A not so pleasant Easter again

[Ridge]

A not so Happy Easter at Disney World

I really am hoping the local press will have the nerve to tackle this issue.

For the second year in a row Disney has played down the Easter Parade at the Magic Kingdom. Last year they claimed that they were sensitive to the reality that many thousands of their guests do not celebrate Easter so they eliminated any Easter elements from the parade. There was a real public outcry that I supported myself as I, in a letter to Disney, pointed out that I saw no lack of merchandising of Easter all through the parks. Two months later I received their standard letter going on about their sensitivity and that merchandising was optional to the guest experience while the parade was looked upon as reflecting the company position. In private the Disney rep that visits our office each week said that the anti-Easter movement was driven right from the top. A management team that is plainly dominated by non-Christians.

We by tradition have never missed the Christmas or Easter parade since 1987. They have always been spectacular one day events. Today I was tipped off that the 3 Pm parade would be unique and would deal with the Easter issue. That it did but not the way I expected. There were two parades. A shortened one with dancing girls in Easter themed gowns and four marching bands playing Easter music. The prevalent background music was the Easter Parade song. To be honest this was really beautiful. Ten minutes passed and the normal parade occurred. Several people around us commented that once again Disney is again trying to distance themselves from the Easter holiday and its traditions.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not playing that “ I’m a Christian ” game. Ironically, I helped organize the Easter egg hunt at Indian Ridge yesterday and we had over 200 children of all faiths. We even had Arabs who had no idea what we were doing but the children were happy. Nothing religious .Just plain family fun. I guess I’ll be writing another letter. Shame on you Disney. I see nothing wrong with enjoying the traditions of Easter. If there are guests that are offended the rides were not closed. I think Easter like Christmas is more of a family holiday then a religious one these days. I just hate to see traditions fall to the side, as someone MAY be upset or their religious rights could be offended.

 

[Bottlejet]

"....religious rights could be offended." You hit the nail right on the head. The USA is based upon the Constitution and that document guarantees every citizen the freedom of religion and also the freedom from religion. Religion is a very private thing. Overt prostilization has no place in any of the Disney parks.

 

[robinb]

I'm sorry you had a disappointing day .

Originally posted by Ridge
Shame on you Disney. I see nothing wrong with enjoying the traditions of Easter.

Of course you don't, you're Christian.

I think Easter like Christmas is more of a family holiday then a religious one these days.

Easter, like Christmas, is a Christian holiday. How would you feel about a Passover Parade with dancing Mickey Matzos?

 

[iman]

Hey man,

I agree with Bottlejet. Not everyone wants to subjected to religious sights when they are on vacation. It sounds like they played Easter music, which you said was beautiful, so what's the problem? I was not there, but I see nothing wrong with the Easter bunny and that type of theme, but any thing overtly religious does not belong in a parade in a theme park.

 

[MycatlovesEeyore]

I do not mean to add to the flames here but I think people this day and time have become too sensitive, whether it be religion or ethnicity. What ever happened to the United States being the most tolerant country in the world. It has gotten to the point that if something does not agree 100% with someone's views then it is taboo and should be avoided at all cost.

Yes Christmas and Easter are Christian holidays. Does that mean that Jewish or Islamic children should be sheltered from all things foreign to their religion? I do not think so.

What does Santa Claus have to do with the birth of Jesus or the Easter Bunny have to do with the death of Jesus? Not a whole heck of a lot. Why shouldn't children and grownups alike be allowed to enjoy these times of the year without having to carry the weight of their religion on their shoulders? Why not use it as a time to learn about the others we share this planet with?

It is just not right to say that because not everyone believes in something it must be done away with.

I now step down off my soap box.

Thank you

 

[Ridge]

I am not suggesting they carry crosses down the streets at Disney but surely being so naive to believe Jewish of Islamic guests would be offended is a cop out. Three years ago they had no problem with the Easter Bunny being featured. In fact the Easter parade was more of a festival of spring and yes Easter egg floats were prevalent and both women and men dancing to the Easter tunes were common. That parade was a mix of the old and what is new.

You know what bugs me is that at Christmas they really make millions...perhaps billions using Christian themes. The Candelight Processional at EPCOT tells the story of Jesus, the Christmas Around the World characters repeat more of the bible stories and the Osborne Lights have both Christian crosses on some villas and a Judaic Star of David home. Maybe the almighty at Disney actually means that Chrsitmas turns to much a profit over their 5 weeks of actvities while poor little Easter is nothing more then a 3 day weekend in America.

You'd think there must be some easily offended Disney executive out there worried his insignificant cast members would attempt to turn the parade in to some religious statement.

Disney needs to stop pandering to what is supposed to be politically correct and start remembering our roots and traditions. That is what we need now.

 

[pumba]

on Christian attitudes in or out of Disney......

 

[MycatlovesEeyore]

Sorry, pumba. Perhaps you could move this to the Debate Board where it would better fit?

 

[Betsyt82]

Well if WDW cannot stomache the Easter Bunny coming to Main Street then they had better put away the Christmas stuff.........Cuz that has just as much Christian over tones in it too. This is PC to the next level of stupidity.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I have to agree that it is bizarre...incidently the constitution only guarentees freedom from religion in government...otherwise Holy Land USA (over by Universal) couldn't function.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. There are other religious and/or holidays in its vicinity. Christmas has some pagan aspects...the tree, the time it is scheduled for, maybe even Santa Claus.

Unlike Christmas EVERYTHING people do for Easter...other than going to church has NOTHING to do with Easter. The Rabbit, the pagan eggs, the hunts, the bonnets, the dresses. Whats left? Easter music (what is easter music anyway?). Disney could easily do this as a special gay 90's parade that takes place in a 3 week period around Easter and promote like halloween. Parents could waste their money buying their little princes and princesses special outfits to participate.

At this rate I wonder if Universal will give up Mardi Gras.

 

[bsnyder]

The last few years, I have made a point to see the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. I always try to take someone with me who has never seen it. (a family member, or friend)

IMO, this is one of the most spectacular and moving shows that Disney performs. But every time I see it, I am struck by the fact that it is a VERY overtly religious show and I wonder, sadly, if its' days are numbered at Disney. After all, in the last 20-30 years, religious symbols have been wiped out of our public life, and even though Disney is a private company, it is unique in its' place in America's public conciousness.

I have never seen the Easter Parade, but from the description here, it doesn't sound like there is anything remotely religious about it, except for the fact that Easter itself is a major relgious holy day for the Christian faith. The CP, on the other hand, is the very essence of the Christian story. Not only is the Gospel of Luke read out loud, but the songs are traditional Christian hymns, not secular Christmas music.

This seems to be a huge inconsistency for Disney, if they are, in fact, changing the Easter Parade to avoid religious offense. Unfortunately, I think it means that sometime in the not too distant future, the Candlelight Processional will be changed - the narrative of the Gospel will be deleted, and the songs will all be of a secular nature. (Rudolph, Frosty, Jingle Bells, etc.)

 

[nanajoyx2]

I think the reason Disney no longer has the great Easter Parade is $$$! I think everything they do is based on the almighty(sorry for the religious phrase) dollar. I've never seen the parade in person, but I used to enjoy it on TV.

 

[Patrick IL.]

This is the exact same post we already have, this was moved here from another board..We now have two of them on the front page of the CB. I am closing this one...to reply to the other one please go here http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=359947

Patrick