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

[JenM]

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."

I work in NYC and live in NJ...I was more weirded out by being in 90 degree weather in December (which was a first for me) than seeing by all of the parks looking like a Christmas store threw up on them.

But I loved the Christmas stuff at Disney.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I usually end up in WDW during December, and have only been there a couple of times during other seasons. It's gotten so I don't know what the parks/resort hotels look like without their christmas finery on. I think I'd be disappointed if they were gone, but I would like to see WDW at least once more in its everyday glory.

Oh, I'm not a christian, either. I'm only mildly irritated by the religious aspects of the holiday, and love the secular part of it.

 

[disneyholic family]

hey challer - you should move to my side of the world...then things like disney at Christmas would cease to irritate you....

I love WDW at Christmas or any other time of year......(though if i'm picking times to avoid, that would be surface-of-the-sun disney - i told DH to shoot me if i ever again suggest coming to WDW during the summer )

 

[safetymom]

Beth, it has gotten hotter since you were here.

 

[disneyholic family]

Beth, it has gotten hotter since you were here.

i cannot begin to imagine that!!! i thought we were going to spontaneously combust the last two days we were there at the end of june...

 

[kbelle8995]

I live in Tallahassee as well and love the way our town is lit up for Xmas. I have also lived in South Florida where you had a large contigent of all faiths so most were almost anal about the holidays and making sure that everyone had their space. Everywhere.

Callaway Gardens has a cool light display. But zero Jewish symbols or mention of Kwanzaa and they told a very beautiful birth of Jesus. And all I could think during it was "this would never fly in South Florida." No mention of Kwanzaa or Hannakkah.

I love Christmas at WDW. The parks are truly beautiful. But I realize that to some people this just isn't their cup of tea.

 

[TallyTutter]

I live in Tallahassee as well and love the way our town is lit up for Xmas. I have also lived in South Florida where you had a large contigent of all faiths so most were almost anal about the holidays and making sure that everyone had their space. Everywhere.

Callaway Gardens has a cool light display. But zero Jewish symbols or mention of Kwanzaa and they told a very beautiful birth of Jesus. And all I could think during it was "this would never fly in South Florida." No mention of Kwanzaa or Hannakkah.

I love Christmas at WDW. The parks are truly beautiful. But I realize that to some people this just isn't their cup of tea.

Hey KBelle! I agree, the city does a very nice light display downtown, it's the parade that bums me out!!

I haven't been to Callaway Gardens yet but we hope to do it this year.

 

[challer]

Callaway Gardens has a cool light display. But zero Jewish symbols or mention of Kwanzaa and they told a very beautiful birth of Jesus. And all I could think during it was "this would never fly in South Florida." No mention of Kwanzaa or Hannakkah.

You are right. It probably wouldn't fly, but I'm one of those people that believes that if you want to do a Christmas display, do a Christmas display. You don't need to have equal time for all faiths, nor do you have to secularize Christmas displays so as not to offend.

I celebrate Chanukah, but I know that it is in no way comparable to Christmas. Christmas is a major holiday - no, the major holiday - for Christians, while Chanukah is much lower down on the list of holidays for Jews. I prefer to not have the pairing of the two together if it isn't necessary.

For example, leave the token Chanukah songs out of the Candlelight Processional. It doesn't belong there.

 

[challer]

hey challer - you should move to my side of the world...then things like disney at Christmas would cease to irritate you....

First of all, less than 36 hours and I'm on the plane! Get the shwarma grilling and the lafa baking....

Secondly, my wife will be quite pleased that there is an aliyah recruiter on the DIS boards.

Thirdly, it doesn't irritate me. It just isn't for me, and I'll choose to not go during those times. Zeh lo big deal.

and finally... I'm signing off: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/notes/chad-haller/to-all-my-disney-fan-friends/149760191704060

Take care.

 

[kbelle8995]

Hey KBelle! I agree, the city does a very nice light display downtown, it's the parade that bums me out!!

I haven't been to Callaway Gardens yet but we hope to do it this year.

It is defintely worth going for Christmas if you like that sort of thing. The light display is particularly beautiful. They have a open air car which you can ride through the display. You can drive through in the car but the Trolley was worth it because I just sit back and not having to worry about running into anyone.

They also play music on this so that you feel like you are on a buggy ride. It's really nice.

I also like Callaway when it's not Christmas and the Azaleas are blooming. So pretty. And they have a wonderful Butterfly display that you walk through.

 

[mazdabug]

Well I for one just love to holiday splash. Not to mention im a xmas junky. My wife and I have been 2 years in a row. This year we are going in Oct. We love this time aswell. I just hope some person doesn`t get all huffy and sue disney because they cannot enjoy the parks in Oct. and Dec. We can only hope this does not happen.

 

[WaltD4Me]

A lawsuit would be silly, but I will say, it isn't just October and December. The Halloween parties start in September and the Christmas parties start in November, so you are really talking about 4 months, September through December. Halloween isn't the same at Christmas though. Most decorations are at MK and incorporate the fall season, but Christmas is in all the parks and resorts. I know most people LOVE it, but like Challer, it just isn't my cup of tea. It doesn't irritate me or upset me, I just wish it wasn't extended so far out and was still kept to after Thanksgiving through News Year. The first Christmas party being six days after the last Halloween party is just a bit much IMHO.

 

[mainegal]

For example, leave the token Chanukah songs out of the Candlelight Processional. It doesn't belong there.

I agree!

When the Chanukah song came up, I thought, "what the...????!!!! heck was that doing there?!"


Candlelight Processional is the telling of the Christmas story. Chanukah is not in any way part of Christmas or the Christmas story!

 

[Jubilee]

^^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.

Good post!

 

[SoScary'09]

I agree!

When the Chanukah song came up, I thoght, "what the...????!!!! heck was that doing there?!"


Candlelight Processional is the telling of the Christmas story. Chanukah is not in any way part of Christmas or the Christmas story!

It's such a touchy subject. I'm sure that Disney in their own way was just trying to keep everyone happy and involved in some way. Or all-inclusive, as I've heard it said.

When it comes to religion and theme parks, you just know there's gonna be some upset people somewhere along the line. Either the Christmas theme is 'too religious' or 'not religious enough' or 'not the right religion' or 'my religion wasn't included'. There's no way to win in those situations sometimes.

I'm definitely not saying people shouldn't be upset or irritated or comment about it . I understand completely I guess I'm just saying that no matter what the scenario, there will always be an upset party whatever the case may be. I guess that's just the way things are

I myself am not religious. However, I've never been upset or offended at Christmas decorations of any sort. Same goes for Hannukah or Kwanzaa or Solstice or whatever have you. When push comes to shove it's about tolerance. Sure a Hannukah song in the middle of a Christmas story is out of place, and might have been ill-fitted for the occassion. Yet, at the same time, I'm sure there were people in attendance who were happy to hear a mention of it. Bottom line is you're not at a church. Don't expect it to be the same.

I suppose I'm not too sure if I'm trying to make any sort of point. Maybe if you're so religious that every little thing you don't agree with ruffles your feathers, the parks during the holidays isn't the best place for you. Christmas is a huge holiday no matter where you go, and especially for Disney.

Go in knowing what to expect. A whole lotta winter theming and a touch of other cultures here and there. Fully grown adults going into WDW in December and being irritated at decorations just makes me roll my eyes. Be it Christmas or Halloween or Valentine's Day.

Do your homework.