Dark Days at Disney World

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by outstandinfarmer
Well, of course, who wouldn't be?

[Sorry. Couldn't help myself. ]

 

[Razor Roman]

After doing the Disney College Program, I did come away a bit more cynical about Disney then I was before I went - but it was more realizing that Disney was using us a cheap help, and not that they really cared what happened to us personally - but hey, they are a corporation.

I was never under the impression that I'd have my own room, and I lived with quite a mix of people. One of whom was gay, and in spite of the fact that I am very conservative, him and I became very good friends... in fact, he was far more tolerant of my views than many of my "friends" in my TV/Theater Major at college. He also helped me understand how hard it must be to have to deal with very religious, conservative parents who don't accept your lifestyle. I also lived across the hall from some girls who are mormons, and other than occasional ribbings about them all marrying the same guy one day, we were all tolerant of each other's differences.

Sure there was plenty of "debauchery" going on at Vista Way, but probably no more than the average college... it might have been a little more frequent because no one had to write any term papers!

Like most have said, the College Program is what you make of it. But if you are really uptight, I would suggest bringing some friends down with you to live with!

 

[Phoebesaturn]

OK let me see if I got this straight yet...

Seems most of the people that have posted here that were in the program also have seen the parties, sex and lose moral values that the story writers suggest. They admit the dorm situation is not great.


Just curious if this is how Disney markets this program. Did you guys know going in that you may be stuck in rooms with homosexuals or otherwise unacceptable roommates with little to no recourse on moving? Did they mention the parties? The lose moral behavior? The pool make out sessions? The underage drinking? The nonexistent security? All of that now seems to be the norm based on these other posters with a varying degree of spin put on it...based on your personal beliefs. I don't know about you guys but when I think Disney College Program...the above is really not the picture I was getting in my head. Which is think is the overall point of the story.

 

[Chuck S]

Apparently people CAN change rooms, it simply takes a little time and patience, like everything else in life.

If you are not promised a "private room", why would you believe your room mate would not be from a different background/belief system than you are? Would you have any reason to expect that the other "college program" participants would not be adults with their OWN sets of beliefs or standards of behavior as varied as those in the general populace?

 

[Rence]

you may be stuck in rooms with homosexuals or otherwise unacceptable roommates

Phoebesaturn -- By the above statement are you saying that homosexuals are unacceptable roommates?

Now a homosexual who is loud and parties all the time may be unacceptable as would a heterosexual who behaved the same way.

A homosexual who engaged in inappropriate sexual activity in public areas within the apartment may be unacceptable as would a heterosexual who behaved the same way.

But just being homosexual would make a roommate unacceptable?

 

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by Phoebesaturn
Just curious if this is how Disney markets this program. Did you guys know going in that you may be stuck in rooms with homosexuals or otherwise unacceptable roommates with little to no recourse on moving? Did they mention the parties? The lose moral behavior? The pool make out sessions? The underage drinking? The nonexistent security? All of that now seems to be the norm based on these other posters with a varying degree of spin put on it...based on your personal beliefs. I don't know about you guys but when I think Disney College Program...the above is really not the picture I was getting in my head. Which is think is the overall point of the story.

What I took from most of the posters is that it sounds like the behavior is not much different than that at their colleges. I don't remember my college promising me certain roommates, or warning me about parties, makeout sessions or loose moral behavior.

 

[Phoebesaturn]

Originally posted by Rence

But just being homosexual would make a roommate unacceptable?

For some people yes. I'm not sure if you know this or not but there is a huge segment of society that is not running with open arms to accepting the homosexual life style. Some still consider it gasp....wrong.

What I took from most of the posters is that it sounds like the behavior is not much different than that at their colleges. I don't remember my college promising me certain roommates, or warning me about parties, makeout sessions or loose moral behavior.

Well again...to say this is what happens at all colleges is at best a lie. It may be the norm at historic party schools or in parts at larger colleges. That being said....Disney is not Chico State. It never has as far as I know..(up until recent events) been known as a company that tolerates, supports, allows to happen, endorses or turns a blind eye (whatever you view of it is) to this sort of behavior. Or did you guys get a different set of family values from movies like Bambi? I'm pretty sure the idea behind Disneyland and Disneyworld was not to provide a minimum wage job during the day and a place to make out and get into heavy petting by the pool after work. I mean is this really the current view of Disney? Has this become acceptable as just the current Disney?

 

[Rence]

But just being homosexual would make a roommate unacceptable?

For some people yes. I'm not sure if you know this or not but there is a huge segment of society that is not running with open arms to accepting the homosexual life style

What about people that have a problem with Blacks, Christians, Republicans, LIberals or any group of people. Should an organization such as Disney support these prejudices by allowing a participant to deam a class of roommates as "Unacceptable"?

Not talking about behavior. If what was reported in the original story actually happened, it should have been reported to Disney and to the police. But that story concerned two specific homosexuals and not homosexuals in general. I can cite a lot of deplorable acts performed by heterosexuals but that does not mean that heterosexuals as a class should be condemed for the behavior of a few.

If a person is not ready to deal with a diverse group of people (gays, Christians, minorities, etc.) then perhaps a person should not apply for the Disney World College Intern program in the first place. Disney is an equal opportunity employer who does not discriminate on a number of factors including sexual orientation. If one does not care to be around "those sorts of people" then perhaps one should not apply at Disney.

 

[katerkat]

Originally posted by DancingBear
What I took from most of the posters is that it sounds like the behavior is not much different than that at their colleges. I don't remember my college promising me certain roommates, or warning me about parties, makeout sessions or loose moral behavior.

Wow. I popped in here because I was bored, and look what I found! I'm a former CPer, and I agee with the above. No, Disney never told me about the partying. Neither did my college when I applied. I did research on both and learned about the party atmosphere.

And how on earth did I miss these sex sessions by the pool?? My apartment was right by the pool and I never got/saw any action there!

 

[Phoebesaturn]

Originally posted by Rence
Disney is an equal opportunity employer who does not discriminate on a number of factors including sexual orientation. If one does not care to be around "those sorts of people" then perhaps one should not apply at Disney.

One does not have to accept a life style inorder to serve them a coke. There is a huge difference with serving someone a coke and living with that person.

 

[Phoebesaturn]

Originally posted by katerkat
I did research on both and learned about the party atmosphere.

What about Disney made you research them in refrence to the party Atmosphere? I'm missing where Disney opening or corvertly protrays that image ( at least in the past) where anyone would think that reasearch was needed to find out if they need to worry about that sort of thing.

 

[katerkat]

Originally posted by Phoebesaturn
What about Disney made you research them in refrence to the party Atmosphere? I'm missing where Disney opening or corvertly protrays that image ( at least in the past) where anyone would think that reasearch was needed to find out if they need to worry about that sort of thing.

I did not research them in reference to the party atmosphere. I researched them in general, just as I did for my college and most other things I do in life. In my GENERAL research, I learned about the party atmosphere.

 

[brunoflipper]

Lock this thread... this is asinine

 

[Rence]

One does not have to accept a life style inorder to serve them a coke. There is a huge difference with serving someone a coke and living with that person.

So institutions that provide housing, such as the Disney intern program, colleges etc. should accomodate individual prejudices? How far does this go?

So a person in the Disney intern program should not have to room with a homosexual if they don't like them. What if they don't like hispanics? What if they don't like Catholics? What if they don't like Democrats?

Phoebesaturn
Its all well and good that some people do not care for homosexuals. From your posts, I presume that you are one of them. That is your right. But why should Disney be called upon to enforce these prejudices?

If one does not care to room with homosexuals then one does not need to enroll in a program where roommates are assigned. Especially when the organization assigning the roommates has a non-discrimination policy that states that they do not discriminate against the people that you wish to discriminate against?


If it is your home and you are taking in a lodger than by all means set whatever criteria you wish. But do not be upset when Disney does not choose to use the same criteria.

 

[Sarangel]

Gentlebeings, I'm afraid that this thread has strayed from the original discussion, i.e. how this affects Disney as a company. Kindly stay focused and discontinue discussions of discrimination, etc or I will be forced to move this to the debate board.

Sarangel

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by Phoebesaturn
OK let me see if I got this straight yet... Seems most of the people that have posted here that were in the program also have seen the parties, sex and lose moral values that the story writers suggest. They admit the dorm situation is not great.

Just curious if this is how Disney markets this program. Did you guys know going in that you may be stuck in rooms with homosexuals or otherwise unacceptable roommates with little to no recourse on moving? Did they mention the parties? The lose moral behavior? The pool make out sessions? The underage drinking? The nonexistent security? All of that now seems to be the norm based on these other posters with a varying degree of spin put on it...based on your personal beliefs. I don't know about you guys but when I think Disney College Program...the above is really not the picture I was getting in my head. Which is think is the overall point of the story.

Actually ... no. I don't think you do have this straight yet. But that's just my opinion.

There are maybe six people here talking about their personal experiences in the CP, and so now that's an accurate sample? There are thousands of college students who do this program every year. You might want to consider that before accepting these comments as "the norm."

And, even though I know you're just being argumentative, no ... Disney does not "market" the CP program as you mentioned. Did your college or internship program? I'll bet the same activities listed above were taking place there.

As for your questions, I think it's actually against the law to tell people in a brochure, "You may have to room with a homosexual." And I'm sure most of the people who end up being "otherwise unacceptable roommates" don't put that on their application or come across that way in the interview. And, while moving to a different room may be difficult, it is not impossible. As for parties, "loose moral behavior," pool make-out sessions and the like, I would imagine that any program where a large group of 18-25-year-olds are present would include the same elements. Again ... college kids don't turn into model citizens simply by stepping on Disney property. If, however, that is what you envision when you think of the Disney CP, then perhaps the misconception is yours?

 

[Phoebesaturn]

Originally posted by brunoflipper
Lock this thread... this is asinine

Run for the hills...brunoflipper has demanded action!



WDSearcher - According to one poster it appreantly is the norm and found so in doing " reaserch" before hand. So now we have Disney that was once known for faimly values now apparently known as the "College Intern Party and Grope Center". Dinsey sure has come a long way.


Rence - Personaly I could care less if someone is gay...however again there is a huge segment of society that do...and do not wish to have that lifestyle trust upon them much less live with them. I personaly don't think that you should be required to room with anyone that you don't want to. I therefore would never put myself in one of these situations. I guess these are the scarifices one must make to be part of the Disney Intern Party and Grope Center though.


Like I said not the Disney I grew up with.

 

[katerkat]

Originally posted by Phoebesaturn
WDSearcher - According to one poster it appreantly is the norm and found so in doing " reaserch" before hand. So now we have Disney that was once known for faimly values now apparently known as the "College Intern Party and Grope Center". Dinsey sure has come a long way.

I said the PARTY atmosphere is the norm. Not the groping. I was there for more than three months and I never got groped. Never saw anyone having sex - by the pool or otherwise. We never once had a party in our apartment because some of our roommates preferred that we didn't. (Including myself.) The parties I went to had underage drinking, yes - but so did the ones I went to in college. And the parties weren't ever out of control - if so, the guards would have been called, and I never saw that happen.

Besides, there are college interns all over Disney World. Did you ever know, before this article, that there was a lot of partying? We weren't idiots - we didn't do anything that would affect our jobs. What we do on our off-hours doesn't affect Disney, unless it affects our job performance.

 

[RadioNate]

edited because I decided that I don't want to participate in this "discussion".


it's the old if you don't have anything nice to say approach.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by katerkat
I said the PARTY atmosphere is the norm. Not the groping. I was there for more than three months and I never got groped. Never saw anyone having sex - by the pool or otherwise. We never once had a party in our apartment because some of our roommates preferred that we didn't. (Including myself.) The parties I went to had underage drinking, yes - but so did the ones I went to in college. And the parties weren't ever out of control - if so, the guards would have been called, and I never saw that happen.

Besides, there are college interns all over Disney World. Did you ever know, before this article, that there was a lot of partying? We weren't idiots - we didn't do anything that would affect our jobs. What we do on our off-hours doesn't affect Disney, unless it affects our job performance.

Thanks for that, katerkat! I simply find it impossible to believe that if the behavior that Phoebesaturn seems so convinced is rampant at WDW, that the internship program wouldn't have been investigated and shut down by now. That there wouldn't have been scores of articles about how Disney values have plummeted at The Commons. That there wouldn't have been groups of protesting parents refusing to let their kids participate in the program. Or, at the very least, that there wouldn't be some sort of special "party hardy" notation about the Disney CP in "The Best Party Colleges" book series.

Thank you for providing us a view from the other side!