Disney Movies are getting seriously outdated / irrelevant?

[Limmer]

My DD(almost)4 seems to get the movies and storylines. We just watched Aristocats and the only thing she asked was what was the thing (horn) on the wall that the butler was listening to. I said it was like an old fashion walkie-talkie. She got it and moved on. You don't have to get too technical and they get more they we (I) think some times. More than I want sometimes!

 

[Nancyg56]

It's funny how different children can be. My DGD introduced ME to the classics and loves them. She is six now but has been watching Disney movies since she was two, beginning with Dumbo. When we watch them she is not looking to see if there are moments that demonstrate how antiquated they are, she is watching timeless stories that appeal to her sense of whimsy or fantasy. She laughs at the antics of the Shaggy DA, refused to watch the Nine Lives of Tomasina, rolls on the floor watching Herbie and sings through Mary Poppins. She does not like them all, will not even attempt to sit through Jungle Book or the Lion King.

I believe that kids may or may not like some of the old classics but that that has nothing to do with the old phones or the TV's that they have never seen, but more to do with the stories. If those stories appeal to them they will watch, but if the storyline does not they will change the channel, at least in their minds. Kids are no different than adults in that they watch stories they like and turn away if they are bored.

 

[LisaZoe]

*You* might like it....I'm just not sure that kids would. In my case we're talking about a 5 year old who has a computer with a 20" LCD in her bedroom.

I remember as a kid my mother would get me to watch old movies/musicals she saw as a kid. She would talk about "old stuff" that was in the movie. I *didnt* like most of them, but a couple of them I did (such as "The Music Man", which I remember singing the songs to)

However, any movie or "stories of old" that my GRANDMOTHER would get into, I had ZERO interest in. I'm afraid that might be where Disney movies are headed.

I have many movies (VHS and DVD) I bought before my DD, now 6, was even born. Once she reached an age where she was interested in picking her own movies to watch, I put all that were age appropriate on a bookshelf for her. I really didn't think she'd want to watch the live action movies but I put them there for later. I was happy when she wanted to watch movies like Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, Sound of Music and even It's A Wonderful Life in addition to most of the animated movies. She's never mentioned the old technology that is foreign to her and until seeing this thread, it never occured to me she might. LOL I assume she just views these as she would other parts of the stories that aren't a part of her "real life" - like magic, fairies and flying boys. When she's older, I'm sure she'll start realizing that some things were "real" while others totally make-believe. Until then, she seems to enjoy them as they are, out-dated technology and all.

 

[teresajoy]

Gosh, I know kids who still love Shirley Temple movies and the Wizard of Oz. When she stops to ask you questions in the middle of the movie, that is great. It's a time to enjoy conversation together and help her comprehend. It's a good thing that she is thinking about the story and asking questions. It is much better then going into zombie mode and just staring blankly at the TV.

My girls LOOOOOOOVE Shirley Temple!!! I taped a Shirley Temple marathon off TV many years ago, and my girls would watch ALL of them straight through if I let them!

The truth is, many of the classic movies are not really child appropriate until about age 7-8. This is the age where children can follow a story of that length, and really understand it. Prior to that age, they may like seeing the animals or princesses, but they are not really absorbing much of the story at all.

I would disagree with that in my experience. My kids have all liked movies from around age 1 1/2 or 2, certainly way before 7 or 8. I guess it depends on the child. My nephew Sawyer will sit through the Disney Land Sing Along songs all day if we let him. I know it's not the same as a full length movie, but boy is he CUTE watching it and clapping along!!!

I have many movies (VHS and DVD) I bought before my DD, now 6, was even born. Once she reached an age where she was interested in picking her own movies to watch, I put all that were age appropriate on a bookshelf for her. I really didn't think she'd want to watch the live action movies but I put them there for later. I was happy when she wanted to watch movies like Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, Sound of Music and even It's A Wonderful Life in addition to most of the animated movies. She's never mentioned the old technology that is foreign to her and until seeing this thread, it never occured to me she might. LOL I assume she just views these as she would other parts of the stories that aren't a part of her "real life" - like magic, fairies and flying boys. When she's older, I'm sure she'll start realizing that some things were "real" while others totally make-believe. Until then, she seems to enjoy them as they are, out-dated technology and all.

Hi Lisa I'm with you, it had never occured to me either! My kids love Mary Poppins, Arminda even loves Fantasia! I'm sorry, but you don't get a little kid all excited telling them you are taking them to see a Mickey Mouse movie, then make them sit through FANTASIA! Sorry, I guess it's time I should forgive my Mom for that one, huh?

 

[brergnat]

I would disagree with that in my experience. My kids have all liked movies from around age 1 1/2 or 2, certainly way before 7 or 8. I guess it depends on the child. My nephew Sawyer will sit through the Disney Land Sing Along songs all day if we let him. I know it's not the same as a full length movie, but boy is he CUTE watching it and clapping along!!!

I guess the point I was trying to make was, in many of the "classic" movies, there are moral tales and life lessons presented. To understand the movie to that extent, you'd have to be significantly older than 2 or 3... A 2 year old will not understand the true meaning of, for example, Beauty and the Beast (i.e. real beauty resides on the inside). A 7 year old, on the other hand, will.

I didn't mean that younger kids cannot enjoy movies, on the contrary. I have a 2 year old (turns 2 next month) who is the world's biggest couch potato. He will watch ANYTHING and enjoy it. You should see him watching cooking shows...but I digress.

 

[teresajoy]

I guess the point I was trying to make was, in many of the "classic" movies, there are moral tales and life lessons presented. To understand the movie to that extent, you'd have to be significantly older than 2 or 3... A 2 year old will not understand the true meaning of, for example, Beauty and the Beast (i.e. real beauty resides on the inside). A 7 year old, on the other hand, will.

I didn't mean that younger kids cannot enjoy movies, on the contrary. I have a 2 year old (turns 2 next month) who is the world's biggest couch potato. He will watch ANYTHING and enjoy it. You should see him watching cooking shows...but I digress.

Ok, I will agree with that! Actually, sometimes I don't always get the life lessons either! And, how cute that your son watches cooking shows!

 

[aidansmommy]

I dunno....my son(1.5ish) knows who mickey is, dances to the "hot dog" song, YELLS hot dog out loud, and he likes to watch finding nemo(mainly the bruce part).

I know he doesn't understand what's happening really, but it's fun to watch him try! Especially when he won't go to bed unless he has his meeekee!

 

[brightvalleyjrts]

My 5 year old loves all of the old disney classics. A couple of his favorites are Robin Hood, Fox and the Hound, Peter Pan and Sword in the Stone. I really enjoy watching them with him too.

My 2 year old is on a Peter Pan kick. We constantly have it playing in the playroom. Tonight at the mall he marched along singing "were following the leader, the leader, the leader" LOL!

 

[DevilDuckie]

My DD watched "Lady and the Tramp" four times yesterday (give me a break - I'm pregnant, nauseous, and extremely tired...TV is my best friend).

Amen!

 

[DevilDuckie]

I wouldn't be so concerned about getting her "familiar" with the characters. She will love Disney no matter what. You can just tell her the names of the characters while you're there, and a brief story about them. When you get HOME, she may be more interested in finding out the "whole story" about the characters from the rides, and at that point, you can show her some of the films.

KWIM?

Yep. Hard as it is to imagine, some of us went and enjoyed childhood trips to Disney *before* there were VCRs and we'd only seen each movie once or twice! Full cultural immersion is not totally necessary.

 

[NotUrsula]

Do you not watch period films because no one rides around in a horse-drawn buggy anymore? If the detail makes sense in the setting and period of the film, then it doesn't interfere with my enjoyment in any way. After all, a huge part of the reason that we watch movies is to escape to a world not our own.

Back in the '80's I knew someone who refused to watch any b&w films because "those are *OLD* people movies, from before they had color." She missed an awful lot of good films that way, and just imagine how she would have reacted to something like Schindler's List! It's new but it's b&w, so it must be meant only to be watched by people over 70?

FWIW, Fantasia was the first Disney film that my DS was exposed to, and at 2+ he loved all of it except Sorceror Mickey and Night on Bald Mountain. He's 10 now and no longer afraid of Yensid and Chernabog, and both Fantasia films are still among his favorites.

 

[MamaOfTwoPrincesses]

My 6 year old loves anything that is "old fashioned." She especially likes "Mary Poppins," "Pete's Dragon," & "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (not Disney, I know, but Bert (Dick van ****) is in it!! ) She also loves the American Girl book and movies. particularly "Samantha" and "Felicity."

I think she needs to see "Pollyanna!"

 

[MamaOfTwoPrincesses]

My 6 year old loves anything that is "old fashioned." She especially likes "Mary Poppins," "Pete's Dragon," & "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (not Disney, I know, but Bert (Dick van ****) is in it!! ) She also loves the American Girl book and movies. particularly "Samantha" and "Felicity."

I think she needs to see "Pollyanna!"

OMG!! Dick vanDyke got bleeped!!!

 

[DBarber600]

My DD4 also likes Shirley Temple! They were showing commercials for Shirley Temple movies during the Lilo & Stitch marathon around Christmas time and she asked me to tape some of those movies for her. I tivo-ed some and have noticed that she's an orphan in just about every film ...

We've gone about things differently here. DH and I are fans of the "Nine Old Men", so my kids are forced to enjoy the classics . Ward Kimball is DS's favorite (he was the "I Love Toy Trains" guy when my son was into trains) and so he knows any crazy character was Ward (Cheshire Cat, Lucifer, etc.). DS is really starting to learn his useless Disney trivia - we're so proud!

And, my kids like the Firehouse Five Plus Two!