Mods: Please Close This. Let's Think Happy Thoughts!

[*~ellagirlsmama~*]

I dont know about hiring spanish speaking princesses, but I would LOVE to see a black princess come out from Disney.

I'd like that too

 

[HayGan]

I dont know about hiring spanish speaking princesses, but I would LOVE to see a black princess come out from Disney.

I agree with you completely. I think that Disney has made strides towards creating characters from cultures other than the traditional Anglo-Saxon but they need to do more

 

[Sleeping Becca]

We take a cruise once a year, normally one of our stops is in Mexico. Before our first trip I took the time to learn some basic Spanish, so I could at least survive. I also purchased an English to Spanish tranlation book. Much to my surprise everyone spoke English and accepted American Dollars. It was a very pleasant surprise. Now I've only visited Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen tourist areas so this is prob not the case in other areas in Mexico. But I will say it made my visit much easier and a lot less stressful.

Disney attracts visitors from around the globe, I think it is a very nice gesture for Disney to put a little effort into making a foreigner's visit more pleasant and less stressful.

That being said, if you LIVE in the US you should speak English.

I also think Disney should create an beautiful African princess.

 

[salmoneous]

You people are asking for flames? Well, here goes…

A little girl wants to have a magical moment and speak to a princess, and you've got a problem with that? You would begrudge a little girl getting a bit of Disney magic because, well, why exactly? Because you feel that every conversation that ever happens on US soil must be done in English.

That's about the most pathetic and petty attitude I've read on this board in a long time. And that's saying a lot.

 

[salmoneous]

Just as I wouldn't expect to go to Chichén Itzá and expect anyone to speak to me in English. It is great if they do but I certainly don't expect it to happen.

Note what you just said - it's GREAT if they do. It's great if somebody in Mexico speaks English to help you have an eaiser time on your vacation. You aren't demanding it. You aren't forcing it on them through illegal means (whatever that means). But it's great if they do.

Isn't it also great that Disney is trying to make the vacations of Spanish speaking tourists easier too? I know you are sensitive to the issue. I know there are places in your life where people speaking spanish is making your life tougher. But is that any reason to be upset that a girl gets a magical moment talking to a princess?

 

[tmanaster]

You people are asking for flames? Well, here goes…

A little girl wants to have a magical moment and speak to a princess, and you've got a problem with that? You would begrudge a little girl getting a bit of Disney magic because, well, why exactly? Because you feel that every conversation that ever happens on US soil must be done in English.

That's about the most pathetic and petty attitude I've read on this board in a long time. And that's saying a lot.

Well said!

 

[daisy_77]

Note what you just said - it's GREAT if they do. It's great if somebody in Mexico speaks English to help you have an eaiser time on your vacation. You aren't demanding it. You aren't forcing it on them through illegal means (whatever that means). But it's great if they do.

Isn't it also great that Disney is trying to make the vacations of Spanish speaking tourists easier too? I know you are sensitive to the issue. I know there are places in your life where people speaking spanish is making your life tougher. But is that any reason to be upset that a girl gets a magical moment talking to a princess?

You people are asking for flames? Well, here goes…

A little girl wants to have a magical moment and speak to a princess, and you've got a problem with that? You would begrudge a little girl getting a bit of Disney magic because, well, why exactly? Because you feel that every conversation that ever happens on US soil must be done in English.

That's about the most pathetic and petty attitude I've read on this board in a long time. And that's saying a lot.

Well said, salmoneous! I couldn't agree more with both statements.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I personally don't have an issue with the princesses being able to speak Spanish to a child, but I think other languages need to be represented also. I understand that there are many visitors who speak Spanish, but I've also noticed plenty who speak French, Portugese, Chinese, etc. Why is Disney not going to encourage the princesses to be able to speak to these children also?

I don't have an issue with the princesses speaking a foreign language, I just don't like when Disney is focusing on only one foreign language.

Just my thoughts....

Jen

 

[MamaLema]

I think this is America and everyone should speak English. There is no reason for this.

'

There is a reason. It's so more people can get that magical feeling at the parks. If there is a Spanish speaking princess from let's say 9-10 am, how does affect your life in any way? There will be plenty of English-speaking princesses.

 

[MamaLema]

I think this is America and everyone should speak English. There is no reason for this.

'

There is a reason. It's so more people can get that magical feeling at the parks. If there is a Spanish speaking princess from let's say 9-10 am, how does affect your life in any way? There will be plenty of English-speaking princesses.

In Hong Kong, the Jungle Cruise alternates between the native language and English.

This has nothing to do with everyone should speak English in America. It's about making guests have a great time in a theme park.

 

[disneymama73]

Isn't it also great that Disney is trying to make the vacations of Spanish speaking tourists easier too?

I believe what HayGan is saying (and please correct me if I'm wrong, HayGan!) is that we, as a country, are catering to Spanish speaking people when English is our national language. If the signs at WDW are going to be in English AND Spanish, they should also be in many other foreign languages. If the princesses are going to speak English AND Spanish, they should be multilingual to accomodate visitors from many nations.

How'd I do, HayGan?

 

[Annam26]

Like others have said, no one expected this. And no one demanded it
Disney decided to offer it. It's a business decision for them.

BTW, most tourist destinations in the world hire bilingual staff. They speak the native language and English. So this posturing that Americans go to tourist destination to fend for themselves in English only is ridiculous. That's not the reality

 

[MamaLema]

sorry , double post

 

[kvogel11202]

I went to France, and guess what? I was mocked for my pathetic attempt at ordering in French, and NO ONE offered to speak english to me. Get real. WDW was founded by an ENGLISH SPEAKING man. I believe they have translation sets for foreign visitors. If speaking to the Princess' is so important then maybe these little girls parents should work on a few key phrases before they leave. I am tired of everything in this country being adjusted to accomodate non english speaking visitors. In all my travels to other countries I have never seen anything like what we are doing in this country. It is an embarrasment. We even have the ACLU suing Americans on behalf of foreigners, illegal aliens and terrorists. It's a long slippery slope my friends. As for princess' of different races, absolutely, a great story with an African princess.....as long as it's a good story, and not just in place to fill a void, would be great.

 

[MommyPoppins]

There is a vast difference between a tourist that speaks a different language and a resident of this country that has not learned English. I think the two issues are being confused here. I see no problem having Princesses that speak more than one language, it makes it more magical for the children. It would be nice, however if Spanish was not the only language being considered. What about French, Japanese or Chinese? Don't those children deserve a little magic too? I would rather see them learn some general phrases in several languages-hello, goodbye, nice to meet you, stuff like that. These are short autograph, character greet sessions-there's not a lot of time for long conversations in any language.

Don't get me started on people who have lived here for YEARS and still do not even have the most basic command of the English language. I would never move to another country, even for a short period, without learning at least the basics!

I think you hit the nail on the head. The issue of spanish speaking princesses has nothing to do with tourists. It's the fact that in the US there are SOOOOOOOO many people from spanish speaking countries, who don't speak English. I think it would be great for the Princesses to learn key phrases in different languages too! It's not fair to every other tourist from countries that Disney only caters to spanish speaking people.

 

[dsnymoners]

Why cater just to spanish speaking guest. There are acutally more Asian and Brazilian guest. So let them speak Japanese, Portugese, Chinese. Last time I was at Tokyo Disney Cinderella was english speaking and none of my friends who were actually from Japan expeced any differant.

 

[XOoOoVEEoOoOX]

No we Americans aren't high on ourselves as you say but let me check a minute... Yes we are in a country where the main language is ENGLISH NOT Spanish!

Im sorry and I am usually not one to jump into a discussion and argue but this is a horrible statement...the Princesses speaking spanish isnt going to "HURT" anyone...how many times have you heard of a heart warming interaction between a Princess and a young child? A nice discussion that really helped the child feel special? Yes we are in a country where most of the population speaks English, but you have to remember also that WDW is in a STATE that has a VERY VERY large Hispanic culture. Are you saying that a young child who has just arrived from Cuba, or Puerto Rico, or the Dominican Republic, or somewhere in South America isnt entitled to that same special feeling just because they dont speak English? I think that is just ignorant, no one is born speaking any particular language. Disney is a place where magic happens, and to a young girl, what could be more magical than having a conversation with a Princess in their native tongue?

 

[mking624]

WDW was founded by an ENGLISH SPEAKING man. I believe they have translation sets for foreign visitors. If speaking to the Princess' is so important then maybe these little girls parents should work on a few key phrases before they leave. I am tired of everything in this country being adjusted to accomodate non english speaking visitors. In all my travels to other countries I have never seen anything like what we are doing in this country. It is an embarrasment.

And yet somehow we scream out about how people should be tolerant...but wait, tolerant only when they do what WE want, right?

I find some of these posts embarrassing. How ironic that this country's natives weren't English speakers orginally. It was foreigners who came to the country and brought their language with them. English may be the official language now, but it would be naive and wrong to think it was ALWAYS that way. It wasn't. Someone came and changed it. So it's amusing to see people yell about foreigners speaking in a different language....hmm...seems to me that's how the English language came to America....

 

[Shubunk]

Note what you just said - it's GREAT if they do. It's great if somebody in Mexico speaks English to help you have an eaiser time on your vacation. You aren't demanding it. You aren't forcing it on them through illegal means (whatever that means). But it's great if they do.

Isn't it also great that Disney is trying to make the vacations of Spanish speaking tourists easier too? I know you are sensitive to the issue. I know there are places in your life where people speaking spanish is making your life tougher. But is that any reason to be upset that a girl gets a magical moment talking to a princess?

You people are asking for flames? Well, here goes…

A little girl wants to have a magical moment and speak to a princess, and you've got a problem with that? You would begrudge a little girl getting a bit of Disney magic because, well, why exactly? Because you feel that every conversation that ever happens on US soil must be done in English.

That's about the most pathetic and petty attitude I've read on this board in a long time. And that's saying a lot.

Well put!! I have read some pretty stupid things on this website but this is by far the worst! Why would somebody care if a face character is talking to someone in another language? If they are going to talk to you in English why would you care? I understand if you live in this country you should speak the language, but most of the people that speak only Spanish at Disney are not from this country! When I travel around the world people try to talk to me in English even though it’s hard for them. I feel great afterwards knowing that there are some nice people out there trying to make my vacation a little easier. Why can’t Disney do the same to Spanish tourist?

 

[mking624]

No we Americans aren't high on ourselves as you say but let me check a minute... Yes we are in a country where the main language is ENGLISH NOT Spanish!

Ah, there's the catch....the MAIN language is English...not the only language. And yet people are posting as though it should be the only language...and THAT is being high on oneself.