The first 20 podcasts - a (lengthy)review.

[Agent Balti]

I initially started listening to the Disneybrit Podcast about Episode 14, then carried on thru to 17....then went right back to the start! So, I've listened to them all and seen how the show has progressed from the early days, right thru until now where it's really found a groove. Early days it was just Adam who did everything (bless him!) and whilst it was clearly a work in progress it seemed disjointed, Adam said Hello and Goodbye at every section...making almost sound as if the show should be on CBBC!

Sometimes Adam went a little too far to fill the show, notable 'issues' were a rather lengthy and quite a bit of a 'love-in' of stage adaption of a Disney classic...Another episode went on to list every single ride at Magic Kingdom for what was suitable for disabled or impaired visitors. All very noble, but boy did it go on! I think though Adam has learned from these early days no doubt with help from Juz Griffiths who appeared from Episode 6 to help out. This gave Adam something to bounce off and share his thoughts...although Juz can be a little grumpy and sometimes appears to play devils advocate, the duo worked well. (Even if Juz does audibly sniff now and again!) But then again, Juz can't stand High School Musical, which scores plenty of points for this reviewer - it has NO place in Disney Parks. NONE!

Latterly, to complete the team, Craig Duncan has joined to give his views. Whilst sitting on the fence a fair bit, he does 'complete the set' and the addition of Craig gives every segment a different view from Adam or Juz...

Issues - Sometimes the guys talk over each other, or leave gaping gaps, Adam is usually waiting for someone to speak...but this is largely unavoidable. Sometimes Skype (which they use as Juz is in the North West, Craig is somewhere else and Adam is in Leicester) is a bit suspect but Adam does his darnedest to iron out these issues. Sometimes, just sometimes, Adam does sound like the know it all that you really wouldn't sit next to on the bus! But without him and his expert experience, along with Juz the podcast wouldn't be what it is now. Both have written books on Disney, so who am I to argue!

Praise - The News & Rumours section is an invaluable resource to find out what's hot off the press or just pie in the sky, this section is worth the price alone (okay, that's nothing!) The quiz is a great way of educating the listener to the vast and deep history of Disney's parks and how much care the Imagineers have put into the World that we love. Adam's knowledge is utterly impressive and I cannot fail to be impressed. Latterly, the addition of Craig has filled out the team (not sure if Craig is a big guy, sounds like Juz is the foody of the bunch!) and they all work well, even if Craig's Skype always sounds a bit dodgy. Collaborations with American cohorts, especially in Episode 20, have been superb - a proper feel of hands across the ocean, making me feel that we're not so far away after all.

Final points - Just a personal thing, but I wish there was more on the actual Disney Resorts, not just the parks, as a lot of us would like (I would imagine a fair few of us would like to or will be staying 'on site'.) On the down side, there's too much on Disneyland Resort Paris, but that's just a personal feeling as...well, it's French...and I'm still totally drawn to Disneyworld and Paris just doesn't seem to appeal to me - but I'm sure it does to many, many others so ignore me!

So, that ends my rather large review of the first 20 episodes. I have not covered everything, not even the interviews which have always been informative, even if not quite 'on topic' for this reader. Given the technological bugbears, Adam and the guys spend a huge amount of time putting the whole thing together...and it's just getting better and better. Long may it continue, thanks so much for putting it all together bi-week in bi-week out!

Neill.

[jenocallaghan]

hi,

Ive only listened to episode 20 but wow............ what a way to depress yourself!!

I got totally wiped out by the negativeness of the topic "things to get rid of at Disney"

I needed to go and listen to a bit of Mongello ( WDWRadio) to cheer myself up again!

Love the quiz though!

Will listen to the next one though coz i like that a Brit is finally doing a podacst

Jenx

[Agent Balti]

From the sublime to the ridiculous...Episode 20 was truly awesome, loved it. 21 must be the worst yet.

Still the volume levels are wonky.

I have no idea who thought it a good idea to run a item on the Indy Racing Experience. The what? No, me either. It's near the Magic Kingdom and is very expensive...that's all you need to know. I see very limited interest in that for the UK visitor, nor have I ever heard anyone who has ever been on or ask about the Richard Petty or this experience.

Worst of all though was nigh on what seemed an age on AUDIO trip of Main St...in Paris. Why? An audio trip of anyone describing something you can't see or haven't seen, or have no choice but to listen to is completely painful. History is a wonderful thing and important (in parts), but most of this seemed like a dirge. Again, there seems to be an assumption that this is what the listener wants. I would bet if there were a poll an audio trip of Main St would be nowhere up there. If it were about Hidden Mickey's or something people would actually really, really care about...but people don't walk up Main St (either version) and think about the windows, doors, facades THAT much. If they want that, they'd buy a book. It's just not right for a non-visual medium.

Still, I think the guys took note about my query that there wasn't much on the resorts, so they do listen - well done for that! I don't mean to come down hard on them for what they do is, by and large, very good - this podcast just missed the mark.

[samsedge]

It really is a huge shame. The podcast started with such great promise, yet has just gone so far downhill it's painful to listen to.

Having listened to every episode (well, most of every episode. I find I have to skip huge chunks of episodes because they're just way to long and boring), I've noticed that in recent episodes the quality of the content and editing (especially the audio levels) has dropped significantly. Perhaps if they were to concentrate more on getting the podcasts right instead of jumping on the "lets try and do everything other podcasts do like meets and so on" bandwagon, or advertising their site all over the place they'd get somewhere.

One immediate sign of the quality slipping is that of the recent podcasts, very few of them have actually been released on schedule. If you set yourself a schedule of every other Wednesday, stick to it. Missing your own release dates is just very poor show and hardly gives the listener confidence.

Another larger sign of quality slipping is that fact checking appears to be non-existant. A number of times they've said something on the podcast that's either completely untrue or isn't fact checked properly. The same can be said for Adam's sample book that was attached to the podcast a while back. Having read it there are a huge number of things wrong in there, including completely wrong stories and numerous spelling mistakes.

Why was so much time given over to Adam's "audio diary" from WDW? I don't know about anyone else but listening to someone rhyming off what they've done on their holiday in a podcast like that was just depressing and boring.

Also, who's idea was it to recommend watching Wishes from Town Square and leave the park before the end of the show just to skip traffic? That has to be without a shadow of a doubt the worst recommendation I've ever heard in my life (and believe me, I've heard a few). You'd seriously suggest people miss out on one of the most magical experiences in the Magic Kingdom just to save a few minutes to get out of the gate? To me, this is the exact moment when this podcast lost all respect and credibility.

And that's not the only time they've decided to just completely ruin the magic for listeners. Several times they've just gone into a talk about backstage, or how effects work. Apparently they don't understand that some people just don't want to know how the ballroom ghosts in the Haunted Mansion work.

Yes, it's nice that someone from England made a podcast about Disney. It's just a shame it didn't work. I think I'll stick to listening to podcasts made by people who actually know what they're doing and who know what they're talking about.

Right. Start the countdown until someone deletes this post. I'm off for a cup of tea.

[MrOrlando]

It really is a huge shame. The podcast started with such great promise, yet has just gone so far downhill it's painful to listen to.

Having listened to every episode (well, most of every episode. I find I have to skip huge chunks of episodes because they're just way to long and boring), I've noticed that in recent episodes the quality of the content and editing (especially the audio levels) has dropped significantly. Perhaps if they were to concentrate more on getting the podcasts right instead of jumping on the "lets try and do everything other podcasts do like meets and so on" bandwagon, or advertising their site all over the place they'd get somewhere.

One immediate sign of the quality slipping is that of the recent podcasts, very few of them have actually been released on schedule. If you set yourself a schedule of every other Wednesday, stick to it. Missing your own release dates is just very poor show and hardly gives the listener confidence.

Another larger sign of quality slipping is that fact checking appears to be non-existant. A number of times they've said something on the podcast that's either completely untrue or isn't fact checked properly. The same can be said for Adam's sample book that was attached to the podcast a while back. Having read it there are a huge number of things wrong in there, including completely wrong stories and numerous spelling mistakes.

Why was so much time given over to Adam's "audio diary" from WDW? I don't know about anyone else but listening to someone rhyming off what they've done on their holiday in a podcast like that was just depressing and boring.

Also, who's idea was it to recommend watching Wishes from Town Square and leave the park before the end of the show just to skip traffic? That has to be without a shadow of a doubt the worst recommendation I've ever heard in my life (and believe me, I've heard a few). You'd seriously suggest people miss out on one of the most magical experiences in the Magic Kingdom just to save a few minutes to get out of the gate? To me, this is the exact moment when this podcast lost all respect and credibility.

And that's not the only time they've decided to just completely ruin the magic for listeners. Several times they've just gone into a talk about backstage, or how effects work. Apparently they don't understand that some people just don't want to know how the ballroom ghosts in the Haunted Mansion work.

Yes, it's nice that someone from England made a podcast about Disney. It's just a shame it didn't work. I think I'll stick to listening to podcasts made by people who actually know what they're doing and who know what they're talking about.

Right. Start the countdown until someone deletes this post. I'm off for a cup of tea.

Why would it be deleted? You are entitled to your opinion, just seems a shame that you joined this forum to make a very negative attack on something that many hundreds of people like.

Each to their own.

[Zoe Candelin]

What a shame. I personally love the episodes and find them informative and fun. I love to find out about the little secrets behind the magic and would suggest that if you didn't want to hear them then don't listen to Disney podcasts. In response to your comment about leaving the park before the fireworks have ended - who are you to comment on what other people may find a very useful suggestion? - having a two year old myself I am grateful for anything that is going to save me stress, and that tip certainly did.

Can I take this opportunity also to point out that these people do this completely out of a love for Disney - they receive no payment for it - it costs you nothing to listen and let you get some perverse pleasure from slating what they do. I did not read from you any constructive advice on what they way do to improve their podcast. Just bad mouthing for the sake of it. Might I suggest that you do your own podcast and see how that fares? Do you have some expert insider knowledge on Disney that we are unaware off? How do you know that what is said on the podcast and in the book is untrue? Might I see your qualifications? Written your own book perhaps?

I think you need to find yourself a hobby and stop writing ridiculous waffle.

[Spridge76]

Wow, what an interesting thread :unsure:

There clearly is a wide variety of opinion on this podcast, I wonder if it is like Marmite - you either love it, or loathe it!?!?!
I listened a couple of times and gave up as it wasn't to my taste, then again neither is marmite :sorry:

I appreciate people trying to defend the podcast, but if you put something in the public domain and drum up support for it - you have to take feedback and criticism - otherwise you will never improve :confused:

I don't say I agree with Samsedge, but you can't say he wasn't offering an opinion on what some people would expect (and therefore constructive advice if taken balanced)
1 - podcasts released on the scheduled date = good feedback
2 - An opinion on a recommendation = something to consider when giving future tips, i.e. say who they are aimed at.
3 - Claims about facts = something to consider - in future could quote a source of information, or even admit if something is an opinion or guess.


I hope the team decide to read this thread and pick out the things that will help give the podcast a wider appeal.
I'd be interested to know what listening numbers are up to now compared to the early days? :shrug:

:fworks:

[adam_goodger]

Hi Spridge,

Thanks for your comments. Listener numbers are very healthy now. I am amazed at just how the podcast has grown in just over a year. We certainly have a large listener and fan base and it continues to grow daily.

[Juz]

We have just crossed the 2,000 level with the last episode. It increases further during the week, but we now can say we have defo 2,000 + subscribers by the update level.....

So we are very please how things have worked out within a year, considering other podcasts are well established...

Personally I love doing the podcast and we do listen to constructive ideas, so thanks for the above....

[epcotbob]

I certainly wouldn't pay too much attention to Samsedge, the post reveals much more about him than the podcast.

It's one thing to offer constructive criticism, but quite another to just vent and insult others by saying stuff like "I think I'll stick to listening to podcasts made by people who actually know what they're doing and who know what they're talking about":rolleyes:

That is really un-called for, and immature.

I think Adam, Juz and Craig do a phenomenal job on the podcast! I appreciate the time and effort they dedicate towards it and really enjoy the show!

Don't worry about malcontents who are impossible to please.

[samsedge]

I appreciate people trying to defend the podcast, but if you put something in the public domain and drum up support for it - you have to take feedback and criticism - otherwise you will never improve :confused:

This is a key point. Instead of trying to talk to me about the stuff I posted, he instead made comments on Facebook that essentially tells people with negative things to say to just shut up and go away. Nice Disney spirit. If he'd have maybe taken the time to email me, send me a PM on this forum or similar and talked to me about it, he'd have been able to see where I was coming from with the post and maybe been able to get something out of it. But he didn't. He went with the route of complaining about people complaining on his facebook page. If you don't listen to negative feedback and criticisms and talk about them, you'll never improve or learn anything. Simple as that, really.

I don't say I agree with Samsedge, but you can't say he wasn't offering an opinion on what some people would expect (and therefore constructive advice if taken balanced)
1 - podcasts released on the scheduled date = good feedback
2 - An opinion on a recommendation = something to consider when giving future tips, i.e. say who they are aimed at.
3 - Claims about facts = something to consider - in future could quote a source of information, or even admit if something is an opinion or guess.

I hope the team decide to read this thread and pick out the things that will help give the podcast a wider appeal.

See, if you actually take the time to read what I said and take it in, you'd be able to understand what I was saying. I'm not out to (as Adam put it on facebook) "pull the podcast down". Far from it. I really enjoyed some of the podcasts. But if Adam takes any negative comments as trying to "slander" or "pull the podcast down", then that's a flaw in his judgement - not mine.

Granted, I could have worded my post better. I was having a bad day at the time, and for that I apologise unreservedly. But even still, you can't deny that Adam isn't just as bad with his comments on Facebook and this thread. Note how he completely ignored my post, yet replied to the one where someone actually read my post and noted down the main points from it for him.

As I said above, you're welcome to email me or send me a PM on the forum about the stuff I said, but as you've made no effort to do so before accusing me of trying to "pull the podcast down" and "ruin the podcasts reputation without giving anything constructive" (which given the stuff I quoted above there was plenty of constructive points in the comments if you actually read them properly) on facebook I'm not counting on it happening.

[kiltedwarrior]

Chaps, whilst I’m sure the guys are more than happy to receive feedback about the quality and content of their podcasts, both positive and negative, it’s probably best this is directed to the individuals themselves or to the Disneybrit site/e-mail. The function of this section of our site is to help Adam promote the podcast and get personal opinions from its member on topics etc for future editions. We don’t wish it to be used as a platform for the team to be slammed, whether you feel that way or not.

Like most podcasts I listen to, there are usually things I like and things I don’t, however I appreciate the time and effort that goes into the making of these and the value of having them for peoples enjoyment. I guess the bottom line is if it’s not to your taste, there is plenty of choice out there to find something that is.

[adam_goodger]

FOR GENERAL POSTING ON THE FORUM

On behalf of myself, Juz and Craig I would like to thank you all for your comments both good and bad. Of course, good ones are far nicer to receive than bad but we will take them all on board and have to remember that this is the UK where people do get a sense of enjoyment from knocking the efforts of others.

The two shows that we do are done in our own time, for no financial reward and are for people to enjoy. If you do not like them and many people do not like Disney podcasts, podcasts or even us then that is of course fine. What we do not really appreciate is the deliberate anti posting on a forum, and it being someone’s first post on that forum as well to us shows real malice.

It is also wonderful to be compared to the master of Disney Podcast, Mr Lou Mongello. But please remember Lou is a full time Disney historian, author, broadcaster. We all have very busy and surprisingly responsible day jobs which mean our evenings are consumed with the shows. Lou’s shows are outstanding but he does not focus on the UK angle at all and that is what we are trying to cover.

Constructive criticism is always welcomed. We always give our email address in the show and you can PM me on this forum and Juz as well. It’s a shame the above poster has decided to say we never PM’d him when of course he never PM’d us!

So I will close with this. I do not like Arsenal nor do I like Oxtail soup, but I do not go out of my way to write to the Gunners or post on their message boards nor do I do the same with Heinz