Wikivoyage talk:Bad jokes and other deleted nonsense/Apple Valley (Minnesota)

Article content and tone

While I enjoy the irreverence of much of the recent edits to this article, I'm somewhat concerned that some of the information is a hoax or otherwise inaccurate. Initially the "Understand" section referred to an infamous lemonade incident, which might be a great inside joke but to an outsider is just nonsense. Listing "the parking lot at McDonald's" as a "drink" location is definitely amusing, but such edits border on satire rather than lively travel writing. Similarly, based on the writing style I suspect that some of the listings may not actually exist (Cheddar Bob's?), and non-existent listings are clearly something we don't want in guides. It would be helpful if the anonymous editor making these edits could clarify his/her goal, thus giving some insight on whether this article is simply an elaborate joke or something that is earnestly meant to be used as a travel guide, and also allowing some discussion to begin on whether things are going too far. -- (WT-en) Ryan • (talk) • 01:52, 22 July 2010 (EDT)

As the author of a substantial majority of the recent edits, I can assure you it is an earnest effort to provide insight to any potential visitors. As a lifelong Apple Valley resident, I believe I have the ability to provide destinations, activities and general advice that may go undetected by the average-joe. For example, the McDonalds parking lot is a well known hangout for owners of modified imported cars, who use the area as a starting point for their nightly races. Perhaps this could be expressed more clearly in the article, or perhaps the mystery of the prose is the allure.

The edits initially started as a joke (i.e. the lemonade incident) however, this soon morphed into a legitimate desire to provide information about my beloved hometown. Furthermore, this page is clearly a work in progress that will be continually added to and revised over the coming weeks. I simply wanted to establish a base to work with. Prior to my edits the page, it was similar to the page for Burnsville, with essentially no information. Something is better than nothing. What is more valuable to wikivoyage, witty, humorous and entertaining prose, or the blatant advertisements from store/hotel owners that overrun wikivoyage? —The preceding comment was added by (WT-en) 222.129.242.172 (talk • contribs)

To be clear, I enjoy the writing style, my concern was based more on the fact that if real data can't be distinguished from satire then an article's value as a travel guide is limited. Per Project:Tone, lively writing is very much encouraged, and it looks like you've added a lot of good and interesting info, so please keep at it. -- (WT-en) Ryan • (talk) • 10:38, 22 July 2010 (EDT)

Your concern is noted and necessary adjustments will be made. Cheddar Bob's (although real) has been deleted due to wikivoyage's policy regarding illegal activities. Furthermore, the McDonalds parking lot has been moved to the "do" section to better reflect its true nature. Please note any further concerns.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this read ;) --(WT-en) Peter ^Talk 00:26, 24 July 2010 (EDT)

"A new fleet of 2008 models will be sure to give you minutes of fun." That is undoubtedly the best description of a segway tour that I've ever read. Whoever is writing this article needs to consider a career in marketing. -- (WT-en) Ryan • (talk) • 12:43, 12 August 2010 (EDT)

OK. It is an extremely funny read but I think it is a bit overboard. Specifically:

Two joke photos that are not at all what they purport and don't actually illustrate anything legitimate
Off-the-cuff implications that Wiccans have sacrifice rituals, and that the readers use hookers, dress like strippers, buy marijuana, contract venereal diseases, watch porn and take cyanide might be seen as inappropriate or even offensive to some people
The first paragraph of Understand is a complete farce, yet most casual readers unfamiliar with the place have no idea at first. I'd prefer a more realistic introduction here.
The detailed airport information should probably be left to Minneapolis-St. Paul's article
The Architecture section is kind of baffling. Are there any important/interesting architectural works here or not? If so, where are they? Why the discussion (and fake picture) of the blizzard and the extended joke about the town building skyscrapers to rival Chicago and New York. Are there actually any interesting churches beside the Lutheran one mentioned? What is the target of the polish sausage on a bun joke?
The Learn section is all fluff and doesn't offer anything for the traveller except possibly the Apple Valley Community Center (is it really something you would honestly recommend for a visitor?), which is double-listed in the Do section as well
The Work section is all fluff and doesn't seem to offer any real information about possibilities for the traveler
Arby's/Sbarro/Wendy's - I don't think these should be allowed to take up space just because they are funny. Without the humor, and in most any other article they'd quickly be deleted. This kind of stuff might go well in the USA article but here it's just more laughs in an already jokey article.
The listing for Taste of Liang spends 10 sentences to tell a ridiculous story, but neglects to tell us what kind of food and atmosphere we can actually expect.
The only publication that sounds worth listing in the Cope section is The Sailor-- the others are either state-wide publications that need not be listed here, or local zines described as useless and boring
Fictitious Methodist Church listing on "God St."?
Television and Foreign consulates sections can probably go.

That's my take. I didn't plunge forward because of previous expressions of appreciation for the humor voiced above, but I really think it needs to be pared down quite a bit. There is a difference between lively writing and having so many jokes that you can't be sure which parts are real. (WT-en) Texugo 00:59, 7 September 2010 (EDT)

Don't hate. Like anyone is ever going to look at this crappy, completely forgettable suburb's page anyway. Leave it alone for the sake of the bored office worker hitting 'random page' for the 104th time in a row waiting for the clock to hit 5:00 and contemplating how to kill themselves (on a related note, that's how this article came to be). You can save a life today by leaving this page as a witty, humorous exception to Wikivoyage's totalitarian, no-fun regime. User:(WT-en) The Guy who wrote most of this article

Not hating. Just think it's not really in the Wikivoyage spirit to say "this place sucks anyway so let's fill the whole article with funny stuff". I'm sure there are some out there who are proud to live there. (WT-en) Texugo 21:19, 12 September 2010 (EDT)

I'd agree that anything fictitious should be removed, although I also am encouraged by the fact that this travel guide is such an entertaining read. It's completely possible to write about actual sights, restaurants, etc in this town in an entertaining way without straying into fantasy, so I'd encourage removal of anything fictitious while keeping the rest. -- (WT-en) Ryan • (talk) • 22:44, 12 September 2010 (EDT)

With a broken URL and Google searches that only point back to Wikivoyage or mirror sites, I'm pretty sure this place only exists in the imagination of the author:

<sleep name="Adam's Hostel for Weary Travelers" alt="" address="N Crystal Lake" directions="west side" phone="" url=" http://www.adamshostelAV.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="$25-50" lat="" long="">Sensible and economically sound lodging option for students or backpackers looking for a spot to stay the night. Free breakfast served in the morning, around 5:00 AM. Hot showers and flush toilets available. Prior to going to bed, make sure to administer the black light test to your bunk. </sleep>

(WT-en) Eco84 20:43, 11 December 2010 (EST)

I'm beginning to agree with (WT-en) Texugo. Our tone Tone guidelines discourage sarcasm, inside jokes, etc. No one wants to be a spoilsport, lets move this to our humor section, and extract a real travel guide. --(WT-en) Inas 19:16, 6 December 2011 (EST)

To feature?

Apple Valley (Minnesota) was nominated for destination of the month on 18 August 2010
Apple Valley (Minnesota) was nominated for Wikivoyage:Discover on 12 February 2017.

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