Confused

[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.

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.

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!

 

[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.

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.

 

[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.

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.

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.

 

[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 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

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.

 

[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.

 

[snoopy two]

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