Does Disney discriminate against Brits?

[Andrew Bichard]

A few days back, I received a letter from Disney Vacation Club, inviting me to apply for the new Disney credit card. It said that if I subscribed now, I would get a special card and and a commerative limited edition Disney Pin. But the small print said 'Only US citizens can apply'. OK, I can understand that US credit card companies cannot send bills to non-US adresses... But no pin for us Brits!

This set me thinking.

I am trying to build a collection of Disney cartoons on DVD. All the early Micky Mouse, Goofy and Silly Symphonies are available, but only in Region 1 format. We in the UK are not supposed to buy them. (I would never dream of modifying my DVD to disable region encoding <g>) Discrimination again.

Every other year I buy an Annual Pass. AP holders get a quarterly newsletter, but only in mainland North America. AP holders in the UK don't get the newsletter, so don't get to hear about all the special deals unless they trawl the bulletin boards for news. Discrimination.

Two years ago, on new year's eve at 7pm, I was out in the square at Epcot's United Kingdom to see in the new year. At ten minutes to seven, Disney cast members cleared the square. They had some excuse about a rocket being fired from the UK to start the firework show, but that's their story <g>.

Disney shops won't ship goods to the UK.

The bartenders in the UK pub don't know what single malts are (but the bartender in Belvue Lounge does!).

Disney Cruise Line forces Brits out of bed early some days. Something to do with non-US citizens having to present their passports for inspection before breakfast at some ports - even if they intend staying on board ship all day.

I'm sure I'll think of more ... but I still keep going back.

Andrew

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I don't think this is discrimination per se (as far as I know Disney has a pretty good record for minority inclusion policies), but I think we occasionally suffer from simple economics. For example, the number of annual passholders who are based overseas must be so small to not make it worthwhile to post (and translate) overseas. I have similar frustrations with DLP - in this case I get sent their AP newsletter, but it is in French (not good for ignorant monophones like me). I suppose that for the relatively small number of non-French speakers it is not economic to translate. As for Disney DVDs I think the same applies: the number of potential buyers for esoteric films such as the early Mickey cartoons is so small that it is not worth making versions for all regions/languages.

The firework thing is standard practice. The opening shot that starts Illuminations does indeed fly over the UK pavilion. I've been moved a couple of times myself (by rather apologetic CMs) but the area is soon re-opened after the show begins.

Careful there Andrew, paranoia might be setting in

Regards

Rob

PS: A useless fact - did you know that the opening shot of Illuminations is not one firework but two? One firework provides the shooting star effect (over the UK pavilion towards the middle of the lagoon), and another provides the actual explosion of light. Apparently it was not possible to get one firework safely to do both aspects (something to do with not wanting to fire small mortar bombs over guests' heads).

 

[vernon]

WHO SAID I'M PARANOID

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
Now you know why I would vote for the UK to leave the EU and become the 51st State of the Union,that way all your discriminations would be sorted and I could live and work in the Sunshine State!!

Mick.

 

[EltonJohn]

Hi Andrew,

Originally posted by Andrew Bichard
I am trying to build a collection of Disney cartoons on DVD. All the early Micky Mouse, Goofy and Silly Symphonies are available, but only in Region 1 format. We in the UK are not supposed to buy them. (I would never dream of modifying my DVD to disable region encoding <g>) Discrimination again.

Discrimination is a very strong term, at least it is to Americans. I don't believe that Disney is discriminating against Brits. Disney is a business and wants to make money. I'm sure that that DVDs being only in our format reflects supply and demand, and I'm sure that it costs a lot of money to produce DVDs in the other regions. Also, depending on when they start selling them it might take a while for Disney to start making DVDs on your codes.

I would love to have a copy of "Tantrums and Tiaras" but Americans can't buy it right now because of our different regions. Is the DVD's producer discriminating against me? I'd say no for the same reasons that Disney has.

I would suggest you buy a DVD player that can play a multitude of regions if you can afford it.

Every other year I buy an Annual Pass. AP holders get a quarterly newsletter, but only in mainland North America. AP holders in the UK don't get the newsletter, so don't get to hear about all the special deals unless they trawl the bulletin boards for news. Discrimination.

Then I guess Disney also discriminates against Hawaiins too hehehehe. To be serious, there is probably some mailing cost and/or supply and demand issues here. Also Disney probably tells you up front that you're not elegible to receive the newsletter.

Two years ago, on new year's eve at 9pm, I was out in the square at Epcot's United Kingdom to see in the new year. At ten minutes to nine, Disney cast members cleared the square. They had some excuse about a rocket being fired from the UK to start the firework show, but that's their story <g>.

Why do you not trust the CMs? They could have allowed you to remain and get injured.

Disney shops won't ship goods to the UK.

This does not even come close to discrimination.

The bartenders in the UK pub don't know what single malts are (but the bartender in Belvue Lounge does!).

That IS kind of pathetic! Don't the World Showcase CMs actually come from thier respective countries too?

Disney Cruise Line forces Brits out of bed early some days. Something to do with non-US citizens having to present their passports for inspection before breakfast at some ports - even if they intend staying on board ship all day.

This has do to with security issues. Remember, it was the US that was attacked on 9/11. Also, if I were travelling through Europe I'd have to show my passport.

I'm sure I'll think of more ... but I still keep going back.

Good for you!


Surely Andrew, you must be joking!

diane

 

[Olaf]

Diane, you need to hang around these boards more and get used to their sense of humor.

 

[DisneyDes]

I too am bewlidered by Disney's postage costs.

I tried to order the Walt Disney Man Myth (or something like that) DVD from them (luckily have a multiregion player by the way I have the Goofy package still unplayed!!)) and the postage was more then the DVD!!!!.

How come the people on Ebay can send it for less than US$10

i think the costs with the regions on DVD's lies in the certification, even if the DVD's are the same in each region they have to be certified as per different standards and that aint too cheap.

With regards to the Treasures' box sets maybe they aren't selling as well as hoped as the first wave was limited to 150,000 per release and last years 125,000

Des

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

It's not just the certification costs that are different for each region you want to publish a DVD in (actually, each country has its own certification process not each region). For example, a DVD released in region 1 will be in NTSC format, while a DVD in region 2 will (mostly) be in PAL - each version will need its own mastering and duplication processes, significantly increasing the cost of multi-region releases. For worldwide blockbusters like Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter this these extra costs are insignificant, but if you are only going to sell a few thousand copies of your DVD in other regions these costs could mean the difference between profit or loss.

Regards

Rob

 

[carene]

Originally posted by rob@rar.org.uk

A useless fact - did you know that the opening shot of Illuminations is not one firework but two? One firework provides the shooting star effect (over the UK pavilion towards the middle of the lagoon), and another provides the actual explosion of light. Apparently it was not possible to get one firework safely to do both aspects (something to do with not wanting to fire small mortar bombs over guests' heads).

I knew about this

Carene