American Adventure disppointment

[deedeenmickey]

I just returned from WDW on October 4 and we saw the American Adventure at Epcot and I am extremely disappointed in the addition to the end! I sat there beside my extremely proud American soldier who just returned from 18 months in Afghanistan and 2 months in Iraq. My heart always swells with pride when we see this show. I see the new ending with the fire fighters from 9/11, Oprah Winfrey, Sports people, Willie Nelson?, and I am waiting for an image of a current looking American Soldier and IT NEVER COMES!!!???? Walt Disney was in the Army, they had soldiers from the American revolution, the civil war, WW1 and WW2 but no current American Soldiers!!! I am extremely disappointed and hurt! Walt Disney would not have overlooked this in my opinion. Does anyone have any insight that I may have overlooked? I can't understand this and I would like to write a letter to someone because I love Disney World, I love Walt Disney and I love my American Soldier and I can't imagine why this would not be included in the American Adventure!!!!!

[Mr. Brass Bonanza]

I'll tell you, I'd put a current American soldier in there a million times before I'd put Oprah Winfrey. That' ridiculous. You might as well put Puff Daddy and Britney Spears in there as well.

How many times has Oprah poured money into Disney...and then she turns up at the end of the American Adventure, but an American fighting with his or her life on the line for us right now is not? Hmmmm...

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

That's a shame

[Lizzie]

I haven't seen this show yet. But why is Oprah in it?

[Disneyfun]

Having not seen the new ending, I would actually be fine with Oprah...but Willie Nelson?!?!? Wasn't he convicted for tax evasion and has been pushing for the legalization of marijuana? I don't find that inspirational at all!
I too feel that a modern US soldier should be represented. The only reason that I think that they may have left one out is due to the political fallout that would occur due to the image being linked to a very unpopular war.
Don't flame me, I love our soldiers, my brother is one. It's just the vast majority of the population has a poor opinion of the war in Iraq and the president that got us in to it and I think that Disney may be trying to avoid that issue.
Once things calm down, I would be sure that a modern soldier would be represented.

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

I agree with Disneyfun. I think it's more of a delicacy need than not respecting or honoring them. It's a very sensitive subject right now, and it's also recent - they may want to avoid showing pictures of someone's son, daughter, father, lover, brother or any one they cared about who never returned home.

A lot of times, the communities will rally together in times of despair and need and will send families to Disney or another place so they can escape just for a little while from the sadness such as a loved one lost in the line of duty. Can you imagine being on vacation and trying to escape and then seeing your loved one on a giant screen?

I definitely believe it's a good thing - for now. Besides, I personally don't care for them but Oprah and Willie Nelson are both inspirations and pioneers for many people. Oprah has helped many lives and given great advice to thousands of people, and sure she's not fighting a war but she has help people with their internal struggles. Willie Nelson defied traditions and did his own thing, including advocating alternate fuel sources, and active in the political fronts. Neither one really inspires me, only Walt does that, but for a lot of people, they are important.

[tarjaybuff]

Putting Oprah in there is like comparing her to JFK or MLK. Atleast with a firefighter or soldier it covers a large vast of the population. I am sure they will change it.

[TakeMe2EPCOT]

A lot of times, the communities will rally together in times of despair and need and will send families to Disney or another place so they can escape just for a little while from the sadness such as a loved one lost in the line of duty. Can you imagine being on vacation and trying to escape and then seeing your loved one on a giant screen?

How about the flip side of that? How about being a veteran or the family of a fallen veteran and not seeing a modern military member up on the big screen? How would that make you feel? Wouldn't that make you feel slighted? Oprah Winfrey is an entertainer and nothing more and make mega-millions doing a posh job...she deserves a spot but a real American hero/heroine doesn't?! Ridiculous.

It's just another sign of the times--the only people who count are celebrities.

[Aggie97]

I would imagine that when updating the film, WDW/the U.S. also was keeping in mind the film's large global audience, having an understanding of many other countries' positions on the war. I am confident that all of the different Epcot country movies are sanitized to be sure no offense could be taken by WDW visitors of any nationality (including American).

My father is deployed in Baghdad right now; I do not have any issues with the film's content.

[Gator]

No one at Disney wants to anger those who HATE the war and all involved. I suppose those who scream the loudest get to wear the fattest crown. And then we all bow to their every wish.

Meanwhile, more soldiers (some my family members) are giving their lives to promote America's greatest export...Freedom. I hope Disney includes them in the next AmAd film.

[Imagineer1981]

Hopefully someone from Disney will see this post and add a current military hero to the film...and all the brave men and women serving are heroes to me

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

How about the flip side of that? How about being a veteran or the family of a fallen veteran and not seeing a modern military member up on the big screen? How would that make you feel? Wouldn't that make you feel slighted? Oprah Winfrey is an entertainer and nothing more and make mega-millions doing a posh job...she deserves a spot but a real American hero/heroine doesn't?! Ridiculous.

It's just another sign of the times--the only people who count are celebrities.

I'm sorry but I never said they were the only ones who count. I said Disney is taking an approach to avoid upsetting a lot of people because of the current situation we are in. There are a lot of political issues that a lot of foreigners, and Americans, alike have about the current war in Iraq. And a lot of foreigners come to Disney World. It's not about who is better or greater hero - the story is the American Adventure. It's about pioneers, inventors, revolutionaries, and heroes, not just those who have died for us.

And after all, what was Samuel Clemmons (Mark Twain) but another entertainer? He was just an author.

[TheRustyScupper]

[QUOTE=deedeenmickey;1754453. . . I love my American Soldier and I can't imagine why this would not be included in the American Adventure!!!!! . . . [/QUOTE]

I agree!

Shame

Shame
Shame

NOTE: Sea World does a nice recognition. At the Shamu show, they have all the vets stand. Sometimes, the applause is deafening! They also give service people and their families free admission!

[PetefromRI]

Isn't Oprah on ABC?Owned by Disney and she's made a ton for Disney but I agree,she shouldn't be there.

[CaptSmee]

sheesh! I personally don't see the big deal here. our military is well represented, but it's not like it's a current show that goes all the way up to present day! I happen to like the ending just fine...

[PirateLover]

And after all, what was Samuel Clemmons (Mark Twain) but another entertainer? He was just an author.

Hmm. I know you are trying to make a point here, but I hope you know that Samuel Clemmons was more than "just an author." Almost all of his books had a message, and he made a great impact in the political aspect of society.

Anyway, I'm on the side of having a soldier be part of the montage. Soldiers do much more than fight wars. They are all around the world keeping the peace and doing their part to serve their country. I for one would be proud to have a deceased relative as part of the video. Would it be emotional? Sure. But knowing that every day people were seeing my relative representing what is supposed to be "the best" of the U.S. would make me swell with pride as well.

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

Hmm. I know you are trying to make a point here, but I hope you know that Samuel Clemmons was more than "just an author." Almost all of his books had a message, and he made a great impact in the political aspect of society.

And for some, the same can be said of those in the film. Willie Nelson does a lot of political work and has jokingly been referred to as "the most powerful Texan" by other politicians. Oprah Winfrey wasn't always the corporate icon she is today, she went through a lot of struggles and as an entertainer, brought many to tears with her emotional role in The Color Purple.

It's all a matter of opinion. I don't care for being reminded of the war when I'm there at Disney because it's all we hear about every other day. I enjoy reflecting the ideas that America once held, not the paths used to get there.

[goofy-4-disney]

"Isn't Oprah on ABC?Owned by Disney and she's made a ton for Disney but I agree,she shouldn't be there. "


Nope, shes on CBS. EIther way I agree, she shouldn't be on there.

[Scar]

Walt Disney was in the Army, ...

I pretty certain that Walt Disney was not in The Army. He was in The Red Cross.

[Ian]

I pretty certain that Walt Disney was not in The Army. He was in The Red Cross.

Correct ... he served during WWI in the Red Cross Ambulance Corps. He was too young to join the military.