The Disney Name

[MagicHappens1971]

I have a few random topics about the way Disney uses their name at the parks/resorts.

Why are AK & DHS, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom, when Magic Kingdom and Epcot are just Magic Kingdom and Epcot? And why do they only use the possessive S when they feel like it? Like, Disney California Adventure, instead of Disney's? Same goes for Festival of Fantasy. It's Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade. I just don't get why they have to put Disney in front of the names anyway

 

[danlb_2000]

I have a few random topics about the way Disney uses their name at the parks/resorts.

Why are AK & DHS, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom, when Magic Kingdom and Epcot are just Magic Kingdom and Epcot? And why do they only use the possessive S when they feel like it? Like, Disney California Adventure, instead of Disney's? Same goes for Festival of Fantasy. It's Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade. I just don't get why they have to put Disney in front of the names anyway

There must be a story behind DCA's name since it was originally possessive "Disney's California Adventure" but in 2012 was changed to "Disney California Adventure ".

 

[MagicHappens1971]

There must be a story behind DCA's name since it was originally possessive "Disney's California Adventure" but in 2012 was changed to "Disney California Adventure ".

Interesting

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

There must be a story behind DCA's name since it was originally possessive "Disney's California Adventure" but in 2012 was changed to "Disney California Adventure ".

Found this on another forum on an explanation about it...

The name change is an interesting move for Disney. The change is subtle, but allows Disney to have the thematic freedom they need with this park. The possesive"Disney's" seemed to imply it was Disney's park based on California; which would leave one to expect a park based on a historical California, which is something that was never accomplished at DCA. The new name, lacking the possesive 's, now implies that it's a Disney-themed California experience. With the infusion of Disney characters and stories throughout the park, this name change makes perfect sense.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

Found this on another forum on an explanation about it...

Thank you

 

[ShoalFox]

As for Epcot, it was originally an acronym as you may know.

 

[lazyboy97o]

There must be a story behind DCA's name since it was originally possessive "Disney's California Adventure" but in 2012 was changed to "Disney California Adventure ".

Found this on another forum on an explanation about it...

The problem with that explanation is that it ignores the wider rebranding efforts that began as early as 2007. The idea was to be a stronger brand and less person-centric. Walt Disney World hasn't seen these changes because of the massive cost involved in that many changes being made at once.

 

[DfromATX]

As for Epcot, it was originally an acronym as you may know.

I did not know that!

From Wikipedia:

"Epcot is the second of four theme parks built at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, near the city of Orlando. It opened as EPCOT Center (Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow) on October 1, 1982,[2] and spans 300 acres (120 ha), more than twice the size of the Magic Kingdom park.[3] It is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely technological innovation and international culture, and is often referred to as a "permanent World's Fair."[4][5] In 2014, the park hosted approximately 11.45 million guests, ranking it the third most visited theme park in North America and the sixth most visited theme park in the world.[6] The park is represented by Spaceship Earth, a geodesic sphere that also serves as an attraction. Epcot was known as EPCOT Center until 1994, when it was later renamed Epcot '94, then Epcot '95, now commonly known simply as Epcot."

 

[Lord Starwalker]

Ha! That's funny, I did not know that EPCOT was now Epcot. I have always thought of it as EPCOT, as it was originally named.

 

[MarkTwain]

As for the disparity between Magic Kingdom and Epcot versus Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom.... My guess is that the presence of the word "Disney's" is their way of making the name unique to them. When someone hears "magic kingdom" or "Epcot", they probably will immediately think of WDW since those are Disney-created terms, whereas "Hollywood studios" and "animal kingdom" are both terms commonly used outside of Disney-related contexts.

 

[World_Showcase_Lover007]

I have wondered about the "Disney" in front of the park name for a while now, and figured it was to differentiate it from outside references, but never really knew. I will say that it is interesting to note whether people put the Disney in front of the name or not. Particularly, I have noticed that some of the podcasters who toe the Disney corporate line will always say Disney's Animal Kingdom every single time, while the ones who are less affiliated will speak like us and just say Hollywood Studios or have their own nickname. I couldn't imagine turning to my wife and saying, "Hey would you like to go over to Disney's Boardwalk tonight?"