Trip report question...very confused...

[AshClan]

Just want to add my qualified agreement to the majority, here. I understand Mel Happyhaunt being locked. I was not happy about it, but her trip report was finished, and she very gracefully moved the exciting ER installment over to the CB. I, however, agree with everyone that Vettechick's thread should not have been locked. It's not her fault that her fans post encouragement so frequently. Very few of her own posts are largely off-topic. Do we all have to be afraid of commenting? Should we limit our comments to one "atta girl/boy" and then be silent? Is Zzub going to be locked because all of his very devoted and admiring readers want to express their sympathies to him? This is my favorite board, bar none. I come daily to catch up on my favorite writers and to discover new ones. I don't care to read the "we went there/we ate there" lists. I want to learn the nuances of not only the trip but the people involved, and I want to laugh/cry/get excited with so many of my fellow TR addicts. While a trip report is still in progress, and the OP has posted that the next installment is being written and will be posted soon, I don't understand why the comments from their fans cause them to be penalized.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox. Ally, please start a new thread if they refuse to open your old one. I really want to hear about the rest of your TRIP. And moderators, please don't lock Zzub. He and his wife deserve to experience the support and encouragement from his DIS friends. (As a matter of fact, I noticed at least one moderator posting as such.)

Thank you.

 

[In a hurry]

I am a reader, rather than a poster on this board, and I truly enjoy it. I don't understand the outrage in this thread, however. Correct me if I am wrong, but can't vettechick repost her story in one thread when/if she wishes to continue it? It is nice when a story can be read without the ramblings and chit-chat, IMO. There is nothing like a good story...and there are many on this board!

 

[luvpooh]

I also wanted to add, to the point of the poetic license comment - the author(s) of those reports confessed to fabricating them a couple of years back. I wish I could find the post, but I can't...all I know is that it was 2 ladies from the UK who wrote them. Someone else must remember, no? I know I'm not making this up!

ETA - I just wanted to say I don't care the reports were made up, I still found them to be entertaining, and knew they were fiction...but what's good for the goose, is good for the gander (what is a gander anyway, is it a Fastpass? hee hee), and if one thing is taking up too much space on a board, shouldn't something else taking up space on the same board that isn't pertinent to the board be moved as well?

In the wise words of that rascal Brer Rabbit...Time to be movin' along

 

[Bonnie40]

Thank goodness I'm not the only one still feeling that there's been an injustice here!

lilygator...you're certainly not the only one feeling the way you do...you just express it better than I can!

I don't think the mod's realized how much backlash there would be with this decision. I think they received comments from a few people who were put out because they felt their reports weren't getting the same attention, shut down the popular ones and are now scrambling to explain their decision.

If they're going to hold to this decision, than they should follow through with any thread that's contravening the 'rules'.

 

[horsegirl]

I just have to say I have a solution that would avoid people being upset that they can't find the writer's trip posts admist the lively and exciting banter that keeps many of us coming back for more and reading more....I just edited my story and put the next page on the bottom at the end of the report. That way, all the readers distressed by reading the dialogue that is energized by the report, can be spared that hardship. Just a suggestion as a format to follow so the longer posts can continue. Unlike some talented writers who can spill their brains onto paper with charm, wit and humor, it takes me more time, and to feel pressured to write it fast, or lose the readers interest and having it lost. I still feel a need to be able to comment. I will try to keep my replies out of the barn.....promise. Okay and one more thought. I think in the future, if you from way up there in the clouds make a decision as big as shutting down threads that are not done, are completely appropriate and clearly bringing much joy, then perhaps a post really spelling that out ahead of time would help. Being blindsided isn't fun and causes in lots of us.

 

[SandraVB79]

Note before my reaction: I am not a native English speaker, so excuse me when I use words a little wrong

In the past few weeks, I "fell in love" with the Trip Reports board. I anjoyed some of the trip reports so much that I laughed, cried and fell off my chair (thank you Calvin Happyhaunt for that, now all my colleagues think I really am crazy)
I especially loved the "long" trip reports, I don't really care about a summary of rides and restaurants (unless the thread includes food pictures)
Somehow, I also felt I got to know the family who went on the trip, and that is what made that trip report special. I have never met those people and will never meet them, still I have the feeling I know them.

Tuesday, I was at the most boring debate in the world, and while I was sleeping with my eyes open, I heard the speaker say "Maelstrom". The first think I thought was "Maelstrom is a fastpass?" and teh second thought was: I have to tel Mel Happyhaunt and zzub that I even think about them when I am not reading the boards. I am sorry I did this, I am sorry that I wanted to let them know that, and that I did it through these boards. I think. No, actually I am not sorry. If they can share their life with us, I think I must be able to share that little piece of my life they impacted just right here on their thread.

I am addicted to vettechick's trip report. I usually just "scan" the thread for her installments, and don't read (all of) the chitchat. It isn't that difficult, you know. And yes, I saw she somewhere said she couldn't write because she was remodelling her bathroom, and for once, I replied to that. I didn't read any of the other posts, so I didn't read warnings or whatever. And I truly hope it was not for posts like mine her thread got closed (didn't even know it was closed since I read this board in the DIScreet mode, and then you don't get a search-function, and don't see whether it's closed)

I feel also very sorry for people who complain because their thread doesn't get as many visits as other threads. I am sorry they have such a lousy life that the only joy in their life is being able to write a popular thread on a trip report board.

 

[TLinden16]

No where have we said that people can’t have their idle chit chat. We are just requesting that it be done on a more appropriate forum--the community board. That’s part of the reason why we have the community board--so that people who have found each other in other areas can have a place to congregate and get to know each other.

I know some folks complain about the community board being too big, and moving too fast, but you don’t have to read the entire community board. You can subscribe to the thread you want to follow. You can search for the thread. You can create a shortcut to the thread on your Internet browser.

You still have the place to have your random discussions--the community board. We just need to keep it in check on the trip report board so that people can find the actually trip reports on the board.

I just don’t know how I can make things any clearer.

This forum is for Disney World trip reports.

If you want to share other stories about things in your life, or have random chit chat with people you’ve met on the trip report board, then use your private messages, e-mail, or start a thread on the community board.

VetteChick, 100thHappyHaunt, and anyone else is more than welcome and encouraged to continue sharing their Disney World trip reports here on this forum.

Any poster is welcome to share their thoughts on someone’s trip report, and ask questions about that trip report as long as those comments don’t turn into pages and pages of posts that have absolutely nothing to do with a Disney World vacation.

 

[TLinden16]

I think in the future, if you from way up there in the clouds make a decision as big as shutting down threads that are not done, are completely appropriate and clearly bringing much joy, then perhaps a post really spelling that out ahead of time would help. Being blindsided isn't fun and causes in lots of us.

You were not blindsided on this. Pumba posted a reminder that this is a board for trip reports. We have posted friendy reminders within some of the threads themselves. We have PM'd posters who have consistently ignored those reminders.

No one was blindsided. Perhaps you missed these posts, or chose to ignore them.

Karen

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Here's my two cents.

The chit-chat doesn't bother me, and if people are complaining because some reports are getting more hits then thier's are, then they are just whiners, and I feel bad that the mods feel they have to close down the more popular, and sometimes better reports.

If my report were to get closed, I'd feel discouraged to try to finish it, or write another one. Maybe I'll postpone writing awhile to make sure mine doesn't get locked, and I'm able to continue.

Also, as far as the warnings on VetteChick's reports go, look at the times they were posted. So between 9:00 last night and 7:00 this morning the mods felt they had to close it down because someone subscribed, and there was one comment made?

 

[In a hurry]

Good grief! Blindsided? What temper tantrums over an IMB! This sounds like the third graders in our school when they changed some of the recess rules!

I salute the mods who have the patience to deal with adults with the mentality of 1st graders. You have all of my respect!

 

[OhMari]

We are not scrambling to explain our decision. Actually this thread shouldn't even be on the "Trips Report Board". We have responded back on this thread, because posters keep questioning our decision and pleading for a Trip Report that was locked. I think some of my co-moderator's-(especially TLinden) has given you the rules and guidelines for the DIS boards and not scrambled explanations.

Another point about faking a Trip Report-who are we to judge. If a poster
did go to disney and if the rest of the stuff was fake so what. Each
page was about disney and things that they did there and places where
they ate.

Let's keep the Trip Reports Board for WDW Trips-otherwise we are going to start have many more family stories chronicled in the Trip Reports Board and the Trip's Report Board is not set up for this purpose.

Vettechick is more than welcome to continue and finish her Trip Report. Maybe she should put it all in a word document and when she is truly finished, then post it. Then people wouldn't have to beg for her to finish it. People get busy with their everyday lives and do truly want to finish, but life gets in the way, so we all have to understand that.

Thank you
Co-moderator OhMari

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

This forum is for Disney World trip reports.

If you want to share other stories...then use your private messages, e-mail, or start a thread on the community board.

So WHY is a piece of fiction allowed on the trip reports board? Those posts, "...have absolutely nothing to do with a Disney World vacation...." because a WDW vacation didn't EVEN OCCUR.

Are the moderators also the authors of those stories?

If not, then why are you so seemingly reluctant to move them somewhere else...perhaps to the CB, where someone who wants to read FICTION can find them.

 

[lillygator]

what about a thread on the TR board that leads you to a thread about a trip other than Disney? That should completely be on the CB according to the mods definitions.

This thread was intended to get answers as well as to learn what is and is not acceptable in writing a trip report...how many pages, etc. And I do think this thread belongs here...it will serve to new tr's who need to know the "what's acceptable".


and inahurry...your post speaks volumes about you own maturity, I appreciate you calling everyone who does not agree with you as "having the mentality of 1st graders".... I assure you, I am at least on the middle school mentality.

Mods - can you please explain why the other boards do not follow these rules? The budget board has 3 or 4 Disney budget related threads on the first page?


Please let's keep this discussion nice....

 

[DebIreland]

You were not blindsided on this. Pumba posted a reminder that this is a board for trip reports. We have posted friendy reminders within some of the threads themselves. We have PM'd posters who have consistently ignored those reminders.

No one was blindsided. Perhaps you missed these posts, or chose to ignore them.

Karen

The main problem, in my opinion, is the severity of the action ie. locking the threads Well, it just seems like such an aggressive move. I think blindsided is exactly the correct description of what happened. Yes, there were reminders from mods that posters should stay on topic but to go from a couple of reminders to actually locking a thread seems like such a huge leap.

I think it would have come as much less of a shock if an explanatory thread had been posted in advance. This thread could have explained the mods concerns and included a detailed warning of the possible repercussions along with an explanation of the new rules of the TR board i.e. no more chit chat. I know you are saying there's nothing new about those rules but posters have been in the habit of straying off-topic and posting in a chit-chat manner for quite some time now so, of course, everyone thought it was fine to do so.

On that note, I would like to add that when someone posts a trip report, they are giving the readers a glimpse into their lives and are sharing information about their families, in order to produce a good trip report. It is only natural, therefore, for readers/posters to then feel like they 'know' the people involved so it naturally leads to the afore-mentioned chit-chat and musings. It's human curiousity! *But* even so, perhaps readers would have been a lot more accepting of the no chit-chat rule if they had enough advance warning.

 

[In a hurry]

and inahurry...your post speaks volumes about you own maturity, I appreciate you calling everyone who does not agree with you as "having the mentality of 1st graders".... I assure you, I am at least on the middle school mentality.

Naw...middle schoolers would be circulating a petition. It has nothing to do with agreeing with me or not. I could care less what the final decisions are. I don't own the Dis, nor do I invest in it. I was merely commenting on the need to scrap and scrape, argue and question that many have shown in this thread. What earthly purpose does it help?

I again applaud the mods for putting up with it. It would have been closed by now had it been on the Budget or CB.

eta: I compare all childish behavior to my beloved first graders.

 

[tiki23]

I read the moderator's thread first and I was angry, now I've read this thread and the only way I'm feeling is sad.

The TR board has been my first stop at the DIS for quite a while now. I love the long rambling trip reports where I can come to know the posters (and the responders). Those TR have brought a lot of joy into my life that has lately been filled with stress and health problems for my oldest son. I don't always read all the responses, I just scroll through them. Is that such a hard thing to do?

OT? So what? LIFE is OT.

The TR board didn't degenerate into a community, it gloriously evolved into a community....so you now want us all to move to the Community Board??

Like I said, I'm just sad.

 

[OhMari]

We can go round and round and round with this-. It just seems as the same questions just keep getting asked. Please reread the mod's posts in this thread-how much more explanatory can we get.

OhMari
Co-mod's Trip Report

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

So WHY is a piece of fiction allowed on the trip reports board? Those posts, "...have absolutely nothing to do with a Disney World vacation...." because a WDW vacation didn't EVEN OCCUR.

Are the moderators also the authors of those stories?

If not, then why are you so seemingly reluctant to move them somewhere else...perhaps to the CB, where someone who wants to read FICTION can find them.

No answer, moderators? Seems to me that it is the moderators keeping those fictional trip reports alive. Kinda suspicious.

I'm not sayin'...I'm just sayin'.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

What is a WDW trip report?

Basically a WDW trip report is about your WDW trip - if you go to Disneyland - would you post your report on the Budget Board? - no you should post it on the Disneyland Trip Report board.

How you write your trip report is up to you. If you want it short and sweet and to the point - then write it short and sweet and to the point.

If you want to write an epic for day one - write an epic for day one, etc.

If you want to start a new post for each installment, do it, if you want to have your report all in one post, do it.

Each person's writing style is different. Each person's creative level is different.

If you happen to be one of the lucky one's that is gifted in the area of creative writing - go for it.

Me - I was never any good at creative writing in school (back in the stone age), and I haven't gotten any better since then.

Where have we said we do not want Trip Reports? - no where that I can find

Where have we said no one can write a Trip Report? - no where that I can find

Who has the right to say trip report A is a good one and Trip Report B is a bad one, boring, stupid or whatever? - no one

If you think someone's trip report is great, by all means let them know.

If you don't like someone's trip report, that's fine too, but remember that we are a family friendly board, and rude and attacking responses to people's posts are not acceptable - Just remember the Golden Rule - if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

Who has the right to say a trip report is a fake or it is real? - no one

We aren't here to question the authenticity of anyone's reports. Real or fake. Embellished or not, if it is a trip report about Walt Disney World, it is on topic for the trip report board.

Where have we said no one can respond to a trip report or ask a question about something in a trip report? - no where that I can find

Where have we said there is a page limit to a trip report - none that I can find.

If we lock a report - no one would be able to respond - not even the original poster - so what is the sense in doing that?

Encouraging - if the original poster says it is going to take 2 months to post the next installment (as an example) - then for some reason - most likely due to their Personal Real Life - they can't worry about a trip report - give the person a break and wait (or attempt to wait patiently) for the next installment. Once again, you can check in with the OP by sending them a thinking of you pm or email.

While you are waiting - read other reports - who knows you might actualy find one that you like "better" than the one you are waiting on.

We are a family board (the Dis as a whole) and if posters go around the word filters - that will be edited - would you want your child reading something questionable or "dirty" and asking questions about it? Loads of people read trip reports - more than ever post - yep that is true - maybe they don't feel comfortable in posting.

Along the same lines - as we are a family board (the Dis as a whole), and posts and or topics that are deemed to be non family type manner will be either edited or deleted.

It is your decision to write a trip report or not, or to finish a trip report that you have started. Loads of people go to WDW, DL or DCL and never write a trip report. Gasp - but it is true. We are lucky that people take the time and effort to write about their trip.

If you all will recall, we have been asking for months now that trip reports stay on topic. Isn't that what a topic board is? Staying on topic?

Pete, and the webmasters have given the moderators of EACH BOARD the freedom to decide HOW we want OUR board to be run. While I can't (and won't) speak for all of the other mods of the other boards , (and we have lots of other mods and lots and lots of other boards), the mod's for each board have discussed for months how they want their board ran. That is why some things are a little different on the different boards. The mods for that board have decided as a team to how they want their board ran.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I too understand why Mel's report was closed. She was no longer writing about Disney. Do I like that it was closed? No, but I have now moved to the CB to read the rest of her report.

However, I can't find the reason that VetteChick's report was closed. There was a warning and two responses after (one that was just subscribing). Why wasn't she given the chance to finish it? Why wasn't everyone given the chance to keep the thread on topic?

I did write a report and it pretty much stunk. I did write a "we went here, we rode this, blah, blah blah". Yes, I did get some views and a response or two. Then I found Mel's, VetteChick's, ZZUB's, and the many other highly talented writers and I saw what I want my next TR to be like. It was great hearing the little asides and the jokes. Hopefully, my next trip report will be more entertaining. That being said, I never once complained to the mods that my report wasn't being responded to, nor did I ask that someone else's report be closed. I'm not a child; I don't tattle and complain.

I feel as though the DIS is a place to meet other Disney lovin' people. When I read a TR, I get to know that person. I also learn more about them during the chit chat. Isn't this a place to meet people and make friends? It's good to hear that I have something else in common with somehere than just Disney. Perhaps I am completely wrong in this thought.

If I don't like the chit chat in between installments, I skip over them. It's not that hard to do. Perhaps when writing a report, everyone should be required to update the title so everyone knows when a new installment is posted and what page it's on. Then we wouldn't have this problem.

I understand the mods have a job to do, but I think that maybe some of the rules should be looked at. Don't be so hasty in locking a thread (and yes, I do believe it was a hasty descision to lock VetteChick's thread).