Originally Posted By stagemomx3 >>"Make-overs" of little girls? This went out with jonbenet ramsey. It IS creepy, just on it's own merits.<< Actually it hasn't gone it, it's quite popular, check out Club Libby Lu. The DTD LL has reservations for make-overs all the way out to March 07 right now. I have appointments for my dd and niece to get make-overs done on Halloween before we head to MHT. What is so creepy about it?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<In this case, it seems like this campaign is actually to the detriment of the park. It doesn't tie-in with the projects already underway that will debut during this promotion - specifically 'nemo subs' and the monorail. And it doesn't appear that they're intending to ADD anything to the park to support it. Instead their plan is to tale existing attraction infrastructure and turn it into a meet greet and merch location, in a misguided attempt to create a new revenue stream.>> You have a perfect grasp of the situation. It's all about money. And trends. First came Libby Lu. Then came the same type of Princess boutique at DD at WDW. <<That's bad enough on it's own, but as others have already pointed out, this particular plan would only appeal to a narrow segment of guests, yet there's a broad swath of guests that it would actually offend - both due to the very real perception of gouging the guests and of aiding and abetting conspicuous overindulgence of children. >> Yes. I can guarantee for every guest that loves the idea they can make little Britney or Jessica into a 'princess' no matter the cost, it'll turn off at least 2-3 other guests, who either find the costs appaling or the whole concept. But Princesses (and now Fairies and Pirates ... or maybe even Fairy Pirates!) are the big push in Consumer Products and now they are in control. They push park product vs. creative product in parks, movies and TV pushing CP. <<"Make-overs" of little girls? This went out with jonbenet ramsey. It IS creepy, just on it's own merits. Throw in the insane pricepoints, the time commitment required to participate, and it's displacement of a showspace designed to entertain thousands - the entire concept is bankrupt of creativity and 'show'. >> But think of all the $$$ ... because that's what is pushing horrible choices about the parks, like this. <<The best we can hope for now is that someone within TDA with some taste and influence will put the kibosh on this entire idea before it ever gets off the ground. But then we're back to the earlier problem of a year-long marketing promotion with practically nothing tangible about it. >> I don't see that happening. Again, it's all about what Disney wants to push ... or shove down our throats. No matter how bad the idea or concept, like the whole Year of a MIllion Free Churros, Cokes, Popcorn and Fastpasses, once marketing decides on something, it really doesn't matter what the parks people think. <<I'm starting to understand why matt chose to bail out when he did.>> Oh, I'm sure there's quite a bit more to it ... ;-)
Originally Posted By idleBrain <<Actually it hasn't gone it, it's quite popular, check out Club Libby Lu. The DTD LL has reservations for make-overs all the way out to March 07 right now. I have appointments for my dd and niece to get make-overs done on Halloween before we head to MHT. What is so creepy about it?>> Mostly that it tends to push the gender stereotype that "beauty" and "attractiveness" are found in a makeup kit, even in elementary school. Not to mention muddying the waters of "self-worth" and "self-acceptance." Wanna know the destiny of these little girls growing up on this Princess makeover brainwashing? Watch "The Real Housewives of Orange County" on Bravo. Spoiled brats, each and every one of 'em.
Originally Posted By stagemomx3 >>Wanna know the destiny of these little girls growing up on this Princess makeover brainwashing? Watch "The Real Housewives of Orange County" on Bravo. Spoiled brats, each and every one of 'em.<< Hmmm talk about stereotypes! Girls have been doing "make-overs" since they began having sleepovers. Some girls like more girlie stuff than others. My dd has never been into princess or Barbie, she does however love the stage and musical theater, so the creating of a character through a make-over appeals to her. It's about fantasy, and fun. I think you are using a very large brush stroke to say that indulging a little girl's princess fantasy is creating a spoiled brat.
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster I am not a big fan of this whole princess makeover concept but I hardly think it's going to turn a bunch of little girls into monstrous little spoiled brats. A fantasy location like Disneyland (or more specifically FANTASYland) seems like an appropriate enough place for this kind of nonsense to be happening. I rarely go into that theater anyway since TDA tranformed it into a showcase for just how awful theme park entertainment can be. If it makes the park a lot of money and makes a lot of little girls beam with joy about looking like future prostitutes then where's the problem?
Originally Posted By idleBrain <<If it makes the park a lot of money and makes a lot of little girls beam with joy about looking like future prostitutes then where's the problem?>> You just answered your own question.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer OK, Lisa and I stopped by Disneyland before heading to Knot's today to grab some photos... The Disney Showcase no longer features the 50th stuff, but now is a Halloween store, filled with a BUNCH of Princess stuff, wigs for $15, princess dresses, many for $60 to $85, a couple, like Pocahontas were lower (I think around $30), plus add gloves, crowns, wands, all about $15 each..... YIKES! And that is just for the clothing, prior to the makeover......
Originally Posted By avromark Darkbeer I raise a glass to you, heres hoping you have Quint Girls Just playing devils advocate stagemom3x, but when girls have make overs during sleepover parties they're usually more affordable then the boutiques, as well I'd imagine if I had a daughter half the fun is the process with friends, not sitting down in a chair while someone gets paid to make your daughter over. As well do you parents of both genders find yourself spending more on your girls or boys? Getting back on track: What's everyones current take on Rasulo?
Originally Posted By LuLu >>What is so creepy about it? << The "princesses" I saw at WDW were in the age range of 3 to 7. I think the thing that creeped me the most was the perfectly coiffed hair. With the makeup and *total* coordinated outfit...it was just like Stepford Wives in training. Mind you, I'm not some makeup-bashing feminist, far from it. But preteens painting each others' nails and applying glitter gloss in their bedrooms is a far cry from taking a little girl to a salon for a "professional makeover." I just see that as a bad message. Sometimes I think I must be hopelessly old fashioned, so I'm really glad to hear others say they feel this "service" might antagonize more people than it appeals to.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo "As well do you parents of both genders find yourself spending more on your girls or boys?" Jessica is 14 months old, Micheal is 3 and a quarter. At the moment, we seem to spend far more on Mikey because they have better toys for him and Jess has a lot of hand me downs. I am sure as they get older, this will level out. we are planning on all 4 of us getting haircuts at WDW however, but $175 for a princess makeover - we'll pass thank you.
Originally Posted By stagemomx3 >>Just playing devils advocate stagemom3x, but when girls have make overs during sleepover parties they're usually more affordable then the boutiques, as well I'd imagine if I had a daughter half the fun is the process with friends, not sitting down in a chair while someone gets paid to make your daughter over.<< From what I've seen at our local CLL most of the time the "make-overs" are parties of girls. Same kind of thing as a Build-a-Bear birthday party. DTD seems a little different, and I saw a lot more of the "princess" make-over than any of the others there. >>As well do you parents of both genders find yourself spending more on your girls or boys?<< Yes on clothes, on stuff like sports and other extra curricular activities no. When my dd goes to CLL, the boys usually go to the Lego store next door and pick out something, usually it works out about equal in price. I'm pretty sure if they have both the princess make-over and the Jedi Academy going at DL when we are there in November all 4 kids will do the Jedi Academy(2girls, 2boys) and we won't venture near the princess thing. They all like Star Wars.
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror >>>^And the coon-skip hat's weren't?<<< Selling hats and dresses for little kids to live out their existing role-playing fantasies is a natural extension of kid life. ORCHESTRATING an entire event "makeover" that is so "adult" in its approach and grotesquery, and vulgar in the extreme where price is concerned, is definitely a big jump from selling hats and even pricey dresses.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt ^^Um excuse me, but both are commercial activities designed to take money out of consumer's pockets. I don't disagree with those who find the princess make-overs tacky, however you can't deny that the coon skin cap fad was a carefully orchestrated merchandising coup for Disney in the 1950's.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Ecxept that they didn't know it was going to happen. They had more of a reaction than a plan, and just went with the market. I'm sure if Disney knew that they would be so popular, they would have released the hats before the TV shows (Like they do with movie merchandise now), and they certainly wouldn't have let other companies have time to develop their own hats.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^In other words, they have a lot more marketing savvy than 1950's execs had.
Originally Posted By fkurucz And I do agree that the makeovers are tacky. But apparently Disney execs believe that there are enough people who feel otherwise.
Originally Posted By bean i personally think that no small child should have globs of make-up on them so young. but oh well
Originally Posted By Oswald Rabbit >>I'm starting to understand why matt chose to bail out when he did.<< I was thinking the same thing when I read this. Taking out the theater for a higher risk merch location does not seem to be his style. Overall, it seems to me that the power was taken away, and Matt chose not to stay. I'm still not a fan of Jays.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "And I do agree that the makeovers are tacky. But apparently Disney execs believe that there are enough people who feel otherwise." Exactly my point.
Originally Posted By drawbridge I think the princess stuff going into the theater is a dreadful use of space. However, why are everyones feathers ruffled over the make-over aspect? Do any of you actually have daughters? This is what they do! They wear stage make-up for dance recitals or theater productions, Halloween, playing dress-up, birthday parties or the ONCE a year family vacation! Big deal. Nobody is telling these girls they are not beautiful without it. This is a fantasy experience, girls like to be pretty they are born with that gene. Its not just the Pat Ramseys of the world that will be visiting this place. So its now un-PC to generalize but lets face it girls like to be pretty and boys like to play fight. Hence, the princess thing and the Jedi thing. Big whoop. Times have not changed one bit, this has been true forever. My sister was playing dress up with mom's make-up and clothes in the 60s and I was playing with guns. I guess that is wrong now? Whatever. PC garbage. If parents back in the 60s spent what the parents of today do on their kids (I guess one thing that has changed) no one can say Walt would not have approved. Its all about 'the show' right, why not let the kids in on it to have some fun too.
