Disney Channels relationship with WDW

[mystic_storm]

When one is looking for information about WDW, the Disney channel is definately NOT the place. Last year I spoke to a rep. at the Disney channel. My request was for the the channel to air programs about the theme parks. The rep. told me that there is NO demand for such a program if it was to be aired once a week or even once a month. She mentioned, almost with pride, how the Disney channel did NOTHING for the 100th birthday of Walt Disney. A week after that conversation the Disney Channel stopped airing Walt Disney Presents. At least there was able watch older programs devoted to the theme parks. Am I the only one that feels the Disney channel is wrong???????

 

[DONALD38]

I agree with you, Disney is forgetting how they got to were they are today. I understatnd that there is change but you always need to go back to your grass roots from time to time.

 

[laceemouse]

I have often pondered this question myself! They used to have things about the theme parks on occassion and we LOVED them. I remember when AK first opened and they had a show about a family taking a road trip to go there. It was great! Although we like most of their cartoons and the made for t.v. movies are good for our whole family to watch, we do not watch any of their teeny-bopper junk! I feel that they are really missing the boat here, they could boost park attendance if they covered the goings-on there, and the vintage Disney stuff is just great, at least they could show that later at night. I guess they feel getting the kiddy audience is more important, but why not make them beg mom and dad for a park visit too!!!

 

[cinmell]

I miss the show Inside Out that used to be on the Disney Channel. It showcased different attractions throughout WDW. I can't remember if it was on once a week or once a month but it was fun to watch when planning a trip and if you didn't have a trip planned, the show made you want to book one!

 

[MickMan]

I loved the show Inside Out. I always looked forward to that show and never missed it. To bad the got rid of it.

 

[s&k'smom]

Oh boy I was just thinking about the programming has really changed. Except for Playhouse Disney we really don't watch the channel anymore. How I miss Vault disney. They play none of the older movies. I've started getting them on DVD because I miss them so much. My little ones loved the old Mickey/Pluto/Chip and Dale cartoons. Also loved Inside Out, watched it constantly. Remember Avonlea?

 

[drcmk]

I must say, I disagree that the Disney Channel should focus on WDW. So much of Disney is just one big commercial for something else that Disney sells. My kids nag me to go to WDW more than we can afford already, I don't need the Disney Channel to reinforce their desire to go there! Radio Disney sure pitches WDW often, often offering trips as Grand Prizes that are touted every few minutes.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

I don't recall anything about the theme parks since the Millenium Celebration was going on. I don't remember if that was Inside Out or not. I don't think they even run anything about the International Flower & Garden Festival. I have to go to HGTV for shows about that.

I also used to stay up on Friday and Saturday night 'til midnight and watch "Zoro" and "The Mickey Mouse Club".

I'm hoping they will release MMC on DVD like they did with "Davey Crockett". Maybe that's why they stopped Vault Disney because they were going to start releasing the vintage stuff on DVD/VHS.

 

[Piglet203]

I think that the Disney channel should atleast air something about WDW once in a while. Even once or twice a month. I remember a couple years ago watching the channel at like 3 am and there was WDW stuff. I'm sorry but I'm not going to stay up until all hours of the night to catch a glimpse. It's just not fair!

 

[ScarletIndigo]

I fondly remember the days when the Disney Channel was filled to the brim with programming that wasn't all aimed at the pre-double digits age bracket. Way back before Disney was a standard channel on digital cable, I used to LIVE for those random Disney previews that our provider would feature every so often. I'd stay up all hours to catch re-runs of "Kids Incorporated" and "The New Mickey Mouse Club" (back when "The Party" was the coolest group around -- anyone remember them?) I also loved the shows about WDW and the various attractions in each of the parks. But these days, even though the Disney Channel has split off into three or four seperate channels, the programming has really taken a dive. Once DF and I started planning our trip, I was eager to tune in and see if I could catch any of the "inside WDW" shows that you all mentioned, like "Inside Out". But sadly none were to be found! Cartoons are great and all, but where are the shows that adults can enjoy?

For now, I guess all we can do is keep tabs on the Travel Channel or Food Network if we want to learn new things about our favorite theme park. Someone mentioned that an upcoming episode of "Unwrapped" will feature WDW food items, so that should be interesting to see. But I say, bring back the WDW programming on the station associated with the company! Is that too much to ask? ;-)

 

[BarryCF]

We've had The Disney Channel for 5 years or so. It was almost worthless when we got it, and it's even worse now. Can someone explain to me what kind of drugs you have to be on to show That's so Raven, Even Stevens, Boy meets World etc. in the MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!?!?! At least with Vault Disney we got a few shows that someone older than 8 or 9 can watch, or record and watch later. Do we really need 2-4 showings of Boy Meets World every day?

The schedule for tonight:

10:00pm Sister, Sister : The Audition
10:30pm Lizzie McGuire : Between a Rock and a Bra Place
11:00pm That's So Raven : Saving Psychic Raven
11:30pm Kim Possible : Downhill
12:00am Boy Meets World : Eric Hollywood
12:30am Sister, Sister : It's My Party
1:00am The Proud Family : There's Something About Rene
1:30am Kim Possible : Downhill
2:00am That's So Raven : Saving Psychic Raven
2:30am The Jersey : The Prize
3:00am Famous Jett Jackson : Heroes
3:30am So Weird : Lightning Rod
4:00am The Jersey : Nick's a Chick
4:30am Lloyd in Space : Neither Boy nor Girl
5:00am Madeline : Madeline and the Talking Parrot

That schedule is COMPLETELY ridiculous. Does anyone let their children watch The Disney Channel at 2am? Nickalodeon is a kid's station, but at least they have the common sense to have Nick At Night, so they can show old sitcoms. Even The Cartoon Network has enough sense to show Adult Swim every night.

Sorry for ranting, but the management of The Disney Channel has bothered me for some time.

Cheers

 

[donna in Oz]

For anyone who doesn't remember Disney Inside Out, it was a 1/2-hour show during the afternoon on week-ends (seems like it was Sunday, but not sure).

It was great for some behind-the-scenes looks at Disney parks. Count me among those who miss it.

 

[grinningghost]

I wrote a letter to Disney about them taking Vault Disney away. I never was too thrilled with it's middle of the night hours, but at least it was SOMETHING. Now, if it weren't for my 14 year old DD, TDC would never be on in this house. I asked if they could create a Vault Disney Channel. I never even got any response. I can only hope they do eventually release the old shows on DVD. I also find myself seeking out the old movies at the library, just to get my fix.