I'll tell you what's scary. My mother-in-law and father-in-law travel to Florida every Christmas holiday to visit relatives and EVERY YEAR they want to drag my husband and myself to WDW.<BR>We have are in our 30's and have no kids and there is absolutely no joy in going. I never went to WDW as a kid (never begged my parents to go) and my in-laws thought I would love it. I thought Epcot was a laugh (bad one)and the parks were generic and artificial.<BR>I also don't think it's fair that Disney is a man-made money making oasis that steals wild animals and trains them to satisfy people that don't venture out into nature. <BR>The food is horrendous, the hotels and service are mediocre and Epcot is for people that think that's the way the rest of the world looks.<BR>My in-laws think that eating some couscous at Epcot's Morocco is authentic. <BR>Sadly, they have never travelled outside the U.S. but I don't think they realize that it costs more at Disney then venturing out and travelling abroad. <BR>Disney is a cult with bad food, aging parks and cheesy hotels and atmosphere.<BR>By the way, every time we go we get major discounts off of everything plus free park tickets because we know someone who works for corporate. <BR>Maybe that's why my cheap in-laws want to go every year? <BR>When we have kids I will not bring up Disney unless they really want to go.

A time, anytime, is what you make of it...<BR><BR>Magic is in hearts,,, place simply help procure magic...

I'm sure Amanda is a nice person, but those words sure look to me like they're coming from a cult member. Again...every other word is "magic." I'm glad I started this and relieved to know I'm not alone.

deb, you are exactly the type of person I was referring to. First of all, what I said was true, and if anyone cares to read about it, the thread is right there on the disboards. More than one person criticized this mother, not to mention those who criticized other posters who suggested she sue. In fact some more might have criticized but the thread was locked, meaning no more posts are allowed on it. This is what happens to most posts that hint of negativity towards the mouse.<BR><BR> See, you're getting all defensive. "If you don't like Disney, don't go (I do like Disney, but I know they make mistakes and this was a biggie), "Don't read posts you don't like" Huh? OK, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on that one and assume you're either very young or just uneducated.<BR><BR>Also I forgot to mention the disnuts who suggested that the mom not submit her medical bills to Disney, but rather that she should have her own insurance cover them! Thanks for reminding me, deb.<BR><BR>True, some posters, like me, suggested this mom sue Disney and prompt her to contact first a good attorney and then Disney, as clearly Disney is not about to contact her, but there were more than a few who defended Disney, saying a suit wouldn't hold up ("How do we know it was Disney's fault and not the kids") I believe that is a direct quote deb.<BR><BR>In closing, I suggest YOU reread the post, and perhaps if you are not so blinded by rodent love, some of those responses will make you question the sanity of SOME (notice I said some, of those posters. I know I sure got the creeps when I read them.<BR><BR>Oh, and thank you for illustrating Paul's point about some peoples cult mentality. You made the point quite effectively.<BR>

Hey Candy-Did you know that those sports figures who utter the words, "I want to go to Disney World," after winning major events are paid something like $100,000 to say that by Disney?

Don't take Paul's word for it. If anyone wants a really good laugh, as well as a truly mind - blowing experience, wander on over to disboards.com. You will feel like you entered another dimension. A dimension where grown men and women agree that Disney is the most "magical" place on earth, will sprinkle pixie dust on you for luck, and when someone complains, will chastise them by saying things like "So what if it's crowded and hot and the lines are long, what about the magic? You should just be glad that you're at Disney" I kid you not. These and other gems are all over that board.<BR><BR>If you have any doubts at all that Disney is a cult, a few minutes reading those boards will erase them.

A co-worker of mine and her husband actually bought a time share in Orlando so they could go every year. She just loves Disney, her hubby could take it or leave it, but he goes along to keep his wife happy. What they spend they could go on a really nice vacation...

To Bystander. Let's recap: "Imagine if all news media were owned by companies trying to push agendas."<BR><BR>Oh, man. THEY ARE! Everyone pushes an agenda, whether it's to sell advertising or promote Clinton-hating or Bush-hating. <BR><BR>If you think it's otherwise, then you're naive. Or are you one of those who believes that the NY Times and the Wall Street Journal are only interested in "fair" treatments of the news? <BR><BR>The best thing we have going for us that there are a lot of different sources, and so we end up with balance. But if you (or the PhD "observer") are expecting media with no biases, you better move to another planet.

TO: Here we go: If unpleasant posts were added to the thread at the Disboard that we are discussing, then my mistake. It was as I described it the last time I checked. I am at a loss to understand why people who are so obviously hostile to Disney make it their mission to disrespect others who do like it. Why? Aren't there other things to do? I have noticed that the very people who do the most complaining often start their posts with a comment on how they actually like it there. They then proceed to trash it and anyone who goes there. My comments have nothing to do with blind Disney love, just respect for others choices. People should not mock other people's vacation spots, or try to make them feel stupid for going there. I promise not to laugh at or belittle anyone who goes anywhere. Whether it be a cruise, or a jungle trek, if someone else enjoys it, what sense would it make for me to scour message boards to post sarcastic replies to their honest questions? To me this issue is much bigger than Disney, it is a general attitude that is given by people who feel the need to spend their time trashing it.

I'm sorry to say this, but Disney represents the typical "lowest common denominator" mentality that unfortunately pervades this country. Ironic that I am posting this, because I'm sitting here watching "fantasia" with my little boy. But the animation and the creepy cult like mentality are totally different

Paul, shame on you for slandering an American institution and for provoking these nice people. I know you loved the Cinderella breakfast. <BR><BR>Your friend Stacie in OP.

Well, I can't cut and paste my diploma here, so you'll just have to take my word for it that I have the degree and teach journalism. You ("loving it") take my words WAY too simplistically, for one thing, and clearly have imposed your own idea of what "freedom of the press" means -- or perhaps that of the Freedom Forum, which believes it means "freedom from regulation," period.<BR><BR>The 1st Amendment was added to the Constitution to protect the press, as "watchdog" over government for the people, and also to protect expression of individual beliefs, opinions, etc. from government limitation. The idea is that a democracy depends on a fully informed citizenry that can govern itself best. The problem comes when free speech is only "free" for the people who own the presses, and information is controlled by the rich and powerful -- especially when the lines between government and media-ownership become completely blurred. <BR><BR>Disney owns ABC. GE owns NBC. CBS is Westinghouse. Time-Warner owns just about everything else except what Fox owns. Each of these companies also have huge holdings in all our sources of information. So long as they are all competing for the same advertisers, there is no "free market" in information. They will only present what they think they can sell, not what we need to know to participate in democracy.<BR><BR>No, I don't believe any part of our media system is free from bias. I do believe that most have abandoned the effort to try in favor of the effort to "appear" to be objective without offending any money sources. <BR><BR>As for Disney? There's a difference between taking your 9-year old to ride Magic Mountain and thinking that Epcot is the same as Europe or having your wedding with Mickey and Minnie because that's such a great basis for a relationship. Once or twice is fine. Believing that the Mouse is the source of all that's good and wonderful is downright dangerous.

snore.

I would say the Disney haters seem to be a "cult" all of their own!! Who cares what others do with their own money? Get a life!

DO YOU PEOPLE HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT EVERY ONE BUT YOU THINKS THAT EPCOT IS REAL? REALLY? GROW UP!

We know quite a few people that save their money for YEARS so they can go to Disney. That same money for a week's stay at Disney could have gotten a family of four who we know a two week luxury cruise to the Caribbean. <BR>Instead they got to experience being treated like cattle and eating the lousiest food on the planet.<BR>I don't care who visits there - better you than me. Also, it keeps the prime vacation spots hassle free and less congested.

I thought my usually cynical husband was crazy when he told me that he had been to Disney 9 times since he was a child. Last year he finally convinced me to go, and I was shocked how much fun it was. I felt the years strip away. We also had descent to great food (we at Gloria Estafan's restaurant twice).<BR><BR>We have been to Paris, London, Rome, the French Riviera, Elba, Corsica, the Caribbean and more and LOVE those places, but I found I could also love the ALL AMERICAN Vacation that Disney provides.<BR><BR>Is it a cult? Who knows. All I know is that it stimulated my imagination and awoke the sense of fun and magic that had been asleep for far too long. When I go to Disney, I ask - what are the possibilities in life, if all this can happen?!!!! Corny, but a great way to see life!

I like the people who state that those who enjoy Epcot are lowest-common denominator because they go there and think that they've experienced the actual cultures of other countries, and then turn around and say that you'd be better off to go on a Caribbean cruise.<BR><BR>Umm, does anybody who goes on a Caribbean cruise that stops in at "exotic ports of call" really think they're experiencing the "real" Barbados/Antigua/Curacao/whatever? Okay, then go to Club Med in Jamaica and tell us you've experienced "the real Jamaica."<BR><BR>I enjoy going to Disney World just because it's so unreal, and because I think it's entertaining, and most of all because it's the best place I've ever seen to go people-watching.<BR><BR>I say go wherever you enjoy on vacation, whether it's WDW or a Caribbean cruise or hiking in the Andes. (I myself think that people who pay good money to go sleep in a bag on the ground in the woods with no running water or electricity are kind of nuts, but wouldn't go so far as to say that campers are a cult).<BR>

The otherwise pompous and boring PhD made one reference I relate to. I just DON'T GET weddings at WDW or any theme park. That comes pretty close to treating Disney like a religion, to me. Father Mickey presiding, with images of St. Goofy, St. Daisy, Sr. Minnie, etc. etc. etc. Marriage in Fantasyland might only be "happily ever after" until you leave the park, sweeties.

Steve:<BR><BR>You and I are alike when it comes to vacation plans. I am planning for a 3/03 cruise to the Caribbean, either a 7 or 10 day cruise on Princess or Royal Caribbean. To be spoiled to a fault for a week or 10 days is my idea of heaven.