Disappointed

[Princess Jes]

Hi Everyone,

For months, I’ve debated “coming out of the woodwork,” so to speak, and posting here. It’s been eight years since I last wrote for wdwinfo and the Unplugged blog and moderated this exact board. It’s been 10 since Julie and I recorded our shopping segment at the same studio (more footage with Dustin was recorded at that time but never made it to air). It’s been 12 since I attended someone’s wedding at his home. It’s been 14 since I was made into a flattie (do people still do those) and brought on what I believe was the first ever podcast cruise. I could go on and on. Hundreds of us battled it out on Toy Story Mania into the wee hours of the night; we volunteered at Give Kids the World, and for many years, raised thousands to help sustain its efforts; there were more cruises, trips to Disneyland, Adventures by Disney, and countless hours spent in the Florida parks. Friendships were formed, some for a lifetime, others only on the surface level.

One thing always held true during those years: as much as he may have wanted it to be, it was never all about him. He didn’t create that magic. The people did. They were the ones who were truly invested and, based on the replies I’ve read here, remain to be this day. Sure, many have come and gone, but the sentiment is still there even as fractured as it may be at the moment.

I too have a story. There’s not a person that doesn’t whether they were on-air talent, a writer, editor, producer, etc. With that being said, I think we need to give everyone some grace right now. They didn’t create the monster. Making demands or offering critiques is unwarranted. Let them have space to process and move forward in whatever capacity that is to come. This is a truly gut-wrenching situation. I have full faith that things are happening behind the scenes; give them a breather so things can be squared away. Adding onto an already toxic situation will not do anyone good. You have absolutely every right to be hurt and angry, but don’t place those feelings on the wrong people.

Nikki, it’s been a very long time between drinks, and I know we definitely didn’t always see eye to eye, but this was so well said, especially the last couple of sentences.

Setting any cringiness aside, and not validating any of the allegations (I wasn't there), I just find it hard to believe that anyone in Werner's circle would simply look past the sharing of a hotel room or cruise cabin as being purely a platonic or cost-cutting measure, particularly with a subordinate.

Werner's whole schtick is flamboyance and (borderline) ostentatious displays of everything he considers to be a projection of wealth and success. There's zero chance he'd say "Hey, let's all double-up and share rooms to save some cash. I'll go first" (as someone upthread has suggested). If you read through the histories, Werner was always staying in the best suites and cabins on every trip. Having a platonic subordinate sharing a room to save a few bucks is ludicrous. He's more "You two share the bunk beds in that interior cabin, while I have the Concierge Royal Suite that sleeps 7 all to myself". Peasants'.

@Teleclashter and Ryno still share rooms, and I know my company has team members share if they’re on conference or something, so it’s common practice not only out in the “real” world but also within the DIS specifically. So I don’t think it’s fair to say that other employees should have known due to sharing rooms… it still happens today.

I hope this is allowed to stay but I understand if it’s not.

Rteetz here…

I have seen some discussion of myself here. I wanted to chime in. First and foremost, I commend the courage and bravery of those who have endured such horrific things. I am glad these people are in seemingly better places.

As for myself I also feel I’m in a better place. I loved my time here at the Dis. From curating the rumors and news forum, writing for Wdwinfo, moderating the Disboards Facebook group, guest appearing on podcasts and whatever else. I met dozens and dozens of people through this site and fandom. Many of which I am happy to say are still friends to this day. I’d never trade that for the world.

My departure from here wasn’t all that great. I tried to bring reform and change. Maybe I didn’t go about that in the right way. I was young (albeit still am). I’ve learned a lot. I’ve grown a lot. I’d like to think I’m wiser.

Pete certainly said some hurtful things to me. I tried to take the high road. Sometimes that’s not easy.

I have nothing but respect for the likes of Corey, Craig and the rest of the team. They were always incredible nice to me. I know this is an extremely tough time. It may get worse before it gets better. I do truly hope for them and their families it does get better.

Thanks,

Ryan

I know we’ve spoken recently, but to say we miss you in the DISboards FB group mod team is probably understating things.
I’m sorry things went the way they did and I’m sorry you weren’t spared the abuse that seems to be so routinely dolled out in this company.

I'm just so sad.

The DIS, both the show and these boards, were such a huge part of my life from around 2014 through 2017. I posted way too often, watched (or listened to) every episode, and built connections with people I didn't even know, both through the boards and with those on camera as well.

So I'm sad that something that brought me so much joy, especially during times when I really needed it, had behind it such a dark cloud that was invisible to nearly everyone. I'm grateful to Dustin and Sean for telling their stories, and I support current (and former) team members who were just doing their jobs without completely knowing what was going on. I'm sure that hearing the full extent of these details is leaving their stomachs in knots.

Pete was always the face of The DIS, but truth be told, everyone else was its heart. And it saddens me that those hearts, especially the hearts of the victims, have been broken in multiple ways.

Speaking of legends returning!!!

Miss you Bob, I mean… llama.

 

[Tink-osophy]

... give them a breather so things can be squared away. Adding onto an already toxic situation will not do anyone good. You have absolutely every right to be hurt and angry, but don’t place those feelings on the wrong people.

Out of respect for Dustin, I will personally stop questioning the team and wait for an official response going forward.

..."I don't know" and "I'm not at liberty to say" are both perfectly valid answers to many of the questions currently being asked. I'm sure that when they have the answers and can share them, they will. Until then, I just want to express my support for everyone affected by this.

Energy needs to be spent on supporting all of you that are hurting.

...I really commend Dustin and Sean. They have shown amazing strength and determination to move on. And they're both in much better places now, which is what allowed them to expose the truth.

...I don't think any team member who isn't ready owes us anything right now. If and when others are ready to tell their stories, I'll be here to listen without judgement.

Highlighting all these kind and compassionate reminders.

Of course, there's shock, sadness and questions all round, but the above are the priorities.

 

[Jamie77]

I liked Pete’s persona and his rants were of course entertaining but it always struck me as odd that he did so much “in house” dating. Or even for people that he wasn’t (openly) dating, he’d be fawning over them one day and the next they’re gone and any posts mentioning them are getting deleted.

And the little jokes he’d sometimes make at the expense of the team. It was clear they don’t have an HR department!

There has been so much turnover on the show over the years from what should be a “dream job.” Was the ranting, acerbic persona that entertained us just one side of a more toxic coin?

You've just enumerated the reasons for my many years of cognitive dissonance while watching the show. Like a moth to a flame, I settled in every Tuesday night to watch the show's replays as a way to treat myself after work once the shows made it to video. The Dis Unplugged was one of the first podcasts I ever watched on my brand new iPod because as a diehard Disney fan who stumbled on something called a podcast, I just knew somebody had to be talking about Disney.

 

[CentralPAPete]

I watched Ryno's video that he made last night. It is clear to me that he is just devastated. He barely could get out his words. He said he felt badly, like he should have known. But how could he have known? He's not a psychic. I felt so badly for him, I just wanted to give him a mama sized hug. My heart was hurting for him, and for Craig and for the whole team that is crushed by this. I really commend Dustin and Sean. They have shown amazing strength and determination to move on. And they're both in much better places now, which is what allowed them to expose the truth. I don't think any team member who isn't ready owes us anything right now. If and when others are ready to tell their stories, I'll be here to listen without judgement.

Was there another video from Ryno? I’ve watched his movie review livestream, but didn’t see another video on his YouTube channel.

 

[disneysteve]

Was there another video from Ryno? I’ve watched his movie review livestream, but didn’t see another video on his YouTube channel.

Apparently he either deleted it or made it private. It’s not there anymore. I didn’t get to see it either.

 

[Jamie77]

Was there another video from Ryno? I’ve watched his movie review livestream, but didn’t see another video on his YouTube channel.

The link to the video was posted on the other board.

 

[auroralark]

I'm a lurker around here who rarely posts, but I've been on the boards for many years and have been a podcast listener since 2008. It was the first podcast I listened to on my new iPod, and I have heard many people come and go on the show. Just want to throw my support behind Dustin and Sean. Many other posters have said things more eloquently than I could, but I just wanted to say, having worked in a toxic work environment myself, I know how things can mess with your head.

 

[disneysteve]

Deleted

 

[vikequeen]

It’s still there but unlisted I think. Just checked

 

[Jamie77]

It’s still there but unlisted I think. Just checked

Yep, it’s still there. Page 43.

 

[Swaggerwagon]

I stopped listening to the DVC Show podcast because Pete’s lip smacking was gross and distracting. I hope they realize they are better off without him.

I think most women listening understood Amy’s uncomfortable laughter whenever he referred to her as a “crack dealer” too… just laugh uncomfortably for a minute and maybe the attention will turn away from me again….

 

[Ursula J]

The link to the video was posted on the other board.

Which other board? ******? Or another? I couldn't wade through *everything* on that one (so many pages!) So I'm basically figuring out what happened through deduction.

 

[WGCFV]

I am glad this discussion is being allowed to take place on the boards.

 

[vikequeen]

Which other board? ******? Or another? I couldn't wade through *everything* on that one (so many pages!) So I'm basically figuring out what happened through deduction.

There is only one other board that I’m aware of. You’ve got it. trying not to say the name as it isn’t allowed I don’t think?

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm happy to read so many positive posts here with the members supporting the rest of the team. I'm seeing screen names of people who long ago stopped being active on the DIS. It's a nice reminder that we've developed a lot of friends as a result of our mutual love of Disney. We've enjoyed the community that the DIS Boards helped create and hope that it continues to do so.

 

[DonMacGregor]

@Teleclashter and Ryno still share rooms, and I know my company has team members share if they’re on conference or something, so it’s common practice not only out in the “real” world but also within the DIS specifically. So I don’t think it’s fair to say that other employees should have known due to sharing rooms… it still happens today.

You completely missed my point. I was not saying that rooms aren’t shared. If the people are comfortable with it, and they are there to work not play (and particularly if the travel IS the work). That is their choice to accept the accommodations.

I will say my company would absolutely never make any individual employees share a room, as many employees would be uncomfortable with the intimacy of sharing a room (undressing, bathing, sleeping) in the same space as a co-worker. It might work if the co-workers are friends and are comfortable with that lack of privacy, but I’m not going to be the one determining that and hoping I’m not putting one or the other in a difficult situation. There are also too many variables: married individuals, opposite sex or differing gender identities, etc. You’d end up getting single rooms for some and not others and set up a hierarchy of need that’s entirely too difficult to justify. As a business owner, that’s a situation I would never put my employees in anyway. Now, we aren’t shelling out for suites for everyone, but conferences and work travel (even for multiple employees) are always budgeted for single occupancy. If it's for work, the travel is billed to the client. If it's for a conference or other unbillable activity, then a cost-benefit analysis is performed and we determine what we feel is an appropriate travel budget based on the anticipated benefit of attendance, and staff and budget the travel accordingly. But that still isn't the point.

My point, rather, was that Werner strikes me as the kind of individual that absolutely would expect his employees to share a room, while absolutely refusing to do so himself, and the fact that he WAS sharing a room with an employee might be a red flag. He strikes me as the kind of person who would not only reserve the largest suite/cabin possible, but also go out of his way to let everyone know that he had all that space, all to himself, because he can.

 

[Jamie77]

Which other board? ******? Or another? I couldn't wade through *everything* on that one (so many pages!) So I'm basically figuring out what happened through deduction.

That's the one. Page 43.

 

[AndrewMickey86]

My heart goes out to Dustin and Sean. The trauma they must still be dealing with, and their willingness to bring it to light, is brave and heartbreaking. I can't even imagine. I hope they get the help they need.

I also feel for others who might have gone through other forms of abuse, like Fiasco eluded to.

I do not feel it is my place to judge the others who work(ed) with Pete. Dustin and Sean have both said that people didn't know everything that was going on, and to lay off of them - and I respect that 100%. We don't know how toxic of a relationship they have with Pete, and if they were even in a place to safely speak up, even if they did know something. It's easy to cast stones and think it could have been handled differently, but clearly enough of them weren't able to do so, which shows a systematic problem within the DIS, that will hopefully be eradicated without Pete. I hope that Craig, Ryno, and everyone else on the team past and present are able to cope with this in a healthy and productive way, and move on in a way that they see fit.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I think now that we have time to process this instead of dwelling on whats happened let’s move forward, heal as a community, stand with @Dustin, and trust that everything is going to work out.

The show is now led by @Teleclashter I think what we should do is give our love support, energy, and dedication behind the person who’s been making the magic happen for years for us.

 

[vikequeen]

I think now that we have time to process this instead of dwelling on whats happened let’s move forward, heal as a community, stand with @Dustin, and trust that everything is going to work out.

The show is now led by @Teleclashter I think what we should do is give our love support, energy, and dedication behind the person who’s been making the magic happen for years for us.

I agree. I’m a big fan of @Teleclashter and Ryno. I look forward to seeing what they can do. The food &wine video was already a refreshing change