Email about not liking the "Christmased-up" World.

[*NikkiBell*]

^^This is how I feel but to each their own.

I have pretty much split Christmas into two holidays, the non-religious secular part and the Christian part. So much of it at WDW is a celebration of things like gift giving, Santa (or Mickey and the other characters as Santa), lights, decorations, and Christmas food. While things like the Candlelight Processional have a religious aspect so much of it doesn't. There is very little Christian about so many aspects of the holiday that much of it has become a non-denominational celebration in many ways if you just celebrate that side of it. Even Santa's origin as a saint is pretty much forgotten at this point.

I have friends that are atheists that still put up a tree, buy their kids presents, and do things like bake cookies.

As for Halloween, that is just about kids dressing up and getting candy and has very little to do with the original holiday any more. Sure, it is a pagan holiday but even though I am not pagan I don't feel left out or anything. The Christian (mostly Catholic) holiday is the next day and I don't recall there being a Mickey's Not So Holly All Saints Day Party.

I 100% agree with you. Love Disney during the holidays and am glad that they go all out.

 

[DisneyKevin]

We're interfaith, as well, and I don't think I would mind seeing WDW at Christmas, but that's not Christmas, to me. Christmas week is having dinner at the Rock Center Cafe, in front of the giant Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, and having our friends over for Christmas Eve dinner and singing around the piano, and being FREEZING COLD.

Let's switch this year.

Christmas in NYC is pretty spectacular.

 

[Minniemama350]

I'm Jewish and enjoy seeing all the trees and ornaments around the parks as well.

As for the Christmas music, I enjoy a lot of the songs, but I'm sick of hearing it 24/7 on the local radio stations since they start playing it on Thanksgiving!

Aren't we all? They play like 12 songs as if that is all there are! I love Christmas music, but what they play on the radio is overtired.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Let's switch this year.

Christmas in NYC is pretty spectacular.

Christmas and New Years both. They set off fireworks in Central Park on NYE. It's much less crowded than Times Square, and a nice walk home.

 

[DrMomof3]

Let's switch this year.

Christmas in NYC is pretty spectacular.

You're more than welcome to join us for Christmas! We live about 20 minutes north of NYC but it's an easy train ride.

Amanda

 

[DisneyKevin]

You're more than welcome to join us for Christmas! We live about 20 minutes north of NYC but it's an easy train ride.

Amanda

I used to live in Albany and spent a good deal of time in NYC.

What Amy described sounds wonderful, but I think I have a very romanticized version playing in my head....think Woody Allen's loving version of New York. I can almost hear Rhapsody in Blue from the opening scene of his film, Manhattan

Walking home after the NYE fireworks appeals to that romantic vision.

20 degrees, sleet, snow, slush, wind chill factors all bring that romantic vision to a screaming halt.

It was 50 degrees last winter and you'd think I lived in the Arctic Circle.

Pictures of autumn in NY also bring this romantic feeling....and then I realize that after autumn comes winter and I'm quite content in FL again.


P.S.....I appreciate the offer.

 

[wishspirit]

I have friends that are atheists that still put up a tree, buy their kids presents, and do things like bake cookies.

My household is an atheist one but we still celebrate Christmas! To us it is all about what it means as a family- spending time together, showing how much we love each other and eating ourselves into a stupor, rather than focusing on the religious aspects.

I still sing Christmas songs, even carols, as I think they are pretty. We still put up a tree (real, never artificial), and decorate the house as well as buy gifts. We send Christmas cards- just to remind people how much we care, whilst we have the few days off to enjoy it (we get both Christmas day and Boxing day, which is the day after Christmas off as national holidays here).

I love Disney at Christmas- as it is what Christmas means to me- being with my family and friends, and showing them how much I care and appreciate them. I really wish I could go this December.

However I can understand how others may not like it, and they are absolutely within their rights to have those feelings. I guess that Disney, just like most companies in the holiday season, try to maximise their money but keeping all the trappings out longer than some would like.

 

[cm4lfie]

OK, I'm a little anxious because I hesitantly sent in that e-mail and I haven't listed yet so don't know if I end up getting slammed for it or not. Just to clarify, I have no objection to Disney "Christmasing" the parks. None at all. I know there are tens of thousands of people who look forward to it year round and I would not want that taken away from them. It's just not for me. Thats all.

Jon

 

[DisneyKevin]

OK, I'm a little anxious because I hesitantly sent in that e-mail and I haven't listed yet so don't know if I end up getting slammed for it or not. Just to clarify, I have no objection to Disney "Christmasing" the parks. None at all. I know there are tens of thousands of people who look forward to it year round and I would not want that taken away from them. It's just not for me. Thats all.

Jon

We would never slam you for having an opinion.

 

[DrMomof3]

I used to live in Albany and spent a good deal of time in NYC.

What Amy described sounds wonderful, but I think I have a very romanticized version playing in my head....think Woody Allen's loving version of New York. I can almost hear Rhapsody in Blue from the opening scene of his film, Manhattan

Walking home after the NYE fireworks appeals to that romantic vision.

20 degrees, sleet, snow, slush, wind chill factors all bring that romantic vision to a screaming halt.

It was 50 degrees last winter and you'd think I lived in the Arctic Circle.

Pictures of autumn in NY also bring this romantic feeling....and then I realize that after autumn comes winter and I'm quite content in FL again.


P.S.....I appreciate the offer.

I'm laughing because I totally agree! We would *never* go to NYC for NYE (I know, never say never but I can't imagine Times Square). We do enjoy taking the train to Grand Central and walking over to see the tree.
My DH wanted to "re-live" his childhood memories of going to the Thanksgiving Day parade so last year we went. It was better than I had feared (especially since my 5 year old had broken his collarbone the previous day) and I would consider returning. Still it's more of a fantasy-version of the holiday than anything!

Amanda

PS I meant the offer, too. I'm one of 5 kids and my parents really miss the big crowd at Christmas now that everyone is so spread out!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Disney isn't the only guilty party in extending holidays. What ever happened to Thanksgiving? It's just a Christmas preview anymore.

I LOVE seasonal decorations, but putting up stuff weeks or months before lessens the impact.

Take a look at many stores. Michaels has Halloween decorations out...NOW. Halloween decorations now share the seasonal department with Christmas lights.

Radio stations now start 24hr Christmas music on November 1st.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I'm laughing because I totally agree! We would *never* go to NYC for NYE (I know, never say never but I can't imagine Times Square). We do enjoy taking the train to Grand Central and walking over to see the tree.
My DH wanted to "re-live" his childhood memories of going to the Thanksgiving Day parade so last year we went. It was better than I had feared (especially since my 5 year old had broken his collarbone the previous day) and I would consider returning. Still it's more of a fantasy-version of the holiday than anything!

Amanda

PS I meant the offer, too. I'm one of 5 kids and my parents really miss the big crowd at Christmas now that everyone is so spread out!

Amanda, we wouldn't dream of going to Times Square either. But the park is pretty and almost empty. Although, Kevin, you're right, the weather can be awful. Two years ago, the second the fireworks ended, I bolted the three blocks home and my hands (which were in fleece gloves) took an hour to warm up.

Also, stepping in a "shallow" puddle that ends up being a foot-deep slush puddle is the worst thing ever, and takes away all the NYC magic.

But, Kevin, if you and John gonna come up and stay with Amanda, we will take you guys for dinner by the tree.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Also, stepping in a "shallow" puddle that ends up being a foot-deep slush puddle is the worst thing ever, and takes away all the NYC magic.

That is the worst.

That and realizing that you have to scrape the windshield and you forgot your gloves.

 

[challer]

I must be in the minority of Jewish people who do enjoy seeing the Christmas stuff in the park. I wanted to comment about the Disneyland thing you mentioned, Chad.

I've been to Disneyland without the Christmas overlays, but I deliberately chose to do the ABD trip to California in December specifically to see the overlays. I probably wouldn't make a special trip to Disneyland again for it, but I am glad I did it.

I can understand why you don't like being inundated with Christmas stuff.

It's not so much about being inundated with Christmas stuff. I live in NYC, where it's like walking around in a Christmas TV special from the moment Santa ends the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. I'm used to it.

The issue is that it's not the Disney Parks I know and love! The parks become some other form that I just don't connect with. When I walk down Main Street, I expect to hear "Flitterin'" and "Hello My Coney Island Baby," not "Jingle Bells."

 

[challer]

You're more than welcome to join us for Christmas! We live about 20 minutes north of NYC but it's an easy train ride.

Hey, we're practically neighbors!

In conjunction with that invite, I'll invite anyone who wants to join me at my most favorite kosher steakhouse of all time here in good old New York.

 

[cm4lfie]

Challer, your taking the words right out of my mouth here. I think just about every DISer goes to the parks and considers it their own. Everyone has their own secret tips or knows "a guy" somewhere who can get you into VIP seating.(For the record, I'm working on Wishes from one of the roof tops of Main St. in Feb.) The last time I went during Christmas season, it wasn't "my park" anymore and that honestly took something away from the whole thing for me.

 

[mainegal]

It's not so much about being inundated with Christmas stuff. I live in NYC, where it's like walking around in a Christmas TV special from the moment Santa ends the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. I'm used to it.

The issue is that it's not the Disney Parks I know and love! The parks become some other form that I just don't connect with. When I walk down Main Street, I expect to hear "Flitterin'" and "Hello My Coney Island Baby," not "Jingle Bells."

Having only been to WDW twice , both in December, I only know Maine Street with Christmas music.
Someday, I would like to visit "your park" with " Flitterin" and " Coney Island".

 

[DrMomof3]

Hey, we're practically neighbors!

In conjunction with that invite, I'll invite anyone who wants to join me at my most favorite kosher steakhouse of all time here in good old New York.

And I work in the Bronx so we really *are* neighbors!
Which is your favorite steakhouse? We eat at a lot of kosher restaurants because many of my residents keep kosher!

Amanda

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Hey, we're practically neighbors!

In conjunction with that invite, I'll invite anyone who wants to join me at my most favorite kosher steakhouse of all time here in good old New York.

A Kosher steakhouse? Sounds good to me.

 

[disneymom8589]

Disney isn't the only guilty party in extending holidays. What ever happened to Thanksgiving? It's just a Christmas preview anymore.

I LOVE seasonal decorations, but putting up stuff weeks or months before lessens the impact.

Take a look at many stores. Michaels has Halloween decorations out...NOW. Halloween decorations now share the seasonal department with Christmas lights.

Radio stations now start 24hr Christmas music on November 1st.

I feel sorry for poor Thanksgiving! It doesn't get a passing glance anymore. As a teacher, another cringe time for me is seeing school supplies come out shortly after the 4th of July! I can't honestly picture parents and kids saying "Ooh, now that the 4th of July is over, we need to quickly get our crayons and glue sticks!" Let me enjoy my summer a little longer before I have to look at anything school-related!!

P.S. I'm from WA state, too, so I think I know which radio station you're talking about!