More women on the Dis Unplugged?

[disneyland_is_magic]

I have to say; when the OP posted I was expecting to see an onslaught of pushback.

It's really lovely that mostly the tone is warm and welcoming to the feedback.

 

[woodleygrrl]

It would also be cool to have more people of color and people with more diverse backgrounds sharing their interest in Disney. That would bring such an interesting and more inclusive voice to the critiques that the team is bringing to the table.

 

[Teleclashter]

Here’s the deal. The WDW Edition has four core seats - Pete, John, Kevin and then Corey/Julie alternating. That leaves one seat at the table. We then have to rotate Teresa, Kathy, Steve, Charles and Sean in that seat and lately we’ve had guests in from California too. Back when I started it was essentially just Teresa and Kathy switching off but things have grown since then. Beyond that, the rest of the shows utilize the staff that Pete has put together. I think we’d all love to see a bigger female and family presence, but as of now our staffing is what it is. And I do appreciate when people suggest Kylie for the show, but unfortunately her full-time job would never allow her to participate and it’s tough enough just getting her out and about for the occasional vlog. Trust me, I’d love to get to see my wife more often.

 

[MsGlassSlipper]

Here’s the deal. The WDW Edition has four core seats - Pete, John, Kevin and then Corey/Julie alternating. That leaves one seat at the table. We then have to rotate Teresa, Kathy, Steve, Charles and Sean in that seat and lately we’ve had guests in from California too. Back when I started it was essentially just Teresa and Kathy switching off but things have grown since then. Beyond that, the rest of the shows utilize the staff that Pete has put together. I think we’d all love to see a bigger female and family presence, but as of now our staffing is what it is. And I do appreciate when people suggest Kylie for the show, but unfortunately her full-time job would never allow her to participate and it’s tough enough just getting her out and about for the occasional vlog. Trust me, I’d love to get to see my wife more often.

Thanks Craig. I appreciate your reading the feedback from this thread and taking the time to respond. I totally get the issue of having only so many seats around the table. I think that the gender imbalance might feel especially pronounced given that the production nook is all male as well. Anyway, I hope that whenever the Dis next decides to add another team member that you guys consider some of the things that were discussed on this thread.

And thanks to others too for being largely supportive on this thread.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Here’s the deal. The WDW Edition has four core seats - Pete, John, Kevin and then Corey/Julie alternating. That leaves one seat at the table. We then have to rotate Teresa, Kathy, Steve, Charles and Sean in that seat and lately we’ve had guests in from California too. Back when I started it was essentially just Teresa and Kathy switching off but things have grown since then. Beyond that, the rest of the shows utilize the staff that Pete has put together. I think we’d all love to see a bigger female and family presence, but as of now our staffing is what it is. And I do appreciate when people suggest Kylie for the show, but unfortunately her full-time job would never allow her to participate and it’s tough enough just getting her out and about for the occasional vlog. Trust me, I’d love to get to see my wife more often.

Perhaps when one of the core members is not around, females could be given priority to filling them?

 

[GeneralTso]

I think we understand "the deal" and like the crew. We also would like to see some change at some point. Just because it is what it is right now doesn't mean it can't change up. There are some good ideas on this thread.

 

[disneyland_is_magic]

That leaves one seat at the table. We then have to rotate Teresa, Kathy, Steve, Charles and Sean in that seat

Perhaps when one of the core members are not around, females could be given priority to filling them?

This. When we see Charles, Steve and Sean on the other content, could the preference be made to let the ladies and guests rotate that 5th seat and then have the guys as alternates?

 

[MikeTaylor]

More @safetymom !!!

 

[Tonyz]

More @safetymom !!!

I'll never argue against that!

 

[disneysteve]

I do agree that there are certain things about the demographic around the table, whether for the Tuesday show or others, that differs from the group that I would like to hear from. Not to be negative, but sometimes the dining show needs to talk about what it would be like to eat at a restaurant with kids.

I think this is a great point. There is now an entire DIS dining show that totally overlooks the fact that a great many people coming to Disney are families with children. All of the people who do that show are childless. Any of us who are parents can tell you that choosing a restaurant is very different when there are kids involved. If the team can't include someone with kids, perhaps they can at least start to incorporate some info about the kid's offerings at the restaurants they are visiting. Much of the time, our dining choices were driven by what worked best for our daughter rather than what DW and I preferred.

 

[Ladyann]

I do wish Teresa was on more, but it is what it is. It might be hard to work around people’s schedules. It’s still a great podcast!

 

[AdamEfimoff]

or African Americans, Chinese, Person in a Wheelchair , Japanese, The list goes on and on. They tell me this is because when they started they were all friends. But tbh it 2018 diversity

 

[buzzrelly]

I love the show, but I was thinking the SAME thing watching this week's episode. I missed the females. I don't mind the males, but it's nice when it's a mix. No disrespect to anyone.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I think there are some really good thoughts and points here. I would add two things:

1) I try to look at all of this as this is this particular groups view of something. It isn't the definitive take and if you are looking for something more specific there are plenty of other websites and podcasts and blogs out there that feature women or families or African Americans or what have you. Doesn't mean this show can't try different things or think about adjusting or adding but it is hard for any one podcast to be everything to everyone. So I just use this as one piece of the puzzle

2) they are accepting video contributors - just recently one was of a dining review at Jock Lindsey's - so if you want to see more women or families or African Americans or whatever and you happen to be one of them and have the chance, consider doing a video review and submitting it. Totally get not everyone can but if you are able to it is a way to proactively do something

Lastly I do know sometimes real life can get in the way so if you haven't seen a particular person in a bit maybe there is an illness or something just taking up their time so that can play a role as well with schedules if it happens to come up when they would have been on

 

[MNtwinsplus1mom]

One thing I have always appreciated about the DIS Disneyland podcast is the diverse makeup of the team (gender, stage of life, distance to DL so needing to handle travel in various ways & stay at hotels) & that they can personally relate to issues of bringing kids to the parks (in the past or at present). Or going alone or as a couple. Their different perspectives are so helpful.

I get that the Orlando show has been designed differently. I do appreciate when the team members speak to issues related to people taking kids to WDW though bc it's relevant to so many listeners. Would be nice to see more.

 

[Ladyann]

I have to agree with the person who said that it’s hard for every podcast to be everything to everyone. I’m sure everyone involved is trying, but this isn’t Hollywood and there are restraints to what they can do. If this show doesn’t satisfy your needs any longer, then maybe it’s time to shop around for another.

 

[loves to dive]

It doesn't bother me at all. I don't need to hear the perspective of a specific gender when talking about Disney.

I was just about the type the very same thing. They hire who is best for the job and I don't think they should hire a woman just because she's a woman. Now if a woman applies and she is best qualified, go for it and I don't think they would not hire someone because of their gender.

 

[disneyland_is_magic]

I was thinking about this discussion, thinking that they would have to hire a woman and thinking it could be years before they did. And then it hit me.

Their brand is probably entirely far and away staffed by women. How many of their agents are female? 80%? Looking at the boards and list of moderators, I believe the majority are female. Then do not need to go to the moon here. I am not even saying force something, but if they took a second look around their existing contributors, moderators and agents, they could invite a few to participate in a kid's restaurant review or guest on the Universal show and just see if something naturally evolves. Kylie was an instant fan favorite, nobody could have really predicted it and I certainly don't think it's her goal to become a Youtube star, it just worked on it own. So I would just ask they look again, try a couple of times, and no harm, no foul. I think most people just want them to keep it in the back of their minds while working on new ideas and be something that feels right for everyone.

Kids menus are a HUGE priority for families, this has been a missed opportunity. A friend recently went to Hawaii, I suggested they do a lunch at Aulani and visit the beach and the first question out of her month was....."well what's comes in a kids meal?" I replied, "pizza, drinks and ice cream sundaes." They had a great time.

 

[Ladyann]

I was thinking about this discussion, thinking that they would have to hire a woman and thinking it could be years before they did. And then it hit me.

Their brand is probably entirely far and away staffed by women. How many of their agents are female? 80%? Looking at the boards and list of moderators, I believe the majority are female. Then do not need to go to the moon here.

When the Dreams Unlimited Podcast just started they brought in some female agents. I found it to be very interesting to hear their opinions and advice. There is a female on that show (I honestly can’t remember her name) and she does a great job.

I wonder why they don’t use Julie more? She’s great and has young children.

 

[DLgal]

They really should have more parents with kids somewhere on the panel. I listen to several Disney podcasts and while most of them are male dominated, they ALL have children and include those topics in the conversations.

I agree that the kids menus is a HUGE factor in choosing a restaurant. Not all kids menus are created equally either. You can't just assume every restaurant has the same kids menu options. I have come across MANY Disney restaurants I would love to go to but can't because they don't have something as basic as chicken tenders or a hamburger on the menu. This is very valuable information and in the Disney Dining show, a 30 second rundown of the kids menu would be helpful.

Or maybe Craig and Steve just need to get moving on having kids.