Disney Symbols

[Guppy1387]

Hi everyone! I'm working on a research paper for my "Deconstructing Disney" class at California State University, Fullerton. I was hoping you could help...

What are your favorite Disney symbols and why? Symbols can be the mouse ears logo, Mickey, the castle, other characters, specific attraction architecture, etc. What do these symbols mean to you? What message do they convey? What understanding of these symbols do you share with other Disney fans that non-Disney fans might not clue into?

Thanks guys! I can't wait to see what you say!

[oregontraveler]

If I had to pick one symbol, it would be the Mickey Floral Planter out front.
Especially, when the train pulls in and you see the Lilly Belle on the end.
Waling thru the tunnel means I'm on vacation and I can forget about 'life'
for awhile.

[Iceman]

Perhaps it is so literal it cannot be considered a symbol, but perhaps the most meaningful one to me is the word "Disney" in that wonderful faux-Walt's signature font. Whether I see that at the beginning of a movie, on the box of a toy or board game, on a theme park admission ticket, or an ad for a cruise, on a website... wherever! I know that the entertainment associated with that logo will be wholesome, high-quality, fun, clean, safe, and broadly enjoyable.

In a more personal way, the Sorcerer Mickey logo of Walt Disney Imagineering is very meaningful to me. It represents perhaps the ultimate expression of what Walt stood for and has brought to the world. The immersive experiences the Imagineers bring to life are uniquely amazing. And since I feel a calling to be an Imagineer myself, that symbol represents a goal and a dream that I will one day attain.

[bochnikm]

My favorite symbol is Spaceship Earth. Epcot has always been my favorite park As a scientist I probably connect best with this for it’s a symbol of the future, science and technology.

[Mom of Marceline]

My favorite symbol is the castle that they use at the beginning of all of the movies. My 19 month old daughter gets so excited whenever she sees that iconic picture.

[Guppy1387]

Hi All!

I'm working on a research paper for my "Deconstructing Disney" class at Cal State Fullerton. I was hoping you could help me answer some questions.

Why are you drawn to the Disney brand? What about Disney keeps you as a fan/follower?

Please tell me all you can about how Disney makes you feel, what Disney means to you, and why you are drawn to and kept as a Disney fan, etc.

If you are interested in speaking with me more in-depth about Disney for my research paper, please e-mail me at shanhiggins@csu.fullerton.edu

[buffy24]

Guppy,
That's a very interesting topic you have chosen. I guess I have always been drawn to the Disney brands (movies, memorabelia, etc) and I guess it started with a research paper I did in 5th Grade on Walt Disney. Then in the summer between 5th grade and 6th grade, we made our 1st trip to a Disney Park: The Magic Kingdom in Florida. I can't remember much about riding the rides and such, but I remember it being a very happy experience. My only disappointment was we only got to go one day and we didn't get to visit Epcot, which was fairly new at that time.

Growing up in the midwest, most of our theme park trips were to Worlds of Fun or Silver Dollar City, which I always thought were fine. My first experience with Disneyland was when I was a travel agent, back in 1995. I fell in love with the park and really wanted to go back, but that didn't happen until I met and married my husband, who happens to be a native of San Diego. The summer after our wedding we began our trips to Disney as a family (traveling with my husbands 3 kids, parents, brother & sister-in-laws and 15 grandchildren). We attend every 1-2 years, and we now have a 9 year, who loves the park as much as we do.

One of the biggest things I love about the park is how clean it is. I have gone back to Worlds of Fun once since I've been married and noticed there was trash on the ground everywhere, bathrooms were dirty, gum on the ground etc. I know I will not see stuff like that at Disney. I also love that the majority of the cast members are nice and happy to be there. I love buying themed things at the parks: lanyards with pins, t-shirts, cups, shot glasses, etc. Also the food is so good. My husband & son have gluten allergies and love that Disney has some really great gluten-free options, plus an entire list of the foods they carry that are gluten free.

All of these things are wonderful, but the best thing of all, is the feeling of happiness I feel when I walk into a Disney Park. It's like all the worry and stress of the world melt away, even for just a little while. My son & I decided that our dream job is to be ride testers for Disneyland!

In conclusion, we love Disney because they do things right!

[leota's necklace]

Like most people my age, I was indoctrinated into the Disney brand when I was very young. I remember my brother taking me to see Bambi when it was in limited re-release, my afternoons were spent with rebroadcasts of the Original Mickey Mouse Club, and weekend evenings meant Wonderful World of Color. Disney merchandise was ubiquitous -- I had Mickey-and-Minnie coin banks, a Robin Hood decal on my juice glass, a Snow White mug for my milk.

Imagine my delight when a New Mickey Mouse Club was announced. I was right there on the front of the bandwagon, complete with new-style ears (bought at Woolco) and soundtrack record I could play on my portable phonograph. Mickey made an appearance at a local department store to help promote merchandise and I was sure to get a photo with him. (The look on my face can only be described as "dubious" -- how this huge rubberheaded creature could be called "Mickey Mouse" was anybody's guess.) Mickey was my friend, my Best Pal.

WWoC, of course, showed commercials for all the new things going on at Disneyland and the new park down in Florida. I remember the advertisements for Space Mountain and the Electrical Parade quite distinctly. I think that peer pressure played a part in my first trip to Disneyland with my parents when I was seven or so -- many kids at school had gone multiple times by that point.

My parents were frugal so regular Disney vacations were out of the question. We'd already been there once, why go again? I made a second trip with my high school choir...but my full-blown fan status didn't kick in until I was in my late twenties, when I went on a trip with two friends, one of whom had an AP and made twice-yearly trips.

I was astonished by what I saw. At that time I had a job in merchandising and design, and I was overwhelmed by the wonderful design and attention to detail that I could see in the Park. I rode certain rides, like the Haunted Mansion, over and over, blown away by the music, the effects, the gorgeous textiles and paint and sculpting, and details I didn't see the first, second, or even tenth time through.

And that's why I am a fan today. Of course, I go to Disneyland to have fun. And a large part of my enjoyment is based in nostalgia. But an even greater part is based in appreciation for the artists at Disney. I am astonished by what they can do, the obvious pride in their work. (This also contributes to my deep disappointment when I feel an attraction or show falls short of the very high bar that they've set for themselves.) You'll be just as likely to see me taking pictures of floor treatments and light fixtures as you will see me riding my favorite attractions; and when a new film comes out, I am scouring the accompanying design books and reading interviews with the artists.

[adriennek]

Guppy, I have a question: Why is "religion" a tag for this thread?

[rokstedy]

The castle. It's gotta be the castle. No matter what time I'm at the park, or for how long I've been there, I'm reminded of where I'm at when I walk by the castle. I say "thank you walt" in my head each time.

[Mouseketeer1955]

Perhaps it is so literal it cannot be considered a symbol, but perhaps the most meaningful one to me is the word "Disney" in that wonderful faux-Walt's signature font. Whether I see that at the beginning of a movie, on the box of a toy or board game, on a theme park admission ticket, or an ad for a cruise, on a website... wherever! I know that the entertainment associated with that logo will be wholesome, high-quality, fun, clean, safe, and broadly enjoyable.

In a more personal way, the Sorcerer Mickey logo of Walt Disney Imagineering is very meaningful to me. It represents perhaps the ultimate expression of what Walt stood for and has brought to the world. The immersive experiences the Imagineers bring to life are uniquely amazing. And since I feel a calling to be an Imagineer myself, that symbol represents a goal and a dream that I will one day attain.

Let me take that a step further and just say the Disney font, in general. It's amazing how people get it when you use the font to just write a note or a letter. You don't even have to include anything "Disney" in the letter, the font does it all.

Just one other thing, is it possible for the web crew to add the Disney font to the list of fonts, or is that something that is controlled by the server ?

[JunJunM3]

Definitely the Castle. Just seeing it from a distance as I enter both Disneyland or Magic Kingdom reminds me that I'm away from the daily grind-albeit only for awhile. Whether there for the entire day or just a couple of hours, it feels like being on vacation.

[dngnb8]

Hi everyone! I'm working on a research paper for my "Deconstructing Disney" class at California State University, Fullerton. I was hoping you could help...

What are your favorite Disney symbols and why? Symbols can be the mouse ears logo, Mickey, the castle, other characters, specific attraction architecture, etc. What do these symbols mean to you? What message do they convey? What understanding of these symbols do you share with other Disney fans that non-Disney fans might not clue into?

Thanks guys! I can't wait to see what you say!

In order


1. Walt Disney: I know it all began with the mouse, but I disagree. To me, it all began because of the man. Walts visions, drives, never give up attitude is what Disney is all about. To me, HE is the iconic representation of anything Disney. Walt not only represents imagination, but how to manage, coach, to get the best out of people. How to be critical of a product, and still be able to build up the employee to produce better.

2. The Mickey Symbol O The world wide identification of the Mouse.

3. The Fab Five: As with any team, you have the Icon player, but they always have that highly talented supporting cast. When Jordan was alone, the Bulls were much... Add a team around him, and not only did Jordan make them better, but Jordan was better. The Fab Five is that to me.


4. Cinderella Castle with Tink Flying over it. You know, youre gonna get entertained.

[Bytebear]

I think the Mickey symbol (the three circles) is the most powerful symbol of the company. It is universally recognized. It is so simple. There are only a few symbols that have that power. Maybe the Nike swoop, the McDonald's M or the Apple logo.

[jennibell]

There are a few things that always bring me back to a Disney frame of mind. To me, one the most powerful symbols is the Mickey Mouse Club Symbol. It is still used on most Mickey and Minnie ear hats. Another is the first few bars of "When You Wish Upon a Star".

And to answer "why Disney?"
I'd say it''s because Mickey is getting close to 100 years old. Disney reminds most people of a happy time in childhood, and childhood (for most) is a time of safety and contentment.

As Peter says "Just one happy thought and you can fly." Disney gives you that feeling, if you let it.

[Guppy1387]

Hi Adriennek,

'Religion' is a tag because the goal of my research paper is to see how Disney has become a secular religion (or religion based in popular culture). I'm asking about symbols because Disney fans have given 'sacred' meaning to various elements of the Disney brand and I'm trying to find out which are the most recognized symbols among fans and what those symbols mean to Disney followers.

[dngnb8]

Hi Adriennek,

'Religion' is a tag because the goal of my research paper is to see how Disney has become a secular religion (or religion based in popular culture). I'm asking about symbols because Disney fans have given 'sacred' meaning to various elements of the Disney brand and I'm trying to find out which are the most recognized symbols among fans and what those symbols mean to Disney followers.

Youre stretching "Religion" here. Just because there is Iconic Imagery, doesnt equate that to Religion. If you keep it on the "Branding", then youre on the right track.