Magic Kingdom not as much patriotic anymore?

[AndyS2992]

As a foreigner, I think Disney World is TOO patriotic, to the point that it's a bit too much. However I think it's great because here in the UK you can't fly the Britsh or English flag or say how much you love the country without being branded racist.. like what? Doesn't even make sense. I'm glad the US doesn't have that issue.

 

[DisneyGirl3820]

Disney is not only the happiest place on earth but it's almost the last place on earth where Americans can find some common ground. It's important that a thread of patriotism is woven into Disney to remind us all of the "big picture."

 

[brb1006]

As a foreigner, I think Disney World is TOO patriotic, to the point that it's a bit too much. However I think it's great because here in the UK you can't fly the Britsh or English flag or say how much you love the country without being branded racist.. like what? Doesn't even make sense. I'm glad the US doesn't have that issue.

You should have seen WDW during the Bicentennial during the 70's

 

[EvilChameleon]

Disney is not only the happiest place on earth but it's almost the last place on earth where Americans can find some common ground. It's important that a thread of patriotism is woven into Disney to remind us all of the "big picture."

I'll admit I just about cry whenever I hear some USA chants at the end of the 4th of July shows they put on at the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.

 

[correcaminos]

As a foreigner, I think Disney World is TOO patriotic, to the point that it's a bit too much. However I think it's great because here in the UK you can't fly the Britsh or English flag or say how much you love the country without being branded racist.. like what? Doesn't even make sense. I'm glad the US doesn't have that issue.

Yes, but if you don't always agree 100% with what is going on you are often told "leave the country" it goes both ways here :/

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

You should have seen WDW during the Bicentennial during the 70's

I would have loved to have been there for that.

 

[EvilChameleon]

Speaking of, can someone ID the singer of this version of "God Bless The USA" that starts at the 18:30 mark of this video?



Way better than the original. Which probably means it's some in house Disney stuff, sadly.

 

[Communicora]

There is a fine line between patriotism and nationalism. The parks have many patriotic elements.

 

[ppete1975]

The whole U.S. was very patriotic in the 70s, every merchandise opportunity had an American eagle and stars and stripes around 1976 (200 year anniversary) look at people like evel Knievel and his outfits and bikes. Toys, clothes, merchandise were all very patriotic. I think that's what you saw when Disney world came into existence a celebration of that. It was still there in the 80's but beginning in the 90s the interest (outside of 9/11) in the public has waned, and also many more international guests. So slowly the historical, and celebration of the 1700s US has gone away. Which is why I was delightfully surprised to see the new muppets show (which would have fit back then) ohhh and love the muppets.

 

[Eckert]

So while we're talking about it, what's your favorite patriotic attraction at Disney?

Voices of Liberty is perfect to me. Amazing singers in an intimate setting in the center of the American Adventure building is always an emotional experience. My favorite thing to see is everyone rise for the National Anthem. Always really proud to be an American after seeing that show.

 

[Stefan8]

I agree, America in general should be more patriotic. It's like they don't even care about their own country. At least put up a flag here and there.

 

[SteamboatJoe]

I agree, America in general should be more patriotic. It's like they don't even care about their own country. At least put up a flag here and there.

I can't help but think this was said tongue in cheek.

When I was in high school (way back in the early 00's), they would have a panel discussion with all of the foreign exchange kids and one of the questions always asked is what are things they notice here (in America) that they don't in their country. One of the German exchange students mentioned how many American flags he saw. He claimed that you don't see German flags flying outside of every other household and business. I don't think he meant it in a disparaging way. I think the underlying message was that historical events of the 20th Century somewhat tainted the spirit of patriotism in Germany. At least that seemed to be one kid's observation.

 

[Lets Respect]

As a foreigner, I think Disney World is TOO patriotic, to the point that it's a bit too much. However I think it's great because here in the UK you can't fly the Britsh or English flag or say how much you love the country without being branded racist.. like what? Doesn't even make sense. I'm glad the US doesn't have that issue.

How sad.

 

[POLY LOVER]

Patriotism and flag flying has been used by many to achieve a goal and not always a good one. I think Disney just by the nature of what they do and how inclusive they are is an example of patriotism. I'm proud that people come from all over the world to see it and Disney recognizes them with open arms. It sends the message we are a fine example of freedom. We are inclusive and that's our patriotism. What better example is there than EPCOT. I love seeing foreigners here and I always go out of my way to be friendly as can be. Our constitution written by very smart people maybe not perfect but darn close and as long as we respect and follow it that's patriotism.

 

[21stamps]

Sharing our culture, heritage and story with international travelers I think is very inclusive and welcoming. When we travel out of the country we want to see their cultures and how they lived, their history and heritage. Remember there traveling here to see Disney but there also coming here to visit America. If not they would have just stayed over seas.

I'll repeat something I said yesterday in another thread, when I visit other countries- and I have visited quite a few, I go to learn about their country. I am a visitor, exploring their culture, food, traditions, experiences...if I didn't want to see any of that, then I would stay in the US, not waste time and money to go elsewhere.

My favorite "patriotic" element at WDW- the flags during the Electrical Water Pageant

 

[Bender123]

Disney's brand of patriotism was also the most appealing example of it. It included everything from industry and agriculture, to music and literature, to civil rights and scientific achievements. The underlining priciple was always "we are great because we do great things", which is more inclusive and inspiring than any boast about being the best just cause.

America needs that kind of patriotism more than ever. Not bumper stickers, t-shirts and facebook likes.

I always wondered about the people who complain that American Adventure (and China) are politically sanitized and are insulting...Like, who shows up to a Disney park and expects a lesson in everything America has ever done wrong, when Walt was a proponent of using the American melting pot to demonstrate the best of what humans can do.

Talk about a downer..."Hey kids, we just sat through a 25 minute lesson on slavery and Indian Reservations. WHO WANTS A CHURRO AND A RIDE ON FROZEN!?!"

 

[21stamps]

It may seem like it's slipping to you, but trust me, international travelers are keenly aware they're in AMERICA when they are in the parks and aren't likely to forget.

I still have my free American flag pin on my "Disney shirt".

..A horrible representation of the American people, but hey you get to see a collection of the worst all in one place!

At least you are charged dollars everywhere in this country. Imagine going to a country thinking that you're basically rich in said country.. and then being charged euros everywhere you go, in a nation that is not part of the EU.lol. That's frustrating.

 

[The_Jobu]

..A horrible representation of the American people, but hey you get to see a collection of the worst all in one place!

At least you are charged dollars everywhere in this country. Imagine going to a country thinking that you're basically rich in said country.. and then being charged euros everywhere you go, in a nation that is not part of the EU.lol. That's frustrating.

But I didn't say anything about the American people, certainly not that they're horrible .

I choose to wear the flag pin on my touristy shirt when I visit Disney because I enjoy visiting.

I also use dollars so I'm not sure what that Euro thing is about.

 

[21stamps]

But I didn't say anything about the American people, certainly not that they're horrible .

I choose to wear the flag pin on my touristy shirt when I visit Disney because I enjoy visiting.

I also use dollars so I'm not sure what that Euro thing is about.

The point I was making is that this country is extremely welcoming to guests, with or without flags or patriotism.. we don't change our currency to extract more out of tourists like several other countries do. Some charge in Euro when the national currency is not euros, some charge in dollars when the national currency is not dollars.

My comment about the people was because there are many different cultures within this country, I'm American but there are places where the people speak, act, and have customs that are different than my own.
Disney is a fishbowl of all of them combined. It's not the best way to know this country, but it is a place where you can see a melting pot of everyone together.

 

[Disney4family]

here in the UK you can't fly the Britsh or English flag or say how much you love the country without being branded racist.

A guest speaker from France told my students the same thing about flying a French flag in France.