Curious to hear your two cents about this...

[zeitzeuge]

I visit a couple other forums. I know, I've been cheating on you all.

I've noticed some drastic differences, that I've always wondered about.

I'm not going to name the other site(s), but there's one in particular that I've recently started posting more. I've found the people to be very friendly and extremely accepting as well. Much more then the straight forms here. That doesn't bother me about DIS since we have our own GLBT space here.

But there are a number of differences I've noticed lately.

First off, many are VERY opinionated and extremely vocal about those opinions. They're not afraid to tell you that you're 100% wrong about something and why. But they don't do it in a way that would be looked upon as a nice discussion, but more of a "you can kiss my *** sort of way" or "your an idiot". Almost every thread I read, ends up in an argument at some point, that gets so heated. There's no simple discussions that happen, but instead lots of arguing and bickering. Don't get me wrong, some topics are ok and stay pretty tame, but most get heated??

The other thing I noticed is the amount of complaining. So much to the point where I'm asking myself, why do these people call themselves fans and/or still go to the parks? They will get so angry about a $3 dollar increase in stroller rental, to the point where they're wanting to cancel their trip! They talk about the decline of all things Disney, especially when they started charging for stitching your name on the back of your ears. So much, they say they'll never buy ears again. Ever. Three dollars. I know that it could add up for a large family, but I guess I have a hard time understanding the lengths they will go. I go to Disney, knowing I'm going to spend money and at times purchase things that are ridiculously priced. I just accept it. But a company first and foremost is going to try and make money and especially during these economic times, they're going to cut corners, raise prices, etc.

They talk about how the parks have deteriorated so much in various ways, that the parks have lost all magic and Walt's dream and vision are completely gone. And it's just not about an issue here or there, it's almost about everything. First off they hate any sort of change. How they hate POTC with Johnny Depp's character in the ride and IASW is now ruined with the new additional characters and they'll never ride those attractions again, about how the fireworks are horrible and need to be updated, the parades are boring, about how this or that needs to be changed, etc. Even when a recent permanent ODV stand was put up in Fantasyland, most complained about how ugly it was and that the food selection sucked and how much of an eyesore it is.

Everything.....

I get to the point where I want to say, "If things are so bad and prices so high, why do you still go?" I just know if I do that, I'm going to be attacked.

I understand Disney fans are very passionate. I also understand that everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion.

But sometimes, I just want to strangle them!

I guess, I go with an open mind, knowing certain attractions will be down and being refurbed (and that they didn't do it intentionally to ruin my trip) and that prices will increase, that the park isn't the same as it was opening day, that times change, people change and so will the parks. There's no stopping it.

I'm just glad we don't do any of this type of thing here.

Off my soap box now.......

 

[frtchr]

First of all, I'm so sorry that some people aren't accepting on the Dis. That makes me CRAZY.

Second, I know what you mean about people complaining. I wonder why, if people feel so strongly about the decline of all things Disney, that they are spending so much time posting on discussion boards?

I agree with you about going to WDW with an open mind. Yep, things are expensive. Yep, rides need to be refurbed from time to time. Yep, some corners are going to be cut. But it's Disney, and I love it. No place else makes me cry when I arrive and cry when I leave. I hope it always makes me feel this way, and I have a feeling it always will.

 

[MonorailMan]

I've been on a few of the "other" sites too, and in some cases it makes me appreciate the mods here on the DIS. (Well...some of them, anyway. )

On some of the more popular Disney fan sites (which will go unnamed) the traffic is so high that even if there were mods present it'd be hard for them to catch anything "nasty" or rude simply due to the fact that there are around 10-15 posts per minute on most forums at any given time. On the other hand, I tend to think this is one of the reasons a lot of people join these sites--because they have a sense of freedom that they're not going to get on most of the other sites. Having said that, this is one of the reasons I like this forum on the DIS-because I tend to not just feel like just a number here. It's a smaller group of of people that tends to feel like a family.......a very strange, messed up family.

This is the way I see it: Disney fans do tend to be very passionate about their views. Some people just don't understand that everyone has opinions, and that their opinions may vary from others'. Taking the high road and ignoring someone for saying something offensive can sometimes be a bit more difficult than it sounds. If the offensiveness continues on a particular forum I tend to try and go find another one without getting into any arguments, etc. Why waste your energy on someone who obviously has an opinion that's not going to change. People don't change their opinions very easily because they're usually based on years of experience. If it becomes an annoying and/or painful experience I say save yourself the grief and move on.

As far as the parks/attractions going "downhill" goes, I think in some cases the fans can become so passionate about either the way things used to be, or they just like the way things are in one area of the resort and wish it was similar in another. I personally miss the way Epcot's Future World was in the early 90's. (Seriously....I listen to the Horizons and original Journey into Imagination soundtrack at least once a week. ) But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop going to WDW. Even though I miss the old Future World I still go and try to see some of the good that's either still there, or the potential that's there for better things in the future. Running the design operations of WDW must be a ridiculously difficult job, but some people don't understand that....so they just lash out.

Oh yeah......and there are also a lot of people online who try to be jerky ********* just for the sake of being jerky *********.



Sorry for the lengthy post.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

Oh yeah......and there are also a lot of people online who try to be jerky ********* just for the sake of being jerky *********.

And I think that sums it up perfectly. I used to spend a lot of time on cruise critic. Got sick of the nastiness.

I had mentioned that to my brother who is a DJ. He said some message board that he goes on regarding the DJ business is just as bad.

So for all of you nice people on this board, thank you for making me feel welcome even though I don't "qualify" to participate here.

 

[zeitzeuge]

I totally agree with you. I found myself enjoying the other forum at first and have met some really great people. We were talking all things Disney and were having a great time. Then it seemed that more and more, I was noticing these drastic differences in how people treated one another, with very little respect or how angry and mad they were at anything Disney.

Anymore, I only read some of the threads, but I don't comment as much. I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut when my opinion is knocked down by anyone. My time on that forum more and more has diminished.

I forgot to mention a few more examples that happened this week.

There were some people complaining during the D23 Expo about how the Expo ruined their park experience due to the added crowds and how that during the Expo they shouldn't have had HM and SM down for holiday overlays, etc. A group even wrote Disneyland and complained about how they were running their business, and even going as for as top ask for money back on their park tickets since they couldn't ride HM.

Read about another person who complained that about this years Mickey Mouse Trick or Treat Party at DCA, that the candy wasn't high quality (not enough chocolate. seriously.....), not as many Villans out for photo ops and that they stood in line for an hour for pictures with Mickey and the CM shut the line down before they had a chance to get photo's. They also complained that due to it being busy, it took them an hour to park. Not that they just should have gotten to the park earlier???!!!

They actually got their money back and was prompting the entire group on the thread to do the same. Then they wonder why Disney has to raise prices.......it's because of all the refunds.

 

[wallyb]

I used to post on another WDW fan site And the people over there were out right MEAN! Without the slightest provocation they would dog pile on you and relentlessly pound you into the dirt. Nice bunch.

But I have noticed one other quirky side to
human nature that might apply too.-
I have clients I deal with - and because of what I do we are always eliciting their opinions - but I've noticed 9 times out of 10 when you ask someone their opinion they somehow think it means "tell me what you think needs fixing" or is wrong with such and such. Somehow just saying you like something is not seen as adding value or being constructive any more. Critical opinion is seen as being more valid in their heads.

 

[MonorailMan]

...Read about another person who complained that about this years Mickey Mouse Trick or Treat Party at DCA, that the candy wasn't high quality (not enough chocolate. seriously.....), not as many Villans out for photo ops and that they stood in line for an hour for pictures with Mickey and the CM shut the line down before they had a chance to get photo's. They also complained that due to it being busy, it took them an hour to park. Not that they just should have gotten to the park earlier???!!!

They actually got their money back and was prompting the entire group on the thread to do the same. Then they wonder why Disney has to raise prices.......it's because of all the refunds.

Oh jeez. What'd they want? French chocolate truffles that run about $4.75 a pop? The fact that they're giving out an unlimited amount of candy to people is enough to make me happy.

.....But I have noticed one other quirky side to
human nature that might apply too.-
I have clients I deal with - and because of what I do we are always eliciting their opinions - but I've noticed 9 times out of 10 when you ask someone their opinion they somehow think it means "tell me what you think needs fixing" or is wrong with such and such.

Yeah.....from experience, you pretty much hit that one right on the nose.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Random person #1: "WHen I came to the Polynesian in 1971, it was only $40 a night!"

Me: "Isn't that nice. It's $374 a night now. Pay up."

 

[mickeyfan1]

And I think that sums it up perfectly. I used to spend a lot of time on cruise critic. Got sick of the nastiness.

I had mentioned that to my brother who is a DJ. He said some message board that he goes on regarding the DJ business is just as bad.

So for all of you nice people on this board, thank you for making me feel welcome even though I don't "qualify" to participate here.

You qualify to post here, you are a human being. This board takes most all of us. Even Wally!

I am amazed by the number of people on the DIS Theme Parks, Resorts, Transportation, Restaurants etc boards who gripe and complain about so much. Like the OP says, if you hate it so much, why go? Rooms at the values are too small, my vacation was ruined. Pasta at Mama Melrose was slightly over cooked, my vacation was ruined.

And the insane questions...................I am taking my 3 year old, how can I feed him breakfast? Or What restaurant should I book? (um what kind of food do you like) Or There were no Mickey waffles at Chef Mickeys, I am writing a letter. Who's with me? And how crowded will it be on April 22, 2011?

And let's not forget the sense of entitlement, we all wait for the bus at close of day, we are all hot and tired. I get on first, I take a seat. My feet hurt, I am hungry, I want to get to my resort and relax. Then 75 more people cram onto the bus. And there is always someone standing who thinks they should be sitting, not me. Because they have been in the park all day, blah blah blah. When I am close to the end of the line, I'll step aside if I want a seat and wait for the next bus. Jeez, 15 more minutes isn't going to ruin my vacation.

On any given day, there are hundreds of posts, many of them filled with how bad it is with the crowds, how the 12 room requests were ignored after I called 15 times a day for 2 weeks to make sure I got what I deserved. And heaven forbid that something "special" is done for someone and it gets posted. How dare Disney give your child a Mickey Bar, I demand that my entire family get one er person every day. And when Disney stops doing it, because every single DISer demands it, they all complain about that. Case in Point, the divers in the Coral Reef and the personalized menus. Used to be a very special, once in a while thing. It got to where every one in the restaurant had to have it. What will you Celebrate? Well how dare Disney not give me a free day or a gift card, just because I can't get there on my birthday? Or the buttons, give me one so I can get lots of free stuff, just like was reported on the DIS. Damn, I wore my birthday button and got lots of Happy Birthday, but no cup cakes, nothing free in the parks. I got a balloon in my room. I was thrilled. If I hadn't, I guess my vacation would have been ruined.

I do want to slap a lot of posters, but then I take a step back and figure they bring it on themselves.

Wow, that was long! I will close by saying I am jealous of all you who work at WDW, but happy that you do because you make it a magical place for me to visit. I am jealous of all you who have been or are going soon, my September trip didn't happen this year. Maybe next, tho. Don't let others bad moods and complaints get you down. Same thing for the other side, the people who rave about a certain resort or restaurant, don't let them make you feel that you are missing something by not going concierge or Dee Lux Dining Plan. Mob mentality, IT'S NOT A GOOD THING!

 

[MonorailMan]

Random person #1: "WHen I came to the Polynesian in 1971, it was only $40 a night!"

Me: "Isn't that nice. It's $374 a night now. Pay up."

I think random person #1 is a liar.

 

[wallyb]

You qualify to post here, you are a human being. This board takes most all of us. Even Wally!

Hey!

 

[christopher77]

OK, as some of you know, I've been a lurker and not a poster since the last week or so, and there's a reason for it...

I have found the GLBT boards are more accepting, more relaxed, and down right MORE FUN than the other "bored housewife" forums. I would never dream of complaining about disney, even if a beer cost $40. The WDW resort is the only thing that can keep me happy consistently, even when mistakes happen! It's the only place where I can say "oops human error, they'll do better" when if I was at a local restaurant, I'd be calling the manager and queening it up to get my way.

People don't realize how short life is, and that the basic pleasures that Disney can provide for the whole family is enough to make anyone lay back and go "ahhh I love life".

So enough from my soapbox... I love Disney, and if people complain, then they can go to *cough* Universal! haha!

 

[mickeyfan1]

Aww Wally, you know I love you. I just love to get a rise out of you.

















Yeah, I know, that will never happen! I'm notcher type.

 

[Nauf]

OK, as some of you know, I've been a lurker and not a poster since the last week or so, and there's a reason for it...

I have found the GLBT boards are more accepting, more relaxed, and down right MORE FUN than the other "bored housewife" forums. I would never dream of complaining about disney, even if a beer cost $40. The WDW resort is the only thing that can keep me happy consistently, even when mistakes happen! It's the only place where I can say "oops human error, they'll do better" when if I was at a local restaurant, I'd be calling the manager and queening it up to get my way.

People don't realize how short life is, and that the basic pleasures that Disney can provide for the whole family is enough to make anyone lay back and go "ahhh I love life".

So enough from my soapbox... I love Disney, and if people complain, then they can go to *cough* Universal! haha!

Christopher, do you mind scootching over a bit? Then we can turn this into the "Lurkers of Like Mind" bench.

 

[OrlandoMike]

even though I don't "qualify" to participate here.

Please dont ever say that! You came over here, you posted, of course you qualify! We dont judge over here!

Never forget what Walt said.....


To all who come to this happy place Welcome!

Disneyland is your land.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

Please dont ever say that! You came over here, you posted, of course you qualify! We dont judge over here!

Never forget what Walt said.....


To all who come to this happy place Welcome!

Disneyland is your land.

Thanks everyone. I didn't mean it to be dramatic. I am so used to the nastiness of cruise critic and when I first came to this board I got totally sucked in with Rob and Scott's wedding. That was the first thread I ever read here. The banter about the chicken dance and stuff like that was so amusing.

I made a mistake on a posting on cruise critic one time and a poster came back and responded, "I don't know what kind of drugs you're on lady."

Thanks for the entertainment and the welcome here. And even for the advice that I have asked for. I am so excited for tea at the GF at Christmas time thanks to Rob.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am passionate about WDW. And I can't stand stupid people. Sometimes the stupid people provoke me and I am mean. But I try not to start off mean.

Sometimes WDW changes things. Sometimes I don't like those changes, but I have yet to cancel a vacation because of it.

The only time I have called to complain was when they decided to close the park and start the MVMCP at the exact same time. I still think that system sucks. They called me back, but I didn't get any refund or anything. Oh, and I complained about the cockroach. But that was different.

WDW is hot in August. It is kind of crowded. It is expensive. We know that's how it is, and we handle it.

I avoid threads that have titles like "Are we crazy?" because what that ACTUALLY means is that the poster is going to do something monumentally stupid. The thing is, they secretly think they are quite clever. They don't think they are crazy at all, so TELLING them they are crazy will send them into a rage.

At the end of the day, it's a bulletin board. Yes, I have some WONDERFUL friends on these boards, but there is no shortage of whack jobs.

 

[zeitzeuge]

I am passionate about WDW. And I can't stand stupid people. Sometimes the stupid people provoke me and I am mean. But I try not to start off mean.

Sometimes WDW changes things. Sometimes I don't like those changes, but I have yet to cancel a vacation because of it.

The only time I have called to complain was when they decided to close the park and start the MVMCP at the exact same time. I still think that system sucks. They called me back, but I didn't get any refund or anything. Oh, and I complained about the cockroach. But that was different.

WDW is hot in August. It is kind of crowded. It is expensive. We know that's how it is, and we handle it.

I avoid threads that have titles like "Are we crazy?" because what that ACTUALLY means is that the poster is going to do something monumentally stupid. The thing is, they secretly think they are quite clever. They don't think they are crazy at all, so TELLING them they are crazy will send them into a rage.

At the end of the day, it's a bulletin board. Yes, I have some WONDERFUL friends on these boards, but there is no shortage of whack jobs.

And I know that I can be just as guilty on occasion by possibly being a little snide when leaving a comment on other threads and forums, but usually only if I believe the OP or the person that left the comment, was truly being rude or ignorant. I can handle stupid (stupid is as stupid does), but I can't handle blatant ignorance or being a ******* for the sake of being....well, a *******. There are certain things that I will stand up for, but so many things that I let go too. I guess it all comes down to how the situation is handled.

There's an art to telling someone off in a proper manner.

I'm just so glad that I can come here, say what I want and we can banter back and forth, give each other hell, tease one another and even voice our strong opinion without being jumped on.

It's sad, because when I went to D23 Expo last month, I got to meet many of the site managers and moderators of the other forum and it was so great.

 

[npmommie]

Random person #1: "WHen I came to the Polynesian in 1971, it was only $40 a night!"

Me: "Isn't that nice. It's $374 a night now. Pay up."

OK, as some of you know, I've been a lurker and not a poster since the last week or so, and there's a reason for it...

I have found the GLBT boards are more accepting, more relaxed, and down right MORE FUN than the other "bored housewife" forums. I would never dream of complaining about disney, even if a beer cost $40. The WDW resort is the only thing that can keep me happy consistently, even when mistakes happen! It's the only place where I can say "oops human error, they'll do better" when if I was at a local restaurant, I'd be calling the manager and queening it up to get my way.

People don't realize how short life is, and that the basic pleasures that Disney can provide for the whole family is enough to make anyone lay back and go "ahhh I love life".

So enough from my soapbox... I love Disney, and if people complain, then they can go to *cough* Universal! haha!

hey, we aren't all bored!!!!! LOL
and I have a bridge to sell you

LOL you sound like my dh, he is so frugal but when we go to Disney all bets are off. Its like he just knows it costs and he will spend

Aww Wally, you know I love you. I just love to get a rise out of you.

















Yeah, I know, that will never happen! I'm notcher type.

 

[PghLybrt]

Random person #1: "WHen I came to the Polynesian in 1971, it was only $40 a night!"

Me: "Isn't that nice. It's $374 a night now. Pay up."

I wish my Mom would have evne paid the $40 to stay then! We spent a whopping $90 for the week at the Poly Inn 30 miles away ( well it felt that far away!).



I like the fact that there is always something new or different at WDW. If it was 100 % the same as when it started I think we would all be very bored by now!