Disney vs. ageism

[Edwolf]

When I was at the London Furmeet this weekend, I met somebody (a lady who was two years younger than me) who is very much a Disney die-hard but more to the point, she told me that a lot of people in Europe (Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, etc.) believe that Disney movies, etc. are just for kids whereas the Americans believe that Disney isn't just for kids but adults, too. In other words, Disney fans aged 1 - 100 should be welcome! (just as Walt Disney himself intended).
One story that person told me (as an example) is as follows: She was visiting Disneyland Paris on one occasion and she tried to receive an autograph signature from a costumed character (in this case, Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh) but just because there were kids receiving autograph signatures already, the man in the costume briefly stepped out of character and said under his breath, "This is just for children". As you could imagine, Disneyland Paris (alternatively known as Euro Disney) really do discriminate people by their age (this would never stop parents bringing their kids there) whereas at Disney World Florida and Disneyland California (Anaheim), it NEVER happens.
Without further ado, here's my recently-uploaded webcam blog raising this issue: Webcam blog
If anybody here agrees to all this, you should speak up now!

[x]

While I agree that you should be allowed to have fun and enjoy Disney at any age, it may have just been that one costumed character in the example was upset at the moment. It is not fair to limit things to children or adults, but in my personal opinion children should have preference in a Disney park. While for most adults the parks are simply an attraction, children are mystified by them and really get into it. Children should always be catered to in a Disney park, but that doesn't mean adults should be excluded.

[LunaPhinx]

Being from England and living in America I can really see the cultural differences and this was one that I noticed first. With my large family in England it went from disney movies, cartoons, tv shows, and then slowly no more animated 'kid stuff' such as Disney. While over here we seem to cherish these movies and really see more into it than just a kids movie.
That worker should really stay in character 24/7, I mean, what if a child somehow saw/heard him approach this man and tell him to basically go away? Would have ruined the magic. It would have been easier to just sign the bloody piece of paper and move along. 

[Puncia]

It's the complete opposite in Norway. The older we get (especially from the ones born late 80's, early 90's), the more we love the old classics.

[Edwolf]

That worker should really stay in character 24/7, I mean, what if a child somehow saw/heard him approach this man and tell him to basically go away? Would have ruined the magic.

I agree with you 100%! If I was in his shoes, I'd stick to that rule and regard it as a biblical passage.

[Starfighter Suicune]

That people say that is new to me, but maybe all the people around me here in germany aren't such people
I still like movies made by disney, dreamworks etc.
And I would really like to visit disney land paris one day

[Edwolf]

And I would really like to visit disney land paris one day

Disneyland Paris? Didn't I say you'd be better off visiting Disney World Florida or Disneyland California? No offence but in reality (as I've said), the resorts in Florida and California particularly would never discriminate anybody by their age.

[Starfighter Suicune]

Pay the flight etc. and we have a deal

[Octavia]

I've been to Disney World in FLorida about 3 times...and I  never seen any of the characters walking around....except for this one resteraunt...where you had to pay a cover charge just to get in....and I was at Epcot (Boring) and another park...but forget what it was...it was the one with the GM test track and the Jurassic park ride and the Men In Black ride...

[WingedZephyr]

and I was at Epcot (Boring) and another park...but forget what it was...it was the one with the GM test track and the Jurassic park ride and the Men In Black ride...

The GM test track is at Epcot. Jurassic Park and Men in Black are at Islands of Adventure/Universal Studios.


Being in Florida, I've only been to Disney here, and the costume characters here always seem friendly to everyone.

[Puncia]

You guys are so lucky to have been to those places, even with minor annoyances.

[Vee Katame: His Wolfy]

I've been to Disney World in Florida and I've never seen the Characters act out of character.
My parents got to take a tour through the tunnels under Disney and apparently there is a mirror by every entrance up to a park, and the workers (Characters and others) have to look into the mirror before they go up to the park and leave all their outside issues there and put on a smile, because once they pass that mirror, they have to be in character until they go back down to the tunnels again.

[Akula Filiko]

I live right by Disneyland in Anaheim, CA and the characters are always friendly, even characters like Mary Poppins and Alice who don't wear big cartoon heads. Maybe I should reconsider wanting to go to Disney Paris.

[Mikhail Zolotov]

I have been to both Disneyland in California and also to Disneyworld in Florida. I've been to the Disneyworld I think 3 times, though on any trip I don't think I was older than 13. I've also been on 2 Disney cruises (those were awesome). I grandma, who has passed, was a HUGE Disney fan and essentially gave my dad and her other 8 children an ultimatum (so they all recant). At least one would have to become a priest.. or work for Disney. My uncle saved them all by working for Disney luckily and he still does. Actually he has his name in the credits of three major animated films by Disney.


My point is, that no matter how old you are, the magic of Disney is always there. My girlfriend (19) and I (22) still love to watch Disney movies (some of the only movies I can get her to watch, too). My younger brother has a massive playlist of Disney songs and music on his iPod that we'll all sing with on roadtrips. Young, old, it doesn't matter. Disney is for everyone because who says magic is only for children.