Our bad pre-Disney experience

[TSRE]

So, yesterday, DH, 2 DS' & I were at Trader Joes buying snacks to take on our trip to DL Friday (yaaaaay!!!!) My husband had on a Disneyland hat as usual, and we were minding our own business, doing our shopping, when this man walked up to us and said "Oh, Disneyland. Do you go there much?" My DH said yes, thinking we were running into another Disney freak like us, and the guy said "the Disney corporation is the second largest seller of pornography in the world. Thought you would like to know" and then walked away. We were stunned. Thankfully our 6 & 9 year old sons didn't hear him. We just blew it off, but - what a jerk! I cannot imagine what would make someone think that is okay.

Anyway, I was just curious if anyone else has ever heard anything like that? I know there are a lot of people that hate Disney, and a lot of people that dislike any big corporation, but that just wasn't one I had heard before.

Still excited about our trip in 3 days, 23 hours and 3 minutes!!

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

Dude!! Was the guy my HUSBAND??

Sorry - DH is a DL hater in a big way. I just ignore him.

I have heard Disney is involved in all kinds of shady stuff - I have no idea if it's true or not but here's the thing, in the business world - to get as prominent & successful as Disney is.....maybe some shady stuff had to have happened at some point if you know what I mean. Very seldom does Pollyanna get ahead in this world we live in.

So take the doofus w/ a grain of salt & enjoy your Trader Joe bars bc we can't let haters question our DL love. I live w/ one, it's an uphill battle. BTW - I LOVE Trader Joes!

 

[Gisele]

I know that I would have have expected to hear that from a stranger either, especially not in my local Trader Joe's!
The upside is, in a few days you will be enjoying DL with your family. To where this stranger, either has not been to DL. or will not be visiting again, in either case, that is sad for him.
I have heard of claims such as those before. The subject deals with the entertainment industry, and the minors that work in it. It of course, is not one that solely deals with any one corporation. I cannot say that I see that particular term as fitting for any aspect of Disney marketing or P/R work. I would not worry about it. People will always see whatever it is that they wish to see. Even if the truth is looking right at them.

Here is wishing you and your family a great, fun and wonderful trip and visit to Disneyland!

 

[alvernon90]

I've never heard about "second biggest" seller, but there have been plenty of complaints along those lines. Some of the movies put out by Disney-owned companies (like Mirimax) are pretty adult-themed.

More than that, there is a line of criticism (at least partly valid, in my view) that Disney sells sex to the tween crowd. For an excellent satire of this viewpoint see the episode of South Park called "The Ring" from earlier this season. It features Mickey Mouse describing all the ways that Disney sexualizes the Jonas Brothers for their pre-sexual fans and declaring "when little girls' [private parts] tingle, I make money!" Be warned that it is very offensive, but when you look past the shock humor you can see the outline of a pretty strong argument.

Still, the guy you met at TJ's is just a jerk.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

People are just unbelieveable!

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh man, I would have come back with something. Something like "How would you know? Do you buy it all?" and then called him a loser or something similar. LOL I can't stand people who make lame remarks like that. Sure Disney owns other movie companies but to say that is just lame.

 

[Boo Bear]

Second biggest? Um, doubtful. I do know, however, that there are some perverted things incorporated into some of the movies from the 90s. I have a VHS copy of the Little Mermaid and if you look in the center of Triton's castle you'll find a surprise, lets just say. I think it's hilarious IMO.

How rude though... that people go out of their way to say things like that? I pity that man.

 

[Leshaface]

Wow! This is crazy cuz I know a TON of people who won't buy disney merchandise, or anything affiliated with Disney because of this! I thought they were just making this up!

 

[bumbershoot]

There's a big snopes article about the things that people see in some of the movies, FYI. Good stuff!


I think it's funny that someone at a large, national, corporate store would be going off about corporations. I shop at TJs and I know they treat their employees well, but in my experience they are kinda sneaky for vegetarians (they've gotten better, but I've still had to take things back for ingredients I never expected).

It's sorta like the silliness in "You've Got Mail". Meg's character RAILS against the corporate bookstore...but WHERE EXACTLY does she get her coffee? Hmm? Note: it's not an independently owned, one-store, coffee shop.

 

[KrazyKat4DIS]

I, too, have friends that are Disney haters due to not liking big corporations (not the pornography angle, or at least they have never said that). My argument to them, especially when it comes to the theme parks, is that, yes, Disney is a large corporation, but they put out a darn fine product. There is no other amusement/theme park in the WORLD that can rival the Disney parks. So, is it really so awful to enjoy it? We live in a capitalistic society where people are making money doing shady things left and right. At least at Disneyland I am enjoying myself 100% and will gladly pay 500 bucks for my delicious churro!

 

[Sherry E]

Second biggest? Um, doubtful. I do know, however, that there are some perverted things incorporated into some of the movies from the 90s. I have a VHS copy of the Little Mermaid and if you look in the center of Triton's castle you'll find a surprise, lets just say. I think it's hilarious IMO.

How rude though... that people go out of their way to say things like that? I pity that man.

I have seen it! I have that old copy of the Little Mermaid and sure enough, the Castle has a little extra.....uh.....pep to it, let's say!

 

[Albort]

hahahahahahahahahaa... i totally get that one... Though im not sure why 2nd largest or anything like that.

I do believe its just a joke though...

 

[blackjackdelta]

Dude!! Was the guy my HUSBAND??

Sorry - DH is a DL hater in a big way. I just ignore him.

I have heard Disney is involved in all kinds of shady stuff - I have no idea if it's true or not but here's the thing, in the business world - to get as prominent & successful as Disney is.....maybe some shady stuff had to have happened at some point if you know what I mean. Very seldom does Pollyanna get ahead in this world we live in.

So take the doofus w/ a grain of salt & enjoy your Trader Joe bars bc we can't let haters question our DL love. I live w/ one, it's an uphill battle. BTW - I LOVE Trader Joes!

Not to be nosey, but why does he HATE Disney?

Jack

 

[Leofoenget]

I probalby would have turned the tables on him by saying "cool I'm always looking to add to my collection, I'll check it out!" Understand I'm being sarcastic I am NOT INTO PORN. but it would have taken the sting out of his comment

 

[teatime]

Second biggest? Um, doubtful. I do know, however, that there are some perverted things incorporated into some of the movies from the 90s. I have a VHS copy of the Little Mermaid and if you look in the center of Triton's castle you'll find a surprise, lets just say. I think it's hilarious IMO.

How rude though... that people go out of their way to say things like that? I pity that man.

Ok, I want to know whats in tritons castle really I do I can see disney sexualizes a lot of music for the tween set, I never let my little girl listen to it but she is old enough now. I think some of that stuff is to out there for little girls. but again I love disneyland so it evens out

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

More than that, there is a line of criticism (at least partly valid, in my view) that Disney sells sex to the tween crowd. For an excellent satire of this viewpoint see the episode of South Park called "The Ring" from earlier this season. It features Mickey Mouse describing all the ways that Disney sexualizes the Jonas Brothers for their pre-sexual fans and declaring "when little girls' [private parts] tingle, I make money!" Be warned that it is very offensive, but when you look past the shock humor you can see the outline of a pretty strong argument.

I saw that episode. Especially being a Disney AND a JB fan, I thought it was hilarious.

That guy at TJ was a jerk. I wonder if he says that to everyone he sees wearing some sort of Disney items.

 

[PinkBudgie]

When I used to take my twin babies out shopping, I discovered how many people there are in the world who feel it is their duty to blurt out to you whatever comes to mind. This guy sounds like he is from the same camp. Just be thankful he isn't a relative!

 

[Sherry E]

Ok, I want to know whats in tritons castle really I do I can see disney sexualizes a lot of music for the tween set, I never let my little girl listen to it but she is old enough now. I think some of that stuff is to out there for little girls. but again I love disneyland so it evens out

Let's just say that some artists got creative and clever with Triton's Castle and it has a sort of elongated 'shape' that can be seen in it....just to give it some extra oomph!

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I was told by close friends who are LDS that Disney is the biggest promoter of beer and hard drinks. Ok, so I bit, why? Disney ownes ESPN and they have beer commercials.

They have never been to Disney and never will. I go when I have enough extra cash and want to spent it on Disney.

They are worried about getting a planet, me, I just want to enjoy life and Disney.

 

[mechurchlady]

They have the restaurants at Epcot that sell booze as well as DCA which has lots of booze. There is the Food and Wine festival in DCA and one like that in Epcot. Considering how many sites are owned by Disney and how many sell booze I would not doubt that they are the biggest seller of booze in the world, lol.

You can find sinful stuff as well as moral stories in many Disney films but I just watch the films for the art.