Getiing a press pass

[d_lairson]

This question is more facetious than anything, but how does one get a press pass for Disney events? I was at the "grand opening" of the new fantasyland yesterday, which was really more of a press event than anything and I saw all sorts of people with press passes. The vast majority of them looked and/or seemed like traditional press people. Others came across more of along the lines of what you would traditionally expect a blogger to look like. I'm trying not to judge too harshly because I'm sure you could be a world class reporter and still dress like a Disney fan boy but....

So how does one become press in disneys eyes? Do you have to have Id from a major publication? Is there an application? Do you need x number of hits on your blog? I'm just trying to get a handle on this.

 

[pyrxtc]

I would love to know this too cuz I do have a "press pass" from my paper I write for on occasion but I talked to one of the women down there and she said they were invited.

 

[chartle]

I'm sure there is an entire office (public relations) that handles credentials and pretty much already knows who they are going to invite.

I'm also sure you just can't show up with a press pass without some sort of vetting to make sure you aren't just trying to get in free.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I'm sure there is an entire office (public relations) that handles credentials and pretty much already knows who they are going to invite.

I'm also sure you just can't show up with a press pass without some sort of vetting to make sure you aren't just trying to get in free.

Saw this happen last night at BW ESPN college football awards that were being held there guy walked away looking dejected if that 's a word with a 'hang dog' expresion apparently wasn't on 'The List'

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Media Passes are granted to recognized members of
. . . the press
. . . related professions (even amusement organizations, not just "press")
2) Contact
. . . WDW Publicity Representative at (407) 566-6397
. . . Open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mon-Fri
3) Like most organizations, the forms to be completed include info like
. . . your press/journalistic history and years in profession
. . . major articles/publications/periodicals/books published
. . . who you write for, or freelance for, now
. . . what other organizations/companies granted you media passes
. . . if you simply blog - how many hits, how broad audience, etc
. . . sometimes a background check is required


NOTE: You also need to show why you would benefit Disney or WDW.
Passes are not issued just because you claim to be a writer or are a writer
with small or very little circulation. Remember, passes are granted to those
who can help (and hopefully favorably) publicize Disney.

 

[WDSearcher]

And it's not just press or amusement professionals. It's also bloggers (which is why some of the people look like bloggers!) -- there are several blogging sites who regularly send reps to Disney's press events.

 

[andyman8]

Disney will usually invite so-called "Disney bloggers" to these events; you don't ask to attend. Usually, the bloggers that are invited are associated with big blogs (think Touring Plans, the DIS, Inside the Magic, WDWMAGIC, etc...). Usually, these blogs don't speak negatively of Disney, so they're invited.

 

[WDSearcher]

Disney will usually invite so-called "Disney bloggers" to these events; you don't ask to attend. Usually, the bloggers that are invited are associated with big blogs (think Touring Plans, the DIS, Inside the Magic, WDWMAGIC, etc...). Usually, these blogs don't speak negatively of Disney, so they're invited.

Then again ... Jim Hill seems to show up at all of them ...