I am boycotting Disney World. Just told my daughter we are not going there for vacation this year

[agenasolva]

Every year my family (wife and my daughter) take a trip to Disney World during the fall. It has come to my attention that Disney is currently updating the "Hall of Presidents" attraction at the Magic Kingdom to add Trump, front and center, in place of Obama.

It disgusts me that Disney would honor an illegitimate President. A racist, sexist, woman-groping, fascist one at that. How could they feature someone like that at a "family-oriented" theme park?

My 10 year old daughter is already traumatized by him.

You may suggest we just skip the attraction but that's not the point. The point is that Disney would willingly add someone like this to one of their attractions. That says a lot to me about their character and I refuse to give them my money for doing so.

I already signed the petition at https://www.change.org/p/the-walt-disney-company-no-speech-from-the-donald-trump-animatronic-in-walt-disney-world-s-hall-of-presidents

So far it has almost 14,000 signatures but I don't know what difference it will make. If they decide to not feature Drumpf then I take back my boycott.

In the meantime, guess it's time to research other vacation spots.

[LexVegas]

1. Skip the attraction. nt

[Maeve]

18. Seriously. It's a snooze-fest.

Unless you really need the nap.

[msanthrope]

28. It's air conditioned. nt

[Nevernose]

30. Lol

You've clearly been to Disneyworld!

[marybourg]

2. Probably a good idea anyway.

How about one of our great National Parks?

[we can do it]

10. Much better idea than disney

[ksoze]

3. Why punish your daughter due to voters in her country?

He may be a "racist, sexist, woman-groping, fascist", but he was legally elected President. Why would Disney not display an elected President? Let it stand as a testament that every vote counts and elections have consequences.

[agenasolva]

5. Trump would have never won if it wasn't for Russia hacking and tampering with our election process

[ksoze]

9. Could be, but he is legally the Prez for now.

[monmouth4]

4. Also, Disney has raised their admission fees again. I have no interest in it so did not get the

info, but just be prepared if you change your mind. That's a pricey outing..

[PJMcK]

15. About $100 per day

Here's a link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/24/disney-ticket-prices-jump_n_4844995.html

[msanthrope]

6. More room for me and my daughter.

Seriously.....just walk a bit on by and go to the Haunted House.

[brooklynite]

7. Maybe they're adding him BECAUSE HE'S THE PRESIDENT

Trump and all the other Presidents in the Hall of Presidents were elected under our system, flawed as it is. Should we take out Washington, Adams, Jefferson, etc. because African Americans and women weren't allowed to vote?

BTW, Trump folks are now boycotting Disney because they've added a gay character to BEAUTY & THE BEAST. Maybe they'll be happy to have company.

[WillowTree]

19. What brooklynite said. Twice.

[LanternWaste]

21. I believe your logical fallacy is called Reductio ad Absurdum.

"Should we take out Washington, Adams, Jefferson, etc. because African Americans and women weren't allowed to vote?"

No one but you has argued that particular premise. I believe the logical fallacy you presented us with is called Reductio ad Absurdum.

The sentiments and opinions of others can often bring our our irrational and illogical responses... so much so, we end up justifying them as actually valid. Good luck!!! Maybe drop a name or two for good measure.

[lpbk2713]

37. You're right.

The omission would be too obvious.

Then they would have to rename it "Hall of Some Presidents" .

[brooklynite]

58. I'm providing another example of arguably "illegitimate" Presidents.

Trump may be corrupt. He may be a mysoginist; he may be racist. But he's the legitimately elected President.

[Initech]

49. They also boycotted Star Trek Beyond when Sulu came out of the closet.

But it made $75 million. A boycott is just an empty gesture if it doesn't make a dent in the profit margins. It works both ways.

[mainer]

68. Makes me sick his portrait will be in the National Portrait Gallery in DC

but it's not as if the gallery has a choice. He's President, so his mug goes in the Hall of Presidents.

We can't blame Disney World for reflecting reality.

[liskddksil]

8. Plenty of reasons to boycott Disney but this is not one of them

He is the President whether we like it or not, so we can't just stick our fingers in their ears and pretend otherwise. This kind of stuff just makes liberals look petty, when we should be focused on the big stuff with Trump.

Go after Disney for the H1B hiring and American layoffs or being overpriced but not this.

[PJMcK]

11. If that's the only reason you're not going to Disney World...

...then you definitely need to venture elsewhere! There's a beautiful, diverse and wonderful REAL world out there.

Take your wife and daughter to one or more of the marvelous cultural or historical sites or cities. It will change your lives and expand your understandings of our great world. You'll meet wonderful people, eat fantastic cuisine and gain an understanding of far more important issues.

Disney represents the commercialization and homogenization of our incredibly diverse planet. It represents, in too many ways, the diminishment of humankind.

[burnbaby]

12. she is 10

don't do that to her

[PJMcK]

16. Respectfully, have you been to Disney World?

Do you really think that's a healthy environment for anyone?!

[msanthrope]

29. I've been there. It's the happiest fucking place on the planet and I truly thank

every single cast member who made my autistic daughter smile and laugh.

And look at my username. I don't say that lightly.

[The Wielding Truth]

52. Take a little Russion flag with you and take some pics with him behind it. That would be enjoyable.

[lunamagica]

34. WDW is a great place for handiccaped children (and adults). For many it is the first vacation

where they can fully participate and have fun, not just sit somewhere to watch others having fun. Disney has done a great job in accommodations and accessibility. No wonder is one of the most popular destinations for MAW kids

So, yes, it is a healthy environment for many people

[Xolodno]

13. Yes, because that works so well for...

...the million mom's group and right wing nuts.

They have EVERY President up there, some who owned slaves, a genocidal maniac named Andrew Jackson, etc. Like it or not, 45 is #45. How long he lasts...that's another question.

[Kimchijeon]

14. yeah i would skip it too

[titaniumsalute]

17. I never liked disney...way overpriced place

[jmg257]

20. That's too bad - with Moana so hot right now (great movie) bet it would be fun!

[lame54]

22. if you have been their several times...

go anywhere else

too many interesting places to go to keep returning to the same place over and over

[Tommy_Carcetti]

23. Disney World is overpriced crap, irrespective of whether or not they have a robot Trump.

Last edited Wed Mar 15, 2017, 03:51 PM - Edit history (1)

Disney movies are fine and enjoyable but the theme parks are a waste of time and money.

It's overly crowded and overly priced for what amounts to mediocre rides. It was built as an underhanded land grab and contributed to a lot of sprawl and ugliness on what had been pristine Central Florida wilderness.

I avoided it for the first 30 or so years of my life. I subsequently have been twice, not my choosing, and I can't say that I really was in any way impressed.

I would still highly suggest a Florida vacation, though. You could try St. Augustine, Kennedy Space Center, the Everglades, the Keys, or the absolutely beautiful natural springs that dot the state.

If you really want an amusement park, I might suggest the Tampa Bay City Pass. It will get you into Busch Gardens, which is a pretty good amusement park. It's smaller than Disney but with better rides and shorter lines. You will also get admission into the Florida Aquarium, Clearwater Aquarium, Tampa Zoo and the Science Museum. The price is $90 a person for all of those attractions combined--it's a terrific value. Essentially you get 5 attractions for less than the price of a single day at Disney.

[Dream Girl]

24. I don't get the whole Disney thing, never felt the need to take my son there and never missed it

We've take out son to Mexico, Jamaica, Ireland, Fiji and Australia in addition to road trips throughout California and Pacific Northwest and many, many other places in this big, beautiful country. Why people feel the need to haul their families to a plastic, make believe artificial environment is beyond me. Way too commercial for us. Seems that people fall for the hype and somehow feel that it's a requirement for a happy childhood. My son did eventually make his way to Disneyland with family friends when he was 10 or 11. He was not impressed.

[GWC58]

25. I made my first trip to Disney World

in 2014, at age 55. I thought it was great. Had a fine time. I have to assume, in the Hall of Presidents, the current is front and center, as Obama was.

[cwydro]

26. Oh good lord.

[jehop61]

27. Instead of paying a large corporation

Take a trip to a national park and teach your child the wonders and joys of the real world. You'll all be better for it.

[The Sand Reckoner]

47. Yes, while you can

Before the Republicans shut down the National Park Service and the National Forest Service and sell all that land to private interests at a bargain price.

[Softail1]

31. you are co-opting your kid's childhood

sometimes you need to shelve the politics...this is one of those times. Let your kid have some fun without the heavy stuff that will come later in her life....

[agenasolva]

44. Even if we did go I'm worried that she would see advertising for the attraction with Trump on it

She is terrified of Trump to the point that it would likely ruin the vacation

But that's not the issue I have. My issue is that I don't want to give money to someone who would even feature a blatant racist, sexist, xenophobe in a family theme park. I can't imagine all of the other children who have to see him there and will feel incredibly uncomfortable.

[MichMary]

63. Why is she "terrified?"

I'm going to assume she is picking that up from you, which begs the question: why would you do that to a child? There is no reason for a young child to know much of anything about politics. What, did you tell her he was going to jump out and grab her by the pussy??

Like it or not, Trump is the duly and legitimately elected POTUS. Just about half the country is actually okay with that, and just because you don't like it, doesn't mean he shouldn't get the Disney treatment.

There were probably plenty of people who didn't like the idea that Obama was POTUS. Think Disney should have catered to their preferences, too?

[GulfCoast66]

65. Boy, that's harsh

There really are no ads for it as there are no ads in the park.

But what is Disney supposed to do? Shut down the hall of presidents? Have one for liberals and one for conservatives? Keep in mind many of the presidents Depicted there are owned slaves.

Disney did not make him president the American people did. Or the electoral college anyway.

I'm very sorry that the site of the president causes your daughter such trauma. It's going to be a tough four years for you.

Have a nice day

[Swagman]

32. the only time I ever went to Disneyland I was refused entry

in the late 70s.
Security said my Irish girlfriend's "short shorts were too short".
They said we should respect the morals of the country we were in (she was in the local Mickey Mouse club on local TV when she was a kid )
She had only just bought them the day before in LA.
So I've never been to any Disney attraction.
Never bothered me but that bus trip there and back isn't much fun.

[lunasun]

33. what about Universal? Right down the way and you can stay there too.

Mu kids all liked NASA on the coast also with the near state parks but the youngest is 12
Same sunny weather at universal if that is what you are after

Disney attracts everybody so there are plenty RWs probably scheduling their Disney trip purposely after the Trump unveiling!!!
The small world ride might be empty at that time though......

[Tommy_Carcetti]

40. And much better rides IMHO.

Glad you checked out some of the state parks in the area as well.

If you are in Orlando, Wekieva Springs State Park is less than a half hour away and beautiful.

An hour away you have Deleon Springs State Park, where not only do you have the springs and boating and hiking, but a pancake house in an old sugar mill where you can cook all you can eat pancakes on a grill in the middle of the table. And personally they're the best pancakes I've ever tasted.

[lunasun]

56. Missed the pancakes! We had some great eats in FL !

[Tommy_Carcetti]

57. Definitely worth the $6 park admission fee.

And the $5 for the two pitchers of batter (white and whole grain).

You can also top with blueberries, chocolate chips, etc., and grill bacon and sausage on the side.

Top with maple syrup, honey or molasses.


Any good places you recommend from your trip? I'm "local" so I'm always looking for a good place to eat.

[lunasun]

59. No unfortunately I do not remember the names but tasty !

I'm not even big on meats but I esp liked some bbq place . Everyone did so we went back 2 days in a row. That's weird on vacation I know you try new things, but it was that good and after a long tourist day we were planning on some suggested place but someone mentioned the bbq and we all said yes and went back this time they had a salad bar set up that now made it even better dining.
Can't say where now , maybe Titusville , it was last spring . Good fish place or two near the coast . None were super fancy just great food and welcoming service

[Tommy_Carcetti]

61. Hmm.

I remember going to a bbq place in Cocoa (just down the coast from Titusville) called Slow and Low. It was pretty good. Not sure if that's the place you're thinking of.

[GulfCoast66]

60. Did you go back in the day

When you could cook your own meat and eggs as well? It was even more fun.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

62. I'm not sure.

I remember getting a side of sausage last time I was there (about 2 years ago) but I'm not sure if it had been pre-cooked or not.

[GulfCoast66]

66. It was pre-cooked

It Has been at least 10 years since you could cook your own. People were getting burned by the grease so they stop letting the guest do it.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

67. Ah, okay.

I've been going there since before I could even remember (more than 30 years).

The pancakes really are exceptional. And not just because you make them yourself.

[oberliner]

35. Where do you get that he will be in place of Obama?

I would assume Obama would stay as well and Trump would just be added.

[TDale313]

36. Seems a bit of an overreaction to me.

Especially if they are just doing what they've done for every President. There are plenty of issues/concerns with Disney (I admit I still enjoy Disneyland- judge if you must) This would be pretty low on my list of reasons not to go.

[caroldansen]

38. I understand your feelings and concern especially for your children which means you're a good

mother but Disney uses that as a teaching tool for schools that come to visit. It must be accurate, up to date and correct for the schools that pass through there. We can't take him out of the history books that are to be either because they have to be accurate and correct whether we like it or not. I would say avoid that exhibit. It may not make him go away. But then again who knows.

[sdfernando]

39. I've been boycotting them since they fired 200 of their IT workers and hired

H1B workers as replacements...even made the fired workers train their replacements as a condition of their severance.

[cbdo2007]

41. Lol wow.

[lunamagica]

42. I'm with the others who said to take the kid, skip the attraction

You are not hurting 45 by not going to Disney. He will never know. But your little girl? why punish her with this?

[FSogol]

43. Cool Story, Bro.

[Dawson Leery]

45. I do not see the big deal about Disney world.

Our family did not care for it. Anti-Semite and Reaganbot Walt Disney was big on blind consumerism.
I've seen Bermuda, USVI, Nova Scotia, the French Riviera, Spain, India, Drove across America, and was far more impressed with these than Disneyland.

[BannonsLiver]

46. A lot of conservatives hate Disney, too.

They think the company promotes the "gay agenda" at its parks and in its movies.


I'm always fascinated by what trips people's triggers.

[Warpy]

48. After you've seen it once, it's the least attractive "attraction"

in the whole park. I think Gerald Ford was front and center when I saw it. Haven't seen it since.

In fact, after the first time, the whole thing is kind of a snooze. I can't imaging going back every year, although my parents did once it opened. I guess a lot of people like the predictable and nothing is more predictable than automated amusements that stay the same, year after year. The only thing that changes is the admission price.

[okwmember]

69. To be fair the show has changed since then.

Not just the addition of presidents, but the the film as well. I actually miss the film I grew up with because it had a greater focus on the Civil War and Vietnam. Today's film features more recent events Challenger explosion, 9/11 and such. It is probably due for another update soon. Although I hope they continue to have Morgan Freeman do the narration.

[Warpy]

70. Yes, I'd pay to hear him read the phone book

Fortunately, he's been so busy narrating things here and there that I don't have to.

It's that beautifully enunciated, educated Mississippi dialect in that velvet voice. In his way, he's the equal of the best classical actors the UK has produced.

That still wouldn't be enough to get me to sit through Bowdlerized history and animatronic presidents. Once was a great sufficiency.

[WillowTree]

50. Silly.

[Initech]

51. So Disney is one of largest active LGBT employers in the country...

And they do a lot to advance liberal causes, but one tiny detail like this and it's game over? This is what conservatives don't like about us. Just skip that attraction and do something else.

[Historic NY]

53. At this time he hasn't made any effort to do a signature speech...

for disney, see he might just stand up and sit down. I just came back the site is closed.

[Gothmog]

54. I have not been to the Hall of Presidents in years

I would just skip that attraction. The new Pandora land in Animal Kingdom looks interesting and my son and youngest daughter have eaten at the new Tiffen restaurant at AK and loved it.

[Freethinker65]

55. I hated Disney...but figured my pre schooler might like it

Thought perhaps seeing it through a child's eyes would be different. He did not like it either. To each his own, but I would not skip it because of a Disneyified talking Trump. For what it is worth, we both enjoyed Sea World, which now has a worse reputation than Disney so...do what you think is best at the time for yourself and child

[okwmember]

64. My family and I made a visit on Jan 16 (MLK Day)

as it was the last day of show before they closed it to make the change. Not just hubby and kids either, we took brother and sister in law, their kids and a couple of my daughter's friends from college. It was packed everytime we went in that day, and it even broke down for about an hour in the early afternoon. Lots of people clapping when Obama spoke at the end. We will do what we did for the 8 years of GW Bush and just not go to Hall of Presidents.

[kcr]

71. So. Is the thread going the way you expected?