So few kids

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Look at how they barely make any G rated movies now, or even PG if it's not animated. Granted, some things that get PG-13 ratings now would probably have gotten PG 20 years ago, but the fact is PG is seen as box-office poison as they think that target demo will dismiss it.

That's a fairly complicated subject though because how the rating structure was in the past isn't how it is now. It's hard to compare that. Plus Disney in the past had different film studios to separate their content into and right now they really don't it's Pixar, LucasFilm, Disney, Marvel so is it really that Disney is making PG-13 or R movies more than in the past or that they no longer have Buena Vista or Touchtone to separate out? I think that's the perception because people see Disney as the distributor and say "why are you making this more adult film" but Disney has been making these films for a long time, people just didn't necessarily realize or know it was Disney behind them due to the studios they were released under.

Although I think it's fair people will see Star Wars as being fairly adult like given the content of genocide, murdering people left and right and good vs evil all of which themes are a bit adult like to say the least. That may be a reason why putting in a ride that all could physically ride may have not been their choice. They know for sure kids enjoy Star Wars but in looking at money and attractions that may not have been a good ROI. However, I had a complaint in DLR that I felt it needed a show or something to fill in the gaps in space in that land as it felt lacking in that option, a show could have at least appealed more to the younger crowd.

 

[BrianL]

That's a fairly complicated subject though because how the rating structure was in the past isn't how it is now. It's hard to compare that. Plus Disney in the past had different film studios to separate their content into and right now they really don't it's Pixar, LucasFilm, Disney, Marvel so is it really that Disney is making PG-13 or R movies more than in the past or that they no longer have Buena Vista or Touchtone to separate out? I think that's the perception because people see Disney as the distributor and say "why are you making this more adult film" but Disney has been making these films for a long time, people just didn't necessarily realize or know it was Disney behind them due to the studios they were released under.

Although I think it's fair people will see Star Wars as being fairly adult like given the content of genocide, murdering people left and right and good vs evil all of which themes are a bit adult like to say the least. That may be a reason why putting in a ride that all could physically ride may have not been their choice. They know for sure kids enjoy Star Wars but in looking at money and attractions that may not have been a good ROI. However, I had a complaint in DLR that I felt it needed a show or something to fill in the gaps in space in that land as it felt lacking in that option, a show could have at least appealed more to the younger crowd.

Yeah, the rating system certianly has changed, and largely I DON'T think Disney is guilty of "aging up" their content. Movies that would have been G in the past are now PG and ones that would have been PG (aks Star Wars) are PG-13, despite the fact that the content is similar. That said, there is a trend right now to age up a lot fo properties in order to "legitimize" them for the older audiences that spend the money on the collectibles and such associated with them. Comic books are a huge example of where this has happened - they make the primary comics about, say, Superman, as very vioelnt and mature, and not really appropriate for an 8 year old at all. Then they might publish some that are geared for kids, but they are so much simplified that they couldn't possibly appeal to older kids or adults - it's liek they put no effort into them. Of course those character have become big business at the movies, but they definitely target older audiences. The MCU gets it reasonably right though I can see that it's a little more mature than maybe it has to be - DC though skews very much into the edgier and grittier, even R-rated stuff. I just lament the loss of the "8 to 80" content that is what a lot of that stuff used to represent, but the money is in the 18 to 45 demo.

 

[starlite_]

Yeah, the rating system certianly has changed, and largely I DON'T think Disney is guilty of "aging up" their content. Movies that would have been G in the past are now PG and ones that would have been PG (aks Star Wars) are PG-13, despite the fact that the content is similar. That said, there is a trend right now to age up a lot fo properties in order to "legitimize" them for the older audiences that spend the money on the collectibles and such associated with them. Comic books are a huge example of where this has happened - they make the primary comics about, say, Superman, as very vioelnt and mature, and not really appropriate for an 8 year old at all. Then they might publish some that are geared for kids, but they are so much simplified that they couldn't possibly appeal to older kids or adults - it's liek they put no effort into them. Of course those character have become big business at the movies, but they definitely target older audiences. The MCU gets it reasonably right though I can see that it's a little more mature than maybe it has to be - DC though skews very much into the edgier and grittier, even R-rated stuff. I just lament the loss of the "8 to 80" content that is what a lot of that stuff used to represent, but the money is in the 18 to 45 demo.

I wonder how much of this is a vicious cycle. The latest generation of kids in my family outgrew of toys like action figures at a much faster rate that the previous one. My youngest cousin was watching R rated films or shows since they were like 10 or so. How much of that is that content for kids in general has been dumbed down vs kids wanting to see grown up stuff and having much easier access to it now with streaming services? And if any, how much of kids not watching dumb down kids shows is influencing the lack of that in-between content? As an outsider looking in, it seems like current content made is either for toddlers or for everyone else.

I don't know the answer but you are right that the shift is def noticeable. And that's not even counting the endless necromancy of IPs instead of making new ones.

 

[BrianL]

I wonder how much of this is a vicious cycle. The latest generation of kids in my family outgrew of toys like action figures at a much faster rate that the previous one. My youngest cousin was watching R rated films or shows since they were like 10 or so. How much of that is that content for kids in general has been dumbed down vs kids wanting to see grown up stuff and having much easier access to it now with streaming services? And if any, how much of kids not watching dumb down kids shows is influencing the lack of that in-between content? As an outsider looking in, it seems like current content made is either for toddlers or for everyone else.

I don't know the answer but you are right that the shift is def noticeable. And that's not even counting the endless necromancy of IPs instead of making new ones.

Exactly. As a big comics fan, I ahve seen it played out in that microcosm (but it applies elsewhere). They geared the comics older to chase the aging readers, but eliminated the options for new readers of a younger age. then they publish dumbed down "all ages" comics, but the kids don't want to read those, they want to read about the "real" Batman or Captain America. Kids know when they are being pandered to. The end result is that the kids' books don't sell, and the other books now can't be sold to younger audiences, thus actually shrinking the potential pool of buyers. They they lament that sales are lower than they used to be, double down on keeping the still aging readers, and the cycle repeats, leaving the younger audiences out in the cold.

Myself though, as a lifelong reader, would prefer the books still be age appropriate as I think they can still tell great and complex stories without the need to be so...well, you know.

 

[starlite_]

Exactly. As a big comics fan, I ahve seen it played out in that microcosm (but it applies elsewhere). They geared the comics older to chase the aging readers, but eliminated the options for new readers of a younger age. then they publish dumbed down "all ages" comics, but the kids don't want to read those, they want to read about the "real" Batman or Captain America. Kids know when they are being pandered to. The end result is that the kids' books don't sell, and the other books now can't be sold to younger audiences, thus actually shrinking the potential pool of buyers. They they lament that sales are lower than they used to be, double down on keeping the still aging readers, and the cycle repeats, leaving the younger audiences out in the cold.

Myself though, as a lifelong reader, would prefer the books still be age appropriate as I think they can still tell great and complex stories without the need to be so...well, you know.

100% agree, kids are so smart. It's a disservice to them that some ppl don't think they can handle complex subjects. Complex doesn't need to be mature.

 

[BrianL]

100% agree, kids are so smart. It's a disservice to them that some ppl don't think they can handle complex subjects. Complex doesn't need to be mature.

Exactly! Also, there's nothing wrong with being less complex when warranted too. I would say the perfect tone is that of a Pixar movie, simple on the surface but with layers too. Even a simple morality play can have a little nuance.

 

[bookgirl]

Most schools are back in person and it's traditionally 'slow' season. I would expect to see more adults (expecially at Epcot with a festival) then kids.

 

[HopperFan]

Exactly! Also, there's nothing wrong with being less complex when warranted too. I would say the perfect tone is that of a Pixar movie, simple on the surface but with layers too. Even a simple morality play can have a little nuance.

One success that Pixar has had is the ability to mix in adult humor that goes over most kids' heads while keeping the story family friendly. While we are all adults, my DS#1 functions as a child so we still go to Disney / family friendly movies with him. It is so appreciated when the movie is enjoyed by us as well vs going to a kids' movie that is only enjoyable for the 9 and under group. Pixar has a fan following of all ages aka the ability to monetize more.

In the end Disney has taken the entire company down a path of looking at what demographics are the most profitable.

 

[BrianL]

One success that Pixar has had is the ability to mix in adult humor that goes over most kids' heads while keeping the story family friendly. While we are all adults, my DS#1 functions as a child so we still go to Disney / family friendly movies with him. It is so appreciated when the movie is enjoyed by us as well vs going to a kids' movie that is only enjoyable for the 9 and under group. Pixar has a fan following of all ages aka the ability to monetize more.

In the end Disney has taken the entire company down a path of looking at what demographics are the most profitable.

That is exactly what I meant by "8 to 80" though the actual thought is even less restrictive than that. Things can appeal to everybody, and that's just fine.

 

[snikki]

A family Disney trip is expensive. I keep going to Disney because my son is almost done college and has no desire to do Disney right now. So I go with DD. When my daughter goes on her senior trip or is off in college DH and I have adult only plans and I will still do trips with DD if she wants. It’s much cheaper and more comfortable (on-site room sizes) to go with two people. If I was still going as a family of 4 we most likely wouldn’t be doing Disney.

I also think people found so many more family friendly vacation destinations during the pandemic like national parks. They may be going to those places now too.

 

[tbssenterprises]

I was there Feb 7-10 and the parks were PACKED with kids. Young kids.....mostly in strollers, not really school age.....but trust me, there were strollers everywhere....

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

We have been going a handful of times since end of August and have noticed far less school age kids as well. Still quite a few younger but even then most of the time the stroller parking is not nearly as crammed full as pre covid. There does seem to be more adults going now then familes. But with the current economy it might stay like that for awhile, many families just can't afford to do so right now.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I was there Feb 7-10 and the parks were PACKED with kids. Young kids.....mostly in strollers, not really school age.....but trust me, there were strollers everywhere....

Yea, we saw exactly the same thing in late January. We saw no shortage of kids, especially at MK and AK. Perhaps less at the EPCOT Arts Festival - probably due to the 'adult' aspects of that park right now.

 

[BrightMorningStar]

Well, it's also not a school break time and one of the least busy times of year tradiitonally, so that may have something to do with it.

In the past that never mattered. People have always taken their kids out of school for Disney vacationing.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

I have noticed far less school age kids since we have been in August. Still a fair amount of little kids but even then the stroller parking is busy but not slammed packed like in the past. It has really felt like a different crowd of people, I see far less first visit buttons also.

 

[bbeagle]

Yeah, the rating system certianly has changed, and largely I DON'T think Disney is guilty of "aging up" their content. Movies that would have been G in the past are now PG and ones that would have been PG (aks Star Wars) are PG-13, despite the fact that the content is similar.

It's also the opposite. I've got to watch G and PG rated 1980s movies myself again before allowing my 6-year old to see them.

Like, cool, E.T. - that was a great movie, let's show it to my 6-year old ... then in the first 10 minutes a kid calls another kid '***** breath'. I don't need my 6 year old to hear that and repeat it! There's F-Bombs in movies like 'Big'. Tom and Jerry go around attacking each other with knives! There's an oral sex scene in Ghostbusters!

Kids movies nowadays will have none of that. They'll call each other stupid, and cartoon characters in shows meant for kids won't chase each other with knives. The main reason I care is that a 6-year old will copy what he sees. A 10-year old can handle things better.

 

[BrianL]

It's also the opposite. I've got to watch G and PG rated 1980s movies myself again before allowing my 6-year old to see them.

Like, cool, E.T. - that was a great movie, let's show it to my 6-year old ... then in the first 10 minutes a kid calls another kid '***** breath'. I don't need my 6 year old to hear that and repeat it! There's F-Bombs in movies like 'Big'. Tom and Jerry go around attacking each other with knives! There's an oral sex scene in Ghostbusters!

Kids movies nowadays will have none of that. They'll call each other stupid, and cartoon characters in shows meant for kids won't chase each other with knives. The main reason I care is that a 6-year old will copy what he sees. A 10-year old can handle things better.

I dunno. I mean, I get your point, but I watched Tom & Jerry when I was 6 and younger and never once imitated it. I think that's where the "Parental Guidance" comes in.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It's also the opposite. I've got to watch G and PG rated 1980s movies myself again

We just watched Cool Runnings last night with our Disney group (we watch movies virtually all together nearly every week as a group). It's a PG move made in 1993. There's some profanity in there, some references to sexual content, a smoking joke, etc. here's the IMDb webpage for it where you can see the exact references :https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106611/parentalguide?ref_=tt_stry_pg

Interestingly on that page you can see how other countries rate it. In Canada for instance it's rated G suitable for all ages.

I think if we all looked at movies we grew up on we might be surprised at just what was in it and the corresponding rating at that time. I think in my comments before what I was more trying to get at is with the ratings changing the same movie might have a different rating theoretically if it were rated now. Some movies would have been bumped down a rating due to increased allowances in what makes up a certain rating and some would be bumped up due to decreased allowances in what makes up a certain rating. These ratings are determined in a societal way, changing as society changes and thus go through growths. To use Cool Runnings as an example some of those phrases and how often they are said may increase the rating to PG-13 if viewed today while the viewpoint on the sled crashing may downgrade the viewpoint on the level of violence.

 

[Brocktoon]

This is sort of off topic, but it's interesting to look into the history of why PG-13 came to be in the summer of '84 ... and how much Spielberg probably had to do with it. But basically you'll find some pretty questionable (by today's standards) PG rated films until around '85-86 when the MPAA figured out how to handle the PG-13 rating.

Jaws and Poltergeist are PG!

 

[bbeagle]

I dunno. I mean, I get your point, but I watched Tom & Jerry when I was 6 and younger and never once imitated it. I think that's where the "Parental Guidance" comes in.

Kids brought knives into our high school when I was a kid. I always had a Swiss-army knife. Never an issue. Kids would never THINK to use them to attack another person back then. Now, you're expelled and arrested if you even bring in a knife. Heck, kids even brought in guns sometimes. Scenes from Porky's were re-enacted, there were Kissing Booths. Back then, many things were okay that you'd get arrested for now.

It's just that you can't like, turn on an old movie/cartoon you grew up in from the 1980s, and think it's all innocent because you lived through the movie and didn't act up. Or you acted up, but it was okay back then. Now if you take a naked picture of someone's girlfriend and put it on the bottom of a pie, it's not just teen high-jinks, it's a lot more serious.

What I think I'm saying is that you need to re-watch them so you can re-evalutate it from today's perspective and be able to parent from that - instead of the perspective you remembered.