Is Lou Mongello paid by Disney?

[corky441]

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

and sometimes the ever popular Annette

 

[Honeymooners1021]

and sometimes the ever popular Annette from M.E.I.

I love the fabulous Annette!!!!

 

[Cruz Family]

and sometimes the ever popular Annette from M.E.I.

Popular???? Don't you mean Fabulous???

 

[DWFan4Life]

I don't think he got paid by Disney. He's just a big fan of it.

 

[MeetMrsMasters]

First post in the Podcast forum!


The DisUnplugged podcast is my favorite without a doubt. However, I met Lou once by chance at one of the parks and I think he is just a genuine, nice positive guy. That's who he is. He's a great person who loves Disney. I have heard him make SLIGHT complaints about Disney but yes, he definitely tries to keep it Disney.

My personality just happens to be closer to Pete's. LOL I love hearing his rants!

 

[simonkodousek]

No, I don't think that Lou Mongello gets paid by Disney. I think his show is very good, fun, and funny, but it's almost too positive. The thing I like about the DIS is that the pod-crew tells it like it is and won't go to great lengths to find minor upsides to major downsides.

 

[YodaMouse]

I enjoy the DIS podcast and I always know that I will get great information and truthful opinons about Disney. It helps me to keep things in perspective. But I enjoy Lou's show especially for his, "everything is wonderful at Disney," view point. I like to lose myself in the pure excitment of his shows because it makes me feel similar to the way I feel anticipating the start of a trip or the way I feel as I walk under the the railroad overpass when I enter the Magic Kingdom for the first time.

It is interesting to listen to the different perspectives. For example, the DIS discussion of The American Idol Exerience offered one viewpoint; Lou''s discussion with the Imagineer was very different and now I am very curious to see the show to see who was more spot on.

 

[crazytp93]

No, I do not think Lou is paid by Disney.

I just think he tends to focus more on the positives.

 

[andrewilley]

Interesting thread.

My views echo most of the others here. Lou is a genuinely nice guy who is absolutely passionate about Disney World and its history. Sure he has a very upbeat and positive attitude, which almost certainly helps him in getting the guests he has on his show, but it's that kind of a show - full of Disney pixie-dust, just how we like the parks to be. And probably how we'd secretly like to be ourselves, if we are honest.

DIS Unplugged is a very different show, more of a topical magazine format and not afraid to voice the concerns and annoyances that we all have about Disney once we're back out here in the 'real' world. The hosts work well together and it is always lively and entertaining.

Both approaches have their places, and I love both shows. I also love WDW Today, by the way - that's my one 'must-listen-to' show as soon as it downloads, even when I'm too busy for anything else. The 20 minute length really helps there, of course, but again the hosts really make it. I've never missed an episode... and will never look at a bottle of Maple Syrup in Canada the same way again.

Andre

 

[Mickey_Man]

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.

I listen to the same four (along with Be Our Guest Podcast) and I would rank them in that order (but BOGP would be ahead of ITM). I think everyone has their own take on how they want to deliver their show and that is what makes them all appealing in their different ways. Lou is a HUGE Disney Fan - that is one of the things I love about his show, because I am a HUGE Disney Fan too!! Pete and the gang are more critical of Disney and often disagree with what they do. They give frank dining and attraction reviews and express what they think is wrong with these things. Well, I am also critical of Disney and some of their choices. I like that I can get hours of entertainment on a weekly basis and be able to pick the different perspectives from which I receive this entertainment. I don't think we are comparing apples to apples here except at the highest level of both being Disney Podcasts. In fact, both these shows benefit from each other in that they are both successful and can feed each other's fan base. There was no hiding which two tables had the most people at them during Mousefest last month.

 

[Mickey_Man]

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

Just want to throw another plug out there for Be Our Guest Podcast (no - I am not affliliated, just a fan!) They have a shorter format - usually 20-40 min per show - and they are on twice a week, once with a trip report and once with a panel forum. Give them a try too if you are looking for new podcasts to fill your iPod.

 

[willis37862]

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

I crack up every time !

Lou strikes me as the kind of guy who see's the glass as half full and has a positive outlook about things. And so he puts out a positive view of the changes WDW makes on his show. I enjoy his show , I find his enthusiasm contagious. That being said I think what I love most about the DIS podcast is that they are frank and honest and don't hold back. I find that listening to both of them provides just the right mix

 

[missminniemouse]

The 5 podcasts that I NEVER miss are:

The Dis
WDW Today
WDW Radio Show
Inside The Magic
Netcot


This is pretty much the list of what I listen to as well, except I don't listen to WDW Today all the time anymore (they definately fill the bill for "negativity" in things they say......much like the Unofficial Guide is negative IMO) and I'd add MouseStation to my list.

Each podcast has its own "personality." While I love the DIS for their unique perspective (including Pete's Rants, and Kevin's dining reviews), I love Lou's in depth interviews and especially his DSI segments. I had to good fortune to meet Lou a year ago. He's a very genuine person and someone who truly enjoys meeting the people who listen to his show. That's high praise for someone whose "day job" is an attorney!

 

[camdensmom]

I hesitated to post because I thought it would be rude to come to the Dis Podcast Board and write anything that could be viewed as critical. This obviously is just my opinion and I don't mean any offense by it.

I have been listening to the Dis for a couple years and only started listening to Lou's show a few months ago. The reason I started listening to Lou's show was because I was searching for something a little bit more positive. This was for two reasons.

First of all, I spend a lot of money on a Disney vacation. Given the current situation (job uncertainties, overall economy, rising cost of living) we are forced to wonder if going on any vacation, much less a pricier one, is a responsible choice. With that in mind I like the "escape" of Disney. I like that my time there takes me away from the real world and allows me to focus on and build memories with my family. I was starting to find that the Disunplugged was taking away some of that for me. I have to admire the honesty and do agree with a lot of what is being said, but sometimes you just want to turn a blind eye and enjoy Disney. There is enough negativity and stress in normal life.

The other reason that I did seek out an alternative was because of my son. He's three and a half. I rarely have much time to sit by myself and listen to a podcast and he is often around while I have them playing in the background. I am comfortable listening to Lou's show because I know it will be appropriate for him to hear. I don't feel I can listed to the Dis with him unless I am within arm's reach of the ipod.

I do love both shows. I just appreciate that there are options and together they form a balance.

As for the original question, I don't think that Lou is employed by Disney. I do think he is a huge fan. I also think the fact that he is a lawyer plays into it. The other thing to consider is that he sells Disney-themed products. It only makes sense to endorse the product you are selling.

 

[kpadalik]

camdensmom-

I totally respect your comments. I hope nobody is offended by it! That's the nice thing about these boards is that you can post your honest opinion and (for the most part) aren't judged by your thoughts!