[MerlinMatt]

... and create a Boys' Character Meal.

It was pointed out to me today that my marketing may be less than effective (http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...6&postcount=57), so I've started a new thread with a clearer name.

I'm also advertising for the Boy's Character Meal.

Villain Character Meal: http://www.petitiononline.com/VillMeal/petition.html

Boy's Character Meal: http://www.petitiononline.com/wdw929/petition.html

[ddoll]

I posted the link to your petition on another Disney board a few days ago. I hope you see some more signatures.

I have 4 boys. We were fortunate enough to go to the villain's dinner when it was being done and my kids loved it. They still ask about it, hoping it's been started again. No way would they ever even consider doing a princess meal!!

We'd be just as happy to see another character meal for boys, though. It doesn't seem fair that there's so much for girls and nothing for boys. I'm sure it comes down to $$$. Must be that the girls get into it more, what with getting dressed up, or something. I can think of no other reason to cater to just girls.

[Dana]

Signed them! Thanks Matt!

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by Dana

Signed them! Thanks Matt!

Thanks Dana.

Dennis justed signed a little while ago, but just you and him over the past 3 days.

So, the petition has plateaued. And I have a frustrating update.

I got a rather odd response from Disney last week. In a nutshell the response was, "we're sorry, but we don't respond to unsolicited suggestions."

Oh well. We'll just have to get our villain fix somewhere else.

[tigger]

Originally Posted by MerlinMatt

Thanks Dana.

Dennis justed signed a little while ago, but just you and him over the past 3 days.

So, the petition has plateaued. And I have a frustrating update.

I got a rather odd response from Disney last week. In a nutshell the response was, "we're sorry, but we don't respond to unsolicited suggestions."

Oh well. We'll just have to get our villain fix somewhere else.

Try this Matt:

task 5

[CiliaWilia]

Signed!

I also gave an idea of maybe something with "Toy Story" characters. Buzz, Woody, Potato Head and the army guys would be great!

[tiggerfan74]

I signed the petition. I love the villians, but I don't remember a villian meal. Where ands when was it and why did they get rid of it?

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by tiggerfan74

I signed the petition. I love the villians, but I don't remember a villian meal. Where ands when was it and why did they get rid of it?

It was at the 1900 Park Faire for dinner. It is now a princess Character Meal I think.

They got rid of it because of whining guests who thought that the characters were rude. HELLO!!!! They're VILLAINS!!! They're SUPPOSED to be rude!!! It's called ACTING!!!!

I really wish people would get over themselves.

Man, I'm on a roll today.

[Pooh Fan]

[quote=MerlinMatt]I got a rather odd response from Disney last week. In a nutshell the response was, "we're sorry, but we don't respond to unsolicited suggestions."

That is too bad. There are a few character meals designed for the girls, so it seems only fair for Disney to have something special for the boys. My son would die to be able to have a meal with the Toy Story characters. WHy hasn't someone at Disney thought of this? It seems like a logical conclusion that the boys would like a meal of their own.

[Amneris]

What I want to know is why is Disney being so sexist???? I can't remember if I've tirade-ed about this before or not, but I'm doing it now! ;)

There shouldn't be any "boy" or "girl" character meals. But not only have they duplicated this "princess" thing fifty times over which appeals only to the most effiminant(sp?) of girls, but they're even SAYING it's only for girls like with the GF tea. I read their new brochure for their NYC 5th Ave Disney Store "experience" and it SAYS it's for girls. How on earth is that even legal??? It's very disheartening that even Disney is apparently doing their best to nuture and encourage stereotyping of "boys" and "girls" -- don't they have psychologists??? It's not like it would be difficult for them to even things out -- there's Jessie and BoPeep in Toy Story, throw the Princes into the Princess things with more fevor(sp?). They need to stop making EVERYTHING so sickeningly "girlie". We've even had posts on here about boys who kinda like CRT, but the poor things are probably mortified to admit it 'cause Disney keeps going on about how it's a girls-only thing. They're not even in the 1980's with the attitude!

And as for Villian meals -- PLEASE! what is wrong with people that they complained?!?! I mean, REALLY, what do they expect? (Why WEREN'T they expecting it?) I think it would be great to have such a character meal! Sigh.

[MerlinMatt]

OK. Here's my take.

First off, I don't necessarily mind "some" stereotyping. Let's face it, girls are girls and boys are boys. My daughter LIKES to do her hair and wear pretty clothes. My son LIKES to play football and has fun pushing his friends around.

That said, my son also like to look sharp if he has to dress up and my daughter can throw a punch like nobody's business. But that doesn't make either one of them less of a boy or girl than what they are.

As for the GF Tea, there are two. One is for everyone. The other involves some kind of princess doll and other "princess" nonsense. They could invite boys all they want and neither my son nor I would be interested. But the Garden View Tea we actually have PS's for and we'll go (unless we're motoring around the lagoon on a Sea Raycer).

I'm sick of all the "princess" nonsense too, only because I think it's over-done. I don't think it's bad to treat our women as queens and princesses on occasion, so long as it doesn't turn into a sense of entitlement, which is s big problem in the US, IMO. But it would be nice for a little equal time.

For the record, DS and I are both looking forward to CRT. We could care less about the princesses, but we're looking forward to a nice breakfast first thing the morning in the castle. I'm actually looking forward to the princesses putting on their little pretend formality, acting all prim and proper. I think it's a great way to start the day and doesn't necessarily have to be a girlie thing at all.

So, while I think Disney would do well by having some events that were a little more geared towards boys, I don't think the girlie stuff is so terrible. A little balance is all that's needed.

[ddoll]

Well clearly they made more Princess meals in response to the overwhelming popularity of the CRT. For years now, that has filled up within minutes of the PS window opening....at 7 am!!

The fact remains, that there must be at least as many parents out there who have boys and would be willing to pay for a specialty meal for them. Or at least for a special character meal that has more broad appeal.

I love the ideas in Matt's petitions for character meal suggestions.

What's really a shame is that my youngest DS is now (9) past the age where he would have gladly dressed up in costume to attend a special "boy's" meal. I can't tell you how magical that would have been for us to take him to such an event.

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by ddoll

I love the ideas in Matt's petitions for character meal suggestions.

Don't give me credit where it's not mine.

Tragic was the first one to create a Character Meal petition. I'm merely a copy-cat.

[Amneris]

Matt - I didn't mean to do away with ALL the girlie stuff, just that I'm exasperated that that is ALL they seem to have. It'd be nice, as you said, to have some moderation. Like IMHO one or two totally girlie dress up princess thingys, one or two Peter Pan "Adventurers" boy-ie (lol!) thingys, and then SEVERAL things w/ face characters that are like Chef Mickeys where it's just geared toward kids. There could still be more dress up like things and more activity driven things and more sedate things. Just things that aren't so gender-specific -- especailly as it's leaving all the boys out!

[MerlinMatt]

Then we're on the same page!

Just don't hold your breath. Since I'm not a paid consultant, Disney doesn't care what I think.