No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

[DCAfanatic]

let me put this with the most up respect , but why isn't there more minorities visiting the DLR, I know disney is not at fault because they do a great at job promoting everywhere and everyone and I know there is reccession going which makes it hard for minority families to visit the resort but it was just something I thought when I'm in the park,

Once again it's just a chat let's not disrespect any one here let's keep it clean.

[greeeneyes17]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

actually I thought quite the opposite at my visit a few weeks ago...

My boyfriend and I noticed an astounding number of hispanic people and asian people, and barely anything else. We blended in I suppose because I'm hispanic and he's asian

But I do agree with you that there was little to no black pepole, it was interesting.
Not sure why, and as for white people there were not that many either.

[mickeyfan42]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

it probably doesn't help that Disney costs SOOO much lol

[ohmyjustin]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

I'd chalk it up to cost and local demographics. The area has a lot of Hispanic and Asian communities. There's also the difference in culture, as in what different cultures believe one should spend money on.

[greeeneyes17]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

my boyfriend and I played a game last time similar to slug bug where we would get points the more we found:

Asian girls dressed like Minnie Mouse.
We found around 200 over 3 days...haha.

[logicspeaks]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

My girlfriend and I are black and we also find it strange how 90% of the time there are NO other black people in sight. I was raised in Anaheim so the DLR is like my second home, but I do know that a lot of my friends where I live now (San Bernardino) didn't have that growing up. Disneyland seems to be the kind of thing passed down from one generation to the next, and I think a lot of black people who grew up in poverty never got to experience that when they were young.

[Pinrar]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

Minorities love magic mountain for some reason. Cheaper and more exciting I suppose. But who knows, I bet the answer is probably in the culture rather than race.

[Bongo]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

I'm Filipino, and there tend to be a few Filipinos here and there, but like you said, it's a very light colored place.

HOWEVER, if you were talking about where they come from, that's an entirely different story. Americas, Canada, England, Russia, etc.

[chesirecat]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

Ticket prices might have something to do with it, as well as the growth of AP population over the past decade which I think is mostly, as you said, older white people who have a tradition of going to Disneyland.

Ticket prices have maybe about doubled over the past decade, there are fewer young people in the park, at least as far as I can tell. Minorities are more likely to be young, and have less money, so fewer of them are showing up. I have seen more hispanics, which makes sense, as they really emphasize family life and value a special ocassion with extended family, and are a growing segment of society, but I have noticed much fewer blacks, especially fewer black teens, in the parks as a trend over the past thirteen or so years. Blacks have also been hit worse in the economic downturn, relatively speaking, and the black populations isn't growing nearly as fast as the hispanic population.

I don't think that Disney is trying to turn away blacks, look at the Princess and the Frog, the first black princess, but they also didn't "phone it in", the movie is very well made, and one of my favorites even though I'm a middle age white guy. Plus stuff in Disneyland/Carsland is basically pop culture anybody would like, IMHO.

[DCAfanatic]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

actually I thought quite the opposite at my visit a few weeks ago...

My boyfriend and I noticed an astounding number of hispanic people and asian people, and barely anything else. We blended in I suppose because I'm hispanic and he's asian

But I do agree with you that there was little to no black pepole, it was interesting.
Not sure why, and as for white people there were not that many either.

Youre right Young black people are less seen than any other age group at the park!

[doppio]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

Wow. So if you're a minority you must be poor? What a bunch of crap and easy cop-out.
How offensive to me, a minority, who had nothing and made a life for himself. Something most people could do if they have the drive and passion, never excepting no as an answer.



---------- Post added 07-01-2012 at 08:40 AM ----------

Minorities love magic mountain for some reason. Cheaper and more exciting I suppose. But who knows, I bet the answer is probably in the culture rather than race.

Wow. What a way to pigeon hole a whole race of people. Just wow.

---------- Post added 07-01-2012 at 08:43 AM ----------

it probably doesn't help that Disney costs SOOO much lol

Please, it's a business not a charity.

[dougeebear]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

I am not a racial minority yet I find this weird cognitive leap between "why no people of color in the parks" and "they must be too poor" to be racial profiling at its worst. There are many people of color who could easily afford a Disney vacation, and there are many lower and middle income white folks who could not.

Offensive and racially charged statements like these cannot be excused by tacking on a "Don't mean to offend, but" or "No disrespect intended, but" phrase. If the question is disrespectful or offensive without the disclaimer, it is equally offensive with it.

My last visit to Disneyland at one of the Halloween parties I saw lots of people and families in all colors enjoying the park, including one fabulous dark skinned lady who wore contacts and had her hair in exactly the same style and color as my wig. And I applauded her clearly excellent choice in styling.

If you want to continue this conversation, I would suggest steering it toward how Disney could meet the needs of people of color or what it could do to attract more, rather than going along the path of this "they're too poor to get in" crap.

[doppio]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

Amen.

[calsig31]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

Minorities are more likely to be young, and have less money, so fewer of them are showing up.

Are you suggesting that minorities don't live as long as non-minorities? If not, then can you explain how minorities are more likely to be young?

[chesirecat]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

Are you suggesting that minorities don't live as long as non-minorities? If not, then can you explain how minorities are more likely to be young?

Not at all, I am saying demographically, minorities have an average younger age because many of them come to this country as immigrants, who are usually young, and have larger families with young kids, so that their current average age is younger than, for example, white people. No doubt in decades to come the minority population will age as well. The Hispanic population, in terms of average age, is where the white population was in 1955, according to one article,

"The Hispanic population is, on average, more than 10 years younger than the average for non-Hispanics."

Hispanic Market Hits Tipping Point | Hispanic Marketing - Advertising Age

Fast growing populations have an average lower age as well.

---------- Post added 07-01-2012 at 05:34 PM ----------

I am not a racial minority yet I find this weird cognitive leap between "why no people of color in the parks" and "they must be too poor" to be racial profiling at its worst. There are many people of color who could easily afford a Disney vacation, and there are many lower and middle income white folks who could not.

Yes, it was a "loaded question" as the original poster wanted to look at just blacks.

Frankly, I don't think it is primarily a racial demographic shift, I believe that because Disney raised ticket prices it has priced out a lot of families, and some who could afford going to Disneyland but just feel that the ticket prices are too high.

Demographically, such changes in ticket prices hit young families more than the average middle aged, or close to retiring, APer population.

On my last trip somebody in my group remarked how there were less young families in Disneyland (though there still are a lot), and I noticed the same thing. I wouldn't want to make racially insensitive comments, and nothing anybody says here is even close to a scientific survey with regards to specific minorities in the parks. I get a sense of demographic shifts, but nobody really knows.

Though I'm sure Disney has the ALL the demographic numbers on a variety of racial/ethnic groups because there is only one color they care about . . . green.

Disney has made no secret whatsoever that they are charging premium prices and going after the "whales" with expensive hotels like Grand Californian and new expensive restaurants. If Disneyland is a city, then you can from a demographic standpoint legitimately asks questions about who they are targeting with advertisements and why. It could be a major scandal for the parks.

[Stitch626626]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

Speaking of minorities, aren't white Americans now classified as a minority group?

[chesirecat]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

Wow. So if you're a minority you must be poor? What a bunch of crap and easy cop-out.
How offensive to me, a minority, who had nothing and made a life for himself. Something most people could do if they have the drive and passion, never excepting no as an answer.

I'm sorry, I did not mean to offen, its just that I look at demographic issues a lot, mostly epidemiology, and helping to correct what is not working with society involves looking at how different racial groups are affected and face different challenges. It would be stereotyping to assume that any individual black person couldn't afford to go to Disneyland, or even that money is the primary issue.

Having said that, there are some disturbing trends regarding black employment/wealth such as:

A $95,000 question: why are whites five times richer than blacks in the US? | World news | The Guardian

I don't know if what is happening at Disneyland is real or not, or if Disney (and I think we ALL agree they are greedy and have taken the public for dullards!), would perhaps shift advertising out of certain minority neighborhoods in an uninformed manner/bizarre attempt to get more $$$? I kind of hope this isn't true, they advertised for Carsland everywhere! Also, maybe blacks are moving out of the Anaheim area for some reason, and thus are less likely to visit Disneyland from a local perspective.



---------- Post added 07-01-2012 at 06:01 PM ----------

Speaking of minorities, aren't white Americans now classified as a minority group?

That's a good question. I only know a little bit about demographics, but while maybe 70%, or less, of the country's population is "white", young children are about half-hispanic. Meaning that Disney no doubt tracks the Hispanic approval/enjoyment of the parks and movies.

Pixar is making a "Dia De Los Muertos" film! (This is a popular holiday in Mexico, but also celebrated by some in the U.S.). I personally like Latino culture and lived for a while in central america, though I am white. There are rumors that a Brazil Disneyland is coming.

I personally think that DLR is very popular with Latinos, and with everybody, but I'm sure Disney is tracking perceptions of different ethnic/racial groups.

[ducktalesfan5555]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

No minorities at the park? I beg to differ. I recall seeing a lot of hispanics and asians in my recent visits. Blacks in the other are very rare at DLR! I guess there's not a big black poplulation in SoCal.

[DARTH MAUL]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

Blacks in the other are very rare at DLR! I guess there's not a big black poplulation in SoCal.

Wow.... Just wow. First off, they're not rare. it's quite proportional to the population. We're roughly 12 % of the US population. How many of that population are going to Disneyland? Do the math and filter it down from there. Second, it's a park that attracts people from all around the world so to say it only reflects So. Cal is also a mistake.

---------- Post added 07-01-2012 at 11:20 AM ----------

My girlfriend and I are black and we also find it strange how 90% of the time there are NO other black people in sight. I was raised in Anaheim so the DLR is like my second home, but I do know that a lot of my friends where I live now (San Bernardino) didn't have that growing up. Disneyland seems to be the kind of thing passed down from one generation to the next, and I think a lot of black people who grew up in poverty never got to experience that when they were young.

I'm black, and two friends of mine who are not only have the most money of my friends, but have been premium passholders longer than anyone else I know. Me as well. That goes against almost all the stereotyping people are slinging in this post.

Also people, race and culture are two different things. Race is a manmade concept, that doesn't' dictate your behavior, because it doesn't really exist. Culture is a shared experience or location. So until all blacks or whites or whoever are all in the SAME area, and all have the SAME experience, their ethnicity cannot speak for their culture. As others have said, that's profiling and ignorant.

---------- Post added 07-01-2012 at 11:28 AM ----------

I'm sure Disney is tracking perceptions of different ethnic/racial groups.

if they are, that's incredibly offensive. My race has nothing to do with my every day choices. Especially entertainment. I don't go outside and say "let's see, I'm black. what do I want to do today?". Target me as a male, or someone in their twenties, or a college student. Those are the things actually make a difference or that I've chosen for my life and define who I am, not the physical characteristics. I hope to God, they're not that ignorant.

---------- Post added 07-01-2012 at 11:40 AM ----------

Minorities love magic mountain for some reason. Cheaper and more exciting I suppose. But who knows, I bet the answer is probably in the culture rather than race.

There are SOOOO many problems with this. Do you know EVERY minority? Then please feel free not to speak for all of them.

[ducktalesfan5555]

Re: No disrespect DLR vistiore, But ...

Wow.... Just wow. First off, they're not rare. it's quite proportional to the population. We're roughly 12 % of the US population. How many of that population are going to Disneyland? Do the math and filter it down from there. Second, it's a park that attracts people from all around the world so to say it only reflects So. Cal is also a mistake.

---------- Post added 07-01-2012 at 11:20 AM ----------

I didn't mean to offend with my post. Sorry...
The OP was talking about the lack of minorities in the resort. For which I disagree, except for the number of black guests, who are very few of, almost none from my experience. Yeah i know blacks are only 12% of the population of the US, but still it's not even 12% of disneyland's guests.

Yes DLR attracts guest from all over the world, but A huge percent of visitors are Locals (people from southern cali).