The State of INTERCOT?

TikiLounger;2510486 wrote: I DO feel like somewhat of a thread killer at times but, apparently, I'm not the only one.

No, you are not the only one.....but that's another thread.:mickey:

TikiLounger;2510487 wrote: Next trip is Aulani, btw. November! Yay!

You'll feel right at home at Aulani! It feels like Disney, enjoy!

baldburke;2510489 wrote: You'll feel right at home at Aulani! It feels like Disney, enjoy!

Hmmmm...now why would you say this? Hahaha! Yes...I'm expecting lots of tiki-goodness...Disney-fied! :tikki:

I used to post quite a bit more than I do now. The difference? I had more to say. I haven't kept up with some changes, so I don't want to spread misinformation or answer with an outdated comment. I still love Disney and go as much as ever, but I couldn't give you the best answer about anything now, and I used to be fairly up on things.

Also, I'm less opinionated as I age, so I certainly won't tell you the "best" or "worst" of anything, because every experience is different. I love one thing you hated. You hate something I loved. It happens. And mainly, we have more outlets with social media. I'm taking in and sharing information on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc. It used to be just keeping up with everyone here.

I try to keep in touch and pop in and comment now and then, anyway, but my attention is more divided. Overall, though, I'm glad I can still pop in and hooray, well done, to John and all the volunteers who keep it going. Thank you!

Ha, I get more opinionated as I age.

I used to consider myself a pretty average regular who would pop in everyday and post a reply or read the most recent threads. And to be honest, I don’t know when or how that stopped. Maybe it’s because the most time is spent on my phone and fb just became easier? I really don’t know. But something this morning told me to come on and browse because it has been so long. I missed everyone, I missed reading the threads, missed reading everyone’s comments and opinions, whether good or bad. I can tell you that with social media in general I have become sick of the constant arguments of people with guts behind computer screens, I’m sick of no one being able to like something or someone without being bashed for it because it’s didferent opinions than someone else’s, sick of the negativity. I don’t know about anyone else but that just irritates and literally just puts me in a funk. I find myself everyday becoming more and more disinterested in social media, everything about it. So, with that being said, I find the closeness of forums more appealing again so will probably start becoming more of a poster again. I hope you missed me

TinkerbellT421;2510994 wrote: I used to consider myself a pretty average regular who would pop in everyday and post a reply or read the most recent threads. And to be honest, I don’t know when or how that stopped. Maybe it’s because the most time is spent on my phone and fb just became easier? I really don’t know. But something this morning told me to come on and browse because it has been so long. I missed everyone, I missed reading the threads, missed reading everyone’s comments and opinions, whether good or bad. I can tell you that with social media in general I have become sick of the constant arguments of people with guts behind computer screens, I’m sick of no one being able to like something or someone without being bashed for it because it’s didferent opinions than someone else’s, sick of the negativity. I don’t know about anyone else but that just irritates and literally just puts me in a funk. I find myself everyday becoming more and more disinterested in social media, everything about it. So, with that being said, I find the closeness of forums more appealing again so will probably start becoming more of a poster again. I hope you missed me

We missed you. I am kind of hoping there is a backlash on social media that causes a resurgence of community forums for the reasons you mentioned. I find Facebook and Twitter really reinforce all the negativeness in life... when there is so much good out there.

Glad to have you back.

INTERCOT Founder & MCP
The OG Disney Fan Site - Founded 1997

 

John;2510995 wrote: I find Facebook and Twitter really reinforce all the negativeness in life... when there is so much good out there.
.

Very true!

John;2510995 wrote: We missed you. I am kind of hoping there is a backlash on social media that causes a resurgence of community forums for the reasons you mentioned. I find Facebook and Twitter really reinforce all the negativeness in life... when there is so much good out there.

Glad to have you back.

I have missed you guys too!!!
The DBF and I aslo belong to a Toyota forum now too...there is a ton of activity there as well.
They don't even have a FB page.

I am really starting to see a trend of some social media outlets dying, with that being said, I really hope the forum life comes back. I'm purposely going to be making a mindful effort to get back here everyday and I may even start ignoring FB all together.

John;2510995 wrote: I find Facebook and Twitter really reinforce all the negativeness in life... when there is so much good out there.

I think it really depends on what you do on Facebook. If I explore beyond my own little world, it does get pretty negative. Most of my time on Facebook is spent catching up on what friends and family do. When I am travelling, there are stories about my day from my stuffed animal, Barksy. If Barksy doesn't check in, I hear about it from friends and family. We have an unofficial prayer chain. It is an easy way to stay in touch with so many people that cuts down on the time spent on phone calls. When the negativity does creep in from outside sources, I've spent enough years playing an online MMO to know how to troll someone until they get angry enough to leave.

Cinderelley;2511137 wrote: I've spent enough years playing an online MMO to know how to troll someone until they get angry enough to leave.

Yeah, that's it. It's not your real life professional training

texas211;2511159 wrote: Yeah, that's it. It's not your real life professional training

That gave me a good laugh. Unfortunately, you can't threaten haters on Facebook with catheters and rectal tubes.

I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.

 

As a Medical Resident (I think that is the US equivalent of my doctor grade, in UK it's Senior House Officer) that made me laugh!

This thread was a really interesting read!

It's been three years since our last Disney trip, when we were typically going every other year. There were a few different factors involved in causing that, but it wasn't because we're less enamored with Disney. But, it means I ended up not keeping up with things here like I had before. Now that we have a trip booked, I'm checking in regularly to see what the discussions are like.

I agree with the social media/forum comparisons. It's like eating a bunch of junk food (Facebook), instead of sitting down and having a decent meal (Intercot). While I follow a couple of Disney groups on FB, I rarely read anything there. I only joined FB a few years ago because family members were nagging me to join so that I could share more pictures of the girls. It definitely is a great resource for doing that! However, it's also a mess. I would take breaks of several weeks at a time just for my mental health. I wish I could still do that, but I foolishly created a community group in response to a local issue, and am the sole moderator of 1300+ people. Let me tell you, my appreciation level for the mods here was always high, but now is in the stratosphere. I've also created very strict rules to maintain civility. It ain't easy.

I've peeked at many other WDW vacation resources, and honestly, nothing compares to Intercot. We've had many vacations that were better than they would have been because of information and opinions here. Sometimes it's just a small thing that adds to the magic of the trip, and sometimes it's something that flat out makes the whole trip a success. Coming back here, I have been browsing more than posting, but I'm going to sign in every time and make an effort to comment where appropriate. Lurking is a weirdly easy habit to fall into and a weirdly hard habit to break.

Giggy;2511172 wrote: As a Medical Resident (I think that is the US equivalent of my doctor grade, in UK it's Senior House Officer) that made me laugh!

Good to know there's another warped medical professional here :P

I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.