Has UD lost it's way?

[Ktrek]

I don't mean to offend anyone and especially the powers that be who run this site but IMHO I think Ultimate Disney has lost it's way.

I absolutely hate going to the main webpage anymore. At one time the focus of UD was on one thing and that was DISNEY! Now we get reviews of all kinds of crap and the Disney related news has gotten watered down. I think it's a real shame that a site that was absolutely the best and ONLY place to come for Disney news and information has "sold out". Sure all those free DVDs may be a nice premium but ultimately we lose.

Now feel free to disagree with me, I will not be offended. I just hope that speaking my own mind will not get me booted because I love the forums but UD as I said IMHO has really lost their way and the main site is subpar to what it used to be when it was more focused.

Kevin

[Mr. Toad]

Actually, I disagree. I welcome the other reviews and DVD news. All the Disney news is still there and does not disappear for days.

At this point there probably is not enough Disney DVD news to make a site worthwile.

[Ktrek]

Actually, I disagree. I welcome the other reviews and DVD news. All the Disney news is still there and does not disappear for days.

At this point there probably is not enough Disney DVD news to make a site worthwile.

BUT Mr. Toad there are already TONS and I mean TONS of sites out there with info about DVDs outside of Disney but nobody covered or covers Disney like UD. I can't see how you can say there is not enough news when it seems like Disney releases several DVDs and other merchandise every single month of the year. I really think the site was better when it was more focused and didn't have all these other distractions going on. I respect your opinion and I hope you respect mine. I just remember what UD used to be like and IMHO it was a far better resource than it is now.

Kevin

[Luke]

At this point there probably is not enough Disney DVD news to make a site worthwile.

You are correct.

Kevin, there have been other comments to similar effect (not often as articulate and well-reasoned as yours) and you can probably easily find a post in Feedback with a more detailed response from me. But here goes another try...

The quality and quantity of Disney's DVD output has taken a tremendous dive. Whereas some would merely call it quits and let the site die the way Disney's savviness for the format has, I figure the best way to keep it going is to branch out. We're still doing everything we would have, only there's more on top of that which is of interest to both a significant portion of the readership and those who wouldn't visit a site devoted to Disney DVD. I simply love movies, TV, DVD, and writing about the aforementioned too much to spend my life reviewing the umpteenth "Little Einsteins" DVD, pointless rereleases of direct-to-video sequels, and yet another 4-episode of some lame Disney Channel sitcom.

You have to remember that this is more than a site, it's a livelihood and running it actively and as envisioned requires it to be nothing less. Sure, not everything is just the way I want it. But I'm one person running a very demanding site with just a few reliable writers helping out. I appreciate your point-of-view and understand your frustration, but I really think this move was inevitable and is for the best. I'm getting to see and write about things that are enjoyable. Readers are getting more to read, greater variety, and UD-type coverage of non-Disney DVDs of interest. And you're complaining because not everything on this free site that requires so many hours of my time bears the Disney name or interests you? It seems kind of unfair to label the site subpar for that. And I think that while it's true lots of people find this site looking for Disney information, very few of them are completely oblivious and opposed to non-Disney entertainment (or apt to label dismiss it as "all kinds of crap").

[Ktrek]

Luke I see your points but would it be that hard to start up an independent site that allowed you to do the reviews of other DVDs (those I called crap), and that way UD could focus on what the "name" implies? I mean do you really believe that people come here to a supposed Disney website to hear your latest opinion and review of a non-Disney item? I really doubt it. I'm not saying that you may not have a core following who will read whatever you put up there but that is different. I think it would be interesting if an honest and really accurate poll could be conducted what people really think. I would imagine that many people are afraid to speak their minds about the matter and many others just don't care at all. But I wonder what the real core fanbase thinks? Unfortunately there are so many people that just pass through the main page every day and are not really active on the boards and so a poll on the message board would not really reveal the truth.

I still think a separate site, maybe similar in style to UD, would be a better solution and the majority of fans who come here for Disney would have what they came for....Disney!

Kevin

[blackcauldron85]

but would it be that hard to start up an independent site that allowed you to do the reviews of other DVDs

There is a sister site to UD called DVDizzy.com (look at the banner at the top of the page). DVDizzy is still using UD while it's being established, but I just wanted to let you know that there is "an independent site".

[Luke]

Luke I see your points but would it be that hard to start up an independent site that allowed you to do the reviews of other DVDs (those I called crap), and that way UD could focus on what the "name" implies?

Yes, it would be. The independent site hasn't fully gotten off the ground, but I'm not really in any rush to. Sure, the name doesn't fit non-Disney content but beyond that, I'm not too concerned. The format is working and whether people come from the front page or not, the non-Disney reviews get read as much as most of the Disney reviews, if not more. It makes absolutely no sense to have hundreds of thousands of visitors to the site each month coming for DVD information and reviews and then NOT bring them information and reviews on other DVDs that may very well interest them. Starting from scratch takes far too long without a genuine bankroll and advertising budget, neither of which UD actually has.

As for polling and finding out what people want, it sounds good in theory, but it's futile. I don't know how many of a typical day's readers just wander in searching for something and how many visit the front page every day looking for new articles, but I would say each type of reader is worth caring about and factors into the site's existence/interest/viability.

[Escapay]

BUT Mr. Toad there are already TONS and I mean TONS of sites out there with info about DVDs outside of Disney but nobody covered or covers Disney like UD.

In UD's defense, they only cover reviews of non-Disney DVDs, and beyond the Upcoming Releases schedule, don't regularly post news regarding new DVDs the way sites like DVDActive or DVDTimes post news.

And in my experience, nobody does reviews like UD. Where else have you seen reviews that actually provide all of the following:
1. A bit of pre-history/backstory regarding the DVD/Movie/TV Show at hand?
2. A thorough listing of information such as episode summaries, cast and directors/producers/writers, air dates, runtimes, DVD specs, and related reviews?
3. A sizable supply of pertinent screen caps from both the movie/show and its bonus features/menus? With witty little text to boot!
4. An equal amount of time spent on the DVD and the movie, not necessarily weighing one over the other?
5. An honest assessment of the DVD without trying to cater to one crowd (DVD enthusiasts) or the other (Disney enthusiasts).

Most every other site I go to never seems to fulfill all those factors, and some of the most prolific DVD-reviewing sites seem to think their only purpose is to shill their opinion of the film and throw in a few haphazard "The DVD comes with this and that, they're good, but not toog ood" comments and call it a day. If I were to pick a non-UD DVD site that actually comes close as well as rise above UD's standards for reviews, it'd have to be TheDigitalBits, especially some of Bill Hunt's comprehensive reviews (such as the droolworthy Blade Runner: Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition). DVDVerdict is another that comes close. I also enjoy HTF, but they are more tech-based. Also, UD is probably the only one where the Disney reviews are actually written by people who like Disney, and aren't doing it because they lost a bit among the pool of reviewers. It's sad to read non-Disney sites cover Disney DVDs, because half the time they're either badmouthing what Disney has become or they're constantly saying, "This stuff really is for kids now...".

The way I've always seen it is that the UD-quality and style of reviews is now (and thankfully) extended to non-UD material, resulting in pleasing a more general audience. Because as great as our hardcore Disney audience is, the entire world doesn't revolve around Disney, and UD can't survive on the paltry materials that Disney decides to stock on store shelves. I won't say that the UD style of reviewing is some exclusive template, as every review from every site all have a basic "give overview of movie, talk about DVD, say if it's worth it or not". But UD seems to be one of the few that will go the extra mile and make sure to discuss every (or nearly every) aspect of the DVD and movie, and not just limit themselves to one or two viewings followed by a quick review with easily written soundbites like "The extras here are fairly promotional in nature and not worth more than one viewing" or "This film has never looked better, the transfer is gorgeous".

It always seems odd to me that people complain about the smaller amount of Disney coverage, when half the time, they're complaining about what Disney is offering in the first place. The forums are riddled with pro-or-anti-this-and-that-and-everything-else, that when a review does come up for something Disney, hardly anyone makes note of it. There's probably only two or three regular posters who actually make a point to go to "Review Feedback" and offer their feedback. Otherwise, most everyone seems to take the reviews for granted. They expect UD to get on doing review after review, ask when such-and-such will be posted, but there's hardly any talk about them once they're done. The only exception seems to be the Platinums and the Treasures, which is understandable, but is an extremely limited output from Disney, and if UD were to just cover those since other material (like Disney channel fare or even some of the vintage cartoon season sets) might not be deemed "worthy", then the site would go under faster than anyone could say "Yakazumayakayaka."

Kevin, there have been other comments to similar effect (not often as articulate and well-reasoned as yours) and you can probably easily find a post in Feedback with a more detailed response from me. But here goes another try...

Well, we do have this entire thread regarding the topic at hand which has a lot of great and lengthy discussion about non-Disney material on a decidedly Disney site.:

Non-Disney movie content on UD.com



Pluto Region1 actually wrote a wonderful rant regarding people's complaints about non-Disney material:

[rant]This is a business for Luke (as well as an obvious labor of love, but love don't pay the bills) – the DVD reviews drive the website and if there's no good Disney content, then he has to expand. I'd rather have a sister site than NO UD…. Think of it that way. As has been stated, the co-mingling of the sites is temporary and he needs UD to drive traffic to the new site. You guys, for the most part (unless you are a regular donor), use this website and forum FOR FREE – so let's have some understanding and appreciation for this site being here in the first place, instead of all this criticism about what content you want to see. It is a lot of work to run a website like this, in fact, its a full-time job. You guys have been complaining about this site and what you want to see on it like you are in a restaurant ordering from a waiter. Frankly I find it disgusting. He doesn't work for you. He's got this website to run AND he's starting a new one – he's burning the candle at both ends. Your demands are demands on HIS time and let's not forget that. Where is your gratitude? You should all quit bellyaching and appreciate that the site is still here. [/end of rant]

I bow down to my pirate goddess.

And she brings up a very good point, there may be a time when UD will no longer be running regularly, when it will shut down and become a part of internet history like the long-running and recently shut down DVDJournal. After 10 years, it decided to end its run, citing several factors.

And I think that while it's true lots of people find this site looking for Disney information, very few of them are completely oblivious and opposed to non-Disney entertainment (or apt to label dismiss it as "all kinds of crap").

Which is sad, really. It's rather disturbing how messianic the Disney product has become among some people, as if watching or discussing anything else would be sacrilege. There's a lot of great movies and films out there, in both the live-action and animation departments. It always pains me to read people readily dismiss any of them just because they don't bear the Disney name.

I mean do you really believe that people come here to a supposed Disney website to hear your latest opinion and review of a non-Disney item? I really doubt it.

I don't know about anyone else, but I found that a rather rude thing to ask. After all, does Barrie Maxwell think his opinion is the only one that matters for his Classic Coming Attractions column? Does Stuart Galbraith expect readers to only read his reviews at DVDTalk? People that read reviews are first and foremost interested in the product being reviewed, and if the reviewer's opinion helps, that's good. But it's a bit naff to think that a reviewer is writing for his audience/fans, and not for the product at hand. Especially on the internet where anyone and everyone is a reviewer, but not everyone has the capacity to build DVD reviewing sites.

Scaps

[MouseHouse55]

If I may...
The last time this topic was brought up, Luke made the excellent point that I agree with: although the site is not 100% Disney anymore, no Disney release goes unnoticed or gets put off in favor of another studio's release. The intended purpose of the site is still being served well, but due to WDHV's slowed release schedule and lack of "big" title releases, the site simply has to pull from other areas to remain as active as it would like.

And I don't believe that situation has changed since then. So thanks to all for the time spent. A genuine "sorry" to the admins who are disappointed with where things are, but if it means anything, I still visit daily to see what's up, knowing that if a long vaulted title will finally see the light of day, you guys will let me know.

[blackcauldron85]

the entire world doesn't revolve around Disney

When DVDizzy first came to be, and non-Disney material started being on the homepage, I was upset. I'm not a general movie-fan like many members here- I'm a Disney fan. But, I have visited DVDizzy a few times to read reviews of non-Disney films. So, I'm now glad that UD has expanded. And, if more people are coming here, then that's awesome. And, UD's reviews are the best!

[PeterPanfan]

Kevin,as Amy pointed out,DVDdizzy does the reviews of non-Disney DVDs. While it's still Luke,Aaron,Kelvin,etc. reviewing,it isn't a Disney review site. It is a seperate site than Ultimate Disney. I don't like when UD gets bashed because people don't like change.

[Raydawggie]

I think the problem is less with this site and more with Disney. There seems to be less product coming out now, especially since they abandoned the direct-to-DVD sequels mostly(which admittedly, is probably a good thing). So I don't fault the site-runners for branching out a bit. Better to stay active than pure.

The polls and games forum needs help, though! What happened to the crazy Survivor games? That place used to be my second home!