Just Sent Disney an E-mail here's what I wrote

[WDWJunkie]

Please, don't laugh at me, I am just pissed that Tokyo got such an EXCELLENT park (TDS) and us in the good old USofA still have an empty 20k lagoon.
Well, here it is:

Dear Disney,

I am writing to you commenting on a couple of things. First, during this past week I have been surfing the internet and found pictures of the new Tokyo Disney Sea during a press preview I believe. WOW, the park looks excellent, it looks SO AWESOME. It focuses on one major thing that has made Disney Theme Parks loved by many, the theming. The theming is wonderful, it looks so real, especially the mermaid lagoon but EVERYTHING looks inspiring. While looking at all these photos, I cant help but feeling, well, jealous. What I mean is, I know i'm not the only one but, I know I will never get a chance to see this park up close along with many other people. I'm not saying that the Disney parks in Florida aren't good, there wonderful, it's just that it looks like so much time, and money, has been put into Tokyo's Disney Sea it seems that Disneyworld needs some better theming. Most of the attractions are great, my family loves Magic Kingdom along with the rest of Disneyworld. If Disney decides to expand there current parks I along with MANY others will be thrilled to see some attrations from Disney Sea come over to the Disney World Resort. Also I will make some comments/suggestions that my fellow disney go'ers and I would like to see in the parks.
Magic Kingdom: A villian themed land or attraction/ or expansion of a current land.
Epcot: A new pavilion in the World Showcase and sometime after Mission:Space a new attraction in Future world along with a rehab of the living seas/the land.
MGM/Disney Studios: Something to be done with the great movie ride, maybe a rehab?
Animal Kingdom: THE LONG LONG LONG Awaited debut of the "beastly kingdom" land. (imaginary creatures etc.) Maybe a Soarin' Ride similar to DCA's. (the soarin' ride would go good in world showcase ex. Soarin' over Canada, or something along those lines.)

P.s.: Can't Wait until the 100th Celebration!

[Moriarty]

Will you post the reply if you get one?

[WDWJunkie]

yes of course

[wdwguide]

I can already tell you what the answer will be!

[MickeyMoose15]

It may be awhile till they respond to you. Disney gets a lot of mail and e-mail per day and it takes them a long time to respond to all of it. They don't always respond to your question or letter directly.

[JeffH]

You will not get a reply except from a 'Disney' 'lawyer' explaining how they cannot accept outside ideas (even though the website clearly has a disclaimer stating that any ideas submitted are the property of Disney).

[Testtrack321]

Although she gave ideas at the end, she begain the letter with a question, When will Disney Seas come over here so I can see it and all my Dis friends who can't travel to Tokyo?

[WorknFires]

If your email happens like mine did, in several weeks you'll receive a phone call from a cast member thanking you for your opinions and input and they will promise to pass your suggestions along. Which all in all is pretty nice that they respond in this manner.

I do like your suggestion of the villian area. The baddies are my favorites!!

Cheryl :bounce:

[Captain Hook]

I too sent in a e-mail, wondering why Disney felt the need to cut the hours in Adventureland when clearly they have already reduced park hours. For my trouble they sent me a e-mail in reply requesting a my phone number to answer my complaint. (still waiting)........

[WDWJunkie]

Hey I'm A HE! Does anyone have anyother suggestions for me to e-mail disney about? Whoever doesn't listen to these suggestions over there at WDI, well I PITY THE FOOL! lol ;)

[MickeyMoose15]

It may be awhile no matter what she said.

[Mr D]

I bet team Disney is flooded with calls and e-mails from people wanting to know why DCA wasn't built like TDS or when TDS type of rides will come to the US. I seriously doubt we will see anything from TDS come here as Ei$ner will not greenlight such quality that costs a lot to build.

[JeffH]

Wonder what the response was?

[Safari Steve]

were never cut.

[WDWJunkie]

here it is:


This will acknowledge, with thanks, your recent transmission with
respect to an attraction idea which you have indicated might be of interest
to us.

Unfortunately, our company's long established policy does not allow
the acceptance or review of any ideas, suggestions or creative materials not
solicited by us. Our intention is to avoid misunderstandings or confusion
when projects or products are created internally which might be similar to
submissions made to us from outside the company.

We recognize that this policy is sometimes a difficult one when
someone like yourself, with all the best intentions, would simply like us to
consider your creative thoughts. Experience has taught us though, that if
we abandon our policy for one person, we would soon have no policy at all.
Since your transmission was submitted electronically, we have deleted your
transmission without retaining any copies.

We hope that you will understand our policy, and be assured of our
thanks in thinking of our company. We value your patronage and look forward
to many future opportunities to serve and entertain you in our Vacation
Kingdom.


Sincerely,


Sharon A. Mecca
Paralegal
SAM/baf

[wdwguide]

Compare that to this e-mail posted in another thread:

"This will acknowledge, with thanks, your recent transmission with
respect to an attraction idea which you have indicated might be of interest
to us.

While our company is supportive of the efforts underway in light of
the tragedy of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, our company's long established
policy does not allow the acceptance or review of any ideas, suggestions or
creative materials not solicited by us. Our intention is to avoid
misunderstandings or confusion when projects or products are created
internally which might be similar to submissions made to us from outside the
company.

We recognize that this policy is sometimes a difficult one when
someone like yourself, with all the best intentions, would simply like us to
consider your creative thoughts. Experience has taught us though, that if
we abandon our policy for one person, we would soon have no policy at all.
Since your transmission was submitted electronically, we have deleted your
transmission without retaining any copies.

We hope that you will understand our policy, and be assured of our
thanks in thinking of our company. We value your patronage and look forward
to many future opportunities to serve and entertain you in our Vacation
Kingdom.


Sincerely,


Sharon A. Mecca
Paralegal"

That's why I posted the "I can already tell you what the answer will be" message earlier - they just copy and paste the same answers over and over again, but occasionally your point does get across to the right people. So don't be discouraged!

[JeffH]

Who wudda thunk?
I personally think it is wrong and unnecessary considering the clear disclaimer they present when you send your email, which clearly states that any ideas are the property of WDW. So they should take our great ideas and run!
It is very disheartening to have a whole email thrown out (with no copy to edit and resubmit), just because Disney lawyers decide that one thing you said was an idea.

[WorknFires]

Hi JeffH,
Believe me it's a big difference. I posted that letter. That was the letter I rec'd for submitting the idea that they return American Journeys to the vacant Time Keeper building and honestly it made me very mad! So since they don't want my emails, I sent them one anyway. Here it is:

To Whom It May Concern:

I just received an email from Barbarann Fernandez at WDW Resort signed by Sharon A. Mecca, Paralegal "thanking" me for sending a suggestion regarding an attraction at WDW. Either Sharon needs a class in being tactful or I'm apparently easily offended because the whole time I was reading the email (and I read it several times to make sure I wasn't missing something) I kept thinking that this woman is basically telling me to mind my own business. I assumed (apparently incorrectly) that WDW was interested in knowing the views of their customers, their likes and dislikes, in order to make our trips as pleasant and enjoyable as possible. I very much understand that each and every person can't have what they want but that WDW tries hard to meet the expectations of as many visitors as possible (and I think you've done a great job, every vacation I've had was wonderful!)

BUT... it would have been a lot more appropriate and tactful to simply reply that you've received my email, thank you for your opinion, we'll take your view into consideration because we want to provide the best entertainment to the most people.

NOT... we're deleting your email and don't bother writing us with your views because we couldn't care less.

I sincerely hope that the Cast Members at WDW and onboard the Wonder next month are more courteous than Sharon A. Mecca, Paralegal because she doesn't seem to share in the "Disney Magic" kind of attitude and is a poor representative for your company.

Sincerely,
Cheryl S.
Disney Vacation Club owner
Annual Pass holder
Disney Credit Card holder
Disney Club member
and an all around faithful WDW visitor


so what do you think? Was I overly offended?
Cheryl

[WDWJunkie]

Nope you werent over offended, you'll see my letter and response somewhere on this page and I just personally think that they are being bas^#$ds. They SHOULD just say thank you for your opinions but no, they send you an e-mail from a "PARALEGAL" (YA, RIGHT), so ya know what, when there parks bite the dust (I certainly hope not, it never will) but still if any of their parks go down the drain, just dont say WDWJUNKIE didnt offer a helping hand.

[WorknFires]

:D :D :D :D :D

[JeffH]

Way to go!!!

[DC7800]

Originally posted by wdwguide
.....Since your transmission was submitted electronically, we have deleted your
transmission without retaining any copies......

Sincerely,
Sharon A. Mecca, Paralegal"


If I ever recieved a response along these lines, I would be offended, disappointed - even angry! Now, Disney can't respond positively to every little idea that comes along. I can even understand a dose of paranoia after the lawsuit involving the Wide World of Sports. However, there is no excuse for a company insulting a customer (in Disney's case, loyal fans) in correspondence - especially when they are merely trying to be helpful to a company they care about.

If Disney cannot use outside creative ideas, there must be a better way than telling us you erased our message. Also, this serves as prime evidence why (in any company, not specifically Disney) the legal department should not be allowed to run the guest relations department. The lawyers and paralegals have a place, but they are trained to be concerned with law - not guests' feelings. The people that answer correspondence would, one would think, be trained to make people feel important and their comments were valued and appreciated (whethor true or not). Although I'm not convinced any company - including Disney - should be so quick to dismiss outside ideas without consideration, that's another debate.

[Laurajean1014]

WorknFire, which baddy are you?

I like the memo and hope someone will listen instead of just respond....

[WDWJunkie]

The only thing the disney company is listening to (at this very moment) is the bulls*&! that Eisner is dishing out. Ok we got a side road street fair, oh sorry it has a name, Dino Rama, and Mission: Space (cant judge the attraction this very minute, but my grandmother could run a mile faster than those construction workers are pacing) and as for our boy Figment, MickeysPhilharmagic and Reign of fire/beastly, we shall all see when the time comes. I'm not a hater of disney i love them and their parks but I'm not feeling the magic anymore.

[JeffH]

They've been giving those BS responses for quite a while, now...Even before Sports verdict.
It just doesn't make any sense considering the disclaimer (see below). If they simply kept the mail then their disclaimer would protect them, but by saying they 'deleted' it they, in essence, provide proof that they DID read the idea, and eliminate the protection that the disclaimer provided, especially if you or I publish the letter on, let's say, a Disney discussion board like this(which in itself 'logs' and dates the idea and ties it to the person). If Disney acted on one of our ideas received under the disclaimer, they could use it against us if we sued, whereas now we could claim that they read it on the discussion board (showing it was our idea before it happened) and stole the idea and they'd have NO protection. The way I see it they are cutting their own throat on several levels (fan input, diversified viewpoints and legally speaking). They should, instead, send an acknowledgement and reitteration of the disclaimer to further cement the protection, instead of elimininating it, and consider giving free passes and/or hotel stays to people who provide ideas, if used.

Disclaimer:
"Notice: By submitting comments and suggestions you waive all rights to them and make them available for unrestricted commercial use"

[JeffH]

Strangly, though, I've sent them many ideas over the years (even before e-mail, even before Eisner!) and despite having my letters returned (now that's a lot of trouble to go through to have thrown back in your face), I did notice a lot of my simple ideas utilized.
That's all I wanted to do, make the place a better place to visit next time.
If they really wanted to save money, they should start listening to our 'free' advice.

[JeffH]

That's why I'm here:)

[JeffH]

But still...
weren't most of those lawsuits, (e.g. Minature Worlds) based on the supposed presentation of the ideas/plans WITHOUT the disclaimer, though?
My point is that the disclaimer is great and would provide a level of protection against lawsuits. Yes, I understand that if I could somehow prove that WDW made millions off one of my ideas, I could sue anyway for compensation, despite the disclaimer, but still it would stand to some degree.

[WorknFires]

thedscoop, I do understand what you're saying and maybe I could understand their position a little better if I were suggesting something totally new that they may would like to look into building, but all I was suggesting is the return of an attraction that they already did (American Journeys)

I wrote a few months back telling them how much I hated to see the dinner at 1900 Park Faire changed from a villans dinner to a Pooh & Friends dinner. Instead of an email telling me to mind my own business, I received a pleasant call from a cast member thanking me for letting WDW know what it's customers like. I see no difference in letting them know who I want to see at dinner and what shows I'd like to see in the parks.

Hey... maybe that's the problem with getting the monorail extended... so many of us writing requesting it and they feel that they can't without saying it was all of our ideas and paying each of us royalties! ;) LOL

Cheryl :bounce:

[Another Voice]

The legal tactics that Disney is using has been standard Hollywood practice for decades. Within my group, we always refuse any unsolicited mail (especially if it appears to be a script) without even opening the package. I think someone in Disney is being less than smart with the ham-fisted way with how they’re applying it to this cause, but Disney Legal has never been a tactful or graceful group.

By the way, rumors say that the return of ‘American Journeys’ at Disneyland is on an extreme fast-track (things move very quickly now that Mr. Pressler isn’t allowed to drive on the southbound Santa Ana Freeway). The rumors further claim that the minimal construction required will begin very, very shortly. The effort is being driven by the Parks, not by Attractions & Resort Management so the efforts at WDW are different (and I haven’t heard much about them). Legal may not want to acknowledge people’s requests, but they occasionally have an impact.