[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference koolit::disney

Title:The Disneyphile's Disney File
Notice:This Conference can show you The World
Moderator:DONVAN::SCOPA.zko.dec.com::manana::eppes
Created:Thu Feb 23 1989
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:536
Total number of notes:19961

109.0. "Disney Information in the UK" by INDMKT::GOLDBERG (Len Goldberg...WDW-170) Tue May 30 1989 14:23

    While thumbing through the Fodor Guide to WDW in a bookstore the
    other night I ran across this address for Disney information in
    London.  Perhaps one of our UK readers could check it out and let
    us know if it is still valid.
    
    Walt Disney Company
    31-32 Soho Sq.
    London, W1V6AP
    
    tel. 01/ 734-8111
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
109.1Yes and NoWOTVAX::BATTYThis Face Intentionally Left BlankTue May 30 1989 16:0430
    The phone number and address are still valid, 'cos I've just rung
    them, however, I don't think they are recruited to the same profile
    as the employees in the States. The conversation went :--
    Ring Ring, Ring Ring etc for 7 mins.
    Them - 'lt Disney, 'ello.
    Me - Hello, Walt Disney, I got your number from a fellow Disney
    fan in the States, can you tell me what services you offer, and
    what you do?
    Them - Oh! We don't usually deal with the general public, we deal
    more with distribution and dealers and Disney Product Licenses and
    that sort of thing.
    Me - Would you be able to answer any questions about general Disney
    topics, or supply any information brochures etc.?
    Them - We've got that sort of thing, but they are in packs of 10,000
    and you wouldn't want that many would you? I'll just put you on
    hold for a minute while I answer another call!
    3 minute hold and no music!
    Hello, Like I said, we don't usually deal with the general public,
    but if you want to call in person we might be able to give you some.
    I've got to go now. Thank you, Goodbye. Click!
    
    There was certainly no "Smiley Face" at the end of that phone, but
    maybe it was a 'temp' and not typical of the organisation. 
    
    Len, does your Guide give any indication about what we should expect
    from them, are they intended to give info to Joe Public, or as was
    suggested, purely a commercial and trade organisation.
    
    Mike_B_with_24_days_to_go_and_the_time_is_really_dragging_!
    
109.2Passing ReferenceINDMKT::GOLDBERGLen Goldberg...WDW-170Tue May 30 1989 17:1818
    The reference in the Fodor's Guide to WDW and Orlando was something
    like: ~"Visitors from the UK can contact the following address for
    WDW Information."  If they are not helpful, I'll delete this entire
    topic from the conference.
    
    As I mentioned, I saw the reference while I was scanning the book,
    standing on one foot in a bookstore. (Part of my awesome responsibility
    as Disney Moderator :-).  Since I already own the Official and the
    Unofficial Guides to WDW, I chose not to invest another $7.95 for a
    third guide without much additional information. (At some point soon
    I'll be posting by book report on the Unofficial Guide.) 
    
    I am really surprised at the response you got.  One thing Disney
    is *Great* at is cross promotion.  I get mailers about the Disney
    Channel from WDW.  The Disney stores know all about the theme parks,
    and hype the new movies.  The Disney Channel seems to have hourly
    updates about the Disney-MGM studios, and run specials about the
    latest theatrical releases, etc.
109.3There May Be Hope!WOTVAX::BATTYThis Face Intentionally Left BlankWed May 31 1989 09:1222
Re .1 and .2
    I too was really surprised at the telephone performance from London.
    The contacts I have had with any Disney people in the States have
    filled me with admiration over their efficiency and professionalism.
    I believe that Central London is the pits for getting and keeping
    quality staff, so perhaps I did get the "rotten apple".
    
    On the plus side, some friends sent off for the Delta brochure,
    and shortly after getting it, also received lots of info on WDW
    and Disneyland from the London WD organisation, their address had
    been automatically forwarded by Delta to WD.
    
    Lets leave this discussion as is, so that we have the info, and
    I will try them again later with a genuine request and see how they
    perform.
    
    Keep these little bits coming please, Len, we are desperate for
    anything that will fill the Disney Desert that we in the UK live
    in.
    
    Mike_for_who_time_is_running_in_slow_forward.
    
109.4I tried again today .... and....KERNEL::WHITAKERThu Feb 08 1990 12:0031
    Hi,
    
    As a matter of interest I just telephoned the 'magic' number to
    see if there was any different reactions now we've made it to the
    1990's.
    
    Well .... no! .... not really.....
    
    The telephone manner was fine, prompt answering and pleasant response,
    but I still got a puzzled answer-tone to my questions. 
    I said I had joined the MKC through the USA side of my Company,
    and that I wanted to subscribe to the Disney Newsletter through
    the UK rather than having to go through to the US.
    
    Hmmmmmmmm, this did cause some confusion and I was (very politely)
    put on hold, but only for 20 seconds or so. When the young lady
    came back, she apologised and said that they couldn't help me with
    my request and that 'all that sort of stuff is still done through
    the States'.
    
    When I asked what they DID do, she was a bit taken aback, but then
    told me that they mostly dealt with bulk orders for brochures and
    were also a 'secretarial resource to the managers involved in
    planning of Euro-Disney'.
    
    At this point I thanked her and hung-up.
    
    So! ... it seems that this is NOT a source of help for us poor
    Disney-starved Brits.
    
    Andy.
109.5I have seen this work for forwarding DCU mailTOHOKU::TAYLORThu Feb 08 1990 20:242
    So, have it delivered to a DEC site c/o friendly co-worker that
    will drop it in the inter-office mail.