Obama/Disney shirts

[scuba]

We recently returned from Disney, a few days before the election I noticed on a family of 4 at Epcot, wearing t-shirts using the famous 3 circle Mickey's ears. Inside of the main circle representing Mickey's head appeared the Obama flag logo and the Shirts read Obama 2008. I could only shake my head, was I disgusted...no, was I offened ...no, am I Republican...yes but I had really made the decision that my side was going to lose. I just couldn't believe we cannot leave behind differences even after entering a magical place. I have never ever felt any reason to wear any type of political shirts and felt no different this election. Wear what ever official Obama or Mcain t-shirt you want but to drag disney into this. Now I'm more then aware that deep down somewhere boardmembers and CEO's of Disney supported one canidate or the other but Disney itself to my knowlege never came out and said...Hey Mickey endorses Obama, so put your silly little t-shirts away. now this is were the story gets interesting, while in line for a ride, a CM manager I can assume, overheard our discussion about the t-shirts and came over to inquire. he made no less than 3 phone calls to other managers and made a serious attempt to track down the shirts. He told us that the Mickey 3 circle desin was copyrighted and they make an attempt to discourage folks from using the logo....I felt that if they were not selling the shirts then they were fine, but he went further and told us that that type of shirt places an association between a political cannidate and Disney and could affect bottom lines if a particular political group decides not to come to Disney...WoW, lastly to the folks wearing the shirts..leave your silly looking shirts at home, stop by your party's headquarters and pick up official campain shirts and wear them to your hearts content anywhere you want, but leave Mickey out of it

 

[blu3d3vil]

His politics are definitely Mickey Mouse

 

[Angelhalo]

 

[Jennasis]

I'm surprised they were even allowed into the park with them on. Though not offensive per se, I agree with the manager that Disney owns the Mickey logo and to incorporate a candidate's logo into a trademarked/copyrighted corporate image is a bad thing.

 

[Rella Bella]

We recently returned from Disney, a few days before the election I noticed on a family of 4 at Epcot, wearing t-shirts using the famous 3 circle Mickey's ears. Inside of the main circle representing Mickey's head appeared the Obama flag logo and the Shirts read Obama 2008. I could only shake my head, was I disgusted...no, was I offened ...no, am I Republican...yes but I had really made the decision that my side was going to lose. I just couldn't believe we cannot leave behind differences even after entering a magical place. I have never ever felt any reason to wear any type of political shirts and felt no different this election. Wear what ever official Obama or Mcain t-shirt you want but to drag disney into this. Now I'm more then aware that deep down somewhere boardmembers and CEO's of Disney supported one canidate or the other but Disney itself to my knowlege never came out and said...Hey Mickey endorses Obama, so put your silly little t-shirts away.

Now this is were the story gets interesting, while in line for a ride, a CM manager I can assume, overheard our discussion about the t-shirts and came over to inquire. He made no less than 3 phone calls to other managers and made a serious attempt to track down the shirts. He told us that the Mickey 3 circle desin was copyrighted and they make an attempt to discourage folks from using the logo....I felt that if they were not selling the shirts then they were fine, but he went further and told us that that type of shirt places an association between a political cannidate and Disney and could affect bottom lines if a particular political group decides not to come to Disney...WoW, lastly to the folks wearing the shirts..leave your silly looking shirts at home, stop by your party's headquarters and pick up official campain shirts and wear them to your hearts content anywhere you want, but leave Mickey out of it

I completely agree. Thanks for sharing.

 

[DawnCt1]

I'm surprised they were even allowed into the park with them on. Though not offensive per se, I agree with the manager that Disney owns the Mickey logo and to incorporate a candidate's logo into a trademarked/copyrighted corporate image is a bad thing.

I am surprised that they haven't gone after the manufacturer of these tee shirts. Disney zealously guards their trademark, as they rightfully should. They have sued "mom and pop" day care centers. I would think that they would have this company in their cross hairs.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I was at the F&WF a couple weeks ago and saw an older couple wearing matching McCain/Palin t-shirts. We ended up sharing a table with them near the Chile kiosk and had a nice conversation with them about the upcoming election. Amazingly, no one was the least bit offended. BTW, without saying a word, it was fairly obvious who we were supporting. My wife was wear her "Another Mama for Obama" t-shirt.

It's been said time and again over the past 7+ years and it still holds true today...the 28%ers still need to get a grip...

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I am surprised that they haven't gone after the manufacturer of these tee shirts. Disney zealously guards their trademark, as they rightfully should. They have sued "mom and pop" day care centers. I would think that they would have this company in their cross hairs.

Wouldn't that t-shirt be considered a "parody" of sorts?

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

Even at Disney you can't get away from politics. Disney has a political attraction, the Hall of Presidents which Obama will soon be in.

 

[Goofyluver]

Personally, I wouldn't care if it were any candidate. Wear what you want.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Even at Disney you can't get away from politics. Disney has a political attraction, the Hall of Presidents which Obama will soon be in.

I don't view the Hall of Presidents to be political. I view it as a tribute to our American history.

 

[MushyMushy]

I always wondered how people get away with the homemade shirts anyway. I've worn them in the past, so it's not like I have anything against them. And it sure doesn't stop me from buying their expensive shirts! But I can't figure out why they let it slide when they're so aggressive about pursuing copyright infringements.

Oh, and seeing the political shirt wouldn't have bothered me in the least.

 

[shortbun]

Where can I get one of those shirts?!!!

 

[paintnolish]

Seriously? For me, that are a lot more important things in the world to take offense to, but that's just me.

 

[John Smith1]

Seriously? For me, that are a lot more important things in the world to take offense to, but that's just me.

Or to waste your 6th post on the DIS on this.

Personally I like Obama a LOT more than Mickey... so shoot me!

 

[RickinNYC]

My thoughts exactly. I have more important things to worry about and what others wear isn't even on my radar. I wouldn't care if someone wore a shirt that said, "McCain was robbed" or "Sara is my homey." Life is too short to worry about things like that.

 

[scuba]

Again, let me clarify myself and my OP, I wasn't offended and not even disgusted, I simply felt that it was a little silly to take the time out of my preperations to go to disney world and "WASTE" my time if you will to manufacture t-shirts using the famous Disney ears and Obamas logo. I would have had more to think about then politics on my way to Disney, one of the happiest places on earth...it seems ridiculous to me, and was probably illegal in Disney's eyes. I say wear what you want but if you cannot take off your silly Obama t-shirt and put on a Real Disney t-shirt like the rest of Us I say "get a life and take a valium and relax

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

people push all kinds of agendas on t-shirts at the parks. The only ones that bother me are the truly offensive (adult content) or hateful shirts that I would rather children not be exposed to. I have seen plenty of those. Disney is too lax on this issue. If they aren't going to be tough on the offensive stuff, they aren't going to address anything else.

This is the one point that Hershey is better than Disney. They enforce the no offensive shirts and try to truly keep the park family friendly.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Again, let me clarify myself and my OP, I wasn't offended and not even disgusted, I simply felt that it was a little silly to take the time out of my preperations to go to disney world and "WASTE" my time if you will to manufacture t-shirts using the famous Disney ears and Obamas logo. I would have had more to think about then politics on my way to Disney, one of the happiest places on earth...it seems ridiculous to me, and was probably illegal in Disney's eyes. I say wear what you want but if you cannot take off your silly Obama t-shirt and put on a Real Disney t-shirt like the rest of Us I say "get a life and take a valium and relax

people take the time to make personalized t-shirts for their trips to the parks for all sorts of reasons. Maybe these people were proud and simply wanted to show their pride and support? I don't see the big deal - it isn't like it was in your face or a negative message.

would you say "get a life...put on a real Disney t-shirt" to those who make personalized shirts for kids birthdays, anniversaries, family vacations, or just for fun? Yes ,they also use the ears and other icons......I don't see the difference except that you don't agree with their politics.

 

[shasess]

Personally, I wouldn't care if it were any candidate. Wear what you want.

I couldn't agree more!