You make quite a few good points that I won't argue. Did I say that they weren't allowed to post their photos? Not really. I asked that they wait and you know what, out of respect, I think they decided to. Do I demand respect? Not really. I like all of the people I have been in touch with daily on the WL FAQ. I believe I have earned most peoples respect. Of course, anyone here can chime in and correct me if I am wrong. I have been wrong many times in the past and I am sure it will happen again. Of course, some may say I am tooting my own horn so to speak.
Yes, Disney didn't know about my box. Some cast members did and agreed that it was a cool idea. I only planned to make it a fun idea for us Lodgers. Then people started messaging me asking if it was just for us or if they could participate too. Who was I to say they couldn't?? Of course I let them and you know what???? I feel very pleased with the many stories I have read about people and families have posted and PMd to me about the hunt for the box. I feel that it enhanced the magic of the trip to the most magical place on earth. In no way did I intend to get anyone upset with the idea nor did I think that people would take offense to it. To those that did, in the interest of moving forward, I sincerely appologize.
I also didn't expect Disney to give anyone whether it was me or a group of, what did you call us..."zealots " permission to do anything what so ever on their property. I never asked nor did I plan to. Just wanted to make sure that was clear. Yeah we may love the lodge but to Disney, it's just business. The harsh reality.
Did I remember that it's just a business when I sat on the dock at the Poly watching Wishes with my 3 year old daughter for the first time? Nope. It's magical. That's the dream. That's why me and my family continue to go back time after time. To escape, even just for a little while, the harsh reality of life. We wear mickey ears and lanyards with pins that you probably wouldn't wear anywhere else in the world. We go to parades and cry as we watch our kids dance with Peter Pan and the gang. We video tape it all to watch it again and again so we can remember the magic. So, again, all I wanted to do was enhance the magic. My intentions were good. At least I think so.
As for why this thread isn't just a FAQ, well, we have always admitted that there is much more to this thread than just information. There is a family and friend like atomosphere that I must say I have yet to find elsewhere on the Internet. I am a Network Engineer and work on the Internet day in day out so I wouldn't give that kind of a title or grade so easily.
So, may I suggest to Kimmar since she has started this thread from the beginning, that this thread should no longer be called just a FAQ. Some people take the thread names to heart and expect everyone to stay absolutely on topic. Maybe if we called it the WL FAQ and Family or Home or something like that we would be able to stray off topic without the hard liners cracking down on us. Funny thing is I can't remember a time where someone really needed help and our friendly banter got in the way of answering the call.
We are more than a FAQ. We are friends. We are here for each other and nobody can change that. If the moderators were to close us down for not staying on topic, I would be impressed. Matter of fact, I am quite embarrassed that it was my memories box that brought this type of debate and discussion to the wilderness lodge thread in the first place. We made it this far without it. I hope that the next thread continues on with the tradition.
I believe that I have said all I have to say regarding this topic. Thanks for hearing me out.
Fred
Originally posted by gymnasticsmom68
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say no, Disney does not allow boxes or bowls or whatever to be planted on their property. Yes, their property. Just because you decide to plant a box or a bowl, or a whatever, does not give you the right to assume it will stay. And if you do plant a box or a bowl, or whatever, you can surely expect Disney to throw it away once they find it.
As for 'special permission', another 'highly doubtfful, wishful thinking' moment. Just because a group of people from a Disney fan site think they have special consideration because of their undying love for the WL does not mean they'll get any kind of special attention from Disney.
As you can see from my signature, I'm quite fond of the GF, it would never in a million years occur to me to go plant a box or a bowl or a whatever on THEIR property and expect it to last more than a day. Maybe if I get together with a few zealots and decide that I am somehow special, they'll let me? NOT!
One more thing before I go, if you have pictures of yourself with your special box or bowl or whatever, I wouldn't let somebody tell me they HAD to be posted on his website for me to use them. That was truly hilarious.
ETA..I thought this was the FAQ, not a home for 'WL VETS'?