Dark Days at Disney World

[Phoebesaturn]

I wonder if this is the norm? Seems that Disney continues to get further and further away from the values it was created under.

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PV04E02

Each Spring recruiters from Disney World fan out across the country seeking young college students who desire to be a part of the "Disney experience," advertised as "where fantasy comes to life and vacations always end happily ever after." The new recruits join the ranks of hundreds of young men and women for a six-month internship at the giant amusement park.

According to the mother of a daughter who signed up for the Disney World College Intern Program, the new recruits quickly discover that, instead of the family-friendly environment that the company projects to the public, they are in for an experience more akin to Pinocchio's "Pleasure Island."

"Terry," a twenty-year-old student from Glendale Community College in Phoenix, answered the call from a recruiter who visited her college last February. She agreed to work as a lifeguard at one of the Magic Kingdom's resorts. The young Christian woman was assured that she would be housed and work in a safe and pleasant environment, and that underage students would be segregated from those of legal drinking age--which is 21 in Florida.

"It didn't take long for me to discover," said Terry, "that my 'dream job' was beginning to look more like a nightmare." Despite being promised her own room, she was assigned to a cramped, Disney-owned apartment with five other underage women. Moreover, on her days off she was required to attend compulsory Disney training.

Although the other women in her apartment were under 21, the apartment directly across the hall was occupied by drinking-age men. Alcohol, drugs, and sexual activity became a regular routine in the apartment complex. "A favorite spot for late night partying and sex--both heterosexual and homosexual--was around the apartment building's swimming pool," Terry said. "The pool Jacuzzi was a frequent locale for open sexual activity."

Homosexuals represent a significant part of the staff at Disney--one of America's most gay-friendly corporations. Terry's Christian faith led to frequent taunts by homosexuals living in her apartment complex, and one bizarre encounter convinced Terry to end her Disney internship and leave after only two weeks on the job.

As Terry explained, "One afternoon, while walking in the courtyard outside of my apartment, my friend and I were met by two gay men, who proceeded to offer their usual taunts about my faith. Unexpectedly, the pair dropped their pants and proceeded to enact a sex act in front of us." The crude and repulsive exhibition was the last straw for Terry, who decided to end her employment with Disney.

I asked Terry about the security provided by Disney for residents of the apartment complex. She responded, "When I was hired, the recruiter told me that apartment security would not allow heavy partying or underage drinking, and that no drugs would be allowed. In fact, they only provided gate security. There was no security presence in the building as far as attempting to hold down the partying, drinking, drugs, or sexual activity."

...

 

[PKS44]

I don't know if it is true--but considering the source it is highly suspect....FRC is not a group I would ever trust with anything...

 

[All Aboard]

Seems that Disney continues to get further and further away from the values it was created under.

Disney? Or, Disney College Program Cast Members that were housed in the room across from these girls and some Disney College Program Cast Members that were walking in the courtyard? I'd say the latter.

 

[Phoebesaturn]

Originally posted by PKS44
FRC is not a group I would ever trust with anything...

Really based on what? I don't have any first hand knowledge of the group...but seems you do. With groups like CNN and the New York Times, FRC would have to be pretty bad in todays world to get that type of rep.

Disney? Or, Disney College Program Cast Members that were housed in the room across from these girls and some Disney College Program Cast Members that were walking in the courtyard? I'd say the latter.

I guess that depends if you think that Disney bears some sort of reasonability with the program...who they hire and how the allowed to conduct themselves while there. Clearly the people commit the acts bear most of the blame....but you have to wonder if its the climate the Disney is projecting and allowing to happen that encourages this type of behavior.

 

[dcentity2000]

This does sound slightly suspect to me - employees over on the Theme Park & Attractions board say exactly the opposite when they post. As for half of the described problems - I small a rat.



Rich::

 

[Chuck S]

I agree, the FRC is not what I would consider in any way an unbiased group. I take everything they say with a box of salt.

Later on the same page that you link an "inaccuaracy" on their part.

Another sign of the retreat from wholesome, pro-family values at Walt Disney World was the discontinuation in 2002 of regular church services at the Polynesian Resort. The popular services had been a tradition with vacationers since 1975.

Guess what, the Cathoilic church informed Disney that due to a shortage of priests, Catholic services would be discontinued, and guests would need to attend at the nearby Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine. Disney then also discontinued the Protestant service, which was not particularly well attended, anyway. Why pay for power and insurance for the Luau Cove for only a single, non-well attended service? The Catholic services (while I am not Catholic, I have traveled with friends that are) were always packed to overflowing.

Of course, I'm sure this little untruth was simply an oversite on FRC's part. And they weren't deliberately trying to "bear false witness".

 

[caseymaureen]

While the College Program isn't perfect, it isn't what this article makes it out to be. It is true that there is partying, but it is exactly identical to every college campus I've ever visited. I haven't found a place yet where large quantities of twenty somethings get together and there are no parties or drinking. While security is somewhat tight, and underage interns are often terminated for drinking, it is the student's choice whether or not to drink or attend parties. My roommates often partied, I did not. It was my choice. I was never approached in any sort of aggressive or demeaning manner by any other CP cast members- straight or gay. Just because a person is gay does not mean that they will feel it necessary to expose themselves to random people. Unless the author made it a point to preach to the other residents about her faith, I don't see how it would ever really come up, or how any of them would be offended by it enough to make it an issue. Just a little unrealistic. If all of these things were that completely shocking to the author, no offense, but she needs to get out a bit more. It's one thing to choose how to live your life, it's another to be completely naive.

 

[davey3]

If the Family Research Council is the source I would bet my life that it is true. I trust James Dobson. I am a Christian who enjoys the fun family friendly side of Disney. I only spend money on Disney videos, etc that are consistent with my values. Disney has made much more money from their Sunny Side than they ever will from their dark side. I pray that the Sunny Side continues to win. - Leaving for Disney May 19!!!! - Davey

 

[dcentity2000]

Originally posted by davey3
If the Family Research Council is the source I would bet my life that it is true.

Is that a wager?



Rich::

 

[disney1990]

My daughter and I have a very open relationship. She tells me everything. She was on the college program from August 2003 until January 2004. While there were kids that partied, she did not -- because she chose not to. Her experience with the Disney college program was positive for the most part and she is looking forward to being able to go back as a seasonal cast member. Maybe the girl in the story should have hung around a little longer. Maybe she should have investigated having other college program students terminated for their actions.

 

[Paul G]

Sounds like fun - where do I sign up? Do they take 44 year olds?

Its true - youth is wasted on the young!

I am not homosexual (married with 2 daughters) but from what I have read about the FRC its a hateful organization that is out to demonize homosexuality.

 

[hyzdufan]

Why wouldn't this be picked up in a newspaper, or some other publication? It just seems a bit suspect coming from a religious outfit.

 

[Phoebesaturn]

Originally posted by hyzdufan
Why wouldn't this be picked up in a newspaper, or some other publication? It just seems a bit suspect coming from a religious outfit.

Becuase these are personal experinces seems that most people like tend to simply dismiss them as that persons problem or come up with the craziest of excues for the actions.

Some more from Jim Hill.

http://www.jimhillmedia.com/articles/guest/cmc.04012004.1.htm


I would bet this is not the norm. That however does not change what apparently happened to this girl. To brush it off as something that happens at every college campus is at best a lie. Also telling someone that seemed to be a victim of a crime to "get out more" is pretty silly. Maybe the gay roommates made it a habit to preach to this girl about their sexual preferences? People that are opening gay tend to make sure that everyone within a 5 mile radius gets the idea.

At the very least it seems if Disney needs to supervise and better police their dorms.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Originally posted by davey3
If the Family Research Council is the source I would bet my life that it is true. I trust James Dobson. I am a Christian who enjoys the fun family friendly side of Disney. I only spend money on Disney videos, etc that are consistent with my values. Disney has made much more money from their Sunny Side than they ever will from their dark side. I pray that the Sunny Side continues to win. - Leaving for Disney May 19!!!! - Davey

The problem with Focus on the Family and their various subsidiaries is the fact that they hold up James Dobson and other FOTF and FRC folks as the models for Christiain faith. There is only one model for the Christian to base their faith upon; there is only one foundation stone in the Christian Church and it sure isn't a psychologist named James Dobson.

The problem with your wager is that you have already lost -- the FRC website has already been proven very wrong about the discontinuation of the Roman Catholic Masses at WDW. If your faith is based upon placing ultimate trust in FRC and FOTF as you have seemed to indicate with the words "I would bet my life that it is true", than what now?

 

[Chuck S]

There are a lot more inaccuracies and misleading statements on the same FRC page, in addition to the reason the services at the Luau Cove were discontinued.

Gosh, could it possibly be that the FRC and James Dobson have a political agenda of their own?

And of course, newspapers NEVER report rumors or personal experiences I find it hard to believe if any of these stories were credible that the Orlando Sentinal or some other area papers didn't pick up on it. I've seen plenty "negative" Disney news printed in the Sentinal. I'm not saying they're biased, I enjoy reading the paper when I stay at Disney, I'm just saying that the locals don't sugar coat Disney news, if it is real news.

 

[Maleficent2]

and I have swamp land in FL for sale if you beleive that hogwash.....


not saying that college kids don't drink and party but give me a break that story is way out there.....


Mal

 

[Neeter]

"Homosexuals represent a significant part of the staff at Disney--one of America's most gay-friendly corporations."

One of America's most gay-friendly corporations... yea glad they through that in there. Sure make me take this little article seriously!

 

[crusader]

I wouldn't dismiss this person's experience. As noted from the Jim Hill article - she states very frankly:

Now I realize that oftentimes, perception is reality. Even though it felt like "everyone" was just there to party, I'm sure it was probably around 40% of the people. But they were a very LOUD minority.

This makes sense to me. These are college kids used to an environment of free reign and zero discipline when it comes to partying. This student remarked that her experience was worse than a 4 yr stint in the dorms at CU Boulder (which implies an RA or foreigner since the housing is so tight there no other students are usually able to remain on campus in the dorms beyond Freshman or Sophomore year). That also means she's either a grad student or unemployed.

I don't believe the environment is worse than Boulder. As my daughters have so aptly put it: "sex, drugs and alcohol are everywhere" in all of our colleges and universities with the exception of maybe the Evangelical "christian" facilities or WestPoint.

I'm not sure what you are implying by using the phrase "dark days" at Disney. 40% is a realistic number today. What is it exactly that Disney should be enforcing here? From what I'm reading the individuals across the hall from this girl were adult men of legal drinking age.

 

[caseymaureen]

Phoebesaturn,
I was saying that she needed to get out more if the entire situation was such a shock to her, not the supposed crime. She very easily could have made a complaint to security, to building management, or even to the authorities on the harassment and exposure. And in my personal experience, in life in general and the college program, the homosexuals are not the ones who try to make their lifestyles known to everyone in a 5 mile radius, the "Christians" are the ones often preaching to everyone who will listen and often to people who don't care to hear it. I did not personally find any of these intolerant people at Disney, I have however lived with them and been around them in other parts of my college career. I was there, on the CP and I lived in these same buildings. I witnessed none of this harassment of anyone for any reason, and I met people of many different religious, economic, cultural, and social backgrounds. In addition, the article never says that her roommates were homosexual, and it is not a lie to say that these things occur on college campuses. As a former CP who has lived on 2 different college campuses and visited many others, I think I have the experience to say that it is the truth.
The people who frequently criticize Disney for being gay friendly are asking the corporation to deny an entire population the priviledge of working or visiting a place that every other person in the world is invited to. Should the Vacation Planners ask a guest's sexual preference on the phone? Maybe at the gate? Should it be asked on the applications, in clear violation of anti-discrimination laws? How would these people propose to keep their gay-free theme parks gay-free? These "Christians" apparently read the Bible selectively, and missed out on that "Love thy neighbor" part...

 

[dcentity2000]

Originally posted by Phoebesaturn
Becuase these are personal experinces seems that most people like tend to simply dismiss them as that persons problem or come up with the craziest of excues for the actions.

That doesn't really deter newspapers....



Rich::