Why Boycott Disney?

Why Boycott Disney
Disney is now in the crosshairs of the cultural war. In reaction to the entertainment giant’s position on LGBTQ issues, conservative groups and politicians have targeted the firm, calling for theme park and media boycotts and endangering commercial operations.

This is not the first time the entertainment titan has been in this situation. And if history is any indication, the bark will certainly be worse than the bite. Following Disney’s criticism of the Parental Rights in Education law, which prohibits the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in lower elementary school grades, Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, criticized the company, stating that it “crossed the line” with its criticism.

State and federal lawmakers have targeted the company’s special tax position in Florida, where its main amusement park is located, and its Mickey Mouse copyright. Conservative opposition intensified after activist-obtained internal Disney recordings revealed employees discussing initiatives to create more LGBTQ+ characters.

The conservative finding that notices before pyrotechnic exhibitions no longer addressed attendees as “Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls” added gasoline to the firework controversy.
Last summer, many media sites claimed that the adjustment was part of a diversity initiative.
In recent weeks, a chorus has joined DeSantis in attacking the firm, which sends millions of tourists to the state annually through its four theme parks and more than two dozen resorts.

In a campaign update titled “I AM DONE WITH DISNEY!,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) of Texas urged people to cancel their Disney vacations. Protests have taken place near Disney sites in California and Florida, including one on Saturday at Disney World in Orlando that included a mouse wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat.

Conservative pundit Candace Owens called for a boycott to her 3 million Twitter followers, while the Daily Wire, which publishes Owens’ column, threatened to build a competing entertainment empire to Disney’s.
Fox News profiled ten families that renounced the firm “because to its left-leaning beliefs,” while Daily Wire reported on families who canceled Disney trips owing to the “corporation’s woke attitude.” The author of the Daily Wire article tweeted that “hundreds” of parents had canceled theme park vacations or Disney’s streaming subscription through email.

In an editorial post on FoxNews.com, conservative writer Bethany Mandel discussed canceling her family’s trip to Disney World in light of the issue, in part because of the expense. She wrote that they will instead visit SeaWorld and Legoland. She wrote, “Our family life won’t be missing much without Disney; we’ll fill the need.” However, Disney will eventually miss consumers such as our family.

However, will the company’s wildly popular amusement parks suffer? Histories indicate that it is unlikely. And in real time, several Disney-focused travel agents claim their company has not suffered. Disney refused to comment for this article. The Washington Post contacted thirteen travel agencies specializing in Disney vacations.

The majority did not react or declined to comment on a politically volatile matter. However, the two agencies that responded stated that neither reservations nor cancellations were affected. “It has not been an issue for us,” said Len Testa, president of TouringPlans, a trip-planning website that incorporates a travel agency.

There is no effect on the travel side.
He stated in an email that he believed one user had emailed to cancel their free website subscription.
However, Testa expressed greater concern when Disney failed to take a public stance on LGBTQ legislation.
The corporation first refused to take a public opinion on the law, which was ridiculed as the “don’t mention gay” measure by detractors.

“Had Disney not opposed the measure, we were clear that our business would have suffered,” he added. Pete Werner, co-owner of Dreams Unlimited Travel, similarly reported no cancellations or business slowdown. Even though costs have increased and Disney has implemented fees for some services, the parks have been crowded.

Last year was our best year ever in terms of sales, he remarked.
This year has surpassed it.
Some conservative fans will inevitably follow through on their boycott threats and spend their trip expenditures elsewhere than Disney’s theme parks and cruise line.
However, like Testa, Werner stated that the majority of his clients were dissatisfied with Disney’s “tepid” and tardy response to the legislation.

He stated that his fans, aware of his sexual orientation, wanted him to voice his opinion on the measure. Werner’s Disney empire consists of the DIS website, discussion forums, the DIS Unplugged audio network, and a Central Florida real estate firm that specializes on relocating guests closer to the parks.

He stated that Disney fans may engage in political debates in internet forums, but he does not expect that political topics would influence park attendance decisions. “Ultimately, what attracts people to Disney is much more powerful than that — the connection, the emotional resonance that Disney has with its diehard followers,” he added.

It is somewhat immune to politics. The “woke” grenade has already been fired at Disney. The Pirates of the Caribbean rollercoaster was renovated in 2018 to eliminate a “wench auction” segment. Disney said two years ago that the Splash Mountain water attraction will be redesigned to remove references to the controversial film “Song of the South.” Additionally, “negative portrayals of ‘natives'” have been removed from the Jungle Cruise attraction.

A column by a guest columnist for the Orlando Sentinel lamenting the changes went viral. “The next time I ride Jungle Cruise, I will be thinking about Disney’s political agenda, not the fabulously amusing puns of the skippers,” he wrote. This is a mood-killer. In the late 1990s, the Southern Baptist Convention voted to boycott Disney over LGBT issues, including Ellen DeGeneres’s outing as a lesbian on her ABC show, the annual ” Gay Days ” event at Disney World organized by outsiders, and the company’s extension of health benefits to partners of LGBTQ workers.

In 1997, the first year of the boycott and as part of Disney World’s 25th anniversary celebration, Magic Kingdom attendance increased by 3 million, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. In 2000, the combined attendance at Florida’s theme parks broke records, according to an Orlando Sentinel study on industry estimates.

In 2005, the boycott came to an end.
The firm has made attempts to engage LGBTQ fans in more public ways throughout time, although it has not always been so progressive and continues to face criticism for its depiction.
It added same-sex celebrations to Disney Fairy Tale Weddings packages in 2007; released a “It Gets Better” video supporting the community in 2011; debuted a collection of consumer products supporting LGBTQ groups in 2018; and organized Magical Pride, a park-sponsored event for LGBTQ fans in Paris, in 2019.

The corporation revised its criteria for cast members (workers) to allow for more gender-inclusive haircuts, jewelry, nail styles, and costumes last year. According to industry estimates, attendance at Disney’s worldwide attractions increased every year between 2007 and 2019, even while parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong experienced major reductions.

Mark Pinsky, a religion reporter for the Orlando Sentinel who covered the Southern Baptist boycott and authored “The Gospel According to Disney,” stated that the boycott had no visible effect on attendance in Florida. “I think the lesson to be learned from the Baptist boycott is that standing up to bullies will not affect your bottom line,” he stated.

“I believe Bob Chapek has, if rather belatedly, learnt the same lesson.” According to Pinsky, sending children or grandchildren to Disney has become “a cultural obligation” in the United States, “like a pre-bucket-list checkbox.” And he does not anticipate DeSantis’ criticism or social media complaints to change that.

What actions did Disney take that were unethical?

Poor Employment Practices at Walt Disney Company Mickey Mouse is lucrative. The Walt Disney Company is the world’s second-largest broadcast and cable media conglomerate. It has a vast array of enterprises whose primary focuses are entertainment and news.

However, the corporation is most known for its famous cartoon characters, films, and theme parks. Like any huge firm, Disney has its share of labor challenges. However, the theme parks appear to be especially prone to controversies about the media giant’s business methods. Allegations vary from discrimination to earnings below the poverty line.

The corporation is notorious for its anti-union stance and has been accused of paying slave wages overseas to workers who produce toys with a large profit margin in the United States. Disney has also emerged as one of the most influential opponents of the rising national trend toward mandating paid sick leave.

Disney Delays Transferring Thousands Of Jobs To Florida Until 2026 – Update About a year ago, the Walt Disney Company revealed intentions to relocate the majority of non-dedicated Parks, Experiences, and Products employment in Southern California to a new regional site in Central.

What a distinction a year makes! After months of discussions with the state of Florida, a Disney representative revealed today that the corporation intends to “continue to provide flexibility to those relocating, especially given the new completion date of 2026.” Therefore, wherever feasible, we are coordinating the move time with the campus’s completion.

The announcement from the previous year stated an 18-month time period. Josh D’Amaro, chairman of the Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Division, also stated that the relocation has been “in different planning stages since 2019.” Depending on when the campus is projected to be finished in 2026, the announcement of today will delay the compulsory migration by nearly three years.

Here is Disney’s whole statement for today: While an increasing number of our workers who will ultimately work at the campus have already relocated to Central Florida, we want to continue to provide flexibility to those migrating, especially considering that the campus is not expected to be completed until 2026.

Therefore, we are synchronizing the migration time with campus completion wherever possible. One of the first reasons mentioned by D’Amaro for the relocation was “Florida’s business-friendly atmosphere.” In the meanwhile, Disney and its CEO Bob Chapek have sparred with Florida lawmakers — particularly Gov.

Ron DeSantis, who in April stripped Disney of the power to control its own special district — after the business openly opposed the state’s parental rights bill.
According to reports, DeSantis is exploring a bid for the president.
He has declared his candidacy for a second term as governor in the interim.

If re-elected, he would continue to serve in Florida until 2026. PRIOR to July 15th, 2021: The Walt Disney Company stated on Thursday its intention to relocate the majority of Southern California-based Parks, Experiences, and Products Division positions not wholly committed to Disneyland to a new regional location in central Florida.

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Division, said to colleagues in a memo obtained by Deadline, “I would like to share news about an exciting project that has been in different phases of preparation since 2019.” This new project will offer a dynamic environment to support our increasing business; a brand-new regional campus will be constructed in the thriving Orlando, Florida neighborhood of Lake Nona.

He stated, “In addition to Florida’s business-friendly climate, our new regional campus affords us the chance to combine our teams and become more creatively and operationally collaborative and productive.” According to D’Amaro’s letter, the new campus would initially house “more than 2,000 Cast, Imagineers, and staff” – “stimulating deeper cooperation and innovation and enabling us to better integrate our business and functional teams.” The new factory in Florida will be located near Orlando International Airport, approximately 30 kilometers southeast of Walt Disney World.

While the California-based corporation is still assessing which staff will be relocated, the number of relocating employees is increasing.
D’Amaro stated, “we anticipate that the majority of Southern California-based DPEP (Disney’s Parks, Experiences, and Products) professional responsibilities that are not wholly committed to Disneyland or, in some circumstances, the overseas parks companies will be required to migrate to this new Florida site.” According to D’Amaro, the relocation is anticipated to take 18 months, and impacted staff will receive relocating help.

Additionally, he underscored Disney’s continuous commitment to California, which includes sustained investment in Disneyland Resort. The move follows the company’s announcement last winter that it would lay off around 32,000 workers, principally in Parks, Experiences, and Products, “because to the present circumstances, notably the effects of COVID-19, and the changing environment.” Disney Delays Thousands Of Job Transfers To Florida Until 2026 – Update Why Boycott Disney

Is Disney expanding or contracting?

Why did Disney’s share price decline? – Concerns about inflation, currency difficulties, and the continued losses at Disney’s direct-to-consumer media sector have weighed on the company’s shares during the previous few quarters. The fundamental operations of Disney rely substantially on discretionary expenditure, which typically declines when inflation rises.

Consequently, it struggled throughout prior recessions.
During the depths of the Great Recession, Disney’s sales and adjusted EPS fell by 4% and 20%, respectively, in fiscal 2009.
A second recession, which appears increasingly possible if rising interest rates fail to reign in inflation, may terminate Disney’s post-pandemic rebound in short order.

The strengthening of the U.S. currency, which is certain to continue as interest rates increase, might intensify this misery. These headwinds are still stifling Disney’s overseas sales (particularly at Disney+), and they may increase in the near future.

During the first nine months of fiscal 2022, the direct-to-consumer media segment of Disney’s sales increased 25% year-over-year to $14.65 billion (representing 23% of the company’s total revenue).
However, the segment’s operating loss more than quadrupled from $1.05 billion to $2.54 billion, so it’s still burning a lot of cash to compete with Netflix, which is profitably established in the streaming competition.

The bulls believe that Disney’s other lucrative companies can continue to support its streaming losses. However, a recession might quickly destroy this argument by destroying the profit engines. Disney’s ongoing disputes with the State of Florida over the Parental Rights in Education (“Don’t Say Gay”) Act, which prompted a threat to withdraw the company’s special tax status in the state, cast a shadow over its largest theme park in Orlando.

The renowned slogan for Disneyland is “the happiest place on earth.” However, for many of the theme park’s 30,000 employees, it is hardly the most enjoyable workplace. We discovered this after spending a year interviewing Disneyland employees and surveying almost 5,000 “cast members,” as the corporation calls its staff.

Since 2000, Disneyland’s attendance (more than 27 million in 2016), day ticket prices ($117 on most days of the year for anybody over the age of 10) and sales (more than $3 billion) have soared, but its employees’ real wages have decreased by 15% over the same time period. Official record: 12:50 p.m.

March 12, 2018 A previous version of this article said that Robert Iger was paid $162.5 billion. It is $162,500,000. This op-ed references ESPN’s losses while criticizing Disneyland’s profitability. The sports channel on television has lost customers, although its division inside the Walt Disney Company is profitable.85% of Disneyland employees are paid less than $15 per hour, according to a poll of food service workers, hair stylists, costumers, candy makers, security officers, custodians, hotel workers, shop workers, ticket takers, musicians, puppeteers, vocalists, and dancers from 10 unions.54% of full-time Disneyland employees with more than 15 years of service are paid less than $15 per hour, and 13% are paid less than $11.

Over one-third of employees participating in the Disneyland health insurance plan report sacrificing other requirements in order to afford the monthly costs. Workers at the Anaheim resort are paid so poorly that more than one in ten have been homeless in the previous two years, two-thirds do not have enough food for three meals per day, and three-quarters cannot pay basic monthly costs.

As the largest employer in Orange County, Disneyland’s low-wage policy is detrimental to the local economy, despite the fact that Anaheim has funded Disneyland’s growth and hotel construction. The surrounding neighborhood is currently afflicted by employees’ limited purchasing power and rising social safety net expenditures.

Disney has utilized the theme park’s enormous revenues to offset losses from its less profitable assets, most notably ESPN. With the impending purchase of Fox Network assets for $52 billion, Disney is doubling down on its communications initiatives. If this strategy is implemented and the corporation achieves its other main objectives, Robert Iger’s annual compensation will triple to $162.5 million.

This would make his annual salary comparable to that of 9,284 Disneyland employees. Many park personnel are uncertain if they will be able to afford shelter.56% are concerned that they may be evicted from their houses or apartments. Over fifty percent of employees who rent report living in overcrowded homes.

Eleven percent of Disneyland employees reported being homeless over the past two years, living in their cars, on friends’ floors and sofas, or in shelters. Instead of addressing this issue, the Walt Disney Company has continuously resisted the development of affordable housing in Anaheim. Two-thirds of Disneyland employees and three-quarters of those with small children lack adequate access to healthful meals.

They fulfill the criterion of “food insecure” provided by the Department of Agriculture. This compared to 12 percent of Californians and Americans overall. Although the Walt Disney Company urges Disneyland staff to smile at park guests, 43% of employees report needing dental treatment but being unable to pay it.

More than one-third of parents with small children say they require prescription medication but cannot afford it. In addition, more than a third of employees participating in the Disneyland health insurance plan report sacrificing other essentials to pay the monthly fees. The common perception of Disneyland employees is that they are teens or college students doing temporary employment before to beginning their careers.

In reality, four-fifths of the workers in our poll are at least 30 years old. The principal source of income for nine-tenths of Disneyland’s employees, a third of whom support children, is Disneyland. Only 28% of Disneyland employees report having a consistent weekly routine.

More over half (59%) of the park’s employees with small children report that their unpredictable work schedules make it difficult for them to care for their families and children. Despite this, Disneyland, a family resort, does not provide a daycare for its staff. Once Walt Disney stated, “You can plan, create, and construct the most beautiful location on earth.

However, individuals are required to make the ideal a reality.” Sadly, his successors at the corporation are neglecting the human element of this equation. While 80% of Disneyland employees are pleased of their work, many feel unappreciated, mistreated, and underpaid, according to our poll.

Glynndana Shevlin, a food and beverage concierge at Disneyland, stated, “I’ve spent the last 29 years trying to provide guests with a fantastic experience, yet every month I must choose between rent, food, and my expenses.” “I have twice been evicted. I am frequently hungry because I skip meals. I am a clean, cheerful person at work, but when I leave and get into my car, I become a sad, miserable person who does not always know where I will sleep.” A recent investigation by the Los Angeles Times revealed that the Walt Disney Co.

received more than $1 billion in subsidies, incentives, refunds, and tax breaks from the city of Anaheim during the past two decades. The return on this investment for taxpayers has been limited since the majority of Disneyland employees earn too little to stimulate the local economy.

Increasing the minimum wage at Disneyland to $20 per hour would enhance the purchasing power of its employees by $190 million per year.
According to our study, when these employees spend their additional wages on items like housing, food, restaurant meals, healthcare, auto maintenance, and child care, it would produce $210 million more in sales for companies in Anaheim and other towns where workers reside.

The Walt Disney Company is challenging our findings, but the survey’s methodology is legitimate and its respondents are typical of the 58% of Disneyland workers who are unionized. Using an ID number to sign up for the poll prevented park employees from responding several times.

Disney is one of the most profitable enterprises in America.
It can afford to examine its employees’ conditions objectively and pay them enough to make ends meet.
Peter Dreier is a political science professor at Occidental College.
Daniel Flaming is the head of the non-profit research group Los Angeles Economic Roundtable.

A combination of the resort’s labor unions supported the poll of Disneyland employees. Follow @latimesopinion on Twitter and Facebook to receive Opinion updates.

Are Disney parks losing patrons?

Why Boycott Disney Tickets, food, and merchandise have all seen repeated price rises at Disney World. Despite the fact that many Disney fans are dissatisfied with the price increases, park attendance seems to show that tourists will continue to visit despite the price hikes.

Cinderella Castle According to a recent survey, Disney World costs may have finally reached a breaking point for some fans. This investigation demonstrated how many individuals have postponed a Disney vacation owing to escalating expenditures and how many believe Disney has lost its enchantment as a result.

Disney World has unquestionably become more pricey over time. Tickets have continuously increased in price. In October 1971, when the Magic Kingdom first opened, admission was only $3.50 per person. Inflation-adjusted, that is equivalent to roughly $25.09 in current currency.

©Disney Currently, the lowest available ticket price for Disney World is $109, which is more than four times the 1971 price when adjusted for inflation. And this is the least costly option: ticket costs vary by day, with more busy times of year having more expensive tickets. Currently, the most expensive ticket costs $159.

Hollywood Studios Consequently, it is evident that the parks have become MORE costly. However, is Disney World TOO costly? According to a time2play survey, the answer may be “yes.” This platform polled 1,927 “self-described Disney World lovers” regarding their opinions on pricing hikes at the parks.

Spacecraft Earth This study reveals that 92.6% of Disney World enthusiasts feel that the present price of a Disney trip is too high for normal families.
In addition, 68.3% of respondents, considerably over half, believe that Disney World has lost its enchantment as a result of these price hikes.

Many of those who wish to visit the parks in the near future anticipate that their next holiday will be substantially more expensive than their last one. In fact, they projected that the following trip will cost an average of 35.7% more than their last Disney holiday.

Magic Kingdom Parking Lot Although it is evident that many individuals have been disillusioned with Disney World’s rising prices, the number of visitors to the theme parks continues to increase.
According to Statista, the number of visitors to Magic Kingdom has climbed quite steadily between 2010 and 2019.

Obviously, this figure decreased substantially in 2020 because to the global COVID-19 epidemic, and data for 2021 and 2022 are not yet available from this source. ©Statista Many poll respondents who had just visited Disney World were dissatisfied with recent modifications that lead to higher prices.

Many individuals are displeased with the substitution of the free FastPass+ service with the premium Genie+ service, for instance. Genie+ Many feel compelled to pay for the additional service in order to ride more rides throughout their trip. In fact, 66.9% of those questioned believe that they will not receive the complete Disney World experience if they do not upgrade to Genie+ and purchase additional individual Lightning Lane passes.

©time2play Indeed, more individuals are paying for Genie+ than ever before. In a recent earnings report, Disney officials disclosed that over fifty percent of Disney World guests purchase Genie+. This is the Town Square Theater on Main Street, United States of America.

Increasing ticket prices and other taxes and extras that guests feel compelled to acquire are driving up the entire cost of Disney World trips. The majority of people may no longer be able to afford to attend The Most Magical Place on Earth at this price. Magical Land According to recent pronouncements by Disney CEO Bob Chapek, price rises will certainly continue for the foreseeable future.

Chapek, when asked about potential price hikes, stated: “It depends entirely on the consumer. If customer demand continues to rise, we will respond accordingly.” Chapek further stressed, “with all the insight we have into the future, we do not anticipate a decline in demand.” Orange County Register images by way of Getty Images If you hope to visit Disney World in the near future but are concerned about the expense, we want to assist you. Why Boycott Disney A Reasonable Budget for Your 2023 Disney World Vacation Unknown Ways to Maximize Your Budget at Disney World All the Ways to Save BIG Currently at Disney World How to Make Your Disney World Holiday Trip BETTER and CHEAPER Six Ways to Save Money on Your Next Disney World Vacation 10 Magic Kingdom Snacks Costing Less Than $10 10 EPCOT Snacks for Under $10 Stay tuned to AllEars for the most recent updates as we continue to search for additional Disney World discounts.