Top 10 Things You Should NEVER Say to a Disney Fan
These are the things you should never say to a Disney Fan! “Disneyland... Disney World... What's the big difference?” For west coast fans, Disneyland is Disney at it's purest, and while Disney World might be more extensive, it can't compete with the quality, attention to detail history of Disneyland. Both are great… just don't get them mixed up. "Beauty and the Beast is just Stockholm Syndrome." Stockholm Syndrome involves more than imprisonment, it involves abuse and willful manipulation. Also, this statement paints Belle as a victim, which our heroine most certainly is not. “Disney music is really corny.” As for the music itself, well... You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but the musical numbers and scores from the Disney vault tend to be widely considered as some of the best compositions ever put to film.
#10: “Disneyland... Disney World... What’s the big difference?”
Disneyland is the original Disney theme park in Anaheim, California and Walt Disney WORLD is in Orlando, Florida. Why does that matter so much? Because to Disney fans, these aren’t duplicate parks on the east and west coast, they are two distinct destinations, each with their own unique flavor and spirit. For Disney World devotees, Disneyland is somewhat of a mecca, the original park which needs to be visited at least once, even if they prefer Disney World. For west coast fans, Disneyland is Disney at its purest, and while Disney World might be more extensive, it can’t compete with the quality, attention to detail history of Disneyland. Both are great… just don’t get them mixed up.
#9: ““Why do you need it on VHS, DVD AND Blu-ray?”
If you need to ask that question, you aren’t likely to get it even after it’s been explained to you. But let’s try anyways. VHS is all about nostalgia, not value. There’s something about cracking open those plastic cases and popping one of those big VHS tapes into the VCR. It’s what you did countless times as a kid, and though those VHS Disney movies have started to degrade over time, it’s part of their charm. As for DVD and Blu Ray, honestly… that’s all about the special features. And part of the magic of Disney is not only the end result, but also seeing how the creative teams brought our most cherished films to life.
#8: "Beauty and the Beast is just Stockholm Syndrome."
Beauty and the Beast (2017) - Top 10 Facts!
Look… Disney fans have heard about every hot take out there, and they’re not impressed by your insightful observation. Some Disney tales have aged more gracefully than others... fans can admit that. But “Beauty and the Beast” is not a simple example of Stockholm Syndrome. Yes, the relationship between Belle and the Beast is problematic and has some rather toxic roots, but to call it Stockholm Syndrome is not only misrepresentative of this “tale as old as time” but equally misrepresents a serious psychological condition. Stockholm Syndrome involves more than imprisonment, it involves abuse and willful manipulation. Also, this statement paints Belle as a victim, which our heroine most certainly is not.
#7: “I haven’t watched a Disney movie since the ’90s.”
To that, Disney fans will simply ask...why? Have you just missed out on the majority of great films since the start of the new millennium - or have you just been skipping the animated masterpieces? You know they make live action movies too though, right? Quite frankly, we find it hard to believe that you haven’t seen Maleficent, TRON: Legacy or a single Pirates of the Caribbean film, but if so, well, you’re seriously missing out. Considering Pixar has been an official subsidiary of Disney since 2006, you’ve also missed out on such remarkable works of storytelling in cinema such as Toy Story 3, Ratatouille, Up and WALL-E. Not to mention the new Star Wars movies!
#6: “The Little Mermaid is just about Ariel wanting to get a guy.”
Disney has never shied away from making love stories central to their films, be it platonic or romantic in nature. But the only people who dismiss The Little Mermaid as being about “nothing more than a girl’s desperate desire to earn the affections of her romantic interest”... clearly weren't paying attention. Long before encountering her future beau, Ariel longs for something more than the life prescribed by her father. Yes, the otherworldly object she ultimately fixates on is a man, but Prince Eric equally represents her agency, free will and independence. A modern woman has the right to choose her future, and that includes who she marries.
#5: “Disney music is really corny.”
Top 10 Things Only Adults Understand About Disney Movies
The lyrics might be simple, but such has long been the tradition in musicals, be they animated or live action. The lyrics are what make these songs so memorable, catchy, and universally applicable - they stick with children and adults alike. As for the music itself, well... You’re certainly entitled to your opinion, but the musical numbers and scores from the Disney vault tend to be widely considered as some of the best compositions ever put to film. They actually have a knack for taking home the Oscar for Best Original Song and Best Original Score, so yeah… maybe it’s time to listen with fresh ears and reconsider your position.
#4: "The Princesses are such bad role models."
Top 10 Things Only Adults Understand About Disney Princesses
Sure, some of the earlier princesses might’ve leaned a little too heavily on their respective princes, but Disney is far from the only long-running production house to be guilty of having perpetuated now-outdated stereotypes. It’s not really fair to criticize Snow White for not being the ideal feminist icon considering it was released in 1937. To claim that Disney princesses are bad role models is to willfully ignore recent additions like Merida and Elsa - both complex, assertive women, despite the old school settings of their respective films. Yes, the older movies should be properly contextualised for young kids, but the fact that these princesses have started to show their age isn’t worth banishing them over.
#3: “I don’t support Disney because it’s an evil corporation.”
Disney is admittedly one of the biggest entertainment companies in the world, but it attracts more than its fair share of boycotting and finger pointing. At least with Disney you get a decent amount of entertainment, joy and memories in exchange for your hard earned cash. Anyone who participates in society contributes to coffers of numerous companies who give back much less than Disney. No reasonable Disney fan is going to argue that Disney is without fault or different from any other entertainment company. But unless you’re rejecting ALL forms of consumerism, why single out the House of Mouse?
#2: “Why don’t you grow up? Disney is for kids, and adult Disney fans are weird!”
There is arguably no other brand in the world that has captured the imagination of children and inspired a more fervent belief in magic than Disney. Their properties place an emphasis on friendship, self-confidence, honesty, loyalty and various other virtuous qualities, and package them in genuinely enjoyable, timeless stories. Really… what is it about Disney that fans are supposed to grow out of? The lessons that Disney teaches to kids should still apply to adults, and the mark of a good Disney film is its ability to appeal young people and grownups alike. With all their responsibilities, adults arguably need a dose of Disney even MORE than their younger counterparts. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a couple honorable mentions: “Oh yeah, I loved Anastasia and Shrek!” “Kingdom Hearts Sucks.” “It wasn't THAT sad when Mufasa died in The Lion King.”
#1: "I don't like Disney."
Top 10 Things Only Adults Understand About Disney Villains
Sometimes, it’s the simplest of statements that are the most infuriating. What does that statement even mean? Would you care to elaborate or be a little bit more specific in your expression of distaste? Fans hate hearing this because it’s simply too broad of a statement to possibly be true. So… you dislike animated movies, including the classics, and Pixar films. Alright. But you also hate amusement parks with arguably the most elaborate theming and immersive settings to be found on this planet? Okay. But that means you also dislike Disney cruises, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, the Disney channel, the Muppets, ABC, ESPN, A&E Networks, and their countless other subsidiaries.
