If you are reading this you are probably thinking “Why is this on a Disney blog?”  Because lately, in Disney, their fandoms, and pop culture in general there has been a strong push to bury critique or dismiss it by labeling it as “negativity.”

Here at PNP we aim to put consumer first and we will be honest in our critique or discussions about current issues, attractions, merchandise, etc. related to Disney properties. Our purpose is not to be a shill site or a self-promotion site, if something is good we will say so. If something is not as good we will say so.

Lately in pop culture and, more recently, in regards to Disney parks, there has been a trend that any criticism is equal to negativity.  They are not the same thing.

I can’t tell you how many times we have been told that we are “negative” or that we are “haters” because we did NOT snort the pixie dust and just fall in line with the zombie narrative. That’s not who we are or what we do.  When did honesty become a bad thing?  One would think that honest critique would be helpful into making improvements and doing better.

We have seen this “hive mentality” hit the various pop culture IPs, especially with Star Wars. If you don’t love “The Last Jedi” you are called names and berated for being a “hater” and not a fan.  Since when do you have to love every thing to be a fan? You can be a fan of a singer and not love every album. You can be a fan of Disney parks and not love every choice they make. Reporting on real issues and provable trends does not make someone a “hater” nor does it make them “negative.”

My degree is art education. One important aspect of being an artist or an art teacher is being able to critique and take critique. If someone doesn’t appreciate your aesthetic or points out flaws it’s to help you improve and not to just “be a hater.”

When companies think they are always right. When they cut corners on the product but raise the prices anyways, consumers have the right to speak up and say “No! This is not what we want.” If you got to a restaurant and order a medium well steak and get a rare steak do you have to just eat it because they said so? If you say “Excuse me there’s a problem could we address it?” does that make them “haters?”  Most businesses will do their best, within reason, to address an issue and improve for future customers.

Pointing out issues does not make one negative. Is attendance down? Yes. Even Disney acknowledges that. Have prices increased a lot recently? Yes. From making you pay for parking at hotels, to food price increases, to souvenir increases, to annual passes and ticket increases. All provable.  Has Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge under performed? Yes. Again measurable. Were corners and promised interactivity cut for the new area? Yes.

The take-away from all of this is that pointing out shortcomings does not make someone a “Hater” and just glowing about everything and taking Instagram photos of yourself constantly doesn’t make you a “true fan.”  I think most people point it out because they are consumers and they want to not feel ripped off, but people really care about what happens to the parks. They care about brands like Star Wars (or at least they did) and they want it to be better and be what it could be. People want Disney to be everything it has been and more. Maybe Disney needs to start listening to the customers and their cast members.  Most of us want the same thing because we care.