on, it's gut-wrenching; mods lose sleep, they cry, they post like mad in the mods' private forums and I feel for them.

But with all of that said, I still feel they are wrong. Mel did not disrespect anyone, she didn't use bad language, she didn't write mean or hateful things - she wrote a wonderful, funny, joyful, tearful trip report that we all enjoyed.

What the owners and mods of this board need to understand is that information is everywhere - I could google a hundred Disney sites right now - but that the sense of community and joy at an internet bulletin board are rare. With the decision to close Mel's report yet again, it has become rarer still.

I think this is an excellent post and conveys the sort of sad disappointment that I think a lot of us feel.
I don't think anything particularly hurtful or mean has been said about the Mods. For the most part people have expressed their disappointment and annoyance in a clear and eloquent manner.

My personal view is that most of us feel that simply to close this thread for being off topic isn't good enough. The thread was undoubtably a Disney trip report with some family stories thrown in for colour. It is clear that there are varying degrees of how far off topic a story can be before it stops being a trip report and I don't see that this story was anything other than an embellished report.

I don't envy the Moderators - I wouldn't want the job but the fact is they have made a decision which a great deal of people are unhappy about. The thread wasn't harming anyone so what's wrong with leaving it open? I hope the mods can reconsider their view. It takes a strong person to admit they were wrong - we all make mistakes and I think this is a mistake.

[jw50]

Would a slightly off topic trip report be more accepted on say the community board where everything under the sun is posted?

Maybe it could be a disney story instead of a "trip report"

This question has been asked before and it appears that the answer is that it would not be acceptable since if it is a trip report it belongs in the TR forum and must comply with the TR rules. Posting it elsewhere to avoid complying with TR rules would not be appropriate and place an additional burden on the mods to move it to the forum where it belonged and then have to close it for not complying with the rules.

[curlyq]

What a sad day. I pulled up the trip report thread to catch up on my favorite trip reports since I had been gone for the weekend. I always look for happyhaunts first. I didn't see it at the top so I started reading a few others. When I still didn't see it, I started to get a sick feeling in my stomach. Then I came upon this thread and almost wanted to cry. I love Mel's trip reports and in no way saw anything that should have shut it down. At first I thought it was just locked and thought I'd be able to catch up on at least her last couple of updates, but after searching for it, it has disappeared. I'm not much into laying blame anywhere, but I just had to say how disappointed and heart broken I am that I won't be able to finish her report. After reading all of the really good reports you feel like you know the people so well and that is a feeling I really enjoy. I'm what you could call a professional lurker, but after reading what has happened, I felt I had to put in my two cents. If at all possible, anybody with the power to, please reconsider and let her finish her story. It is a great story that I thought reflected very favorably on the Dis boards, a story I sent many friends here to read. Please, Please, Please reconsider.

[Winnie Pooh Fan]

This question has been asked before and it appears that the answer is that it would not be acceptable since if it is a trip report it belongs in the TR forum and must comply with the TR rules. Posting it elsewhere to avoid complying with TR rules would not be appropriate and place an additional burden on the mods to move it to the forum where it belonged and then have to close it for not complying with the rules.

Not trying to be disrespectful but this question should be answered by the site owner or a moderator only. We need real confirmations on what is and what is not acceptable from those that make the decisions. Right or wrong that they may be too many of us.

[Ron from Michigan]

I agree with you Mark about the mods here on the trip report boards. They felt they were doing the right thing and that is there choice. I'm sure they put alot of there own free time into these boards as Mods. I have read alot of there reports and they are excellent also. As i've said before that is what makes this board so great there are lots of different reports. I just do not think it was right to lock Mel out. I truly love your reports Mark. The stories of you and your family's life at Disney and home are wonderful. Let's hope the Mods have a change of heart and let Mel back in. I have been posting on the Dis since 1999 and I have never felt anything wrong with my favorite web site till now. :)

[dawn8226]

I went away for the weekend, and missed a lot. I am fairly new to the trip reports board, but I have found it to be one of my favorite lunch time activies. I love reading these reports, particularly about the Happyhaunts trip. I find it sad that I will not be able to continue the trip with them. I hope the moderators change thier minds.

Note: Edited after I found the answer to my own question.

[PoohnPglet]

Sorry, I feel like this may be a little off topic as well, but I am really interested in reading the exact language of the guidelines for this board.

I posted a message last night in regards to a sticky for guidelines that had been posted on 6-16-06 but that is now gone. And I am not finding actual guidelines anywhere.

Can someone help me out?

[MommyPoppins]

Would a slightly off topic trip report be more accepted on say the community board where everything under the sun is posted?

Maybe it could be a disney story instead of a "trip report"


Nope, someone tried that and her thread was locked also. :confused3

[irishbosoxfan]

I have to say I enjoyed Happyhaunts trip reports also and with my upcoming trip was looking to her reports for guidance in creating a trip report to entertain the masses----I was in the middle of reading her latest when suddenly she came on and said "That's it I suggest you go" I was very disappointed! All I read about was her trying to thwart the attempts being made by her stroller to make another trip to WDW against her wishes and how she had her hair done for the trip and decided a home pedicure would be equal to that of the salon----But isn't that on topic----We all plan our trips to WDW to include these things!
I know I am going this weekend for a haircut and next week for a pedicure to look good for the mouse and I also bought a new stroller so my DD could ride in style around the world.
I just thought that would be part of the pre-trip report which none really has time to do before they actually go so include it in their post trip report!?
I am sad about not being able to finish reading her current report and agree with all the others who said she was one of the most entertaining writers on the TR board to date and hope someone will be able to let me know exactly what we are allowed to write about so when I do get back and start writing it won't be closed!!

[mjmcca]

I am also concerned with the abrupt end of this TR. I too was reading every new installment. I see no difference in this report to several others continuing unmolested on the board. I also think that as long as I keep getting server too busy messages the Mods and Webmaster wont care what a handful of posters think about their actions.

[AC7179]

Please reconsider.

I think that a wordy TR has at least as much right to be on the TR board as the games have on the CB. And I think a wordy TR has MORE right to be on the CB than the games do as well (although I do enjoy the games.)

[Shelby5514]

It's a shame there isn't SOMEWHERE on the DIS boards that would welcome this kind of report.

[MareQ]

Having been a member of AOL's Community Leader team (before we were all "fired" last year - lol) I am leary about "bashing" the CL's at all. I understand that they have a tough job and I know that all they are trying to do is their job... however....I fail to understand why some FANTASTIC threads have been shut down.

I can see how it would be very disruptive if there were multiple OT posts clogging the board - however that's not happening at least not the way I view the boards. It's one thread with several posts under it - ONE VERY POPULAR THREAD with several posts under it. SO WHAT?

Posters like ZZUB, Vettichick and Mel are why many many people come here. We like reading trip reports but especially love reading their trip reports. When it goes beyound the actual trips - WE don't care - when you find a book, a series or an author you love - you beg for more - the actual topic becomes less important as you laugh and cry with them and are sucked into their world.

[MrsMcMouse]

I'm just a bit disappointed that this thread has been running for more than 24 hours and none of the moderators has taken the opportunity to share the reasons/explain the decision to a group who have asked repeatedly for an explanation to help us to understand.

A difficult situation can be so easily defused with a clear and reasoned explantion. :confused3

[Disnut25]

I agree that the mod’s job is not an easy one, nor would I want to do it. I also see that these boards are not a democracy and the owner/web-master has the right to operate these boards as they see fit. Unfortunately, the end result is that we may have to seek the enjoyment of reading a more personal TR somewhere else. Please PM me if you know where ZZUB and Mel have gone.

One of the main reasons I read this board is that I love Disney and enjoy hearing about other people’s experiences. It is very brave of people like Mel, Zzub, Horsegirl and others to open up their lives and in some cases, reveal very personal artifacts of their lives in an open forum. Their openness and honesty is what make me want to call them friends even though I would not know them if I bumped into them on the street. It is what keeps me coming back to the boards. To ask these people to change their writing style because it does not fit into someone’s idea of what a TR should be is just wrong. Obviously, many people feel the same way as me.

I hope the owners of this site see that this is not just about unlocking Mel’s TR. It’s about changing the idea of what should be considered appropriate for this thread. When I first started to surf this board I was drawn to it because of its sense of humanity. A place we could find out about how we each experience the magic. In our/their own words and eyes the things that make Disney so special. We all laughed and cried, for our own reason during different parts of the each report. I for one find I sometimes learn something about myself while reading some of the TR’s. If this element is taken away, you will just have a hollow shell of a TR that does not have much redeeming value.

Please do not unlock Mel’s report unless you are willing to except that some people have more to offer then been there, done that. Unlock it because you want to make this board a place where people can come and share themselves, if they desire, with friends. After all why shouldn’t there be a little magic on the DIS as well.

[DisneyGirl4188]

I agree that the mod’s job is not an easy one, nor would I want to do it. I also see that these boards are not a democracy and the owner/web-master has the right to operate these boards as they see fit. Unfortunately, the end result is that we may have to seek the enjoyment of reading a more personal TR somewhere else. Please PM me if you know where ZZUB and Mel have gone.

One of the main reasons I read this board is that I love Disney and enjoy hearing about other people’s experiences. It is very brave of people like Mel, Zzub, Horsegirl and others to open up their lives and in some cases, reveal very personal artifacts of their lives in an open forum. Their openness and honesty is what make me want to call them friends even though I would not know them if I bumped into them on the street. It is what keeps me coming back to the boards. To ask these people to change their writing style because it does not fit into someone’s idea of what a TR should be is just wrong. Obviously, many people feel the same way as me.

I hope the owners of this site see that this is not just about unlocking Mel’s TR. It’s about changing the idea of what should be considered appropriate for this thread. When I first started to surf this board I was drawn to it because of its sense of humanity. A place we could find out about how we each experience the magic. In our/their own words and eyes the things that make Disney so special. We all laughed and cried, for our own reason during different parts of the each report. I for one find I sometimes learn something about myself while reading some of the TR’s. If this element is taken away, you will just have a hollow shell of a TR that does not have much redeeming value.

Please do not unlock Mel’s report unless you are willing to except that some people have more to offer then been there, done that. Unlock it because you want to make this board a place where people can come and share themselves, if they desire, with friends. After all why shouldn’t there be a little magic on the DIS as well.

That was very well said. I agree whole heartedly. I do wish the mods would just post here and answer some of the questions that have been posed.

[OhMari]

I'm just a bit disappointed that this thread has been running for more than 24 hours and none of the moderators has taken the opportunity to share the reasons/explain the decision to a group who have asked repeatedly for an explanation to help us to understand.

A difficult situation can be so easily defused with a clear and reasoned explantion. :confused3

I've posted, see post #6.
OhMari
Co-moderator Trip Reports

[Lan]

If anyone talks to Mel, please encourage her to get her own webpage to post her trips. I don't know about cost, etc. But I did/do enjoy her trip reports. I have never written A TR, but I guess it would have to go like this:

I went to Disney, saw Mickey, and came home.

That stayed on topic :rotfl:

[ZZUB]

I wish to commend the moderators for allowing this thread to stay open and for allowing people to openly question their decisions. To lock down this thread and to start deleting posts from curious members of the Dis Community would be to further inflame passions and create even more dissent.

Out of an abundance of morbid curiosity and in response to a morsel which was left for me, too tempting not to pursue, I came over here to see what had been going on since last week.

To clarify one thing with regards to me: I have NOT left the Disboards permanently. However, in light of the recent crackdown and because I sensed my time was not being well spent, I have decided to limit my internet activity for the time being to my own blog (this post notwithstanding).

Part of what propelled me to make this decision was the way in which Mel's Trip Report was dispensed with like so much garbage. If the Disboards are a community and communities thrive only because we each agree to treat others with respect, then I wonder if anyone would want to be treated the way Mel was treated by the moderators on Friday. I doubt anyone would welcome that.

I don't know the moderators personally. I don't know any of you personally. But TLinden, Oh Mari and Pumba have all, at one time or another, posted on my various Trip Reports. Their comments have usually been encouraging. After I posted the epilogue to my last Trip Report, I was warmed by the responses I received from many people, including TLinden who reminded me that we have a little angel in Heaven watching over us. Which leads me to the conclusion that the moderators are, in fact, more sensitive and caring then we are currently perceiving them.

In retrospect, I don't think TLinden meant to be mean-spirited to Mel by announcing, almost immediately after Mel described the tragedy her daughter witnessed, that Mel's trip report was going off into long winded, off topic discussions. But that was they way it was perceived by many of us. In addition, I can't imagine that there was a groundswell of people offended by Mel's decision to add some back story to her Trip Report.

It bears repeating that Mel's trip report (like Vettechick's before her) was not attacking anyone personally or as a group, was not unfriendly to families, racist or laden with blatant sexual innuendo. Mel's Trip Report was shut down, so it would seem, simply because she was explaining herself in too much detail.

I hope the moderators will indeed respond to their better angels and relax their rules with regards to what constitutes an appropriate trip report. Judging soley by the number of views on Mel's Trip Reports it would seem she is quite popular. I wonder who is served by silencing her voice?

Finally, if it is the intent of the Disboards to censor non-offensive material from Trip Reports simply because it may be considered "off-topic," is it also the intent of the Disboards to see a significant, perhaps even a substantial, number of its members go elsewhere? Who is served by that?

[jw50]

I've posted, see post #6.
OhMari
Co-moderator Trip Reports

I think this means end of discussion ;)

[horsegirl]

Thnank you for clarifying your position Zzub. I edited my post to reflect that...

[OhMari]

I think this means end of discussion ;)


I never said that JW50. A DIS member said a "Moderator" never posted. I was directing the member to my post.

[Minnie]

Bonnie,
Please see the sticky on top of this thread. Also the DISboards have guidelines, we were following them. Here is the linkhttp://www.wdwinfo.com/guidelines.htm

We closed 1000HappyHaunts because of this guideline6. STAYING ON TOPIC: The boards are named to reflect general topics. Please refrain from asking questions about park hours on the DVC board, or questions about the Caribbean Beach on the Trip Reports board.

Also many personal messages were posted which should be done with e-mails or PM's.

Hopes this helps.
OhMari Trip Report Co-moderator

Since OhMari directed those of still concerned/questioning this decision to this post I wanted to paste it down here.

To be honest - no it doesn't help - what would however help is explaining to the Dis community EXACTLY what was off topic. Many of us our expressing that we haven't seen it in THIS particular report. The closure of this report still remains a question and a concern to many.

[Princessprissypie]

While I, personally, do not care for Mel Happyhaunt's trip reports I am a huge fan of many many others here. There are excellent stories of Disney trips on this board. For one: ZZUB's. I was saddened to read his post here. But I'm very glad he made it. Along with all the others on this thread. Unfortunately, I feel much the same. I don't fully understand the reasons nor do I agree with locking a TR in progress. As long as progress is being made.

I also agree with many people on this thread that a mod's job is not an easy one. I understand fully the need for mods on boards such as this. THIS is NOT a personal attack. I guess I'm just saddened. And wanted to tell you that here.

Thank you for keeping this particular thread open and allowing people to voice their opinions.

[GeorgiaAristocat]

Everyone -
I have heretofore tried to remain out of the public fray, and will continue to avoid it, although I have many of the same questions and concerns that have already been expressed.

This is merely to say that I believe the moderators have many issues that they must deal with, certainly beyond these boards. Their personal lives and families must come first, and I think we would all accept that and agree.

I think that patience is in order. I believe that the moderators are, at this point, well aware of the general concern. I have not seen any attacks on the mods, and I hope that I don't.

I would like the situation resolved to everyone's satisfaction as much as anyone else. Patience.

[LYNSUE]

It saddens me to think that other great writers will no longer be contributing to the trip report board because of this incident. I will miss you all, especially the Whirlwinds. :guilty:

About HappyHaunt's report.... It did get a little long and off topic in some areas. I chose to skip that section or just close the thread. Simple really.

[MrsMcMouse]

I've posted, see post #6.
OhMari
Co-moderator Trip Reports

Thanks for the link back but I think if you had read the whole thread you would have easily identified that people are looking for more than that as an explanation. I think that has been made clear.

I am very sorry if other mods are dealing with difficult family issues - life can be unexpectedly hard at times and I send my warmest wishes to those concerned. This issue is in no way a personal assault on anyone but a concern about policy and the way it is handled.

I commend Zzub for a well thought out post. I hope that someone on the official side will provide an equally considered response when it is convenient for them.

[BratTink]

There are many eloquent replies to this thread which I greatly appreciate. I am not so eloquent and still a little UNHAPPY. One of my posts on another thread was edited, which I understand as the Dis is apparently Not a Democracy.
I don't know Mel Happyhaunt at all. I'm hoping that she does know the amount of support she has and that should she choose to write another report we will follow and support her and read her report while we laugh and cry with her happyhaunts.
Someone said above and I'd like to reiterate, to the Mods, we'd like to know exactly what was so off topic that the thread was closed. EXACTLY WHAT. Wallmart or her child's tragic event? I did take the time to go to the TR board and read other reports. None were as entertaining as Mel's. Sorry.

[sheridac]

Color me astonished. Still even. Not only is this thread still open, no posts that I can see have been deleted. On top of that, my dear friend Oz put his hat into the ring. A girl goes shopping for the afternoon and the man comes out from behind the curtain. :teeth:

The interesting thing, to me, is that the Magic that Walt Disney created, the Magic we all feel when we visit WDW (well, the copious, free-flowing bleeding of our wallets not withstanding) has, up until now, always been re-created in the trip reports I have read here.

What saddens me, is that, for now, that Magic is gone. The personal details woven into each trip report is what makes that report so magically. How many of you have nodded your head in agreement as you read along??

I know I did.

The other thing that made each trip report so special to me, is the interaction between the author and each reader. That funny, witty humor and banter is yet another thing that makes these reports come alive. You can't replace that. I don't know why you would want to.

I have been told I am somewhat funny. And that people can't wait for me to write a trip report of my own. Maybe that's true, I don't know. As it stands now, I can't see myself ever writing one. At least not here. And I'm sure many, many others feel the same.

And that's a crying shame. 'Cause I am good. :teeth:

Just ask my friends.

[MrsMcMouse]

Color me astonished. Still even. Not only is this thread still open, no posts that I can see have been deleted. On top of that, my dear friend Oz put his hat into the ring. A girl goes shopping for the afternoon and the man comes out from behind the curtain. :teeth:

The interesting thing, to me, is that the Magic that Walt Disney created, the Magic we all feel when we visit WDW (well, the copious, free-flowing bleeding of our wallets not withstanding) has, up until now, always been re-created in the trip reports I have read here.

What saddens me, is that, for now, that Magic is gone. The personal details woven into each trip report is what makes that report so magically. How many of you have nodded your head in agreement as you read along??

I know I did.

The other thing that made each trip report so special to me, is the interaction between the author and each reader. That funny, witty humor and banter is yet another thing that makes these reports come alive. You can't replace that. I don't know why you would want to.

I have been told I am somewhat funny. And that people can't wait for me to write a trip report of my own. Maybe that's true, I don't know. As it stands now, I can't see myself ever writing one. At least not here. And I'm sure many, many others feel the same.

And that's a crying shame. 'Cause I am good. :teeth:

Just ask my friends.

A crying shame indeed. And a bigger shame as you are not the only one whose trip report will stay in their head or will go elsewhere.

One thing that has amazed me about this thread is how civil and sincere people have been.This could so easily have become a flame war but people have politely and eloquently expressed their upset at the situation and I think that goes to show what a nice community this is - or to a certain degree, was.

[Tink33]

I am not a moderator on this board, just a neutral bystander (just call me Switzerland). I don't like to see so many people upset and ready to leave the DIS.

There must be a solution to this problem. Let's work on finding that solution.

As I understand it, a trip report thread was closed because it strayed away from reporting about a WDW vacation. There were stories that didn't have anything to do with a WDW trip and so the trip report became off topic.

Could trip reports be written a different way? The part that deals with the WDW vacation would stay on the Trip Reports Board. If the poster has other anecdotes, a separate thread could be started on the Community Board for those stories and the comments that go along with them. If we use a DVD analogy - the WDW part would be the main movie and the background stories would be the behind the scenes or making of the movie part. There could be a link on the first page of the thread.

I know someone else probably has a better way to do this that will make all parties happy.

[DebIreland]

There must be a solution to this problem. Let's work on finding that solution.

I posted on ivillage for years and one of my favourite boards had a sub-section called 'Journalling' which was a blog-type area where you could start a thread and say whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted - in other words, nothing was off-topic (obviously you still had to adhere to the forum rules such as no offensive remarks, no crude language etc.). Something like that might work. It still doesn't answer the question of why the HappyHaunt's TR was locked but maybe a 'journalling' section might offer a freer, less restrictive outlet for some writers.

I'm amazed that this thread is still open. It's refreshing! :thumbsup2

[2infinity&B-ond]

I am not a moderator on this board, just a neutral bystander (just call me Switzerland). I don't like to see so many people upset and ready to leave the DIS.

There must be a solution to this problem. Let's work on finding that solution.

As I understand it, a trip report thread was closed because it strayed away from reporting about a WDW vacation. There were stories that didn't have anything to do with a WDW trip and so the trip report became off topic.

Could trip reports be written a different way? The part that deals with the WDW vacation would stay on the Trip Reports Board. If the poster has other anecdotes, a separate thread could be started on the Community Board for those stories and the comments that go along with them. If we use a DVD analogy - the WDW part would be the main movie and the background stories would be the behind the scenes or making of the movie part. There could be a link on the first page of the thread.

I know someone else probably has a better way to do this that will make all parties happy.

I think that is what most of us are looking for; a solution.

If you have not read the TR in question, I would love for you to. It is one of the best I have ever read. (The TR board is why I joined the DIS in the first place). I think the problem we are having, is that the TR, in OUR (or at least MY) opinion was not OFF TOPIC. Were portions of the report NOT directly about DISNEY?? Yes, I guess so. But they were a window into the lives of the 'characters' about which we were reading.

The little 'asides' (I put them in quotes because I did not see them as such) added to my understanding as a reader. Knowing more about each of the 'characters' made the story more real for me, almost like I was along for the ride, rather than sitting at home in my desk chair wishing I were at Disney. In fact, I feel that I know each of the Happyhaunts, and that I was along with them on their trip.

I see the Trip Reports Board as a way for people to express their trips to others via the written word. Who is to say that one person explains their trip better than another?

I too am hopeful for a solution, however, since the problem is differing view points on what is ON TOPIC and what is not, I feel we are far from finding one that can make everyone happy.

[jw50]

This question has been asked before and it appears that the answer is that it would not be acceptable since if it is a trip report it belongs in the TR forum and must comply with the TR rules. Posting it elsewhere to avoid complying with TR rules would not be appropriate and place an additional burden on the mods to move it to the forum where it belonged and then have to close it for not complying with the rules.

I need to correct my previous post, I have been advised that the Community Board is "off-topic, all the time", and that colorful stories are most welcome there as long as they're clean.

Since this is the case it is clear that Mel's trip report would be welcome to continue on the CB and thus would not run into a problem with the TR forum guidelines. :thumbsup2

I would also like to second the post from GeorgiaAristocat and extend my condolences and best wishes to the members of the moderating team that are having to deal with family or personal problems and hope their problems are resolved quickly and happily. :grouphug:

[horsegirl]

I need to correct my previous post, I have been advised that the Community Board is "off-topic, all the time", and that colorful stories are most welcome there as long as they're clean.

Since this is the case it is clear that Mel's trip report would be welcome to continue on the CB and thus would not run into a problem with the TR forum guidelines. :thumbsup2

I would also like to second the post from GeorgiaAristocat and extend my condolences and best wishes to the members of the moderating team that are having to deal with family or personal problems and hope their problems are resolved quickly and happily. :grouphug:

Dear JW50

Thank you for your diplomacy and help in coming up with this solution. This step will cause an amazing amount of good will and will certainly help to diffuse the frustration so many feel.

Thank you to the CB board and administration for this decision. I will look forward to the stories of 1000th happyhaunt and others with unique styles to post there.

My thanks again!

[Loubon]

I was going to post on this thread earlier but I figured it wouldn't last so why bother. So since it did last (which I think is very admirable given some of the critcism) I will add my 2 cents. Let me preface this with saying that I rarely read trip reports and I also have no ill feelings towards any Mods or WMs whatsoever. So essentially I have no skin in the game as it were.

For me, I don't think the issue is ambiguity of the guidelines. I think they are quite clear. And sometimes when something is not what you want it to be (especially when you have an emotional stake in an argument) that muddies the waters further. So for me the question is not what are the guidelines. For me the question is why such a guideline for a trip report board?

If you want to say no off topic subjects on the DVC board, I get that. As much as people like to get wrapped up in things there are others searching for information (the purpose of these boards) and there is a case to be made that they shouldn't have to wade through other stuff. Same thing with a board like the resort board. As much fun as I've had with friends there who ultimately got moved to the CB, I get it. There were people looking for information (again the purpose of these boards) who didn't want to go through someone else's personal stuff.

But I always felt the trip report board was to learn of people's experiences. People in the community (it is still a community, right?) same as neighbors on your street. Only difference is here, unlike your neighbors, when you say you're going to WDW for the unpteenth time they don't take a step back, they actually get excited for you (and with you). So if you are learning about someone's experiences what then is off topic? And more importantly why does it matter? Because if you are not in search of information (as on other boards) then you can always choose to read or not read. No one is impeding your pursuit of information. Unless of course someone wants to suggest that reading trip reports is for informational purposes. I guess they are to an extent but it has become obvious that there is quite an entertainment factor as well. And that is directly attributable to the writing talents of many in this community.

So I guess my point is, it's not that the guidelines aren't clear, it's more that in this case the guidelines don't make sense. And I would think it is up to the stewards of the community to raise that issue in that manner rather than just to say the guidelines are clear and they were violated.

Let me leave you with something to think about that under everyone's anger I think sums up what everyone has been saying.....I really don't know Karen (TLinden) and I have never been to JellyRolls. Some day I will go to JellyRolls and the first person I will think of will be Karen. Why? Will it be because of any infornmation I garnered from a trip report or from Deb Willis's site etc.? No it will be because anyone on the DIS, (in our community) associates JellyRolls with Karen. That's all people are looking for. That type of connection to the other members of the community.

[paslea_pooh]

My prayers are with them and their families. Whatever it is they are going thru. I hope it gets resolved. :grouphug:

[musicmama]

I've never written a trip report - well, I tried once and got through only a few short paragraphs in far more than a few hours. I know how difficult the task of writing is - I write boring technical "stuff" for a living and I'm married to a college English professor.

In this day and age of IM/chatspeak replacing "real" sentences, we (and I mean "we" in the global sense as well as the DIS sense) should celebrate anyone who takes the time and makes the effort to write a story that can hold readers enthralled. Yes, I did say a story - after all, that's what a trip report really is - a story of someone's trip. Who wants to read a story where there is no character development or background? Background is what helps us understand why a particular attraction holds such fascination for a visitor. Character development is what causes us to return to the story to see what happens next. Good character development makes a reader care. I thought Caring was a hallmark of the DIS boards....

'Nuff said, I hope. I know I'd rather read a descriptive trip report with an engaging family than one more lengthy debate about the service or lack thereof at Le Cellier.

Peace to all.

[legalslave]

VERY WELL SAID! I was surprised to still see my thread here this morning! I have been PM'd and told where to check out the fabulous writers that have left the DIS...that website's gain is the DIS's loss!

Please PM me where I can find these reports. Thanks.

[preshi]

Please PM me where I can find these reports. Thanks.


Me three please!

[srburks]

PM Me also, please

[Bonnie40]

Found her!

www.1000thhappyhaunt.blogspot.com/

WooHoo!

[New England Eeyore]

I was going to post on this thread earlier but I figured it wouldn't last so why bother. So since it did last (which I think is very admirable given some of the critcism) I will add my 2 cents. Let me preface this with saying that I rarely read trip reports and I also have no ill feelings towards any Mods or WMs whatsoever. So essentially I have no skin in the game as it were.

For me, I don't think the issue is ambiguity of the guidelines. I think they are quite clear. And sometimes when something is not what you want it to be (especially when you have an emotional stake in an argument) that muddies the waters further. So for me the question is not what are the guidelines. For me the question is why such a guideline for a trip report board?

If you want to say no off topic subjects on the DVC board, I get that. As much as people like to get wrapped up in things there are others searching for information (the purpose of these boards) and there is a case to be made that they shouldn't have to wade through other stuff. Same thing with a board like the resort board. As much fun as I've had with friends there who ultimately got moved to the CB, I get it. There were people looking for information (again the purpose of these boards) who didn't want to go through someone else's personal stuff.

But I always felt the trip report board was to learn of people's experiences. People in the community (it is still a community, right?) same as neighbors on your street. Only difference is here, unlike your neighbors, when you say you're going to WDW for the unpteenth time they don't take a step back, they actually get excited for you (and with you). So if you are learning about someone's experiences what then is off topic? And more importantly why does it matter? Because if you are not in search of information (as on other boards) then you can always choose to read or not read. No one is impeding your pursuit of information. Unless of course someone wants to suggest that reading trip reports is for informational purposes. I guess they are to an extent but it has become obvious that there is quite an entertainment factor as well. And that is directly attributable to the writing talents of many in this community.

So I guess my point is, it's not that the guidelines aren't clear, it's more that in this case the guidelines don't make sense. And I would think it is up to the stewards of the community to raise that issue in that manner rather than just to say the guidelines are clear and they were violated.

Let me leave you with something to think about that under everyone's anger I think sums up what everyone has been saying.....I really don't know Karen (TLinden) and I have never been to JellyRolls. Some day I will go to JellyRolls and the first person I will think of will be Karen. Why? Will it be because of any infornmation I garnered from a trip report or from Deb Willis's site etc.? No it will be because anyone on the DIS, (in our community) associates JellyRolls with Karen. That's all people are looking for. That type of connection to the other members of the community.

Very well said, Lou. I feel very much the same way. It certainly would be nice if the guidelines could be modified or amended.

Trip reports are stories and any English teacher will tell you that a good story is more than just "who-what-when and where." It involves context and details and local color, so to speak. An off-topic story may provide in depth insight into a "character," which in this case happens to be a real person. Allusions and humor also enhance the story. I feel that there are many many writers on this board that transcend mere journalistic reports (which are of course fine as well) and become engaging, touching, heart-warming or funny mini-works of literature. Unfortunately, a strict adherence to the board guidelines would not allow for such reports. And that would be a shame.

[Timon]

I normally stay away from posts such as this one but I feel I must chime in here with my thoughts.

I also would like to add that I feel the guidelines for the trip reports are a tad rigid. I completely applaud all mods for keeping other, more informative boards such as the resort or restaurant board on topic, I am sure it's not an easy task. But like Loubon mentioned, I don't think people go to the TR board for answers but rather to be entertained. As a frequent visitor to the TR board, when I read a TR, I basically decide what I read and what I skip.

Sometimes I have the whole afternoon to kill and I relish in personal asides and stories that really help me to connect and understand the author better and it does make the report more enjoyable. Sometimes I have but 30 mins to kill and I skip the asides and just enjoy the Disney details of the report.


I also felt a tad guilty after reading that Mel's thread got closed because of the mention of personal stuff. I wrote a Live Trip Report last October which I posted on the Theme Parks Board. I believe that my report was probably the last report that was not moved to the TR board since the guidelines changed in November. That Live Report which you may still read HERE (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=935126) ended with over 100,000 posts and I truly believe that it had such a large and wonderful audience BECAUSE of the personal stuff I wrote about.

In fact, I recently updated it when I found out that I was pregnant since there were so many wonderful people that had sent out such warm wishes and good luck for us to start a family.

Now I feel so bad about Mels TR being locked and not mine :guilty:

I don't know the story about other great TR writers being lost to other sites, but I don't want to lose Mel. She is a gem. Fabulous writer. Disney lover. And I don't want to lose any future Mels that are afraid to write a TR now.

My request:
Have two TR boards. One for Disney TR's with wonderful personal asides allowed (free for you to skip at your will should it not be your cup of tea) and another TR for non-Disney Trip Reports. :yay: :cool1:

[2xcited2slp]

I think everyone involved is a bit confused; writers, poster and lurkers. This is, what I assumed when I joined, a Disney community, as Loubon stated (very well, I might add). This forum is a place where people, like me, who deal with everyday life and its stresses, come to escape. WDW is the ultimate escape but when we cannot be there we can through others, here, who share the love of Disney.

I agree that there has to be a simple solution to the TR controversy. Personally, I enjoy reading the "asides" to trip reports. They make them "real" and as if we are all there as well. They add life to the stories and allows us, the reader, to really see through the authors' eyes. It is so hard to get a point across on a computer screen and when an writer can accomplish what he/she has set forth then they have, I believe, extraordinary talent and have succeeded.

We are not, I hope and believe, mean-spirited people. I had someone at Disneyworld...a complete stranger.... which with whom I struck up a conversation, say the the Disboard people are mean. Let's prove them wrong and not push good Disney-loving people away. We are all here, both mods and members for one purpose, to share that love for the place that brings us happiness.

[Punkin's Mom]

Here's my opinion, for what it's worth. Mel and many of the other great trip report writers take a report and "plus it" as Walt Disney would say. He always strived to create something extraordinary, and I feel like they apply his philosophy fabulously in their reports.

Please reconsider the rigidity of the rules on this board!

[burly]

Me too please, please. Kim

[lookingforward]

This thread is so sad! The trip reports on this board are the most creative, unique and entertaining thing of all. I personally LOVE the asides that people add. These personal stories help to illustrate the people involved as they experience what we all hold so dear: WDW.

If all we are allowed to write about is the rides, shows, hotels and meals without giving it a personnal perspective then I don't think the reports will be so appealing.

I hope that there is some dialogue and solutions to this issue from the powers that be. :confused3

[snoopy two]

I love the "extras" and OT that many trip reports offer. I'd be sad to see it all censored.

[jw50]

Since it appears that alot of people missed my previous post I will do it again :teeth:

I have been advised that the Community Board is "off-topic, all the time", and that colorful stories are most welcome there as long as they're clean.

Since this is the case it is clear that Mel's trip report would be welcome to continue on the CB and thus would not run into a problem with the TR forum guidelines.

This is also true for any of the other trip report writers who may wish to include information in their "trip reports" that might be considered off-topic on the TR board.

I would also like to thank the TR mods who have so graciously allowed this thread to stay open on the TR board even though it is clearly not a trip report. :wave2:

[Alicnwondrln]

didnt read all the pages but mels Trip reports were great and many of the best ones veer off topic it wasnt hurting anyone and is sad it was closed

[jennymouse]

Here's my opinion, for what it's worth. Mel and many of the other great trip report writers take a report and "plus it" as Walt Disney would say. He always strived to create something extraordinary, and I feel like they apply his philosophy fabulously in their reports.

Please reconsider the rigidity of the rules on this board!

I totally agree. I'm not much of a writer myself but I've studied creative writing for many years. It's the development of characters and backstory that takes a dull trip report or story and makes it entertaining. It connects the reader and the writer together. The best trip report writers on this board (Mel, Zzub, LaLa, goferit, etc) know how to write.

The mods have a difficult unpaid job here and rarely receive thanks. We know this. But, I'm so disappointed in the mods on this decision. I have been around here long enough to know that there's no amount of tears we can shead to make them change their minds. I love the disboards but it's no democracy...

[1000thhappyhaunt]

Why is Joe yelling?


I've started a blog. It is at www.1000thhappyhaunt.blogspot.com/

I think. Someone has GOT to show me how to post a link. Anyhow... Bonnie's post at the top of this page did it properly.

I just want to add my thanks here:

To the mods who have left this thread open and let everyone post to it. I have no hard feelings. It's your board. After all.

To everyone else who wanted my TR to continue. Thanks for the support.

To TR readers who didn't care for my trippie. At least SOME of you have taste. Thanks.

Sooooo... I will, most likely, move my OT~ TR over to the CB board. I'm just trying to sort this all out, for myself, right now.

Cheers, Mel.

P.S. I think my link worked. Wow. I'm weak with power.

[teentoddlermom]

Glad to see you, Mel.

[tiki23]

Your link worked indeed. :)

Ya for Mel! :Pinkbounc

[Master Gracie]

Let me first say that I, too, commend the moderators of this website for not only allowing this thread to remain open, but also for keeping it on the TR board.

I have read ever post on this thread and they are, on the whole, very well thought out and expressive. I commend all the posters for not allowing this thread to degenerate into a flame war or a whine-fest. In an effort to avoid conflict, I have modified my signature to remove a potentially inflaming comment that I probably should not have included in the first place.

I have read what jw50 posted and, although I have not ventured back into the community board to check, I assume that Mel has restarted, or at least resumed, her report there. I'm not sure if this was blatently suggested by a moderator, or derived from the message received by jw, but I don't think it will be allowed to live there either.

My guess is that it will either be closed or moved because it is, in fact, a trip report and there is a board for that.

I hope I am wrong.

Many people have expressed concerns over the restrictive nature of the rules on the Trip Report board. I must say that I agree. Details are what make a story interesting. They do not distract the reader, they draw him in. Let's face it, what makes the great authors great? The detail and care with which they weave their story.

George Lucas could have told the Star Wars saga in one movie, but it would have been the worse for him doing it.

J.R.R. Tolkien could have left the Barrow Downs or Tom Bombadil completely out of The Fellowship of the Ring, as was done in the movie, but they provide some of the most interesting parts of the story.

Now I realize we are not talking about novels here, although Mel's would definitely come close, but trip reports.

I understand that, but the same rule applies. If we are serious with ourselves, we can agree that 99.9% of the people that come to the DISboards have been to Walt Disney World before. Several, have probably been on multiple occasions. We have experienced the rides, the shows, and the flavor that is Disney. What we have not experienced, is those same things through the eyes of each individual trip reporter.

I doubt I would get any disagreement from anyone, including the mods, on this issue. I must assert, however, that what makes each perspective unique is the path through life that the poster has travelled to reach his particular place at that moment. I am not saying that a detailed account of the life of each reporter is required, but if they want to give it, and we want to read it, where is the harm?

If the report contains blatently offensive material, remove it. There is no argument there. But if it's only offense is it's predilection for going long and off topic, then let us decide whether or not we want to be subjected to it.

What actual harm comes from off topic discussions in the Trip Report forum?

I doubt that it makes a dent in your bandwidth, and if it does, I'm sure your sponsers would welcome the increased traffic.

It seems to be the prevailing opinion here that detailed trip reports are preferrable. If that is the case, and people know they can come to the DIS to write and read meaty trip reports, is that not a good thing? Don't you want the DIS to be known as the home of all the really good reports?

Life is about not only making mistakes, but how you conduct yourself afterward. I am not saying that you are made a mistake in your interpretation of your rules. I am saying that you made a mistake in forming that rule in the beginning.

Assuming that I am correct and the existance of Mel's report on the CB is not acceptable, then please take into consideration relaxing that rule as it applies to the Trip Report forum.

I can say that I, too, will not be posting another report here as long as this situation remains. That is not meant, in any way, as a threat or to "hurt" your website with the absence of my work. I don't think I am nearly as talented as many of the other writers here. It was mearly informational.

The DIS is a wonderful place. A place where people from all over can come to express their feelings about a special place for us all. Allow it to also be a place where, within reason, a person can be themselves. Whether that means long-winded and rambling, or not.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to post this.

[LegoMom3]

I didn't want throw any more fuel on this fire, but as I'm browsing the DIS boards I keep coming back to this, so here goes:

One of the things I love about reading posts on the DIS boards is because I am, like so many others here, 100% obsessed with all things Disney. When someone gets back from their "trip of a lifetime" and wants to write a report about it, we want to read it so we can live vicariously through it and dream about our upcoming trip or remember our own past trip in vivid color! There are plenty of places on the Web or in books that I can go to for "did this, saw that" or "go here, see this" info. Part of the beauty of the TRs I've read here is that they DO contain "personal" tidbits in them!!...it gives them life and context and allows the reader to relate to the story! How is this a bad thing? A PP said that if something is blatantly offensive, then by all means remove it - that's the rules on any forum here.

The best TRs on here incorporate the whole trip experience, and if that means a little "extra" info or an "aside" to clarify, put in context, or just enhance the story being told, then by all means it should be allowed! As the reader of the TR, I can decide for myself which ones I want to read, and which I don't want to bother with.

Thanks for "listening!" :goodvibes

[DisneyGirl4188]

LegoMom3, I agree wholeheartedly.

Master Gracie: Wise words.

To the Mods and Everyone Else: I hope that a compromise can be made. I do not agree with the closing of Mel's TR, but I want to move forward.

A few of the first TR's I read were a "been there, did that" report (mine is the same). Then, I found VetteChick's favorite TR thread. I found many, many TR's there that were witty, humorous, touching, sad, and happy. Many of them included asides and that is what made them great. I then started seeking out more TR's to read and spent much of my "DIS time" on the TR board. Had it not been for these very talented writers, I probably wouldn't have spent much time here at all. I mean, how many times can one actually read "I saw the Castle, I rode BTMRR, I left, etc"? The little personal stories is what keeps me coming back. Because of that, I found more writers I may never have found previously. How many people have been inspired to write their own report after reading others? It is a shame that many people do not want to write here, or even at all now becauase of the current situation. I don't want to lose these people.

Again, I thank the mods for keeping this thread open. Now if we can all come to an agreement. ..

[FFFlying]

To whom it may concern;

I have been to several amusement parks across this country and I prefer Disney because the rides are better. The rides are better because of the "story". That's the magic of Disney, there is always a story.

We had a chance to enjoy the "Disney" of Trip Reports, but the rules say we can only have "Six Flags" travel reports?

Bring back the magic....please.

[cyjmhill]

I am fairly new to the DIS and enjoy in immensely (I must check the boards at least 3 or 4 times a day)!

I must chime in on this issue. By profession I am a Regulator – I write and enforce Rules and Regulations.

Rules and Regulations have 2 parts –

* 1st being THE LETTER OF THE LAW – this is reading and enforcing the rules to exactly what the rule states (example you will not sing in the class room – if you sing at anytime you have broken the rule).

* 2nd is being the SPIRIT OF THE LAW – this is when you read into the rule and see why it was written in the first place – why did we say you can’t sing in class? Is it disrupting, etc.

Is it a violation of the rule if the Music Teacher comes into the class and leads the students in the Star Spangled Banner? No it is not!
Look at why the rule was written in the 1st place. It is not a violation of the rule because a Teacher is teaching the students the song – it’s not disruptive because everyone is singing.

My next point is on enforcement. It has been made very clear by the posters on this thread that the enforcement of the OT rule is not being done fairly. I agree that is not being enforced fairly and across the board – it appears that an argument can be made that the enforcement is being arbitrary. In todays sue happy society that we in the US live in – if things are being enforced arbitrary you are leaving to door open for a law suit (that doesn’t apply here).

I have read several TR that mention side trips to Sea World, Dinner Shows, etc? Is this OT? I don’t think so! I think it makes it a TRUE TR – It is a report on the trip. It makes it a good read!

I think I am rambling and maybe not making much sense - so I will boil it down to this:

1. Enforce the Rules to the SPIRIT OF THE LAW – not the letter of the law.

2. Define exactly what is OT. Can we talk about side trips, feelings, the color of our rental car, etc.?

3. Please, please, please enforce the rules evenly across the board (the rules apply to all of us equally) – don’t enforce them some of the time.

Thank you for allowing me to post!

[eyoreswife]

I have been lurking on the Disboards on and off for the last year. (I am a regular at another Disney Board that will not be named). I always come back to the Dis for the Trip Reports.

Why?

Unlike the standard "we went on Space Mountain, we walked to Main Street" nonsense that I am perfectly capable of writing myself, the TR's here have SOUL, I find myself returning almost on a daily basis to catch the "rest of the story".

Let's face it, most of us have been to WDW many times. I KNOW what's there and have many fond memories. :lovestruc :cloud9: What brings me back time after time is hearing about the lives of fellow WDW fanatics. I want to hear how your trip brings your family together! :grouphug:

For my DD and I, Disneyland and WDW are our happy places. Some of my favorite memories with her and my DH are from trips that we shared. :offtopic: (DD was conceived during a trip in the early 80's! )

So to the moderators, in honor of my very first post: Please allow Dis'ers to discuss their trips the way they see fit. I personally want to hear the background of why WDW is so special to them. I want to hear all about the the 'boozin' and partying. I want to hear the story of why they take pictures of their rental car location. I too understand the 'battle for my wallet', because I have felt this way too.

There I'm done.

[ssjerauld]

The last time mel's report was "closed" (censored) I read the discussion so long that by the time I was ready to reply, the thread was closed. This time I will not make that mistake. After that incident, whenever I was reading an enjoyable trip report and personal comments or questions were asked or responded to, I began to feel nervous. Would this trip report become unacceptable to the powers that be? Would I log on after work one day to find that the report I was enjoying had disappeared? And if this was the case, why was I adding one more stress inducing activity into my life? I come to the dis to research, interact, and laugh with others who enjoy a place that I enjoy visiting. Is every forum of interest to me? No--I read and reply in those that are. Is every trip report in a style I enjoy reading or relevant to my lifestyle? No--So I read those that are. If what someone is writing is a discussion of their Disney World experience, not lewd, or disparaging of another's race, religion, etc.-- how can that be off topic? And if there is more personal info that I'm interested in---I'll go to the next report. However, in my opinion, that is what sets the best reports apart. Great work, Mel!!

[kpk89]

I am happy to see that the discussion continues, in a sincere and respectful way. so for now the discussion is one-sided. But I'm happy to see that the DISers commenting here are expressing their concerns nonetheless.

To the mods --- prayers to you for whatever it is you're going through. I hope that all is resolved in the best way possible, and we look forward to having you join the discussion when you're able.

It seems like the group hug smilie is gone (?!?) so I have this for you instead. :rainbow:

[mdsouth]

I just want to say that I have enjoyed reading various trip reports in the past. The ones with more personal details are the ones that I seek out.
I come back to DISboards repeatedly to read these reports. With each great trip report, my desire to return to WDW increases. These reports are the best public relations avenue that Disney has! It is free advertising for them, and I bet many of us also find ourselves checking out the sponsors sites as well. So, if that is the goal of Disney to get us to keep coming back to spend our money and to spread the money to their sponsors as well, then these insightful trip reports are doing them a service.

I missed that last entries of Mel's so, I cannot discuss on its closure.

I do know that the moderators must have a hard job. I appreciate their ability to keep the boards "clean" so that I do not have to worry about visiting this site in view of my children. Hopefully, future trip reports that share personal insights that enhance the storytelling will be allowed to remain open for the entertainment of all.

[mdsouth]

To show my confidence in the Trip Board, I posted my own trip report for the first time today here. It is titled To Infinity and Beyond.

[Goofmeister]

First if this was brought up before please skip over it.

I too am confused, and mostly because I didn't see how the trip report was getting off topic. Off topic threads are generally moved to the appropriate boards.

I have a conspiracy theory, and like most of these theories should be taken with a hefty grain of salt.

OK. Here it is: remember the salt: The thread was closed not because it was off topic, but because of the style of thread. There is some debate, and some preferences to writing a trip report in the "one chapter per thread" mode, or in the "all chapters in one long thread" style. Personally, I like the latter, but here I am in danger of getting off topic :offtopic: :rolleyes2 . So, I'll get back to the point. The TR was closed because it was of the one long thread variety.

Grain of Salt. But the same thing happened to another TR report. Kinda makes you wonder.

Oh, and in a trip report, how do you get to OFF TOPIC anyway. The nature of the report opens it up for pretty much anything doesn't it? As long as it adds to the report. Its been said, but I just wanted to add my ditto. That personal stories, and background information help me identify with the writer and their families. Hey, they're like me. Maybe I'd like to do that too. Or, thats why they like that, etc..

Furthermore, why is this thread open? What trip are we reporting on? Shouldn't this be on the community board?

This issues has given me such a negative feeling about The Dis. I'm heartbroken about the whole ordeal. And I guess I'm looking for justice, and clarification before I "add" any more of my own TR's.

Sincerly, ME

[Lisa_Belle]

I want to say how much I enjoy the trip reports. Once I got my Disney itinerary planned, the trip reports are what has kept me coming back to the DIS board.

I really enjoy the writing style of Mel, along with several others. While I agree they are somewhat lengthy, it is the character development in them that brings her trips to life. Very few people have such a talent. I am reminded of the book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." About half of that best-selling novel probes into the lives of the primary characters before it ever tackles the plot of the story. It's what makes the book interesting. We get to know the characters. They become part of our lives. Mel's trip reports are the same way. I can see Calvin the Koala bouncing through the parks and Beth walking stoically behind rolling her eyes.

I've read and re-read Mel's posts, and I am confused as to why they were locked as I can't seem to find anything that veers too off topic. While she provides detailed background info, she ties it all back into her trip. As long as nothing offensive or off-color is written, it seems to me that those who don't care for her writing style have the option of scrolling through the parts they don't like - or even skipping the report altogether. :confused3

I can say that the trip report board had inspired me to write a report of my upcoming trip in September. I've even started with some of the pre-trip planning. Unfortunately, due to present circumstances, the only person who may get a chance to read it will be my daughter as I have no idea whatsover how to start a blog! Oh well, to each his own.

[Sneezie]

As many will soon come to find out... I can not keep my two cents to myself. I don't even try. So here's my thoughts on this issue.

How was what LaLa did at the end of her trip report with the pictorial of her Katrina-ravaged hometown or Lillygator's story about her grandfather taking her to Disney every year so different from Mel's story about her daughter's friend. All three told of reasons why their families found Disney so comforting. Yet Lillygator's and LaLa's trip reports are going strong.

And what about LilGrumpy, has his trip report not been locked yet because you can't tell if it's off topic or not?

It seems to me you had a knee jerk reaction to someone whom you claim "has been told repeatedly to stay on topic" and when she, in your estimation, veered slightly to the left you decided to teach her a lesson.

Just admit that it was an error on your part. Slip the key back into the lock and let us move on. However, I wouldn't blame Mel if she didn't come back and complete the story. I already have her blog in my favorites and can't wait to read the rest of her story - Disney or not

LaLa, Lillygator, and LilGrumpy, please don't think I'm picking on you. I actually thoroughly enjoying reading all of your reports.

[lillygator]

As much as I shouldn't...

but I think this is a losing battle everyone. Remember last time? I think the thing I have the hardest time is - every section of the board moderates differently - not uniform...ie the trip reports that were phony!!

So while it's not fair, I don't see there is much we can do about it. I wrote 'til I was blue in the face and rudely spoken to last time and it did not help nor did it answer any questions...just given the same old response....

Mods - I appreciate your jobs here...I have been a mod on other sites and I know how thankless it can be....hopefully one day you'll change your stance on the subject....

[lillygator]

and it seems to me with all this hoop-la there is a new found interest in TR??? or is it my imagination?

[lillygator]

can someone pm me Zzub?

[OhMari]

If anyone missed our announcement here is the link;

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1146222, it is called:
"A Kinder, Gentler Trip Reports Board.

Any other questions, please PM a mod or webmaster. Thank you!

[HaleyB]

can someone pm me Zzub?

I don't think he will fit. lol.

I am sad to report that Zzub has taken down his blog.

OhMari thank you for all the time and effort that went into solving this issue.

Lou said it best, that post shows a lot of class, bravo!