Contemporary DVC on Moms Panel

[Dcanoli]

Wow! I am completely SHOCKED by this thread! This is an absolute, horrible shame for the disboards.

I have spent most of my "life" on the disboards sending out the official Disboards secrets list and have spent so much time helping other people.

I had NO IDEA there was a thread on these boards that was so vicious toward other Disney-loving people.

Why are you guys tearing down these people? Are you never wrong about anything?

These people are doing the best they can. Maybe you should visit this thread and get to know them before you start judging. Most of them are avid disboard-ers:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1632607

As far as the monorail rumor at the S&D, you really should read the Anita Answer column over on Allears. She is CONSTANTLY addressing this question:

http://allears.net/aa/aa033108.htm

Also, as far as the Contemporary building a new DVC--It may not be "official," but close to it:

http://www.allearsnet.com/aa/aa090307.htm

and


Contemporary Resort

The North Garden wing has been demolished. The tennis courts and playground are also gone. Although there has been no OFFICIAL announcement, the Orlando Sentinel continues to report that the new construction at the resort will be a DVC site and has been renamed Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

 

[ADP]

I'll speak frankly for a second. I've been around the boards long enough to understand there is a certain competitivness among each of us to know more about WDW than the other; especially on the DVC boards since most of us frequent the World more than the yearly or bi-yearly visitor.

One of the major concepts of the DIS was to help people with their WDW vacation. Over time this concept has evolved into news, breaking news, rumors, truth, fact, fiction, etc. This concept is also true on many other Disney message boards. Sure, the DIS still helps with planning, but it has now taken on a new life with the Disney Fanatic. Fans who want to think they are pros at everything WDW. In the end, most of us who hang around the DVC boards are probably pros, but when we start playing "judge and jury" on who is or isn't knowledgeable about WDW we may have crossed a line of message board etiquette. I feel this thread is a perfect example of that.

I myself have been guilty of this a time or two. "Hi, my board name is ADP and I'm a Disney-A-Holic!"

 

[Chuck S]

Here is the problem I see with the Moms Panel, and other website like it.

About the "Mom" Panelists
Disney realizes that the person who serves the "Mom" role differs from family to family. These "Moms" have been selected to be panelists because they have demonstrated an excellent knowledge of Walt Disney World® Resort. Being familiar with the Parks, Resort hotels, dining and entertainment, shopping, and recreational activities, they can offer the help and tips you need to make your vacation planning a snap. At this time we are not accepting any new applications to be on the Walt Disney World® Moms Panel.

The views expressed in the Walt Disney World® Moms Panel are those of the panelists, who are independent contractors, and may not be factually accurate. These views are not intended to reflect the opinions of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online, its affiliates, its management, its agents or its employees. Panelists have received/will receive a trip to the Walt Disney World® Resort for their participation on the Panel.

The trend of large corporations to put a "friendly face, user to user" type spin on these types of forums, yet have them be "officially unofficial" is a fine line, regardless of the disclaimer. Especially when you consider these "hosts" are compensated for their opinions and participation, even though the info is unverified or inaccurate.

For instance if Kraft had a "Coookin' with Moms" site, and one of the Moms gave a recipe calling for uncooked eggs, even though that is against proper procedure, wouldn't you expect the forum to be moderated/controlled by the company, with a reasonable expectation of accuracy?

Especially if the panel site were using a "kraft.com" address? Like the Moms use a "disney.go.com" address, the "official" Disney servers?

I think all of these type of Corporate endorsed and sponsored sites, with compensated hosts that spew unofficial info could really be litigations waiting to happen...whether they have such disclaimers or not.

 

[crisi]

I'll speak frankly for a second. I've been around the boards long enough to understand there is a certain competitivness among each of us to know more about WDW than the other; especially on the DVC boards since most of us frequent the World more than the yearly or bi-yearly visitor.

One of the major concepts of the DIS was to help people with their WDW vacation. Over time this concept has evolved into news, breaking news, rumors, truth, fact, fiction, etc. This concept is also true on many other Disney message boards. Sure, the DIS still helps with planning, but it has now taken on a new life with the Disney Fanatic. Fans who want to think they are pros at everything WDW. In the end, most of us who hang around the DVC boards are probably pros, but when we start playing "judge and jury" on who is or isn't knowledgeable about WDW we may have crossed a line of message board etiquette. I feel this thread is a perfect example of that.

I myself have been guilty of this a time or two. "Hi, my board name is ADP and I'm a Disney-A-Holic!"

I think we have an obligation to play judge and jury - to let people know that not all information coming from this board or others is 100% accurate, that much of it is opinions, that some things are in fact policy - but frequently overlooked (yes, you probably did get away with pool hopping), that other things are not policy at all, but generally considered good form. That some kids NEED to go back to the resort every day for a nap, but other kids really don't and napping is a disaster. That not everyone thinks Le Cellier is a great restaurant. That some information is just rumor, that some is rumor with history (yes, there were going to be extensions of the monorail line at one time - a LONG time ago), and some of it is rumor that may be substantiated soon (BLT).

There is a lot of information on the internet. If no one critiques it, then there is no filter. No way to separate fact from fiction from opinion.

I think this is particularly true with the Disney Mom's board, that acts under the auspices of Disney and - if you don't read the fine print - it can be easy to assume that these people are stating policy or fact.

They, and we, and the other sites out there, do a darn good job - in part because of community oversight.

 

[pilferk]

Building the shell of the building is a fairly large capital expense, but the capital they have put forth to date has been sunk. You don't make financing decisions on sunk costs. Finishing the building would mean much more capital outlay than they've already committed. If they haven't signed contracts (and they may not have) to finish the interior, they may choose to delay that capital outlay and continue to sell AKL (which they have plenty of units left) while they suspect sales will be slow. When the economy picks up, or VAKL is close to selling out, they start finishing rooms in BLT move those into inventory and sell those. Less unsold inventory on their books and less capital depreciation means better financial results - which makes stockholders happy - which means executives get their bonuses.

Also, in a down economy it is often the case that the government tries to encourage corporate investment - usually through accelerated depreciation schedules and/or reduced interest rates. Delaying capital investment now to see how the government is going to try and boost the economy makes good sense. Six months might save you millions in taxes and/or interest.

They may loose some immediate revenue from people anticipating BLT.

All of the above are excellent points.

In addition to that, they could be playing a "wait and see" based on some or all of the above. They may NOT be seeing the slow down they expected (something, maybe, but not as drastic), but they may want to have the opportunity to hedge if it suddenly gets worse. By NOT announcing and setting time lines, or as suggested signing "finish work" contracts, they can hold off until they get a firm handle on just what the economic impact to them might be.

 

[TrippAve]

Anyone else think TrippAve is a 'Mom' on the panel? Just joined, and only 2 posts - strongly defending the Moms.

No, I am not a "mom on the panel" and I didn't "just join". I joined over a year ago.

I don't have many posts because (just my OPINION) I found these forums to be more useless than useful (I am only out here this time because a Google Alert came to me about info on the Contemporary). I originally came out here way back when thinking that this would be a forum to help me with information about WDW and in planning my vacation(s). I found it to be more about fanatics competing to see who knows the most, who can prove who "wrong", and who can be the first to post the latest rumor. (case in point, this thread)

I believe ADP just summed it rather nicely. So, ADP, thank you for the "reality check".

 

[NicsMom1500]

Hi.
I am the Mom that everyone seems in an uproar about. I have LOVED disboards for years, except for the occasional postings that are more hateful than helpful. I do not think I know everything about WDW but what I do know is that I LOVE nothing more than inspiring families that have never been to WDW to give it a try.

I believe it's this LOVE for helping other families that helped me make it as an Inaugural member of the WDW Moms Panel. This year has been magical for me and I assure you that if any of you had made it to the panel that you too would have made some mistakes now and then when answering over 1200 questions. But when responding to guests, I try to share my love for the world and sometimes in my excitement, I may make a mistake.

Do I know when January hours will be released? Do you?

I will be happy to pass my spot on to anyone at DisBoards that truly understands what this year has meant to me, and why it's so magical to be able to inspire other families to visit WDW.

 

[Wigit12]

Kim

I truly believe that you are extremely helpful with responses on the Mom's panel. I apologize that my post here led to this. When the panel applications were announced A LOT of DIS members were vying for a post. You are so lucky to have snagged a spot!

I only posted the message because I knew it was not officially announced and thought Disney would have monitored their board. I didn't mean for anyone to attack you personally. We all are pretty sure it will be DVC but Disney hasn't said it so in the long run, I believe, we'll all see that your response was accurate.

Keep your spot. Keep spreading the pixie dust. Enjoy the Panel.

 

[NicsMom1500]

Thanks, and well said!

Kim

 

[Dcanoli]

Good post Kim.

Glad to see you made your way over to this thread....Sorry you had to see it, but I'm glad you responded.