Whats Wrong with Disney?

[megan2sc]

First of all, I'm well aware of Jonestown. However, in the 36 years since that event took place, drinking the Kool-Aid has entered our lexicon as common figure of speech. It actually predates Jonestown. Secondly, I will never read the HP books. Honestly, I'm 36 and spend all of my time reading historical non-fiction for my classes. If I start reading books that my 7 year old niece is reading, I'll be in real trouble. Not that they aren't wonderful books. Not that they are just for kids. But... I'm also not going to reread The Outsiders or anything by Roald Dahl either.

As a 36 yr old history teacher and a mom to a 7 year old, this post is somewhat depressing.
I and many contemporaries read the hp series when it was released. My baby brother introduced it to me actually. I look forward to reading them again with my kids as I have many other books. Including roald Dahl. If I am ever so immersed in historical nonfiction that I can't enjoy a good novel I hope someone puts me out of my misery.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

Big HP and Disney fan here

The first HP book was published in 1997...so yes the first in the series has been out for 17 years and still going strong!!

I'm 48 and I have read all the HP books and loved them. My kids have read them and all of my nieces and nephews have too, as well as their parents ..The only people I knew who didn't read them was for religious reasons and those people also shunned Disney ( something to do with magic ). These books will always be treasured in our family and when the time comes for grandkids they will be introduced to them too.

Also we are huge Disney fans and have been to both WDW and DL. We do love the parks however we just returned from our first trip back to WDW in 5 years....it has definitely lost it's spark...there is still lots to see and do however there are lots of things that definitely need a refurb and Disney definitely needs to up the game on their rides....Along with WDW we did a split trip to Universal and I will say that hands down the Harry Potter Forbidden Journey ride is the absolute best Theme park ride we have ever experienced!! We we definitely go back to check out the new Diagon Alley area. Next trip will be mostly Universal and maybe a day or two of Disney thrown in for us. We are big HP fans and Disney fans and I hope that the new HP stuff does give Disney that much needed push they need to get something new and exciting in the parks. That would be a win win for us

 

[kbelle8995]

Too bad. I've reread The Outsiders and Fantastic Mr. Fox recently (admittedly, I had to, as I was editing literature guides based on the books) and they are (still) wonderful reads.

But I've always been careful not to shut myself off from certain books or topics without giving them a try. It's a hallmark of the intellectually curious.

That they are. I reread The Great Gatsby every year. And I love books about history. Lucy Worsley is a "new" discovery. I am currently rereading Morning on Horseback by David McCullough.

 

[jhaig]

I feel like this question has been asked over and over again on these boards.

That should speak volumes

 

[luvsJack]

Sorry, I was trying to spare you from having to read the first 15 pages if I could. What I, and others, have been trying to say is that Disney is not in any danger of losing profit or attendance. I have said this so many times on these boards, it should be in my signature:
The world population is rising. Plus, there are and will be increasing numbers of people worldwide who can afford to both fly to and stay at Disney parks. Add that to the brand that is Disney: the characters, the movies, the parks, the merch, etc... Disney does not need to do anything to compete with anyone to make a profit. The only people who are holding up the Dewey Defeats Truman newspapers are on these boards. The average person couldn't locate Universal on a map and when it comes time to take their young kids on vacation, an overwhelming majority choose Disney.

I don't think Disney is going anywhere. I think they will be around forever.

I also think you are wrong about Universal. You would be surprised at the number of people who are planning their first trips to Orlando to include the new Diagon Alley. And the number who go to Disney once and on the return to Orlando pick Universal. Is that hurting Disney. Nahhh. Probably not. If the trend continued, could it? Possible.

Wasn't trying to look down on anything. I just don't have time for pleasure reading. My idea of pleasure reading is "A History of the World in Six Glasses."

I am a high school AP World History teacher and I regularly assign historical non-fiction to the students. Also, I have to do plenty of reading on my own to learn new historical perspectives, etc...
But having said that, let's change the topic before I have to think about work again

Ahhh. Sorry, I misunderstood. Makes sense that your students would read historical non-fiction!

 

[MichiganDVC]

There are also people out there who don't like Disney at all. Feel it's too commercial. I always feel that my love of Star Wars is more acceptable than my affection for Disney these days. I also read the comments after the articles about the couple who loved to go to Disneyland while unemployed and several people accused them (mean I thought) of being child molesters.

There are all kinds in this world. I am just saying that HP has a little more staying power than you think. And If it does worry Disney great. It's better for all us visitors to both parks in the long run.

I didn't say I know for sure that HP doesn't have staying power. I'm just saying I don't hear about it anymore except on these boards.

As for Disney being too commercial, well...of course it is. It is one big commercial. Its movies are for the merch; its merch is for the parks; its parks are for the movies. Of course many people would rather hike through the Ecuadorian rainforest. But as long as adults continue to have children, and as long as they want to take them on vacation, it always ends up being Disney. WDW only needs 60 million visitors a year - out of a population of probably 2 billion people who have the means to vacation there.

 

[DisUniversal]

Sorry, I was trying to spare you from having to read the first 15 pages if I could. What I, and others, have been trying to say is that Disney is not in any danger of losing profit or attendance. I have said this so many times on these boards, it should be in my signature:
The world population is rising. Plus, there are and will be increasing numbers of people worldwide who can afford to both fly to and stay at Disney parks. Add that to the brand that is Disney: the characters, the movies, the parks, the merch, etc... Disney does not need to do anything to compete with anyone to make a profit. The only people who are holding up the Dewey Defeats Truman newspapers are on these boards. The average person couldn't locate Universal on a map and when it comes time to take their young kids on vacation, an overwhelming majority choose Disney.

Disney may not be in any danger of losing profit or attendance, however they almost certainly are going to be sacrificing growth when other parks start increasing attendance at a significantly higher rate. The stock market seems to only care about growth so that is certainly going to make the number cruncher's take a look at what's going on there. It's pretty short sighted and naive to think that Disney doesn't do anything to compete. Let them operate the next 20 years like they have for the past 20 and see what happens.

More people can probably find Universal on a map than Disney because when they come down here, they don't have the luxury of being kidnapped at the airport.

 

[Gottahavemorecowbell]

First of all, I'm well aware of Jonestown. However, in the 36 years since that event took place, drinking the Kool-Aid has entered our lexicon as common figure of speech. It actually predates Jonestown.

Yes, thank you. That was quite an assumption by the pp that you had no clue about the origins of "Kool-Aid." However, I'm sure you appreciated getting a lecture.

 

[PEC]

Who said any of that????? I don't remember anyone mentioning anyone being deprived of anything??? or lives coming to a screeching halt.

We were talking about the longevity of Harry Potter and its popularity and the fact of it being required reading is just pointing to the fact that there will be kids reading HP for a very long time.

And my point is, it is not a required reading on many reading lists. You keep saying it is required reading. It is not for my 7th Grade going to 8th Grade children. And I can add I dont feel my children are deprived if they do not read it. Lots of other great options. Including in this books genre. Will Harry Potter have longevity? Probably. Of course in todays short attention span age the next great author could pop up at any moment and totally make this argument mute.

 

[DisUniversal]

I didn't say I know for sure that HP doesn't have staying power. I'm just saying I don't hear about it anymore except on these boards.

 

[kbelle8995]

I didn't say I know for sure that HP doesn't have staying power. I'm just saying I don't hear about it anymore except on these boards.

As for Disney being too commercial, well...of course it is. It is one big commercial. Its movies are for the merch; its merch is for the parks; its parks are for the movies. Of course many people would rather hike through the Ecuadorian rainforest. But as long as adults continue to have children, and as long as they want to take them on vacation, it always ends up being Disney. WDW only needs 60 million visitors a year - out of a population of probably 2 billion people who have the means to vacation there.

True. It also depends on how much Disney continues to up their prices across the board. There is a growing number of family who view Disney as NOT affordable. Will the parks continue to be crowded sure but how many will be repeat? Right now there are many who don't come on this board, Disney is a once in a lifetime trip.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Too bad. I've reread The Outsiders and Fantastic Mr. Fox recently (admittedly, I had to, as I was editing literature guides based on the books) and they are (still) wonderful reads.

But I've always been careful not to shut myself off from certain books or topics without giving them a try. It's a hallmark of the intellectually curious.

As a 36 yr old history teacher and a mom to a 7 year old, this post is somewhat depressing.
I and many contemporaries read the hp series when it was released. My baby brother introduced it to me actually. I look forward to reading them again with my kids as I have many other books. Including roald Dahl. If I am ever so immersed in historical nonfiction that I can't enjoy a good novel I hope someone puts me out of my misery.

Why do I suddenly feel like Seinfeld? Not that there's anything wrong with that! People, you all can feel very free and confident to read whatever you want. For goodness' sake, I spent the last two hours reading DISBOARDS of all things!

I was the youngest in my extended family for 20+ years. Whatever happened in childhoods across the land after 1990 was totally lost on me. And if you have kids, clearly you're going to be reintroduced to children's literature. I do not yet. I didn't even see Little Mermaid until THIS YEAR!

So, being on the Disboards is being outside of a bubble....but my own life full of friends, family, colleagues and students is some sort of bubble. Yeah.

 

[BrianL]

HP books are childrens literature though, or maybe young adult. There is nothing wrong with adults liking them either, but college level material they are not.

I did make an attempt to read the first book but it didn't hold my interest.

 

[MichiganDVC]

True. It also depends on how much Disney continues to up their prices across the board. There is a growing number of family who view Disney as NOT affordable. Will the parks continue to be crowded sure but how many will be repeat? Right now there are many who don't come on this board, Disney is a once in a lifetime trip.

Frankly, once they reach capacity (5th gate, 10 more resorts, etc...) I hope they do raise prices to the moon! They can always lower them to accommodate recessions, etc... But I don't really want to feel like I am at the local carnival while at WDW. Do you have any idea how much trash I picked up this past week? And its not the fault of Disney CMs....its the fault of the entitled, obnoxious, spoiled guests who feel that since they paid X amount of dollars they should be able to do whatever they want.

 

[MichiganDVC]

What's wrong with Disney? What's wrong with COMCAST?! They are routinely voted worst company in America and have placed in the top 4 the last few years. Yikes. They even edged out Monsanto. That spot is reserved for a special kind of evil....

 

[DisUniversal]

Frankly, once they reach capacity (5th gate, 10 more resorts, etc...) I hope they do raise prices to the moon! They can always lower them to accommodate recessions, etc... But I don't really want to feel like I am at the local carnival while at WDW. Do you have any idea how much trash I picked up this past week? And its not the fault of Disney CMs....its the fault of the entitled, obnoxious, spoiled guests who feel that since they paid X amount of dollars they should be able to do whatever they want.

Other than a small section of AK, I've never even come close to feeling like I was at a local carnival while at WDW. Anyone who does is just looking for things to complain about.

 

[DisUniversal]

What's wrong with Disney? What's wrong with COMCAST?! They are routinely voted worst company in America and have placed in the top 4 the last few years. Yikes. They even edged out Monsanto. That spot is reserved for a special kind of evil....

Yes...and most big companies not named Apple or Disney seem to be on this "list"

 

[mom2rtk]

I think a lot of the hate for Comcast comes from the fact that they hold a monopoly in many areas. If I want cable or high speed internet, I have no choice. That's just not the case with Disney and many other companies.

 

[luvsJack]

And my point is, it is not a required reading on many reading lists. You keep saying it is required reading. It is not for my 7th Grade going to 8th Grade children. And I can add I dont feel my children are deprived if they do not read it. Lots of other great options. Including in this books genre. Will Harry Potter have longevity? Probably. Of course in todays short attention span age the next great author could pop up at any moment and totally make this argument mute.

Ok? I don't think I ever mentioned anyone being deprived of anything. Sorry, but I am just really confused. It may not be required for your children, it is for others. Dd hasn't been required to read everything that perhaps your children have been, I don't think she is deprived either. What is your point?

 

[DisUniversal]

I think a lot of the hate for Comcast comes from the fact that they hold a monopoly in many areas. If I want cable or high speed internet, I have no choice. That's just not the case with Disney and many other companies.

I'm sure that's true, but chances are you'd hate your cable company even if you did have a choice. Look at cell phone providers....most people have a choice of at least 4 and they're right up there on the most hated list too.

Little surprised to see McDonald's and SeaWorld on the list.