The "Boy" Factor....I Don't Get It.

[WaltD4Me]

I have a question, because I have truly never understood the complaint that there isn't enough for boys at WDW. Other than Fantasyland...which lends itself to castles and princesses like Frontierland lends itself to cowboys and the Old West and the stores/shops...which I admit are both definitely more girl orientated...even with Philharmagic, Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh and Dumbo in FL, to ME, there is quite alot for boys just about everywhere else.

I'm planning a trip right now for myself and my 8 year old nephew. I am having NO trouble at all planning things to do and finding attractions he'll enjoy. There is all of Frontierland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland. There is Epcot and Animal Kingdom...2 parks that IMHO are equally appealling to boys and girls and DHS, which to me is more boy orientated.

I will admit the shops and stores are stuffed full of Princess merchandise, but that is because girls like to SHOP. I've taken my nieces to Disney and we could very happily spend the day shopping and never step foot onto an attraction...I know that isn't going to work with my nephew. He'll humor me a little when it comes to the shopping, but he won't have nearly as many "Pleeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaase, I HAVE to have this!" moments. A t-shirt, a few pins, maybe a stuffed animal and maybe a toy or two and he'll be done. As in..."Can we gooooooooooooooooo now? I wanna go on Test Track!" Is this because the boy stuff isn't as good as the girl stuff? I really don't think so, I think it's because girls like to SHOP. My nephew would rather go to the pool than Toys R Us and for sure rather than any clothing store, boy, girl or otherwise.

I was reading a thread on the Rumors board earlier about the Fantasyland expansion. One poster said they love Disney, but they have 3 young boys and since Disney decided to focus on more Princess stuff they won't be going to Disney anymore. Not enough for her boys to do. I've also read lots of threads on the Theme Parks board complaining about the same thing. I'm sorry, I just don't get it.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I was reading that thread as well. I think that perhaps it isn't so much that there aren't "boy things" abounding at Disney but that the people who feel that way maybe have more interest in themes/rides that Disney doesn't offer thus making them take the move to Universal or what have you. I have 4 kids 2 girls two boys they all love Disney even the 15 year old boy.

 

[bear_mom]

I wonder about this also.........

One thing I think they are lacking in, is a boy specific character meal. But the parks in general.......

Emily

 

[DizzyFORDisney]

I have a question, because I have truly never understood the complaint that there isn't enough for boys at WDW. Other than Fantasyland...which lends itself to castles and princesses like Frontierland lends itself to cowboys and the Old West and the stores/shops...which I admit are both definitely more girl orientated...even with Philharmagic, Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh and Dumbo in FL, to ME, there is quite alot for boys just about everywhere else.

I'm planning a trip right now for myself and my 8 year old nephew. I am having NO trouble at all planning things to do and finding attractions he'll enjoy. There is all of Frontierland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland. There is Epcot and Animal Kingdom...2 parks that IMHO are equally appealling to boys and girls and DHS, which to me is more boy orientated.

I will admit the shops and stores are stuffed full of Princess merchandise, but that is because girls like to SHOP. I've taken my nieces to Disney and we could very happily spend the day shopping and never step foot onto an attraction...I know that isn't going to work with my nephew. He'll humor me a little when it comes to the shopping, but he won't have nearly as many "Pleeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaase, I HAVE to have this!" moments. A t-shirt, a few pins, maybe a stuffed animal and maybe a toy or two and he'll be done. As in..."Can we gooooooooooooooooo now? I wanna go on Test Track!" Is this because the boy stuff isn't as good as the girl stuff? I really don't think so, I think it's because girls like to SHOP. My nephew would rather go to the pool than Toys R Us and for sure rather than any clothing store, boy, girl or otherwise.

I was reading a thread on the Rumors board earlier about the Fantasyland expansion. One poster said they love Disney, but they have 3 young boys and since Disney decided to focus on more Princess stuff they won't be going to Disney anymore. Not enough for her boys to do. I've also read lots of threads on the Theme Parks board complaining about the same thing. I'm sorry, I just don't get it.

I TOTALLY agree with you! We've got 4 sons so I speak from experience!!

 

[sociologygirl]

I agree, as the mother of 2 boys that "boy things" abound at Disney! I think the complaint stems from the idea that "girl" things are "just" for girls, but "boy" things are seen as somehow neutral (and normal). Glad I'm not the only one baffled by this complaint. It's maybe just that we see so much more "boy" stuff generally because girls will consume "boy" media at high rates but not vice versa.

 

[kaligal]

People say this because their boys are kind of blah about returning to Disney.

 

[Poohbug]

It's not that there is nothing to do for boys at WDW. I have taken my boys to WDW many times and I'm sure we will go again. That being said, it seems like Princess/Fairies/Character meals are advertised big and in your face all of the time. You just have to look a little harder to find those things that really appeal to boys.

The new Fantasyland was just overrun with princess. It is a pretty big area of stuff that boys will have no interest in. I have rarely found a boy over 4 that want to be a prince, no matter how Disney wants to twist FL plans to be non-gender.

It's just a fact that boys cannot do "girly" activities but girls can participate in "boy" or "girl" activities. Boys do not go to BBB but plenty of girls go to Pirates League. This is not Disney's fault but it can get irritating for those of us with only boys.

Disney is aware that they need more products that appeal to boys. Pixar, Marvel, POTC are all good efforts to appeal more to boys.

I admit, sometimes I complain about the focus on princess stuff but I am actually grateful that I do not have to stand in those long lines for pics and autographs and I am really grateful not to have to shell out the big $$$ for BBB.

 

[PinkBudgie]

DLR vet with two boys here. It just means you save money and don't have to buy princess meals and dresses! Those of you with boys, come on over to DCA in 2012! Carsland is looking pretty cool for boys AND girls!

 

[WaltD4Me]

The new Fantasyland was just overrun with princess. It is a pretty big area of stuff that boys will have no interest in. I have rarely found a boy over 4 that want to be a prince, no matter how Disney wants to twist FL plans to be non-gender.

It's just a fact that boys cannot do "girly" activities but girls can participate in "boy" or "girl" activities. Boys do not go to BBB but plenty of girls go to Pirates League. This is not Disney's fault but it can get irritating for those of us with only boys.

I completely understand what you are saying about the new Fantasyland, especially with the individual Princess meet areas, but out of curiousity, what would you put there for boys? Like you said, they don't want to be princes and FL is just about castles and princes, princesses, ect...I really thought about it and I don't know what they could do in FL to make it more boyish. I thought the interactive Dumbo area looked pretty cool, but in the realm of castles, kings, queens, ect... what could you do to appeal to the boys?

As for the girls doing boy things, I thought of that myself. I can't think of a whole lot that is strictly exclusively BOY. I guess the Marvel characters come the closest. Boys don't go to BBB, but I would also say not that many go to Pirates Leauge either...being that they are offering discounts there, I'm guessing it isn't doing as well as BBB. But boys aren't nearly as into dress up, so even if girls didn't do Pirates Leauge, I don't think boys would like it any better. People talk about Universal having WWofHP for boys, but I think HP is just as popular with boys and girls, maybe a little more with boys, but plenty of girls are into HP too.

 

[EKW]

I think this is due to the fact that the changes at the Disneys seem to be directed at girls...changing the MEP to highlight fairies, giving each of the "princesses" a tent at MK, the bippidy-boppedy whatever make-overs, etc.

It's not easy to interact with a car...a car isn't going to put it's arm around you, etc. And, yes, since they offer pirate make-overs to girls, too, that kind of ruins that.

But, more than all this, it is the fact that what they offer for boys tends to be for boys up to the age of 6 or so. My boys would love an adventure breakfast...bring out Indy and the Storm Troopers and Darth Vader, etc. Seriously! Princesses and the fuzzy characters appeal to girls up to adolescence...most of the things they offer for boys only appeal to little boys.

My boys love Star Wars and Indiana Jones. They got a kick out of the Soldiers from Toy Story. I let them do the Star Wars photo...kind of crazy, almost $40 for 2 polaroid-sized digital photos.

However, as another mom said, I am SO glad I have sons! We don't waste time standing in line to meet characters. I don't waste time and money on "foo-foo" stuff. The more families with girls that Disney can distract away from the rides, the better for those of us who who are riding!

 

[Mississippianna]

I sometimes resent that Disney assumes little girls are only into princesses and fairies. Wouldn't a Pixar characters meal be awesome? Toy Story, Up, Monsters Inc, Bugs Life! (Says the mom who buys the boy Pull-Ups because her daughter always asks for Buzz & Woody. She always looks at them and says "Where's Jessie?")

 

[shellynn24]

I sometimes resent that Disney assumes little girls are only into princesses and fairies. Wouldn't a Pixar characters meal be awesome? Toy Story, Up, Monsters Inc, Bugs Life! (Says the mom who buys the boy Pull-Ups because her daughter always asks for Buzz & Woody. She always looks at them and says "Where's Jessie?")

I agree with the Toy Story character meal idea.


My son (8) still loves Disney. I think its a matter of children subconsiously absorbing our adult opinions. If the parents feel that something is "girly" and not for boys then the sons are going to feel that and start believing it. My son does everything my daughters do, but the girls have to do all the pirate and Star Wars stuff too. They all appreciate every aspect because that is how I want them to feel. As my son gets older, he practically runs from getting a picture with a princess I think he is afraid he might get a kiss or something... That is fine with me, he just waits with the stroller till the girls are done. As we say in the Army...he "sucks it up and drives on". And if we find Buzz Lightyear or something like that, if the girls don't want to get a picture the same rule applies.

 

[KatMark]

I have a question, because I have truly never understood the complaint that there isn't enough for boys at WDW. Other than Fantasyland...which lends itself to castles and princesses like Frontierland lends itself to cowboys and the Old West and the stores/shops...which I admit are both definitely more girl orientated...even with Philharmagic, Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh and Dumbo in FL, to ME, there is quite alot for boys just about everywhere else.

I'm planning a trip right now for myself and my 8 year old nephew. I am having NO trouble at all planning things to do and finding attractions he'll enjoy. There is all of Frontierland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland. There is Epcot and Animal Kingdom...2 parks that IMHO are equally appealling to boys and girls and DHS, which to me is more boy orientated.

I will admit the shops and stores are stuffed full of Princess merchandise, but that is because girls like to SHOP. I've taken my nieces to Disney and we could very happily spend the day shopping and never step foot onto an attraction...I know that isn't going to work with my nephew. He'll humor me a little when it comes to the shopping, but he won't have nearly as many "Pleeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaase, I HAVE to have this!" moments. A t-shirt, a few pins, maybe a stuffed animal and maybe a toy or two and he'll be done. As in..."Can we gooooooooooooooooo now? I wanna go on Test Track!" Is this because the boy stuff isn't as good as the girl stuff? I really don't think so, I think it's because girls like to SHOP. My nephew would rather go to the pool than Toys R Us and for sure rather than any clothing store, boy, girl or otherwise.

I was reading a thread on the Rumors board earlier about the Fantasyland expansion. One poster said they love Disney, but they have 3 young boys and since Disney decided to focus on more Princess stuff they won't be going to Disney anymore. Not enough for her boys to do. I've also read lots of threads on the Theme Parks board complaining about the same thing. I'm sorry, I just don't get it.

I totally agree with you. Although "my" boys are now 24 and 22, they NEVER had problems with finding something to do at Disney when they traveled with us. They LOVED every attraction they went on--when they were young they actually preferred Epcot over the MK and when the Studios opened up they were in heaven. They loved swimming at the resorts.

 

[JenM]

I sometimes resent that Disney assumes little girls are only into princesses and fairies. Wouldn't a Pixar characters meal be awesome? Toy Story, Up, Monsters Inc, Bugs Life! (Says the mom who buys the boy Pull-Ups because her daughter always asks for Buzz & Woody. She always looks at them and says "Where's Jessie?")

LOL...I loved Star Wars when I was little, but they made nothing for girls! And if they did, it was Princess Leia related. I wanted stuff with Luke Skywalker and Han Solo on it!

I think it's the expansion that's getting people annoyed. There's plenty of stuff there for boys, in fact, I think most of the park is pretty gender-neutral.

We're planning to take what will be my almost 4-year-old nephew on his first trip next year. He's crazy about Mickey Mouse and the gang because he loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...but now Toontown will be gone (and I was SO excited to take him to Mickey's house!).

I know the Pooh's Playful Spot wasn't much, but he loves those characters too...and that is already gone.

It just seems like the only thing coming are more princesses, which I know he won't be interested in, at least not compared to what was there.

I thought it was great that they were giving MK an update, the princess stuff will be great for the girls....but where's the new stuff for the boys? You can't tell me there's nothing from Pixar that would make great theme park material to go with this expansion.

Between my nephew, little cousins, and in-law cousins, my family currently has 7 boys all under the age of 8. I can tell you right now they won't enjoy princess m&gs.

How awesome would it be for WDW to also get a Cars Land? Or a Buzz and Woody (who my nephew is obsessed with!) character meal? Or finally put in that Monsters Inc coaster that's been rumored for years?

WDW is great, I don't they'd be bored there with what they have now at all, but it would be nice to see what else they have planned for the place.

 

[TheBeadPirate]

With the Fantasyland make-over I would have loved to see something added from Sword in the Stone, or Black Cauldron, or Robin Hood. I know these are "old school" Disney, but who doesn't have at least one of these at home on DVD? They'd really play to the "boy-gender neutral" side (says the grown up tomboy). A TSM type ride based on Robin Hood (especially the archery scenes) would be a great possibility. They already have the sword in the stone that they don't really do anything with- build on it and incorporate it into a dark ride or a flight ride- something!

Just saying, there's something with potential for Fantasyland that's not princess related that's just being skipped over.... and really, it's a shame.

 

[AJRitz]

I don't think that the problem is an overall lack of boy-interest activities. It think it's more of an impression that all of the "new stuff" is targeted to girls. Fantasyland is a bit of an extreme example - the largest expansion of the parks in some time, and the whole thing is focused on fairies and princesses. Frontierland is cool and boy-friendly - but it's been unchanged for decades now.

Disney has lots of great boy-centered intellectual property to work with here, but they seem content to focus on the princesses and fairies. Where is the long-rumored Monsters, Inc. door scene coaster for DHS? Where is the Cars presence (even a re-theme of Tomorrowland Speedway would help)? Where is the character meal for boys (there are at least three featured princess meals - CRT, Akershaus, and 1900 Park Faire, to which the Be Our Guest restaurant will be added with the expansion)?

Even the boy-interest things that would fit just fine in Fantasyland are either missing or downplayed. The only nod to Sword in the Stone is the "hidden magic" of the attempt to pull out the sword. Robin Hood is nowhere to be found. Pinocchio's only presence is a restaurant. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is gone and being replaced by a Mermaid. Pete's Dragon is nowhere to be found (except as a float in the visiting Main Street Electrical Parade). And no. "Pirate" everything is not a balance with the princesses.

All that said, I still think WDW is a great place for children regardless of gender. But it's harder to keep boys engaged for repeat visits when the appearance is that WDW is catering to their sisters.

 

[Poohbug]

I completely understand what you are saying about the new Fantasyland, especially with the individual Princess meet areas, but out of curiousity, what would you put there for boys? Like you said, they don't want to be princes and FL is just about castles and princes, princesses, ect...I really thought about it and I don't know what they could do in FL to make it more boyish. I thought the interactive Dumbo area looked pretty cool, but in the realm of castles, kings, queens, ect... what could you do to appeal to the boys?

As for the girls doing boy things, I thought of that myself. I can't think of a whole lot that is strictly exclusively BOY. I guess the Marvel characters come the closest. Boys don't go to BBB, but I would also say not that many go to Pirates Leauge either...being that they are offering discounts there, I'm guessing it isn't doing as well as BBB. But boys aren't nearly as into dress up, so even if girls didn't do Pirates Leauge, I don't think boys would like it any better. People talk about Universal having WWofHP for boys, but I think HP is just as popular with boys and girls, maybe a little more with boys, but plenty of girls are into HP too.

I thinks it's just that the princess meet and greets and villages seem to be so expansive and take up a lot of room. In reality, I'm sure Disney can do this in a relatively small area. The whole new FL is all about girls, it's almost like they are dissin' the boys. Maybe something to do with jousting or an interactive quest (like Kim Possible). I'm sure a group of imagineers would be able to come up with something good that would appeal to boys.

Either way, I will still take family vacations at WDW and I am excited to check out DLR.

 

[HawkeyeThad]

I'm 32 now, and I remember being kind of blah about Disney when I was in my teens. Loved it before then, and I still love it now, but there were a few years where I wanted to do other things. Now that I'm older, I still love traditional amusement parks with giant roller coasters, but there's something about Disney that draws me back there several times a year. I think that Disney knows they lose some people for a few years to places like Universal and Busch Gardens, and they want to make it so they never actually leave. I can understand people's comments about the "boy" factor.

 

[mom2aandj]

There is lots for boys to do, but I continue to be shocked that Disney has not seized the obvious character meal opportunities and added a Pirates meal, a Toy Story Meal, and a Star Wars meal. I think all 3 would be hugely popular and would make it not look like all their new efforts were going towards more princess meals! And my DS would absolutely have loved the Villains meal they did away with (apparently because complained it was too scary?)

 

[WaltD4Me]

There is lots for boys to do, but I continue to be shocked that Disney has not seized the obvious character meal opportunities and added a Pirates meal, a Toy Story Meal, and a Star Wars meal. I think all 3 would be hugely popular and would make it not look like all their new efforts were going towards more princess meals! And my DS would absolutely have loved the Villains meal they did away with (apparently because complained it was too scary?)

I agree 100% and never understood this either. Any of these character meals would be great. I love TS, but I think it would be better to go with Star Wars or Pirates to appeal to a little bit older kids too. Or how about a Pirates meal in MK and a Pixar or Star Wars one at DHS. I wonder why there isn't any? What Disney's reasoning is for not creating one. They are definitely aware of the "boy issue" and I'm sure they know people are asking for these characters at a character meal, I wonder they haven't given it try yet?