HopelessMagic said:
I can understand why the actual parks do it. They do it for the same reason stores do. Profits. There probably some sentimental stuff tossed in there, but when it comes down to it, that's what it's all about. More people coming to see more lights for the longest time possible for the most money possible. That and crowd control like someone else had said.
I know they want VMK to reflect the actual parks, but it's a different world. They don't have to mimic Disney exactly.
I love the decorations, but I just feel like Christmas is being shoved to the front of the line. More than likely has something to do with the fact that Christmas is solely responsible for almost 50% of the year's earnings (yes, believe it!). Black Friday is called Black Friday because it pulls company's out of the red and back into the black. All because of Christmas.
When I was little and our parents were little, it wasn't like it is now. You had Thanksgivings and then Christmas. Over the years, stores have been releasing items sooner and sooner and I swear this brainwashed the generations. Now it's such a commercial holiday because of the profit involved. Of course the stores want you to be thinking Christmas. That's more money in their pockets. Not to mention, the sooner that money is in their pockets, the better for them. Almost makes me sick when I think of it this way but it's the sad truth. We've all been Christmas brainwashed for their advantage.
While Disney is among the highest leading companies in the world, it doesn't rule the world...okay my reason for saying that is, this is Disney we are talking about. They do not forget Thanksgiving, they only make the Christmas season longer thus making it more available to those who want to see it. Believe it or not, Christmas is the leading holiday. Disney makes it so others can enjoy it more...Disney doesn't have to use Christmas to gain profits...they make enough as it is through park tickets and other fees. Yes, Disney does shovel in the money around Christmas but that is because so many people want to enjoy the Christmas season down there. A LOT of people LOVE the Christmas season and the majority celebrates it. Therefore, the crowd level increases.
Disney celebrates two major holidays...Halloween and Christmas...through the events "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party" and "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party". Those two seasons are jam packed as far as crowds go. Because Christmas is such a celebrated holiday, Disney makes it more available to those who don't have such a flexible schedule. They do this so more people can enjoy the season. Some people like to believe that Disney only cares about money. I stand completely against that. Heck, I know they like and want money -- nearly every good-grounded company does. However, Disney is first and foremost about its customers because they are the people who keep the parks running.
Disney does not stress Thanksgiving as much as Christmas and Halloween...but they don't stress Easter or the 4th of July as much either and that is because those holidays are not nearly as popular. Disney does make a considerable effort celebrating those other holidays with various things. Thanksgiving is not forgotten in any of the Disney parks.
It is correct to say that these other "minor" holidays are being pushed under the rug as the years progress...that much is evident. However, this is not due to Disney or lol Vmk. Disney has its way of celebrating things and its own way of operating. People can disagree with it, but I don't. I honestly believe Disney's best interest is in the people. Everyone can pick out and argue things about anything. It is just a matter of is it worth it. Like I said before, this thread seems to be edging on the downfall of Thanksgiving and the uprising of Christmas (gotta love redundancy! lol)...but you must all remember that these decorations are just a reflection of the real parks...
...that leads me to my next thought. Those of you who say you agree with Disney's reason for early decorations...well did you know that VMK stands for Virtual Magic Kingdom. That means they are making strong efforts to stay true to the real parks. They have even linked the game to the parks by stationing a center to visit in the real parks dedicated to vmk. They have also linked the game to the parks through quests. Now, Disney decorates early...some of you say you agree with that; VMK decorated early just as Disney does...some of you who say you agree with Disney disagree with VMK. (Just to sum it up). I play vmk because it reminds me of WDW and I joined because of WDW. I am not a computer genius who searchs for mulitplayer online games...I found VMK because the theme of WDW attracted me to it. What I am trying to say is, VMK is much better BECAUSE of the fact they are following true to WDW. It is a promotional game and what better promotion than staying true to what Disney really is? Disney has nothing to hide and they can flaunt their parks.
These early Christmas decorations only prove one thing...that vmk is becoming a lot better and a lot more in tune with the real parks. To me, that is a good thing.