How prevalent are the classics still?

[CP_alum08]

A question to parents really.

Myself being in my 20's, have no kids, so I do not watch Disney Ch. all that much. I was just curious if the classic Disney characters, stories, movies, etc. are still alive and kicking with kids today.

Obviously WDW has an allure to it making every child want to go. But when they go, and when they think of Disney in general, are they thinking Mickey, Cinderella, Peter Pan? or are they thinking Miley, Jonas, etc. personally, I don't think either is right or wrong. If they love Disney because of Miley, they will still eventually be exposed to everything else. And if they love Disney for the classics they will be exposed to Miley. I really think WDW has done a good job of leaving what was and still incorporating a new generation. I was just curious to see how kids today (at any age) viewed Disney.

 

[Dragonrider1227]

Well, considering how when at Disney, you can still see little girls dressed as the Princess' and even little boys as Peter Pan, I'd say the classics are still pretty popular.
And you're right. Disney World does a pretty decent job blending the old and new. Pity the Disney Channel can't take a lesson from them but that's another rant for another time.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I don't know how it is in everyone else's households, but in our house- our kids know the classics moreso than the Disney Channel's current line up (althought the grown ups LOVE Phineas and Ferb ). My kids are also younger and the classic movies appeal to them far more than any Disney Channel programming. Disney also does quite a job marketing what's coming out on video and what's coming out of the vault. And with the Disney Movie Club (we don't belong to this) and the Disney Movie Rewards Club (points toward Disney merch w/qualifying video, movie ticket and music purchases)- the parents help get sucked in as well. So, I know at least my kids- as well as many friends' kids- have no problem recognizing all the classic characters.

 

[Krack]

My experience with my nieces and nephews is that the old classics (Peter Pan, Snow White, Cinderella, Pinocchio, etc) are films they've all seen once and enjoyed. Some of the new classics (specifically the Lion King, Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast) are films they love and watch over and over, while they don't even like the rest of the newer films (post-'89). And they pretty much love everything that's been put out by Pixar.

Personally, I think they are making a major mistake not getting this catalog of films on the Disney Channel far more often than they do. I suspect they think it would hurt DVD sales, but I think it's shortsighted thinking. The parks (and the company for that matter) run on nostalgia. You can not build up nostalgia without years of repeat viewings.

 

[powlessfamily4]

I agree. My children are grown but I have a 6 year old niece who is as crazy about Belle and the Mermaid as my daughter was 20 years ago. On the other side my two nephews ( 3 & 4) are just crazy about Toy Story and Cars. (They do watch a lot of the Disney Channel where as the niece does not.) I don't see them watching that many of the classics. It may be that Mom and Dad just don't purchase them. I know back in the early 90's when my son was that age his favorite movies were Lion King and The Rescuers Down Under. He loved the character of Cody. I think I might see if I can find a DVD of it and take it to my nephews.

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

I happened to take my resort mug from last trip to Bible School about a month ago. There were 2 little boys (around 4) both wearing Cars T-shirts, and when I showed them the Mickey on my mug, they had no idea who he was. You seems like you can't really buy anything with the classic characters on it in regular stores, and they're not playing on TV, so it seems to me that this younger generation doesn't know them as well as even the previous one.

Target just started carrying some classic Mickey bathroom accessories, and you should have seen how excited I was to find it (I bought a new trash can) - it was pretty pathetic!

 

[CP_alum08]

I happened to take my resort mug from last trip to Bible School about a month ago. There were 2 little boys (around 4) both wearing Cars T-shirts, and when I showed them the Mickey on my mug, they had no idea who he was. You seems like you can't really buy anything with the classic characters on it in regular stores, and they're not playing on TV, so it seems to me that this younger generation doesn't know them as well as even the previous one.

Target just started carrying some classic Mickey bathroom accessories, and you should have seen how excited I was to find it (I bought a new trash can) - it was pretty pathetic!

Thats more what I expected everyone to say. I was very excited to hear that alot of people's kids still know and love the classics, but I wasn't sure if it was the 'norm' or not. I guess it really depends on the parents the more I think about it. If the parents are willing to invest the time (and money) to expose their kids to the classics then the kids should have a well rounded idea of Disney!

I know what you mean about the bathroom stuff at Target! I was also really excited to see it along with the Toy Story things.

 

[rsoxguy]

My 5 year old niece is very much familiar with the classic Disney characters. Coloring books, room decorations, and the TV show "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" all contribute to her familiarity with the classics, along with an Uncle who goes to WDW far too often.

 

[Master Gracey 5]

I gave up on Disney Channel years and years ago, but they used to have it right. I remember being in middle school and watching it early morning while eating breakfast when they would have the classic Mickey/Donald/Goofy shorts on. Those still hold up IMO and Disney would do well to keep broadcasting them weekly. Even after 60 years, most of them are funnier than anything new, plus its essentially free marketing for the classic characters.

Sadly, I get the feeling that most kids today would look at you blankly if you mentioned classics such as "The Art of Skiing (Pronounced "Sheeing")" or the "How To" shorts.

 

[Ttocs]

On my last trip, while waiting for our room to be ready at Pop Century, my kids watched a couple of the classic Mickey short cartoons in the waiting area. They loved them. I recently noticed that the Disney channel airs a classic short when there is a couple minutes in between some shows, but its only like 3 mins long. My kids get excited when ever they are on. If ABC or Disney channel had a half hour show on once a week with classic Disney cartoons, I know my kids would watch it. It seems like Jonas Bros, Hanna Montana, and Pixar are becoming what kids think of when you say Disney, and that just isn't right.

 

[sshindel]

I think that it's probably a mixed bag. On this board, you're probably much more apt to find people who make sure to show the classics to their kids. Probably not as much in the general population.
I know that my 2 1/2 year old just got done watching Robin Hood for the first time (as in 5 minutes ago, I was very happy revisiting this one with her!), has been requesting some of my Classic Mickey collection DVDs, and just asked for Three Cabelleros (ok, not by name, but "Donald's Birthday" means that movie) as soon as Robin Hood finished.
Now, on this board you tend to find people who love Disney more than you're average bear, so if you went to Walmart and took a survey, I'd guess that while most kids know who Mickey is, if they've seen anything, it's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney Channel.