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

[Wild Ol' Dan]

Howdy Pards,

So...does Disney's obvious monstrous corporate greed destroy the magic of Christmas?

Twas a feller named Alfred as I recall who, in Miracle on 34th Street, said "Make a buck...make a buck...who cares what Christmas stands for? Yeah, there are a lotta bad isms in this Ol' world but one of the woist is commercialism."

Now, given that opening, it might be somewhat surprising to hear my answer to this question. My answer would be no...no Disney's corporate greed DOES NOT destroy the magic of Christmas. Of course not...

Mostly I answer that way, because Christmas is a thing we carry in our hearts...a very special time of year. Deeply meaningful to most of us...a time of family...a time of giving...a time of wonder and enchantment...and, for many of us it is a celebration of a birth that took place a couple thousand years ago. The birth of Someone who has had an amazing, wonderful, and powerful impact on our lives and our world...someone who taught that we should love one another...do unto others as we would have them do unto us...and things like that.

Now...let's face it, in the celebration of the Holiday...no one is better than Disney. Their decorations, parades, special events, DVD's, and stories have quite literally lit up the Holiday over the years. There is no more special, enchanting, delightful place to visit than Disneyland, Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, or Disney's Hollywood Studios at Christmastime.

The special shows, the march of the toy soldiers, the arrival of Santa himself, the giant Christmas Trees...yes it just warms the heart to think of all these things.

There is a thread that is celebrating the beauty of the many Disney Christmas treats you'll find in the parks this time of year. And, that, to my way of thinking is a wonderful idea.

But, there appears to be something darker at work here...something that gets back to Alfred's concerns about commercialism I suppose. I wonder what Walt Disney would have thought about charging $10 for a candied apple? Or $5 for one, small Mickey Mouse Christmas Cookie or cupcake?

Why would Disney charge these prices for Holiday treats? There can be only one answer...corporate greed. Some rich folks are buyin' at these prices...so Disney feels no need to keep the prices low. The idea isn't celebrating some holiday afterall...the idea is to make a buck. Lots of bucks in fact. Christmas Spirit has absolutely nothing to do with it...

So...I picture little Johnny with his nose up against the glass...really wishin' he could have a Mickey Mouse Christmas Cookie or cupcake at Disneyland...and I picture little Johnny's dad or mom...who struggled to save enough for admission to the park...and whose wallet in these times has grown kinda thin... But, whose love for Johnny is as strong as any love on earth...

And, what's to become of Tiny Tim? "What does it matter to you, Ebenezer?"

The magic of Christmas time is truly a wonder to behold at Disney. Disney has enriched all our lives over the years with the joy and enchantment of Christmas. So...is it right...for those of us who are no longer rich enough...to complain about a $5 cupcake, or a $10 candied apple?

Should the treats of the season only be for the very rich?

I suspect you might have an opinion on the matter. And, on this particular thread, you are free to express it...to share your thoughts openly and honestly...unless of course they disagree with mine...only kidding... So, what exactly do YOU think about all this? And, uh, by the way... Merry Christmas! In keeping with the spirit of the season...

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

Wild Ol' Dan

[clara]

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

Should the treats of the season only be for the very rich?

I only have this to say...the treats are not specifically only for "the very rich". I can assure you I am NOT very rich, by a long shot and I, as well as my son, enjoy the Disneyland Holiday Treats just about everytime I make it into the parks.

So the answer is no...they are not enjoyed by only "the very rich" from my perspective.

[Wild Ol' Dan]

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

http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/phot...street-600.jpg
We come to these magic places to soak in the joy and wonder of the Season.

Howdy Pards,

Even as a grizzled old feller, I have stood on the curb at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World eagerly waiting the magic of the parades at Christmas. There is nothin' that can truly warm the heart more than watching the little ones, and the old ones too, when that parade comes marching down...right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A..

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

Wild Ol' Dan

[bisforbrittney]

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

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.

[Wild Ol' Dan]

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

Howdy Pards,

http://wdw2.wdpromedia.com/media/wdw...12-474x282.jpg

Oh...the wonders Disney brings to the season!

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

Wild Ol' Dan

[calsig31]

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

This is really more of a retail holiday anyways, than anything else. Look at all the stores that putting up holiday stuff before Halloween is even over. Then we have days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday that are doing nothing but encouraging people to spend, spend, spend. I really don't think that Disney is doing anything different, so no it doesn't ruin the holidays for me.

[Mr Wiggins]

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

So...does Disney's obvious monstrous corporate greed destroy the magic of Christmas?

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.

[Wild Ol' Dan]

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

Howdy Pards,

http://static.wdwnews.com/files/2011...go-640x497.jpg

Back in the ancient times...not all that long ago really...Walt Disney, the man, seemed to have an entirely different idea about the Christmas Season than today's Corporate Disney Company under the leadership of Bob Iger has. To Walt, Christmastime at Disneyland wasn't all about money. It was far, far more important than that. Back then the Walt Disney Company had a heart. A holiday cookie sure never cost $5 back in Walt's day...unless it was a mighty big cookie.
To Walt, Disneyland meant far, far more than "Making a Buck". Disneyland, back then was about making people happy...bringing joy and inspiration to all the world. In short, Walt cared about all people...not just the rich or upper middle class, but ALL people...and his whole company reflected that...no where more so than in the shops and stores of Disneyland at Christmastime.

http://land.allears.net/blogs/dnews/...tchristmas.jpg

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

Wild Ol' Dan

[k_peek_2000]

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

It won't ruin the magic of Christmas. But it will certainly exclude a lot of families from the unique offerings found only at Disneyland during this time of year.

[wiigirl]

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

Howdy Pards,

http://wdw2.wdpromedia.com/media/wdw...12-474x282.jpg

Oh...the wonders Disney brings to the season!

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

Wild Ol' Dan

That pic just made my day....

[Acpisme]

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

It won't ruin the magic of Christmas. But it will certainly exclude a lot of families from the unique offerings found only at Disneyland during this time of year.

Agreed! Glad this thread was started. While it is nice to see the pretty treats and such, the prices make my husband and I look at each other and tell our 6 year old no. 10 bucks for a Carmel apple, no matter how cool, and christmasy, and Disney fantasmic looking it is......well is just not something we can justify. We would love to let her do the make your own cookie, but the 6 bucks for it to do at Disneyland seems excessive. Especially when they would make a killer profit at half the cost. We do not let that ruin our Christmas, but it sure makes for some low points in the magical visit.

[Witches of Morva]

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

ORDDU: Disney's obvious corporate greed CAN ruin the holiday spirit for a person--if they let it. The way they keep raising prices all over the place and the way they make a separate hard ticket event for park admission in Florida makes them look over the top greedy. For those who can't afford it, this most certainly can ruin their Christmas spirit if they want to go the Disney theme parks but aren't able to. It's a shame that so many companies, world wide, have allowed themselves to prove the old saying: "Money is the root of all evil." For those who care, we need to find ways to NOT get caught up in all the plastic, phony baloney that is tempting us to forget about what's really important in Life. (And what's really important is integrity and love. Don't forget that, ducklings.)

[gatheringrosebuds]

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

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.

As usual, well said, Mr. Wiggins.

My most beloved Disney memory was when I visited the park at Christmastime with my dad. We ate ice cream while admiring the castle, its icicles sparkling in the sun, and then took a horse-drawn streetcar down Main Street. The air was brimming with holiday spirit, filled with the tinkling of the horse's bells, the jolly garland that hung over the street, the harmonies of the Dapper Dans singing Christmas carols, and the grand sight of the Christmas tree proudly presiding over Main Street. The experience was pure magic, and nothing could even subtract from that moment. So, no, Disney's greed doesn't ruin the magic of the Christmas season, but its omnipresence becomes even more obvious during this time of year.

[PetiteMortKvsh]

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

When I worked at the park both in Fl and Ca, I saw families who saved every penny they had just to go there once. Most the time they had to go eat else where cause they couldn't afford food in the park. The parents would let there kids pick out one item each and get nothing for themselves. For a lot of these families....this is the only time they would ever get to go.
I feel sorry for the families who save for years only to get here and see how much everything is and decide they can't go in it's just too much.
Good posts Ol' Dan.
And to me they are getting greedy by creating more private parties that cost people extra. It's the spirit of giving not taking.....

[Barbaraann]

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

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

A trip to Disneyland/ and or WDW is not a main ingredient in whether or not I have a wonderful Christmas.

My main ingredients to a magical Christmas are all my family around me, and and all of them are happy and healthy.

[Wild Ol' Dan]

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

Howdy Pards,

Yep, it is kinda funny...on the one hand Disney puts on the biggest, brightest, sparkleiest, Christmas to be found anywhere...and then they turn around and totally destroy that wonderful Christmas feeling by charging a totally outlandish price for a cookie, or a cupcake? Or by charging extra for the annual Christmas parade...

Back in the fifties and sixties there was never any question...but today, instead of projecting an image of caring about the holiday and about people, about true Christmas spirit...the Disney corporation is projecting an image of a cold, hard, money making machine that only pretends to care while attempting to drain every last penny from the pockets of families... The company appears to have lost it's heart...

At no time of the rolling year is this more noticeable than at Christmastime.

Caring about others...the young and the old, the rich and the poor...is an old fashioned idea I suppose. And, many of us old timers...well, we yearn for those good old days...

There is an empty feeling folks get sometimes when a company you've loved and trusted for so many years suddenly starts charging you $5 for a small Mickey Mouse Christmas Cookie. Kinda like that feeling folks used to get at the old carnivals and side shows you know...that feeling of...well...robbery to put it bluntly...of being cheated...but worse than that...of discovering that someone you trusted...someone you loved...really doesn't care about you at all like you thought they did...all they are interested in is milking every last dollar they can from your pocket.

Trust...love...that Christmas feeling sorta falls away...and what's left is the cold, hard, unfeeling, uncaring reality of out of control corporate greed.

But...I have a feeling that Jiminy Cricket, Goofy, Donald, or Mickey really had nothing to do with this...instead people in business suits setting around a board room table somewhere looking at profit charts were behind it. Their only focus...increasing the bottom line...money, money, and more money. Certainly a sqeezing, wrenching, grasping, sc, clutching, covetous sort of attitude...to be sure.

Is that all there is to life? I sure don't think Walt Disney thought that way. And I tend to agree with ORDDU... "For those who care, we need to find ways to NOT get caught up in all the plastic, phony baloney that is tempting us to forget about what's really important in Life (And what's really important is integrity and love....)

Keep the true spirit of Christmas in our hearts...and never let the cold-heartedness of others, individuals or corporations, impact that warm and wonderful glowing feeling that is the true magic of the season.

Make some Christmas Cookies at home with your kids...make some other folks happy...
sing a Christmas Carol...watch a great old Christmas movie...or dig out Charles Dicken's
famous 1843 novel and read it once again... I've always loved it. "...and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed,
God Bless Us, Every One!"

It will give you hope.

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

Wild Ol' Dan

[Malina]

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

On the plus side: I'd rather pay $10 for a treat that is handmade by CMs here in Anaheim using local resources, than $10 for an imported cheap trinket that will fall apart the second it leaves the park.

On the negative side: Disney is a corporation. They're out to make money. Just like every mall with lights and a Santaland for kids, the ulterior motive at the holidays, and all year, is to get you into the stores to buy, buy, buy. It's become a retail holiday. A very materialistic one. In that way, Disney's no different from anyone else.

Taking away the holiday party from employees? Another example of how at the heart of things, no matter what Walt intended originally, it's a cold corporate machine that sees its park employees as being expendable.

Do I think it has to ruin the holiday? No. I'll admit I'm having a hard time knowing how hard the employees are working, not even to get their party.

For the average guest, though? You can still go and enjoy the lights, enjoy the fireworks, enjoy the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, enjoy the parade. If any of those things are restricted to party guests, yes, it will destroy the magic, or at least, put a higher price on it. For now, though, it's there for all to enjoy. The things like the holiday treats are nice, but you can still enjoy the park without them, and just like any other time of year, you can set a budget for yourself when you walk through the gates.

[TTN]

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

I don't think a single company could ever destroy the magic of Christmas, family, friends, or any holiday. Disney long ago learned how to celebrate the season at its best, bringing warmth and joy to the hearts of many. It is simply unfortunate that the most recent Disney executives have forgotten that Disneyland was built with the intention as a place for family and friends to enjoy, explore, and be happy, not just as business. There is nothing wrong with making a profit, but modern businesses sometimes seem to forget that what makes them great is not their quarterly earnings or stock prices, but what their services mean to the people who buy them, and constantly repackaging and repricing years of tradition to its detriment in order to turn a large profit into an even larger one is almost never admirable.

[KellyMcG86]

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

If the price of a candy apple or cookie ruins the magic of Christmas for someone, they have much larger issues that are probably ruining Christmas (and most other days) than anything Disney could be blamed for.

Yes, I agree that the prices of food and even admission are getting ridiculous, though they are obviously not restricted to only the rich. In fact, the majority of people purchasing these items are likely not "very rich".

Unfortuantely, not everyone can have everything. Hopefully the magic of Christmas for most people does not rely on a purchase of any sort.

[misfits138]

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

For a Disneyland "fan" website, there sure is a lot of criticism and resentment from a lot of people. I can't believe the negativity on this forum. I'm so tired of sifting through all of the Disneyland bashing threads to get to the fun and interesting ones. Seriously, do you people even go to Disneyland to have fun or to find new things to complain about? "Monsterous corporate greed?" You have got to be kidding. Do you know what it costs to maintain that place? Those $10 apples won't even cover the electric bill for IASW for a single day. Heck, probably not even a single hour. Not too mention thr BILLION dollars spent on Cars Land and Buena Vista street. I suppose Disney could stop with the constant rehabs and expansions and just run the place into the ground as long as everyone gets their treats for 50% less and perhaps lower ticket prices by a few dollars. Here's a thought, if you are dissatisfied withthe way the resort is run - don't go anymore. Save yourself the aggravation. But above all, please stop using Micechat as a soap box to rehash thes petty, tired, old complaints