What Has Happened to The Disney Channel??

[mistymutt]

What has happened the last few years with the Disney Channel??
It seems to me that they just keep playing the same mindless programs over and over. I know they have to appeal to their target audience but c'mon. Even these programs are all repeats. I can remember not that long ago them having original programs which focused on the theme parks.
The best of these was called WDW Inside Out. Each week this program would focus on a different attraction or resort and was really interesting.
Then sometimes they would have a program from "The Vault" which would usually be a nostalgic re-broadcast of a TV special that Disney had done in the past. I can remember them showing the Grand Opening of DL for the 40th anniversary. Another one was the Grand opening of EPCOT center.. starring a very young Drew Barrymore and I believe Danny Thomas. Great trips down memory lane.
Especially now with the 50th anniversary... Where was the live broadcast??? Or at least the two hour special later on??!!
WDW is going to have it's 35th this year.. Will there be any broadcast??
The disney channel just seems too robotic now. As if they just put on a 24 hour tape in the morning and then just let it go... So SAD!!! :icon_cry: :icon_cry: :icon_cry: :icon_cry:

[PeoplemoverMatt]

I'm currently boycotting the Disney Channel until the return of Vault Disney.

-- PMM :cool:

[disneyguy]

I'm currently boycotting the Disney Channel until the return of Vault Disney.

-- PMM :cool::biggrin:

-DisneyGuy :wink:

[Kore]

Disney Channel is really starting to disappoint me nowadays.

Their shows are getting really lame, and I seriously think they're running out of ideas. I miss the classic days of Disney Channel, when we had more quality shows.

[dctrdez]

^^^Ahh, yeah, classic Disney Channel. Hot days, cool nights, Disney Channel, makin' it right! Also, mouse-er-cise every morning and Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, etc. etc. cartoons. And the Goof Troop and Darkwing Duck, etc. etc. I know they're all on "Toon" Disney now, but whenever I turn on that channel, all I get is some kind of wierd anime-based (sorry anime fans, I'm just not a fan, no offense to any of you) cartoon that was done too quickly and without any real thought. Like those WB cartoons on Saturday morning. It's just not Disney. It's hard to find the good old stuff on the Disney Channels anymore.

Now things are very teeny-bopper based (sorry teeny-boppers, I'm just a crusty old classic Disney Channel afficionado:wink: ), and even sometimes downright lewd (for Disney TV entertainment, compared to what it used to be)! My little 8 year old cousin. My entire Disney cartoon VHS collection was passed over to my aunt and uncle so she could watch something she could understand. What's sad is I remember when I could watch that on television.

Now whenever I turn it on, it's noise, flash, color explosion (and generally not at all pleasant), making me want to turn on something else more entertaining and full of character, like C-SPAN.

~Doc~ (the C-SPAN thing was sarcasm:cool: )

[emma15677]

Disney Channel is really starting to disappoint me nowadays.

Their shows are getting really lame, and I seriously think they're running out of ideas. I miss the classic days of Disney Channel, when we had more quality shows.


As I was thinking if I ever made it into The Walt Disney Company, I'd like to manage it better and restore it's magic and uniqueness. :wink:

To think of ideas, how did they have so many before, and now it's just gone?
And what's the deal with Michael Einser...he was good was he not? While Disney in the 90s was a good era, and he was chairman at that time.

Also, I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but going back to the whole ideas thing, most Disney movies were not based on their own original stories...


When quoting and replying to this please have as many answes as possible to what I'm saying in one post, rather than many single ones which can be hard to find.

[carlosbrown45]

I'm currently boycotting the Disney Channel until the return of Vault Disney.

-- PMM :cool:
hahaha

[mrskellington]

They have things called Disney 411, which sometimes go to Disney parks, but that would be cool to have some of those old shows back on Disney Channel!

[Where'sYourLaughinPlace?]

I am glad somebody said something about the whole ToonDisney Thing... I hate the whole "Jettix" thing, A 6 hour block in the evenings on Toon DIsney.... NOTHING BUT DUMB ANIME AND WANNA BE ACTION SHOWS!!!! Sure SPiderman and X-Men are okay, but I want to watch ToonDIsney.... I want to see TailSpin, Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers, Darkwing DUck(which I have not even seen on the line up), 101 Dalmation. Which, all of these(except Darkwing Duck) are on at like 2 in the morning! I also LOVE watching House of Mouse, Aladdin...etc... I just do not like these wanna-be anime shows sutch as W.I.T.C.H, Digimon and all that other Junk.

[Where'sYourLaughinPlace?]

They have things called Disney 411, which sometimes go to Disney parks, but that would be cool to have some of those old shows back on Disney Channel!

I would rather Tom Morrow 2.0 back for Imagineer That!!!

[JasperGein17121]

I miss Vault Disney. I loved Zorro & the old Mickey Mouse Club.

Yeah I hate Jetix too. I don't have Toon Disney, but I would love to see some of the old shows again.


Oh BTW, W.I.T.C.H. isn't even an anime cartoon, it's a Disney cartoon(the only one in that entire Jetix block).

[Rinith]

I wish they would bring back that WDW inside and out thing because that seems pretty interesting. Now all they do when something new shows up is have a five minute comercial thingy that shows them interviewing their stars about the ride, and they all respond "oh it was cool".

[JasperGein17121]

You know what show I missed? So Weird. Yeah, go ahead & laugh. But I happen to be a big fan of paranormal shows.

[RankoAnime]

You know, the Disney Channel is a real disappointment. I was watching it one day, when all of a sudden I began to reminisce about the good ol' days gone by. I remember when Disney would have fun shows like Bonkers (my personal favorite), Tale Spin, Goof Troop, Duck Tales, Gummi Bears, Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers, Darkwing Duck, etc. What happened to them all?! I know a few of them are shown on Toon Disney, but I haven't seen the rest of them since the 90's. It's really sad to see what has become of the Disney cartoons these days... :frown:

[xfkirsten]

Totally agree. I miss the good old Disney Channel. I mean, teeny-bopper stuff is fine in its own right (and I'll admit I watch them from time to time because a couple of those shows are kinda cute) but it's pretty much taken over the Disney Channel and bumped off all the programming I used to love (especially Vault Disney). I do like that they show Disney movies every night at 8 and I often watch those... unfortunately, they tend to show the same movies ad nauseum. :(

[disneyguy]

I say we flood the Disney Channel's Mailbox with letters demanding Vault Disney back!:biggrin: :wink:

-DG

[RankoAnime]

I do like that they show Disney movies every night at 8 and I often watch those... unfortunately, they tend to show the same movies ad nauseum. :(

Yes, that's one thing that I love about the Disney Channel. It made me SO happy when I found out they were showing A Goofy Movie, since I hadn't seen it in forever! It's just a bit of a let down that they usually play the same movies (like Princess Diaries) or they play sequels (which I'm totally not a fan of). But there are those rare occasions when they play a good movie from yesteryear!

[DaddyB]

Bedknobs and Broomsticks was just on recently.

Wasn't "Vault Disney" on when it was still a Pay channel?

[PeoplemoverMatt]

^ It might have been but I watched Vault Disney for at least a couple years when it was included in non-premium cable. That's the only way I ever watched the Disney channel, my home never bought it as a Cable-Plus channel.

-- PMM :cool:

[Legend_S]

Its pretty sad what the Disney channel has become, why just last week me and my sister went to Best buy and she found the whole first season of Avonlea. Ah yes, that takes me back, when Disney channel was wholesome family entertainment. And I really did like WDW inside out, even at one time it was Disneyland inside out, I even remember this one episode where they showed the trash can band playing in Tomorrowland. I also remember one of the hosts was George Foreman lol. Ah memories.:biggrin:

[emma15677]

Anyone here watch Saturday Disney in Australia?

[TopCat8]

I used to love Disney, but it's a channel geared towards young children. We liked all those shows as little kids, but the things on there now aren't much different. We have just outgrown them. I must admit that I watched Vault Disney even though that stuff was way before my time, and I would like to see more stuff about the parks, but the other shows are what the kids are into nowadays. Anime is really popular. I don't know why, but it is. Things change and there's nothing you can do about it. I have a little 8 year old cousin and he never watches the old carttons on Toon Disney. I guess they're just too old fashioned for today's youth. (Like I'm really that old:smile:)

[Wendy Darling]

Kids today dont like the classics anymore because they are not what are showed. Everything that is showed now takes away the old ones, and i think they should try to switch the new ones with classics. Sadly i dont think the kids will recognize them, making them believe that they are new. I have a cousin who is 4 and she loves everything to do with disney (could have a little something to do with me and my bro). The younger audience just needs to see what they are missing to begin to appricaite it.

*She pulls on her dark cape with a dramatic florish and disapears into the pitch black night*

[Disney_22]

I have a question
Toon disney has this thing called Jetix about all these superheroes thingy but whyyyy do they have Spiderman? Spiderman is not disney related in any way?
:/

[RankoAnime]

I used to love Disney, but it's a channel geared towards young children. We liked all those shows as little kids, but the things on there now aren't much different. We have just outgrown them.

Hey, even though I'm 20, I would still love to watch the old Disney cartoons! In fact, I've been scouring the net for pictures, scripts, sound clips, etc. from all the old shows.

I think one of the things that really makes me dislike cartoons nowadays is that half of them are about being cool/popular. Some of them have no real morals to the story. They just don't have the same charm as the cartoons from the 90's had. And the animation? I really don't think that has improved at all (in fact, I could argue that the animation has gotten worse).

[alissa08]

Disney Channel used to be the only channel I ever watched. I used to drive my family CRAZY! Now I rarely watch it. It is ridiculous. All they keep doing is bringing really bad actors in to read of really bad scripts. Sorry, I am a thespian, so really bad acting drives me crazy. Those kids are just annoying. Does anybody remember the show the Torklesons. I was thinking about it the other day. Ha. i really miss vault and all the classical disney stuff.

[TopCat8]

I think that the Disney cartoons have been steadily declining since Lloyd in Space came out. Recess was cool, but that was the last one (except for House of Mouse) Now we have stuff like Brandy and Mr. Whiskers, Dave the Barabarian and The Emporer's New School...Stupid.

[mistymutt]

I say we flood the Disney Channel's Mailbox with letters demanding Vault Disney back!:biggrin: :wink:

-DG

I totally Agree with Disneyguy!!!! I'm glad that my post got someone thinking!!! Maybe with all the changes coming down the pike with disney things may change for the better.... Lets Hope!!!

[kodiak]

ok... I really dont have alot of problems with TOON disney because they have managed to keep most of the programming... disney. the disney channel however.... is confusing me. at any given time, i can trun to the disney channel to find.... lizzie maguire.... thats so raven... the sweet life of... some two blonde twins.... but at no given time can I find anything that has made the disney channel great... that is... DISNEY stuff. I understand that disney wants to showcase new, young talent. they used to do that before without disposing of the disney theme. it was called the mickey mouse club. they used to have stuff like the wonderful world of disney... disney movies without commercial interruption... vault disney... disneyland inside-out (my favorite). not to sound callused, but disney channel isnt disney anymore. I cant even catch commercials about disney stuff most of the time. they have a channel for this sort of programming. its called nickelodeon. I wish the disney channel would go back to the programming that made us love it in the first place.

[mistymutt]

Absolutely!!!!!

[Neo]

why cant they do what nickaloden does and at night show all the old stuff they used to have walt disney presents late at night and i want the gummi bears show back or whatever it was called LOL

[chelsealela]

ummm right....well stop living in the 20th century u guys and get with the new! lol jk, yes i miss some of the old disney channel, yes most shows are cheezy but i always watch Raven and Phil of The future! those shows rock! But i used to love Imaginear That!!!! That was awsome stuff! I remember when they used to show the old late night cartoons! i luved those

[dctrdez]

^^^I think the issue with us crusty old-school Disney Channel fans is that we deep, deep down think that the programming now has gone down instead of up. I mean, sure, I guess some of these teeny-bopper shows are alright in their own way (I mean, I really liked the show Even Stevens, I thought it was actually pretty funny), but what I think is wrong is Disney Channel is alienating an entire generation of young children who have a definite lack of honest-to-goodness good programing to watch.

None of this Jetix stuff is on the level of Tale Spin, or Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers. I remember the Gummi Bears had such a deep and well developed story and setting, similar to Lord of the Rings, and Tale Spin (my absolute favorite from the 90s, I mean, the seaplane was SO COOL!!!!!!!!!! I always wanted a toy version of it...still looking...) was so full of adventure and action; all of these cartoons had a deep, well developed world around them.

And then there's the classic animated shorts, with Donald, Goofy (especially the series where he learned to play baseball, the decathalon, etc.), Chip and Dale (the episode where they try to get to the island of acorns, the "apple-core...Baltimore...who's your friend..............me--SLAM! Apple core in the face" episode), etc. etc. etc.

I'm sorry, but nothing today comes close to the level of entertainment that came from the good ol' days.

[Neo]

if you noticed alot of new programming has no point to showing it. Like the old cartoons there was always a good point behind it like dont steal or something but now its gone down here.

[RankoAnime]

^^That's exactly what I said! The new shows lack any sort of morals for the kids. It's all about "You gotta be cool no matter what, because if you don't fit in, you're just a freak!"

But we can't just alienate the Disney channel. A lot of programming on other channels have also gone down the drain. It scares me to see the story plots of some of the shows these days (whether it be animated or live action). :eek:

[Neo]

LOL i like the simpsons but i still think they show more morals then alot of others especially moral orel and south park. the cartoon channel turns into adult swim at night similar to the n and noggin. but adult swim can have the nastiest stuff on like moral orel but still have family guy and futurama which i think is ok for older crowds

[gusgus]

I really miss So Weird. House of Mouse doesn't even come on disney channel anymore

[pirategurl]

I used to love Disney Channel. I remember begging my parents to let me stay up to watch Mickey Mouse Club (the origional one in black and white). Then I remember when it would show Tom Morrow and the Main Street Magic Shop during the commercials. But it depends on ratings. Since most the generation they are aiming for didn't grow up seeing the good ole' classics they end up growing up with all the same old teeny bopper shows. They keep the ratings up. But they could at least take the Origional out of Disney Channel's Origional sitcoms or whatever since I've noticed almost all of the shows they play shadow each other but with a different twist. Which is useally a teenager that is different and strives to be popular, and has a huge crush on the person that is supposed to be the hottest person in school. It bugs me when I see little girls acting like Kate (from Lizzie McGuire) expecting to be popular like she is on the show. Then a lot of kids expect to be high school/middle school to be exactly like it shows on the TV.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

^ That's exactly we must be extremely weary of what kids see on TV. It's a natural reaction to see something on TV and make that their reality. So, when a TV show pushes things are a piss-poor influence on kids, people should stand up against it. Adults can debate satire & whatever else all night, we understand the difference. Children do not though & there's little a parental explanation, assuming there is one at all, can do about that. So the whole 'oh it's just a TV show' and 'just change the channel' justifications don't really fly with kids' programming. Parents depend on certain networks to be the proverbial safe-havens for their kids & if they start dropping the ball, we're all in trouble.

-- PMM :cool:

[mickeyfan]

I agree, every new show they make is a dissapointment. I really miss the older shows like Vault Disney. Althugh, they could turn around with their movies hopefully. There newest movie High School Musical was a huge sucess.

[k_peek_2000]

The only good thing to ever come from the disney channel is Motocrossed.

[TopCat8]

The only good thing to ever come from the disney channel is Motocrossed.
Ummm...No. It was The Luck of the Irish...Idea. Time to start a new thread...

[Neo]

I think we should hijack the disney channel and get ahold of the oldies and show them 24/7. LOL maybe hijack every channel and show disney classics LOL

P.S. I am really thinking way out of the box but Remember Dreams come true.

[Space_Mt.]

I really liked the Intro leading into Vault Disney. The intro that made you feel like you were on a ride.

[RankoAnime]

^^Wow, for a while I totally couldn't remember what Vault Disney was. But now that you mention the intro, I remember it now! Wow, that was crazy!

Oh yeah, and speaking of the old Disney cartoons...I couldn't help myself, so I went to buy a VHS of Tale Spin. I was tempted to pay for Toon Disney, but I realize that most of the shows on there aren't worth all the money...

[Sesshomaru-sama]

I miss the old Disney Channel. I think that ever since that Disney Channel has recieved its new current look, it changed like it was a whole different channel. I kind of like Phil of the Future and That's So Raven. Other shows like Even Stevens I go I'll watch it if I want to see this episode. Most of the time, I'm watching something else. I'm so disappointed in that channel. I miss So Wierd, Imagineer That! with Tom Morrow 2.0. My favorite show of all time was WDW Inside Out. I especially like the episode when the woman (I seriously forgot her name.) went to Alien Encounter. I also remember when a family went to the attractions to find a some sort of Scavenger Hunt for Mickey Mouse head shapes all over the park. Probably the only reason I watch the channel now is because of the original movies. But I barely watch those. It's just sad how even the channel it's starting to ****mod edit****

Please watch the language here

[lpetiti]

I am a fan of the Disney Channel but they should really show some of the classic movies and shows more. Disneyland is turning into Nickeloden with the new shows it is producing, like that stupid "Hanna Vintana" or something like that.

[JasperGein17121]

Does anybody remember "Toontown Kids"? I did. It was one of my favorites shows. It was 2 kids who hang around at DL & they show Disney cartoon shorts. I can still remember one episode where they were trying to find Donald in the Haunted Mansion.

[Neo]

LOL what about earthworm jim? LOL might not have been disney but its an old classic LOL like the louie anderson show.(life with louie i think)

[Executioner]

I am not a big fan of the Disney Channel now. The programs are not all that good, they play commercials during the shows. why do they need commercials during the shows? They don't play tylenol commercials or food company adds. The whole channel seems to be geared only at pre-teens and early teens.

[xfkirsten]

The whole channel seems to be geared only at pre-teens and early teens.

I think you hit the nail on the head right there. The Disney Channel used to have something for everyone - in the morning, there were shows for preschoolers and toddlers. In the afternoon/evening, there were shows for kids and teens/preteens. Later in the evening, there were shows that the adults could really get into - classic Disney movies and TV shows and shorts. Nowadays, they've got preschool shows in the morning, and 'tween shows the rest of the time. :(

[Executioner]

Exactly. I used to watch the channle all the time, but now there is nothing on it that I can relate to nor get into. Not that I am against shows and programming geared towards the younger crowd, but Disney is about families, not just young kids and todlers.

[kates4u]

Does anybody remember "Toontown Kids"? I did. It was one of my favorites shows. It was 2 kids who hang around at DL & they show Disney cartoon shorts. I can still remember one episode where they were trying to find Donald in the Haunted Mansion.
I loved that show!!! I felt like I was at the park with them! I miss the real old school cartoon shorts too. I have a 4 dvd set of all these classic cartoons. It's great. I watch Disney Channel a lot b/c it's always on in my house!

[r0botboyxtrm]

I completely agree, they should bring back those disney classics.
(Especialy because some of these old shows you guys are talking about sound intersesting)

[sora_145]

I actully love clasic cartoons, I suppose im like Walt, I like the idea of ever lasting change in the world, but Im not just going to focus on the future. I dream of living back in the 50s when DLR first opended it's doors to the public, I dream of the old firges' ( Ice Chests, Boxes Ect. ) and I love thinking about how it was a decade ago. I just wish that Disney would focus shows that everybody loves, besides Suite-life of Zach & Cody ( Wich I am a big fan of! ), I mean I would love to learn DLR inside and out, seeing as how I've never been there. Maby. . . just before they end the 50th celebration, they could bring some of the old shows back. . . Maby just maby . . . Disney could create a chanel for Classic Disney shows DCA Disney Classic Adventures. If I had a choice I'd opt for the Disney classic adventures, rather then the DCA park.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

If they would just come out with the Vault Disney Channel, we'd all have another reason to live. :smile:

-- PMM :cool:

[barfownz]

Who remembers zoog disney and the top scores they always put on there. My name was on there one time.

[sora_145]

I've never heard of it...

[alexis08]

i have, it was cool until it got updated and then disappeared. maybe we should ask someone to pudbilsh a book about the way disney should change to fully please all of its viewers or go to the heads themsevles and ask for a change. and its werid i use to watch disney 24/7 when i wasn't in school but i never heard of WDW inside and out, sounds cool from what i hear from inside the magic.

[Mikokat]

Not to be rude or anything, but I am sick of hearing all you guys complain about the Disney Channel. I've heard it so many times before, and I think you all have made your point. I, on the other hand, like the Disney Channel these days, and you can't say that they all suck because I like all of then except for "Natuarly Sadie". "The Suite Life" is pretty good, so not all of them suck. I still hate how Disney Channel keeps pushing back the Season 2 Premiere of American Dragon: Jake Long.

[Magic1]

If they would just come out with the Vault Disney Channel, we'd all have another reason to live.
Amen.

[DV Brer Rabbit]

I hate Disney Channel Now! Now that old Disney is gone. On with the unoriginal teen Disney! Boooo!

[adrianne]

I agree -- I miss the Vault Disney shows; I have an old videotape of The Wonderful World of Color that shows Walt himself walking us thru the working model of POTC, as well as scenes from POTC's opening day, and ride-thru of it from the same era. I also miss Inside Out ( I think that's what it was called - it had behind the scenes looks at the Disney parks). I cant stand what they've done to it now...

[Jeremy]

I think they should play all the stupid teeny-bopper shows during the day and Vault Disney at night, just like they used to. I mean honestly how many tweens will be up at 3:30 in the morning to catch the latest episode of That's so Raven?

Just as long as they bring back Vault in some form life will be good again. Vault Disney as it's own channel isn't a bad idea either.

[adrianne]

Just as long as they bring back Vault in some form life will be good again. Vault Disney as it's own channel isn't a bad idea either.

I agree!!! :biggrin:

[doasdreamersdo]

I don't really remember vault disney well, I just remember that it was geared more towards adults. (I'm only 17, and I was always more captivated with cartoons more than anything when I was younger.) What I miss are those good old Mickey Mouse cartoons. I loved waking up on Saturdays and Sundays to watch them...but now its all lame.

[wallace3103]

The Playhouse Disney is good. I agree with doasdreamersdo that they should bring back some Mickey cartoons. They finally gave us Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, that my daughter loves, but they need to give us more Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Dasie, Pluto and Goofy stuff. I feel like a generation of children that grow up on Rollie Pollie Olie, Bear, Wiggles, Charlie/Lola, ect. is great but a lot of them will not know Mickey n' friends. This seems sad to me. The teen stuff is great but it should only be once a day. Like at 3:00 or so and have something on later that everyone can enjoy together as a family. Disney Vault late night for the adults. Ok im off my soap box. That felt great!

[Mikokat]

The Playhouse Disney is good. I agree with doasdreamersdo that they should bring back some Mickey cartoons. They finally gave us Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, that my daughter loves, but they need to give us more Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Dasie, Pluto and Goofy stuff. I feel like a generation of children that grow up on Rollie Pollie Olie, Bear, Wiggles, Charlie/Lola, ect. is great but a lot of them will not know Mickey n' friends. This seems sad to me. The teen stuff is great but it should only be once a day. Like at 3:00 or so and have something on later that everyone can enjoy together as a family. Disney Vault late night for the adults. Ok im off my soap box. That felt great!

Playhouse Disney? Good? HA! Playhouse Disney is stupid. Their shows do nothing for kids except brainwash them! I am talking about the Wiggles. They are so friggin' (lame)!

EDIT: Sorry, some people get offended when that word is used that way. ~Ezra

[Disney_Guy]

Playhouse Disney? Good? HA! Playhouse Disney is stupid. Their shows do nothing for kids except brainwash them! I am talking about the Wiggles. They are so friggin' (lame)!

EDIT: Sorry, some people get offended when that word is used that way. ~Ezra

Well, I wouldn't expect much more from the more mature crowd.

I agree, DisneyChannel... Nope, don't watch it anymore.

I would say this is exactly why Disney these days are negatively criticized by many people. DisneyChannel has lost all it's character by replacing all it's classic Disney Vault cartoons and shows with (Is say) lame teen sitcom's and boyband music videos... Thats how I think of DisneyChannel when it pops up in my mind...

[PeoplemoverMatt]

I really don't think Disney Channel is an accurate reflection on Disney as a whole. Sure it has the name but different people are in control of Disney Channel, theme park divisions, and all the other aspects of the Disney Co.

I hold the people directly responsible for Disney Channel responsible for what Disney Channel is. I can't really hold Bob Iger responsible because he most likely has very little contact with it & someone like Jay Rasulo would have zero.

-- The Chief :cool:

[Disney_Guy]

I think all the divisions of the whole Disney company should then just put something together that makes them all related to one another. DisneyChannel (I say) is just digging a grave, unless they bring back what Disney really is, and not like I said, sitcoms and boybands.

Seriously, most people whom I've spoken to, who say Disney flat out sucks, is because of what DisneyChannel has brought to their attention. People even said how they used to be good when they had all those classics, and I can see that.

[Cali Coaster]

You know something that blows me away? Almost every time I go to DLR anymore, all I hear when I am standing in line anymore is "Dylan and Cole(The twins from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody) are soooo cute!" and stuff like that from girls my age. Is that all you can obsess(sp.?) about? If there was a cable channel that you didnt have to pay for that showed shows about the parks and/or include shows that had the Disney Channel stars at the parks like the Boy Meets World WDW episode or stuff like that. They could even show movies like Tower of Terror. Now the only place you can watch shows about the parks is on Travel Channel and they show that very rarely.

[emma15677]

I have to agree on some of this.
I just got back from a trip to Los Angeles and I turned on to the Disney Channel many times and only twice I was able to catch two decent programs: The Little Mermaid and Buzz Lightyear.

Everybody like all the old Disney shows rather than today..but they still need to come up with new ones as well. The problem is that the new ones seem 'dodgy' and effortless. Like, the graphics and animation in shows like 'Teacher's Pet' are just too...simple to whta is expected from Disney.

What do you think?

[crystaltink]

I LOVED WDW Inside Out. Such a great show. I miss the stuff I used to watch, even though it was teenybopper-ish, I still loved it. MMC, Kids Inc., Jump Rattle & Roll, that stuff rocked...shame it's not what it used to be. And every year I LOVED Disney's Halloween Treat, they no longer show that anymore either. I don't get it!

[Disneyland Princess]

it is pretty sad. i miss the Disney channels good 'ol days. One of the latest shows, "life with derek" is an example of how downhill things have gone. :(

[adrianne]

I LOVED WDW Inside Out. Such a great show.

Me too! Even though I've never been to WDW, just DLR, I still LOVED that show! They should make more programming like that, which appealed to a wider age group, not just teens and 'tweens,

[Cali Coaster]

You know something? Admit it. You all watch it. Heck, I even watch it from time to time. Some of the shows are half way decent.

My little decent show list.
-Buzz Lightyear
-Boy Meets World
-The Suite Life of Zach and Cody(Some of the episodes are actually good)
-American Dragon: Jake Long

All of these shows are somewhat good. Admit it. You watch Disney Channel and you love it somewhat. Some of the movies were even good such as the Halloweentown Trilogy.

[RankoAnime]

^^ Yuck! Gotta disagree with you on some of those. But hey, different strokes for different folks. Plus, some of those shows are supposed to appeal to your age group moreso than ol' me! :tongue:

Although, I admit that I have seen all of those shows you've listed. At first I thought Buzz Lightyear of Star Command was dumb, but it was the only thing that was on when I came home from school, so I grew to love it! :icon_lol: And of course, I LOVE Lilo & Stitch: The Series, despite its repetitiveness. I'm also guilty of watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse even though I don't like CG. I don't know, I think it's funny how on kiddie shows like that, the characters pause so you can respond. :icon_redf

[Cali Coaster]

^If you can humor me, what shows did you not like out of my list?

[adrianne]

The only one I will watch is "Boy Meets World" - the others, not so great, IMHO. Sorry.

[Disney_Guy]

Do they still show Recess on DisneyChannel? If not, boy thats lame. I thought that show was a DisneyChannel classic! Lilo & Stitch the Series I sometimes watch. And yeah, thats basically it nowadays.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

I don't really watch the Disney Channel, just rapidly surf by it to make sure nothing's changed, then keep on going...

-- The Chief :cool:

[crystaltink]

You know something? Admit it. You all watch it. Heck, I even watch it from time to time. Some of the shows are half way decent.

My little decent show list.
-Buzz Lightyear
-Boy Meets World
-The Suite Life of Zach and Cody(Some of the episodes are actually good)
-American Dragon: Jake Long

All of these shows are somewhat good. Admit it. You watch Disney Channel and you love it somewhat. Some of the movies were even good such as the Halloweentown Trilogy.

Honestly, I really don't watch the Disney channel, there isn't anything on there that sparks my interest whatsoever. I don't really watch the channels I used to watch as a kid...with the exception of one and that's Nick at Nite so I can catch the Fresh Prince Of Bel Aire & I Love Lucy. But that's it. I've moved over anything I really watch to MTV, VH1, and A&E. Everything Disney shows is targeted toward kids and tweens/teens. Sad as it sounds, I've outgrown all of that stuff.

[Cali Coaster]

Do they still show Recess on DisneyChannel? If not, boy thats lame. I thought that show was a DisneyChannel classic! Lilo & Stitch the Series I sometimes watch. And yeah, thats basically it nowadays.

They took Recess off of Disney Channel and moved it to Toon Disney.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

It's not that we've really outgrown Disney Channel but that Disney Channel has simply abandoned all thought of the parents of the children they target their programming for. And it makes me realize that that is more a reflection on where society is going rather than being an exeception to the norm.

Sometimes I believe that Walt Disney was the only man who ever truely understood what it meant for parents and children to be able to enjoy themselves together. Disney Channel's programming has demonstrated a complete & total abandonment of this goal & leaves the parent with the requirement to patronize their children and pretend to enjoy themselves while watching stupidity like 'That's So Raven' or other similar offerings with their children.

This isn't a new concept, Walt himself had to do this while watching his daughters have fun while he sat on a bench eating peanuts. But he saw that as a problem! And Disneyland was created as his solution to this!

But unfortunately society never really assimilated Disney's new & improved ideal, and lately has really gone in the complete other direction creating wholly seperate offerings that 1 audience enjoys while the others just drag themselves along with it. Obviously that creates a problem of unhappy people, and the solution becomes even goofier in that the solution is having enough of these targeted-audience offerings so everyone is targeted somewhere. It would be like my taking a shotgun, blindfolding myself, and covering the target in bullets, then feeling proud of myself that I hit the bullseye once. Problem is I missed it with the other 99 rounds, but that's doesn't matter because I hit the bullseye. Do you see how goofy that thinking is? This is what the modern entertainment industry does & it's really quite sad.

This would seem to be in a complete other galaxy from what Walt thought was good family entertainment, and Walt was the one who got it right. He got it right because of how on a completely other plane of reality Disneyland became to its 500,000,000+ guests, us included. That difference is what makes Disneyland truely special and truely unique. Walt wanted an amusement enterprise where the parents and the children could have fun together. This does NOT mean parents enjoying simply watching their children have fun, but really truely having fun themselves! So, in order for this to happen, Walt needed to create a timeless place completely set apart from reality. It seemed, and today it really seems impossible - and that's exactly what he did! It was an amazing vision he had, and I say it was far & away and even more amazing feat that he actually created it.

What's truely sad, and Disney Channel is just an illustration of this, is how even Walt's company has in large part abandonded the unique ideal that its creator had in favor of the modern entertainment shoot at everything & be guaranteed to hit the bullseye somehow way of thinking.

Disney Co. hasn't completely lost it yet, but the paradigm shift has taken place & it's just a matter of time before the only difference between Disney & someone like Universal is just some character-branding and trademarks. I don't know about you, but to me, that is a real tragedy. There is so much loss in that, that it's beyond my ability to fathom. I'm left with just feeling sad about the whole thing & long for the days of the past to be rekindled.

-- The Chief :cool:

..and by the way, we're moving to All Things Disney!

[crystaltink]

Well said PMM. Couldn't have worded it better!

[CaptainChris6]

my favorites were the Goof Troop and the Muppets Tonight

[RankoAnime]

^If you can humor me, what shows did you not like out of my list?

The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and American Dragon Jake Long. I can't stand watching Suite Life because the acting is so horrible and fake. I mean, maybe it's to make the show funny, but to me it just comes off as being cheesy and lame. American Dragon's storyline just doesn't interest me at all. Jake's friend (don't recall his name) tries to be funny by saying stupid things, which I don't find amusing at all. Trixie uses slang to sound cool or something, but it's obnoxious to me.

You can agree or disagree all you want, but as I said, different strokes for different folks. I know tons of people who hate the things I like, but it doesn't bother me. In fact, it would be really boring if everyone had the exact same preferences for everything. :icon_shoc

[Executioner]

I gave up watching The Disney Channel years ago when they decided to place commercials for themselves in the shows. That and the shows that they seem to be offering these days have no appeal to me in any way whatsoever. I thnk I saw a commercial for that twin kids show or something, whatever it is, and it bugged me for some reason. Not that I am opposed to entertainment for kids but to touch on what Matt had said, where is the entertainment for both young and old to enjoy together? *sighs*

[Cali Coaster]

^^I do agree with you about Jake's friends and Jake thinking he is all that can be obnoxious but I watch it purely for the action scenes. The thing about Suite Life, the exact thing happened in the first season of That 70's Show. The first season of That 70's Show was cheesey and the acting was bad. But then, after the show progressed, the show did get way better. The cheeseyness went away and the acting got better. If you compare That 70's Show to Suite Life, Suite Life is simply a childrens version of That 70's Show.

[mousecrazy]

I really miss the old Disney Channel, but I do have to say that is all my son watches. He seems to really enjoy it greatly! I wish they would play more Rescue Rangers, Tale Spin, Duck Tales, and stuff like that. I would then sit and watch... lol

[lpetiti]

I am a fan of the Disney Channel but they should really show some of the classic movies and shows more. Disneyland is turning into Nickeloden with the new shows it is producing, like that stupid "Hanna Vintana" or something like that.

Okay, I take back what I said about Hanna Montana. After watching it, I have to say that the show is pretty decent. I especially love the subplots about Jason Earls (Jackson) and Billy Ray Cyrus (Robbie Ray) because they are really funny.

And I have to say that That's So Raven is really good. I mean, Raven is a good actress and a lot of the stories are funny, but I also think it's good becaus e Raven, Chelsea, Eddie and Cory always learn a lesson in the end.

[ryguy222]

^^but what is the point of that? Kids she be watching animated shows, like tail spin. So did disney fire all there animators? IDK if they did or not, but im mad. I just got toon disney (came free with our digitel telephone service from the same provider so it was free) and all they have is stupid jetix on. Its power rangers, and all these weird anime fighting shows. Thats what makes me mad is that they have shunned there cartoons ( not old im 15 and i watched them until about five years ago) its very sad. There turning there channel into the N you know the N used to be nick's noggin channel. Well disney is putting teenage romances and stuff like that into there shows. Now i do watch degrassi and stuff on The N but still, if they are trying to target kids my age, there doing a bad job. I will say a few shows like that are fine, but they have NO animation on, for gosh sake not even on playhouse disney.
-ryguy222

[chelsealela]

I have stopped watching DC latley. Ever since Phil of the Future was cancled, they have been showing these crappy pointless cartoons that eat kids brains. Its such a shame, that they can't do anything better than that.

[lpetiti]

^^but what is the point of that? Kids she be watching animated shows, like tail spin. So did disney fire all there animators? IDK if they did or not, but im mad. I just got toon disney (came free with our digitel telephone service from the same provider so it was free) and all they have is stupid jetix on. Its power rangers, and all these weird anime fighting shows. Thats what makes me mad is that they have shunned there cartoons ( not old im 15 and i watched them until about five years ago) its very sad. There turning there channel into the N you know the N used to be nick's noggin channel. Well disney is putting teenage romances and stuff like that into there shows. Now i do watch degrassi and stuff on The N but still, if they are trying to target kids my age, there doing a bad job. I will say a few shows like that are fine, but they have NO animation on, for gosh sake not even on playhouse disney.
-ryguy222

I don't understand what you mean by "what's the point". Yes, the cartoons that they used to show are really funny and I miss them. But, I am making the most of what Disney Channel gives (although if I see another new episode of Life With Derek, I will scream).

[chelsealela]

Oh, god don't even start with Life with Derek! But its 2006 and soon its gonna be 2007 its time to move on from the old shows, even if you really don't want to. Bring back Phil!!!

[crystaltink]

I agree. I missed all the morning stuff for families to watch. Tail Spin, Under The Umbrella Tree, Eureka's Castle, Gummi Bears. Then all the good stuff in the evening Kids Inc, MMC....ugh...the good old days.

[crystaltink]

I agree. I missed all the morning stuff for families to watch. Tail Spin, Under The Umbrella Tree, Eureka's Castle, Gummi Bears. Then all the good stuff in the evening Kids Inc, MMC....ugh...the good old days.

I must be retarded. Scratch Eureka's Castle, that used to run on Nick JR.

[kodiak]

Okay, I take back what I said about Hanna Montana. After watching it, I have to say that the show is pretty decent. I especially love the subplots about Jason Earls (Jackson) and Billy Ray Cyrus (Robbie Ray) because they are really funny.

And I have to say that That's So Raven is really good. I mean, Raven is a good actress and a lot of the stories are funny, but I also think it's good becaus e Raven, Chelsea, Eddie and Cory always learn a lesson in the end.

And this is where I must interject...
The beef with the Disney channel is not whether or not Raven Simone is a good actress or whether Hillary Duff had a fun show. The issue at hand is that the Disney channel has become something that it is not supposed to be, mainly because it has become very lacking in anything that made it formerly great; that is... it is lacking things that are... DISNEY.

That's So Raven, Even Stevens, Phil of the Future, etc... while fun shows... just dont fit on the Disney Channel. In the past, when Disney wanted to raise a crop of young entertainers, they had their places... places like TGIF on ABC or the Mickey Mouse Club on the Disney Channel. Most cartoons with no direct disney theming were placed on saturday morning cartoon blocks like One Saturday Morning. Even Ducktales and other such shoes didnt get a Disney Channel start. They were part of Disney's after school block on ABC. I used to be able watch vintage episodes of the Mickey Mouse Club or the Wonderful World of Disney, but no more. Now I am condemned to watching Zach and Cody irritate their superiors.

I remember a Disney channel with incredible program quality and no commercials. Shows like Lizzy Maguire and That's So Raven are without doubt popular programs, however... their place is not to monopolize the Disney channel.

[crystaltink]

Bring back WDW Inside Out!

[Narnian Princess]

I ask you all.
Why must be Disney Channel be the opitamey(sp?) of the preppy pop culture?
Why must every show feature a side kick who acts like an idiot to get laughs?
Why must all these actors that no one has ever heard of before be representatives of the Disney name?
Why have they gotton rid of old shows like Zorro, Mickey Mouse Club, and Wonderful World of Color?
Do shows like Hannah Montana, Suite Life of Zach and Cody, and movies like the Cheetah Girls really represent Disney magic?

[PeoplemoverMatt]

This post has been merged into the existing Disney Channel discussion thread.

-- PMM :cool:

[lpetiti]

I ask you all.
Why must be Disney Channel be the opitamey(sp?) of the preppy pop culture?
Why must every show feature a side kick who acts like an idiot to get laughs?
Why must all these actors that no one has ever heard of before be representatives of the Disney name?
Why have they gotton rid of old shows like Zorro, Mickey Mouse Club, and Wonderful World of Color?
Do shows like Hannah Montana, Suite Life of Zach and Cody, and movies like the Cheetah Girls really represent Disney magic?


Bravo! Couldn't have said it better myself. You really made me think about how generic these shows are (although, old habits die hard, so I guess I'm still watching them).

[TylerGamer84]

^^^Ahh, yeah, classic Disney Channel. Hot days, cool nights, Disney Channel, makin' it right! Also, mouse-er-cise every morning and Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, etc. etc. cartoons. And the Goof Troop and Darkwing Duck, etc. etc. I know they're all on "Toon" Disney now, but whenever I turn on that channel, all I get is some kind of wierd anime-based (sorry anime fans, I'm just not a fan, no offense to any of you) cartoon that was done too quickly and without any real thought. Like those WB cartoons on Saturday morning. It's just not Disney. It's hard to find the good old stuff on the Disney Channels anymore.

Now things are very teeny-bopper based (sorry teeny-boppers, I'm just a crusty old classic Disney Channel afficionado:wink: ), and even sometimes downright lewd (for Disney TV entertainment, compared to what it used to be)! My little 8 year old cousin. My entire Disney cartoon VHS collection was passed over to my aunt and uncle so she could watch something she could understand. What's sad is I remember when I could watch that on television.

Now whenever I turn it on, it's noise, flash, color explosion (and generally not at all pleasant), making me want to turn on something else more entertaining and full of character, like C-SPAN.

~Doc~ (the C-SPAN thing was sarcasm:cool: )

I agree with you. I do like anime like DBZ and Yu-Gi-Oh, but these shows, like Super Duper Monkey Pooper Squad or whatever you call it, are horrid. Its like they figure if it even slighty resembles anime, kids will just watch it blindly. I miss Darkwing Duck, Goof Troop, Tale Spin, Ducktales, Gummi Bears, Rescue Rangers, etc. The Playhouse Disney baby shows that I watch with my baby brother are far more interesting. And not just by comparison.

[Magic1]

There are good shows on Playhouse Disney like "Charlie and Lola", and "This Is Daniel Cook" but then there's "Doodlebops" (Yikes!) and "Little Einsteins" (why teach kids to be pretentious snobs so young?!).

[ohtherain]

I wished they still had Goof Troop, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers, and House of Mouse, but the last one airs 10:30am and the rest aren't going to be on until 1/15/07, at 11:30am for Winnie, 11:00 for Goof, 11:30 for Chip and Dale, and 12:00 for TaleSpin (I believe I am correct with the times). Tarzan and Mickey and Lilo (the first episode) will stay in their regular spots, but the second Lilo will be taking a 1:30 slot. Buzz Lightyear at 9:00am, and Aladdin at 9:30am (Yay! Toon Disney now starts taking hours away from Jetix!) And no more stupid yesterday's movie repeat at 12:00. Stack schedule has been slightly changed, with a stack of Hercules instead of Recess on Tuesday. Kim Possible and American Dragon stay on at 4:00pm and 4:30.

Then there's the same for the rest of the day, except JETIX!

Bye bye Anime. Although Digimon and Shinzo are still on the calendar for after the stop of it, 1/13 is the last day of the anime block. Say ciao to these programs:

Daigunder
Mon Colle Knights
Bureau of Alien Dectectors
Beyblade (probably).

And Jetix will otherwise stay the same.

But what stinks about Disney Channel: They moved all the cartoons to Toon Disney. They said: "Hey! This is a good idea. Let's move all of our Disney Channel cartoons to Toon Disney!" That was a good idea, until they added Jetix. Bye-bye Darkwing Duck (which gets Friday's stack on the 19th of January), Winnie the Pooh (which comes to the regular schedule on the 15th of January), and Pepper Ann (not supposed to come back for a while). And they kept adding more and more Jetix, and at one point, they even wiped out House of Mouse! It's back now, but come on! That's the only Mouse show other than Mickey Mouse Clubhouse still on! They gave a bit of it (The Little Mermaid, Buzz Lightyear, Timon and Pumbaa) to Disney Channel, but during the stacks, they have to premiere THE BUZZ ON MAGGIE?! Yup, that's true! January 5, tune in to see The Buzz on Maggie from 2:00pm to 4:00pm! But Toon Disney is now (thankfully) trying to keep itself together, and is bringing back some old shows!

[lpetiti]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know how to get in touch with the Disney company, in case we wanted to present our complaints (in a formal way)?

[disney_fanatic]

I think that disney channel has become a cross between a pre-teen soap oprea channel and nickolodian. I miss the 90's show, and they should be played on toon disney ( most of the popular shows are cartoons, which is awesome.) Also, toon disney, needs to get rid of the shows on jedex (or however you spell it) like spiderman, powerangers, etc. shows that are original and belong to disney should be running on that channel.If I wanted to watch satureday morning cartoons every single night, then I would have paperview.

As to the disney Channel, the non-animated drama shows on there now, have the same plot, characters and morals, for every single one. I can stand pre-teen shows, but these, are just dumb and have no value what so ever...unless you prefer to be brain washed with stupidity. If I had the choice, I would be watching the fab five's cartoon scrips...like where goofy teaches how to drive, or jimmeny cricket (sp?) talks about food groups, and the five sences...I learned alot when I was young by these cartoons. Or when the muppets came on, I learned, and laughed. AS well as enjoying what I watched. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the disney channel has lost its value among lots of families across the world. Its not worth watching for families anymore. even the movies, they have the same plot and moral, and arn't worth watching because they are all mostly the same. Except for the occasional, once a year good movie.

Playhouse disney, is nick jr. and I can't comment on it, because it makes me sad.

If they bring back the world of color, davey crockit, the mickey mouse club and all of the old shows back, around seven O' clock I'm sure disney channel ratings will go up. As well as showing some info on the parks during commercials, along with barbie, and other ads.

Hmm I got my point across, I thinks, I might have ranted a bit...sorry about thats XP

[brunetteTinkerbell1955]

i do miss the old disney channel. i feel its trying to compete with nickelodian... nickelodean... nickallll............. WHATTEVER. but the thing is they dont have to. disney channel was perfectly perfect without these teeny booper shows. the only show i like on the DC is boy meets world which they hardly play. and hannah montana because there is actualy a good story line in every episode.

i really miss tale spin. FAVORITE! and chip and dale rescue rangers. also goof troop. and just the whole rest.

the only show that gets close to that is Disneys House of Mouse. if you get luckey the shorts they show during the show might be old ones. thats the only show that keeps the theme of what the whole channel is suppose to be about... its called the DISNEY channel. not teen-pop-lame animated shows-bad kid actors-channel. i do not like american dragon, that buzz on maggie show had absolutely no sense at all, naturally sadie?? i mean come on! there is absolutely no connection with the disney channel.

i wish the old disney channel characters just came out of no where on an episode of every pointless DC show and started beating everyone up... lol.


but its really time for a change.

[mhendrix]

I like the Disney Channel.

I dislike it too.

In recent years Disney Channel has done what very few networks/channels have been able to and are struggling to do and that is create hits and popular talent out of a fresh crop of nobody's.

While some shows are alright and fun, others are rather dumb. But I'd much rather have my child watch the Disney Channel over E! or MTV.

I understand that DC has lost a lot of its old-school Disney value but at the same time they are creating a new, unique Disney value.

Who doesn't miss stuff about the parks, Vault Disney...

But while some of the DC acting is horrible, it isn't meant for thirty year-old audience members. This stuff is aimed at the seven to fourteen year-old demographic.

I'd say it's winning!

Plus some of their movies aren't half bad either. Heck, look at High School Musical.

[Kovu]

Ill tell you what happed to the disney channel its like the kids version of MTV

[Zip~a~dee~doo~dah]

Just letting people know that I am currently writing an evaluative essay on the Disney Channel, focusing on the shows The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Hannah Montana. If anyone's interested I'll post it in here when I finish.

[mrskellington]

I'm interested very much about this evaluative essay. Please post it when you can! I would love to read it!

[chris_criskvega]

I agree with you 110%. I come from the old school channel with original Disney shorts (like Mickey, Goofy, Donald, Silly Symphony, DTV). I also enjoyed the behind the scenes footage on the parks as well as imagineering. Not to mention, commercial-less! Now, there seems to be too much materialisticism (is that a word?). I'd love to see the old format (in this era) return to bring something unique, isn't that what Disney is about? Originality?
I'm glad someone else feels this way. My brother and I sure miss the old Disney channel and I'd love to show my children what I grew up with (in the late 80's).
Take care,
Chris Vega (Disney fanatic like you)

[Zip~a~dee~doo~dah]

All right VF people, here is my evaluation of the Disney Channel, with a focus on the The Suite Life of Zach & Cody. This is the first half of the essay, reviewing the history of the DC. If you're interested in hearing the rest, you need only ask. Thank you.

The Not-So-Suite-Life of the Disney Channel

While reflecting on this essay during a recent screening of Star Wars Episode III, I realized that the history of the Disney Channel follows a path eerily similar to that of the Old Republic. Follow me for a second: Each began steeped in idealism, one stemming from a first-rate tradition of family entertainment, the other with a hope for democracy and freedom. But each went astray, slowly, to be sure, but deviating from their original ideals nonetheless. And at the end of it all (or, in Disney’s case, at present), the original concept is drowned and dismantled to the tune of cheering and widespread popular support. So it is with growing despair that I must proclaim the current state of the Disney Channel to be one of a fallen empire wreathed in a superficial blanket of inane programming. After reviewing how the Disney Channel came to be in its current state, I will assess the moral quality of one of the channel’s most popular original series, The Suite Life of Zach & Cody.
The Disney Channel began on April 18th, 1983, on premium cable. Early programs included Good Morning, Mickey!, Donald Duck Presents, and Welcome to Pooh Corner. Late night programming included the aged series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. The channel received a special citation U.S. president Ronald Reagan in 1984. Despite the wealth of the Disney library, the channel also imported several foreign animated shows like Asterix and Paddington Bears. The channel relied heavily on classic Disney characters and cartoons until the corporate culture and focus group-driven philosophy of the nineties brought serious change to the traditional channel.
1997 was the year when everything changed, when the family-oriented Disney Channel was Balkanized into three distinct sections, each targeting a particular age group. Playhouse Disney was introduced as the channels early morning bloc for preschoolers. Vault Disney carried on the programming from before, screening classic Disney cartoons and shorts. The third bloc, the largest and most prominent of the three, was Zoog Disney. Zoog would be going after the recently discovered “tween” demographic of kids 8-12 years old. Shows in this bloc included such Tween bait as Lizzie McGuire, Even Stevens, and The Famous Jett Jackson. Zoog Disney embraced new technology like “computers,” the “Internet,” and “phones” to connect with viewers like never before. Kids could play online games and see their screen names on television. The channel also began to carry break interruptions that were actually just promos for the network.
Soon after the change, which included switching the channel from premium cable to basic, ratings soared higher with new shows like That’s So Raven and Kim Possible. The highest rated program on the network, Lizzie McGuire, continued to out-rate competing shows (even in reruns). The success of Zoog Disney became so great (and profitable) that the mature Disney programming from Walt’s day could no longer be reconciled with this newer, edgier, hipper Disney Channel of the present. This led to the termination of Vault Disney and all classic Disney programming in September 2002. Zoog Disney was also ended, but only because Zoog’s programming became that of the entire Disney Channel (excepting Playhouse Disney, which continued playing in its morning time slot).

[JasperGein17121]

Very interesting read. I would love to read the rest.

[Zip~a~dee~doo~dah]

Ok, here be the rest. Hope you find it tolerable, if not interesting ;).

The Suite Life of Zack & Cody is about the charming antics of the two troublesome twins, Zach and Cody. Zach and Cody live in a suite (whodatunk) at the extravagant Tipton Hotel (owned by millionaire robber-baron Wilfred Tipton) with their songstress mother. The show follows the old formula of fussy dude/mischievous dude. Young Zachary play the role of the “mischievous” brother, always trying to stir up trouble and get what he wants. In keeping with the Disney Channel’s desire to showcase kids “just like you!” this amiable 12-year-old is very interested in girls, and is constantly trying to woo older maidens--And why not? Almost every other character in the series, nay, the entire network, is apparently utterly lovesick. Zach’s brother Cody plays the “straight-man” and is accordingly polite, sensitive, and an easily frightened pushover.
“"You’re dead if you aim only for kids.
Adults are only kids grown up, anyway."
That quote comes from Walt Disney, the man who founded the Disney Company. Now tell me, does the average adult take pleasure in watching pre-teen children repetitiously spout phrases like “Yay, me!” and “Hey, sweet thang!”? What about morals and lessons-learned? A series with good morality allows for all sorts of mischief from characters, but at the end (after a logical build-up by way of the story), the characters actually learn at least one of the commonly held truths of morality. Let’s find out what kinds of things the average viewer is taking from this series (as quoted in this representative sample from TV.com’s forums): “Always be yourself and don't pretend to be rich,” “Money always wins in a school election,” “Never risk it all,” “Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize.” From among these words of wisdom we may find but one moralistic message: Be yourself. This is a good lesson for kids (and adults), but its message has been overstated and overused through what would appear to be an unofficial policy at Disney Channel to make this the moral lesson of every show. I mean, even Happy Tree Friends “teaches” a different moral every show. By not bothering to mix it up, the Disney Channel is presenting a dreadfully skewed view of morality. Concerning the behavior of the characters in Suite Life, let us compare popular funny-man Zach to a similar rogue, Joseph Francis Tribbiani Jr. (aka Joey from Friends). Both characters provide the comic-relief for their shows, and both have been referred to as “childish.” Zach, playful squirt that he is, carries out pranks and schemes either for his own benefit or just to mess with people. Joey, playful squirt that he is, doesn’t really pull many pranks—his appeal stems from his genuinely comic nature and ignorance of well… almost everything. He really cares about his friends, and never exploits them. Zach will, to his credit, always help his friends and family out of a pinch. But his normal behavior is motivated almost always by his own desires and wants. Zach’s behavior, like the show itself, is often petty and juvenile; but at the same time, The Suite Life of Zach & Cody is making it seem like adult pursuits such as dating and courting are fine societal norms for preteens.
The most obvious arguments against my judgment are that 1) The show is on the Disney Channel, and Disney is good for kids 2) The series are very popular. Unfortunately, as I’ve already shown, today’s Disney Channel is not representative of the type of traditional Disney that most parents think of. As for the series being popular—when has popularity ever meant anything was good? Remember how “popular” the gladiatorial games were back in the day?
The show also follows the current trend of being cynical of everything, therefore disallowing for kids to be kids and to suspend disbelief-- even for such simple things as fairy tales. But most of all, this show goes against the very core of what Disney was and is supposed to be: Family entertainment. Parents only watch these types of programs because their kids do. You need only look at the Disney Channel slogan to get what they’re about: “Kids, just like you!” But what kind of role model is that? Classic Disney cartoons and movies portrayed the kind of people you aspired to be like, heroes. Mickey didn’t have to hit on older women or make jokes about plungers to be funny. Mickey was (and still is) able to appeal to the whole family as a comic icon, and still be morally sound. Unfortunately, you will neither Walt nor Mickey reflected in any episode of The Suite Life of Zach & Cody, but you will find a bland, tasteless, dime-a-dozen series that accurately reflects the tragic state of the Disney Channel.

[AuroraBell]

They did a few years ago. I stayed up to 2 o'clock and I got to see the old black and white Mickey Mouse Club and the Wonderful World of Color. It was funny and kinda lame, but I liked it. The Disney Channels are really disappointing now a days.
--------------------------------------Double post added here.
Very well said Zip~a~dee~doo~dah. Very well said. I can't stand that show.

[Son~Of~Stitch]

Boy do I wish the folks at the Disney Channel would read this.
I have started a similar thread (here on VF) , with a "Poll" about this topic.
Check it out. http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php?p=182404#post182404

[pma812@gmail.com]

I totally agree with NEO about showing the kiddie stuff during the day and the classic older stuff at night.

P.S. Bring back Avonlea!!!

[PeoplemoverMatt]

I've said it before, I'm not watching it again until they bring back Vault Disney.

-- PMM :cool:

[mermaid_hair]

after they stopped showing boy meets world at normal hours, I gave up.

[sora_145]

after they stopped showing boy meets world at normal hours, I gave up.
Lol, yeah. It comes on twice a month at 3:30 AM.

[caryonm]

Why could someone send a letter to the Disney channel company and tell them why did they talk them out and why can they bring it back?

[mediartiste]

I'm currently boycotting the Disney Channel until the return of Vault Disney.

-- PMM :cool:

Hahah, as am I.

Hopefully they're reading this--

GET VAULT DISNEY BACK ON!
:icon_twis

[mousecrazy]

I just want my Mickey Mouse Club back.... and some real good classic movies.

[pma812@gmail.com]

And Avonlea!

[Chernabog40]

I really liked "Vault Disney", that was a cool show to watch. Fortunately, I have a bunch of old tapes of it so I can watch them whenever "Cory in the House" comes on. :P

[DisneyFanatic13]

I miss the old Disney Channel too. I was little, but I can still remember it. I like that they had shows that they show from DL and WDW.

[ryguy222]

I think i have toon disney now, and a few times a day the ol' classics are on, Rescue Rangers, and tail spin, unfortunatly the closest thing to the mickey cartoons is House of Mouse but its not such a bad show

[DisneyFanatic13]

The show is okay, but not as classic as the classic Disney.

Have anyone heard of this book called, "The Disney That Never Was". I checked it out from my local library.

[pma812@gmail.com]

Bring back Avonlea!!!!

[ShrunkenNed]

I honestly don't see them bringing back any of the old shows, not when they're drawing the tween and teen market with stuff like Hannah Montana, Zach and Cody, High School Musical, etc. Besides ratings, look at the video and cd sales from these things. Not to mention the morning children's programming, and the amazing popularity that draws. If they get more youth watching their shows, why bother trying to win back adults?

I think our only hope of ever seeing this stuff on television again outside of DVD, is if Disney realizes the popularity a Vault Disney Channel could have. That, I would even pay subscription service for.

[Executioner]

I loved that show Avonlea. Was a great show. And I have to agree with what Ned says. As much as I hate it and wish this wasn't so, it's true. But I highly doubt Disney will make a Vault Disney Channel.

[monkey4057]

Here are my problems with the two channels

Toon Disney
1.Jetix. It's Toon Disney channel, not All-Day-Jetix channel

Disney Channel
1."Teeny-Bopper" programs. Some may be a trifle funny but they still replace quality Disney
2.High School Musical movies. Making the 1st one was bad enough, but expanding it to the parks and making a 2nd one? How low can you get?
3.Movie intros. In the Drake & Josh episode, "Really Big Shrimp", Josh accidentally signs away the rights to one of Drake's songs and it becomes a weird techno-mix that the two brothers hate. (this is solved later) The intros for a movie on Disney Channel have become one of those and the problem hasn't been solved.

[lpetiti]

Here are my problems with the two channels

Toon Disney
1.Jetix. It's Toon Disney channel, not All-Day-Jetix channel

Disney Channel
1."Teeny-Bopper" programs. Some may be a trifle funny but they still replace quality Disney
2.High School Musical movies. Making the 1st one was bad enough, but expanding it to the parks and making a 2nd one? How low can you get?
3.Movie intros. In the Drake & Josh episode, "Really Big Shrimp", Josh accidentally signs away the rights to one of Drake's songs and it becomes a weird techno-mix that the two brothers hate. (this is solved later) The intros for a movie on Disney Channel have become one of those and the problem hasn't been solved.

What movie was this?

[tomserwin]

Here are my problems with the two channels
3.Movie intros. In the Drake & Josh episode, "Really Big Shrimp", Josh accidentally signs away the rights to one of Drake's songs and it becomes a weird techno-mix that the two brothers hate. (this is solved later) The intros for a movie on Disney Channel have become one of those and the problem hasn't been solved.
I totally saw that movie!! I'm not even ashamed. I was babysitting some family friend's kids and they wanted to watch it. But I though Drake and Josh was on Nick, not Disney.

[ob12]

Please dont get me start with the crappiness of the Disney channel.

I hate the teen shows that are on it.

what happend to Inside Out!!!
and all those Disneyland Specials that use to be played from when i was a little kid.

shouldnt they play thoses shows , or at least make newer ones. they should just get rid of all those shows they have now and just play a bunch of classic disney fotage, like classic aimated fims, old disneyland specials.

[monkey4057]

I though Drake and Josh was on Nick, not Disney.

It is, but it fit the situation perfectly;)

[pma812@gmail.com]

I miss Inside Out! It was a great show. There isn't even anything like it to replace it.

[Clrntfrk777]

Isn't Mike's super-short show hosted by another kid now? And isn't Disney 411 now Disney 365? Why did they have to change all this?

[lpetiti]

Mike's Super Short Show is now the Really Short Report, hosted by Flip Flopperstein, as well as a little boy who sounds like he swallowed a helium-filled balloon. It is quite stupid, actually.

[Major Disney Freak]

^Yeah, I miss Mike's Super Short Show and Disney 411.

[TherealRNO]

But even they cannot compare to the desire we all have of returning the network back to its former glory. But with its current corporate standards--that must have Walt rolling in his grave--this is probably something not even our Wishes (pardon the park reference) could make come true, because even Disney own spokesmouse, Mickey, has been reduced to toddler/baby fodder akin to Dora & Blue from Nick Jr. whereas I thought the Mouse--like most of Disney--was to appeal to all ages, despite the stigma of it being primarily focused at children.

[mistymutt]

Glad to see the discission is still going strong!!!!

[TopCat8]

Mike's Super Short Show is now the Really Short Report, hosted by Flip Flopperstein, as well as a little boy who sounds like he swallowed a helium-filled balloon. It is quite stupid, actually.

When Mike's Super Short Show first premiered, I hated it, and I thought that Mike was so annoying, but by the time it ended, I liked it a lot. Then they replaced it with really short report, and I can't even keep it on the same channel when it comes on. Did anyone see when there was the Mike's Super Short Show goodbye episode? I was glad that they paid that show a nice tribute.

[Major Disney Freak]

^Yeah. I really don't like the Really Short Report, but I'm glad they bid Mike's Super Short Show a proper farewell.

[Disney50]

When they bring back Vault Disney, Ink and paint club QuackAttack and the other old shows it will be worth watching. untill then thank goodness for Vhs and dvd collections. Theres nothing very Disney about the Disney Chan right now.

[dctrdez]

I actually think the Disney Channel is of higher quality now than it has ever been since the glory days of Mousercize/Ducktales/RescueRangers/Talespin/etc. The programming that it runs is pure Disney when compared to other networks. Hannah Montana? Actually really funny... High School Musicals? Actually really catchy... All revert less to base humor than other shows I've watched elsewhere.

Now ToonDisney and all that Jetix stuff? That's got to go... They need to bring back compelling animated programs or revert to material that's more classic (Classic Disney Channel?). Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon are out-doing Disney on this front (Spongebob, FairlyOddParents anyone?). Power Rangers belong on Saturday morning WB, not Disney.

[Mikokat]

I think that people need to shut up about complaining about Disney Channel. The shows you like have ended, GET OVER IT, don't sit on the internet complaining about it. Don't like, don't watch, simple as that, okay? Find something else.

[Magic1]

Mikokat... While I understand you may like what the Disney Channel has to offer right now, that doesn't necessarily mean that others agree. That is, I think, why this forum (and other discussion forums) exists.

I'm not sure what you were expecting to find from the title of the thread, but to paraphrase your advice ... don't like, don't read. You're always welcome to share why you like what is on the Disney Channel right now or what your favorites are; just know that while some of us may agree, some may not.

.:Magic1:.

[rodolfo2007]

That is so true, da disney 365 does not really cut it either.

[SPCMT]

Does anyone here remember Zoog Disney? I wish they would bring that back...I actually liked that when I was a kid

[Mikokat]

Mikokat... While I understand you may like what the Disney Channel has to offer right now, that doesn't necessarily mean that others agree. That is, I think, why this forum (and other discussion forums) exists.

I'm not sure what you were expecting to find from the title of the thread, but to paraphrase your advice ... don't like, don't read. You're always welcome to share why you like what is on the Disney Channel right now or what your favorites are; just know that while some of us may agree, some may not.

.:Magic1:.

I do like DC as is now, however, the fact that people just sit and complain instead of doing something about it or trying to at least. It's annoying when you sit and complain while doing nothing to help. Also, I think that the whole cancel everything and bring back old stuff will be a bad thing. You may like it, but others won't. Maybe we all should find a balance and make it so that everyone is happy. Devote programming after 10 or 11 PM as a "Vault Disney" block. Most kids are asleep (or partying) by then. Keep all the "tween" shows during primetime. There, everyone is happy and not complaining.

EDIT: Also, I believe the reason people complain is because they miss the old stuff and think the new stuff is worse. In a way, they try to condemn the shows that are new because they wish that their old shows would come back. I believe that NOTHING wrong has happened to the DC, it's just a way of saying that they could relive old moment. All good things must come to an end. None of us like to see one of our favorite shows go, however, they will go, and new ones will surface. Anyone who goes to DL (Which is a LAW for those on this forum.) knows that though they don't want to leave, they will have to eventually.