Is Lou Mongello paid by Disney?

[MJ6987]

Hi All,
One thing I really like about the DIS Unplugged Podcast is that its not afraid to criticise Disney if they see fit (that's probably an understatement) even though it is in the hosts' interests for people to visit WDW.

On the other extreme, although I also like WDW Radio podcast, its host Lou Mongello NEVER seems to say a bad word about Disney or WDW and seems to think that every single thing it does is wonderful. This even applies to things that nearly everyone is is criticising like American Idol or T-Rex restaurant. He doesn't even seem to show a hint of cynicism about these things that they could possibly be less than brilliant. It is like an official Disney podcast. Surely even the biggest Disney fan would occasionally not like something they did?

So this makes me wonder is he paid (or even employed) by Disney, or what is the relationship? The other thing that makes me think this is that he seems to get such good access to Disney management / events etc.

Does anyone know what the situation is here?

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[jockey]

I dont think Lou is paid by Disney, he is just a big fan. I really like his podcast I have been a fan of his from the start even when he was doing Mouse tunes. He does have some excellent snips of info

 

[aaronmckie]

He's just the ultimate fan-boy; not paid (or employed) by Disney.

 

[Allison]

No, not at all.

I love his podcast.

 

[AnninIowa]

I think a big difference is that Lou doesn't live in Orlando and his work doesn't involve directly working with Disney per say. Pete and the gang live in Orlando and with their travel agency, have to deal with Disney daily. While Lou produces a lot of Disney products, it's different than what Dreams Unlimited does by a lot. I think Lou has a great Podcast, but I have to be in a good mood to listen to it. I'm more of a grump like John!

 

[timmac]

Just a thought... perhaps, as ultimate fan boy, his ability to find the good in every (otherwise poor) decision Disney makes is part of why he's able to get various interviews and information that most others can't.

No, he isn't paid or employed, by Disney. But his forever cheerful attitude (not necessarily a bad thing) does get him something.

 

[Cruz Family]

I agree with what everyone is saying, esp Anniniowa. I think I tend to see things more like Lou because I don't live there. Pete and the gang have a different prospective because it is right in there back yards. The podcasts I listen to are all very different and that is what I like about them. BUT.....the DISunplugged RULES!!!!

 

[slapwhitey]

I agree with the other posters. I think he is just a HUGE fan...or should I say small fan...sorry Lou. I know he is there quite a bit but I can say that when I was only going every year or second year there was nothing Disney could do to make me think in a negative way. Now that I go 5-6 times a year it is easier to look at it from a side not wearing my rose colored glasses. I still love most things Disney does but I'm able to see the other side now from time to time. I enjoy Lou's show and have his books as well. I can listen to both types of shows and enjoy both. It's a different perspective is all.

 

[luke]

Only just really started listening to Lou's show a few months back, and although it's a different animal to the DIS I do quite enjoy it (maybe because it is different?).

Think I agree about what people are saying about Lou not living in Orlando, and for that reason I always take what he says with a pinch of salt, whereas I'll pay more attention to what the team here does

It's kind of like methadone for me to the DIS's heroin, keeps me going until Wednesday and Thursday

 

[Demosthenes]

I too have noticed that Lou seems to wear Mickey Colored glasses, but I don't see what he says or does as a problem. Truthfully, the two items you cite (T-Rex and American Idol), are, at least neutral, if not improvements to their respective locations. Shoot, "Doug Live" would be better than the nothing that has been inside the ABC Theater. And as for T-Rex, it took up parking at DTD, but we went there, and our four year old loved it, and the food was fine. I also didn't find it too loud. To each his or her own. Criticism should automatically come for both of those things. Where Lou does get critical is in the closing of older attractions, and sometimes he is nostalgic to a fault (he seems to forget that some of the old attractions went away for a reason).

 

[FireDancer]

I agree with PPs that Lou has Mickey colored glasses sometimes but I listen to 3 Disney podcasts regularly and his is one of them. I definitely think that fan-boy would be an accurate depiction but not in a negative way.

 

[kpadalik]

I listen to his podcast, but only when I am in the mood for a sickingly-sweet one. I definitely think he has a chronic case of the happy bug. While he seems like a great guy and is a great cheerleader for Disney, I find his information isn't always accurate (hence, staying out of the d*** lakes) and he only ever talks about all GOOD things Disney. The DisUnplugged is much more my style - funny, realistic, and has much more of a small-town feel (even though there are SOOOOOOO many people actually listening - c'mon Pete, you know there are ). And while the DIS rewards their listeners, I feel like Mongello uses his podcast to promote sales for his calendar, audio guides, etc.

 

[aaronmckie]

I definitely think that fan-boy would be an accurate depiction but not in a negative way.

Oh yeah, I meant it as a term of endearment, not of ridicule.

*edit*
and to Honeymooners: Who?

 

[Honeymooners1021]

"Ohh Lou" LOL some people will get this.... Hi Len, Matt, Mike, & Mike!

 

[FireDancer]

And while the DIS rewards their listeners, I feel like Mongello uses his podcast to promote sales for his calendar, audio guides, etc.

The DIS is definitely the most generous podcast but Lou did do the Ultimate Adventurer contest that had a ridiculously great grand prize and he started doing the 3 question contest. While it isn’t nearly as good as the DIS I think he tries to give back.

 

[Honeymooners1021]

And while the DIS rewards their listeners, I feel like Mongello uses his podcast to promote sales for his calendar, audio guides, etc.

I think that both of them promote their services and goods that's what helps them pay for the show and the equipment. We are lucky enough to get to listen to their shows without paying for them. I have no problem listening to a few commericals to get to listen to the shows and attentend their mousefest events. I infact have supported sponsors of both shows.

 

[lttlmc3]

I really like Lou's podcast. It's a bit long, but it's fun to listen to. I like listening to him and saying to myself "what was he thinking" after listening to the DIS.

 

[burberryplaid]

I think that both of them promote their services and goods that's what helps them pay for the show and the equipment. We are lucky enough to get to listen to their shows without paying for them. I have no problem listening to a few commericals to get to listen to the shows and attentend their mousefest events. I infact have supported sponsors of both shows.

I have to disagree a bit. I don't think the DisUnplugged uses their podcast to sell anything. Yes, they have mentioned their working relationships on the show on ocassion, but only as a way to thank the people who helped pay for such things as the Mousefest Toy Story Mania meet or to thank those businesses which donate prizes for the prizematron. They don't make it a normal practice where as Lou mentions his books and audio guides on every show. I don't have a problem with him doing that as it is his show and he can say whatever he wants, but Lou is more self serving than the DisUnplugged is.

And yes, I do not believe Lou is paid or employed by Disney. However, given the guests who he has had on his show in the past (Joe Rhode, Samantha Brown, etc) I believe it is probably in his best interest to not be too critical of Disney if he wants to continue to have a good working relationship with Disney and have access to such high profile guests. Just my opinion though.

 

[DisDarling]

"Ohh Lou" LOL some people will get this.... Hi Len, Matt, Mike, & Mike!

Love them too!!! I think all of the Disney podcasts offer something different... and that's why they are all doing as well as they should be!!

 

[wdwowner]

Lou is a great guy, he loves WDW 100%.

I remember the show when Lou brought up the subject about swimming in the lakes. He said 'it is not a problem, because there are many signs posted not to swim in the lakes'. He is 100% correct, if you abide by the signs there will not be any problems. That does not diminish the problems there are with warm water lakes at all.

Because the DIS team lives in the Orlando area, they hear all of the stories and warmings all of the time, and that is why Pete, 1000% correctly, is on his don't swim in the lake soapbox.

I think there are 2 ways to look at this. Lou, like most of us here, can only go to WDW a few times a year, we look forward to it from the day we get back from WDW, it is our goal, the next WDW trip. There is bad things that WDW does for sure, but when it is your escape from 50+ hour work weeks, 10 degrees month long winters and a crazy life, the last thing I want to hear each week is all of the bad stuff that is going on in WDW.

I think the DIS team is great, and because they are local they see and live the bad more than the rest of us. Plus to them WDW is not their escape, their trips up north are. I'm sure they would not like to hear the bad about NJ every time they listened to a podcast too.

So I thank Lou for his great shows, my weekly escape from work and life while driving each day, and all of his great interviews he does.
I also thank the DIS team for all of their great work, the open ears for us as non-locals and to put WDW in its place when needed. If anyone should do that it should be the DIS team, they live there, Orlando theme parks are their job.

Two different shows, two different audiences, two different views of WDW. But most of all, we are all WDW fans first and foremost. Our lives would not be as rich as it is if it was not for Lou and the DIS team!