Love to Hate Disney?

[iamsarahpotts]

I'm relatively new to both reading and participating in discussions on Dis Boards. I've noticed a lot of people post responses to threads across Dis Boards (but especially on the Rumors and News threads) bemoaning the current state of Disney World. The attitude posters take sometimes seem even angry/hateful towards the "establishment." I find this interesting because it seems in order to read or especially post here, you have to be pretty invested in Disney. Probably most people are regular visitors. I understand that if you love Disney and are giving them a lot of your money, you may feel the desire or right to gripe about things once in a while, but it seems odd someone would be SO invested in Disney, they would come to hate it and then CONTINUE to post negative stuff about the company on message boards on the internet. It seems like if you reached the point where you think the company is terrible and your experiences aren't worth the money and so on and so forth, you would just stop giving Disney your money and find a new favorite place to visit and love.

I really enjoy reading the Rumors and News threads because I love Disney and am interested in the changes coming and think its fun to day dream about what could be.

So do people REALLY love to hate Disney? Or are message boards on the internet just a great place to spout off for people looking for an audience?

 

[jcnewton]

I think the Internet, and message boards specifically are a breeding ground for negativity. Maybe I don't notice, but I don't see as much outright hate on here, but I do see frustration and disappointment.

 

[Josh Hendy]

I don't think it's a good use of the News and Rumors board to create a thread discussing, "What's your problem?" Especially when it starts out by making fairly mean, personal comments about people without naming them (calling certain posters "angry/hateful"). It's a waste of space on the board and it's going to lead to a lot more acrimony, not to a more happy and harmonious discussion.

If you don't like someone's attitude or you think they are posting baloney on the News and Rumors board, then reply to the thread and tell them directly. They don't bite. Hardly. You might not convince them that they're wrong, but at least you'll get a better idea of where they're coming from and why they're complaining.

It's kind of a tense time on this board right now ... the Negative Nellies have complained about the rising prices and notable decline of some parks and the slowness to add new attractions. The Pixie Pounders have replied "oh yeah well just wait til the massive new additions to DHS, AK, Epcot and possibly MK are announced/commenced/completed." Mostly people are sitting and waiting to see what happens at D23. Some are going to happily visit WDW in the meantime, some are going to unhappily visit, and some are going to sit on their wallets and see what happens. None of those people are angry/hateful, at worst just very skeptical.

 

[LeeAndRobin]

I don't think it's a good use of the News and Rumors board to create a thread discussing, "What's your problem?" Especially when it starts out by making fairly mean, personal comments about people without naming them (calling certain posters "angry/hateful"). It's a waste of space on the board and it's going to lead to a lot more acrimony, not to a more happy and harmonious discussion.

I have had the exact same impression as the OP regarding some here and...

Since you asked, there are two people on here that consistently take a negative view of Disney, one so far in the extreme (lockedoutlogic) that it is ridiculous. He never has anything good to say about Disney. When, in hundreds of posts, someone has almost nothing good to say about Disney, you have to wonder why they still post here and/or go to the parks.

You sir, are the other "Negative Nellie" that comes to mind, although your posts seem to focus more on pointing out obvious shortcomings than downright dismissal of anything and everything Disney.

There are a couple of others, but they seem to post much less frequently.

Most others who have negative things to say seem to do it in a way that doesn't grate on people (rteetz is a good example of this), while still getting their point across.

Sorry, but you asked. And to be crystal clear, I'm not trying to be "mean" (and I don't think the OP was trying to be, either). I'm just calling it like it is.

 

[iamsarahpotts]

I don't think it's a good use of the News and Rumors board to create a thread discussing, "What's your problem?" Especially when it starts out by making fairly mean, personal comments about people without naming them (calling certain posters "angry/hateful"). It's a waste of space on the board and it's going to lead to a lot more acrimony, not to a more happy and harmonious discussion.

If you don't like someone's attitude or you think they are posting baloney on the News and Rumors board, then reply to the thread and tell them directly. They don't bite. Hardly. You might not convince them that they're wrong, but at least you'll get a better idea of where they're coming from and why they're complaining.

It's kind of a tense time on this board right now ... the Negative Nellies have complained about the rising prices and notable decline of some parks and the slowness to add new attractions. The Pixie Pounders have replied "oh yeah well just wait til the massive new additions to DHS, AK, Epcot and possibly MK are announced/commenced/completed." Mostly people are sitting and waiting to see what happens at D23. Some are going to happily visit WDW in the meantime, some are going to unhappily visit, and some are going to sit on their wallets and see what happens. None of those people are angry/hateful, at worst just very skeptical.

Well maybe I wasn't clear, but I meant that people seem to be angry/hateful toward "the establishment" that is Disney execs/decision makers. I haven't seen very many people be mean or hateful to one another. There is a strong disdain noticeable in comments though that makes me wonder why some people pay attention to the news/rumors if it makes people so angry? "Calling people out" hardly seems the appropriate way to get insight into this way of thinking. Posting a thread and asking people to share if they so desire seems a much more diplomatic way of getting information (and also without going off topic on other threads).

I think it's interesting, as you say, that some people would "unhappily visit" WDW and I sincerely wonder what drives a person to do that when you could just go somewhere else?

 

[PuppyJonathan]

It's worse on WDWMAGIC, in fact that's why I post here to escape tons of the negativity

 

[Madteaparty001]

A lot of people on the Dis are quite passionate about Disney and it's not surprising. It's built up into the ultimate family vacation and it comes with not only a big price tag, but a big time sink (making ADRs, FP+, keeping up with refurbishments). With that much investment people get wound up pretty tight when they feel Disney isn't giving as much as they're taking. This also shows up differently with the broad range of personalities on here, some are just more prone to bellowing. Now does that make it okay for someone to go on every thread that has topics that upset them and shout their negative opinion from the rooftops? As the saying goes it's a free country, but I agree it's in poor taste.

 

[iamsarahpotts]

It's built up into the ultimate family vacation and it comes with not only a big price tag, but a big time sink (making ADRs, FP+, keeping up with refurbishments).

That's an interesting perspective. I think making ADRs and FP+ etc. is a really fun part of the trip. I love planning all the details of my trips. I guess that goes back to what you said about different personalities. It wouldn't have occurred to me that may be a grievance for some people. I could understand though how that may make someone say "I love going to Disney but hate planning a Disney trip."

And for the record, I really wasn't trying to be negative or imply certain people shouldn't post, I'm just interested in a perspective different than mine. I think it's fun to read everyone's posts.

 

[Andrew015]

I'm relatively new to both reading and participating in discussions on Dis Boards. I've noticed a lot of people post responses to threads across Dis Boards (but especially on the Rumors and News threads) bemoaning the current state of Disney World. The attitude posters take sometimes seem even angry/hateful towards the "establishment." I find this interesting because it seems in order to read or especially post here, you have to be pretty invested in Disney. Probably most people are regular visitors. I understand that if you love Disney and are giving them a lot of your money, you may feel the desire or right to gripe about things once in a while, but it seems odd someone would be SO invested in Disney, they would come to hate it and then CONTINUE to post negative stuff about the company on message boards on the internet. It seems like if you reached the point where you think the company is terrible and your experiences aren't worth the money and so on and so forth, you would just stop giving Disney your money and find a new favorite place to visit and love.

I really enjoy reading the Rumors and News threads because I love Disney and am interested in the changes coming and think its fun to day dream about what could be.

So do people REALLY love to hate Disney? Or are message boards on the internet just a great place to spout off for people looking for an audience?

Essentially, you're suggesting that the DISBoards should only include those with positive outlooks & posts towards TWDC. If everyone shared the exact same viewpoint, wouldn't that really take away the entire purpose for having a discussion forum in the first place?

Believe it or not, one thing that we ALL share on this forum - from the "negative nellies" to the "pixie pounders" - is a love for WDW. Some of us love what WDW once was and are dismayed at what it has become. Some weren't thrilled with the past version but love the current one. Some are hopeful for the future and others are a bit pessimistic. This all makes for some very good discussion, and frankly, is the reason why I come to this particular forum. If this was a non-stop cheerleading session, or conversely, a bash-fest, I probably wouldn't even visit this place anymore.

To coin a phrase, it's all a matter of perspective.

 

[LeeAndRobin]

Essentially, you're suggesting that the DISBoards should only include those with positive outlooks & posts towards TWDC. If everyone shared the exact same viewpoint, wouldn't that really take away the entire purpose for having a discussion forum in the first place?

Believe it or not, one thing that we ALL share on this forum - from the "negative nellies" to the "pixie pounders" - is a love for WDW. Some of us love what WDW once was and are dismayed at what it has become. Some weren't thrilled with the past version but love the current one. Some are hopeful for the future and others are a bit pessimistic. This all makes for some very good discussion, and frankly, is the reason why I come to this particular forum. If this was a non-stop cheerleading session, or conversely, a bash-fest, I probably wouldn't even visit this place anymore.

To coin a phrase, it's all a matter of perspective.

I don't mind reading points that I don't agree with, or that are negative toward Disney. What I'm tired of are a few posters who never have ANYTHING positive to say. And that's saying a lot, considering a colleague once called me "the most negative person I have ever met". When you see a given poster's name and you know before you even read the post that it's going to be a negative rant, it's a problem. Balance is indeed what is required. Maybe the "pixie pounders" posts don't stand out so much to me as the "negative nellie" posts, but it seems that a few are bent on telling us how "the bubble is about to burst, Disney is going to go down the tubes, blah, blah, blah" in most every one of their posts, and act as if we are simpletons if we don't agree with them. Meanwhile, Disney's stockholders are laughing all the way to the bank. I just don't get it.

 

[iamsarahpotts]

Essentially, you're suggesting that the DISBoards should only include those with positive outlooks & posts towards TWDC. If everyone shared the exact same viewpoint, wouldn't that really take away the entire purpose for having a discussion forum in the first place?

Believe it or not, one thing that we ALL share on this forum - from the "negative nellies" to the "pixie pounders" - is a love for WDW. Some of us love what WDW once was and are dismayed at what it has become. Some weren't thrilled with the past version but love the current one. Some are hopeful for the future and others are a bit pessimistic. This all makes for some very good discussion, and frankly, is the reason why I come to this particular forum. If this was a non-stop cheerleading session, or conversely, a bash-fest, I probably wouldn't even visit this place anymore.

To coin a phrase, it's all a matter of perspective.

No that's not what I'm saying. I love conversation and debate and hearing different viewpoints. Really the phrase I quoted earlier is the perfect example of why I started this thread:

Some are going to happily visit WDW in the meantime, some are going to unhappily visit, and some are going to sit on their wallets and see what happens.

I really don't understand the "I will unhappily visit WDW" outlook. What motivates someone to have that point of view?

 

[rteetz]

It's worse on WDWMAGIC, in fact that's why I post here to escape tons of the negativity

Yes but they take their news and rumors board seriously. That site breaks news more than anyone else.

 

[rteetz]

Here's my take on this. I don't think people love to hate Disney but it is easy right now to dislike things that are going on. For example, things keep closing at DHS and nothing is added back. We know something will happen but it's been a few years of flux now. Another example would be the move to add frozen to Norway. A lot of people think frozen should not be in world showcase. One more example would be the generic merchandise that we have seen for a while now. It is getting better with shops like Momento Mori and marketplace co-op but a lot of the shops still have the same things in them wherever you go. I can buy the same WDW t shirt in all four parks and my resort gift shop.

 

[wallrock]

Most would probably lump me into the Negative Nellie crowd, but I and others simply call it as we see it.

It’s not wrong to be critical of a place that you’ve grown to love over the years when you notice something isn't right. I’ve been traveling to Disney since it was just the Magic Kingdom, and there was a time not so long ago that Disney stood out and above all other theme parks. Disney would go out on a limb and do things that no one else would do and that made me fall in love with it. Others, notably Universal, have started to catch on and, by some folk’s account, catch up with the Disney of old.

Over the past, say, decade and a half there has been a gradual decline in overall ‘atmosphere’ of the place. I won’t point to any singular event that is causing this because there isn’t one, but there are a lot of small trivial items that when grouped together put a thorn in my side. A small example would be my last stay at the Grand Floridian. Fifteen years ago a piece of garbage would be removed from the floor within a half hour of being deposited – anywhere in the park. I was on the club level for four days and a piece of trash was in the hallway for the entire time. A trivial concern perhaps to many, but that would have never happened in the Disney of yesteryear.

One could argue – and I do from time to time – that they are riding on name brand only at the moment. They take what would be considered an obscene amount of time to complete projects, close down attractions without having replacements (while raising prices), and occasionally announce that ‘great things are coming’ without producing anything. Perhaps great things are coming, but you cry wolf long enough and people will become critical. Disney has shown time and time again that they can fly through construction if they want (think DVC conversion of deluxe resorts), so it’s not logistics that holds them back. There will be some that will counter my argument with examples like the Fantasyland expansion, Disney Springs and the yet-to-be-realized Avatarland, but in my opinion slow construction on a lukewarm expansion, a glorified shopping mall and choosing a movie property outside of their vast - and much better - library of offerings don’t stand out as tremendous achievements. Further, there will be folks who are critical of my description of the former three examples, but everyone here is entitled to their own viewpoint and I welcome that. Welcoming that viewpoint, however, doesn’t mean that I have to agree with it.

 

[BlackMagicWoman]

I think I'm fairly optimistic but I also have to be realistic. I love Disney. Always have but there has been a decline in customer service and I think notably, in the amorphous wonder component of the parks. The potential futures proposed by Epcot amazed and excited me and that's all gone. It makes me sad. I enjoy shopping and drinking as much as the next girl but give me some Horizons to look towards.

 

[Planogirl]

There are certain things that Disney has done that infuriates me and I'm not afraid to say so. I also love certain things and I will mention that too. One thing I won't do is be apologetic for stating my opinion whether good or bad.

By the way, welcome to the DIS!

 

[916chipndale]

This place would be boring if it was just filled with Disney can do no wrong people. I don't hate Disney, I just am not happy with the Disney of now. Sometimes the people that you think "hate" Disney are actually Disney's biggest fans and that's why they are critical.

 

[Andrew015]

I don't mind reading points that I don't agree with, or that are negative toward Disney. What I'm tired of are a few posters who never have ANYTHING positive to say. And that's saying a lot, considering a colleague once called me "the most negative person I have ever met". When you see a given poster's name and you know before you even read the post that it's going to be a negative rant, it's a problem. Balance is indeed what is required. Maybe the "pixie pounders" posts don't stand out so much to me as the "negative nellie" posts, but it seems that a few are bent on telling us how "the bubble is about to burst, Disney is going to go down the tubes, blah, blah, blah" in most every one of their posts, and act as if we are simpletons if we don't agree with them. Meanwhile, Disney's stockholders are laughing all the way to the bank. I just don't get it.

Interestingly enough, the two posters that you specifically called out - LockedOut and Josh - are far from what you described. They have and will give credit where credit is due (albeit, those moments are not as frequent as the "negative" posts). However, if you actually take the time to listen to their arguments rather than dismiss them as "negative banter", you will find that they are almost always based in fact or formed on an opinion that is backed by enough evidence/support to seem plausible. Speaking specifically of LockedOut, he worked the front lines and speaks from experience that the typical "Disney can do no wrongeth" won't have. These guys are both some of the most knowledgeable, valuable assets that we have on the forum. I learn far more from either of these two posters than I ever have/will from the "What should my DD wear to BOG?" crowd.

 

[Andrew015]

This place would be boring if it was just filled with Disney can do no wrong people. I don't hate Disney, I just am not happy with the Disney of now. Sometimes the people that you think "hate" Disney are actually Disney's biggest fans and that's why they are critical.

X 1000

 

[iamsarahpotts]

I went to Disney every year as a kid (sometimes multiple times a year) until I was in high school. After about a ten year lull, my husband and I are now going again every year together. So in the last few years I've started planning and paying for my own trips. I still feel just as excited (if not more) as I did when I was younger. Maybe not having had to PAY for all those trips in my youth and being more oblivious to things like cost, trash, Long-gone-perks and other things kids don't pay attention to makes it harder for me to empathize with the "I'll go but I won't like it" crowd. I don't know exactly what I'm missing? Maybe I'll revisit this question in another decade after having invested a lot more time and money and see things differently.