Disappointed

[ainswokp]

Even given the significant sum in the court filings, I would doubt that's going to result in the insolvency of the business. What seems more likely is DUT Inc. will try and be removed, leaving Pete with personal liability, and he'll have to cover that with personal assets the way any debt proceeding would be born out. The issue is Amex is unlikely to want to let the business off the hook because you want the deepest pocket at the table, and depending on how they proceed DUT may eventually have to take action against Pete or somehow recoup whatever is settled with Amex. I would be shocked if $1MM would fully sink this business, that's a relatively small amount for a company this size. I think other posters have hit on the real issue, all of this stuff has impaired the intangible value of the business going forward. Whomever owns the business going forward - and remember that may still include Pete despite all of this - will have to determine how to reposition.

 

[gmi3804]

Whomever owns the business going forward - and remember that may still include Pete despite all of this - will have to determine how to reposition.

When you have money pouring in, there's little motivation to make good business decisions, and I don't know if it's so easy to shift gears and start, or even learn. Maybe things were slow in the beginning, but spending is like a drug to some, and borrowing enables that. It sounds like spending got way out of hand. I saw a couple of the shopping videos, and wondered to myself, why does he need all that sh.., er, stuff?

 

[CentralPAPete]

I would be shocked if $1MM would fully sink this business, that's a relatively small amount for a company this size. I think other posters have hit on the real issue, all of this stuff has impaired the intangible value of the business going forward. Whomever owns the business going forward - and remember that may still include Pete despite all of this - will have to determine how to reposition.

I was thinking the same thing. I know Dreams is the money maker, but I was thinking that the ad revenue from these boards as well as the YT and patreon revenue would at least make that portion attractive enough for an outside source to want to buy it(ala what just happened to DVC fan), but looking at the numbers disunplugged has a relatively small number of subs on their YT channel. I’m not really optimistic that “The Dis” could be a stand alone business with DUT. It’s going to be interesting to see what’s going to happen in the future.

 

[nfreeman]

I think the mistake is continuing the show without putting forth a formal statement that acknowledges the legal proceedings & until it’s resolved the show will no longer involve Pete. The law suit looks like it was filed months ago. Now I wonder if Pete distanced himself because he really wanted to or because he had to.

 

[ainswokp]

It's entirely possible they're being advised to not discuss what is happening for legal reasons. That puts them in a difficult spot. I do think the excuse they gave was very strange. Would have been better as Ryno seemed to do on his personal YT channel to deal with it with a "it was a crazy week" and we're still here for you. Stating the studio is suddenly moving for mobility issues for two guys who have done everything except land on the moon together seems a knock on our intelligence.

 

[jozefd14]

I made this comment in the Patreon page under the latest “After Show”

I think it isn’t as easy to address it at this current time because of what possibly legally they are able to say and do. Since these allegations are on that website which I never heard of/existed and the public records about Amex, they can do so much I think. But I do agree it does eventually NEED to be addressed. No matter how difficult it will be for everyone. There should even be a dedicated episode about it IMO. May not have to be about the experiences of the 2 former employees have come out via the website, but also maybe from the perspectives of the hosts AND maybe former employees.

Idk how it will be at the Disneyland meetup. How awkward will that be? Will they be transparent at the event? Are people right now who are discovering this mess and have plans made to go to Disneyland for the meetup canceling them right now as we speak? Only time will tell in less than a week. My heart goes out not only the former employees but to also the current ones who got sucked into this mess without actually being involved in them.

 

[ainswokp]

You just hit on one of the difficulties for the residual on-air personalities. Even if you take at face value they were unaware of the circumstances or were maybe even victims themselves in their own way, I don't know how you get this information and move forward with the same organization. When the bon appetit scandal happened, most of the on-air talent left because they viewed continuing on as condoning the behavior. It's a brutal predicament because this specific job is of extremely limited supply. You're weighing personal values against work ambition and the need to provide for your family. Unfortunately, it's the limited supply that also seems to have enabled management's behavior.

 

[rmm7e]

Can’t say I’m surprised at all of this. It has always been apparent even to a listener/viewer that, regarding Pete, it was his way or the highway. I pretty much stopped listening after JL and Teresa ended The Trip. Kudos to to Sean F. and Dustin for speaking their truth. My guess is that Pete will sell off his interests in the Dis and DU to pay off his Amex debt and the separation will be complete.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Well, the World of DVC has purchased DVC Fan from Werner, per Paul Krieger yesterday:

We are happy to announce DVC Fan has officially joined the World of DVC family of companies.
At the core, we are DVC members just like you, and our passion for Disney Vacation Club has always fueled our desire to educate and share every aspect of this incredible experience with as many folks as we can. Our love for DVC is not just about enjoying being Members, but about spreading joy and knowledge so that everyone can make the most of their magical DVC journey.
We understand that for some, the news of DVC Fan's acquisition by World of DVC might bring up questions about the future independence of the DVC Fan brand. Please know that your concerns, comments, and feedback are not only crucial to us, but have also been deeply considered and taken to heart, serving as our guiding principles in maintaining the authenticity and trust you've come to associate with DVC Fan.
We promise to work hard to bring you future content that is informational, fair, factual, and most of all fun. While our content is now brought to you by the World of DVC, we will always strive to make certain our content is as unbiased as possible as a service to all DVC fans.
DVC Fan will still bring you regular news, articles, videos, and more across all our platforms (DVCFan.com, YouTube, Facebook, and more).
There are also many exciting things we’re looking forward to, from introducing new guests on our shows, delivering more content on Disney property, and finding creative ways to bring the magic of Disney and being a DVC member to you.
Thank you for your support over these last nearly five years. We look forward to continuing to be a part of this amazing community for many more!

Amy Krieger and Paul Krieger​

So some divestiture has already begun, and the YouTube channel and Facebook page are now owned by WODVC. The question is how much more of the DIS will be divested, including the other YouTube channels that don't mesh with WODVC, these forums, etc.

 

[sjones88]

It’s so sad because it taints the entire history of the show and it also damns it going forward. John and Kevin aren’t going to come back to the pod. The current group isn’t good enough to do it without Pete. And this guy we all loved so so much has been exposed as an absolute monster.

For me, personally, The Dis Unplugged is over.m

Well, the World of DVC has purchased DVC Fan from Werner, per Paul Krieger yesterday:


So some divestiture has already begun, and the YouTube channel and Facebook page are now owned by WODVC. The question is how much more of the DIS will be divested, including the other YouTube channels that don't mesh with WODVC, these forums, etc.

Also, Corey has put out a statement on the boards a few minutes ago

 

[Genie+]

The impacts are sad. DISboards is one of the best places to get real time accurate info and a huge portion of that is due to long time members and moderators.

 

[glvsav37]

I'm guessing that they are moving the studio b/c pete is going to need to sell the house to cover his financial liability.

 

[petermac]

Even given the significant sum in the court filings, I would doubt that's going to result in the insolvency of the business. What seems more likely is DUT Inc. will try and be removed, leaving Pete with personal liability, and he'll have to cover that with personal assets the way any debt proceeding would be born out. The issue is Amex is unlikely to want to let the business off the hook because you want the deepest pocket at the table, and depending on how they proceed DUT may eventually have to take action against Pete or somehow recoup whatever is settled with Amex. I would be shocked if $1MM would fully sink this business, that's a relatively small amount for a company this size. I think other posters have hit on the real issue, all of this stuff has impaired the intangible value of the business going forward. Whomever owns the business going forward - and remember that may still include Pete despite all of this - will have to determine how to reposition.

I imagine the sale of DVCFan to World of Disney is the first step in the process of resolving the debt. I'm sure more will come.

 

[ainswokp]

 

[disneyseniors]

where are the details regrading what's going on? I found bits and pieces but still havent put it all together

Me too, Pam. I used to love that show and never missed it. Then when Pete left, I just couldn't get interested. So, where can we find what has transpired regarding Pete and the show? I'm really in the dark. Hope this thread doesn't get shut down too.

 

[ainswokp]

I don't blame anyone on the team who worked through these times, but the idea that everyone is stunned by the allegations is not being honest. It's part of the current zeitgeist that having relationships at work, certainly one where the boss is in a relationship with a subordinate is inappropriate. In the industry I am in, one of you would either be expected to find alternative employment, or at least sign a series of agreements stating the situation and the company's lack of liability going forward. In either case, you would never want a direct supervisor in a relationship with a direct report - that is a recipe for disaster. So to work with someone for over a decade knowing this person has been in a number of relationships with staff members, that staff members are terminated or leave on acrimonious terms routinely - I mean what dimension are you in that you read these allegations and think "SHOCKING!" The allegations are on another level, and I can take at face value the team is learning their extent right now with all of us. However, to think nobody thought they'd be in this position - this is what happens when the boss is dating his employees - this is exactly why that is frowned upon. You have someone with great power and leverage in a position to lean on someone with little to none. How this outcome can be unforeseen to the staff, that is baffling.

 

[WishingTree]

View attachment 781095

It's good to see Craig coming forward and acknowledging what's going on, he's in a very complicated position not the least of which is that Pete is his boss. My impression of Craig insofar as my extremely limited view as a viewer of his shows is that he's an honest and forthright person. He has a great deal of talent in producing videos and I wish him all the best as they move through this situation.

 

[rchristiansen]

Yes! So very disappointed, sad and angry. I need this outlet to just express my feelings.

I travelled with the team on an ABD trip back in 2011 - way before the video podcasts were even a thing. And we were loyal followers for about a decade after that. In recent years, we stopped watching videos on Tuesday because it just wasn't the same.

The description of Pete in the allegations was not the Pete we hung out with for a week over a decade ago. It really bothers me to hear these stories. I only hung out with him for a week, but I can only imagine what the team and others are feeling. I just want to reach out to all of the Dis team members and give them a hug. And I also applaud those brave men who came forward with their stories.

 

[nfreeman]

I definitely don’t think the team is to be blamed. I hope resolution is found quickly and that the Dis can be rebranded.

 

[starfrenzy]

Yes! So very disappointed, sad and angry. I need this outlet to just express my feelings.

I travelled with the team on an ABD trip back in 2011 - way before the video podcasts were even a thing. And we were loyal followers for about a decade after that. In recent years, we stopped watching videos on Tuesday because it just wasn't the same.

The description of Pete in the allegations was not the Pete we hung out with for a week over a decade ago. It really bothers me to hear these stories. I only hung out with him for a week, but I can only imagine what the team and others are feeling. I just want to reach out to all of the Dis team members and give them a hug. And I also applaud those brave men who came forward with their stories.

Narcissistic abusers are skilled at having a highly-polished public image that in no way indicates the awfulness behind the mask.

That’s how they gain people’s trust to either reel them in as prey, or to support them through anything (“I know him and he’d never do such a thing.”)