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 gordonfree |
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Ballroom Dancer
Posts: 193 (02/25/09 11:02:02) |
I've been following this fascinating discussion... and I must say I pretty much agree with Dan. I would not expect them to come out and announce the
return of the HBG, but given the hints that they have dropped, I fully expect to see him in September and I will be very disappointed if he is not there.
 
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ste3ve |
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Posts: 5994 (02/25/09 16:46:08) Administrator |
If HBG shows up, I'm afraid they'll overscript him, and in so doing take away exactly that enigmatic quality that makes him appealing to so many HM fans. I'd rather NOT have him return than have him subordinated to the ongoing saga of Constance. I agree wholeheartedly. I don't expect to see the HBG, and if he does show up, I'd be disappointed if he played second fiddle to Chatty Cathy...er, Constance. And some people around know how big a fan of the HBG I am... 
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Dan Olson |
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Obviously Didn't Turn Back
Posts: 2327 (02/25/09 21:36:17) Obviously Didn't Turn Back |
And some people around know how big a fan of the HBG I am... You're not pulling our leg, are you? |
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tgm105 |
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Obviously Didn't Turn Back
Posts: 1824 (02/25/09 21:48:26) Grim Grinning Ghost |
The whole point of this part of the discussion is that you claim that Disney's failure to announce or advertise the coming of HBG is somehow significant. I didn't claim anything. I was wondering why they wouldn't want to specifically promote it. My thinking was that by doing so, not only would they get the "hardcore" fans excited but also create a buzz among the general public.
Thanks for the clairification. Of course they would target merchandise sales to those fans; especially since what's available in September is apparently exclusive to attendees. No matter what happens after the event, given the quality of the items offered, I find it hard to accuse Disney of "contempt for their best customers." It's not like they're rolling out a bunch of typical theme park souveniers and just smacking a 40th Anniversary logo on it. Asking people who don't particularly care if HBG returns whether they would feel bad if HBG doesn't return produces a fairly predictable answer, wouldn't you say? One would think so, but what's the harm in asking? Similarily, I guessed the opposite might be true. I thought "Asking people who think it would be cool if..." would result in a predictable answer. I was wrong. I guess it's better to find out than jump to conclusions. And ste3ve, I hope I'm not misinterpreting your comment, but I assume you're: A) a rather big fan of HBG and B) you're not of the opinion that the events as a reason to expect his return. Is that fair to say? I'd rather NOT have him return than have him subordinated to the ongoing saga of Constance. I've been under the impression that the connection to the Constance storyline is a big part of the reasoning some fans are expecting him. Contrary to rumor, I'm not going to firebomb Glendale or open my wrists if HBG doesn't show up. I've heard Burbank. |
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Dan Olson |
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Obviously Didn't Turn Back
Posts: 2328 (02/25/09 22:43:07) Obviously Didn't Turn Back |
tgm105 wrote: Sorry, but you did make the claim I attributed to you: "Nor do I understand why it would be concluded that something not specifically promised would be expected, or why Disney is stupid for not expecting that people would interpret that as meaning anything new is coming." The clear implication of this statement is that, in your view, the lack of advertisement or official announcement (i.e., a "specific promise") means that expectations of HBG's return have nothing solid to justify them, and that therefore Disney is doing nothing amiss if they ignore those expectations, or nothing stupid if they are unaware of those expectations. You can't make that statement without advancing that claim.
This is getting tiresome. Why is this so hard for you to grasp? The contempt lies in the fact that Disney is targeting souvenirs at a particular group of fans, even though Disney must know that those souvenirs will raise hopes and expectations among those fans for something that Disney (apparently) has no intention of delivering, but they're doing it anyway because they evidently don't care if those fans are disappointed, so long as Disney gets their money. I think "contempt" is actually a conservative word choice here. Asking people who don't particularly care if HBG returns whether they would feel bad if HBG doesn't return produces a fairly predictable answer, wouldn't you say? No harm, but also no point. |
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tgm105 |
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Obviously Didn't Turn Back
Posts: 1825 (02/26/09 02:24:02) Grim Grinning Ghost |
You can't make that statement without advancing that claim. I stand corrected. The contempt lies in the fact that Disney is targeting souvenirs at a particular group of fans, even though Disney must know that those souvenirs will raise hopes and expectations among those fans for something that Disney (apparently) has no intention of delivering, but they're doing it anyway because they evidently don't care if those fans are disappointed, so long as Disney gets their money. I think "contempt" is actually a conservative word choice here. OK, I'm by no means defending poor customer service, but hypothetically, let's say Disney does end up disappointing a small number of fans. What backlash will there be? No harm, but also no point.Included in the rest of what I said was, "I thought 'Asking people who think it would be cool if...' would result in a predictable answer. I was wrong. I guess it's better to find out than jump to conclusions." No point in asking someone a question? What's the alternative? |
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Dan Olson |
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Obviously Didn't Turn Back
Posts: 2329 (02/26/09 09:31:35) Obviously Didn't Turn Back |
First, this goes well beyond "poor customer service." This isn't a simple failure to do something they're supposed to do; this is
actively screwing people. Second, I don't know if there will be any backlash. Probably not, but I really don't care. If the bottom-line question is,
"Will Disney get away with this?" then I would say, "Yes." And third, I still don't get your last point. It seems to me that it's
like saying, "Asking people at a Britney Spears concert if they like Britney Spears may elicit a predictable response, but what's the
alternative?"
Let me make this plain, once again: If HBG is a no-show, it looks to me like a case of cancellation or postponement rather than a fan rumor exposed as a delusion. Despite the emphatic denials I/we have been getting lately (above and below the table), I've had equally reliable sources indicate that something was definitely afoot at some point. This means that, in all fairness, Disney could be guilty of nothing more than badly bungling the 40th by canceling the HBG comeback too late to do anything about the hint-dropping campaign running through the event's merchandising (especially the pins). I should emphasize that.
Last Edited By: Dan Olson
02/26/09 09:52:33.
Edited 1 times.
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HMdude88 |
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Foolish Mortal
Posts: 55 (02/26/09 14:13:21) Foolish Mortal |
I am sorry but anyone still holding on to that much hope for a Hatbox return is starting to confuse themselves.
It is pretty simple why Disney markets these things. Because people will buy them. I am not one to say never, but it would be a big mistake for Disney marketing to add the hatbox figure, because after a little while, he would just become that..another figure of the haunted mansion. Just another ghoul. By having this as something not seen as that and keeping him away forever they know there is a loyal group who are willing to lay down the dough to buy things with a face on it. T-shirts figureines...you name it. They all sell so well and Disney does not need to market them because there is this whole background to it for the serious fanbase. From a marketing standpoint this is an "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" and Disney is a business and that is the way they roll with this. Just think of how they market posters of attractions that do not even exist anymore or many things that make so much money, and Disney does not have to put a dime back into them. I am sorry if you feel cheated but the only way to beat a business if you are feeling cheated is..don't support it. So don't buy all that is Hatbox Ghost or anything related to it. If something comes out that you want to buy it because it has something hatbox related on it..than you are actually just cheating yourself out. And Disney does not care, that's money to them.
Last Edited By: HMdude88
02/26/09 14:25:43.
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tgm105 |
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Obviously Didn't Turn Back
Posts: 1831 (02/26/09 18:59:24) Grim Grinning Ghost |
Naturally asking people at a Britney Spears concert if they like Britney would result in a predictable answer. But if you ask her fans what they think of a
specific song, or what she's wearing onstage, you're likely to get different answers.
My point was that not all HM fans would feel that Disney was treating them with contempt. An obvious conclusion that, in retrospect, was pointless to mention. Anyway, Dan, thanks for addressing my comments and questions. Though we clearly have differing opinions on how Disney has handled this situation so far, it'll be interesting to see how things play out when the September event rolls around. |
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Dan Olson |
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Obviously Didn't Turn Back
Posts: 2332 (02/26/09 21:35:39) Obviously Didn't Turn Back |
And thank you too, tgm. I know I can be a gruff debater, but in all sincerity, I've appreciated the discussion.
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CaptainJackSparrowGirl |
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Foolish Mortal
Posts: 26 (03/01/09 18:45:04) Foolish Mortal |
Is this just happening at DL or is it at WDW too?
And when if anyone should know? |
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MasterGracey13 |
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Grim Grinning Ghost
Posts: 501 (03/01/09 19:01:08) |
CaptainJackSparrowGirl wrote: Well, No one knows for sure if he is coming back or not, if so he will most likley be installed in DL then, later an improved one will be installed in WDW, kinda like the attic bride, at least I think so. |
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MasterGracey13 |
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Grim Grinning Ghost
Posts: 502 (03/01/09 19:08:52) |
Also, I have not had any spare time to read all of Dan's and TGM's comments (i wish I could but I have been incredibly busy) so, not to be rude but,
can someone give me a short summary.
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 Haunted Hearse |
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Dead Center Of Attention
Posts: 3451 (03/02/09 18:37:17) Dead Center Of Attention |
First of all, outside of some HBG themed merchandise, and a hint there is a suprise in store for 9-9-9, there has been no word from the Disney corporation that
the HBG will return. Someone on this post has said in having a conversation with someone from Disney who should know, that that person said the HBG will not
be returning. I say if anybody has one of those large scale HBG statues, bring it to the mansion on 9-9-9 and make that fellow a lair!!!
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MasterGracey13 |
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Grim Grinning Ghost
Posts: 518 (03/03/09 12:55:15) |
Haunted Hearse wrote: Thanks. |
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gothikrose01 |
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Obviously Didn't Turn Back
Posts: 1521 (03/03/09 20:20:28) Ballroom Dancer |
Yeah bring him along, he can be my date ............ he he!
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CaptainJackSparrowGirl |
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Foolish Mortal
Posts: 28 (03/06/09 20:39:39) Foolish Mortal |
I did talk with a recruiter for the Disney College Program and he said that he didn't know anything about it. So who knows lol :P
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MasterGracey13 |
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Grim Grinning Ghost
Posts: 535 (03/07/09 06:23:50) |
I had dinner with an Imagineer last august, I was going to ask him if he was coming back, but I forgot!
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gothikrose01 |
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Obviously Didn't Turn Back
Posts: 1568 (03/07/09 12:06:19) Ballroom Dancer |
For shame, MG 13 forgetting to ask!
 Seriously though, it would have been nice. Now, do not let that happen again, o.k.?
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MasterGracey13 |
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Grim Grinning Ghost
Posts: 536 (03/07/09 13:55:27) |
I know
I didnt even realize I forgot to to ask until I was on the plane coming back home
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