The Disney theme parks will finally join the blogosphere today in an attempt to bring some of the rabid faithful currently chatting at unofficial fan websites under the corporate umbrella.
Check out the new blog at disneyparks.com/blog/.
The blog will be the official source for information about new rides and attractions, exclusive videos and photographs as well as in-depth coverage of events at Disney theme parks in the United States.
The blog will be managed by the in-house public relations team, with social media director Thomas Smith serving as the leading voice. Select employees at the company's theme parks in Anaheim (Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure) and Orlando, Fla., (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom) will contribute to the blog.
Perhaps most interesting, the blog will allow moderated reader comments — a time-consuming and daunting task intended to keep the conversation "clean and on topic."
Disney hopes the new blog steers some of the active and opinionated fan base from unofficial sites such as MiceAge, Mouse Planet and the Disney Blog.
Craig Dezern, who oversees the blog as vice president of public relations for Disney theme parks, said negative and critical comments about the parks and attractions will be permitted as long as the writer follows basic online etiquette (no profanity, flaming or off-topic rants).
"The comments section is not the cheering section," Dezern said.
Although the blog will feature occasional posts on Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, for now it will focus on the U.S. parks, Dezern said.
The Disney theme parks will finally join the blogosphere today in an attempt to bring some of the rabid faithful currently chatting at unofficial fan websites under the corporate umbrella.