Disney Parks InsidEARS - New Disney Parks Discussion Forums Coming Soon!

[TXTaylors5]

Disney Parks is in the process of starting it's own discussion boards site. This will be Disney's version of these boards. It is still in the beta version. 1,000 invitations to join went out to select Disney enthusiasts across the country, with an attempt to split that group between 500 fans knowledgeable about the Walt Disney World Resort and 500 who know about the Disneyland Resort. Our own Lou is part of this select group! Yea Lou! Each person received a unique invitation code to register for the site, set up a profile, and answer a pair of quizzes to ensure they do know about the parks.

Soon, we will ALL be able to join. Keep checking the website and on facebook for more information.

Official Disney Parks InsidEARS website
Official Disney Parks InsidEARS Facebook page

What is an InsideEAR?
Disney Parks InsidEARS are Disney Parks enthusiasts who might be willing to share their personal experiences or independent opinions about the Walt Disney World Resort or the Disneyland Resort with you. They are not employees, representatives, spokespersons or agents of Disney, but are people like yourselves who love Disney Parks! Feel free to mouse around and find a Disney Parks InsidEAR with similar interests.

(Above info obtained from DisneyParks.com and insidethemagic.net)

[HauntedGabe]

I'm trying to find words to describe how I feel about this move on Disney's part. *** I enjoy the forums and other Disney sights being independent of Disney control and special invitation.

I also wonder how candid the advice and discussion will be. There are some very knowledgeable Disney Fans out there and I am afraid this may undermine the "free press" of the independent thinking fans. Will their forums disappear like the fan meets did? My fear is the move will be like Disney reviewing itself. Will the elite, hand picked team be allowed to be both excited about Disney and critical? Will they be wary of being critical?

So similar to the cancelling of the Magic Meets and up pops D23 and Disney then controls the meets.

I hope all my favorite independent experts step carefully into this new adventure and do not loose their credibility with the fans.

*** And it starts. I already feel awkward about how to tip toe into this discussion.

[Keasmom]

Will the boards be open to public discussion? Or limited to only those 1000?
Congrats to Lous, but what of objectivity?

[Mo Noyz]

Unless Lou and Corless get into a steel cage death match of words I'd have no reason to go there. I spend enough time here.

[TXTaylors5]

Will the boards be open to public discussion? Or limited to only those 1000?
Congrats to Lous, but what of objectivity?

The site is currently in beta testing with NON-Disney affiliated invitation-only guests like those in the travel industry, independent bloggers, avid fans and past WDW Moms Panel applicants. It will eventually be opened up to the masses. Once it is, you can create a profile and if you want to become a specialist in a Disney Parks area, you must pass an online test with a few questions on the subject to get your "specialty pin" displayed in your avatar.

At the end of the day, it is just another Disney Parks discussion boards. It is a fact that Disney does browse the current non-official online forums on the parks like this one and the DIS. So, they know there is a BIG following out there of people discussing their upcoming trips, sharing trip reports and tips and tricks to make the most of a Disney Parks vacation. They are still keeping the WDW Moms Panel, but adding this site to build a "community" of Disney fans. They have opened it up to ALL Disney Parks enthusiasts with their vast knowledge, those planning their first trip and need the ins and outs of planning a Disney Parks vacation to just someone curious about a one-day "once in a lifetime" trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland. Also, they will have boards on DCL, ABD, DVC, RunDisney, etc . . . following the current discussion forums out there. So, why now Disney? I've been pretty fine with the current forums out there and they aren't run by the company I am freely speaking on. I'd be curious to see if any censorship comes into play or if they will let the fans speak freely, the good and the bad.

I guess, only time will tell . . .

[HauntedGabe]

The site is currently in beta testing with NON-Disney affiliated invitation-only guests like those in the travel industry, independent bloggers, avid fans and past WDW Moms Panel applicants. It will eventually be opened up to the masses. Once it is, you can create a profile and if you want to become a specialist in a Disney Parks area, you must pass an online test with a few questions on the subject to get your "specialty pin" displayed in your avatar.

So the only ones that will be able to answer questions are the folks that have been anointed by Disney? Example: Which is better FC or POR? My answer is POR, reason, reason, reason, my caution would be FC remodeled and queen beds, POR, not all rooms have been transformed as of yet so try your best at check in to get new room
Or are these people going to just spit out Birnbaum type replies?

Also, they will have boards on DCL, ABD, DVC, RunDisney, etc . . . following the current discussion forums out there. So, why now Disney? I've been pretty fine with the current forums out there and they aren't run by the company I am freely speaking on. I'd be curious to see if any censorship comes into play or if they will let the fans speak freely, the good and the bad.

I guess my concern for So, why not Disney? at this point would be how frank the answers will be and who gets to answer and pose them? If an attraction is rehab'd and really takes some hits like SSE did, will this be posted on that forum? How will it be moderated, will the experts have guidelines that they must agree to follow in their advice? Will the moderators review or censor before posting?

I guess, only time will tell . . .

Indeed, we will have to see. I do check the official Disney Blog, I find it to be like a press release, useful information. Now if you follow the Q&A at the bottom at all I find the Q & A to be rather ridged and very customer servicey type replies. Not what you would anticipate from a non-Disney board/forum.

Also many of these appointed experts are granted special invites to Hawaii, press DCL sailings, MK Christmas Parties etc., as guests of Disney, I wonder how many would risk making waves when they are afforded a special relationship with Disney already?

Indeed, time will tell.

[TXTaylors5]

So the only ones that will be able to answer questions are the folks that have been anointed by Disney? Example: Which is better FC or POR? My answer is POR, reason, reason, reason, my caution would be FC remodeled and queen beds, POR, not all rooms have been transformed as of yet so try your best at check in to get new room
Or are these people going to just spit out Birnbaum type replies?

No, anyone can start a thread, post questions and answers just like this board. The only difference is that Disney Parks InsidEARS will be run by Disney. The specialty pins come into play if you want to highlight what you are most knowledgeable about to help others on the boards. Now, there are moderators called Community Managers. From what I can tell, they are Disney Cast Members.

Yes, travel writers and media people have been invited to participate on the site. I will honestly take their comments with a grain of salt. It's comments from real people like you and other Disney guests that I personally will take more value in.

[doconeill]

I seem to have lost my invitation...

[TXTaylors5]

I seem to have lost my invitation...

It's with mine!

[HauntedGabe]

No, anyone can start a thread, post questions and answers just like this board. The only difference is that Disney Parks InsidEARS will be run by Disney. The specialty pins come into play if you want to highlight what you are most knowledgeable about to help others on the boards. Now, there are moderators called Community Managers. From what I can tell, they are Disney Cast Members.

Yes, travel writers and media people have been invited to participate on the site. I will honestly take their comments with a grain of salt. It's comments from real people like you and other Disney guests that I personally will take more value in.

I'm sure I will eye ball it for a while. My eye will be on the anointed ones.
I also want to see if there is a review time before things post up, how those individuals answer questions, honestly or through rose colored glasses.

I want to see if the invited ones can give good advice and also give harsh criticism when it is warranted. If the invited can be candid about the good and the bad, it may work. If not, why waste your time and possibly be mislead.

[NC_WDW_Daddy]

I kind of like it here and don't care for many of the other sites. I doubt I'll spend time there other than a single curiosity visit.

[supernova]

I have never ONCE visited any of the official Disney parks blogs for ANY information. I just don't have any interest and hardly need to be kept abreast of updates every single step of the way. When a ride is open, someone call me. Until then...

[JNota0005DakMC]

And Mike...
There info is usually late... But people hang on the official stuff because it means it IS happening...

[doconeill]

And Mike...
There info is usually late... But people hang on the official stuff because it means it IS happening...

Oh, but how many times has stuff been officially announced, and still didn't happen?

[supernova]

Oh, but how many times has stuff been officially announced, and still didn't happen?

That's part of Disney's charm. I was going to put the full list of projects together here, but it's 7:15pm. I have work in the morning and I don't want to be late.