Disney is beginning to beg??

[Rosemary2205]

I work in the HR dept of a multi-state privately owned business with over 30,000 employees. We have been working on the sales conference for Nov 2007 that involves 2000 sales staff, about 3000 customers and all of their families. We are estimating a total of 16,000 bodies including the children. We had it scheduled for Disney World and had already reserved rooms - although our staff had not yet been notified where it was planned.

This morning our owner decided to cancel with Disney and move it to a large resort in the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. I got the job of doing the cancelling with Disney and telling them the 911 movie is the reason why. In sheer desperation, Disney offered us our rooms for 1/2 the price they had originally quoted and were offering free food for all our guest during the length of stay.

Originally the owner had no problem with the film because ABC said they were trying to make it factual. However, once it has become clear the film is more fiction than fact our owner changed his mind. -- He as also reacted similarly to other fiction 911 films by pulling contracts from advertisers as soon as can be done.

BTW - the boss is a Gingrich type conservative who does a lot of grumbling about Bush, Cheney and Rummy.

[JerseygirlCT]

1. Good for your boss nt

[hatrack]

2. Very, VERY cool!!

I think you just made my day!!

[janx]

3. GOOD FOR HIM!

Why ABC/Disney would produce a "docudrama" about this tragedy--without advertising--is a mystery. It's really revolting.

[back2basics909]

4. WOW

Thats great thanks for posting. Thats a huge hit to Disney.

[Rosco T.]

5. Give your boss a high-five from ALL of us....

wise man.

[KayLaw]

6. Lucky you

I would have liked to have made that call.

[ladywnch]

7. I realize you probably can't say

But I would love to know what the name of your company is so I (we) could make sure to support them in the future with our business!

Corporate responsibility.....wow what a concept!

[wryter2000]

13. Welcome to DU

:hi:

I'm with you. I wish I could support the company, but I don't want to get the OP in trouble.

[Rosemary2205]

17. It's frustrating.

I don't think the owner would mind being known for his decisions, but I feel uncomfortable putting my place of employment on the web. -- Too many Michelle Malkins in this world.

Sad.

[peekaloo]

8. Bless his heart and conscience.

:applause:

[wryter2000]

9. Hooooray for your boss!

That's utterly awesome. Give that man a gold star.

[dogday]

10. K&R

Good for him and lucky you to get to tell them.... Way to go!!!!!

[kpete]

11. Wow!

I am totally impressed!

[Nikki Stone 1]

12. Principled conservatives SHOULD be opposed to this

Sounds like your boss is one of them.

:kick: and R

[ccpup]

14. Wow!

16,000 bodies plus children? THAT's gotta be hurtin' Disney right now! Hit 'em where it counts: in the ol' pocketbook.

[tenshi816]

15. Your boss sounds like a man

with principles, not a "Gingrich type". Good on him.

Have you had any more feedback from Disney about your company's reason for cancellation (the 9/11 movie)? If so, please share!!! I'd love to know how they're explaining this to people.

[gratuitous]

16. Man, would I have loved to make that call

I would have had the Disney rep offering to crawl through a pile of shit, mouth wide open, before saying, "You know . . . there is a way we might reconsider our decision." Let him grovel and beg some more, then tell him "no" anyway.

Maybe if this little exercise in casual propaganda costs the Holy Rodent Empire enough money, they'll reconsider what constitutes good corporate citizenship. On the other hand, this is Disney we're talking about, and evil just courses through their bloodstream.

[Orangepeel]

31. somehow, I doubt the guy on the phone greenlighted the movie (n/t)

[tavalon]

71. Thank you

I hate it when the people here mistake the little guy for the corporation.

[corkhead]

18. heartwarming story of the day. I hope you turned down their offer

[Rosemary2205]

23. Once the boss decides that's the end of discussion

there was no negotiation. Even if ABC/Disney doesn't air it, my bossman has already made a decision. This is not a man who tends to kneejerk. He decides carefully and once decided tends to stick with it.

[JHB]

19. Hooray! But one quibble: Newt's on board with BCR...

...Maybe you mean Buchanan. Newt's a neocon who helped push the Iraq war from his position on a civilian advisory board for the Pentagon (along with Richard Perle), and is currently beating the drums for attacking Iran. He's also not very concerned about the government's finances, and never particularly was.

[TahitiNut]

20. I'd PAY to do that part of your job ... that one chance to put it to them.

There are those rare times when the benefits of doing one's job are "priceless." I'd say that's one of those times. I envy you that experience ... it'd be a part of my daily journal and preserved for my posterity.

:hi:

[symbolman]

21. WOW, that's great news

I think TRUE conservatives, who we should be able to get along with, are sick of the UTTER BS.. they are being insulted too.

Send him this graphic, see what he says :)

[ChairmanAgnostic]

58. you are onto something, symbolMan

true conservatives are the biggest supporters of the constitution (I would say as strong as us in that regard).
They HATE big government, but even more, they hate BAD government, and too intrusive government. mi padre mio is a true conservative and you should hear him on the Patriot act and NSA spying. (about the only things we agree on, at times)

Yes, we have natural allies. Our problem has been defining and framing these assholes for who and what they really are.

That is our fault, our failure, our neglect and our internal, innate wish that everyone can get along and cooperate. As much as I hate religion, even religious folk are our natural allies. and lastly, so are moderates. In fact everyone except the neocons should be our allies.

[wiley]

75. The only way to have any say in this country at this point is to impact

someone's revenues. Imagine how incredibly angry the employees of Disney must be right now. They want their jobs. But Disney created a 40 million dollar slush fund to support right wing Republican extremists to defile and outright lie about one of the most tragic, but also one of the most heroic and outstanding moments in the history of this country. When a company attacks my country and the truth about the real American character that came out following the attacks, they are going to pay dearly for it.

Even if this trash airs and no one watches it, people will still need to know that those little mouse dolls with the ears are filled with rat poision to American Democracy. You advertise or support with Disney/ABC, you don't get my money - you get my boot.

Disney could make the lives of their hard working employees better in an instant. Destroy the crapumentary and apologize to America. For an honest company, that would mean public relations disaster control and some humility. For Disney/ABC that means not backing down from their right to be controlled by a group of lying, corrupt, manipulative Republicans and their collaborators desperate to hold power solely to make money - at any cost to the American public and our Democracy.

[ms liberty]

22. Awesome!

Tell your boss that 95,000 of your close friends say Thanks!

I wonder what Disney/ABC's stock will look like in a week? Ha!

[Imagevision]

24. Actions like this is what truly makes America still great!

[mom cat]

25. Great Work! I'll bet that call was the most fun that you have had in a

long time! :yourock:

[PATRICK]

26. Clout

Everyone might ignore scattered lefty groups of hundreds or thousands of very protests. Anti-war demonstrations in the millions. When it gets to the higher level of cooporate pain it hurts. When it gets to the level of REAL establishment opposition, even by those out of full power, things really start happening.

In this case the grass roots was first- when better preparation for co-opting this crap would have been better. But the even more belated corporate and political reaction lining up the lawyers and the sstrategies was concurrently under way. Now, in this constricted time frame all elements are working in unison to deliver a body slam against the Corporate Pravda for going too far in a specific instance by a specific company doing a blatant politic service for a blatant lie.

As beautiful as it is to behold, this unity, it is sad such an outrage, encouraged by powerless disunity and APPEASEMENT, finally and perhaps only temporarily brought to bear what should have been the protection of democracy and the hope for its salvation. When McCarthy attacked the Army as a bed of communists and dared to "purge" it, the top of their machine, Eisenhower, brought it all crashing down. Everyone else had tried their protest or action and weakened the charade and exposed it.

They will always reach too far in their crime. The farther they get the more a sign of how badly we have let things become. The more it reveals on our dependence on the top structures to "save" us from the tyranny they let in in the first place.

[myrna minx]

27. I have great respect for the owner of your company.

I bet it was a pleasure for you to flex your muscle and tell Disney why they were losing your business. Good on you. Rosemary, I can't help but think that you did a great job informing the owner of the facts. :hi:

[formercia]

28. A real conservative

can see through Bush Gang.

One thing Disney can understand is MONEY.

Good for him.

[glitch]

29. Love it! Good for you and your boss. nt

[DemReadingDU]

30. Awesome!

This gets Disney where it really hurts them - loss of money and bad publicity

[Justice Is Comin]

32. Money talks doesn't it Disney.

You bastards.

[samsingh]

33. this makes me feel good - thank you for sharing.

retribution for disney will feel good.

them offering such a steep discount means this is only the tip of the iceburg - disney is going to hurt financially for this. - and i'm going to relish every second of it.

[underpants]

34. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Too funny. Good for him.

[Imagevision]

35. In Florida, Was taking the family to Disney, switched to Busch Gardens

There are other options... Screw Disney!

[Subdivisions]

37. Love Busch Gardens. Use to go to the Williamsburg one often.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

70. I think the Buschs are also bushbots - but at least they have the sense

not to pull the same kind of bs that Disney did.

[Selatius]

89. Actually, none of them are good.

Busch Gardens' only virtue is that it isn't Disney. The workers there aren't even unionized and are treated worse than workers at Disney. The workers at Disney are unionized, but Disney has been attacking and weakening their unions for years now. They are weak unions today. Michael Eisner's dream was to run all the theme parks on part-time workers and college students, but he couldn't do that unless he first crushes the labor unions. I interned at Disney, so I got an earful when I talked to fellow workers.

[Subdivisions]

36. Your boss is a true American. Even if his political

philosophies lean right and we'll probably disagree on some issues, he is an advocate of truth, fairness and balance.

I think I would be honored to know him. Tell him I said "Thank you"!

[Cobalt Violet]

38. Great news. I hope they get a lot more of this.

They need to learn.

[BootinUp]

39. wow.

That hurt em. Your owner is one those principled types if the half price deal couldn't sway him.

[Sequoia]

40. Cool. I'd rather go to the Grand Tetons anyway!

Dizzy World....pleeze. Ick.

[joeunderdog]

41. TOUCHE!!!

Reading this warms my heart.

[Ganja Ninja]

42. YES!

SMACK! Right where it hurts them the most.

[file83]

43. Excellent....

[mnhtnbb]

44. Tell your boss, way to go! This made my day.

[babylonsister]

45. Hit 'em in the pocketbook where it hurts! Good move, smart

boss, and thanks for sharing! :thumbsup:

[WyLoochka]

46. Tetons are much

better that disneyworld anyway. Glad to hear this cancellation has taken place.

[EnviroBat]

47. That's the coolest thing I've read all day!

I wish I could make a call like that. Really tell them to get bent! Must have felt incredible.

[Hobarticus]

48. Then your boss is a TRUE conservative...

Minus the Gingrich part.

True conservatives should be up in arms over these clowns.

[wicket]

49. Good for your company!!!!

That's awesome!!!

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[City Lights]

50. Fantastic!

And kudos to your boss. Great story!

[dalloway]

51. Capitalism at its best

[Rainscents]

52. Wow, just WOW!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[yorkiemommie1]

53. kudos to your boss!

obviously he is a man of conscience!

[joe_sixpack]

54. This film notwithstanding, ...

doesn't Disney do a lot for liberal causes? None the less it's good to see responsible corporate types. I'm sure the spouses and children probably won't be too happy going to Wyoming rather than DisneyWorld, but sometimes you just have to put principles first.

[Rosemary2205]

55. Actually

We do a survey every few years of attendees to see where they might like to go and the Grand Tetons is pretty high on the list. We'll move it to early fall/late summer because of weather but it's expected a good many of our people will be thrilled.

[flyarm]

56. please thank him for me!!

a retired now flight crew for American Airlines ny base!!


thank him sincerely for me!!

fly

[GreenTea]

57. They should beg...the critic's are now even saying it's a shit film....

Disney should pull it!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2817843

[Kurovski]

59. Hit 'em where it hurts.

Give no quarter to liars of the magnitude displayed by Disney.

Kudos to your Conservative boss and his integrity!

[Bake]

60. I hope Disney chokes on it.

If Disney feels enough heat, they'll yank their little smear piece (I can't bring myself to call it "film").

Bake

[Ino]

61. I'm speechless!

Hurrah for your boss! I bet you had FUN making that call!

Disney will be sooooo sorry they got involved in this fiasco. That's what they get for their evil allegiances.

[Joanne98]

62. Congrats. I'm so jealous. I bet you feel soooo GOOD!

:)

[Raksha]

63. Great news! That's the way to get them where it hurts.

I wonder how many other corporations have done the same thing over the past few days.

[malaise]

64. Make them pay

Great news.

[remfan]

65. Fantastic story - enjoy Wyoming! n/t

[jazzjunkysue]

66. What a patriot. I'm proud. Thank him for us. (snif)

I love my country, again.

[indepat]

67. If only a few more good men will come to the aid of their country

[renate]

68. you know what would be GREAT?

Tell all your HR contacts at other companies what you did so--even if they decide not to cancel with Disney--they can play hardball and get free food and 1/2 price lodgings from Disney just by THREATENING to go elsewhere.

:rofl:

And a great big YAY and :hug: for you and your :patriot: boss. :woohoo:

[tinfoilinfor2005]

69. Disney hosted the Democratic state convention last November.

Bet that we won't be going back there for the next one. :)

[AnotherMother4Peace]

72. I informed them my family reunion will no longer be held at Disneyland,

Anaheim. Told them that the younguns will be disappointed, but this will be a good teachable moment. I let Disney know that I couldn't do much to combat the lies and dishonorable airing of this "docu-drama" but I can stop patronizing Disney enterprises. It's the least I can do. Makes me sad, but it's the least I can do.

[Cleita]

73. Go to the Tetons. It will be a far better experience for the

families. It's a breathtaking place and it's real, not Disney phoney baloney. Also, it goes to show that Disneyland is overpriced if they can afford to slash the rooms to half price. They probably still figure that they can make money.

[DeBunk]

74. I'm never going back to Disney land, your boss rocks!

Mickey can blow me.

[Divine Discontent]

81. don't blame the mouse - she's just a lil gal in a suit!

ha... I'm so glad this happened. this rocks!

[bliss_eternal]

76. Fantastic news...thanks so much for sharing this!

You made my day! :)

[DearAbby]

77. The fact that Disney offered a reduced rate

also proves your boss may not be the only one to be doing this...there is hope

[WinstonSmith4740]

78. Kudos to your boss!

Bless his soul!! Actually, I've found a lot of conservatives grumbling about Bush lately. I've said all along that they (TRUE conservatives) were the ones who would save us from him. I just think most of them were too stubborn to admit they bought his bullshit at first, and then they were just too embarassed. Goldwater was a conservative...these guys are fascists.

[threadkillaz]

79. Grand Targhee baby.

http://www.grandtarghee.com/

Great skiing if you're in the Tetons.

[SNAKE MAN]

80. I love Wyoming!!!!

I am glad you told Mickey Mouse to stick it. But where can you put 16,000 people for a conference in Wyoming? I have never seen anywhere there that could handle that many people.

[AwareOne]

86. I agree, I lived in Wyoming for eight years

and visited the Tetons many times. The national park can't accommodate 16,000 hotel quests. The town of Jackson doesn't have many hotels. Where are you going to find lodging for 16,000 people on such short notice? This sounds like a feel good story to me.

[Rosemary2205]

98. Yes it was more complicated this way

Spread it out over 4 weeks and over more than one city/state and various places to stay and camp. Even then it's a bit of a challenge. We reserve the meeting spaces and set up with tour companies and then publish a booklet with all the lodging choices in the whole area and they do their own ressies (with our money)in this case.

This is barely a sales conference. It's really more like a company paid vacation. But you are definately correct - it's not physically possible to get the 5000 employees plus all their families in Wyoming all at one time. I dare say there likely aren't even 5000 rooms in the whole state! :)

[katinmn]

82. Wow! This is great news. And I hope a big wakeup call for Disney.

:) Your boss is great for standing by his principles.

[uppityperson]

83. excellent, thank you for this

[graywarrior]

84. That made my night.

[OzarkDem]

85. Thanks for the post!

Sounds like you work for a pretty good company. Imagine allowing employees to bring families to sales conferences!

[ninkasi]

87. That's wonderful!

I love hearing stories like that. Let them find out that not everybody finds lies entertaining, especially about such a tragic event.

[Spiffarino]

88. Wow. A real conservative, eh?

They're rare as hen's teeth these days.

Get us a picture in his native habitat, will ya? Most of us will never see one in the wild. :evilgrin:

[donheld]

90. Tell your boss in my opinion he's great

I wish we all had this kind of boss.

[upi402]

91. I happen to know another business owner that feels the same way

:patriot:

[Totally Committed]

92. That's the kind of news I like

to start my day with! Thank you for sharing that story.

TC

[liberal N proud]

93. That's gotta hurt

More power to your boss.

[otohara]

94. Wow, What A Statement

bravo for your boss.

[Red Right and BLUE]

95. THAT is awesome. Woo hooo!! eom

[yy4me]

96. Thank the owner from all of us, seems there still are some big

business leaders with principles and backbones. We need more like him. Poor Disney, a little less $$$ to funnel into the Repub coffers.

[Bennet Kelley]

97. Cancellation

Bravo!

:woohoo:

[Richard Steele]

99. I hope they are really hurtin' over this. Glad to hear your story!