ever since i posted in one of my replies that i dont like Disney, i have gotten comments and questions about why i dont.
I was just wondering what others fell about disney. It can be about the actual park, rides, expenses, and FIRST related. I just want to hear some different opinions
I like Disney, I’ve grown up going there since I was little, so I have tons of goods (and well not so good) memories there. I can see why some people don’t like Disney a lot but I don’t let that change my opinion. The cost isn’t too bad since I’m a Florida Resident and you can get some good deal for being one during certain months. I just miss the Wild Toad Ride.
The last time i was in disney i was in diapers so i dont have any memories there…FIRST related…well now i have those…Disney is entirely too expensive for what our teams to do…fortunately our sponsor cae through with some money this year and without them it would be tough…I think Disney is a great place to have Nationals…its fun, can hold a million and a half high school students and there is something to do everywhere and anywhere…
the price just needs to come down a little… 
If your refering to me, it was a joke.
I respect other oppinions, but I like a park where you can sit on a bench and still have tons of fun.
Plus, you gotta love Tapestry.
i’m sure u’ve heard this one before but…
DISNEY IS A GIANT PEOPLE TRAP RUN BY A MOUSE
This will probably wind up being a lengthy reply. Sorry if you don’t like that sort of thing, but it’s an interesting question, and might yield some interesting answers.
First, it may be important to clearly dilineate the difference between Disney as a corporate entity and Disney has as an American icon. Both have positive and negative aspects.
On the most general levels, I like Disney a lot. I’m something of a fanatic, really, and many of my interests are formed around Disney-related things.
As an icon, the primary concern I see from people that have a distaste for Disney usually deals with two different things. First, there is a sentiment that everything is fake and sterile. Second, many people, especially as they age, tend to regard Disney as a childhood icon. In some ways, it’s almost popular to have a distaste for Disney during adolescence, as it marks part of the passage into what is perceived as ‘adulthood’.
I’ll talk about each of those points a bit, in how the Company has, in my mind, handled them, and how they are meant to exist.
Of course, these are just my feelings. Also, they’ll primarily deal with the theme parks, as that’s what’s closest to my heart.
The idea that Disney’s theme parks are not real is probably something that, though a point of criticism from a jaded public, is one of the company’s greatest achievements. Disneyland was conceived as place precisely to allow escape from the ‘real’. It was designed as a show that could transport a guest anywhere in their imagination. In the span of a few hours, you could be anything from a pirate to a astronaut to a fairy. You could travel the Rivers of America, or take an exotic Jungle Cruise. No place else in the world allowed such an escape, especially for the masses.
With a such a design philosophy, an unorthodox approach to entertainment wasn’t just a brilliant idea, but an absolute requirement. Nothing that happens in a Disney theme park happens on accident. Their design is, almost literally, a science. This, in my mind, is amazing in its own right.
Even more amazing, though, is how well it succeeds. Disney is responsible for creating some of the most memorable, utterly stunning panoramas, vistas, and immersive environments ever created. Without the use of altered perception, these things would not be possible.
I could babble endlessly about the unique design challenges and solutions that are found throughout Disney’s parks, all over the world. But, that would omit mention of one crucial aspect that is very difficult to quantify; human emotion.
Human emotion is, in truth, what drives a Disney park. It’s in the emotion and character of the guests, and Cast Members, and everyone behind the scenes who are responsible for every detail in the park. It’s their carefully crafted illusion, really, that is usually capable of overriding one’s sense of responsibility and connectivity to the ‘real world’. It is their innate knowledge of what it means to have fun that really makes everything work.
This, somehow, is related to the second common reason why people dislike Disney. Our society teaches us that, to be an adult, requires that you be serious and responsible and in touch with reality. The fanciful dreams and nightmares of childhood often hold no place in our adult lives. Perhaps this construct exists as a way to separate our generations, though, to what benefit I can’t be sure. As such, some people tend to view Disney as being a relic of their childhood. Furthermore, they isolate and focus on the idea that everything is ‘fake’ as way of negating its positive influence on imagination and creativity, while simultaneously categorizing it with childhood fantasy.
They are so successful at this, in fact, that they lose their ability to be involved in the emotion of the place. They are so involved with being an adult that they forget what it means to be a person, and they forget what it means to laugh and dream and smile.
For those of us who are still in love with the experiences created at the parks, it’s that very ability dream and step outside of ones self that is most alluring. It’s a refreshing breather from the pressure of the real world, and it’s a place where, to paraphrase Walt Disney, adults and kids can have fun together.
Their is a fundamental element of traditional storytelling that exists within the framework of the Disney company that can seldom be found anywhere else in the world. It’s nearly a lost art. Storytelling is what separates the Disney theme parks from every other theme park in the world. It allows for families, friends, and all people from all generations to enjoy life together. There is no gap created by age, or race, or socio-economic background. Everyone, together, is trapped with Wendy and Michael aboard Captain Hook’s ship. Everyone has to face the drunken, looting pirates; together.
When you go to Six Flags Anywhere USA, they might have the biggest, scariest, fastest roller coaster on the planet. But, by its nature, that roller coaster tells no story, and creates privileged groups within the larger whole. Disney, traditionally, has not done this. Everyone can experience the fun of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
Of course, that has changed somewhat in recent years, and it’s a trend that is somewhat disturbing. In some cases, with attraction such as the Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror, Disney has created the best attraction of its genre in the world, though it does stratify their guest population into groups of people who can and cannot ride. Similarly, though not nearly as successfully, some Disney efforts have catered exclusively to small children, isolation them from the older generations.
This is among the worst problems facing the company today, I think, along with a lax attitude toward maintaining the level of quality previously associated with Disney, the icon.
On a personal level, I am fascinated by Disney’s theme parks precisely for their ability to transport the guest to any place at any time. It’s a unique form of storytelling, unlike novels or movies, because of its ability to directly involve the guest in every part of the action, or comedy, or drama, or romance.
For me, the chance to work for Walt Disney Imagineering, which is the division primarily responsible for the creative development of Disney theme parks, is a chance to exercise boundless imagination in an environment that nurtures creativity; all while being paid 
There are few other places in the world that encourage adults to think like a child, and that’s a shame.
what does disney and the rest of orlando think about us? i know they love Bike Week in daytona because the bikers spend so much money there. so what does orlando think of us?
Dude, you said it the best. I will refer to that post in future refrences. You hit the nail on the head.
I like disney, its ok, but at the same time, I think disney has changed from an american icon of innocence to one of greed.
Instead of making good, wholesome (cough, cough) films for kids, they have begun to rely on a formula to create movies, (want the formula, just say the word, ill explain it)
Recently, past 5 years, all their stuff has become the same, its like watching the same movie over and over, trying to sucker people in.
If they’re such nice guys, why are their CEO’s making tons of $$$$$, yet they cant afford to not hit FIRST participants for 75$, along with overpriced food and drinks. maybe I’m cynical and disillusioned, but that sterile facade creeps me out.
Something very Philip K. Dick (author) about it all, I need at least something to keep grounded. Getting lost in a fantasy world is fine, i guess, but afterwards, I feel ridiculous, like I’ve just bought a fake rolex, that I knew was fake, but just wanting to pretend it wasnt.
*Originally posted by AmyBeth330 *
**DISNEY IS A GIANT PEOPLE TRAP RUN BY A MOUSE **
That it is, sadly, as are all disney movies made after 1995…(sob)
—Ben Mitchell…
…who is now in a state of shock after disconnecting himself from the Many of the Masses…
Team384:joe, i didnt mean yiu
*Originally posted by Team384:JosephM *
**Dude, you said it the best. I will refer to that post in future refrences. You hit the nail on the head. **
when you say dude, are you referring to me?
Both actually. How does Orland look at us and the other part for the other guy.
ok, because i don’t think what i said “hit the nail on the head”
I love Disney. Most of all I love Epcot because of the food. I grew up in the City (NYC as if there were two cities ) and now live in the country. There is very little variety around here. But in Epcot there are all sorts of good places to eat as long as you avoid the places with hot dog, pizza and hamburgers on the menu.
Well, Disney is the largest entertainer in the world. And the Theme Park in Florida is expensive (Themeparks always are).
I think it is a really good idea to have the Nationals at Disney, what I don’t like is that it will be expensive in general…
The fee of $75 is pretty high but since I found a way to go anyways although my team registered too late for the Nationals, I can say it’s just fine and I’m looking forward to have the nationals at Disney!
I spent 6 months at Disney last year on the WDW College program. (www.wdwcollegeprogram.com) It was the best experience of my life! I worked as a “Rescue Ranger” with EPCOT Deployment. I was trained in several lines of business and worked throughout EPCOT. I even got to work the National competition! (Remember that huge food tent they had? I was one of those people serving you!) It’s actually because of that experience that I joined the team when I came back to school last fall!
I am definitely a Disney Dork. I love anything Disney! I think Disney parks are wonderful. They really do transport you into a world of imagination. There may be things the company could improve in the corporation, but the product they produce is still first rate.
One of the best parts about my experience working there is creating magic for all the guests. It’s such a wonderful feeling to make a lifelong memory for someone. That’s what Disney is all about. This year WDW is celebrating Walt’s 100th birthday. The celebration is all about the memories. I hope that everyone that gets to go to Nationals this year dives right into the heart of Disney. Let your imagination free while you’re there and take home memories of a lifetime.
I like going to Disney every year. Of course, being from New England, i just enjoy any chance to get to consistant weather for more than three days. C’mon, last Wednesday it topped 90 and they’re talking about SNOW on Monday! It’s not right.
Also, congrats to Phil for making it down to Disney-where are you staying?
I like Disney, but our team has come to the conclusion that they should just shake us down and take all our money at the beginning of the trip, and then let us do everything for free (pre-paid I guess).
And I would be very impressed if I could find a good ride that DIDN’T have a gift shop immediatly after the exit…
Personally, I found the prepaid meal tickets very very convenient. You didn’t have to actually spend too much cash and it worked out much better. I think I spent a whole $5 in total, not including the initial fee. I just felt bad for out engineer from our sponsor. FIRST & Disney made him pay for himself, his kids, and his wife to get into Epcot for the party, so he did. Yet, the closing ceremony took FOREVER and by the time he got out of there, his family had left because they weren’t waiting for an hour for him… It really sucked.
For those of you staying off Disney Property, did you think the team party was worth $75. For those of you staying on-site was it worth $3-500 per person just for lodging?
The party this year was the worst yet. Reasons: The awards ceremony was way too long winded, Mandy Moore was just another Disney Crowd Control Device, the food was OK - but hard to eat standing up, the only attraction open was “Honey I Shrunk the Audience”, they wouldn’t let anyone dance at the interactive DJ locations, and the 4 minute firework spectacular was mediocre at best.
The disney event fee ($75 per team member) is simply a way to force teams to fork out the cash, and stay on at one of the Pricey Disney Resorts or one of the over-priced Disney Friend Resorts. For those of you who did not know, the fee only covered that wonderful team party and transport to and from the Disney Friend Resort (if you could get there). Disney claims that the additional expense was to help with the construction of the venue, but what was the $4000 registration fee covering? I think if the $75 covered a few parking passes for the weekend, the free t-shirt for each team member, and entrance to a great party, it wouldn’t have been so bad. We need to rally the troops and complain like mad to get “The Disney Event Fee” eliminated, or reduced.
As per team parties, ask anyone who attended the Philly Regional about the team party, it was fantastic!:mad: