Do visitors to Disney mirror America's ethnic and cultural diversity?

[Conversationist]

I just got back from a cross country automobile trip and visited many historical, cultural and scenic attractions. As a per of color I was shocked at the lack of ethnic diversity at many of our nations most famous attractions. 99% of the people were white and I was very uncomfortable.

I have never been to Disney but found this web site and message board and thought it would be a good vehicle for finding out more about Orlando and the various Disney parks.

So will I feel comfortable as a person of color in Disney? (Or it will be like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. ( A place for just white people)?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I haven't noticed one way or another.

I did sit next to a lovely African American family at the GF pool whose DD around 2yrs old played with my DD4.

I also remember my DD5 playing with a hispanic girl on the Disney Cruise line, and although the girl did not speak English, it didn't seem to bother either of them.

Otherwise, I am focused on my family and trying to figure out where the heck I'm going. I'm also making sure no one steps in front of my stroller.

Not to mention half the park is walking around with mouse ears so it is hard to stand out from the crowd.

 

[GoodFairies]

You will see every kind of person there is to see at WDW, I promise.

 

[VoiceofReason]

If it looks like a troll, and it smells like a troll, then it must be a ...
I find it best not to respond to trolls!

 

[SamSam]

First, I want to say congratulations on your cross country trip; what a great way to see the U.S. I have also been to Yellowstone and The Grand Canyon...Wonderful!
Second, there is a great deal of diversity at WDW. Not only a fairly good cross section of the U.S., but many people from other countries.

 

[WDSearcher]

You will find a very diverse make-up at Disney, both within guests and within Cast Members. A good third of WDW visitors come from foreign countries, so you'll hear a dozen different languages as you wander around the parks as well. In the World Showcase countries, many of the CMs are from the countries being featured, so you'll see Moroccans, Mexicans, Japanese, Chinese, Canadians, French, Germans, Italians, Norwegians, Brits, and all those wacky Americans. At Animal Kingdom, you'll meet scores of CMs from West and Central African countries, as well as CMs representing Asia. In the resorts, you'll see wide diversity, again among both guests and cast, and you'll hear everything from Haitian Creole to Irish accents. WDW is the most popular tourist destination in the world, and the guest make-up reflects this.

I've been to the National Parks, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, etc, and don't remember it being as non-diverse as you say. But then, I was more interested in looking at the natural wonders there than I was at surveying how many ethnicities I was surrounded by.

 

[Puffy2]

VoiceofReason, that wasn't polite.

Conversationist,

To tell you the truth, I haven't noticed. I am white so that is probably why I haven't noticed. I guess that isn't something I pay too much attention to unless I am obviously in the minority myself in which case, I can understand why you might feel uncomfortable in some places where you have obviously been in the minority yourself.

But at Disney it's just something that I haven't especially thought about.
If I think, think, think (kind of like "Pooh"), I do remember seeing...
a LOT of people from overseas - especially the UK. I have noticed Asians...I've noticed gay couples (year round, not just during the first week in June), Hispanics....Northerners (I'm from the South so the accents stick out to me), African Americans, people from India....disabled people....
so, I guess I'd have to say that there are people from all walks of life there and you won't feel out of place. Unless that is something that you dwell on. At Disney I think most people are just trying to have a good time.

 

[Conversationist]

That is good to know!

Americas National Parks are quite a jewel but very few African American and Hispanics visit the parks. THough there was quite a few international visitors. As a African AMERICAN I felt uncomfortable and isolated.

More feedback on Disney would be helpful!

 

[chyam]

I agree, I have seen many people of many different colors at Disney and most are there for the same reason we white folk are.........to enjoy ourselves, no one sticks out there and I have seen it all!
But I do agree with what you said about Yellowstone,Grand Canyon etc. But I wonder why that is? We can all travel freely in the US and we can ALL go anywhere we want to enjoy the wonders of this great country. I have also noticed that when I go snow skiing in the winter I see very few African Americans skiing either!
But to answer your question you will not feel isolated or stick out....heck alot of times I feel like I stick out simply because I am not toting a child, but there are many others who are not, I think sometimes we convince ourselves that we are in the minority when in fact we are not.

 

[Safari Steve]

You have absolutely nothing to worry about.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Hi there...Being from Canada, we look around a lot to see the differences and similarities in People...Canada is a proud multi-cultural country.

I have to say that at WDW, the colour of people's skin is very secondary.

There are people from everywhere. I never saw anything that seemed tense. Everyone lets their guard down at WDW and it's nice to see people being NICE to others...I think you would be very comfortable.

There were 4 races of people on our one Pirates of the Carribean boat...I looked around and then said to my Husband..."This is a true representation of the world" He asked if I meant the ride and I said no...THE RIDERS!

 

[DizBelle]

Gee, I don't really pay attention to what color people are. I take notice more to how people conduct themselves regardless of their color.

BTW - a troll is just someone who posts somthing to cause trouble. This one appears to qualify.

Who cares what color people are? I just want to get to WDW and have fun!

Can anyone tell me what skin color has to do with theme park attractions or strategies?

 

[5dizneynutz]

What do you mean by, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon is just for white people?

 

[bratray]

Conversationist; i understand where you are coming from & i know you did not intend this question to start bad feelings

i am african american & i too noticed that there werent' many african american's at WDW but......it didn't matter

everyone was there to have a great time- the workers (CM's) were all very nice & helpful

i never once felt uncomfortable as a "minority" there were many people from all over the world....it really doesn't seem to matter what color you are at WDW, it really is just a magical place, where everyone is having a fantastic time

go and have a wonderful experience, i'm sure you won't regret it

 

[Conversationist]

Since I did this posting orginally I did some research on the whole issue of african americans visitation at National Parks and historic areas. There has been many studies on the subject. One study indicated that 98% of visitors to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park were white. If you are a very dark African American and everyone is white- you notice it.

Good to know Disney World is ethnically diverse!

 

[mrsltg]

Good to know Disney World is ethnically diverse!

Disney doesn't care about the color of your skin. The only color they are interested in is that of your money. That said I will say that I have not noticed what would be considered an appropriate racial representation there. Disney is a corporation whose product is not cheap therefore it breaks on socioeconomics, and not race. Those who can afford to spend the kind of money that Disney costs are those who will be represented at the parks for the most part.

So will I feel comfortable as a person of color in Disney? (Or it will be like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. ( A place for just white people)?

What I don't understand is why it makes a difference???? There is no hard ticket skinhead nite at the Magic Kingdom. And since when are the NATIONAL parks a place for "white people". I haven't been in awhile, but last I checked there was no sign that said "No Coloreds".

Erin

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I have always seen a wide mix of people at Disney from all over the world, but then I don't really give a rats behind what color a persons skin is. I actually consider someone's skin color to be akin to their height, eye color etc. It's just the way they look, not who they are.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Where did you get your stats from about National Parks? I worked in a southern NP before and it seemed like the visiting crowd was pretty diversified. I don't know much about Yellowstone or Grand Canyon, yet.

You should be fine at WDW!

 

[aprincessmom]

I am white and I did notice that the crowds were more ethnically diverse at Disneyland than at WDW from a strictly physical perspective -- I saw many more african-americans, hispanic, and asian visitors than I have at WDW.

However, every time I've visited WDW I've been impressed by the diversity of the crowds from a geographic perspective....lots and lots of international visitors with many different languages and cultures.

So I'd have to say that both are fairly diverse and mirror more of a world cultural/ethnic diversity.

Go...you will have a great time!

 

[Mymatisse]

Originally posted by bratray
Conversationist; i understand where you are coming from & i know you did not intend this question to start bad feelings

i am african american & i too noticed that there werent' many african american's at WDW but......it didn't matter

everyone was there to have a great time- the workers (CM's) were all very nice & helpful

As a Black woman, I noticed there were plenty people of color in Disney and did not feel uncomfortable at all everyone is wonderful and there is nothing about Walt Disney World that should make you feel uncomfortable b/c you're a minority.

I think what you have to remember is that Walt Disney World Resort is expensive and economics may prevent a lot of people from visiting and staying on their properties. The way the economic structure is in this country, you're right, you will probably see fewer minorities taking a Disney World Vacation, but I think that is not unique to Disney. It's more about economics than culture.