Wwjd? UPDATE (page 4)

[ducklite]

Originally posted by LorieDisneyLover
but it seems strange that NO church services of ANY kinds are offered. Or am I wrong about this?

Thanks for any help!

As I stated previously, everyone is welcomed at the Gospel Brunch at House of Blues. Not a church, but certainly a somewhat decent substitute for Protestant worship.

Anne

 

[tampafan]

Just a suggestion here. You, your friend, and your children could have a bible study in your room, or even by the pool. You may be suprised and actually have someone join you. Hope you have fun on your vacation and this works out for you.

 

[DancingBear]

Ducklite's first response was a bit strong, but I agree that it seems like yet another instance where folks (perhaps not the OP, but certainly others on this thread) want to hold WDW to some standard that they would never expect at other vacation destinations.

As far as the conspiracy against both Protestant and Catholic services, my dim recollection is that there might have been Protestant services offered some time ago, but they were cancelled well before the Catholic services ceased several months ago.

 

[Cindy B]

I am seconding tampafan s suggestion. Bring a Bible, pray, and do your "own" worship. I've done that many times when I couldn't get to services.. yes, even at WDW! We have even had our own communion as well. (matzoh & grape juice)

The other suggestion about finding something on the Lynx route is a very valid suggestion as well.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by dg39
I also agree. Disney should have services. Whether they cancelled it because of low attendance or not, even if just a handful of people went it should have been continued. Many families celebrate mass together & feel that even on "vacation" they need to go. If disney doesn't provide mass for whatever reason, maybe they should provide a shuttle (for a small fee) to and from. THats just my opinion. I sure hope the poster finds a way to get there without having to rent a car or take a cab. Although we do drive down (a long drive) once we park, we rarely use it til its time to go home. We rely on disney's transportation. Unfortunately, we don't celebrate mass as much as we should, but in todays world, its nice to know that there are those who do.

Maybe you aren't aware of the history here...let me enlighten you.

WDW did used to have Protestant and Catholic services every Sunday morning. I'm not sure why the Protestant services were cancelled, but it wasn't by WDW (possibly something to do with the HOB brunch?). The Catholic services stopped because the Diocese stopped sending priests. (read this: http://www.maryqueenoftheuniverse.org/disneymass.html) It had nothing to do with WDW, they were more than happy to continue the arrangement. So you're blaming the wrong people--it wasn't WDW's choice. WDW doesn't provide transportation to anywhere off their property. Not to grocery stores, churches, outlet malls, other area attractions. When the servies at the Polynesian first stopped, WDW DID make arrangements for Mears to procide transportation for a fee. However Mears stopped providing this route because of lack of interest. There just weren't enough people using the service to make it even break even.

So you blame WDW for something beyond their control. You want WDW to provide a service that has been tried, and wasn't used? I don't think I'm the confused one here...

Anne

 

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by welovedis
While I agree that having a place to worship inside the WDW grounds would be great, it would also open up another can of worms, so to speak. As another poster pointed out, how many denominations could possibly be represented without leaving someone out. When you consider the sheer number of visitors to WDW on any given Sunday, there is no way that everyone could be accomodated.

Correct, and the same problem would arise in connection with the proposal by others that Disney should provide transportation to off-site services.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by DancingBear
Correct, and the same problem would arise in connection with the proposal by others that Disney should provide transportation to off-site services.

How true!

Anne

 

[maggiew]

I read the letter from the Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine and I think that the decision to stop the services at WDW has been misrepresented. If you read the letter, it says that it was difficult to hold TWO services at WDW due to a shortage of priests. So, they consolidated it to ONE service per week. But then it was OVERCROWDED and being there was "no other suitable places available, the Disney Company and the Shrine came to a mutual agreement" and the masses stopped. The church feels bad about this ... "We wanted to continue the Disney masses." but "The priest shortage would create problems."

I think the idea of a private worship may work for the OP since they were looking for a Protestant service, but it would not work for Catholics as they are obligated to receive communion each week. And, with utmost respect, matzoh and grape juice is not an alternative.

In addition, I have been to the Gospel Brunch. Well, the original one here in Chicago, and although there is Gospel music, it really wouldn't substitute for a church service except in a very loose way.

I think your best bet would be using a taxi (assuming the church will not provide transportation.) Especially since you can share the cost. Depending on where you are staying, you may find the taxi fare cheaper if you begin the ride at DTD. So you should weigh the cost versus the effort to get to DTD to see if it would be cheaper.

I have heard that the Mears taxi site has a taxi fare estimater, but I don't know the link. I read it on another post awhile ago, so I will try to look back and see if I can find the link.

Maggie

 

[ducklite]

Maggie-

A technicality--Catholics are NOT obligated to receive communion every week. Only to attend mass. They are obligated to receive communion and go to confession once per year, and it must be confession during the Lenten season and communion on Easter if only receiving once per year.

Anne

 

[dahess]

I think Disney is trying to stay as neutral as possible these days. I think the good Lord would understand if you missed church 1 time. My Lord would Happy Vacation to you!!!!

 

[Donnainnj]

From what I have read the Catholic Masses stopped because of a lack of Priests as well as space. A priest can only say 3 Sunday Masses, so they tried to cut down to one at Disney but it was to crowded, disney did not have a larger space to offer for the masses so they discontinued. I can understand Disney's position in this situation, continuing something is a lot easier in this litigous society then changing it. How could they accomodate so many different religous needs?
We rent a car for this purpose as well as to get from one resort to another in the off season.
I don't know about the Protestant Church's in the area, but Mary QOTU Shrine is a Tourist Church, there is no parish, most that come are on vacation. I don't think they would have volunteers to provide transportation.
I think a cab would be the best way to go in this situation, with all the other expenses involved with a Disney vacation this will be a drop in the bucket.
Enjoy your trip...

 

[*Fantasia*]

To the OP, I hope you will find a close church to Disney and that I hope you find a transportation and get there safely. I am very sure that HE is smiling right now 'cause even though you may be vacationing...you are not fogetting about HIM. Things will work out just fine 'cause I am sure that HE will be happy to see you there in church. Have a great time and have a happy safe trip.

I think Disney should have a church there with so many visitors coming to Disney... Disney doesn't have to have a church in the property. But it would be nice to have one.

Eerr...ducklite...lighten up! This is only a DIS board. She doesn't need to be put on a trial here. She didn't know the whole story to why there is no longer a Church in WDW. She didn't commit a crime. Just a reminder that DIS board is suppose to be friendly and helpful. We are one big family here on the DIS. I don't wanna be attacked so...PLZ don't response to this one. Nope...don't wanna hear nothing. Thank you. Have a nice day!

 

[ducklite]

In this world there are a lot of religions who are not "main stream" Christian. If WDW builds a church, they'd better plan on also building mosque, temple(s), shrine, reading room, meeting house, and I'm sure I'm forgetting some. Don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want my costs of going to WDW raised because of building a variety of houses of worship. Build for one group and not for all and they'll get sued for discrimination.

They're better off letting people take responsibility for themselves to make arrangements to get to an off property house of worship.

Can anyone name me ONE other resort that ofers on-site services???

Anne

 

[crzy4dsny]

Some people here have way too much free time .....

 

[peachgirl]

Can anyone name me ONE other resort that ofers on-site services???

Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo.

As another poster pointed out, how many denominations could possibly be represented without leaving someone out. When you consider the sheer number of visitors to WDW on any given Sunday, there is no way that everyone could be accomodated.

I would agree with you except that WDW did this for many years and I never heard a complaint about it. For whatever reason it was discontinued, I think it's a shame.




I wouldn't presume to tell anyone how they should worship, whether they should worship, whether God would forgive them for not worshipping or what would be a good substitution for a worship service.

You know, the op asked a simple question and stated an opinion. She blamed no one and yet the most innocent of questions give some an excuse to be inexcusably rude. Give it a rest folks, or find something more important to do.

 

[ducklite]

Peach--Which denominations are offered?

Do they offer Jewish, Islamic, and Hindu services?

Anne

 

[jk1]

Aside from the debate over whether or not Disney should provide on-site religious services, I understand the main problem being transportation to/from the off-site services. I have no doubt that the OP can find transportation to/from the services they wish to attend. It really comes down to whether or not the OP is willing to pay for such transportation.

There have been comments made by a couple posters that their church offered free transportation to their services to local church members. Since the transportation has to cost something, it seems that the local church is paying the expenses through its budget which is supported by its members. So indirectly, the church members are paying for the free transportation.

Transportation costs $$ and that money has to come from somewhere to pay for it. If the church budget does not provide for it, then it will fall upon the user to pay for such.

 

[Greg K.]

Originally posted by ducklite
Can anyone name me ONE other resort that ofers on-site services???

Virtually any major cruise ship -- including Disney's -- offers some kind of religious service, often several. We cruised with Celebrity a couple years back, and a Catholic priest celebrated mass on Sunday AND led a Jewish sabbath service the night before.

Also, there's a relatively new hotel in Anaheim -- the name escapes me -- with a specially built chapel that is used for services. (I hasten to add: it is not affilited with Disneyland...it's just located nearby.)

FWIW: Disney World, for better or worse, is about as self-sufficient and isolated as a ship at sea, and works very hard to keep people from abandoning ship and paddling elsewhere. (Many of its innovations, like Pleasure Island and the water parks, were actually responses to other attractions in and around Orlando, and were designed to keep people on Disney property.) I can't tell you how many vacationers have come back from WDW and told me: "Don't rent a car. You don't need it and won't use it."

Once that was true. Not anymore.

Frankly, I think, since 9/11, more Americans are driving and bringing a car to WDW anyway.

 

[lmhall2000]

at how an OP's questions can be turned into a debate- that's not what she wanted....

1. She CLEARLY stated that she knew services were no longer being offered- she did not BLAME ANY SPECIFIC entity- the church or Disney- don't read between the lines.

2. She CLEARLY stated that she wrote to the CHURCH to ask for transportation- many churches have buses and I'm sure many would be willing to go to Disney to bring people to their service. She WAS NOT asking Disney to provide transportation. Can we say- READ THE POST TWICE before responding so quickly.

3. She was asking for experience from those who may help her in this situation. For instance (ME!)- we went to a church outside of Celebration and they did have a bus to pick us up- my friend worked at Disney University and lived in their housing and we were picked up no problem. Sorry it's been over 10 years and can't remember the church. But it is possible- so maybe check with another church.

There- when someone asks a question- how about we not respond unless we can be helpful and for goodness sake DON'T RESPOND with remarks that incite dissension. I'd like to know how many posts out of these 3 pages actually offered something of help to his lady- and how many didn't- if you're one that didn't maybe you should keep your opinions to yourself.

Tara

 

[ducklite]

We sailed on DCL (Magic) last summer, there were NO formal religious services onboard. Space was made available to those who wouldlike to have a bible study type of thing on Sunday morning, it was not structured and DCL didn't participate other than to offer space.

Only on Easter do they offer services onboard, and only on the Magic.

Anne