Pete's rants for 8/05/09

[*NikkiBell*]

In the prior show, it sounded like Kevin was being mean to Nikki. Now many of us know that wasn't the case. (I've known Nikki since the VMK days, and she's been a good sport about us teasing her.) But I can understand how a new listener (and Pete even!) thought Kevin was being a bit harsh.

Nancy, I am sorry if that discouraged you from listening. I don't think those snapshots in time represented what I think the podcast usually is. Most of the time I have to stifle my laughter because I'm in a public place while I'm listening.

Yes, but one thing you might have forgotten about was how Kevin reiterated the fact that he was joking (I do believe he said "I love Nikki," so I plan on holding that over his head ). This was also done on another show when my FB question was used.

 

[NancyIL]

Hmm. This makes me wonder a bit. Don't newscasters, comics, and other political commentators criticize businesses and the government on air? Why would the crew have to fudge their personal opinions for the fear that their show would be forced off the Net? Doesnt' freedom of speech come into play? Don't editors have the right to discuss their opinions about something through print? How is this different?

It's one thing to criticize - and it's another to insult. The Podcast crew can say what they want on their show, but it would be foolish to think they are immune from any repercussions from Disney just because the DIS is the largest Disney internet site.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I think the illusion that they should kiss disney's butt comes from the perception that they rely on disney to succeed for business to boom. Comics, newscasters, etc don't rely on the people they criticize to provide income.

True, but without people in the news, political figures, and so on, there'd be nothing to report and nothing to write stand-up about. With this in mind then, yes, newscasters and comics do indeed rely on others to provide income including those who make stupid decisions, like the NJ governor....oops...did I say that outloud?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

It's one thing to criticize - and it's another to insult. The Podcast crew can say what they want on their show, but it would be foolish to think they are immune from any repercussions from Disney just because the DIS is the largest Disney internet site.

I believe John posted a few pages back that Pete has acted the same way for over 10 years and business has boomed. That alone tells me that things are fine the way they are.

 

[BriarRosie]

It's one thing to criticize - and it's another to insult. The Podcast crew can say what they want on their show, but it would be foolish to think they are immune from any repercussions from Disney just because the DIS is the largest Disney internet site.

For what it's worth, that was one of the harshest I've heard. I did feel he was treading close to the line. But Dreams Unlimited has given Disney a ton of business, so maybe Pete's more fireproof than you and I would be in similar circumstances.

 

[DisneyKevin]

It's one thing to criticize - and it's another to insult. The Podcast crew can say what they want on their show, but it would be foolish to think they are immune from any repercussions from Disney just because the DIS is the largest Disney internet site.

This post leads me to believe that you think we get something from Disney.

Dreams Unlimited Travel sells Disney travel products. We sell A LOT of Disney travel products

As long as Dreams Unlimited Travel continues to sell the amount of Disney products we do....I'm pretty sure we're good. Can you imagine Disney asking us to stop sending people to their travel destinations?

The Dis on the other hand is a Disney information site and does not sell Disney travel products. It is an information site only.

The Dis Unplugged is a by product of the Dis and does not sell Disney travel products.

I think you are confusing the two.

 

[NancyIL]

This post leads me to believe that you think we get something from Disney.

Dreams Unlimited Travel sells Disney travel products. We sell A LOT of Disney travel products

As long as Dreams Unlimited Travel continues to sell the amount of Disney products we do....I'm pretty sure we're good. Can you imagine Disney asking us to stop sending people to their travel destinations?

The Dis on the other hand is a Disney information site and does not sell Disney travel products. It is an information site only.

The Dis Unplugged is a by product of the Dis and does not sell Disney travel products.

I think you are confusing the two.

I am not confusing the two, and I have no doubt that Dreams Unlimited sells A LOT (two words) of Disney travel products! DU will continue to get paid its commissions from WDW and DCL due to the volume of business that you book. But heaven help you guys if you ever need Meg Crofton to do something for you!

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

This is where you are wrong. If your grocery store goes out of business will you stop shopping for groceries? No, you will just shop at the next closest store.

Visit www.compete.com and enter the following 3 sites:

1) www.wdwinfo.com
2) www.disboards.com
3) www.disneyworld.com

Hit "compare."

By my math, these two unofficial sites - where both positive and critical opinions of WDW are expressed - have more visitors than the official WDW site! In fact - the DIS alone comes close to beating disneyworld.com in a head-to-head competition.....and I'd think (but it's just conjecture) that most people visit disneyworld.com for pricing.

It's one thing to criticize - and it's another to insult. The Podcast crew can say what they want on their show, but it would be foolish to think they are immune from any repercussions from Disney just because the DIS is the largest Disney internet site.

I'm curious as to what you imagine Disney would say. Would it be something like:

"Mr. Werner,

While our profits have shown a 9% drop in the last quarter and we have shown time and time again to be willing to raise prices in a time of economic distress, we would like you to stop selling our product.

Yes, we know you are (most likely) one of the largest Disney-specialized travel planning agencies in the country, but.....you have said we are making poor decisions so.....don't sell our product.

Yes, we know that solely by means of an internet radio show (which is free) you have managed to book more than 30% of one of our cruise ships, for a cruise 16 months away. Again - in this economy - we can't do that ourselves - but you have.

In addition, your website wdwinfo.com is creating informed, discerning, and wise consumers of our product.

How dare you, sir.

Please stop helping people plan expensive trips to come to our resort.

Stop informing them via the DIS of add-on options we offer such as fireworks cruises, dessert parties, etc.

Stop selling our product.

Stop earning us money.

Sincerely,
The people in charge of WDW"

Does that sound about right?

 

[kbelle8995]

I have never ever used Disney's dining plan, we always thought it was a waste of money and confusing to boot. Now we never will. Thanks Disney That will be my serving of sarcasm for today. Thank you. (no sarcasm). Hey I think the Disney is trying to kill Tables of wonderland too but I have no proof.

I won't be sad if the dining plan goes down the tubes, I think it has encouraged medicre food and limited selections on menus throughout the resort. You used to be able to get different food choices at each restaurant but it's become rarer and rarer.

By the way I've tried Pei-Wei and the Celebration Tavern, thanks to recommendation of the Podcasters. They are both wonderful restaurants. Wish they would put a Pei-Wei in Tallahassee. We need more restaurant options up here desparately.

 

[NancyIL]

I'm curious as to what you imagine Disney would say. Would it be something like:

"Mr. Werner,

While our profits have shown a 9% drop in the last quarter and we have shown time and time again to be willing to raise prices in a time of economic distress, we would like you to stop selling our product.

Yes, we know you are (most likely) one of the largest Disney-specialized travel planning agencies in the country, but.....you have said we are making poor decisions so.....don't sell our product.

Yes, we know that solely by means of an internet radio show (which is free) you have managed to book more than 30% of one of our cruise ships, for a cruise 16 months away. Again - in this economy - we can't do that ourselves - but you have.

In addition, your website wdwinfo.com is creating informed, discerning, and wise consumers of our product.

How dare you, sir.

Please stop helping people plan expensive trips to come to our resort.

Stop informing them via the DIS of add-on options we offer such as fireworks cruises, dessert parties, etc.

Stop selling our product.

Stop earning us money.

Sincerely,
The people in charge of WDW"

Does that sound about right?

Pete has already acknowledged that the folks running Disney aren't very bright, so...yup!

Disney needs the business that Dreams Unlimited brings, and Dreams Unlimited needs to be able to "sell Disney" in order to make money. While I'm sure Disney would find other travel agencies to take up the slack, I'm not so sure DU could convince all of their DIS fans to cruise with Royal Caribbean instead of DCL or go to Universal and Sea World instead of WDW.

 

[NancyIL]

IHey I think the Disney is trying to kill Tables of wonderland too but I have no proof.

With the latest price increase of Tables in Wonderland from $60 to $75 on March 1st - you may be right.

 

[KittyKitty]

[QUOTEVisit www.compete.com and enter the following 3 sites:

1) www.wdwinfo.com
2) www.disboards.com
3) www.disneyworld.com
Hit "compare."

By my math, these two unofficial sites - where both positive and critical opinions of WDW are expressed - have more visitors than the official WDW site! In fact - the DIS alone comes close to beating disneyworld.com in a head-to-head competition.....and I'd think (but it's just conjecture) that most people visit disneyworld.com for pricing.
QUOTE]


Actually Disneyworld's web site address is disneyworld.disney.go.com . Tho I sometimes put in disneyworld.com in my computer! (Still learning how to do quotes inserts).

 

[mulderxcoltrane]

Actually Disneyworld's web site address is disneyworld.disney.go.com . Tho I sometimes put in disneyworld.com in my computer!

Didn't know that.

Though if I enter that in the 3rd compare box - it doesn't even come up. Possible because as you mentioned, no one goes to that full address.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

I am not confusing the two, and I have no doubt that Dreams Unlimited sells A LOT (two words) of Disney travel products! DU will continue to get paid its commissions from WDW and DCL due to the volume of business that you book. But heaven help you guys if you ever need Meg Crofton to do something for you!

There is no possible scenario I could ever imagine whereby we would ever need to ask Meg Crofton for anything. What could she possibly provide for our podcast? For the DIS?

As a matter of fact we've never asked any President of WDW for anything ever (well once when I was a CM I was in the elevator with Al Weiss and I asked him to push my floor).

We never have, and I can assuredly say, never will ask Disney to do anything for DU that they do not do for any other TA.

Everything we have ever accomplished with our sites and our business has been through old fashioned hard work. We have never asked anyone for any special consideration or any favors.

I must add that we have been very fortunate to partner with some excellent people at Disney that have helped us grow and succeed. There were, and still are, many cast members that we interact with on a daily basis that are excellent at what they do and very responsive to DU. We love our hardworking Disney CMs!!!

But as I said we have never received anything from Disney that is not available to anyone else in our situation.

 

[two-foxes]

Wow, only a rant by Peter could get this going as far as it has gone. Podcast Crew...Keep it up. This is why I have listened from DAY ONE (call me a Charter Listener), and will always continue to listen. I don't always agree, I don't always like it all, but I still LOVE listening to you, your experienced point of view, and your OPINION!

I will now continue to read this thread with a look of shock and awe!

 

[bannermouse]

I have found this thread to be very interesting concerning several subjects,

When Mr. Pete goes on one of his rants, I enjoy listening to his point of view and even though I might not agree with him 100% of the time (by my last calculation I only agreed with him 97.2% of the time), his rants are usually informative. AND it is his point of view. In listening to the Podcasts for over 2 years, Mr. Pete's love of WDW in general is obvious. When one loves something does that mean you cannot criticize it? Of course not. When you love something you want to improve it. So when WDW does something he perceives as wrong or ill conceived, he is going to say so. That can only help. I love WDW but I think their prices for rooms and tickets and food are outrageous. I criticize their prices, but I own at DVC and plan to vacation at WDW for many years to come. I look forward for many months to my vacations there but I still complain about various aspects of WDW. I also am thankful that the Podcast team, especially Mr. Pete and Kevin and John ( and the others also) are not squeamish to stating their opinions when they do not agree with WDW actions.

This year I cannot attend WDW in December as I originally planned. I will miss all the podcast team and listeners who are planning to meet up this December. Even though I will not be their I still enjoy hearing about their plans and look forward to reading all the reports in December regarding it. I will be able to make the Podcast cruise 2.0

I have never liked the DDP. l believe the 17% increase in the 2010 DDP is unfounded and unwarranted. Of course Disney has the "right" to increase anything in WDW they want to for as much as they want. But, it seems wrong for this large of an increase. Whatever their thinking is, it may backfire with a substantial number of visitors eating less or eating outside of the parks.

Have never understood the logic of the seasonal price increase of the busier times of year for the buffes and all you can eat restaurants. They would make more money just from more people. The increase just seems to be a surtax because they can get away with it.

I listen to two other Podcasts. One is never complaining of WDW. I enjoy them but do enjoy this Podcast better. I feel like Mr. Pete, Walter, Julie, Corey, Kevin, John, Theresa, Kathy and the trainee Max are all my friends. They take the risk of offending people by sharing their feelings on WDW. But by sharing their feelings, the Podcast has to me a more personal feel than the others. If you are sometimes offended by particular parts of this Podcasts and want to respond, I believe you can do so in a civil manner and agree to disagree.

May the Podcast team continue for many many years to come.

Bannermouse

 

[DisneyKevin]

I am not confusing the two, and I have no doubt that Dreams Unlimited sells A LOT (two words) of Disney travel products! DU will continue to get paid its commissions from WDW and DCL due to the volume of business that you book. But heaven help you guys if you ever need Meg Crofton to do something for you!

I chose to use two words....A LOT...for emphasis as opposed to just being snarky.

As you have been told by two different members of the Dis and Dreams Unlimited Travel.....your concern is unwarranted.

The two businesses are seperate entities.

One sells travel and offers no editorial content.

The other offers fact and editorial content and sells no travel.

 

[bannermouse]

Oh, Mr. Pete, I forgot to mention in my earlier post I am from Louisiana and I have 2, yes 2 phones in my house.

Bannermouse

 

[zulemara]

In my opinion, the rants and views expressed by the entire podcast team are essential in making sure Disney keeps things in check. They care about money and only money and if anyone wants change, it takes a hit to their pocketbook(as if the recent hits aren't enough) to make them rethink things.

I'm on the frontlines everyday and when I'm not telling people to stay outta the lakes, I'm seeing the very things Pete is talking about and I agree 100% with him. The only way Disney will change things is if there is a HUGE outcry against it...and even then its iffy. The Dis offers that possibility.

We also know for a fact there are areas of the company who watch these boards and will implement suggestions. There is nothing Disney can do to stop free speech. I'm sorry to anyone who disagrees, but Pete speaks the truth when it comes to management. An HR person is not qualified to be president of the #1 vacation destination worldwide, and a TV exec is not qualified to run an entertainment company who is supposed to be different, and better than the rest.

But what do I know? I'm just the one that has to "apologize" when management makes stupid decisions and guests complain about policies I can't change.

 

[NancyIL]

In my opinion, the rants and views expressed by the entire podcast team are essential in making sure Disney keeps things in check. They care about money and only money and if anyone wants change, it takes a hit to their pocketbook(as if the recent hits aren't enough) to make them rethink things.

I'm on the frontlines everyday and when I'm not telling people to stay outta the lakes, I'm seeing the very things Pete is talking about and I agree 100% with him. The only way Disney will change things is if there is a HUGE outcry against it...and even then its iffy. The Dis offers that possibility.

We also know for a fact there are areas of the company who watch these boards and will implement suggestions. There is nothing Disney can do to stop free speech. I'm sorry to anyone who disagrees, but Pete speaks the truth when it comes to management. An HR person is not qualified to be president of the #1 vacation destination worldwide, and a TV exec is not qualified to run an entertainment company who is supposed to be different, and better than the rest.

But what do I know? I'm just the one that has to "apologize" when management makes stupid decisions and guests complain about policies I can't change.

I have no problem with the subject of Pete's rants. However, you can disagree with Meg Crofton's executive decisions all you want, but don't resort to name calling and personal attacks. The "cleaning woman" comments were in poor taste.