Does Disney's Monstrous Corprorate Greed destroy the magic of Christmas?

[SparkChaser]

Ya know it might just be me but not matter how much we complain about the pricing the Magic Kingdom just seems to draw us back. It might be the thrill of seeing the colorful and dazzling fireworks, or it might be the excitement of traveling to the past and seeing the old hometown marching band and barbershop quartet. In my opinion if you can afford it you are in for a treat, in terms of food costs keep your meals out of the parks, get more reasonable hotels you don't need to spend it all on property. However once I for one enter the gates I forget some mammoth corporation is in charge and just let the magic enter as I cruise down river on the Mark Twain.

See ya walkin' right down the middle of o'l Main Street USA

[micromind]

For me, the corporate greed of TDC most certainly does ruin the magic of Christmas. in fact, it ruins the magic of DL at every other time as well.

It's not as much the money as it is the crowds that have been caused by TDCs constant short-sighted 'we want it now' attitude.

It doesn't seem to matter at all to upper management whether or not the company does well, poorly or even survives, as long as they get their obscenely huge salaries and bonuses.

So yes, in my mind, corporate greed is always detrimental to any kind of magical experience.

[KellyMcG86]

Ya know it might just be me but not matter how much we complain about the pricing the Magic Kingdom just seems to draw us back. It might be the thrill of seeing the colorful and dazzling fireworks, or it might be the excitement of traveling to the past and seeing the old hometown marching band and barbershop quartet. In my opinion if you can afford it you are in for a treat, in terms of food costs keep your meals out of the parks, get more reasonable hotels you don't need to spend it all on property. However once I for one enter the gates I forget some mammoth corporation is in charge and just let the magic enter as I cruise down river on the Mark Twain.

THIS. I guess I'm young and ignorant enough to still fall for the magic of Disneyland. I don't have the "good ol' days" to compare it to. Of course I have complaints, but those almost always disappear the second I walk through those gates.

[jcruise86]

If you want to experience the magic of Christmas at the Disneyland Resort, see and hear the eight bell ringing carolers on Buena Vista Street in DCA. They sincerely (and with talent and in excellent costumes) try to spread Christmas cheer to all.

If you want evidence of crass commercialization, check out Norm's Disneyland update in late October, when Disney set a record for Christmas creep by adding Christmas snow to the castle before Halloween. Don't use the ABC Christmas special as an excuse.

[drjeep]

Disney's ability to do Christmas is actually imo the only thing close to the magic of Christmas. Everywhere I go I find either the overtly commercial mall type environments of Christmas or the overtly religious bible thumping "true meaning of" Christmas. Disney is selling itself of course but it's subtle, like old Coca-Cola Christmas commercials. Yes they were selling you something but at the same time they were giving you something fun and joyful to remember, something that got you into the spirit of the season while trying to peddle their wares. That to me is what Christmas is, subtle commercialism that also reminds you that there is celebrating to be done and family to be with and yes we would like you to buy this product but don't forget to enjoy yourself during the holidays.

[jsmith11618]

How much did a candy apple cost in 1955? I was not around back then and have no real idea how much 1.25 was in 1955, or if it was considered a lot, but $10 today is approx 1.25 in 1955. To me doesn't seem like much, but again I was no around back then.

I don't even think $10 is all that much for a candy apple at a theme park, considering places who sell them like Rocky Mountain Chocolate factory are charging anywhere from $5 for a basic upwards to 10 for the fancier apples.

I don't even find Disney food prices in general all that much, cheaper then movie theaters or the same, or spending 8-9 dollars at Mcdonalds for a quarter pounder meal.

Is Disney really all that much more food wise compared to other places, in my experience,not really.

[traumwelt]

Disney's obvious corporate greed doesn't destroy the magic of Christmas, but like flocking on a tree it slaps a plaster of "pathetic" over its holiday offerings. From its outrageous prices for holiday treats to its shabby treatment of its employees, the holidays only highlight Disney's cold commercialism. When it comes to Christmas, the difference between Disney and the rest of the retail world is the hypocrisy of Disney claiming it cares about the warmth, heart and magic that it shills.

Oooh, this was VERY well-said.

Good point.

[biggsworth]

My answer is simple it does not destroy any magic for me. The day it does is my last visit to the park.

[mine,mine,mine]

My answer is simple it does not destroy any magic for me. The day it does is my last visit to the park.

I agree. I just don't over think it. We go we enjoy it. Christmas at Disneyland is a wonderful time for us. We always get into the Christmas mood when we are at Disneyland. Seeing DCA this year just makes it more enjoyable.
All year round we enjoy Disneyland, when we are depressed or had a horrible day at work, it is great to go there and just forget the outside world for a few hours.
You just can't let things bother you like prices, if you don't want to spend the money don't buy it. Believe it or not Disneyland is a company, not a non-profit organization. Yes they are out to make money, why shouldn't they?
For me and my wife Christmas at Disneyland will always be magical and full of memories!!


on a side note I really think it sucks that they are not having an employee Christmas party. I am not a Disneyland employee or never have been. I just think they should be able to have their own time at Disneyland,especially an employee appreciation Christmas party. if there is a petition or anything to sign I would sign it in favor of the employees.

[Meville]

Disney's obvious corporate greed doesn't destroy the magic of Christmas, but like flocking on a tree it slaps a plaster of "pathetic" over its holiday offerings. From its outrageous prices for holiday treats to its shabby treatment of its employees, the holidays only highlight Disney's cold commercialism. When it comes to Christmas, the difference between Disney and the rest of the retail world is the hypocrisy of Disney claiming it cares about the warmth, heart and magic that it shills.

The same argument could be said about ANY institution though. Why are you so bent on vilifying the Disney Corporation for adhering to current norms and practices that EVERY (successful) BUSINESS does? If they didn't, Disneyland would have been but a footnote in a business journal about what happens to a company that doesn't evolve with the market that supports it. I know Walt had a vision, and that vision changed the landscape of the modern theme park forever, but let’s be honest, he was also very shrewd business man who died before the paradigm of the modern multinational corporations ever existed. As far back as I can remember, every year the commercialization of Christmas has been securitized and every time people remember back in their day how it was different, how it was better, but in reality it was no different, it was nostalgia.

How do I know this? Simply put, I’m 33 years old and look back fondly on my Christmas of 1996 (every year has been pretty special for that matter) but that was 17 years ago. Times were easier back then, less hustle and bustle right? Not really… That was the year that Tickle Me Elmo came out; the must have toy of the year, the toy that caused riots in department stores throughout the country, and I look back on this as being a good Christmas? Well, nostalgia is an interesting thing right?

What I’m getting at is simply this: Disney is not an evil corporation, it is only a corporation. Christmas is and will always been commercialized and out past memories are clouded by nostalgia but that is a-ok, because we tend to remember what is important.

In closing, I feel that this quote for Dr Seuss sums up Christmas in a nutshell. Keep in mind, this book was written in 1957.

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons.
It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

---------- Post added 11-23-2012 at 12:53 PM ----------

I should probably state for the record that I’m not a big fan of big corporations and feel that Disney probably has more influence in our daily lives then any capitalist entity should have, but I am also a realist and understand that this is the way it is. I also think that given the current state of things, we as a society are so wrapped up in the imposed self importance of it all that we are all powerless to change it. It’s like society is a very fast moving river, you can chose flight the flow, but as pretentions as this sounds, I’d rather live somewhere on the river bank where I can remove myself from it and understand why it happens.



Edit: If someone does not agree with my post, please reply or feel free to PM to discuss. I'm open minded and love the free flow of discussion, or you could just give me a negative reputation because I questi…err bashed an old timers post...either way.

[WDI33]

It's not ruined until they start charging for Christmas parties next year so Guests will have to pay extra to enjoy what they get included in this years ticket price!

[Slappypunk]

i think, for now, my answer is no. disney always has really expensive merchandise and food prices, but the magic they create in the park during the holidays is available to anybody who pays the regular ticket price.

however, if they make the christmas events available only to people who pay an extra fee in the coming years, my answer will be yes.

I agree.
If Disney does make the Christmas events only available to the people who pay an extra fee, then and only then will I say that their greed has ruined the magic.

[mycroft16]

As a general rule, the only one/thing that can alter your feelings/perceptions is you. Nothing can ruin the magic if you chose not to let it. Nothing can ruin the feelings of a holiday if you don't let it. You are in control of how you feel about things. Too often we forget that feelings and emotions are internal forces, not external ones. All an external situation can do is provide the opportunity for us to reevaluate how we feel and change our own opinions, but the external force doesn't cause the change itself.

[Sunshine711]

As a general rule, the only one/thing that can alter your feelings/perceptions is you. Nothing can ruin the magic if you chose not to let it. Nothing can ruin the feelings of a holiday if you don't let it. You are in control of how you feel about things. Too often we forget that feelings and emotions are internal forces, not external ones. All an external situation can do is provide the opportunity for us to reevaluate how we feel and change our own opinions, but the external force doesn't cause the change itself.

Well put, I know I've lost sight of the holidays in recent years, and I blamed my job. This year I realized I just need to keep my chin up and celebrate! It's up to me to not forget to relax and enjoy the times!

As for prices ruining the holiday experience, I think that people will forget that they wanted an expensive cookie but couldn't have one, however, they'll never forget the time they spent there!!!

[Wild Ol' Dan]

As a general rule, the only one/thing that can alter your feelings/perceptions is you. Nothing can ruin the magic if you chose not to let it. Nothing can ruin the feelings of a holiday if you don't let it. You are in control of how you feel about things. Too often we forget that feelings and emotions are internal forces, not external ones. All an external situation can do is provide the opportunity for us to reevaluate how we feel and change our own opinions, but the external force doesn't cause the change itself.

Howdy Pards,

This is very well put...I suppose we carry the magic of Christmas inside us...and, in spite,
of everything Ebenezer Scrooge or Corporations with Monstrous Corporate Greed might do...it is, in the final analysis, up to us.

I do believe however, that Disney needs to understand that charging outrageous prices for a cookie or a cupcake does absolutely nothing positive for their image...however it might impact the ever increasing bottom line. If Bob Iger continues to run the corporation in this manner I would not be surprised, at all, if he were to see the face of Walt Disney in the door knocker of the Iger Mansion on Christmas Eve...

Scrooge needed to learn a lesson or two about things...remember?

"Business!" cried the Ghost, wringing it's hands again. "Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business: charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"

Is charging $5 for a small decorated Mickey Mouse cookie in the best interests of the company's image? Perhaps Disney needs simply to re-evaluate these little things from a public relations perspective.

I have been to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party...where they were GIVING AWAY free cookies and hot chocolate to those who spent $60 dollars or so at the gate. Disney wasn't losing money in any way on the deal...still it was a nice thing...a wonderful thing actually...generating a good feeling...a warm feeling inside.

Reducing the price of all Holiday Treats within the park would do pretty much the same thing...create the image of corporate caring...rather than corporate greed.

It all comes back to Walt Disney's basic philosophy of putting people first...

http://www.waltdisney.com/sites/defa...alt_disney.jpg

"Disneyland is not just another amusement park. It's unique, and I want it kept that way, besides, you don't work for a dollar--you work to create and have fun."

"A word may be said in regard to the concept and conduct of Disneyland's operational tone. Although various sections will have the fun and flavor of a carnival or amusement park, there will be none of the pitches, game wheels, sharp practices, and devices designed to milk the visitor's pocketbook."

These are direct quotes from the man who created the magic of Disneyland...they accurately represent his philosophy, his dreams for the park.

While Disney's current monstrous corporate greed does not, and cannot ruin the magic of Christmas...it does very little to enhance it in any way. And that greed is, in fact, in direct conflict with the fundamental operational tone Walt Disney had in mind for his Magic Kingdom.

Disney can fix this...and it will NOT have a negative impact on their bottom line. You see, there are a whole bunch of people who would actually BUY those Christmas Treats and enjoy them...not just look at them...if the prices were more in line with common decency
and common sense. The feeling of being ripped off would be replaced by that warm feeling...kinda like Hot Chocolate...you get sometimes during the Christmas season.

Combine that with the wonderful decorations, the shows, the parades, the music...and Disney would, once again, be enhancing the spirit of the Holiday Season...not simply profiting from it.

It's an image thing really...a public relations issue... Let's get back to Walt Disney's ideas and philosophy...that should work.

Adios for now. Talk to ya on down the trail.

Wild Ol' Dan