In all fairness, DIS was the one who started giving people infractions for mentioning other sites and didn't want to 'share' the FE. That ultimatum resulted in people having to pick one or the other ---- and in this case, the OTHER kinda won.
I agree. I think the reasons the other site was brought up here, caused ugly arguments here and started the infraction process. People got kicked off the other site when they tried to sell things or post negative comments. I get that, I liked not getting "For sale" notices. Some got kicked off because they found a site that they felt was helpful(mostly for those who are craft challenged) It was good intentions on their part, but it would promote someone else's commerce. Crossing the invisible line resulting it sudden death of their membership. But since they were "not selling" but only trying to "help" they'd get upset about getting the boot. But on the other hand then sneaky sellers asking friends for "unsolicited" recommendation, or fake accounts used for self promotion. Will they never learn?
Negative comments can get you kicked off also. But not all negative comments are bad in my opinion either. Sometimes another's problem can help others against future problems. Always good to have a plan B.
Like someone complaining they get picked up by Disney at 2:00 at a value resort to get to the ship. While those at the luxury resorts praise the transportation with the earliest departure times and say it's never been a problem for them. This would be deleted over there or locked then later deleted.
I don't mind problems. I've had plenty my self. My family is constantly making jokes and rib me on how I start my vacations with a big thud before we even get out of the airport. (The great hotel debacle of 2014, and Vancouvers "Passports please" this month.) People are generally so helpful. But some will accuse OP's of faking a problem there (I'll never understand, why kick a guy when he's down?)
How soon is your cruise? If it's not past the closing date of the list, you can remove yourself. Actually, you can remove yourself at any time. They can't make you participate.
I had people done with their FE's 2 months before we sailed. Especially from other countries that needed to have things shipped to/from the US.
A comment that a person can remove themselves at "anytime" is just not fair. Anymore than a cake baker saying "I have a migraine today so I'm not going to make the wedding cake you ordered today."
That's just not the Disney spirit. It's only after you sustained lows that you truly appreciate the highs. That includes FE groups. We travel Disney because we enjoy that high we get from them, they make us feel special. We only try to replicate it in our own little way by participating in the FE process. Quitters affect more than just the administrative person or team.
People have great ideas how to improve the FE experience. But...once they really think it through(if they think it through) they see the flaws in the new plans and can get back to the original way of doing things. Not everyone is meant to lead a web page. But bless their hearts for trying. They are not getting paid to make the group happy. But they try, it can be stressful, and a whole lot more than they thought it would be.
I have taken 3 cruises and followed two groups and lead one. Here is my way of seeing things.
As a follower I'd chat only on topics I chose. As a leader I felt a person may feel left out if I didn't respond at all to each subject. As a follower I would answer questions where I knew the answer. But as a leader I would search here for answers to all questions because I felt a responsibility to help them out.
DISboard is awesome for information, people here really know their stuff. But they aren't always on. Wrong information is eventually pointed out as to when or why it changed so as not to make the poster feel bad(I'm going to see that as the glass half full there). But other social media is used frequently by many who are never off. I was like that for my group, different time zones kept me on sometimes 18 hours a day. I went here first, for travel problems but it was late west coast time and the streets button up here during the bedtime hours. The other media site was a flurry of some repetitive and useful information. I could read while on hold and prepare for my next "Hail Mary" attempt to solve the problem. But I can't go back to the other media site and give detailed information on how it all turned out because it's considered "not up-beat or positive." I could only write "Update" on the top of my original post. I was always worried I was going to be banned for my problem. And I think I am missing one of the groups I was in. So I'm guessing that's what happened there.
I love this group and thankful I found them. It has enriched my experience and I couldn't have boarded/ported/debarkation/sailed it without the information I received here.
