Let's keep it real ...

[Sarabi's Cubs]

I almost always listen to the podcast rather than watching it, just because it works for me to listen on my commute and I rarely have a big chunk of time to sit and watch it when I'm at home. I do think sometimes that I am missing something with the audio version but still find it very enjoyable, and I will go and watch the short videos when I have time (like the overview videos for the 7 in 7 series). It doesn't have as close of a feel as it used to when it was the old gang and I do miss that sometimes, but it's outweighed by all of the different perspectives that the "new" people bring to the show. I really enjoy that and like that they have different opinions so we're not just getting one "answer" on a particular topic.

Laurie

 

[Cormoran]

I get tired of the rants directed at what's being posted on the boards and the posters who have different opinions. That's one of the primary reasons I'm no longer listening/viewing the podcast.

 

[Tonyz]

I get tired of the rants directed at what's being posted on the boards and the posters who have different opinions. That's one of the primary reasons I'm no longer listening/viewing the podcast.

I never really hear them rant about posters with different opinions. In fact, I think they're pretty respectful of other opinions on the boards.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

All of your replies are very good to read! It hasn't changed my mind, but I am open to others' opinions and will keep them in mind when listening. YES, I am STILL listening to the shows If my schedule ever allows, I'll give the video feed a try. I do want to echo others' sentiments and say that I also love Craig's sense of humor. I do not hear a grumpy cat. I hear a very dry and straight-faced humor in him and enjoy it very much! I think I identify with him more than the other newer members as we seem to have a similar sense of humor. I appreciate a person who can make a joke and NOT laugh at him or herself

 

[dkrauss]

I get tired of the rants directed at what's being posted on the boards and the posters who have different opinions. That's one of the primary reasons I'm no longer listening/viewing the podcast.

Actually, for me, the rants are some of the best stuff on DIS Unplugged! Pete is very opinionated and passionate about DISNEY! When he goes off on something it's usually (can't think of time, for me it wasn't) completely on point.

I love the podcast..........look forward to it each week. Although I do miss Shaun.........I'm of the opinion that the new player (Jenni Lynn) does have an opinion and to me seems to never hold back. Haven't seen enough of Ryno to have a feel one way or another......but he seems to know his stuff. Craig whether he realizes it or not is a star.........he's natural and very unique. His interactions with Pete and Teresa are priceless. Also I like that Pete most times does the first hour and then hands off to Dustin for the second hour.........to me that changes things up in a positive way...........

Doug

 

[smiths02]

Actually, for me, the rants are some of the best stuff on DIS Unplugged! Pete is very opinionated and passionate about DISNEY! When he goes off on something it's usually (can't think of time, for me it wasn't) completely on point.

I love the podcast..........look forward to it each week. Although I do miss Shaun.........I'm of the opinion that the new player (Jenni Lynn) does have an opinion and to me seems to never hold back. Haven't seen enough of Ryno to have a feel one way or another......but he seems to know his stuff. Craig whether he realizes it or not is a star.........he's natural and very unique. His interactions with Pete and Teresa are priceless. Also I like that Pete most times does the first hour and then hands off to Dustin for the second hour.........to me that changes things up in a positive way...........

Doug

Pretty much my feelings on the subject.
I would add that I think some things are getting better. I like the shows with Pete because of his rants and his control of the show. Dustin is getting better at controlling the flow of the shows he hosts, but he is at a significant disadvantage since he is not the boss. I also think Jenni Lynn has improved, and I'm sure it is hard to figure out when to insert yourself in an already established group.
I still really miss Shaun, and I think someone like him was needed to balance Pete and Craig.

I also have to say that there has been a little disorganization on the weekly shows the last couple of weeks. Pete said something about the script one week. The 7 in 7 have been awesome though, and you really need to watch the video on those.

 

[foodrocksluver]

I thought it was just me, but I felt the show lost a lot without Shaun being around. It lost a great part of the team, and also left a sour taste in my mouth of how it was handled (or not handled).

I have been a listener from the very early days, so perhaps my lack of interest is a cyclical thing. Not different than how some podcast team members take a break from the parks...

This pretty much sums it up for me. I still watch the podcast each week and while I do enjoy it, it leaves me sad.

Plain and simple, I miss Shaun. There were times where the topic being discussed didn't really interest me but I watched anyway because I enjoyed listening to Shaun's point of view on things and he simply made things enjoyable. I think that "spark" is missing without him.

I understand things change and evolve and life happens and we may not always like it. But I just don't find myself counting down the hours until the podcast starts like I used to.

 

[OKW Lover]

Wanted to thank Stacy for a very thoughtful post to start this thread.

I've continued to enjoy the podcast over the years and can't deny that not all the changes were good. However I'm glad they try new stuff and make some changed in an effort to keep it fresh. Not all charges are successful and it's important that we let the team know what works, and doesn't work from our perspective.

 

[Princess Jes]

I like Craig, I like his dry humor. The only thing I don't like about him is that he always seems to defend/support Universal over Disney.

I tend to disagree with this.
I think Craig compares the two often, but personally, I like that. Universal has become something that a lot of people are adding to their Disney trips so its important to have insight about both.
Also, does it really matter if he "defends" (likes) Universal more than Disney (which I don't think he necessarily does, but even if he did)its not called the "Disney is the best, chuck out the rest podcast" Pete often rants about things Disney is doing wrong or that he doesn't like/agree with, I don't think its any different?

 

[SorcererHeidi]

I never really hear them rant about posters with different opinions. In fact, I think they're pretty respectful of other opinions on the boards.

I have to totally agree Tony, and I even remember one particular time somebody was told that at the table - posters are allowed (and encouraged) to have their own opinions, and that's part of what the forums are for.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

I tend to disagree with this.
I think Craig compares the two often, but personally, I like that. Universal has become something that a lot of people are adding to their Disney trips so its important to have insight about both.
Also, does it really matter if he "defends" (likes) Universal more than Disney (which I don't think he necessarily does, but even if he did)its not called the "Disney is the best, chuck out the rest podcast" Pete often rants about things Disney is doing wrong or that he doesn't like/agree with, I don't think its any different?

I've never been to Universal, never read a Harry Potter book, or seen a Harry Potter movie, but all the stuff "the team" has exposed me to has made me curious. ANd sad in a way - they are "out Disneying Disney" is the way it makes me feel - Disney has gotten so "formulaic" and "whatever makes the most money is what we'll do" (as exhibited by so much Frozen I'm ready to PUKE!!!!!), or opening Starbucks (instead of having the gumption, creativity, or whatever you want to call it - to come up with their OWN restaurants/coffee shops) in ALL the parks. Love this as a long time stockholder, but not so much it makes me sad to see money, profits, and dividends take the place of creativity, originality, and "Walt's legacy". Anyway - Universal seems to be going where I remember Disney being when I first started going regularly back in the early 90's, and was so enamored by "the attention to detail, and the story", etc. And like I said - "the team" (and yes, Craig and Shaun were part of that) exposed me to that. So - I for one, like the "balanced approach", and I think Craig (and everyone) has extremely insightful, fair, balanced, and thoughtful comments on Universal AND Disney. And like several have said - I'd rather them "speak their minds" and give their opinions honestly (and as humans - yes - they ARE entitled to have differing options/likes/dislikes from mine!) than to be "Disney yes men". But - then - again - I also am a human, and that's just MY opinion.

 

[rteetz]

I have only been watching the show since they went video because thats how i discovered them on youtube. By discovering them on youtube that brought me to the boards and being a daily or sometimes hourly poster on here. I watch every week and I only watch I think the video shows are better than listening in my opinion. Now i don't always watch live but I much prefer to, to interact with all of you in the chat room. The Disunplugged in my opinion is the best podcast out there. I have listened to so many other disney podcasts and to me this is the best one because of the uniqueness, and honesty of the members. Other shows are much more scripted than this, some are less scripted I find the Dis in the middle. While yes Pete follows a script not everything everyone says is on one a lot of it still is what they think and feel. I have seen changes in the shows whether it was Shaun leaving, Kevin and John not being there, jenilynn coming aboard, and Ryno. Each member has something different to offer. I have listened to a lot of the old shows as well especially with bob and the show has definitely evolved since then. I think its even better now that the Dis has three shows. The Disunplugged, The Trip, and The Disunplugged Universal edition. I watch all three and I look forward to them every week it feeds my disney addiction. Its been hard keeping up this week with the 7 in 7 shows, and a live show practically every day.

 

[Tonyz]

I tend to disagree with this.
I think Craig compares the two often, but personally, I like that. Universal has become something that a lot of people are adding to their Disney trips so its important to have insight about both.
Also, does it really matter if he "defends" (likes) Universal more than Disney (which I don't think he necessarily does, but even if he did)its not called the "Disney is the best, chuck out the rest podcast" Pete often rants about things Disney is doing wrong or that he doesn't like/agree with, I don't think its any different?

Good point. It just seems like Craig never has anything good to say about Disney in comparision to Universal. And (just my opinion) he seems to be a harder critic on Disney and tends to be easier on Universal.

I love when Pete and the gang give honest criticism of Disney World. It's why the podcast is so good; the honesty. And I know Craig loves Disney, it just seems that he might like Universal more. Which is fine, I just think he's sometimes a little harsh with the Disney criticism.

 

[BugsDaddy]

I listened both during the Bawb days and current and just like everything else, things change. People move on, there are other dynamics at play as far as personality but I don't see it as a negative, just a growing process.

I really like the new members and still appreciate the vets.

And it seems that there is some insinuation that there is censoring going on in the background or that Pete is too pro-Disney. Well, yes, he is pro-Disney. That is his business as well as his interest. However, I have never heard Pete hold back criticism where it's due. I think that a lot of what is seen posted on the boards these days is slanted towards the negative to an extent where it's ok and should be expected to speak up for a more constructive and positive dialog on the boards. i get frustrated by the negativity on the boards by, what seems to be, the same certain individuals all the time.

 

[superme80]

Kevin and John should not be allowed to go on vacation ever again.

AMEN! I like everyone. I really do. But this week made me miss them so much! I hope they had an awesome trip, but COME BACK!!!!

 

[kbelle8995]

I have always enjoyed the podcast. Everyone is giving their honest opinion. Now sometimes it takes a couple of shows to get used to a new staff members and their beats. But I do warm up to them and their differing opinions.

 

[lttlmc3]

I'm another person who's been listening since Bawb days...My OPINION is this. Yes, the show has changed. No, I don't like it as much as I used to. When John and Kevin aren't there, there just isn't too much spark in it for me. One new person in particular gets on my nerves so much I cringe when this person speaks. Sometimes people can become a bit self-congratulatory, and that puts me off. However, I still listen. Why? It's kinda like being with a group of friends. Some of them may get on your nerves, and some of them you like better than others, but you are part of a group. I find that with and through the show I've made some really wonderful friends in real life. I value the show for bringing that to me. So I return, week after week, to hear from that core group. I would be so sad if the show went away, and I may not like the way some things go, but I still can't give it up completely.

 

[goofeyken]

Show me one other popular disney podcasts were the hosts are even half as critical as the dis crew. At least the crew of the dis have the coconuts to call out issues in the parks or with the company. Its far more honest than any other disney podcast I listen to.

 

[LilyWDW]

I didn't pay much attention to the podcast until it went to video because that format is, to me, much more interesting. I really enjoy the show, though for me there have been hits and misses but that is 100% just personal for what interests me. The overall set up, the videos, and the like are very good and of high quality for a video podcast (compared to some others I have seen). As for it being "scripted"... well, yea. There has to be some sort of "script" so that Pete and the others know what is going on and remember the information they want to get out. It would be a mess if it was just a free for all!

As for the hosts, I do miss Shaun. He was one of my favorites and I loved his sense of humor. That said, things change and I do like the additions of JL and Ryno. I do agree with another poster that I wish Cory and Julie had the ability to be on more often however there is no combination of the team that I don't love. I did find that I enjoyed the show even more after meeting some of the team at the Indy DIS meet last year and getting to spend quite a bit of time talking to some of them.

 

[Jafar30]

I do enjoy the podcasts and I'm glad they don't hold back if they don't like something. Although a small part of me thinks, you guys have one of the best jobs in the world, is it really worth complaining about parking or whatever. But then I realize they're doing this for us.

One thing I do hope comes back to the podcast are dining reviews. The bad ones are especially enjoyable