Walt Disney World Holiday Season 2024

[JohnD]

Yes, the secularization of the Candlelight Procession has indeed been reversed.

The vocals no longer begin with "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" which is all about partying for that "Time of Year" and mentions Christmas only in the line: And tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago.

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It's the kind of non-Christmas Christmas-song parodied/mocked by Olaf in "That Time of Year" which mentions all the associated Christmas traditions without mentioning Christmas (except for a quick Mele Kaliki).​

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It was totally out of place for a concert in which Sacred Song and scriptural quoting is professing the Christian faith that Jesus is God incarnate and thus, savior for all from sin and death.​

"Let There Be Peace on Earth" is also gone.. and good riddance. They used the second verse only of the song which doesn't mention God or anything religious.

The overly saccharine introduction to Silent Night has been shortened -- Altho, why they don't continue to use biblical passages is beyond me. Who there thinks that whatever treacle they write is more appropriate?

Also, they added and overly saccharine introduction to "Joy to the World" in which, after all these songs and scripture verses proclaiming Jesus to be Messiah and Savior, they go on about "what a nice guy he was." <roll eyes>. This also includes Biblical hallucinations about Jesus sharing food off his place and giving drink to those who were hungry and thirsty. A complete misremembering of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Last Supper. They need to upgrade to a more recent AI to write their copy.

Anyhoo, "Joy to the Word" and the "Hallelujah Chorus" are now each their own complete song and seemingly much more well received by the audience than that Frankenmashup of the past which confused everyone about whether they should stand for the Hallelujah parts (and you should stand as a member of Western Civilization).

Though, as a continued poke in the eye, "Jingle Bells" in the instrumental overture has been expanded from a quick wink to it's own full song. So out of place. So stupid.


But, far be it from me to say anything critical about what Modern Disney does.

That whole Jesus is nice thing, including pondering what Mary and Joseph thought, is unBiblical as to be a farce. I was fine with the true story of the hymn Silent Night, though I can see how it took you out of the narrative. Instead they conjured up the Mary and Joseph pondering that night story. Sigh...

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Yikes! Precisely why I'm perfectly happy to be blocked out with my Pixie Dust pass. Some people think, "I'm going Christmas Day. It will be a magical time!" I think, "No. Not really."

Had a lovely time today starting in Epcot and hopping to AK for EMH. Using LLMP and EMH rode Frozen, Mission Space, GOTG, Seas, Dinosaur, Expedition Everest, then Expedition Everest twice in a row with a 5 minute wait at 6:45, then Expedition Everest a third time during EMH with no wait, then Avatar with a 15 minute wait, then Navi with no wait.

Neither Epcot or Animal Kingdom seemed particularly crowded, walkways were easy to navigate, restaurants weren’t crowded, nor were bathrooms, etc.

 

[Bullseye1967]

Yikes! Precisely why I'm perfectly happy to be blocked out with my Pixie Dust pass. Some people think, "I'm going Christmas Day. It will be a magical time!" I think, "No. Not really."

We did this exactly one time. Definitely a one and done!!

 

[MisterPenguin]

Thank *god*, peace is such a horrible thing to wish for.

The 2nd verse of LTBPoE didn't thank God, it was all about "let it begin with me."

The 1st verse, however, did bring in God as the reason we should seek peace.

I bemoaned they didn't use the 1st verse, but just the second.

So, we agree that we should thank *god*, which the Candlelight Procession *didn't* do by avoiding the first verse.

So, thank-you for agreeing with me.

 

[Cliff]

Tron, three hours? I have to wonder how many trains and boats they put on the tracks lately. Burbank KNOWS the world is watching wait times and making charts on them. It is certainly in Burbank's very best interest to make sure that lines are "long".

1.) Long wait times increase those sweet and juicy app purchases to skip the line.
2.) Long wait times create the "look" for those carefully watching that park's financial numbers are awesome.

"Short" lines are very, VERY bad for Burbank today. How do you keep them looking good? Adjust the rider number-per-hour capacity in Burbank's favor. Add/remove trains and boats to get the "good" numbers they want and then post wait times that are worse than the actual time.

Burbank knows what they are doing and Cast Members know what's going on ;-)

 

[Bocabear]

I loved the old ROE Holiday tag that added Let There Be Peace On Earth...ending with hundreds of candles floating on the lake surface... It was so beautiful...
Peace can exist without dragging someone's personal religion into it... and Peace as a goal is a wonderful thing...

 

[MisterPenguin]

No, actually I don’t think religion has any place at all in a theme park,

Walt himself started the Candlelight Procession in Disneyland. So, you're arguing with the Father of Themeparks in this regard.

World showcase is about the culture of various nations. Human culture includes religion, and so, it is showcased in World Showcase. In addition to the Candlelight Procession, the art and architecture found in the national pavilions showcase that region's religions.

and I’m honestly astonished that anyone thinks it matters why anyone would seek peace, as if peace isn’t a valid end in itself. I must’ve missed the the part where it said “Blessed are the peacemakers (but only if they’re motivated by belief in Christianity).”

And you're purposely misconstruing what I originally said with this Straw Man argument claiming that I'm against "peace" which is not at all my argument. So, congratulations on defeated a premise that was never made. It was genius.

@The Mom , maybe we should shut this down?

LOL

 

[Bocabear]

100%. That tag used to bring me to tears.

likewise...literally....

 

[MisterPenguin]

100%. That tag used to bring me to tears.

That tag included the line: "With God as our father..."

So, I'm glad you've reconsidered your stance on religion in theme parks.

 

[bmr1591]

No, actually I don’t think religion has any place at all in a theme park, and I’m honestly astonished that anyone thinks it matters why anyone would seek peace, as if peace isn’t a valid end in itself. I must’ve missed the the part where it said “Blessed are the peacemakers (but only if they’re motivated by belief in Christianity).”

And that’s leaving aside the fact that when the Processional *is* religious, it raises all sorts of issues with co-opting religion as a means to generate profit, money-changers, camels passing through the eyes of needles, etc.

@The Mom , maybe we should shut this down?

I mean, EPCOT has plenty of different religious celebrations during Festival of the Holidays. In one so overt as the Candlelight Processional, one so distinctly Christian, I think it's fair to let it be just that. No need to water it down. If someone isn't interested in the Christmas story or hearing what Christians believe about God and Jesus, don't go to the Processional. It isn't that difficult. The Processional is inherently religious because that's what it's all about. You may consider it a way for Disney to exact more money from people (and they may see it as that as well), but there are plenty in the audience who enjoy a religious moment during a busy season that reminds us of the reason for the season.

 

[kenpsu]

I like attending the Candlelight Processional to enjoy a nice story, good music, and singing. I don't attend as much expecting to be indoctrinated into a religion.

 

[bmr1591]

I like attending the Candlelight Processional to enjoy a nice story, good music, and singing. I don't attend as much expecting to be indoctrinated into a religion.

It's the Christmas story being read from the Bible. I'm not sure how you go into that thinking it won't be religious.

 

[Cliff]

It's the Christmas story being read from the Bible. I'm not sure how you go into that thinking it won't be religious.

If you think of it, these are all just "markets" that Disney can sell to. Christianity, Judaism or any other religion are just consumer "markets". Even holiday Pagan myths like trees, mistletoe, wreaths and Yule logs and plenty of other non-Christian/Jewish symbols too! Yes, even the Latin American and African holiday stuff too.

Yes, even non-holiday LGBTQIA++ groups are a market that Disney can sell to. Disney is just appealing to the MANY "tribes" in the world and trying to provide something for everybody. Yes, even Atheists too.

If you identify with it, go buy tickets and merchandise for it. If you don't identify with it, then avoid it?

Simple solution?

 

[castlecake2.0]

Tron, three hours? I have to wonder how many trains and boats they put on the tracks lately. Burbank KNOWS the world is watching wait times and making charts on them. It is certainly in Burbank's very best interest to make sure that lines are "long".

1.) Long wait times increase those sweet and juicy app purchases to skip the line.
2.) Long wait times create the "look" for those carefully watching that park's financial numbers are awesome.

"Short" lines are very, VERY bad for Burbank today. How do you keep them looking good? Adjust the rider number-per-hour capacity in Burbank's favor. Add/remove trains and boats to get the "good" numbers they want and then post wait times that are worse than the actual time.

Burbank knows what they are doing and Cast Members know what's going on ;-)

This is one of those conspiracies that won’t die. Attractions don’t purposely decrease capacity to sell lightning lanes.

 

[Cliff]

This is one of those conspiracies that won’t die. Attractions don’t purposely decrease capacity to sell lightning lanes.

If a posted wait time says "65min" and if you walk up to a Cast Member and ask them how long the wait time "actually" is, even if they KNOW the wait is only 15-20 min, they are NOT allowed to tell you that.

They are under strict "instructions" to ONLY repeat the "official" wait time and NOT the "real" time.

How many billions of reports do we need to see from regular people who say the "official" wait time was much longer than the real wait time? Also, Cast Member's who operate the rides know "exactly" how many trains and boats they are told to run everyday.

It's not a conspiracy theory. People who work there know what is going on.

 

[castlecake2.0]

If a posted wait time says "65min" and if you walk up to a Cast Member and ask them how long the wait time "actually" is, even if they KNOW the wait is only 15-20 min, they are NOT allowed to tell you that.

They are under strict "instructions" to ONLY repeat the "official" wait time and NOT the "real" time.

How many billions of reports do we need to see from regular people who say the "official" wait time was much longer than the real wait time? Also, Cast Member's who operate the rides know "exactly" how many trains and boats they are told to run everyday.

It's not a conspiracy theory. People who work there know what is going on.

I work there

 

[spectromagic04]

Definitely looks like Animal and Studios are the busiest parks today.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Definitely looks like Animal and Studios are the busiest parks today.

I saw a similar time for FoP several of the past few days. Safari has been long but not quite that long so far this week. I have also seen SDD and Rise at those level multiple days this week, so nothing new there.

 

[Cliff]

I work there

Have you been told not to tell guests any wait time that is "not" the official time?

I have two friends that work at WDW that have been.

 

[ToTBellHop]

They are certainly not trying to elevate wait times. Quite the opposite and it’s clear to anyone in the parks this week. They actually opened TRON during early entry today for the crowds. We rode TRON and Space Mtn. by 8 am! Also Big Thunder 2x, TBA VQ, Pirates, Jingle Cruise, Swiss Family, Carpets, Mansion, Pooh, Mine Train, Mermaid, Mad Tea Party, and Space Mtn. twice with time to swim for 3 hours and go to Whispering Canyon.

Very pleased.