Pete, Kevin, John, podcast team, RU23?

[DisneyKevin]

One could argue that WE (as fans) treated it as something really big. Disney posted a web page. Some other groups at Disney mentioned it (like the Mickey Monitor for AP holders). The viral marketing was genius.

Just another example of us "hardcore fans" hoping that Disney lives up to the standard it set early on....

The bar is set pretty high but things like Toy Story Mania and Expedition Everest bring out the believer in me.

I mean c'mon....where was my promised email?

 

[alebisi]

With this economy hitting all over the world and all the fuzz they made about I was thinking they would do something really great, I mean how can you make all that propaganda and then expect people to spend $75 for subscription and other $$$ for merchandise?? not to include if you are planning your vacation all the bucks that Disney gets on food tickets and resort staying???
I don't understand they promise and e-mail and even that they hadn't send it? why? at least that could be done better, this is just making me disappointed do we have to pay almost everything at Disney?? specially us really big Disney fans, don't get me wrong I really love Disney but nowadays I'm thinking this is not the WDW Walt was expecting to be... I'm sorry for my mini rant.

 

[cchev]

Kevin,
I guess the real question is and I'm sure it's been discussed before...is what WOULD make you happy? Seeing that it is an exclusive club, how could this club be formatted that would be seen as good by true fans?

 

[doconeill]

And you can get discount codes (I am "AP/DVC people"...but I know the codes are in the wild anyways)

I've edited my original post, but wanted to reiterate - the known discount codes DO NOT WORK. They have amended them to exclude both D23 membership and merchandise.

 

[doconeill]

Just another example of us "hardcore fans" hoping that Disney lives up to the standard it set early on....

The bar is set pretty high but things like Toy Story Mania and Expedition Everest bring out the believer in me.

I mean c'mon....where was my promised email?

Well, you are forgetting...this is Disney IT. When has anything they have done Internet-wise actually worked?

We're still waiting to see what happens when online dining ADRs opens up...

Imagineering sets the bar high. Corporate and IT manage to knock it down every time.

 

[mandymommy4]

I dont see it as complaining. I see it as having an opinion that's different from yours.

I've never joined anything in the hopes it will someday be "better". I'll wait till it's better.

As for the pen......c'mon....you have to admit that offering an $850 dollar pen at a time when the parks, resorts, restaurants, merchandise locations and online retail establishments are REALLY suffering is pretty funny. And the fact that it includes instructions is even funnier

I think my biggest gripe is the hype about this being about the hardcore fams.
If Disney is concerned about the loyal, hardcore fans...who they KNOW spend oodles of money anyway....make the magazine content free on line and at a cost if you want a print copy. I can even see making people register for the site.

Marty Sklar and Dave Smith are going to write about the history of Disney. They should....hardcore fands will love that information but they shouldnt have to be overcharged for it.

As for the exclusivity aspect....if they are selling this in Disney World, Disneyland and Barnes and Noble....you can read the magize for free. At least the B&N near me encourages you to sit and look at the magazines. They have chairs and sofas for goodness sake.

Nothing about this speaks to the hardcore Disney fan in me. As a matter of fact....it turns the fan in me off...alot. This is not about satisfying a need or even a want. It;s about satisfying a bottom line.

There are a lot of things they could do to THANK the hardcore fan base. This is not even close.

My apologies if you see this as complaining. As I said at the beginning.....I see it as my opinion and I'll stand behind it.

I agree...... i think Kevin opinion is shared by many!

 

[black562]

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[Matt@WDWR]

It wasn't destined to fail this bad! Just off the top of my head they could have

Offered a larger selection of modest priced items exclusively, how about movies/blu rays available to D23 folks a week early? What else?

FREE entrance to the expo.

Discount on merchandise at WDW?

I can think of countless things they could offer besides the privilege of buying items over 200 bucks.

 

[black562]

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[cchev]

I agree that getting movies a little early and WDW discounts would be good...but on the other hand you talk like EVERYTHING is $200 plus dollars. You can get items for under $20 on the site too.

 

[black562]

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[cathie1327]

I think what was the most insulting is the way Disney seems to state the whole thing.....

"if you pay us 75 dollars we'll give you the PRIVELEGE of buying a bunch of other stuff!!!!"

The discount on the expo is 7 dollars, hardly worth mentioning. The magazine can be bought without joining.

So what exactly is the exclusivity? Again, it's the "privilege" of being able to buy their stuff.

To some collectors, an 800 dollar pen may be worth it. But I'll be darned if I'm going to pay 75 dollars to get the "privelege" to spend that kind of money. If I'm paying that kind of money for a pen or thousands for some of the artwork or dishes that I saw on the site, Disney should just be happy that I am willing to give them that much of my money when I ALREADY spend tons to go to the parks every year.

Disney should have the stance that is THEIR PRIVELEGE to take my money, not the other way around.

I was really and truly insulted.

Oh, and I didn't get any email either....

 

[cchev]

Also...I'm assuming that the magazines are going to be very high quality and beautiful and they cost about $16 each. So assuming that you would want to buy them anyways, the club really only costs you $15 extra dollars.

If the magazines are NOT high quality and worth displaying etc than never mind, but I think they're going to do a good job on them

 

[Matt@WDWR]

So fine, again, don't join, but these people who suddenly are saying they're never going to Disney again are a bit ridiculous.

Remember, all Disney did was put up a few posters...WE took the ball and ran with it and inflated it to our own expectations. I don't think its done yet and I feel as if things will be added on later, things changed, tweaked, etc...

P.S. Only a handfull of items are over $200 bucks, and there are tons of other items all over the shopping site in that price range as well. I just saw that as offering something for everyone as far as the merchandise goes.

You can spin this whatever way you want. Disney leaked all this stuff to build excitement. The campaign was viral. You don't start a new program with a high price point and mediocre offerings and then say "Oh it will get better". They didn't open Toy Story Mania with half the cars broken and saying it'll get better.

Regarding the handful of items. Well there are only a handful of reasonably priced things. 19.99 for two pins that are quite small is inexpensive compared to other items but they are still way overpriced.


As Pete and others have said, this is just a marketing ploy not anything worth $75 a year in charges.

 

[Sha]

I also think its the job of a podcast to provide the info and let everyone decide on their own, NOT to rant like a child about how let down they feel.

You are right Joe.. that is what Blogs are for. I didn't see anything of opinion from Lou Mongello or others. They gave facts and info that people can use to decide for oneself.

Speaking of blogs, I have already read several who are doing the same, of providing facts and useful info.

 

[Matt@WDWR]

Right, the expensive stuff isn't even D23 items, its executive items that just happen to fall under the 23 umbrella. I was just looking at several items on the shopping site priced over a thousand dollars, no D23 needed and has always been there.


I think people need to get over themselves.

I also think its the job of a podcast to provide the info and let everyone decide on their own, NOT to rant like a child about how let down they feel.

Now where are these under $20 items? You mean the 19.99 pins. Are your checks coming directly from Iger himself? LOL

And speaking of people needing to get overthemselves. Saying the Podcast people are ranting like children? It's their podcast, it's their site. If you don't think they would rant over something this crappy, you haven't listened to the show. They aren't popular because they put on rose tinted glasses and think Disney doesn't everything perfectly. Usually their opinions mirrors the real fans. That comment right there might be the most insulting thing on this thread so far.

 

[cathie1327]

Right, the expensive stuff isn't even D23 items, its executive items that just happen to fall under the 23 umbrella. I was just looking at several items on the shopping site priced over a thousand dollars, no D23 needed and has always been there.

I think people need to get over themselves.

I also think its the job of a podcast to provide the info and let everyone decide on their own, NOT to rant like a child about how let down they feel.

I think that accusing someone of being childish is going a bit far....this particular thread WAS asking for the opinion of the podcast team, and I know that a least for me (and I know some of the other Dis fans) this is one of the reasons we LIKE the podcast. We find it honest and entertaining. Otherwise we wouldn't listen.

Not trying to be rude, but just saying that if the rants bother you, you probably shouldn't listen to them.

 

[cchev]

I'll be honest...Disney is having economic problems just like everyone else. So if this gets them some extra money that keeps them from cutting back more at the parks etc that's fine with me. You can't expect them to put MORE out and not charge anything in this economy. If you don't want to pay for it, then don't and benefit from the fact that Disney is taking in more money and throwing it back into the company. And if you do, those glossy magazines sure do look nice.

I so no problem with Disney 'just trying to make more money'...they are a company with shareholders and fans who don't want the uniqueness of their parks to go away. This is just one more way to make money and that is fine.

 

[black562]

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[doconeill]

OK, I'll admit it now...I paid for it. I'm basically placing a bet. The bet is that Disney will do things for the D23 members that they have not announced yet that will make the price more palatable. If I lose, I've lost $75. Not great, but I'm at least getting something. It's better return that I'd probably get at a casino.

The expo won't matter to me. The family won't let me go to Disneyland for the first time alone, and it is after school starts for the kids.

If after a year I see no real return on my bet, I won't plop down another $75. (I know you're watching Disney...)

I can be the podcast guinea pig...