Just a few thoughts from a long time listener...

[andyman8]

I would love to see more of Pete's hotel reviews, like the ones he used to do a while go. I know they do the 7 in 7s now, but I wouldn't mind spreading the wealth a bit and seeing shorter reviews more regularly rather than having a whole chunk of reviews come out at once. Just personal preference I guess, but I really do miss Pete's reviews sometimes. Likewise, I know Kevin and John are very busy these days, but I loved their dining reviews. They helped me a lot and were certainly very entertaining at times. They still do some, but I would love to hear their thoughts on all these new Disney Springs restaurants. Plus, I loved when they used to do offsite reviews as well. Whether it be offsite resorts or restaurants, I stayed and ate at some great hidden places because of the DIS team. I know The Trip used to kind of serve that purpose it seemed, but with that show ending, I would love to see more offsite coverage. One of the reasons I loved those longer episodes so much was because I really felt (and still feel) like the team is very balanced and fair, even having been immersed in Disney for song long, so I'd have to disagree with you on that point. I know Disney is very special to us, and we have different ways of showing that, but often times, I have agreed with the critiques they make and found them to be very valid.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I know The Trip used to kind of serve that purpose it seemed, but with that show ending, I would love to see more offsite coverage

I, too, miss the offsite topics and some of the more general trip planning advice/thoughts that The Trip used to cover. The Dreams Unlimited Show really doesn't cover that information, and neither does the Orlando or Universal podcasts. The DL podcast does cover offsite stuff quite a lot in its segments, and there's a lot of trip planning advice (both specific and generic) in a lot of their segments as well. It's, understandably, California focused. The Trip had been serving that purpose for Orlando, and it's definitely missed.

 

[samsteele]

The negative stuff always seems to hold more weight than the positive.

To relate it to theme parks for example, SeaWorld does amazing work rescuing animals. That news rarely ever gets past the local Orlando or Florida stations. However look at blackfish is when SeaWorld does something wrong it's national news.

This is what I got from your from earlier post & I agree 100%. Its sad, but reality. Maybe human nature.
And I agree completely w the SeaWorld example. The corp does incredible work in Florida and other states. But little exposure. Partly that's SeaWorld's own inability to find a way to spotlight their own good work. But they are also fighting a global wave of no aquatic parks anywhere for anything. Again, sad, unfair & deeply regrettable.

 

[andyman8]

This is what I got from your from earlier post & I agree 100%. Its sad, but reality. Maybe human nature.
And I agree completely w the SeaWorld example. The corp does incredible work in Florida and other states. But little exposure. Partly that's SeaWorld's own inability to find a way to spotlight their own good work. But they are also fighting a global wave of no aquatic parks anywhere for anything. Again, sad, unfair & deeply regrettable.

I worked in local news for a while, so I'd go as far to say the "focus on the negative" is human nature. Whenever I hear people complain about how the news is "too negative," I always get a bit annoyed, because people simply just don't watch the stories about the boy who donated blood to charity or the mom that fought cancer and is now raising money for others. For every one of those stories put on, I have found you need at least two or three less positive pieces to keep people's attention and maintain a strong rating for the newscast. I don't like it that way, but as much as people complain, actions speak louder than words. The advice I offered those who didn't like the negativity was simple: don't watch and perhaps one day things can change. It's a sad reality but so it goes.

 

[Princess Jes]

I, too, miss the offsite topics and some of the more general trip planning advice/thoughts that The Trip used to cover. The Dreams Unlimited Show really doesn't cover that information, and neither does the Orlando or Universal podcasts. The DL podcast does cover offsite stuff quite a lot in its segments, and there's a lot of trip planning advice (both specific and generic) in a lot of their segments as well. It's, understandably, California focused. The Trip had been serving that purpose for Orlando, and it's definitely missed.

The reality is that dreams unlimited is what pays for the shows, and the WDW, universal and dreams podcasts all showcase the products they sell, the trip didn't.
Don't get me wrong, I love and miss the trip, but it didn't sell dreams products, so I can see why it didn't last.
As someone recently pointed out, that same logic may not bode well for DISpop.

 

[samsteele]

that same logic may not bode well for DISpop.

The saving grace for DISpop may be the traffic reflecting a younger demographic. Mentioned on the shows/Board that it is very popular and drawing in new viewers. I'm all for anything new. Esp kudos for Ryno & his hard work & enthusiastic creativity. I don't watch the show much. I tune in once in a while but I miss the Craigory/Ryno fireworks that is available by the bushel on the Universal Show.

 

[disneysteve]

The saving grace for DISpop may be the traffic reflecting a younger demographic. Mentioned on the shows/Board that it is very popular and drawing in new viewers.

Time will tell if new viewers = new customers.

 

[disneysteve]

I would love to see more of Pete's hotel reviews

I think the limiting factor here is that there are only so many hotels on property. Once you've done a review, unless something significant changes, like a major rehab, there's no reason to repeat a review. And they're not likely to review offsite hotels that Dreams doesn't handle bookings for. The situation in Disneyland is a lot different since there are only 3 onsite hotels. Most people stay offsite and even onsite guests often leave property to eat since many restaurants are within walking distance of the parks and onsite hotels.

I would like to see more reviews of the new Disney Springs restaurants, though. I'm sure those will be coming as the team has a chance to get to them. I think they did the Boathouse when that opened but several others have come along since then.

 

[Angel Ariel]

The reality is that dreams unlimited is what pays for the shows, and the WDW, universal and dreams podcasts all showcase the products they sell, the trip didn't.
Don't get me wrong, I love and miss the trip, but it didn't sell dreams products, so I can see why it didn't last.
As someone recently pointed out, that same logic may not bode well for DISpop.

I'm well aware of what pays for the shows. As I said, the Disneyland podcast manages to put out segments that cover similar things, and it doesn't appear to hurt them at all. I don't know the numbers, but from listening to the podcast and reading the DL forum, the Day 6 podcasts (and their segments liek the Help! segments) seem to be pretty popular. I understand not having a whole other podcast about it, but these are also things that the Orlando segment show (back when it was 2 separate shows) also used to cover. As I said in another thread, it's not like these things need to be done weekly, but having a segment piece (much like the Flying Fish piece they did this week) every month or every other month or so would be appreciated. I don't think I"m alone in that.

 

[Atilley]

I was just thinking the other day that I missed the second segment of the show. Particularly the bracket shows. I loved the back and forth discussions on whatever the bracket topic was that day. I completely understand that we now have the daily fix and added videos to YouTube unfortunately I also am a comuter listener. I was super excited to get an extended podcast this week with the flying fish review. If I can get an extended podcast once a month I'd be happy.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Great discussion, everyone! Thank you for keeping it productive.

Just a suggestion for those having trouble finding content, consider subscribing and enabling alerts on The DIS and DIS Unplugged YouTube channels. It'll alert you via email and phone notifications when something is uploaded. I'll also continue to post links here.

Also, for those that prefer to listen, there's nothing to say you can't press play on a video and plop the phone in a cup holder or on your passenger seat. Instant audio!

 

[k5jm]

I think that the critical position on WDW on the show is a direct reflection upon what is happening (or not happening) with the Walt Disney Company.

• There is a lot of uncertainty in Burbank.
  
• No successor to Bob Iger,
• Tone deafness to customers,
• The lack of real updates to EPCOT (and now all of Innoventions is pretty much going to be shut down) which now makes two parks that are going to be in re-imagineering land for the foreseeable future.
• DHS is really a park with no name and lots of construction walls
• lots of entertainment cutbacks

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

I also have a hard time finding the shows on youtube. It is easier on my computer, but from my smart tv it is hard.. I am watching more and love DisPop, but have had trouble finding the shows to watch them in order.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

• The lack of real updates to EPCOT (and now all of Innoventions is pretty much going to be shut down) which now makes two parks that are going to be in re-imagineering land for the foreseeable future.
• DHS is really a park with no name and lots of construction walls
• lots of entertainment cutbacks

It totally reminds me of the DCA overhaul.

 

[disneysteve]

for those that prefer to listen, there's nothing to say you can't press play on a video and plop the phone in a cup holder or on your passenger seat. Instant audio!

While that's true, there are two main problems with that approach.
1. Streaming video uses data which is limited on virtually everyone's cell phone plan.
2. Streaming video runs down the battery much faster.

Streaming video also requires a good cell signal which can be an issue when traveling in many more rural areas.

Another issue is that many of the videos are only a few minutes long - the Daily Fix for example. If they were available as podcasts, they would automatically play one after another. With YouTube, you need to load each one individually, which you can't (or at least shouldn't) do while you're driving. So I can listen to one episode for 5 minutes and then I'd be done. I'd love to be able to play the Daily Fix feed in the car and hear a few episodes on my drive to work. The show isn't video-dependent and the information isn't time-sensitive. It's a perfect fit for an audio feed. Certainly some of the videos, like a stroll through the park, need to be watched, but most can be enjoyed just fine listening to the audio only.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

While that's true, there are two main problems with that approach.
1. Streaming video uses data which is limited on virtually everyone's cell phone plan.
2. Streaming video runs down the battery much faster.

Streaming video also requires a good cell signal which can be an issue when traveling in many more rural areas.

Another issue is that many of the videos are only a few minutes long - the Daily Fix for example. If they were available as podcasts, they would automatically play one after another. With YouTube, you need to load each one individually, which you can't (or at least shouldn't) do while you're driving. So I can listen to one episode for 5 minutes and then I'd be done. I'd love to be able to play the Daily Fix feed in the car and hear a few episodes on my drive to work. The show isn't video-dependent and the information isn't time-sensitive. It's a perfect fit for an audio feed. Certainly some of the videos, like a stroll through the park, need to be watched, but most can be enjoyed just fine listening to the audio only.

I tried.

I also think that's why it's great that there's so many different offerings. One doesn't have to listen/watch everything if it doesn't work for them.

 

[k5jm]

While that's true, there are two main problems with that approach.
1. Streaming video uses data which is limited on virtually everyone's cell phone plan.
2. Streaming video runs down the battery much faster.

Streaming video also requires a good cell signal which can be an issue when traveling in many more rural areas.

1. My phones and devices do not have cellular caps and limits.

2. Thank goodness for car chargers and portable chargers!!

 

[disneysteve]

I'm actually curious about something. I'm not a tech guy. Is putting audio up on iTunes difficult or is there any cost involved? I just wonder if there is a technical reason not to make more of the audio available.

 

[disneysteve]

1. My phones and devices do not have cellular caps and limits.

I used to have unlimited data but last time we changed our plan I lost it. I don't believe it is even an option anymore at any cost.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Great discussion, everyone! Thank you for keeping it productive.

Just a suggestion for those having trouble finding content, consider subscribing and enabling alerts on The DIS and DIS Unplugged YouTube channels. It'll alert you via email and phone notifications when something is uploaded. I'll also continue to post links here.

Also, for those that prefer to listen, there's nothing to say you can't press play on a video and plop the phone in a cup holder or on your passenger seat. Instant audio!

FTR, I am subscribed and I do get alerts...but we tend to run behind on viewing (compared to when first posted), just because of our daily lives. So when we go to look for things we go to the Youtube channels. There's just a lot of content in a lot of different places. It's hard to keep track of what is where.