I'm through with WDWToday Podcast and Unofficial Guide

[Quinn222]

I can only hope that most people don't actually listen to the podcasts.

I certainly will be listening. It's not the Unofficial Guide podcast. She was a guest. They have lots of guests. One of the four hosts (and not even the main host) works for the UG. I'm not going to damn the book or web site becaus eof one thoughtless person. There are a lot of companies (and countries for that matter) who have employees (or even heads of state) that I despise. I'm not going to write off the entire company, place or book because of one person.

 

[disneynutt1225]

I have a pretty good sense of humor, some would say even warped at times. That said, I could only listen to half of the podcast and shook my head in disgust for most of that half. The only thing I found marginally funny was the siren noise when people take pictures on rides. Although, I have to say that the noise would probably annoy me even more than the person taking the pictures.

The hidden mickey comment, the Pooh and Splash comment, and the cripple comment left a terrible taste in my mouth. I'm truly surprised they even let her continue with the interview after that. Why bother given people directions at all if you're going to be a smart aleck about it? She said she doesn't like talking to people - then just walk away. No need to engage in conversation if there's nothing productive to say at all. Her remarks were childish to say the least, and ignorant at best.

 

[SolitaryPhoenix]

Let me put it this way: I work for a large, national insurance company, in a customer service-type capacity. Have I rolled my eyes at a policyholder or claimant on the other end of a phone? Sure, many times. Have I bit*hed or joked about them with my fellow employees? Sure, many times. Who hasn't? Would I ever purposefully give them the wrong information or make them jump through hoops for a laugh? Heck no, because not only would that be nasty and immature, but it would be unethical and unprofessional. Therein lies the difference. These things were said not by tourists, like you and I, but by someone speaking publicly in a professional capacity, while representing their product, the UG. I know that's why I have a problem with what was said. Again, JMO.

 

[lovesdumbo]

She said she doesn't like talking to people - then just walk away.

She said she did it because they "dared" to talk to her. I couldn't listen to the whole thing. I was never a big fan of the humor in UG. I am another one who will stick to Passporter.

 

[cdpa4d]

I've listened to almost all the Podcasts at WDWToday.com and can honestly say they were all very well done, except this last one. I have to say they went completely away from their strategy and purpose. I listen to the Podcasts at that site specifically for useful information I can use on upcoming trips, or to stay informed on what's going on at the World. In my opinion, they completely missed that objective on the most recent podcast.

I'm still going to listen and hope this last episode was just a bump in the rode.

 

[Micca]

I couldn't listen to all of it because the audio quality is so poor. I think Christina saw her role as a satirist. Whether she was successful or not, it seems like for the audience this podcast attracts, it was off the mark.

However, I do not for one minute believe she does any of those things she said she does, I think she was joking. Nor does it change my mind at all about the the UG being a terrific resource for planning a WDW trip. That is the first WDW Today podcast I have heard, and if that is representative of the audio quality, never mind the content, I've heard enough.

 

[chrome64]

I think she was serious. She is what I would refer to as the "Anti-Disney." It's sad that she has been so much that she has lost the magic of Disney. While I don't think it is completly fair to blame everyone involved with the book and the podcast, I would like to point out that they were all laughing and then they chose to air the show. They seemed like they were uncomfortable with what she was saying but, once again they laughed at everything she said and then aired it despite everything she said.

I hope that Disney listens to the podcast and permanently bans her from WDW property!!

 

[shiva316]

It certainly is nice that we have the political correctness police to save us all from "un-disneylike" behavior. Let's ban everyone who disagrees with us from the park. That'll help with the crowds too.

 

[jann1033]

I've listened to almost all the Podcasts at WDWToday.com and can honestly say they were all very well done, except this last one. I have to say they went completely away from their strategy and purpose. I listen to the Podcasts at that site specifically for useful information I can use on upcoming trips, or to stay informed on what's going on at the World. In my opinion, they completely missed that objective on the most recent podcast.

I'm still going to listen and hope this last episode was just a bump in the rode.

the moderator mentioned that, how that segment wouldn't be helpful at the very end so i think it was probably just bad timing, bad guests something just not working out the way it might have been planned.

i know hyperbole is big on here but i doubt anyone is going to get "banned" from anything, sorry but that is almost as far off base as the broad cast was! and unless she is a total fool she isn't particularly Anti Disney...if you listened she said it was after a long day, when she was bored with spending so many hrs at research that she felt like doing this stuff. I'm not positive from her comments it wasn't just talk she made up to try to be funny...she also said she enjoyed the attractions and that was why it bugged her to have the people who can't read signs use flash.

i kind of think this might be Mount Molehill

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I always swore by the UG. But these kinds of remarks from someone representing the UG have made me decide to stop spending my money support the UG. Not funny, just tacky and disrespectful.

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

I always swore by the UG. But these kinds of remarks from someone representing the UG have made me decide to stop spending my money support the UG. Not funny, just tacky and disrespectful.

I agree! From now on, I will stick with the Passporter.


Rachel

 

[kimbac3]

I agree! From now on, I will stick with the Passporter.


Rachel

Ditto that!!
Kimba

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

I think it was all tongue in cheek. The crippled comment was out of line, and as for the hidden Mickeys, I think it's irrelevant. I've been told by some people that what clearly looks like a hidden Mickey, you can even see the 3 circles is not a hidden Mickey. In listening to the show, I think the regulars could tell that something was going wrong. And as a final note, I find it funny that people can criticize one thing Disney does, and they suddenly hate the entire company. If we judged how much someone loves Disney by the fact that they criticize something they disagree with, than many of the people I've seen post on these boards must not love Disney. You can be critical of something and still love it. I appreciate the UG's humor and willingness to not sugarcoat everything Disney does. The fact is that some rides are lame, some parks need help, rides are highly overrated, some hotels have problems, and some food served on property isnt' good. As for the roach hotel comment, it's her opinion. She probably likes staying in more expensive resorts. There are many Disney people, one of the 3 regulars on the WDW Today podcast included, who like the values resorts.

 

[PantherFanStan]

WARNING -- PERSONAL OPINION BELOW.

I'm in the process of listening to the podcasts and coincidentallly listened to the subject podcast this morning (before seeing this thread for the first time this evening). I personally thought she was juvenile, silly, and basically behaved like an idiot.

Having said that.....If you liked the UG before, and choose to not buy it for solely because of this incident, then you are an even bigger idiot. Some priests in the Catholic church have done unspeakable things, but I will go to mass tomorrow morning. Some US presidents have done unspeakable things, but I'm not moving to Canada (no offense, eh!). Ben Franklin said somethings I totally disagree with, but I will not stop carrying currency with his picture on it.

Be offended, if you must -- but don't be an another idiot.

Edited to correct spelling errors

 

[kjs1976]

True dat!

 

[Pedler]

It certainly is nice that we have the political correctness police to save us all from "un-disneylike" behavior. Let's ban everyone who disagrees with us from the park. That'll help with the crowds too.

Setting aside the political correctness for a second if she did indeed do the things that she mentioned in the podcast, and I listened and I did not get the feeling that she was making this up, then some of the things she mentioned have nothing to do with political correctness but are rude and just plain cruel.

Just telling people about hidden mickeys that don't exist and then watching them try to find them. You may think its funny if your and adult watching an adult by try to imagine it with kids, say 6 & 8, that are desparately looking for a hidden mickey that someone told them about and they have a melt down because they can't find it. I don't know about you but intentionally causing kids to cry strikes me as just plain cruel. And yes, I do think she has actually done this. Nothing in the podcast seemed to indicate that she was making this up.

 

[Matt]

Ahh the old "you're an idiot if you disagree with me" line. I'm suprised it took this long for someone to use the old arrogant standby. Get over yourself.

If you can't see how this makes UG look bad, I don't think I can explain it to you. Gosh, I'll try though.

I mean honestly, if I went to a travel agent and then I overheard my travel agent making fun of her clients while I was in a store or something, I don't think I'd choose to use her services any longer.

Right or wrong is irrelevant.In fact, if I heard any of my employees disrespecting my clients like this, they would be fired. Once you lose sight of the true purpose of your job, it's time to move on.

 

[PantherFanStan]

The hit dog howls.....

 

[ElleBelle]

Once you lose sight of the true purpose of your job, it's time to move on.

Couldn't agree with you more.

 

[maxiesmom]

The hit dog howls.....

So now you are going to make cute remarks when someone disagrees with you? And you used too big a brush when you painted your comparisons. It is more like not going to the church with the corrupt priests, and not voting for a president you don't like. Matt didn't say he was boycotting Disney. Just one idiot who was representing Disney. I have been looking in the bookstore for a new Disney guide. You can bet it will not be the Unofficial Guide.