Research paper - Disney style!

spodie · Post by **spodie** » Oct Thu 23, 2008 9:01 am

So I got my research paper assignment in my English class this morning and my professor is opening it up to any topic, just as long as it interests us. She stressed this point because we will be working on this paper for through the first week in December. Well, obviously, I'm interested in Disney, so I would really like to do my research paper on that. What I'm trying to find is a good topic, so I was wondering what you guys think. The only real rules (at least as far as you guys are concerned) is that the topic:
1) needs to have two sides

2) needs to fit into this thesis statement: "While it is commonly believed ______, in reality, ________ because 1.______, 2.______, and 3. ______."

3) I need to be able to back my points up with concrete sources.

I'm thinking something like this for my thesis: "While it is commonly believed that a trip to Walt Disney World is only a vacation that kids can enjoy, in reality, it is a vacation that adults can enjoy as well because 1. _____, 2. ______, and 3. ______ (I still have to think of the best points, even though there are a million!).

Also, I would like to try to keep this restricted to WDW, just because I know the most about those parks. Any and all comments/topic suggestions are welcome and appreciated. I have finally gotten a paper assignment that I'm actually looking forward to writing!

sherabby · Post by **sherabby** » Oct Thu 23, 2008 9:41 am

adults can enjoy as well because ......everyone is a kid at heart.
Disney allows me to relive my childhood through my son's eyes.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Oct Thu 23, 2008 10:18 am

What a fun assignment! Adults can enjoy Disney b/c you have not a care in the world, you can be a kid again and it's magical!!!

Hey, when you're done, can you post the paper?! I'd love to see the final product. If that's too much of a pain, it's o.k. Just a thought!

spodie · Post by **spodie** » Oct Thu 23, 2008 10:25 am

boilerbabe wrote: Hey, when you're done, can you post the paper?! I'd love to see the final product. If that's too much of a pain, it's o.k. Just a thought!

Sure - why not! Cut and paste always makes life easier. Hopefully my teacher will let me do it - it would definately be different than anything everyone else is doing!

agingerbugg · Post by **agingerbugg** » Oct Thu 23, 2008 12:52 pm

I don't know how well the paper will turn out with that topic. How long is the paper? What are your arguing points? It isn't a bad topic, I would just be concerned with being able to produce an adequate paper on that topic. It is a little narrow, and what sources are you thinking of using? You don't need to listen to my advice, just as a fourth year English major, I have a little experience in writing research papers.

elizabethswann · Post by **elizabethswann** » Oct Thu 23, 2008 1:19 pm

sherabby stole my comment but good luck on the paper! I'm never a fan of writing papers myself.

spodie · Post by **spodie** » Oct Thu 23, 2008 1:58 pm

agingerbugg wrote:I don't know how well the paper will turn out with that topic. How long is the paper? What are your arguing points? It isn't a bad topic, I would just be concerned with being able to produce an adequate paper on that topic. It is a little narrow, and what sources are you thinking of using? You don't need to listen to my advice, just as a fourth year English major, I have a little experience in writing research papers.

Darn. I was afraid of that. This is just a really preliminary idea - the most thought I've put into it so far was writing this thread (we just got the assignment this morning). As far as the length of the paper, it may not be the kind of research paper you're accustomed to - it only needs to be 5-6 pages (this is just for a general English 1102 class). I have to do a little more research on the sources, but I know I've seen at least one book that is devoted to Disney without kids, plus other internet sources (which my professor allows). Off the top of my head, I can discuss the more grown up, thrill rides (RnR, ToT, the 3 Mountains, etc), the more advanced dining options (Victoria and Alberts, California Grill, the Wave, etc), and other things, like the shops at DTD, Golf Courses, tours, etc. I only wish PI was still there, because I could definately work that in somewhere! I also would like to put in some of the things that people have posted.

I'm trying to look at this from a "non-Disney" side and I know that a lot of people, when they think of Disney, think of the Dumbo ride and other "kid rides" of that nature. They also don't know how big their dining options really are (when they think of dining at Disney World they think of Chuck E Cheese-style). And people who don't know much about Disney certainly don't know all the shopping, golf courses, tours, trails, and the other vast number of activities to do while staying there.

Wow, I'm already getting really into this - I'm just happy that I don't have to write about gun control or court cases (like I've had to do all semester

). Any thoughts, agingerbugg?

agingerbugg · Post by **agingerbugg** » Oct Thu 23, 2008 2:25 pm

It sounds like you are off to a good start. Make sure you are able to support your arguments with credible sources and remain impartial on the subject. Sources are the only thing that might be a little difficult to scrounge up. It makes it easier that she is allowing websites, but use them sparingly (I don't always trust them). I look forward to reading the final product, it sounds like a very interesting paper.

Son of Dreamfinder · Post by **Son of Dreamfinder** » Oct Thu 23, 2008 4:29 pm

Would we not be credible resources? After all most of us are adults who enjoy going to Disney.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Oct Thu 23, 2008 8:13 pm

I think we seem credible.

Seriously, though, it sounds like a neat for a paper, especially a short one like that. At first I was thinking (like agingerbugg said) it might be hard to flesh out but 5 to 6 pages shouldn't be so bad.

For sources, could you consider things like Zagat's guides and whatnot that review and recommend the 'more adult' dining venues? And ... whatever guides there are for golf and the other recreation stuff (I'm sure they're out there; I just have no idea what they are). That'd help shore up your sources without having to rely too strongly on websites.

I look forward to reading it!

Post by **Len90** » Oct Thu 23, 2008 8:40 pm

Wow I really wish I could get a paper assignment that is open-ended. I have to manufacture one tonight that will be as boring as can be. If I was you, I would take a trip to Barnes & Noble and take a look at some of their travel books. I know they have some that tell about things that adults can do.

Post by **js3901** » Oct Fri 24, 2008 1:14 am

we had an assignment like this when I was in high school, back when my love for Disney wasn't quite as strong as it is today (could that be possible?). people could do the report on any subject that interested them, so I did it on my favorite band at the time. best advice I can give is to have fun while writing yours. It makes it easier to find the words to use, and will fill up those pages fast.

hope you can find enough sources for your project. as Len90 said, I'd check out some travel book at the local library/bookstore. many of them have tips and such people traveling without children. Also include info for special adult-only functions/activities like the F&W Fest, the Richard Petty Driving experience, the (former) Pleasure Island, etc. I believe the Disney website even has tips and such for adults traveling themselves.

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Oct Fri 24, 2008 8:26 am

Interesting. I think if I had an open prompt like that, I would decide on a Disney topic, but it's hard to narrow it down without being totally biased.

The Food and Wine Festival taking place right now is a good example. There's wine seminars, book/bottle signings, meet and greets with famous chefs, authors, etc...

In the Springtime there's the Flower and Garden Festival, which is much more than looking at pretty topiary.

The carriage ride at Port Orleans can be very romantic, and the spas at The Grand Floridian and Saratoga Springs can be just the thing to unwind from all the excitement at the parks.

And don't forget the Disney Cruise Line.

Mr.ToadWildRider · Post by **Mr.ToadWildRider** » Oct Fri 24, 2008 3:14 pm

I read a book by Mike Wallace (I think that was the author, he's a historian not the 60 minutes guy) called "Mickey Mouse History" and there are two chapters as I recall about WDW; all the others tend to be about museums etc. Anyway, the 2 chapters dealing w/ WDW kind of slam the mouse for presenting "Mickey Mouse history" specifically in old Epcot (presumably somewhat current when written) and Main Street USA in that WDW glosses over the negatives. It deals somewhat with the Hall of Presidents talking about slavery during the Constitution signing and an update American Adventure went through being somewhat positive but that in general WDW presents what boils down to fake history that benefits WDW's corporate sponsors. I'm sure there's research on the topic if you're interested; I always kind of wanted to take the argument that while the idealized looks provided by WDW sometimes are very skewed, that the idea of WDW isn't to necessarily be a source of history but rather a source of escapism, fun, and fantasy with the hope that the historical references may spark interest in guests to learn more about the past not have Mickey Mouse wading in the rice paddies of Vietnam or on the streets of Birmingham or Chicago during the Civil Rights era.

Just an idea

Soarin08 · Post by **Soarin08** » Nov Sun 16, 2008 11:20 pm

Wow I would LOVE to read this when you're done!!!

Good luck!!!