Hey guys! I’m back! Finally! After a 7 hour car drive down there with my family, 3 days spent in the parks, one night at the pool, 10 very expensive meals consumed, too much money wasted on souvenirs, 1 bumpy (yet short) early morning flight back, MY VACATION IS OVER! And some how, by some miracle, I survived. Whew.
It seems that the trolls have been kept at bay, and some…well….lively conversation has been going on since I have been gone. I hope nothing too crazy has happened on the blogsphere in the past week!
Anyway, I think I learned (or at least observed) a lot on my trip. I have come back with a gift for you all: my infinite (ha!) wisdom on the subject of Disney World and…my strange, frustrating family. (I love them though….promise.)
- Disney sure does love it’s kitschy, racist representations! Ah, the good old Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom…invaded by animatronic cannibalistic natives (all varying shades of black and brown) meant to “scare” the droves of white folks. A ride I rather appreciate: “It’s a Small World” is quite the squeaky, sparkly “one world” promotional display–and while I was glad to see both the African continent AND the Middle Eastern areas well represented, it was disheartening to see only ONE LONE AMERICAN INDIAN by himself AT THE VERY END OF THE RIDE tucked in the back corner, beating on a drum. Thanks, guys, I guess all the Aryan dolls exterminated the rest. Also, my favorite place in all of Disney World, the World Showcase in EPCOT, sort of miffed me. Why are only 4 out of the 11 countries non-white? And finally–and this problem will be bandaged come 2009–NO PRINCESSES OF COLOR. Bring on Tiana!!
- My sister (or any white people for that matter) do not like their racist statements being called out. Has little to do with Disney world, but last night my family and I got into it because my little sister found out that her three roommates next semester are all (gasp!) black. WHITE PRIVILEGE ALERT!!!! Anyway, madness ensued. Don’t really want to go into detail.
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: Marketing sexist beauty rituals to girls as young as three. I kid–sort of. I’d be a damned liar if I said the tiny girls trekking through the parks in their mini Belle and Cinderella (the most popular) gowns with their hair all done up and their faces a-shimmer were not an adorable site. It was also nice to see plenty of children of color partaking in the madness: I saw many a Black Snow White, Asian Ariels, and Latina Sleeping Beauties. At face value, this business is relatively harmless. But in conjunction with the whole Disney Princess franchise, it seems a bit harmful–girls being shown that their imagination should be limited to romance and pretty dresses. Oh, and the best way to make those dreams reality: SPEND OODLES OF MONEY!!!!! It’s like nearly a $200 service. Oh, and if boys want to partake…they get colored hair gel and confetti for a whopping $10. How…quaint.
- I really like Moroccan food. Oh, and frozen bananas, French chocolate cake, and McDonald’s chicken biscuit. By for shit’s sake, why is booze so damned expensive there?! When I need the drink the most, during a stressful family excursion, I WILL NOT shell out nine bucks for a margarita. End of that story.
- While at the American Adventure pavilion in Epcot, asking in a loud voice “Where’s the part about us exterminating the American Indians?” while the grand story of the founding of This Great Nation is being told will illicit dirty looks from the chaperons watching over their herd of visiting fifth graders. Ditto calling a street show of (supposedly) African limbo dancers being jeered on by gaping whiteys a modern-day minstrel show. Or shouting “Don’t people have better things to spend money on?” while not once, but twice, a plane sky-writes “Trust Jesus” and “Jesus Loves You” above the parks.
And that was about it. Oh, also being addressed as “Princess” repeatedly by the cast members SIMPLY because I was wearing (half ironically) a mini-tiara can feel pretty patronizing after a while. I am twenty-fucking-one, for chrissake. Also, it sucks when you forget your camera.
Other than that, I had a pretty good time.
Unfortunately, I have to take off again on Tuesday. This time to Raleigh, NC for Induction. I think I may have internets there. We shall see. Anyway, I’m off to respond to comments and to catch up on my feminist reading!
9 comments
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May 31, 2008 at 6:30 pm
D
First off, be nice to Jungle Cruise. I fell in love for the first and only time on that ride.
Also, Jasmine was a princess of color. An Arab would be a person of color, no?
For the little girls dressing up as their favorite princess, it’s a lot more innocent than some people make it out to be. It’s fun for them, they get to play dress up, and whatnot.
It’s the very fact that they’re three, that you can’t really get too angry at it. They’re not old enough to find anything wrong with it, it’s just simply “fun” to them.
, also being addressed as “Princess” repeatedly by the cast members SIMPLY because I was wearing (half ironically) a mini-tiara can feel pretty patronizing after a while. I am twenty-fucking-one, for chrissake. Also, it sucks when you forget your camera.
They actually address pretty much any female as that. The woman I went to Disneyland with was addressed by Ariel as “Princess” and told she had “beautiful mermaid hair”. (She has incredibly long red hair)
It’s mostly so as they don’t “break the illusion”, as it were. The cast members HAVE to do this. If children hear them addressing older guests differently, they’ll stop “believing” that it’s really them.
It’s silly, but rather cute to play along with, if you don’t let it bother you.
May 31, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Red Queen
Things I learned about the world through Epcot:
The entire country of Mexico is underground.
The Japanese and the Chinese are the same! Look, they both use chopsticks to eat.
Morocco is a tiny country that consists of nothing but pretty painted tiles and water fountains.
The Germans do nothing but drink beer and eat chocolate.
Italy smells good.
Now I never have to travel to any of these places (except I’ve been to quite a few of them already- oops)
May 31, 2008 at 9:52 pm
goingtomontreal
Hahaha. Actually, this was my first time on the Jungle Cruise (though I have been to DW three times before) and overall I enjoyed it….despite of the natives. Our boat guide was hilarious. And I still think the girls dressing up as princesses *is* cute….I am more bothered by the implications with paying upwards $150 to do it and the uniform princess brigade. There is no similar service for boys. I find that a little….sexist. And while Jasmine IS a princess of color, and I did see a number of girls dressed up as her, she is a small concession in a cast of characters that are alarmingly white. Really, it is getting better…these were more observations than death sentences for Disney. Overall, they try to do good things and promote a diverse, tolerant, accepting world view (having so many themes devoted to unity, promoting cultural awareness and interest in other peoples, hosting a Gay Pride Week, refusing to favor one religion, etc….) More or less, I think any of Disney “choices” has more to do with the context of time (like in the Jungle cruise) or mere irresponsibility/ignorance. But they do consciously try to improve. Also, I know all about preserving the magic (my little sister is a cast member) and all that jazz. So I kinda understand….I think.
Though I wish Ariel told me I had pretty mermaid hair! Hell, I wish I had long red hair!!!
And Red Queen– What I learned about the world? Everything is overpriced in other countries! Especially Germany! I was in a shop with shelves and shelves of Beer Steins. I thought my boyfriend might like one, so I picked up a smaller, less ornate one. $150!!!!! I did find some really cute tea cups in Japan, however.
June 1, 2008 at 3:54 am
D
Hahaha. Actually, this was my first time on the Jungle Cruise (though I have been to DW three times before
See, Jungle Cruise is the ONLY ride that DW has that’s superior to it’s DL version. DW’s has that added “temple” section, which is not in DL’s.
Other than that, every ride at Land is better. Pirates there is about 16 minutes long, compared to the paltry 7 minutes at World. There’s just no comparing the quality of Land’s Space Mountain to the one in World. SO much better. Haunted Mansion is basically identical. Plus, Land has the Indiana Jones ride. Which is the best thing ever.
.I am more bothered by the implications with paying upwards $150 to do it and the uniform princess brigade. There is no similar service for boys. I find that a little….sexist.
Well, the princesses are always more important than the prince. The prince is usually simply a secondary role to the princess.
Plus, they have more elaborate costumes. :p I guess they just figure if you can afford the cost of the tickets and food, you can afford the dressup, too.
And while Jasmine IS a princess of color, and I did see a number of girls dressed up as her, she is a small concession in a cast of characters that are alarmingly white
Well, the stories existed before Disney did. They just animated them.
Hell, there was also Mulan, which, while it had it’s problems, still presented a story of a very strong non-white female character.
Regardless, there’s nothing wrong with my Lion King, dammit. I will hear no ill will against it!
More or less, I think any of Disney “choices” has more to do with the context of time (like in the Jungle cruise) or mere irresponsibility/ignorance.
Yeah, some of those rides have been around for 50+ years. You can only tweak a “classic” so much, before you offend the people who have loved it for years.
You just have to take it as a sign of how things were at the time.
Plus, those guides are really good. Some of the ways they ad-lib their scripts are rather brilliant.
(I know a lot of people were displeased by the addition of Jack Sparrow to Pirates, for example.)
So I kinda understand….I think.
Though I wish Ariel told me I had pretty mermaid hair! Hell, I wish I had long red hair!!!
Haha, yeah, she was incredibly tickled by the comment. And yes, we took pictures. Two grown adults posing with Ariel, haha. But I think that’s the fun of it. You can do that there, and nobody thinks less of you for it. You’re allowed to be a big kid.
I don’t think I’d ever go back to World, personally, because it always feels like Diet Disney, haha. But a trip to Land ends up running over 1500 bucks, airfare, hotel, etcetera. I can drive to World if I really felt like it. Not that far, but not as fun.
June 1, 2008 at 4:49 am
StevieG
1. ” A ride I rather appreciate: “It’s a Small World” is quite the squeaky, sparkly “one world” promotional display–and while I was glad to see both the African continent AND the Middle Eastern areas well represented, it was disheartening to see only ONE LONE AMERICAN INDIAN by himself AT THE VERY END OF THE RIDE tucked in the back corner, beating on a drum. ”
Um… how can the Middle east be well represented? There is absolutely no mention of Israel in it, unless you count the two dolls from a Jewish style wedding in which case they are only beating the American Indian by one. Or are we also counting the “Shalom” sign at the end.
2. “Has little to do with Disney world, but last night my family and I got into it because my little sister found out that her three roommates next semester are all (gasp!) black. WHITE PRIVILEGE ALERT!!!! ”
How is that really white privilege? Doesn’t that just kind of prove your family is racist?
3. “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: Marketing sexist beauty rituals to girls as young as three”
The whole princess culture has SO many things wrong with it, more so than beauty rituals. I actually took a class this past semester on fairy tales and dealt a lot with Disney. If you notice, the female leads or princesses always need a man to succeed in the end. Even the new Disney model of Ariel and Belle and the rest of the post Mermaid princesses, while stronger and more active, still need their prince to save them in the end and always end up with him. Not to mention the fact that Disney changes every aspect of each of the “tales”. I could go on forever witht his subject.
4. “I really like Moroccan food”
I really hope you’re not talking about that place in Epcot. It’s more Middle Eastern food, not exclusively Moroccan. The problem is their Shwarma sucks and so does the kebab. The baklava is alright, but I’ve been to Morocco, the food their is a lot better. However, the country itself is an absolute shithole.
5. “While at the American Adventure pavilion in Epcot, asking in a loud voice “Where’s the part about us exterminating the American Indians?” while the grand story of the founding of This Great Nation is being told will illicit dirty looks from the chaperons watching over their herd of visiting fifth graders.”
C’mon, it’s true, but that really is a douchebag move right there. Trust me, I used to be the same way, but I finally realized it’s not worth being that guy (or gal). It doesn’t accomplish anything and just ends up hurting your point. As for the Jesus skywriting, Disney can’t help that, but I’m sure Walt wouldn’t really care either.
Plus, I understand a Beer Stein is a nice thought for your BF, but German beers are just kind of, well, blah. Sure they are nice and malty, but there’s just no experimentation going on with it. Try introducing him to some REAL Belgians. That’s where all the experimentation is going on right now. Plus, if he’s in Colorado right now tell him to get some New Belgium Brewing Co. beers, the “La Folie” is supposed to be wonderful. Then again this is just me assuming that he’s a true beer lover and BeerAdvocate like myself based on your thought of a gift, if I’m way off, my bad.
June 1, 2008 at 6:59 am
Renee
. “While at the American Adventure pavilion in Epcot, asking in a loud voice “Where’s the part about us exterminating the American Indians?” while the grand story of the founding of This Great Nation is being told will illicit dirty looks from the chaperons watching over their herd of visiting fifth graders.”
C’mon, it’s true, but that really is a douchebag move right there. Trust me, I used to be the same way, but I finally realized it’s not worth being that guy (or gal). It doesn’t accomplish anything and just ends up hurting your point
So she would have been better off just mindless consuming the omission of a genocide to allow everyone to feel more comfortable. If they are going to label it US history then it should be US history. If you are uncomfortable or disturbed you should be. Children especially should not be taught a lie.
June 1, 2008 at 12:34 pm
goingtomontreal
Stevie G.–They renovated the ride, and Israel was actually included at the end of the European room…a strange choice considering geography.
I did say that my family was a little bit racist! That was the heading of the section!! I think a lot of implicit racism comes not from over hatred, but from being unaware of white privilege.
It was the place in Epcot. I have had Middle Eastern food plenty of time (lots of Persian friends) and it was different. Maybe not authentic…but different.
I don’t CARE if it was a douche bag move….like Renee said, why should I keep my mouth shut about it? It’s something I feel very strongly about, and I wasn’t about to let my opinion lay dormant while I watched on.
David is not a hardcore Beer Lover (though I think he wishes he was) but he just likes…cool looking things.
I ended up finding him this really neat glass and leather tequila flask in “Mexico” so yeah.
D–I have never been to Disney Land, though I do want to go! I hear that Space Mountain there is also superior. It’s just so far away!!!
June 1, 2008 at 6:27 pm
D
D–I have never been to Disney Land, though I do want to go! I hear that Space Mountain there is also superior. It’s just so far away!!!
Space Mountain is like a completely different ride in Disney Land. SO much better. Also, the Star Wars ride is part of Land, so you don’t have to pay extra to get into an extra park just to go on it. Space Mountain in World is more like a covered up version of the Matterhorn from Land, which they don’t even have at World. Boo to World.
It’s not that far away! I flew from the east coast all the way to the west coast for it. Well, it was for the person I went with, not so much the park. Which is why I’ll probably never end up going back. Bleh. TMI, I’m sure. :p
June 2, 2008 at 7:23 am
SnowdropExplodes
They renovated the ride, and Israel was actually included at the end of the European room…a strange choice considering geography.
Well, Israel competes in the Eurovision Song Contest, maybe that’s Disney’s criterion?