Odds & Ends Update
It’s been a while since we did a random housekeeping post covering things that don’t really fit elsewhere, and that’s what this is. Nothing exactly exciting or informative–rather, this is mostly about you answering our questions and providing some feedback. (Feedback that could end up saving you money, though, so don’t close the tab just yet…)
One of the things I really enjoy about this is that it’s a personal blog with a sense of community. Even though I’m always writing to you, via the comments, forums, and social media there is back & forth. To maintain that personal connection, I think it’s mutually beneficial for you to give feedback and for us to hear it.
What is the blog doing well and poorly? What would you like to see more/less coverage of (restaurants, hotels, certain parks, etc.)? What kind of content (trip reports, rambling vlogs, planning tips, etc.) do you like? I’m genuinely interested in feedback here, and I know that is something people hesitate to give because most people don’t take well to it.
Please leave actual, constructive criticism and critique. It does us no good if the feedback merely showers us with flattery or faint praise. Obviously, it’s nice to know people enjoy the blog, but it’s also nice to know where there is room for improvement. Sometimes a third party perspective is necessary to see that.
I’m genuinely interested in reader feedback, and will incorporate some of that into the blog, but please understand that I’m not going to blindly follow all advice. I am not simply a barometer of popular opinion. I know some of you think the blog skews too negative, is too opinionated, and has too many posts about the international parks. (I’ve received your complaints!)
While we strive to make this as informative as possible, that necessarily requires value judgments, and some of those happen to be negative. I’m not one of those people who believes Disney is infallible, and everything is magical. (Sorry?) As for the international parks, I know most people don’t care, but there are so few resources in English about those destinations. Plus, I enjoy writing about them.
Second, I was going to do another photo update before Christmas, but I’m not really sure that makes sense. The photo/photography posts are almost as unpopular as the ones about the parks in Asia (almost), but the difference there is that I have other means of posting photo content: via social media.
I think not doing those posts is a bit ironic since this blog started out as centering around photography (in the beginning, I was a best described as a “Disney fan photographer who happened to have some opinions”) and at one point consisted primarily of “Photo of the Day” posts, but has since moved more towards the opinions. Now, I’m a “dude who yells on the internet and happens to own some cameras.” Some (newer, I assume?) readers have even asked who takes the photos for the blog!
In any case, I’m still thinking of doing an Osborne Lights Tribute post because I feel like there’s some sentiment worth sharing there, but I’ll probably nix additional Christmas photo posts. I’ll just share those photos on Instagram (@tom_bricker) if you’re interested in seeing those. (Sarah is also on Instagram: @sarahbricker.) I have a lot of Christmas photos, so I’ll probably be posting a few per day.
Next, we have a question. Would anyone be interested in a group rate November 26 – December 2, 2017 (rough, tentative dates)? Please note that this would not be a group trip, or any sort of meet-up event. What it would be is a group booking through a travel agency at a particular resort (or resorts, if there was enough demand) to qualify for a convention rate.
You don’t have to give a firm commitment right now–we’re just floating the idea to see if there is sufficient interest to justify looking into the logistics of this. Based on reader comments, I know a lot of you visit during this week, and as one of the 3 best weeks of the year that we recommend, I think there’d likely be sufficient interest. I just want to get a feel for whether my assumption is correct.
Tentatively, I’m thinking we’d try doing Wilderness Lodge (because that’s where I want to stay, and it’s an irrefutable fact that Wilderness Lodge is the best Walt Disney World resort at Christmas), assuming it’s a hotel that offers good convention rates. The whole goal of this would be to save ourselves (and you!) money if you plan on visiting during/around those dates. Again, I want to reiterate that this would not be an actual “event” or big group thing with meet-ups.
Trust me, I’m not nearly as cool in person (not that I’m cool online, but it’s even worse in person…if you can imagine that). Meeting me is like watching a duller version of Stitch’s Great Escape on loop. I wouldn’t want to ruin your vacation with that. 🙂
Anyway, if this is something in which you’d potentially be interested, please say so in the comments. Also, if there’s a resort aside from Wilderness Lodge that would interest you, please mention it in the comments.
Long time reader, first time poster! Your blog is one of my favorite Disney resources! I’d love to see more on the cruises and Advwnture by Disney. It helps me think about ways to expand my Disney experiences and see more of the world!
Also there would be interest here for the group rate this fall!
Absolutely my favorite Disney blog, and a big part of my daily routine, especially with a trip planned to WDW in Feb 2017. I am especially focused on your photography posts, since they are phenomenal memories of your times in the parks – and that is what I want to capture when we are there so rarely. Any technical info about you were standing, the settings on your DSLR, etc are like gold to me. In addition, your park plans and overall planning guides have been the most useful when planning our trips and individual days. Thanks!
Big ol’ yes to the group rate! We were talking about going about that time anyway, and I would love to save money doing so. Extended family may join us, too.
I’m not a photographer, so I skip the posts that discuss technique, but honestly – I read everything else. My parks visit as an adult are split evenly between WDW and DL, so maybe that’s uncommon. I love seeing the Asian parks, too, essentially living vicariously through them for now b/c airfare is cost prohibitive for my family. In terms of what I find useful that can’t be found elsewhere – I think the DL hotel comparisons are great! And just generally – I think many of us appreciate that you offer historical context comparing what WE remember from our trips as kids to what is being offered now.
Regarding photography, your photos are insanely great. I’d like for you to also post some of your “runner up” or not as great photos, to show your process. Perhaps show photos PRIOR to processing. As a photographer myself I know that there’s only a certain percentage of photos taken that get shown. It’s possible you’ve already done this, but not sure.
Your text park guides are great, but I think they could be made better through use of an interactive map (rather than reading through a list of attractions). Keep the lists (’cause they separate the great from the good), but also provide a map, if that’s feasible.
That’s really all I can think of. Your page has become “required reading” whenever my wife and I travel to other Disney parks outside of our Disneyland bubble (we used it for WDW and TDR in 2015). Please keep up the great work.
Definitely interested in the group rate for the trip next year!
I stick around for the Seinfeld quotes.
When we traveled to HK this was one of the only resources I had for planning. I reread all the planning articles every time I plan a DW trip.
I enjoy reading the articles about recent announcements and rumors because I don’t really follow those any other place.
I would enjoy more fashion posts.
I really like the photography-related posts… In terms of content, what I’m most interested in varies. We’re planning our kids’ (and my husband’s) first trip to WDW and Universal, so right now restaurant reviews and trip planning logistics are really important to me. But I love planning far ahead and daydreaming and enjoy the DL and international parks posts for those reasons. The narrative of your trip reports and miscellaneous posts are entertaining and insightful. The packing list has been incredibly useful. I’d like to see some ideas on bags for park touring. something comfortable to carry that will for essentials for a family and my dslr.
I love your posts on the international parks. You even inspired me to venture way out of my comfort zone and take a trip to Europe to see London/DLP/Paris next year. Still in the very early planning stage, but your posts on DLP and Europe in general pushed me to go where I wouldn’t have thought to go before for a variety of reasons.
Having said that, I’d like more posts on those subjects, but that’s entirely for selfish reasons. A sort of how to survive or basics of Europe travel would be helpful. I’ve read most of your posts on that subject, but I always enjoy your style of writing and the balance you strike between comparing value and quality in the tips and advice you provide for your readers through your own experiences and research. I find your posts to be infinitely more helpful that the average website or post on most all subjects you cover.
Hi Tom,
I’ve only been reading your blog for a couple of months but I must confess, it has become a part of my daily routine! I have probably read every review of every hotel and restaurant you ever visited, it’s just all so fascinating.
Anyway, me and my boyfriend are planning to go to Disneyworld for the first time ever next year and we were thinking of going Nov 27-Dec 3 because of your recommendations. So, if you would be able to get a group discount, and that rate would turn out to be lower than staying at Disney’s Pop Century, we would be in! Could you let us know an approximate date if when you would try to set this up? We were thinking of booking our trip this Christmas break, but we might want to wait to hear your deal!
About the blog, since I pretty much read every review on here, I now love the “Disney news” sections: the blogs about new attractions to come, new rules they want to implement, previews of attractions, etc. It gets me all excited about what the future will bring!
This is my favorite blog! You have saved my family so much time, money and frustration with your honest (and brilliantly humorous) advice on food, hotels and time management. Your blog is great for the first timers and is entertaining and constantly updated so the Disney fanatics continue to come back for more. I have noticed some of the restaurant updates could use a refresh, even if you retain the original info but added a quick update at the end noting the last time you visited and whether or not your rating changed would help when planning. Keep up the GREAT work! If you have published works can you share a link of where to purchase or is there another way I can show my support? I can’t help from feeling guilty getting SO MUCH from your blog and not giving anything back (other than tell all my friends and family about this site!)
I would definitely be interested in a convention rate! I would love an excuse to try out Wilderness Lodge. Even if you don’t want to do a meet up (which might be understandably awkward for one person to be the center of attention for a hundred strangers) it might be fun for some of the readers and posters on the forum to have an event to get to know eachother. Many are probably like-minded.
I don’t have any suggestions outside of what others have mentioned. But I would second that it would be helpful on the updated old posts to somehow highlight the new stuff.
I love the photo posts. I just got a new camera at I want to play with and learn about photography. I have pinned a few of your posts! 🙂
I enjoy the restaurant and hotel reviews most. I’m not a rabid Disney fan so I would enjoy more photography centered posts and some posts about things to do in Orlando in addition to Disney World. I like the critical posts and objective nature of the blog. There’s never enough time to do everything and this helps me prioritize.
I throughly enjoy the blog. As a non frequent Disney vacationer, I still enjoy all the updates. I would love to see more info about DVC rental and strategies, reccomended touring schedules, vlog updates, and money saving tips. I wish there were less ads in the main content of the blog. I would prefer not to scroll past ads to continue reading your content. I think they would be better along the sidebar.
All that said, please keep up the great work!!
I really enjoy your photos, honest opinions, tips, and especially humor!
It would be helpful when you update older posts if the new info could be highlighted in some fashion to make it easier to see what’s changed.
Disney at Christmas is definitely the most magical time of year, so I’d be very interested in a group rate promo!
Finally, thanks for the tip about Frogg Toggs on Amazon for $2.40 today! Ordered some for stocking stuffers!
Hi, I’m a regular reader of your blog. As I’m from Singapore, posts on international parks are more useful to me. But, I’m also a DVC member and posts on DVC info and accomodations helped me a lot in choosing my home resort. Your posts on construction updates, rumours, packing and the recent Rogue One review is what I enjoy most. However, I’d like to see the date of your posts. Aside from the date, keep up the good work!
I would definitely be interested in a group rate! We are already tentatively planning a Disney trip during that time frame, and are definitely considering the Wildnerness Lodge!!
I for one love the posts about the International parks more than any other. Having been to all of them, it’s always fun to read some insight about them. In fact, your writings about those parks inspired my wife and I to take the plunge and go, and they’ve been the best trips we’ve ever had. Keep them coming!
I am obviously part of the minority here, but I would actually like more photography posts. As a budding photographer I enjoy your blog because, unlike many others, you have quality photos in your articles, photos you have actually taken. I think that makes a huge difference. I always enjoy your articles about different camera-related items because it helps me get a better feel for what I may want.
I enjoy ALL your posts and pictures, please don’t stop. And yes, I might be interested in a group rate. Keep up the good work!