Guests leaving flowers at France pavilion

[figment80]

According to what some people are saying in one of my Disney Facebook groups Disney gave the CM's a choice on whether to make it a public or private memorial and the CM's decided that they wanted it in the back.

 

[Disneylover99]

According to what some people are saying in one of my Disney Facebook groups Disney gave the CM's a choice on whether to make it a public or private memorial and the CM's decided that they wanted it in the back.

That seems fair.

 

[bcla]

Oh me too BUT the fact is many guest ARE leaving the flowers so obviously a whole bunch of folks don't think its strange, maybe its a way to commiserate with the french.

Whether or not WE would do it is moot, some one, quite a few someone's are going out of their way to do it and if its enough to make a memorial, then evidently they find it important. Like I said, I just think its in extremely poor taste.

I don't know about poor taste. I was thinking misguided.

 

[diz8297]

Another person posted on the Facebook group I belong to that she offered sympathy to a cast member at the French pavilion and the poor kid started crying. I'm sure they appreciate the support, but they are probably having a really hard time keeping it together. God bless them.

 

[ElizabethB]

That CMs wanted the display in the back sounds like the same old Disney PR nonsense -- like ticket price hikes are for our benefit. I think the displays are going backstage because it is a political issue -- could offend Muslim guests -- and also a security concern -- they don't want things that could trigger harsh words between guests or between guests and CMs. Better to move it all offstage and outta sight.

 

[bcla]

That CMs wanted the display in the back sounds like the same old Disney PR nonsense -- like ticket price hikes are for our benefit. I think the displays are going backstage because it is a political issue -- could offend Muslim guests -- and also a security concern -- they don't want things that could trigger harsh words between guests or between guests and CMs. Better to move it all offstage and outta sight.

I seriously doubt that a display like that would be offensive to Muslims visiting EPCOT, as if they somehow approve of the attacks yesterday. Guests visiting would probably say that the attackers don't represent the religion they practice. I certainly remember a Muslim acquaintance around the time of the OKC federal building bombing, when the first thought was Islamic terrorism. He was adamant that it was not representative of his religion.

If anything, they're running a business and it seems like the employees' minds are a little bit preoccupied at this time.

 

[MrsDuck]

Another person posted on the Facebook group I belong to that she offered sympathy to a cast member at the French pavilion and the poor kid started crying. I'm sure they appreciate the support, but they are probably having a really hard time keeping it together. God bless them.

YEP. Probably one of the major reasons this thoughtful, but painful to look at memorial, was brought backstage.

 

[Jennasis]

I think it's being handled just fine by WDW and their CM's.

 

[GPC0321]

I don't find it strange for people to leave flowers at the France pavilion at all. If I was on vacation at WDW and heard about a terrible tragedy that had occurred in a country that is represented in the World Showcase, I'd probably want to express my support in some small way too, especially for the CMs who are surely having a difficult time. Those pavilions are supposed to be little symbolic slices from some of our global neighbors. We go there to eat their food, buy their merchandise, learn about their culture, and enjoy their entertainment. It only makes sense to express our sympathy and support when tragedy befalls the country that is represented by a particular pavilion. I think it'd be weird if something WASN'T done to pay respects.
I totally understand not keeping all of the flowers out on display. I'm sure it could get pretty overwhelming, and while it's a lovely gesture, I'm sure they don't want the place to wind up being one big somber shrine to the tragedy. It's hard for people to have "fun" in that kind of environment.
It might be cooler if visitors just wore little French flag buttons/pins or something to show love for France during this sad time.

 

[lizabu]

I seriously doubt that a display like that would be offensive to Muslims visiting EPCOT, as if they somehow approve of the attacks yesterday. Guests visiting would probably say that the attackers don't represent the religion they practice. I certainly remember a Muslim acquaintance around the time of the OKC federal building bombing, when the first thought was Islamic terrorism. He was adamant that it was not representative of his religion.

If anything, they're running a business and it seems like the employees' minds are a little bit preoccupied at this time.

My nephew is Muslim and he posted the following on Facebook:

This disgusting cowardly act had nothing to do with anyone's religion.

 

[CF'er]

Were flowers left at the American Pavilion after 9/11? Not trying to be snarky it is a true question? If so then I don't see the difference. Some are saying this is France's 9-11.

 

[Nancyg56]

I have no idea why this needs to be an issue. Some people need to respond to tragedy and express their sympathy. Some people do not. How the recipients choose to accept these expressions is extremely personal and I feel strongly that as decent human beings, we need to take a step back and let people react the way that makes sense to them.

I have no idea if DIsney has decided that an avalance of folowers would be dfficult to manage and is taking them backstage to minimize this, or the CM's really want these flowers to be a private memorial. It really makses not difference to me becaus ei think that it is the kindness that matte, as well as how Disney is caringi for those CM's who have much more to think about than whethe or not we approve of how they have chosen to grieve.

 

[JaxDad]

This disgusting cowardly act had nothing to do with anyone's religion.

It sure as heck had something to do with the religious beliefs of the terrorists!

Why do we talk about the whacky beliefs of the nut job in Kentucky who wouldn't sign same-sex marriage licences, but not the guys yelling "Allah Akbar" while they hose down a theater with AKs?

And don't lump me in with the Islamaphobes. I've worked in the KSA and the UAE, and I know these acts aren't representative of the vast majority of Muslims. But we need to approach these extremists for what they are or we'll never get anywhere in this conflict.

 

[declansdad]

It sure as heck had something to do with the religious beliefs of the terrorists!

Why do we talk about the whacky beliefs of the nut job in Kentucky who wouldn't sign same-sex marriage licences, but not the guys yelling "Allah Akbar" while they hose down a theater with AKs?

And don't lump me in with the Islamaphobes. I've worked in the KSA and the UAE, and I know these acts aren't representative of the vast majority of Muslims. But we need to approach these extremists for what they are or we'll never get anywhere in this conflict.

I would guess because there is a large group or people who always try to paint all Muslim's in this light.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

some times we just have to acknowledge that the world is not always "magical" and some things deserve to penetrate the "Disney" bubble.

I'm just going to point out - when Walt built Disneyland, there was a reason he wanted that 6' berm around the park. So that people could forget the "outside" world and enjoy some happy time.

 

[lizabu]

It sure as heck had something to do with the religious beliefs of the terrorists!

Why do we talk about the whacky beliefs of the nut job in Kentucky who wouldn't sign same-sex marriage licences, but not the guys yelling "Allah Akbar" while they hose down a theater with AKs?

And don't lump me in with the Islamaphobes. I've worked in the KSA and the UAE, and I know these acts aren't representative of the vast majority of Muslims. But we need to approach these extremists for what they are or we'll never get anywhere in this conflict.

Huffington post compiled a number of quotes and tweets from last night. This was one which explains why it is dangerous to make this about Islam.

 

[sailorstitch]

Where are people leaving the flowers? Anybody have pictures? If I was in WDW now, I'd be leaving flowers too.

There are other replicasof French structures in the US. There's a mini Eifle Tower at King's Island. I think there's one in Las Vegas too. I would be VERY surprised if they are not getting flowers too.

 

[bcla]

Where are people leaving the flowers? Anybody have pictures? If I was in WDW now, I'd be leaving flowers too.

There are other replicasof French structures in the US. There's a mini Eifle Tower at King's Island. I think there's one in Las Vegas too. I would be VERY surprised if they are not getting flowers too.

Didn't hear of that. The hotel/casino in Las Vegas did dim the replica tower, and another attraction (a Ferris wheel) was lit with the colors of the French flag. However, a vigil was held at a community center.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/l...er-dimmed-las-vegans-gather-candlelight-vigil

This article claims that Paris-Las Vegas was a meeting point for several French tourists and employees in the area. I stayed there in 2012, and found quite a few French speakers who seemed to be staying there. Nothing about leaving anything there.

http://www.ktnv.com/news/locals-react-to-paris-attacks-on-las-vegas-strip

 

[sam_gordon]

Are people on here really arguing about WHY Disney is moving the flowers? Does anyone here KNOW why or are they just guessing? It seems odd to criticize a company for a decision when you don't know why the decision was made.

It could be they don't want people to think about the tragedy.
It could be they don't want to manage the display.
It could be CMs want it as a "private" memorial.
It could be Disney didn't want the "gifts" to get out of control and interfere with guests or park operations.
It could be any of a hundred different reasons. But unless Disney says (or a CM "leaks") why the flowers were moved, why argue about whether it was done for the "right" reason?

 

[lizabu]

Where are people leaving the flowers? Anybody have pictures? If I was in WDW now, I'd be leaving flowers too.

There are other replicasof French structures in the US. There's a mini Eifle Tower at King's Island. I think there's one in Las Vegas too. I would be VERY surprised if they are not getting flowers too.

I saw a picture this morning and several people left flowers on the ledge that goes around the fountains. It's my understanding that they have been gathering up the flowers and notes and taking them back stage. I saw a photo of the backstage memorial. We can guess why Disney put them away. It probably has something to do with trying to keep things looking tidy.