How Do Kids Today Get Introduced to the "Old" Disney Characters?

[PoohsFan1]

I have all of the Disney classic movies on VHS, and are in the process of getting them all on DVD. My kids love the classic movies and the newer ones. In fact when we come across a character and if I don't know who it is, they are the ones that can tell who they are and from which movie....I trained them so well . As for the rides, my DH and I love the classic rides and make sure the girls go on them as well. In March when we were there we rode Carousel of Progress (which the girls loved) and Jungle Cruise (another one that they loved) and they can't wait to go back on them again in December. And when we do return, we plan on going to Tom Sawyer's Island, Swiss Family Treehouse, and go see the Tiki Birds since we didn't have enough time to do that on our last trip.

 

[KellyNY]

I used to buy lots of videos and books. Also rented old videos.

 

[Supermom3]

This is exactly the reason the marketing geniuses at Disney take their 14 core classic titles* and re-release them on DVD every seven years with marketing campaigns. This way, every child is guaranteed to be exposed to a marketing campaign for Disney's core classics between the ages of 4 and 11. Just in case anybody ever wondered why The Lion King goes into the Disney Vault and The Aristocats doesn't.

*Snow White, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Lady & The Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalamations, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King.

I never realized how that worked. Thanks for the info. Beauty and the Beast is last on our list to complete our collection.

What's different about kids now and when I grew up is that I had to wait until a movie was released in the movie theater in order to see it. So growing up I saw all of these movies once or twice if I was lucky. My kids have the luxury of watching all of the Disney classics over and over again. We've already watched Snow White 4 times and we only just bought it three days ago. So I think on one level our kids are much more familiar with all of the characters than I was as a kid.

 

[blondinkaya]

We rent from Netflix, have some of the movies (Peter Pan, Jungle Book, etc), and we have the Disney storybooks.

 

[Boog's Mommy]

My son is 2 and he watches "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" and "My Friends Tigger & Pooh " on the Disney Channel. But we also buy or rent dvd's of many different Disney movies. Though you need to be careful with some of the older ones. For example, we just bought him "Pinochio", but there is a scene where Pinochio is drinking beer and smoking and one character actually says the word *******. Another movie we bought is "Sleeping Beauty" and when the witch turns into the dragon she says something about the "depths of hell". Obviously these movies were created a long time ago, when things weren't so potically correct, etc. I still let him watch them, but I may fast-forward or mute over some stuff or I just get his attention elsewhere during those scenes. Ha ha.

 

[SydneyFalco]

Being in a no-kids marriage, our cable package has neither Family or Disney channels of any sort. I've been wondering, though, how much vintage Disney programming gets on. Can anybody please fill me in? Do they ever broadcast, say, Wonderful World of Disney? Or is it ALL 24 hours a day of modern stuff, like pop kid singers and quickie animation?

 

[Diznygrl]

Being in a no-kids marriage, our cable package has neither Family or Disney channels of any sort. I've been wondering, though, how much vintage Disney programming gets on. Can anybody please fill me in? Do they ever broadcast, say, Wonderful World of Disney? Or is it ALL 24 hours a day of modern stuff, like pop kid singers and quickie animation?

NO. They USED to, though. Every night they had a programming block called "Vault Disney" which showed vintage programming such as the original Mickey Mouse Club, Walt Disney's "Disneyland", and Wonderful World of Color. It was awesome. But that all changed some years back. It is now like you say, 24 hours of modern tween/preschool programming. I have little use for this channel anymore, and it makes me sad. Back in the day, Disney Channel used to pride itself on having programming for every member of the family to enjoy.

And when I was a kid, they actually used to air classic DISNEY cartoons on The DISNEY Channel. What a concept!

 

[DoraDoug]

I have always collected the Disney movies, even before I had children. Everytime a new movie comes out, I'm right there buying it. My DS was 5 before he ever realized not all movies are Disney cartoons!

 

[skier_pete]

MMCH on Disney channel is showing a whole new generation Mickey and the Gang - there are lots of references to the classics in there too - even Pete and Butch. (Pete's dog.) Professor Von Drake...many of the old characters. Very very smart of Disney to bring these characters back to the younger set. They also have always had a "Pooh" show on Playhouse Disney.

I also introduced my DD to some of the classics...both Disney (she loves Chip and Dale & Donald cartoon DVDs we have) as well as Looney Toons (here tweety and Sylvester rule). With everything available on DVD, it is partly up to parents to carry-on some of the classics. (Some of those old Looney Toons are just brilliant!)

SkierPete

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Theme Parks Community board.

 

[dmccarty]

Our kids have done/watched what others have mentioned but they really get a kick out watching the old B&W cartoons when we go back home to AKV. This really surprised me. They will watch them while we eat at Mara's and they will go to the lobby at sit there with a BUNCH of other kids watching the TV with the old cartoons. The only time I have seen the TV in the AKL lobby kid less was EARLY in the morning or late at night. Even late at night there are people checking in and the kids go to that TV.

The kids really are drawn to that TV with old cartoons.

Our oldest loves Goofy for some reason. Not sure why but she is goofy for Goffy!

One year at Jiko's Goofy called her on the phone and the server brought over the phone for her. She really got a kick out of that but she was disappointed when Goofy said he would see her in the park but we never did.

She was really bummed when we did not see Goofy so when we got home I sent and email to Disney explaining the situation. They mailed two Goofy photos to my daughter. Goofy had signed the photo saying he was sorry he had missed her in the parks. It made her day!

Later,
Dan