Pete's back, and he's mad as heck...

[ADP]

I think Pete mentioned several times during his rant that he loves Disney, it's what brought him to Orlando. He still loves it today.

It's Pete's love for Disney that brings these rants about. He wants Disney to bring a more superior product. He doesn't want to see it deteriorate (neither do I). He and the crew know Disney reads posts on these boards, and probably listen to the Unplugged podcast; in fact there is proof of that.

I've always seen the DIS franchise (wdwinfo.com, disboards.com, Dream Unlimited Travel, and now The DIS Unplugged) as a way to keep Disney honest and on their toes. This site; for example, allows many of Disney's most loyal fans to come together. If something isn't right with your Disney stay you have a forum to express it to many loyal fans. You better believe Disney doesn't want to lose us; it's most loyal fans. These forums will help make it right.

I firmly believe Pete's rants convey this message. He's not really ranting in his best interest he's doing it for us; the good of the DIS community. After all, we all have a vested interest in Disney upping their standards; especially if we are DVC members.

So please consider Pete's rants a message of passion towards Disney. I firmly believe those are his intentions.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I am not one that hopes for a Pete rant every week, I enjoy Pete for Pete whether he rants or not, however I do appreciate his rants very much, because I feel they are very sincere. I never feel like he is ranting just for the sake of ranting or just because listeners ask for it. When Pete rants I can tell it's because it's about something he feels passionately about. I felt that particulary on the last show and IMHO the topic deserved a lengthy rant.

 

[doconeill]

I think Pete mentioned several times during his rant that he loves Disney, it's what brought him to Orlando. He still loves it today.

Yet another thing I meant to say and didn't, since several people have mentioned this: I know Pete loves Disney. I LISTENED to the rant - ALL of it. What I was concerned about is the perception that others may get...regardless of how many times Pete says he loves Disney, but then goes on the tirade about the Corporate side of things...you've got to realize that probably joe random disfan doesn't understand the distinction. He could easily have gotten the impression from yesterday that even though Disney did give a discount out, nothing Disney could do could possibly satisfy Pete. *I* know the reality, and where he was coming from...but it just seemed that it was overly long, rehashed from previous and recent rants, etc.

I seem to have done such a poor job of what I was trying to convey...maybe because I was supposed to be working today. I feel like Pooh following a bee to a massive beehive and going, "Honey!" now...

 

[Jennygt]

I think that Pete was right on and is trying to protect the "world" from bad managment. Some of the points he made I had never thought of and he is right on point. I love wdw so much and I am glad the Pete points out what some in the company are doing that is not good for the future of wdw. Rock on Pete!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[drakethib]

"Give me Pete's rants or give me death"

Some famous person whose name I forgot

 

[DVCsince02]

I think in the end, what Doc is saying is that what was quoted to be a mini rant, was not mini.

 

[simonkodousek]

I think Pete has every right to rant about the way Disney chooses to treat its most loyal group of customers, considering that the entire podcast crew and most members on this forum make up a part of that group.

I for one, completely side with Pete on all of his rants. Disney service has been slowly declining in recent years and they have basically neglected the people who come back to the Disney parks time and time again. Like Pete said, the cost of going on a Disney vacation is ridiculously expensive and is only increasing every year. These prices prohibit a lot of families from taking a Disney vacation because they a) simply cannot afford it, or b) could go to another vacation destination (even another theme park!) for much less, and get more bang for their buck.

With the economy being the way that it is (and will probably stay until 2010'ish) Disney should not be enforcing more petty and money making policies, and instead should conform to the majority of companies in the travel industry who are feverishly slashing prices and offering discounts in hopes of getting more customers and filling their rooms, seats, or whatever. You can take a family of four to a 4/5 star, all-inclusive resort in Cancun or Riviera Maya for just a tad over $2,000 including airfare and food. You and your loved one can spend five nights in Las Vegas for about $900 with the $59 per night deal at the MGM Grand, airfare and rental car included. Depending on how much you want to spend on extras, food, and show tickets, your total would be approximately $2,000-$2,500 + gambling money.

However, for a family of four to spend a week in Disney World at a moderate resort with airfare, the DDP, extras, etc. would cost over $4,000, and that's lowballing it. Are any decent discounts being offered (aside from the stay 4 nights, get 7 offer) especially to annual passholders, DVC members, etc.? NO. Instead, Disney is doing everything in their power to make their shareholders happy, even if that means upsetting loyal customers. And the DCL discount supposedly being offered to those who make $500,000+ per year? I don't even want to begin a rant about that...

Sorry if I went off the deep end!

~Simon

 

[ADP]

Yet another thing I meant to say and didn't, since several people have mentioned this: I know Pete loves Disney. I LISTENED to the rant - ALL of it. What I was concerned about is the perception that others may get...regardless of how many times Pete says he loves Disney, but then goes on the tirade about the Corporate side of things...you've got to realize that probably joe random disfan doesn't understand the distinction. He could easily have gotten the impression from yesterday that even though Disney did give a discount out, nothing Disney could do could possibly satisfy Pete. *I* know the reality, and where he was coming from...but it just seemed that it was overly long, rehashed from previous and recent rants, etc.

I seem to have done such a poor job of what I was trying to convey...maybe because I was supposed to be working today. I feel like Pooh following a bee to a massive beehive and going, "Honey!" now...

Sorry Doconeil, I'm not trying to come across brash at all. I understand what you are trying to convey and glad you decided to post it here.

 

[drakethib]

I need to download the podcast and hear this.

anyone want to give me the jist of what pete said?

 

[zulemara]

I need to download the podcast and hear this.

anyone want to give me the jist of what pete said?

the executives making decisions only care about their bonuses and the stock holders, not the guest experience

 

[drakethib]

the executives making decisions only care about their bonuses and the stock holders, not the guest experience

And people are getting upset that Pete is griping about this?

 

[doconeill]

And people are getting upset that Pete is griping about this?

We need a big "sigh" smiley...

At no point, anywhere, have I said I was upset about what he was ranting about...and I think I've gone out of the way several times now to say that wasn't the case...

I am most specifically NOT UPSET. I said I was a bit concerned, and it was NOT about the content itself. But either my posts have thus far been incoherent ramblings of a madmouse, or no one is reading them. I frequently think my posts fall in to the latter category...

 

[soupy11]

And people are getting upset that Pete is griping about this?

I think the OP is not upset in the least. I don't know where this is coming from.

 

[cocowum]

I think Pete mentioned several times during his rant that he loves Disney, it's what brought him to Orlando. He still loves it today.

It's Pete's love for Disney that brings these rants about. He wants Disney to bring a more superior product. He doesn't want to see it deteriorate (neither do I). He and the crew know Disney reads posts on these boards, and probably listen to the Unplugged podcast; in fact there is proof of that.

I've always seen the DIS franchise (wdwinfo.com, disboards.com, Dream Unlimited Travel, and now The DIS Unplugged) as a way to keep Disney honest and on their toes. This site; for example, allows many of Disney's most loyal fans to come together. If something isn't right with your Disney stay you have a forum to express it to many loyal fans. You better believe Disney doesn't want to lose us; it's most loyal fans. These forums will help make it right.

I firmly believe Pete's rants convey this message. He's not really ranting in his best interest he's doing it for us; the good of the DIS community. After all, we all have a vested interest in Disney upping their standards; especially if we are DVC members.

So please consider Pete's rants a message of passion towards Disney. I firmly believe those are his intentions.

I could not have phrased it better! Very well said!

In addition his rants are hilarious! I absolutely LOVE his passion!

 

[WebmasterPete]

I think people are really misreading what the OP was trying to convey. I really do understand the sentiment that people might perceive the show as 'anti-Disney' at times. In the two years we've been doing the show, I've heard that mentioned more than once. My impression of the OP's comments was concern for the 'health' of the show - and those comments are always good, always welcome and very needed.

I think I may have mentioned on the show that I don't track listener numbers in any meaningful way. That's intentional. I never want the tone or content of the show to be determined by mass appeal. We do what we do and we do it for those who like it and want to listen. I hold no ill will towards anyone who finds our show not to their liking. If my only goal was to have the most popular podcast, we'd be blowing pixie dust like it was our job. I've not yet been accused of that

The show has emerged as a way for us to connect with our site visitors thru a new medium, and to share our rather unique perspective on Disney in a fair and honest way. As long as I'm accomplishing those two things, I'm happy


Thanks
Pete

 

[WaltD4Me]

The show has emerged as a way for us to connect with our site visitors thru a new medium, and to share our rather unique perspective on Disney in a fair and honest way. As long as I'm accomplishing those two things, I'm happy


Thanks
Pete

Well then.......mission accomplished. Rant on!

 

[drakethib]

We need a big "sigh" smiley...

At no point, anywhere, have I said I was upset about what he was ranting about...and I think I've gone out of the way several times now to say that wasn't the case...

I am most specifically NOT UPSET. I said I was a bit concerned, and it was NOT about the content itself. But either my posts have thus far been incoherent ramblings of a madmouse, or no one is reading them. I frequently think my posts fall in to the latter category...

Hey no harm done and I see where you are coming from but at the same time people could just choose not to listen if they don't like the contents of a program (that is what I do anyway).

I am not big of bashing Disney for no reason but at the same time if they deserve so, they should get it. I am glad that Pete and his group will take a stand when need be.

I for one have about $25K of hard money in Disney (this is DVC $$ only) so I do expect certain standards for this money that i have paid. Start adding my Disney stock, misc trips (I am on one right now as a matter of fact), yearly dues, and yes, long story short, they should be held accountable when they do not meet the standards that they set for themselves long ago. Am I am just one little peon. Many people have tied up way more then I could ever dream of. There are those who save up for years to make a once in a lifetime trip and they should only receive the best when they get there. In case anyone has forgotten, a WDW trip is not cheap however you chop it up.


I do not always agree with the Podcast Team ( I would still swim in the lakes if there wasn't a sign and still like CRT) but what I do have is respect for them in that they truly seem to care about their clients (everyone who listens to the podcast or reads the disboards is a client IMHO) and are looking out for our best interest as well as something that is true to their hearts. If they didn't do this, I don't believe the boards and podcast would be anywhere as popular as it is.


Good job on the topic that you brought up. It really does make for great conversation.

 

[kpadalik]

I find it immensely refreshing to hear the "real" side of things, not just all magic and pixie dust all the time. Like the podcast crew explained, they wouldn't call "management" to the carpet like they do if they didn't really love the product. Usually if you don't care, you don't take the time to rant. I think Walt would have loved Pete!

This reminds me of Kevin Yee's "Declining By Degrees". He doesn't write those things because he hates Disney but because he loves going there and hates to see anything unncessarily deteriorate.

I gotta throw my support behind Pete on this one. They rant because they care about the fans like us.

SamIAm,

I completely agree with you!

 

[sandyh67]

I have to say I am one of those people who have difficulty listening to those "perfect" podcasts- the ones that love EVERY dining experience EVERY attraction update everything is perfect- for god sakes- dislike something would you!
Now you have to understand I live and breath disney- it is my happy place and cannot imagine vacationing anywhere else really- but these podcasts have no color to them, everytime I listen I find my mind wandering off.

On the Dis I know they are all Disney lovers who are not afraid to speak the truth, and because of the differing views are INTERESTING!
Make me laugh each week!

Thanks to all of you- especially you Pete-
Have to mention- that I heard on a not to be named podcast of a response to a listener who wrote to them because her children were terrified of their upcoming trip because of your lake rant- He proceeded to tell her there are really no alligators there and chuckled at the brain eating ameobas! OK, google it man- they are there- may be rare, but do your homework, and be smart.
After his response I can just see them going out for a swim- totally discounted all of it! Ugg

Keep up the great work!

 

[corinne148]

Hi everybody...

I´m a newbie to posting here but I just have to say that I absolutely love Petes rants and the rest of the groups too. In my opinion Pete could rant a whole long episode and that would be great.
But I do understand that some people could get the wrong idea about the podcast because of it. My only concern is that, should a podcast really try to please everybody? If some people get the wrong idea, is that so bad? I mean, we are a big bunch that already love the podcast. If the podcast crew starts to worry too much about how everything they say is going to be perceived by the audience....not good, I think.
I worry more for the podcasts that never voice a personal opinion and try to please there whole audience. But someones trash is always someone elses treasure,right? Just my two cents.

(Sorry if the english isn´t always correct. I wish english was my first language.)