Guests leaving flowers at France pavilion

[JLTraveling]

I was there today, and the public memorial must not have been out for long. We went to France first, around 11 a.m. and took some time to speak with several CMs and express our condolences. They were holding up as well as can be expected under the circumstances. One guy mentioned that Disney told them not to discuss it with guests, but everyone seemed grateful for the support. The Impressions de France theater was about half full and many of us were crying. Anyway, the memorial wasn't there yet. Around 1:00, I got a message from a friend about it, and he asked me to take a photo. By the time I made it back around at a little after 3, it had been moved backstage. There was a CM stationed at the fountain to collect flowers and tributes for it, but the Photo Pass photographer was busily snapping away in front of the fountain where the memorial had been. Given that, I'm inclined to think that it was moved because it was in the way of Photo Pass (and as a result potentially costing Disney a few bucks), and frankly, I think that sucks. I think the memorial was a wonderful, heartfelt idea--this isn't just some "tangentially related business," as someone upthread stated. It's a place where young people from France come to spend a year away from their families, friends, and lives to share their home and culture with us, and I think they deserve our support in whatever way people are comfortable sharing it. For me, it was speaking individually with CMs. For others, it was bringing flowers and mementos. I don't think shoving it all backstage to chase the almighty Photo Pass dollar was okay, but that's today's Disney for you.

 

[Allison]

Again, people are speculating.

 

[Missy1961]

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?

Exactly. Disney can do whatever they like with the memorial. It is their property, after all.

 

[cabanafrau]

I believe I've read the entire thread and I don't think anyone mentioned what I feel is rather obvious. Disney may have felt it safer to move the display simply because of slip and fall or other possible hazard litigation liabilities. Not necessarily a heartless corporate move, but a necessity to try to insure the safety of guests.

 

[sam_gordon]

I believe I've read the entire thread and I don't think anyone mentioned what I feel is rather obvious. Disney may have felt it safer to move the display simply because of slip and fall or other possible hazard litigation liabilities. Not necessarily a heartless corporate move, but a necessity to try to insure the safety of guests.

?
Granted, I made a general instead of specific guess, but I think this would qualify...

It could be Disney didn't want the "gifts" to get out of control and interfere with guests or park operations.

 

[cabanafrau]

?
Granted, I made a general instead of specific guess, but I think this would qualify...

Not sure I see what your problem is with the fact I chose to outline something I thought was a likely consideration?

 

[LiveYourLife]

Plain and simple.....a memorial is not part of the "show".

 

[ols386]

I think it's a nice gesture to leave flowers in the France pavilion, but it's not France, it's just a pretend France.

 

[Dentam]

What a luxury it is to debate for three pages about a memorial. Unbelievable.

 

[declansdad]

What a luxury it is to debate for three pages about a memorial. Unbelievable.

Sort of like the luxury of being able to make a comment on something you think is unbelievable.

 

[Dentam]

Sort of like the luxury of being able to make a comment on something you think is unbelievable.

Exactly. I am well aware of how very lucky I am. I don't see the point of disputing how other people choose to honor the dead in a country that isn't so lucky right now.

 

[LiveYourLife]

Exactly. I am well aware of how very lucky I am. I don't see the point of disputing how other people choose to honor the dead in a country that isn't so lucky right now.

Maybe because this is a Disney discussion board, and the discussion is about how Disney as a Company is handling a memorial within one of their parks??

 

[Dentam]

Maybe because this is a Disney discussion board, and the discussion is about how Disney as a Company is handling a memorial within one of their parks??

Most of what I've seen is people on here judging those who choose to leave flowers in EPCOT and other places around the world that aren't Paris. Let people honor the dead in the way they choose to. That includes Disney.

 

[declansdad]

Exactly. I am well aware of how very lucky I am. I don't see the point of disputing how other people choose to honor the dead in a country that isn't so lucky right now.

It seems that some people do.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I completely understand the sentiment and the feeling of being helpless in the face of tragedy and wanting to do something, anything, to ease the pain of those in Paris. That being said, I'm not sure that flowers in the France pavilion are the best way to go. Of course Disney is going to move them, if guests are putting them on the fountain, the flowers are blocking access, could fall into the fountain, will make a mess, and causes extra work for custodial and the CM of the France pavilion. I understand flowers are traditional and beautiful, but I'd suggest making a donation to the Red Cross instead, they are the ones that provide help and support in the face of all kinds of tragedies. Kind words of comfort and solidarity to the CM of the France pavilion I'm sure would also be deeply appreciated.

 

[Jon84]

It is heart warming that people want to support France and more specifically the French CMs in EPCOT.

I can completely understand that any memorials are being moved. Logistically if enough people brought tributes in, this could take up alot of space. If people leave candles and such unattended it could lead to a fire hazard.

It could set a precedent in the future if another tragedy happens (terrorist related or not) that people leave tributes for any .

 

[lizabu]

I completely understand the sentiment and the feeling of being helpless in the face of tragedy and wanting to do something, anything, to ease the pain of those in Paris. That being said, I'm not sure that flowers in the France pavilion are the best way to go. Of course Disney is going to move them, if guests are putting them on the fountain, the flowers are blocking access, could fall into the fountain, will make a mess, and causes extra work for custodial and the CM of the France pavilion. I understand flowers are traditional and beautiful, but I'd suggest making a donation to the Red Cross instead, they are the ones that provide help and support in the face of all kinds of tragedies. Kind words of comfort and solidarity to the CM of the France pavilion I'm sure would also be deeply appreciated.

I think that is a really good suggestion. I am sure the French CMs appreciate knowing that people care. At the same time flowers can be expensive and I'm sure the Red Cross could put the funds to good use.

 

[Hrhpd]

Most of what I've seen is people on here judging those who choose to leave flowers in EPCOT and other places around the world that aren't Paris. Let people honor the dead in the way they choose to. That includes Disney.

I must be reading a different thread. Most of the posts I have seen are talking about the way Disney is handling the flowers being placed at one of their attractions. I have seen very few posts talking about people leaving the flowers.

For me, Disney has the absolute right to do with their Business what they want. Some people seem to forget that WDW is nothing more than a business with a bottom line to protect. If they feel a memorial of flowers is going to affect their business in any way, be it for safety, concern for the CM's, concern for the look and feel of the theme park, they have the right to remove it.

 

[eliza61]

What a luxury it is to debate for three pages about a memorial. Unbelievable.

No more than it is a luxury to be on a board devoted to a make believe place with a giant mouse.

And your point is????

 

[eliza61]

I must be reading a different thread. Most of the posts I have seen are talking about the way Disney is handling the flowers being placed at one of their attractions. I have seen very few posts talking about people leaving the flowers.

For me, Disney has the absolute right to do with their Business what they want. Some people seem to forget that WDW is nothing more than a business with a bottom line to protect. If they feel a memorial of flowers is going to affect their business in any way, be it for safety, concern for the CM's, concern for the look and feel of the theme park, they have the right to remove it.

You're right of course, what I find a bit hypocritical is that many of the same people were screaming when a college decided to no longer have a 9/11 memorial.

So why is that such an outrage, yet Disney is "free" to do what it wants. IMO basically it's because on here Disney can do no wrong, ever so we as usual we make excuses why their behavior is ok. yet the college students of course are 'pandering" to political correctness.