[snowmedia]

I read this at an online news site, so no telling if this is actually true or not. But apparently Disney World will no longer offer religious services to it's guests. They will however still have Christmas and Easter services, which is just 2 days of the whole year. If this is true, I can't say I am too happy about this. I imagine for some it will be no big deal and for others it will be something they cheer over, but for me it is a disappointment.


Excerpt from "Prayer In My Life"
By Walt Disney

"Whatever success I have had in bringing clean, informative entertainment to people of all ages, I attribute in part to my Congregational upbringing and lifelong habit of prayer."

[LRTJS]

I too am disappointed at this. It is another tradition at Disney gone. And another indication of how some of those in power are so far from Walt's origianl values.

[Jennly]

Originally posted by snowmedia
I read this at an online news site, so no telling if this is actually true or not. But apparently Disney World will no longer offer religious services to it's guests. They will however still have Christmas and Easter services, which is just 2 days of the whole year. If this is true, I can't say I am too happy about this. I imagine for some it will be no big deal and for others it will be something they cheer over, but for me it is a disappointment.

It's true we have gotten informational blurbs about it in our computers at work. The reasoning that they are telling the media is that the "guest population is so diverse" that they don't want to seem to be catering to one religion. Also the blurb said something about there being enough "various places of worship" near to the property that there is no longer a need to offer that on site.

I too feel it's a bit of a shame...

Jenn

[fanatic720]

well i am sure that they had god intentions in mind when they saud this, but i think that a better way to cater to the needs of the diverse population of disney visitors would be to offer more than one type of religious services iunstead of terminating htem almost permanently. i an not happy about htis annoouncement

[wdw510]

I don't know why they couldn't offer several smaller worship services. Even at " out of the way" places in the different parks. Especially If you don't rent a car, and have to rely strictly on Disney transportation. I for one, would enjoy just a small non-denominational service, especially if you are there on a holiday or Sunday mornings.

[Amethyst]

I understand they want to be more sensitive to their guests. Just offering catholic and jewish services seemed quite unfair to the protestants. Though I couldn't see myself going to a nondenominational service, cancelling services instead of expanding just doesn't fit within Disney values. There's more than enough room to offer services for each denomination spread throughout the property. This is quite disappointing and to assume that all guests feel comfortable leaving Disney property is absurd. :)

[Willbegone]

I'm very disappointed by this announcement! With so many very intelligent people working for Disney I think they could have come up with an alternative solution. For instance, we have stayed at a resort in Daytona Beach that hosts a different church group each week that comes in and does children activities during the week and on Sunday does a service. It is a different denomination almost every week. Maybe each resort could offer this. Utilizing a different denom. at each resort, this would give huge diversity!! It doesn't require a huge group at all. It would also be another out let for kids. Just an idea!:hmmm

[ilvminnie]

Just my personal hunch, but I'm kind of thinking this has something to do with the world's emphasis on diversity. There are sooooooo many religions represented by the people who visit WDW that they probably didn't want to offend any 1 (or 2 or 3....) group(s). At the same time, they probably made a decision that they didn't want to go into the "church" business. Having been deeply involved in churches for years, I know what goes into planning a service, and that's with staff people who do it for a living. I can't imagine doing it without the staff assistance. And the logistics of working with all those denominations would be a nightmare. I think a shuttle from a central location in WDW (Downtown Disney?) to various places of worship would be nice for those of us who don't have cars on property, but I totally understand what I believe is their logic behind this decision.:angel :angel

[Amethyst]

I heard another rumor surrounding the cancellation of services. Rumor has it that it was part of a settlement because members of another religious affiliation threatened to sue. This is word of mouth but I will look to see if I can find any news. I'm hoping this is nothing more than an embellished continuation of this rumor. If not, this is certainly sad in this day and age.