Is Lou Mongello paid by Disney?

[mikelan6]

I also find it odd that Lou has some big name guests on. He might not get paid by WDW, but he has a very close relationship with the company.

I so wish that the DIS had more guests like that. It'd be great having them interact with the podcast team.

 

[BriarRosie]

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.

I think one of Lou's flaws is that he doesn't tend to have anything critical to say about Disney.

But that being said, I think Lou is probably one of the biggest philanthropists in the Disney fan community. He regularly raises money as part of his "Dream Team" project to the Make A Wish Foundation. On his show this week, he said in the 18 month period, he raised $45,000+ for this charity.

So I commend him for that. Yes, he is selling his books (part of the proceeds go to Make a Wish, too) and his other stuff from his site, but it does go back to the show with prizes and such, as well. FireDancer mentioned his contest with prizes. While he isn't giving away a cruise, he gave the winner a week at a deluxe resort with concierge/club level, tickets for 4 people, dining plan included, a digital camera and other goodies.

He ain't chintzy, but I'd like to hear something that is a bit critical of Disney once in a while.

 

[Honeymooners1021]

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.

Fair enough. I can respect your opinion.

 

[kpadalik]

But that being said, I think Lou is probably one of the biggest philanthropists in the Disney fan community. He regularly raises money as part of his "Dream Team" project to the Make A Wish Foundation. On his show this week, he said in the 18 month period, he raised $45,000+ for this charity.

So I commend him for that. Yes, he is selling his books (part of the proceeds go to Make a Wish, too) and his other stuff from his site, but it does go back to the show with prizes and such, as well. FireDancer mentioned his contest with prizes. While he isn't giving away a cruise, he gave the winner a week at a deluxe resort with concierge/club level, tickets for 4 people, dining plan included, a digital camera and other goodies.

He ain't chintzy, but I'd like to hear something that is a bit critical of Disney once in a while.

I never said he didn't do good things for charity...I agree he is a good guy w/ a big heart, he's just a little self serving as a PP said.

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.

If I remember correctly, he was answering an email on his show w/ Beci Menken (sp?). And I think he scoffed at the idea that there were amoebas in the lake.



Wow, I didn't realize I was going to get such critical responses to my opinion.

 

[BellaOfTheWorld]

There are many great Disney World-related podcasts out there. All have very different formats and angles by which they bring you their show, and how they present their content.

I love the Dis Unplugged because of their well-rounded and diverse views...positive, negative...it's honest all the way. And it's helped by the fact that the whole gang are never afraid to voice their opinion about anything. Very entertaining (and informative - the news segments are great - and it's not just a rattling off of news, you get their opinions real-time on the news as they read it off).

I love Lou's WDW Radio Show BECAUSE it's so positive - it's a celebration of Walt Disney World...an he makes not apologies for it. I think that's a great thing. If I want to be in a good mood, I turn on Lou's show. And it's also extremely informative. Lou's knowledge of The World is second to none.

I love WDW Today because it's short, and 3 times a week (sometimes more if they have live broadcasts). They too are funny, entertaining, and above all, very informative as well. Len Testa (co-author of the Unofficial Guide) is a huge asset to the show as a regular co-host.

I also love Inside the Magic with Ricky Brigante. His is more straight forward information and he provides a lot of binaural audio of parks, songs, shows, etc. Very interesting.

Those are my 4 favorites, and there are other good ones as well. It's nice to have a variety of so many quality disney podcasts, each with their own unique flavor. So listen to what you like.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I think there have been some good opinions expressed on both camps.

I found the DIS and Lou's podcasts before I found the DIS Boards Forums. I've listened to a lot of archives over the last year. While, my husband prefers only to listen to the DIS, due to the fact that no one sounds like they are a radio announcer (his personal pet peeve), I like the things that I get from all the different podcasts I have downloading. My favorite part of Lou's podcasts are frankly the Jeff Pepper segments. Sometimes I think it would be neat if they could do some "history" segments on the DIS one day.

As others have hinted, I think that Lou could work on using the phrase "my favorite thing" a little less. Even the most uber-fan can't have a favorite of everything - it goes against the English language definition of the word. I understand that using that phrase, when having a guest on the show, is a respectful way of making your guest feel good about the subject you are talking about. If he criticized anything when having a guest on, he wouldn't have any more guests.... kind of like Pete's comments from the recent taping at the Dolphin - about not having a bad review of the food while sitting at the host's table.

 

[remark44]

The thing I like most about the DIS podcast is the back and forth banter among the crew. It makes it natural, like your friends having a conversation. No offence, but I find Lou's podcast kind of boring. Most of the time he is by himself and that just doesn't do it for me. And when he has a guest it is still only 2 people. Sorry, but I just can't listen to him.

Each to his or her own.

 

[lugnut33]

Lou puts on a top notch show, whether he's in Disney's pocket or not. I love the show.

There are 3 shows I listen to regularly:
WDW Today
The Dis Podcast
WDW Radio
The Meandering Mouse

Oh, that's 4, yes 4 disney podcasts I listen to, along with Trapped On Vacation... so that's actually 5.

I forgot, I also regularly listen to Micecast and The Official Disneyland Podcast, which makes 7.

Did I mention Adventures Of A Teenage Disney Geek? Cracks me up. How did I go from 3 to 8?

 

[catycatcat4]

I'm not a fan of his podcast some timesif there is something intresting i will listen though

 

[PK Disney Dork]

I listen to both shows as well (along with others) and I'll have to say that Lou's show and The DisUnPlugged are two totally different shows with completely different formats.

It's apples and oranges really. TheDis is more of a review/travel show...especially since those who run it (Pete and co) own a Travel Agency and live in Orlando. They deal with the Parks and the company on a daily basis so of course they're going to be more apt to critisize. Lou's show is more of what I'd call a...."Disneyana" show. The man is a Disney trivia fanatic...I think the books prove that! He's show is much more about the "magic" of Disney.

Plus Lou is a lawyer and very connected in terms of Disney icons. He simply knows the right avenues to go in order to get those great interviews. Besides TheDis isn't really that sort of show. So of course you're not going to see it as much.

I love both shows. Plus I listen to All About the Mouse, Inside the Magic, Communicore Online, WDWToday, Mouseguest, Let's Talk About Disney, and Netcot...what can I say the shows get me through my day!

 

[SamIAm21]

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!

Couldn't say it better myself! Lou is a stand up guy with a heart of gold!!

 

[two-foxes]

I, too, listen to both Dis and WDW Radio show. I would never go as far as to say Lou is paid by Disney, and would almost consider the OP in bad taste. The other posters hit the nail on the head....he hits on alot of the "magic" of WDW, the trivia, the history, the meaning behind it all...a totally different type of podcast...and THANK GOD. If the Dis Unplugged was anything like Lou's show, I wouldn't listen to it. I need to hear the critiques, the honest view from the travelers point of view and the best way to spend your dollar in WDW. Part of the reason I was not too much of a fan of the few interviews Pete did on the DisUnplugged was because it reminded me of Lou's show, and if I want to hear a lengthy interview of someone else, I'd go listen to Lou's show.....I WANT to hear the opinions, point of view and ideas of the DisUnplugged team, the comedy, the irreverent humor and the clear view I get from them! Like another poster said....it's like comparing apples and oranges...I listen to them both, but I do have a favorite....shhhh....it's the DisUnplugged, but don't tell anyone!

 

[funkehouse]

Lou rules. his podcast and the Dis podcast are my 2 favorite. they are both so different, but i like them both. He is not paid by Disney, and he does give bad reviews occasionaly, but not that often. although he does not live in FL, he is in WDW almost as much as a local, he is CONSTATLY flying down there, hes due for a trip here very soon. he leaves NJ and goes to WDW more than i leave my own Zip code i think ! I can understand how he can be so happy about stuff, thats how i feel about Disney, i find VERY little to complain about. an ocasional bad meal, but that can happen anywhere.

 

[makelab]

The thing I like most about the DIS podcast is the back and forth banter among the crew. It makes it natural, like your friends having a conversation. No offence, but I find Lou's podcast kind of boring. Most of the time he is by himself and that just doesn't do it for me. And when he has a guest it is still only 2 people. Sorry, but I just can't listen to him.

Each to his or her own.

I'm in this camp, too. Make no mistake, his charity work is top notch and he gets some great guests, but Lou, by himself or with one other person, retreading the minutiae of attractions, resorts, or food (and it's mostly food) makes me tune out. I tend to listen to the beginning, after fast forwarding a couple minutes (i read the podcast info while it's downloading), and the end (news, emails). If he mentions a feature that sounds interesting, I'll keep listening. But more often than not, I find myself skipping alot of segments. Never with DIS Unplugged. The roundtable format is awesome, and for the same reason, I love WDWToday. Multiple opinions, points of view, etc. always keeps it fresh.

 

[KristaTX]

I don't regularly listen to podcasts at all - DIS or otherwise. (Can I still post on this forum? )

But I have been acquainted with Lou through Mousefest for several years. Of all the people at Mousefest, Lou is right up there with Steven Barrett (Hidden Mickeys) and Deb Wills (AllEars) as one of the most genuinely friendly, enthusiastic people out there.

Of course that has nothing to do with his Podcast, or even his objectivity. It has to do with his character. I just felt the need to chime in with the positive notes that others have posted here.

Oh, and the DIS webmasters and moderators aren't bad either . I just don't know the Unplugged guys/girls as well as I do some of the other DIS ones, or as well as the people who have been a part of Mousefest for years.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Come over to the Dark Side, Krista....

 

[KristaTX]

The Dark Side ? I thought this was the Nice and Sweet side of the DIS and that I was already part of the Dark. . cough, CB, cough. . . Side??

 

[dmwang9]

This is a bit off topic, but I just wanted to thank everyone for the names of the other Disney podcasts they listen to. My iPod has been feeling kinda empty recently.

 

[BellaOfTheWorld]

The 5 podcasts that I NEVER miss are:

The Dis
WDW Today
WDW Radio Show
Inside The Magic
Netcot

There are a few others that are pretty good that I subscribe to, and listen to when I can:

The WDW News Today Podcast
Magical Definition Podcast
Mouse Guest Weekly
All About The Mouse
Character Breakfast
Communicore Online
MouseStation

 

[TigerTown]

Like other people I really don't think that Lou is paid by Disney. As previously mentioned WDW Radio is more of a nostalgia based detail oriented (maybe educational?) pod cast. It's totally different than the Dis which is a much more social podcast. They have different goals and attributes but are both very entertaining in my opinion.