I'm reading a wonderful story about Romantic places by all of the Staffers and thier wonderful memories and then all the way at the bottom: "All Lutz Concludes" goes on to rip apart the park. I mean come on. This is supposed to be a nice article and he has to go and ruin it. Now he did add the nice part about Hungry Bear, but then puts in a jab about how Pooh dining is going to be there soon, as if he knows for a fact it is. And somehow this only jades his memories. I will give him this, he had other nice things to say, but why did he have to take a shot at the park? Doesn't he do that enough already? Is he really that bitter?

Karma Kid

I thought the exact same thing when I read that piece. Everyone had nice stories to tell, but Al just couldn't resist being negative about Disney. It's funny that he's so passionate about the company but seems to hate everything about it! Okay, I take that back, because he loved the new Tron DVD (but even that review contained its occasional shots at other Disney products).

I really enjoy some of Al opinions of the Disney parks.

But I have to admit it does seem at times that he has got his own personal agenda.

Like for instance after the septeber the 11th terrorist atacks.while the whole country was in mourning.Al took it upon himself to atack the company for its lack of sercurity.Which in my opinion was a bad time to start taking cheap shots at the company.

Al also loves to make it look like that Eisner and Pressler are a couple of money hungry morons who have no idea how to run a theme park.Which I do not think is true. The company is just being carefull what there spend money on.Another good point is that last year the DL resort open more things then ever before in the resort.That includes a brand new theme park.A new shopping complex.And a brand new hotel.

DCA is not the success that the company wanted it to be.But it is also not the disaster that Al makes it out to be.It just needs some minor changes.

Al comes across as very bitter at times.But I enjoy his opinions.And at the end of the day thats all it is.Opinions which while at times go a bit to far are interesting to read.And hopely someone at the DL resort will read his and other people opinions and do something about it.Like the upkeep of the parks.
If it was not for people like Al how would the company know where there are going wrong.

Al if you are reading keep up the good work.I may not agree with everything you say but I enjoy your opinions.

Al's updates have a lot of good information, but you have to look past his bitterness.

I'm not buying the fact that he cares about DL.. even though I'm sure he does. But if you were talking about his articles being published in the 'legitimate press' (Such as a paper, magazine, etc.), I doubt you would see that, as any editor would rip him to shreads over that. (That's the power of the Internet, though.. Anyone can publish.)

Now, as for what I just consider bad show (To borrow from Al): Putting his little theater stuff at the end of someone else's review. Maybe the original reviewer doesn't care? Maybe they asked for his input? Dunno.. But the fact is, it just looks stupid..

To quoth Dennis, "That's just my opinion, I could be wrong."

Thomas

Yes, he's that bitter.

He reminds me of Dick Button doing commentary on a skating competition while he's in a bad mood. (Or of myself, grumbling about the post-mutiny regime at KUSC-FM, and how it Pipedreams, Prairie Home Companion, and its outreach-based format in order to cater to those who only value classical music for its "cachet.")

I wouldn't exactly dismiss the changes DCA needs as "minor," but I would classify them as evolutionary, rather than revolutionary.

--
JHHL

Here's another vote that Al is just too angry these days to write objective reports. I love the info etc that I get from his articles, but jeez, he's got to lighten up. This is about a theme park, for crying out loud.

Al, take a vacation or something and relax. :)

I tend to agree. Good information but it's all too buried between potshots at the company.

Why *is* Al so angry about Disney, anyway? I mean, many of us are a little upset or have concerns, but All sounds as though they've hurt him personally in the past. Is there something we don't know about?

As long as I get the information he has, I can look past his anger.

The man does sound critical, but it's fairly amusing reading his articles. In a weird way that only makes sense to me, he comes off the same way Jim Hill does. They're both critical, yet also hopeful of what could have been. Besides, Al Lutz usually provides some useful insight into the going-ons at Disneyland.

Imagine hearing Don Pardo say this after a round of The Dating Game: "You'll end your enchanted Valentine's date by dining at the romantic Hungry Bear Restaurant, where you'll enjoy a delectable corn dog and fries . . ." What woman's heart wouldn't melt? (You're such a smoothie, Al.)

I enjoy Al's columns, too, but I think he does get a bit overbearing with his criticism at times; after all, it is his soapbox. Nevertheless, I'm glad he's there doing what he does. As long as he quits doing this everytime he thinks he's scored a point: ;) .

Al, there's no need to keep reminding us how smart you are.

I just like to read his articles and think of it as a game:


Number of times he mentions you can drink booze at DCA
Slamming Pooh (the ride, the merch, etc. etc.)
Complaining about people at the park (Remember when he took pictures of someone who took a table? Uhh. sure Al)
Slamming Paradise Pier.
etc etc etc


Maybe an Al drinking game? ;)

Originally posted by mrcoffee
Maybe an Al drinking game? ;)

How about a shot of bitters everytime he does this: ;).

You'd be plastered in no time.

I really like Al's grumpy attitude. I feel a healthy dose of cynicism does journalists a world of good.

As for his crabby comments in today's Valentine's column, I have to admit that I had an almost identical response to the question "what's your favorite romantic spot in a Disney park?" Turns out that my favorite spot is the way back of the LOWER level of Hungry Bear, soon to be obliterated by tons of Pooh. Much as it's a question designed to elicit a charming response, the fact that they are in the process of destroying my favorite romantic spot cannot help but result in a crabby response from me, too.

So I don't blame Al and his tude for the dastardly dirt Disney does.

I like Al. (Ok so I'm a "Lutz-Moknkey", big deal! :D )

I like how he always says what's on his mind. :)

OK let me chime back in here. I'm not saying that he's a bad guy, or that I think his views are bad. (That's another topic on which I could write volumes about) But just the fact that he turned a good article (Something that was written with a "Nice" feel and was well written and informative) into something that left a bad taste in my mouth. Anyway... Who was that someone special he refered to in the Article? I mean, I know abou the Krocks and the Phoenix-Vincents...

Karma Kid

I also tire of his negativity. It's just too much to bear.

I really get tired of reading "Paradise Pier Carnival Area" or "Grizzly River Run raftride". It sounds immature. We already know. That's great. Move on.

As bitter as he may seem in his articles, he didnt come across that way when We ran into him this past Sunday.

I know quite a few people (myself included) who can get very cynical at times when it comes to Disney and the state of the company. Just look at some of the threads on MP. I guess its the Glass House thing.

If you dont like the way Al writes, get your information elsewhere.

Like him or not, Al gets a lot of good information and has contacts all over the company.

Do you see Al complaining about how bitter you are about him being Bitter?

Obviously he has made an impact and you remember his articles.

Though i may not always agree with his views, I do like the Information i recieve.

I don't think Al is bitter in the least. Certainly not in person, but even what he writes online only sounds bitter to those who frequent MousePlanet and have gotten so accustomed to his information that they read everything he writes.

Remember, MP.com is visited by a *lot* of people, many of them far less frequently than those of us here on the MousePad. To those people, Al's criticism comes across as sharp-eyed nudging back toward Walt's dream, not the pedantic monotonal histrionics he is often accused of. Al writes for everyone, especially the infrequent visitor, and if he were to tone down the rhetoric, it might not be so obvious that the company is facing some problems right about now.

And, when all is said and done, it is "his soapbox," as was pointed out.

It's just his style. When he says the same things in person, there's a touch of humor to it, like you're sharing an in joke. If you haven't met him, though, I can see how the "in joke" could come off as grumbling. He is very opinionated, no doubt, but again, in person it comes off less like bitterness, and more like an educated (if opinionated) critique.

Originally posted by malin
If it was not for people like Al how would the company know where there are going wrong.

If Disney listened only to Al, they'd be afraid to try anything because he rips into 95% of the things they do now.

Sailor Butterfly,

I wonder how many things get fixed because it's on a schedule or because it was already put into motion before h rants about it. I mean, He takes a lot of credit for things that I wonder if he's really behind it. I mean after all, I would never believe that he has any power beyond his "soapbox." And If he is the almighty Al, then why won't he meet up with Cynthia. He Met up with the "Hamburgler."


Karma Kid

Originally posted by KarmaKid
Now he did add the nice part about Hungry Bear, but then puts in a jab about how Pooh dining is going to be there soon, as if he knows for a fact it is.

I won't comment on Al; I can't respond objectively to his writings because I know him too well personally. And you are all entitled to your opinions and they are valid.

However, unless Disney is building the Pooh ride units just for kicks, I have seen them and been informed that they are for "a new ride in California". Nothing is certain at Disneyland until they open the turnstile and celebrate the 1,000,000th rider, but I would say that Pooh is just about as certain as you can get.

Originally posted by FEJ
If you dont like the way Al writes, get your information elsewhere.

By that logic, if Al doesn't like Disney, he should find something else to write about.

I don't know about the rest of you but when I see Al in the parks I purposely avoid him. Simply too negative when I want to enjoy the parks for what they are. They're not perfect but sometimes I would rather be there then in the real world.

At times I think Al should shut up and look at the parks with a even eye. His constant negativity can be annoying.

Although mistakes have been made and upkeep is at a minimum, who can say that they still don't love the place? Would you even consider not going there again until all the upkeep is done? Of course not!

I implore Al to write just one op-ed piece about what the Management and the parks are doing right. Just one article/update without any negative views or opinions about the parks. I would really like to see if he could do it. Sometimes I doubt he can.

And please Al, stay out of other people's articles. Let them say what they have to say without you sticking in your .02. Everything you have to say is so negative anyway.

Ozy.

Heck, sometimes I don't think Al could say ONE nice thing about Disney without sticking in a backhanded slap or a Bronx cheer.