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.
i would love to see an update to the 101 tips articles. The 101 disneyland tips made our first visit to DL awesome, so thanks for that!
Also interested in a WL group rate! We were already planning a trip during that time, and considering the lodge based on your glowing reviews of the holiday decor.
Would certainly be interested in a Wilderness Lodge visit during the holidays! No better place to be in late November-early December than Disney!
I really want to go to Disney that week after Thanksgiving but was bummed to find out it usually doesn’t qualify for free dining so I would be interested to see if that group rate would benefit me more than the free dining. However, we need two TV’s/sleeping areas for our family so the kids can fall asleep watching Disney and hubby can watch sports so we were considering a cabin or something with family suites. (I wasn’t impressed by AoA suites and actually liked Music suites better when comparing specs and photos). But I love the idea of the majesty of staying in a nice resort like fort wilderness so maybe we could do connecting rooms (I hate they won’t guarantee connecting rooms tho).
As for my opinions/suggestions for your blog, here are the things I love that I don’t see on other blogs: 1) how you construct and organize your posts and put things in perfect order. Plus you seem to explain things in a very direct, down to earth manner but also somehow manage to write in a manner that stirs excitement 2) you preface your posts with the pertinent subjects so we don’t waste our time reading when the post might not contain what we are looking for. Not only do you do a good preface, but you summarize your posts at the end which helps put all of your advice into perfect simple perspective. 3) you don’t do “teasers” to get us to click on your posts, such as your email where you attached the “is 2017 a good year” post and instead of making us click to find out, you said “it is”! I can go back and read the details of the post later! 4) You include very informative and inspirational photos with posts which helps people like me who’ve never been to Disney yet. I can never seem to find photos of what I’m looking for until i search your blog. 5) You give more facts than opinions. You explain things in a very simple and abstract way. You know what people’s priorities are, or what they should be, and organize the info accordingly. Even if someone’s priorities or goals are not the same as your own, you still give info for ALL perspectives. Ex: If characters are your goal, do this and go here, if extraordinary cuisine is your priority, do this and go here and try this…insert photo 😉 6) You put links to the things you’re talking about! SUPER HELPFUL! I find myself with more questions than answers sometimes when reading other blogs when a simple link would have helped answer my question about what they were talking about. 7) Your info stays CURRENT! I can’t tell you how much it has helped me knowing that you keep your posts updated and put dates for the last date a post was updated! I hate trying to find an answer to a question, only to find old info on other blogs. Old info is almost useless when it comes to Disney since things change every year.
I have been researching Disney for about 3 years now (hopefully going fall 2017), and I can’t help but to keep coming back to your blog time and time again. I know I’m getting up to date facts, not fluff when I research on your blog. Thank you!
The only criticism I may have is just to put more informative captions with the pics you post. Thank you for sacrificing so much of your time and energy into helping crazed Disney-researching people like me!
Would love to do the Wilderness Lodge as a convention rate. Love your blog – seems like my husband and I have been reading it for years. Keep up the good work.
I found your blog when I was looking for photography blogs, and loved that yours centered on another favorite obsession of mine – Disney. I love your photography posts, and would love for you to keep occasionally posting photography tips into your blogs. Even so much as like at the end of a post saying how you set up a particular favorite photo you did in that post and how you determined your exposure would be greatly appreciated! I loved the cast member post you just did, and would love some insight to a some of those shots. My shots have improved from your recommendations on books and tip posts you have had! Please don’t give up the reason you started the blog!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jaredandersen/
I found your blog last year while planning a trip to Disney and Universal and have really enjoyed it. Specifically, the posts I enjoy the most are the hotel and restaurant reviews, as well as the things to avoid in order to make the most of your day or days at Disney world. Your honesty on what you don’t like or think is a waste of time and/or money is very much appreciated. Also, I’m a sucker for lists like everyone else. We are planning a trip to Disney for the Mickey very merry Christmas (with 3 and 8 yr old nephews) so the group reservation idea is awesome!!
Also, just thought about while reading your very merry party posts, it would be great if you could recommend dinner spots that will be Christmasy at the magic kingdom and average time spent/best time to stop for meals
I “found” the blog about 2 years ago when I was researching a family trip to celebrate our anniversary. It has been extremely helpful. We even took the time to visit some of the resorts due to your suggestions. We went the week following Thanksgiving 2015.
We really enjoy the photos. As a person who loves Disney, but can’t go more than every 5 years. I enjoy seeing and reading about it on the blog. The pictures and trip reports are great, even those on the international parks. We have only visited Walt Disney World ourselves. It’s fun to read about the others.
The most difficult for me is finding posts about a specific topic. I know you don’t date the posts and I’m not sure that would help. I have seen a blog about something and when I went to read it again, it was a search to find it.
I would love to give you constructive criticism, but I can’t. Truly, I love this blog. I have recommended it to several friends who are in planning stages. Not only is it informative, but it’s fun to read as you’re a great & interesting writer! Also, I would be interested in the group rate. Wilderness Lodge is actually next on my list to stay at. I’ve only had dinner there. Whispering Canyon is yummy! Thanks for what you do & Happy New Year!
I enjoy your blog, even the photography hints. A group rate would be very interesting. We’ve stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for Christmas once and Wilderness Lodge 4 times. It has the Christmas feel we enjoy. The last time we went the decorations had decreased and it was diasappointing. I complained and I’m assuming others did because it was much better. We went Dec. 11-16 this year. Quite time seems to have disappeared. The construction created elevator problems which I hope aren’t permanent. The one reviewer was to harsh about Artist Point. Admittedly not as exotic as some years but still good, especially the mushroom soup and cobbler. For a more daring meal go to Jikco in Animal Kingdom Lodge. Very good. Thank you for your straight forward, helpful blog.
Spending our first Christmas at the Wilderness Lodge. A lot renovations and new construction for the DVC. We were extremely disappointed with the Artists Point Restaurant. No more NW territory menu, basic beef, fish and fowl. Prices were very high for poor quality food. Never again!
I found your blog when I was scouring the internet for Tokyo Disney information for our first trip there in October 2014. We went back again a year after that and Hong Kong and Shanghai this year. Your site was an indespencable resource. I’ve pointed friends to you for domestic park advice because you write honest opinions in a relatable and humorous way. Not sure I have any critiques! Just that I’m jealous of your life
My favorite posts are the trip reports. Even the international ones! I also really appreciate insight into current events. We were at Disneyland for the launch of Christmas and I was astounded that you were able to get a post out with current and accurate info a day before its official launch. So timely and so amazingly helpful. It’s tha level of dedication to your “groupies” that I appreciate.
My only criticism is th difficulty of finding a specific post in the blog. Many times I know you’ve written about something I’m researching and I just can’t find it from the blog itself. I generally can find it using google though.
Thanks for all you both do. Been following you for years and I really appreciate the amount of time this must all take.
Someone mentioned it but…is there a way you can date your posts? You mention when you update but when it’s a one-off post there’s really no way to tell when it was posted. But if I’m missing something obvious let me know!
This so much! There’s used to be dates. It’s how I found things I had bookmarked in my brain. But now I can’t. Saaaaad.
Also interrsted in the group rate thing, esp for those dates because that’s when we go every year. And Wilderness is on our bucket list. Eek!
Yes!! I was thinking of going to Wilderness Lodge next year after your review! We always stay at the Boardwalk but I want change and the location is no longer a deal breaker. And our plan was to go that week too! We’re actually buying the 4 (7) day hopper now before prices go up.
Definitely interested in getting in on a group discount – especially at Wilderness Lodge! Also believe it would be an easy sell to my 2 brothers and their families. Those dates match up exactly with the time 2 of us routinely visit. Sounds like this might be a good time for a family reunion.
We would LOVE to get a discounted rate to stay at Wilderness Lodge over Christmas. We just came from a trip right after Thanksgiving; the year before we went the week before Thanksgiving. We love WDW at Christmastime. We won’t be going in 2017, but we are already planning and setting aside our dates for 2018! If y’all are still interested in 2018, we would join. If the price is too high though, we’ll end up splitting our stay between the campground and Wilderness. We stayed at Ft Wilderness and the kids just loved it. We are planning to go to MVMCP during our stay in 2018, so that has to factor into our budget when we go.
For what it’s worth I read your blog for the “negativity” and opinions. I read other blogs that tend to either “rah, rah” everything Disney does, or step lightly in fear of possibly insulting the overlords. I find that I turn to your blog for straight up truth. Like you, I don’t always fully agree with everything Disney does (like the “Enhancement Extras” you wrote about a week ago. Don’t get me started, or this comment will be as long as a blog.).
As for the posts about the parks in Asia, even though I have no near future plans to go (my 3 year would never make that flight) I enjoy those posts too, and I enjoy them mostly for the opinions.
Thanks for being so honest, and for the great photos (whoever you’re hiring to shoot them ).
Tom, please don’t stop writing about the parks abroad! I’m a reader from the UK and I enjoy all your blog posts.
I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you this but write what makes you happy. Thanks for keeping this blog going. I really enjoy reading your thoughts/trip reports and everything else.
I’m highly interested in your group rate idea and particularly for Wilderness Lodge (since that’s a place we’d like to stay). Unfortunately, it’s more realistic for us to go in 2018. We just went in November and it’ll be difficult for me to sell a 2017 WDW trip to my husband. We also went in November based on your suggestion (not the sweet spot after Thanksgiving, but earlier in the month) and thought it was frustratingly crowded. Is that sweet spot really that sweet? (I know, I know, it’s a balance) Anyway, if you decide to try this convention rate idea again at any time in 2018, I can almost guarantee we’ll be able to participate (because we really are going in 2018 without defined dates as of yet).
And thank you for being open to our suggestions, by the way. My critique is actually about the way you’re doing your blog vs. the content. Many of your trip planning related posts contains brand new inserted content on top of or in place of existing content. And although you typically let the reader know it was last updated on such and such date, what I don’t know is *what* you just edited or modified. There aren’t enough time/date stamps for me. I know that sounds odd, but when I read something that you’ve edited and posted back as brand new (i.e. placed at the top of your blog), I’ll start reading it and commonly tell myself ‘yep, I read that already’ ‘okay, that’s familiar too’ etc. and end up reading the whole thing with only a few things that seemed new to me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read Disney World Trip Planning Guide in its entirety for instance, only to learn that I knew most of it already. And while I love your blog, I want to have the choice to re-read the portions I enjoy instead of being forced to. Does that made sense? I know it’s probably more work for you, but for your frequent readers, it would be great if there was a section that just gave us the updates only (again maybe with dates).
Also, I’m a huge fan of your International Disney trips, tips, reviews, etc. Your US Disney information is great, but I’ve come to rely on you for our International Disney vacations (except for our Disneyland Paris trip, I didn’t know you back then). so thank you. We’re out there reading your international trips, I promise.