News Round Up

[rteetz]

While I would agree with that, I also think it's important that people call it out for that and not let it be painted as reality. When you look at Disney as not just a theme park but a media empire, (even back then) it's easy to see how this fantasy may start to look like reality to some people.

Yes that is true but back in the 50s and 60s theme parks were just starting to become a thing. The biggest ones were Knotts and Disneyland. Disney was never meant to be real. It was all about the fantasy and magic allowing people to take a break and be happy instead of worrying about the real world. The dedication of Disneyland said "To all who come to this happy place..."

 

[bbmassey]

Quite the trailer for the upcoming Disney Documentary on PBS

That may be one of THE most bitter sounding person I have ever heard speak. It is clear someone never got to go to Disney as a kid and is very biter about it. I would hate to live my life sounding like that. It is a fantasy amusement park and he created fantasy stories. The point was never for any part of it to be a "real" reflection on the world we live in rather it was a dream of a world where no worries existed. It's okay to live a few days with no worries, its what keeps you from sounding like she does.

 

[mara512]

Wait you mean Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and all the others aren't real! I have been lied to and it has all been a sham! I want every dime back I ever spent. Yah she is way too serious.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I'm still on hold to get my $50 ticket for the Star Wars stuff...

...or I might just go to the target down the street and walk in at 12:15 for free...

I'm "teetering" on this one.

 

[soniam]

Quite the trailer for the upcoming Disney Documentary on PBS

OK Here a few movies and attractions at the theme parks that are the opposite of what she asserts. Plus, they are theme parks and mostly fictional movies and cartoons. Anyone trying to get historical info and factual current political news from these is a dolt. Also, she was showing theme park footage and film clips from the 50s/60s. Everything was portrayed as white and happy back then. That's why there was a civil rights movement in the 60s. Also, last time I checked, Walt Disney was a white middle class guy from the midwest. He was portraying what he grew up with and longed for. I might get really angry watching this. It looks more like bashing than a realistic analysis.

It's a Small World
Snow White (who disobeyed her stepmother and lived with 7 strange men)
Brave (Merida stayed in her place like a good girl)
Princess and the Frog
World Showcase at Epcot
Captain EO
Figment (He's purple, not white)
Mulan
Pocahontes

 

[soniam]

While I would agree with that, I also think it's important that people call it out for that and not let it be painted as reality. When you look at Disney as not just a theme park but a media empire, (even back then) it's easy to see how this fantasy may start to look like reality to some people.

Since when does the media portray reality?

 

[soniam]

That may be one of THE most bitter sounding person I have ever heard speak. It is clear someone never got to go to Disney as a kid and is very biter about it. I would hate to live my life sounding like that. It is a fantasy amusement park and he created fantasy stories. The point was never for any part of it to be a "real" reflection on the world we live in rather it was a dream of a world where no worries existed. It's okay to live a few days with no worries, its what keeps you from sounding like she does.

It's like she's PL Travers or something.

 

[wareagle57]

Quite the trailer for the upcoming Disney Documentary on PBS

I was really excited for this until that trailer. The world would be so much better off with more people like Walt Disney and less people like her.

 

[rteetz]

I was really excited for this until that trailer. The world would be so much better off with more people like Walt Disney and less people like her.

I have to agree. I'm still going to watch because there is probably more to her story and other interesting stories but she needs get a grip I guess.

 

[Bolt4Life17]

That may be one of THE most bitter sounding person I have ever heard speak. It is clear someone never got to go to Disney as a kid and is very biter about it. I would hate to live my life sounding like that. It is a fantasy amusement park and he created fantasy stories. The point was never for any part of it to be a "real" reflection on the world we live in rather it was a dream of a world where no worries existed. It's okay to live a few days with no worries, its what keeps you from sounding like she does.

Totally agree. It sounds like she has a serious stick stuck somewhere.

I work in Law Enforcement. I've been doing it for 3.5 years. I didn't become a huge WDW fan until I started working in LE. I go to WDW to escape reality for a week or two. I tell everyone it is my "happy bubble." I go on Disney Property and never leave the whole trip. I drink, get bussed everywhere, have a great time at the parks, and have never seen or ran into trouble. I get to escape the world that I am involved in all the time at work and be at the happiest place on earth.

As you said, the lady in that trailer sounds extremely bitter. Duh, it's not reality when you are on Disney property. You know what though, I pay to live in that fake reality and have a grand time doing it. It is great mental relaxation for me.

 

[eXo]

Get your tickets for your Star Wars merchandise coming out on September 4th.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/08/force-friday-merchandise-event-details-released/

$50 to be able to buy stuff? But don't forget your "amenity" gift.

I recently priced out a holiday christmas decoration thingy that Disney floral was offering for rooms at the resorts. They wanted $450 to hang a banner over the door, spread some glitter around the room, put 2 mickey shaped LED lights in the room, a few "christmas treats" (less than 10 cookies & krispy treats), 2 sets of reindeers noses and antlers, and a gift bag for both kids. What could be in that amazing gift bag that is worth $450 (minus the cost of glitter, LED lights, and a door banner?)? Why, 2 personalized pillowcases and one personalized blanket. I guess the kids get to share the blanket. Obviously they were stretching my dollars as far as they could go at this point, and throwing in another blanket would have tipped the entire thing into $550-$600 territoty /s

The best part was the italic print under the picture of the decorated room that stated, "Christmas Tree not included" Well, I should think not! For the bargain price of $450 I would never expect a 2 foot tall fake tree with 5-6 ornaments on it to be included. That is obviously reserved for those with a grand or 2 to spare.

While I would agree with that, I also think it's important that people call it out for that and not let it be painted as reality. When you look at Disney as not just a theme park but a media empire, (even back then) it's easy to see how this fantasy may start to look like reality to some people.

You can only do so much to 'help' people tell the difference between reality and fantasy. Anyone who thinks Disneyland/Disneyworld is a realistic representation of the United States has either
A: Never attended school.
B: Never watched anything about the US on TV (I almost said the history channel, and then realized that would only lead them to understanding which alien race was visiting us and how much they could get for an old gun at a Las Vegas pawn shop).
C: Is a complete dolt.

In the end, the type of person who believes that 1920's america was a mainstreet full of mickey mouse gifts, parades, talking animals, and equality for all races/species/fantasy creature.... well.. suffice to say they likely live in their own little world. And "fixing" Disney by adding aspects that address slavery, women's rights, witch burnings, and whatever other aspects of US history this woman thinks Disney is lacking, is not going to help pull this person out of that fantasy world. They are still going to believe that titanic was just a movie, vampires are real (and tragically romantic), and that Captain E.O is a historical account of how our ancestors got their groove back.

How many deviations from normal are we supposed to go to make the world obvious for people who have no common sense? If Disney can't be fantastical for fear of someone taking it literally, then by god we need to get Dora off TV before our friends to the south start thinking it's ok to wander into our country with their talking maps and monkeys. 'MURICA!

PS: I'd love to see this woman's thoughts on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

 

[rteetz]

Kongstruction update

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/08/reign-of-kong-update-mountain-range.html

 

[rteetz]

Courtesy wheelchairs no longer available at Disney resorts

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/08/courtesy-wheelchairs-no-longer.html

 

[rteetz]

Kiosk refurbishments in AK

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/08/discovery-island-kiosk-refurbishments.html

 

[Andrew015]

The dedication of Disneyland said "To all who come to this happy place..."

When Iger took over, some fine print was added to the dedication plaque... :

"...Provided that you have mass quantities of liquid cash and promise to sit through at least one DVC pitch..."

 

[skier_pete]

I recently priced out a holiday christmas decoration thingy that Disney floral was offering for rooms at the resorts. They wanted $450 to hang a banner over the door, spread some glitter around the room, put 2 mickey shaped LED lights in the room, a few "christmas treats" (less than 10 cookies & krispy treats), 2 sets of reindeers noses and antlers, and a gift bag for both kids. What could be in that amazing gift bag that is worth $450 (minus the cost of glitter, LED lights, and a door banner?)?

The fact is everyone has there limit. There's very little at Disney that is a "Value" anyways right? So it's all what you are willing to spend.

You blinked at a $450 room decor that someone else might just say "sure it's a splurge but it's worth it to see the expression on my kids faces". There's plenty of people out there with (what appears to be) money to burn. Enough people do it that Disney justifies the price.
I personally have found that the hard ticket events are a HUGE ripoff - yet there's hundreds of thousands of people that think they are more than worth it, thus the prices increasing by more than 120 % in less than 10 years and yet people continuing to go.

The only way it stops is if people say "I've had enough I'm just not doing it."
That's why in the end I decided NOT to do the Star Wars Merchandise event. At first I thought "No Way", then I thought "but I can afford $50", but finally I thought "Where does this end? I am NOT paying for them to allow me to buy stuff I can buy for free in a few days." I'm taking that stand.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The fact is everyone has there limit. There's very little at Disney that is a "Value" anyways right? So it's all what you are willing to spend.

You blinked at a $450 room decor that someone else might just say "sure it's a splurge but it's worth it to see the expression on my kids faces". There's plenty of people out there with (what appears to be) money to burn. Enough people do it that Disney justifies the price.
I personally have found that the hard ticket events are a HUGE ripoff - yet there's hundreds of thousands of people that think they are more than worth it, thus the prices increasing by more than 120 % in less than 10 years and yet people continuing to go.

The only way it stops is if people say "I've had enough I'm just not doing it."
That's why in the end I decided NOT to do the Star Wars Merchandise event. At first I thought "No Way", then I thought "but I can afford $50", but finally I thought "Where does this end? I am NOT paying for them to allow me to buy stuff I can buy for free in a few days." I'm taking that stand.

I mean...did you really have to wrestle with this one, Pete?

Maybe people buying the event are fooled into thinking that's there's going to be something different about the stuff? Because every toystore and discount chain is opening that night...

Is that the problem here... Do
People think that this has an exclusive nature to it?

Or are we selling the "it's more magical because world of Disney has twinkle lights in the trees outside" take?

Things like this give me a massive kopfschmerz

 

[Eoghann]

Since when does the media portray reality?

A lot of people think it does though.

 

[Tigger's ally]

A lot of people think it does though.

Sadly it did yesterday morning.

 

[skier_pete]

I mean...did you really have to wrestle with this one, Pete?

I wouldn't call it "wrestling". My immediately thought was "No way!", but then for about 5 minutes I thought about that maybe it would be worth it. We never seem to be at Disney for any of the unique events that take place there, so just for a bit I was thinking about it's only $50, but rapidly I returned to "No way!"

I'll save my money for my $80 Hawaiian shirt at the Poly and my $12 drink at Trader Sam's.