New Lutz with a side of Element

[YoHo]

New Lutz
http://www.miceage.com/allutz/al100907a.htm

Once you Dig past all the rumors of how DL is going to spend money it's not really getting, you get to this Gem of a commentary wherein Lutz reaffirms everything "we've" been telling you. (he's still too high on current managment, but I won't begrudge him his pixiedust.

DoMs: Bad for the Brand

They pop up for all businesses, big or small, industrial or entertainment. They claim to love the product so much that they feel they have to blindly support it no matter how reasoned or legitimate any criticism of it may be. Like busy bees, they flit from forum to forum online making life unpleasant for those that even begin to offer an opinion different from their unquestioning "must be positive" view, and Lord help those who feel it can be done better.

These are the Defenders of Mediocrity, or DoMs for short. And they are the single most damaging thing that can happen to the Disney brand.

You've seen their postings: Light Magic? They loved it, it was the best show they never saw because they only heard the MP3 or saw it on YouTube. Rocket Rods? What a great ride, not everything needs to be themed, the red light bulbs were wonderful! Deteriorating Attractions? Walt Disney was wrong about keeping up the exterior, the peeling paint and broken ride elements fit right into the Haunted Mansion theme. DCA? Isn't it swell it's so uncrowded and it has one good ride? Epcot's 25th? Wow, the fans got a slapped together ceremony, and they should be thankful for it and the two boxes of merchandise they offered! etc... etc... etc...

The hat at the Orlando studios park seems apt for this groupl


It's well known the Disney company keeps an close eye online, and more than a few times the immediate and unsparingly honest feedback for their latest offerings has resulted in refinements, reworkings and even the rare shutdown of a show or ride. But the gushing DoM fan postings supporting a product that is of a lower quality than what Disney should offer get monitored too - and more than a few times they have been used to try to convince the higher-ups that customers don't care or notice.

The people who care about quality at Disney are very encouraged by the sea change in management at the company, from Iger on down. Unlike the latter of the two decades under Eisner, or the 10 years with Pressler there is a lot being done right nowadays. But there are still those DoM postings that get printed out by those more concerned about budgets or cutbacks that worry some of the folks spearheading the renaissance going on right now. Walt Disney World in particular suffers from the incredible amount of damage these DoMs can inflict - those little salvos praising the poorest quality shows or attractions can hold back those who want to improve the offerings out there.

How can those who care be helped? All they ask is that if you see a DoM posting making excuses for a botched product or service, that you take a few moments to respond to it. Take a minute to post how important the higher standards Disney is usually known for justify their premium pricing, and that the best quality product is important to you. It doesn't need in any way to be a putdown, it just needs to be honest about what can be done better.

It can give those who care a weapon (in the form of a counterpoint) in their quest to up the quality of what the Mouse offers. And even DoMs will ultimately benefit by getting a better product that they can gush even more about.

Yes, even the big guns of online Disney fandom are fed up. Instead of responding to you people (and you know who you are darlings) I'll just post this:

 

[Cheshire Figment]

And I always thought that for the last few years (at least) I have been a different type of DOM (Dirty Old Man).

 

[DancingBear]

How can those who care be helped? All they ask is that if you see a DoM posting making excuses for a botched product or service, that you take a few moments to respond to it. Take a minute to post how important the higher standards Disney is usually known for justify their premium pricing, and that the best quality product is important to you.

Marching orders received, Al.

 

[EUROPACL]

I'm shocked I tell you shocked that this hasn't turned into an 18 page thread about how wrong Al is and how great the Chicken Fingers, Pop Motel 6 and AK staying open all the way to 6pm is.

 

[minnie61650]

I posted this reply on another thread.

Maybe that suit can "hold up fifty Internet postings from fans and claim "the public likes it".

But I would also think that for every 50 who post they like it there are hundreds of postings from fans who did not like it.

Over time I think even the "suits" have to take notice and try to make improvements.

Even though some of us may see some things differently I think most of us want to raise the bar.

Just my 2 cents

 

[minnie61650]

I'm shocked I tell you shocked that this hasn't turned into an 18 page thread about how wrong Al is and how great the Chicken Fingers, Pop Motel 6 and AK staying open all the way to 6pm is.

Just an FYI

AK often closes at 5pm which I feel is way too early.

JMHO

 

[YoHo]

You're giving the sharp pencil guys too much credit....Actually calling them sharp pencil guys is probably giving them too much credit.

They will use whatever internet posts they find that agree with the conclusion they've already drawn and then point back to those posts as confirmation. Same as they do with guest surveys.

 

[minnie61650]

You're giving the sharp pencil guys too much credit....Actually calling them sharp pencil guys is probably giving them too much credit.

They will use whatever internet posts they find that agree with the conclusion they've already drawn and then point back to those posts as confirmation. Same as they do with guest surveys.

Maybe once in a while or maybe for a short time but eventually the majority is heard.

If the "sharp pencil guys" really value their jobs they better start looking at the real results and not twist them to "suit" their desires.


I highly doubt most businesses would survive long if they really only looked at the results and opinions that agreed with their own opinions.

JMHO

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There is a difference between the "sharp pencil guys" and the management type. The CPAs work with real numbers and have the sharp pencils. The MBAs are the ones who try to quantify an experience and, unfortunately, feel they can "manage" anything even if they don't understand the subject.

If they could get rid of all the MBAs except the ones who actually work in Finance, the world (especially Disney World) would be a much better place.

Support your local bean counter/sharp pencil guy/CPA

 

[EUROPACL]

I posted this reply on another thread.

Maybe that suit can "hold up fifty Internet postings from fans and claim "the public likes it".

But I would also think that for every 50 who post they like it there are hundreds of postings from fans who did not like it.

Over time I think even the "suits" have to take notice and try to make improvements.

Even though some of us may see some things differently I think most of us want to raise the bar.

Just my 2 cents

I think your 'stats" are more than a little off.

Maybe once in a while or maybe for a short time but eventually the majority is heard.

If the "sharp pencil guys" really value their jobs they better start looking at the real results and not twist them to "suit" their desires.


I highly doubt most businesses would survive long if they really only looked at the results and opinions that agreed with their own opinions.

JMHO

It's almost as if you've blocked out Eisner, Iger and the current Disney.

 

[minnie61650]

I think your 'stats" are more than a little off..

During my years on the DIS I have read about 10 times as many complaints than compliments. It seems to me that more people will post a complaint on the Internet or are more apt to write a letter of a complaint than they are to post a compliment or to write a letter complementing something.

Your stats may differ.

It's almost as if you've blocked out Eisner, Iger and the current Disney.

I feel that Eisner cared very little about the future of the parks.
I still am hoping Iger and the current Disney can get back on track.
I think that Iger cares. Iger did get back the rights to Oswald The Lucky Rabbit and he did renegotiate and sign a deal with Pixar.


The attractions and resorts are getting much needed rehabs.
The additional scenes and updates to the HM are superb.
The parks and resorts were noticeably cleaner during my stay last September (2007).

I do know there is still a lot more to accomplish and with every two steps forward sometimes it seems a step is taken backward. But it seems to me that WDW is once again headed in the right direction. (I am just hoping it is not too little ,too late.)

JMHO

 

[EUROPACL]

During my years on the DIS I have read about 10 times as many complaints than compliments. It seems to me that more people will post a complaint on the Internet or are more apt to write a letter of a complaint than they are to post a compliment or to write a letter complementing something.

Your stats may differ.

So your experince here would be that the DIS is made up of 10 as many people that compain about Disney as complement it.....ok if you say so.

I feel that Eisner cared very little about the future of the parks.
I still am hoping Iger and the current Disney can get back on track.
I think that Iger cares. Iger did get back the rights to Oswald The Lucky Rabbit and he did renegotiate and sign a deal with Pixar.


The attractions and resorts are getting much needed rehabs.
The additional scenes and updates to the HM are superb.
The parks and resorts were noticeably cleaner during my stay last September (2007).

You really should read what Iger has to say about the parks and how Disney won't be spending money on them. You think that Caveman, Underdog and backstabbing Pixar movies is really putting Disney back on track...talk about the DOM, a couple of rehabs that more than likley were paid for out of a budget already too low for what needs to be done and your ready to drop another couple of thousand. I don't really consider a short term money grab for DVC dollars and rooms that will more than likley be dumped on another company in the next 10 years as a resort rehab either.

 

[minnie61650]

.....



You really should read what Iger has to say about the parks and how Disney won't be spending money on them. .....talk about the DOM, .

Just an FYI:

I am concerned about the future growth of the Disney Parks.

I did read the article about the future of the parks and I did not give a DOM responce.

See post #2 of Future Disney growth will look a lot different thread posted on the DIS rumor board:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1601499