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

[JayBee]

Actually, there is a large racial and rthnic diverse crowd at wDW. I love to stand in line and hear a foreign language being spoken and try to figure out what country they are from.

 

[Viking]

I also asked myself this question: Last year we met with about 100 people from the DIS aboard the Disney Magic and out of those 100 there was only one African-American. And the whole ship seemed to be 'very white' to me.
Here in Germany I would have found more people of African origin or African heritage among a group of that size.

But the parks were different, although with so many visitors from abroad -like us- I wouldn't say that WDW gives you a representative view of the American society.

 

[Kim&Chris]

While I'm a little confused as to what you mean when you say "just for white people".............I can honestly say that Disney is very diverse. You'll see people from around the country, and around the world while in WDW.

 

[DizBelle]

Originally posted by 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!

If you split that 98% into their respective races/cultures, you would probably find that there were no more of any one culture than there were of the African based black culture. Sounds like a racist study to me.

 

[danacara]

I have noticed this at Disney, but to be honest, I was more blown away by Salt Lake City in terms of lack of diversity.

 

[Skywalker]

I guess I am just baffled at this question. Even if the guests are mostly white, why on earth would this make you feel uncomfortable? Do you think all white people are in the KKK or something? I don't get it. Imagine if a white person asked about the numbers of blacks or whites going to a certain attraction, with the premise being if too many blacks went they would be uncomfortable, that person would be crucified. Stop being so race-focused for goodness sake and enjoy whatever diversity you find, however you may find it.

 

[danacara]

Originally posted by Skywalker
I guess I am just baffled at this question. Even if the guests are mostly white, why on earth would this make you feel uncomfortable? Do you think all white people are in the KKK or something? I don't get it. Imagine if a white person asked about the numbers of blacks or whites going to a certain attraction, with the premise being if too many blacks went they would be uncomfortable, that person would be crucified. Stop being so race-focused for goodness sake and enjoy whatever diversity you find, however you may find it.

I don't know ... I feel uncomfortable in Harlem, honestly.

 

[kaseyC]

Originally posted by 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)?

My question to you : What made you uncomfortable at the Nat. Parks? Were you treated differently because of your race? Were you uncomfortable because there was not alot of "visable" diversity?
Yes, you will see people of many ethnic backgrounds at WDW but I cannot reassure you that you will fell comfotable. Your feelings of comfort are personal. I find it intriguing that in one of your posts you stated you were a "dark "African- American, would a "light" African-American feel differently?

FYI, Tom Joyner (the Radio Personality) hosts a huge Family Reunion at WDW over Labor Day weekend that celebrates family of all races. He is well known in the African-American community through the R&B radio stations. There is info on the Disney website about it.

 

[Skywalker]

Originally posted by danacara
I don't know ... I feel uncomfortable in Harlem, honestly.

Yes, but why? Is it because the majority of residents are black, or is it because it is kind of known as a "rough" neighbourhood? If it is because it is a rough neighbourhood, then that is understandable. If it is just because there are a lot of black people there, then there is something wrong with you.

 

[*Fantasia*]

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.

The reason why there's more asians, hispanics and african-americans at Disneyland is because you're in Cali! There's tons and tons of asians and hispanics there. I know I've been there a few times. I have families there too!

You will find more diversity in DisneyWorld than in Disneyland. Lots of Brazilians, Puertoricans, Cubans, folks from the Carribean Islands. There are some from Mexico, folks that live in Europe, Canadians, some Asians, folks from India, some African-Americans...

What I love about WDW is that everyone has different accents. I know I fit right in, cause I have an accent myself.

Don't let the colors bother you. So what if you were the only African-American in WDW. As long as you're having a wonderful time and no one is bothering you or hurting your family, then you should be fine. WDW is a family friendly place.

(I'm the only Filipino at my son's sports in Detroit. They are all African-Americans. They don't bother me, I don't bother them. I'm only there to watch my son and cheer for him and watch the team win and go home.)

 

[danacara]

Originally posted by Skywalker
Yes, but why? Is it because the majority of residents are black, or is it because it is kind of known as a "rough" neighbourhood? If it is because it is a rough neighbourhood, then that is understandable. If it is just because there are a lot of black people there, then there is something wrong with you.

Partly because it's rough, partly because I don't look like anyone else, partly because people are looking at me with a sort of curiosity, a "what are you doing here." The latter two sources are similar to what the OP was trying to say. And I live in maybe the most diverse neighborhood in the united states, incidentally

 

[Pongo69]

Originally posted by 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)?

From one brown skin beauty to another believe me there are many many black people who frequent Disney

edited to add: Not only will you see black folk, you will see asians, hispanics, japanese,cuban, haitian ect...

It's just one big melting pot of Disney loving people enjoying themselves

Also as far as National Parks well let me be the first to say "I" don't do well with bears, mountain lions or other four legged animals unless they're at the zoo.

 

[Mich Mouse]

This thread just does not sit well with me. I work in a school where I am the minority. (Doesn't matter which kind, but I am not of the same ethnic background as anyone there.)

This situation does not present any problems, nor do I feel at all uncomfortable. I guess it may just come down to your past experienes with minorities.

Enjoy Disneyworld. It is the happiest place on earth, where I always feel love and unity! Make sure to catch Epcot's Reflections of Earth while you are there.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Originally posted by danacara
Partly because it's rough, partly because I don't look like anyone else, partly because people are looking at me with a sort of curiosity, a "what are you doing here." The latter two sources are similar to what the OP was trying to say. And I live in maybe the most diverse neighborhood in the united states, incidentally

I surely can relate to that. Being different, it makes you feel uncomfortable. They do look at you and wonder about you. And it does makes you feel uneasy cause you don't know them and they are starring at you.

(I'm the only Filipino at my son's sports in Detroit. They are all African-Americans. They don't bother me, I don't bother them. I'm only there to watch my son and cheer for him and watch the team win and go home.)

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by danacara
I have noticed this at Disney, but to be honest, I was more blown away by Salt Lake City in terms of lack of diversity.

I noticed a lack of diversity in upper PA, and some sections of Ohio as well.

My DH jokes that Maine has only 2 AA in the entire state. (Now before you flame him, he does have "mixed" heritage.)

 

[crazelion]

WDW is for all kinds of people. I am Black American.

At work I only black manger there and had people walk away from me when they have a complainet and go found a white manager.

I don't let that bother me. I just let them look stupid. They is the one walk away from excellent customer service.

I have been call weird at work all the time. I don't let things like that bother me.

Don't let people opinions stop you for doing what won't do when won't to do it.

I 30 years old and still watch cartoons.

 

[theresaruth]

Why wouldn't you feel comfortable in Disney or anywhere else for that matter... The fact that people of color are not in the majority at Disney does not bother me not one bit and surely doesn't keep me from having a wonderful vacation. I stay onsite every time I come down, even while I was on a solo trip last year, I was not worried about whether or not pepole would talk to me or greet me because of the color of my skin. I was quite comfortale. While in the parks, on Disney Transportation, at the restauarnts or even at the Resort...people on vacation will talk to other people on vacation. Yes we all know that there are people on the planet who have issues with anyone unlike them, but that's their problem not mine...I am AA and love to take vacations, with the amount of money my family and friends spend to come down to Disney every year we really don't concern ourselves with being in the minority, if we are all vacationing in Disney we all already have something in common, We Love Disney...

 

[chyam]

The more I read this thread the more I think it was put out there to stir the pot...........Disney I believe is for EVERYONE, there is a gay week, there are nights of joy etc. I don't think you can compare it to visiting the National Parks, for some reason I think it maybe cultural, I think us white folks like being out in nature, sleeping in tents and roughing it, I have never really seen alot of AA campers, hikers or skiiers...........but why is that, it is certainly not because they can't do it. Perhaps it is because alot of AA....are city dwellers and have not been exposed to it, I really don't know what the answer is. But I will say Disney is a melting pot and it seems that almost anyone who visits there is just happy to be there and enjoy themselves not looking to see if they can cause some trouble. I attended a very good friend's daughters wedding about a year ago, I was only 1 of 3 whites in the church, and I did not feel odd at all, I felt we were all there for the same reason...........to see to great people get married and share in their joy, so go to Disney and feel the magic and quit worrying about what color you are.............we are all human beings!

 

[HollyNEd]

Ok this thread miffs me for several reasons: 1 being the parent of very black AA children (My DH and I are very white almost ghostly)
2. Dealing with 2 children who had some notions about people I felt very uncomfortable about. 3. being raised that we all bleed red why should it matter if some have darker tans than others.

I was just at the Grand Canyon in July with several AA families and none of them were saying that they felt uncomfortable. I think the problem here is with the person who originally posted. I had to deal with my children having their birth mom teaching them to dislike white people and having to teach them everyone is the same just different in the ways they look.

My children no longer really worry about the race issue, infact they are bugging us daily as to when our trip to WDW is I really wish that every one black and white could all just realise we are all human and all have feelings and a heart and bleed the same color.

WDW is the kind of place everyone is welcomed and no one looked down up. As long as you enjoy your visit and experience Walts magic color is not an issue.

And if color was an issue at WDW or DL for that fact why do so many people from everywhere love a certain mouse who's colors are BLACK WHITE YELLOW and RED also known as all the colors of people of the world?

 

[chyam]

Originally posted by HollyNEd
Ok this thread miffs me for several reasons: 1 being the parent of very black AA children (My DH and I are very white almost ghostly)
2. Dealing with 2 children who had some notions about people I felt very uncomfortable about. 3. being raised that we all bleed red why should it matter if some have darker tans than others.

I was just at the Grand Canyon in July with several AA families and none of them were saying that they felt uncomfortable. I think the problem here is with the person who originally posted. I had to deal with my children having their birth mom teaching them to dislike white people and having to teach them everyone is the same just different in the ways they look.

My children no longer really worry about the race issue, infact they are bugging us daily as to when our trip to WDW is I really wish that every one black and white could all just realise we are all human and all have feelings and a heart and bleed the same color.

WDW is the kind of place everyone is welcomed and no one looked down up. As long as you enjoy your visit and experience Walts magic color is not an issue.

And if color was an issue at WDW or DL for that fact why do so many people from everywhere love a certain mouse who's colors are BLACK WHITE YELLOW and RED also known as all the colors of people of the world?

AMEN!