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Would you do Disney?
The New York Times has a brilliant essay in their magazine this weekend, taking an honest look at a family visit to Disney.
This isn’t your standard glossy mag travel writing fare. He answers real tough questions, like where an inveterate stoner can get high at Disney World, and how to build a tent out of one of their ubiquitous ponchos.
I doubt I’ll ever set foot in Disney World with my kids. My sense of self-preservation is a little too strong for that. Both my parents have threatened to take the girls to Disneyland, and as far as I am concerned they are welcome to do so. Without me.
But I loved this essay because it gave me a sense of what I’d be in for if I ever did assay the Magic Kingdom with my family.
Disney's taking it to the sea.
Have you heard of the Disney Cruise Line? Here are just some of the thing they offer: live Disney shows, “meet-and-greets” with the Disney characters, children’s clubs and adults-only spots as well. None of those sound good? Okay, fine. How about first-run movies at the theater onboard?
Are your kids looking to get away from their geeky parents? Not a problem. From a Little Mermaid themed daycare to Vibe, a place where 14 to 17 year olds can chill out and listen to music, watch TV or play the latest and greatest video games, kids should be able to find whatever it is they’re looking for, regardless of their age.
Tinker Bell strikes a pose
I’ve always been a fairy fan. I loved fairies as a kid, and since my daughter was born, I’ve tried to subtly steer her toward the winged cuties over the crowned beauties. At least fairies have magical powers. Princesses don’t seem to have much power at all—except the power to entice.
When we’re talking about fairies these days, we’re mostly talking about Tinker Bell; 50 years after the original Peter Pan movie, Disney has built a universe around the beloved pixie. The new Tink has evolved quite a bit from her formative self. But she has retained some of her fundamental characteristics. They just might not be the ones you’d be happy about your daughter emulating.
But it seems that Tinker Bell wasn’t necessarily designed with girls in mind.
A judge rules Disney must defend charges levied against Donald Duck.
A federal judge has ruled that a Pennsylvania mom can, indeed, sue Disney for acts committed by the character Donald Duck. April Magolon contends that the mascot grabbed her breast as she was holding her child, then later joked about it. According to Magolon, the 2008 encounter left her with nightmares, digestive problems and other symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The lawsuit also alleges that Disney parks have a history of similar complaints and that the company has essentially “condoned” these actions by stressing profits over the safety of the park goers.
If you’re like me, you didn’t feel much like Cinderella when you were pregnant. More like Dumbo. Maybe if I had the appropriate attire, I would have felt like staying out ’til midnight.
Soon moms-to-be will be able to dress like their favorite knocked-up Disney princess. Well, sort of.
Disney has announced they have teamed with Motherhood to launch a line of maternity clothes. Continue reading »
Oh, the royal girls of Disney. The ubiquitous princesses all us feminist mamas love to hate.
BoingBoing offers up this hilarious send-up of their messages to the young girls who admire them.
It’s a great encapsulation of why moms like me cringe every time our daughters lay hold of a princess doll.
What have your kids learned from Disney?
Back when I was a kid, it seemed as if all my friends’ moms were addicted to soap operas. Today’s moms are more likely to have the TV tuned to kiddie shows — which is why it’s not such a surprise to hear that The Walt Disney Company will eliminate its SoapNet cable channel and replace it with a new network targeted to preschoolers.
Since it aired soap opera reruns, the 10-year-old SoapNet has been relatively cheap for Disney to operate. But, as Nickelodeon has discovered with Nick Jr. (formerly Noggin), preschool television programming is big business.
The new commercial-free channel will be called Disney Junior, which some critics say emulates Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. Continue reading »
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