Is a Disney trip educational?

[palavra]

I've seen posts that proclaim WDW as a very educational place, and others that say Disney is all about fun. I know most people don't go to Disney to learn, but it also doesn't seem the same as just a relaxing on the beach type of trip. So what do you think?

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

I think Animal Kingdom and Epcot are very educational. =)

 

[Senator Tressel]

It is what you make it. Anything you do in life is educational in some way.

 

[minnie mum]

I've seen posts that proclaim WDW as a very educational place, and others that say Disney is all about fun. I know most people don't go to Disney to learn, but it also doesn't seem the same as just a relaxing on the beach type of trip. So what do you think?

You've posed a most interesting question, and one that I'm sure a lot of folks pondering the feasibility of pulling their kids out of school are already asking themselves.

I really don't think it is an either/or proposition. Fun and education are not mutually exclusive terms. No one would dispute that a trip to WDW is fun. (Well, OK fine, I admit that I don't think a trip to WDW during a major statutory holiday is fun, but that's a different thread ).

But it CAN also be very educational, depending on how the trip is approached. The potential for learning, especially at Epcot and AK is huge, if you look closely at what is available. I think that my DD, the science teacher, would definitely argue that something can be both educational and fun at the same time if done correctly.

As for your last question, of course a trip to WDW is not (usually) as relaxing as a beach type of trip. For our family, if we want to relax on the beach then we go to the beach. If we want to visit WDW then we visit WDW. I really don't see what this has to do with either of your initial frameworks, however. Are you saying that a fun trip can't be relaxing? Or that an educational trip can't be relaxing? Or are you saying that a relaxed trip can't be fun and educational?

 

[Eljay]

Those who run from ride to ride may not be exposed to as much of the educational aspect as those who explore World Showcase pavilions in depth, speak with foreign CM's, really listen to the narration in the American Adventure presentation, watch the movies in the pavilions, walk the exploration trails at DAK, read the info signs, watch the Flights of Wonder show, take the Safari ride, pay attention in Hall of Presidents, etc.

 

[2girlsR2good]

I'd say that opportunities for learning a little something abound if you seize the moment in all the parks. I doubt kids will learn much w/out some guidance from their parents during the visit--and a parent who is so inclined can make a trip to the grocery store educational.

What's potentially educational at Disney? Hmm--I consider learning to appreciate theater, music, and dance an essential part of arts education. You can take a drawing class in Hollywood Studios. Epcot is not a museum (and it certainly isn't international travel) but in terms of exposure, sure. There's some interesting stuff inside the hands-on buildings too. Parts of Animal Kingdom can be rather educational, but I don't think it's on par with a science museum or even a zoo.

Have a wonderful time, think about what you're seeing, talk with your kids to help them make connections and your brain won't go to mush. Just don't kid yourself that a Disney trip takes the place of seeing a ballet, visiting a science museum, etc.

How's that?

 

[Mousemommy1]

I think in a lot of ways it is. For instance, in AK, you can learn things about Africa, and India...and speak with people from those countries, as we have done in the past. The same goes for all of the countries in Epcot.

My oldest DD is in the 2nd grade, and they were doing a chapter in their science class about farmers doing hydroponic growing of vegetables....well, her teacher informed me that she promptly raised her hand and told her class that she had seen the real thing at Epcot. . (we obviously saw it on the Living with the land, or whatever the little boat ride in the soarin building is called). Point is, she saw that last year and brought it up last week in class...I didn't even think she was paying attention on that tour.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I've seen posts that proclaim WDW as a very educational place, and others that say Disney is all about fun. I know most people don't go to Disney to learn, but it also doesn't seem the same as just a relaxing on the beach type of trip. So what do you think?

On a certain level it can be. But the reality is those that claim it's educational are just doing it as an excuse to rationalize pulling their kids out of school. Nobody actually goes to Disney for the education.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If they are enrolled in the Disney YES program there are all sorts of educational events for kids to enroll in.
here is a link for those seeking more info on the YES program

http://www.disneyyouth.com/individual-enrollment/catalog/

 

[Mousemommy1]

On a certain level it can be. But the reality is those that claim it's educational are just doing it as an excuse to rationalize pulling their kids out of school. Nobody actually goes to Disney for the education.

True. We don't go to Disney for educational purposes. But, I also don't take my kiddos out of school for Disney. Any experience can be educational, and there are a lot of teaching opportunities at Disney...but I'm also one of those parents that makes the grocery store educational.

 

[kathy884]

Anywhere you go and any experiences you have you can always learn something new. Any travel usually means some new discoveries. Disney is for the most part theme parks -- entertainment with a little learning.

 

[Makayna]

I'm not a parent (yet) but I guarantee that if you ask my niece and nephew if their trips to come see me are "educational" they'll probably disagree. But, my sister has been stunned a number of times by the things that they've learned on those trips because the go home asking my sister if she knew that... (insert trivia here). You can disguise learning as fun, and the kids hardly even know that they're learning! Therefore, ANYTHING, Disney or otherwise, can be educational!

 

[Brit_Jude]

I learn something new everytime I go....

I learned:
That I like Grey Goose Slushies
That some people really need the sick bags on Misson Space
That I am a real geek and will be attending my second star wars weekend

Sorry just had to be a little funny!

Any trip is a learning experience in life skills when you have to practice patience, waiting your turn, how to get along with a diverse group of people, overcoming fears to ride certain rides, manners, kids could learn more at Disney about these essential tools for life than a trip to a museum but Disney is primarily entertainment not school.

 

[DW2010]

I'm sure it can be but I'm taking my DD out of school this October for a school week for a fun birthday trip. She'll only be in Kindergarten and goes to a private school so I don't really think it's a big deal .

 

[NorweJenNY]

Walt Disney's original intentions in designing a magic kingdom were to create a world where children and their parents could have fun together. Yes, that's what Disney World seems to be, even to the extent that all ages enjoy it, with or without children - and that is why people keep coming back. They started with one man's dream and then built upon it.

Like others have said though, just because it's a fun, enjoyable place to spend time doesn't mean that it can't be educational. It can be as educational as you want it to be. And, IMHO, the educational aspects of Disney World are the best forms of education. It's not in-your-face education like a lecture or a museum with a bunch of informational signs to read... it's educational in a non-direct way. Fun experiences - memorable ones - can teach us plenty that we will never forget, as Disney imagineers help us to become completely immersed in new worlds. The sounds, the sights, the people, the interactive experiences... try getting that from a classroom textbook!

 

[Andtototoo]

I think there are opportunities for education, especially at Epcot and AK. However, I think those opportunities are only available if a parent does sufficient research and prep prior to the trip to guide the experience towards that goal.

However, given that most people at WDW can't be bothered to do enough research to know about Fast Passes, I sincerely doubt all those parents justifying taking their kids out of school to go to WDW by saying it's educational, have done one iota of the prep to make the trip educational.

 

[wide receiver]

I like to think Disney is educational….we research all the fun facts about spoting hidden mickey's, who the people are on doors and windows of Main Street MK, how rides were made/dreamt. But when my daughter was in Montessori Kindergarten and looking forward to her spring break trip to Disney (and talking it up I suppose at school) her teacher sent home an article about why Montessori teaching doesn't support Disney……We still took our trip

 

[bcrook]

I find the Land, the behind the seeds tour, the island at AK, the conservation station, and both treks at AK, to be very informative and educational. AKL aso provides a cool zoological world. The seas is also a good educational site.

From a geologic standpoint, the queue to dinosaur does an excellent job of explaining the KT boundary and dinosaur extinction. The fireplace at wilderness lodge illustrates 2 billion years of geo history.

Culturally, EE sheds cool light on the himalaya, Epcot informs on 10 for non- U.S. countries.

As a pp mentioned, the arts are an integral part education. Disney does a fantastic job of displaying beautiful art, landscaping, performances.

I am a secondary educator I learn and marvel every time I visit Disney.

 

[earthfaries]

You can make a visit to WDW educational, just as you can make anything you do in life, a learning experience

Before we moved here we visited WDW once per year. When we were vacationing here we didn't make it an educational experience (but one year we did come for the Disney Homeschool Days and join in on a couple of the YES programs).

Now that we live here, and can visit all the time without the time restraints of vacation, we spend many days in the parks "learning".

There are even homeschool groups who meet at the parks (Epcot is a popular one) to explore the countries and talk to the CMs. Of course we can study the country we will be visiting before going to the park, and mix the park with learning materials we have from home.

Anyone can make a fun day at any of the Disney parks better (and more educational ) with a little extra time and attention to their children and their surroundings. I try and make everything I possibly can a learning experience, in a fun way. It's a part of the way I teach, and one reason that I unschool my children.

Hope this helps, good luck, and have fun!!!​

 

[MoonFaerie]

Most of our favorite things about Disney are the educational things. We're a very nerdy bunch here. though. My 7 & 8 year old kids happily and of their own free will spent the afternoon reading non-fiction science books. Any vacation we take always has some educational aspect to it. This upcoming trip, we're planning - a YES class, Behind the Seeds, Cirque, a weekly journal, and some sort of project I've yet to come up with for the World Showcase, maybe AK too. (I've got 2.5 weeks + finals left, so I haven't put much thought into vacation planning yet)