DHS and Epcot needs more for girls

[StarWarsGirl]

Then she lashes out at her family and friends, even conjuring up a giant monster to potentially kill them.

The monster wasn't going to kill them or harm them until Anna lashed out.

Yep, any parent of a teenager would know exactly what she's acting like.

Only towards the end does her character expand a bit. But, honestly...I don't think she's all that great. Her sister is far more admirable.

Of course, this is my opinion.

She's not a teen; she's 21, more like adult. And not any parent of a teen, my mother agreed with me (we had an entire conversation about that movie). But to each his (or her) own. I personally didn't like Anna as much as Elsa, or even Rapunzel or Tiana, but that's just me

 

[englanddg]

Seriously!!! I understand the film was made in the 80's, but that's no excuse.

You obviously didn't see prom dresses in that era. They...were...bad...

 

[FettFan]

Everything at Disney is for girls.

Except for the turkey legs. Those aren't for anybody.

A-HEM.

 

[morningstar]

I am in complete disbelief you actually called Hall of Presidents an attraction geared towards boys. Wow. I mean seriously - wow.

Well, yeah, that's kind of not cool. But, since all the presidents are men, you could make an argument. That's the American voters' fault, not Walt's. I'm okay with calling princess-based attractions girl-oriented, since princesses are female. And you could say Indy is male-oriented, since the central character is male. But most attractions are either not character-based or are based multiple characters including males and females.

 

[AngieTink27]

I'm seriously picturing the OP having a stroke if her daughter comes home and says "Mom I want to be a scientist"

OK that was a little mean but that's the impression I've gotten based on this whole thing.

I would personally love it if she came home and told me that some day. I would also contribute whatever means I have whether it be time or finances for education to aid her in achieving that goal. But thank you for your kind words!

 

[cw1982]

I do not disagree with you.

Also, I will say this..."edutainment" is boring to kids when their parents find it boring, and perhaps that's why EPCOT Center (in it's original glory) failed.

Did Epcot fail? I guess it depends on how we define "fail" in this case... I think they are pretty successful, but perhaps they draw a different crowd from what they originally intended? I'm not up-to-par on my WDW history, so I can't say that for sure.

I do agree, though, that kids do tend to go into most experiences with preconceived notions based on what others that they look up to think... I see this in practice every day. The works that my students enjoy the most are always the ones that I enjoy... my coworkers can make students enjoy other works more based on their enthusiasm for those where I was lacking that same excitement. I try to not taint their views of our works with my preferences, but it's hard to avoid sometimes.

 

[FettFan]

The monster wasn't going to kill them or harm them until Anna lashed out.

Bingo. He was just going to chase them off, as he was a manifestation of Elsa wanting to be be left alone, just as Olaf was Elsa's manifestation of her love for Anna.

(and yet...nobody stops to consider that Elsa is practically GOD at this point, having actually created life...)

 

[ParkMan73]

I do not disagree with you.

Also, I will say this..."edutainment" is boring to kids when their parents find it boring, and perhaps that's why EPCOT Center (in it's original glory) failed.

So true. Having kids, I spend a lot of time with them and their friends. I watch some parents dismiss "edutainment" while others embrace it. It's amazing how kids will respond to an adult with excitement for learning.

 

[englanddg]

Sandwichland: Where every girl can find her Hero.

We should put the Imagineering threads to task and have them design that expansion.

 

[englanddg]

But in her case I suspect it was infatuation covering up her loneliness.

Infatuation compounded by lonliness, yes. No disagreement.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

View attachment 50286

It would seem the Girl Scouts are in on the conspiracy.

Mission: Space: boys. Rockets are shaped like ... you got it.

Sandwichland: Where every girl can find her Hero.

Some of you have been absolutely hysterical on this thread

 

[englanddg]

The monster wasn't going to kill them or harm them until Anna lashed out.

Right. Just like a teenager. Sometimes it's best to let them frump and stew when they are throwing a tantrum, but don't poke them too much or LOOK OUT!

She's not a teen; she's 21, more like adult. And not any parent of a teen, my mother agreed with me (we had an entire conversation about that movie). But to each his (or her) own. I personally didn't like Anna as much as Elsa, or even Rapunzel or Tiana, but that's just me

I wasn't referring to her age. I was referring to how she acts.

But, yes, it is opinion (and I respect those who love the character and disagree). But, I found her shallow and frankly a disappointment considering the material they had to work with.

And, I'm not referring to the Snow Queen story itself, rather I think they could have played a lot more with the "brush with evil" and vindictive nature of it.

Sortof like they did with Oz the Great and Powerful with Theodora...except, she would have been brought back through her sisters love. It's obvious that's what they were going for as a character arch, however I don't think they made her quite...evil enough.

Rather more frumpy and pouty.

To each their own though! Still a neat movie to watch.

 

[Californian Elitist]

The monster wasn't going to kill them or harm them until Anna lashed out.


She's not a teen; she's 21, more like adult. And not any parent of a teen, my mother agreed with me (we had an entire conversation about that movie). But to each his (or her) own. I personally didn't like Anna as much as Elsa, or even Rapunzel or Tiana, but that's just me

Girl, neither did I. You're not the only one.

 

[Cesar R M]

That's because we live in a society that somehow perpetuates the idea that maths and sciences should be male dominated.


By no means should girls be disinterested in space. I don't care what chromosomes you have, that is interesting stuff. People just have to stop stigmatizing girls who are interested in science.

Agree, but seeing people stereotype it so hard.. specially the "Blonde" Moments thing..

I am in complete disbelief you actually called Hall of Presidents an attraction geared towards boys. Wow. I mean seriously - wow.

Seems for her anything by science, history..etc.. is for MEN.
I'm shaking my face at this point.

1. Epcot Center is not supposed to have princesses. Epcot was designed as a permanent World's Fair...it's core mission is to let visitors better understand the world around them, through both science and other cultures.

2. They tried making Epcot more "Girly" back in the early 90s.

It was a disaster.

3. I take issue with the notion that DHS doesn't have enough "for girls", since the majority of attractions there have a universal fanbase. Girls like Star Wars, too, you know. (just ask @StarWarsGirl95) They also like Aerosmith and Toy Story. The Tower of Terror has universal appeal as a haunted house/thrill ride. Other than that....the shows are evenly split. Guys favor Indiana Jones and Lights Motors Action, while girls are going to gravitate towards Beauty and the Beast and Voyage of the Little Mermaid)

Sure they could always do a bit more (perhaps a new set of LMA movie cutscenes with a female agent, played by Danica Patrick ?), but as DHS stands, it's pretty geared even for everyone.

Amen to your post.. Epcot was all about science, tech..
Her request is almost as bad as trying to get Creationism or religion to Epcot (to counter "science")

OK everybody- chill out! Give the OP a break! She was just making a simple observation. If you agree, fine. If you disagree, fine. In general I believe WDW is for all ages, races, creeds, genders, etc. Nothing is truly gender specific! Heck- my boys still enjoy Sofia the First and Doc Mc Stuffins- and they're 9! It's simple, family fun cartoons that teach good lessons to our kids! EPCOT and DHS have so much for all! My boys enjoy Phineas and Ferb, which replaced Kim Possible! Girls or boys can enjoy the adventures, the world showcase, test track( women drivers such as Danika Patrick), mission space ( women astronauts), Tower of Terror and RNRoller Coaster, plus BATB , Little Mermaid, etc... etc.... etc....
I do think in general EPCOT and DHS need to make some changes, but hopefully that's coming ( not gender specific). Boy or girl, man or woman, WDW has something for everyone!

Problem is, almost all the Epcot attractions are unisex.. its all about who crave KNOWLEDGE of the world, the science, the tech, the history, the food and the future.
But still...

Frontierland is only for boys!?!? I guess I should tell my daughter she was wrong to pick BTMRR as her favorite ride on our last trip. No more playing pirate for her. I guess those pink pirate dresses at Pirate's League and mermaid dresses are for the men folk. More exploring caves, and crossing rope bridges for her. No more singing Yo- Ho or wishing she could fly like Peter Pan. All of Tommorrowland is out too? But she loved driving those cars and shooting things in Buzz Lightyear. Have I been raising her to be a boy?!?!? Is her whole life a lie!!?!

its almost like its some sort of delusional act like "Your daughter doesn't exist, its just a figment of your imagination"

 

[englanddg]

Ok, Elsa in a nutshell.



Just joking. That being said.

I think the reason why Elsa is more liked (including me, even though I think Anna was the better and more honorable character) is...

1) She's more attractive
2) She's a superpower
3) She's empathetic (both are, but lets cut to the chase, she was abused by her parents.)
4) She can be cold and lacks empathy (very self centered, actually, but that can be mistaken for being authoritative and even mistaken for intelligence)

The movie is very much a story of her character development away from some of those traits (specifically the acceptance of #3 and moving beyond #4 to realize that she is not alone in the world, even though she feels like it). However, the movie does a very good job (in fact, dedicating an entire song to it) showing how she was never all alone, even though she felt isolated.

 

[FettFan]

Right. Just like a teenager. Sometimes it's best to let them frump and stew when they are throwing a tantrum, but don't poke them too much or LOOK OUT!


I wasn't referring to her age. I was referring to how she acts.

But, yes, it is opinion (and I respect those who love the character and disagree). But, I found her shallow and frankly a disappointment considering the material they had to work with.

And, I'm not referring to the Snow Queen story itself, rather I think they could have played a lot more with the "brush with evil" and vindictive nature of it.

Sortof like they did with Oz the Great and Powerful with Theodora...except, she would have been brought back through her sisters love. It's obvious that's what they were going for as a character arch, however I don't think they made her quite...evil enough.

Rather more frumpy and pouty.

To each their own though! Still a neat movie to watch.

Wait wait. We've got....ice powers....sibling rivalry with a kingdom at stake....and a brush with evil, but a shot at redemption.

Hmm....


EDIT -- That awkward moment when you realize that Elsa actually had a better character arc than Anakin Skywalker...

 

[morningstar]

About a week ago, I told my wife that when I was a child, I watched my sister's VHS tape of the Little Mermaid more than she did. She looked at me and said..."I am not surprised.."

What do you think she meant by that???

That you are a dreamer and adventurous and curious about things beyond your horizons. Luke and Leia have lots of good values, but so do Ariel and Belle.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Wait wait. We've got....ice powers....sibling rivalry with a kingdom at stake....and a brush with evil, but a shot at redemption.

Hmm....

@AllyInWonderland

 

[Cesar R M]

Your OPINION is not a fact. There are lots of girls that love dinosaurs (sooooo many children do!). And I have never heard ANY child discuss "automotive fuel", so that example is just grasping at straws. Seriously, the only idea you've come up for for your vision of "balance" is adding more princesses to things. If that's all you want out of your WDW vacation, then stay in Fantasyland.

the fun part is, nowadays kids HAVE the opportunity to try to select what they want regardless of sex. and Open mind parent can let their kids choose what they love and let them develop based on this.
Forcing a stereotype like shoving male kids into violence.. it doesn't help anybody.. neither shoving a girl who wants adventure by forcing her only to "princess" stuff.

"Digging a hole, I'm digging a hole...." Wait, is it okay for girls to like doing this?

of course no!, if we use the stereotype.. she would be flirting with a manly dude with a bushy manly beard to do the digging for her.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I'd also just like to say that some of my earliest memories of WDW are, not being dressed up like a princess, not seeing them, but playing sword fight with the plastic swords at the end of pirates with my dad. I have a picture dated from when I was 3 of that and have very clear memories of it.