Is Disney Just For Girls?

I noticed on Pinterest that the Williams Family Blog was noted as a great guide for families with boys.  I had never thought of that before until I read that particular note and I hadn't thought about it again in some time until I updated the photos this week and added one of the boy meeting the a Disney Princess.  All of this got me thinking . . . Is traveling to Walt Disney World different for families depending on whether they have boys or girls in their family?  Is Disney a different experience for boys than for girls?

I do know that Walt Disney World does offer many experiences for girls such as dining with Disney Princesses and getting all glammed to be a Disney Princess at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.  But that doesn't mean that boys can't or won't like dining at Cinderella's Castle.  Our whole family has dined with Cinderella and most recently at Akershus for Storybook Dining.  Either I am really lucky or my family "gets" that Disney Princesses are part of the magical "world" of Disney that isn't necessarily decided by gender.

And, there are experiences that could be deemed for "boys" such as Pirate League where even adults can get their "pirate on" and Harmony Barber Shop in the Magic Kingdom.  But there are many girls who want to be pirates and anyone, young or old, can have the magical experience of getting their haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street, U.S.A.

Interviewing the boy at dinner indicated that he thought more girls than boys would appreciate dining with the Disney Princesses and he thought more boys than girls would like Star Tours and Jedi Training Academy.  He would not /did not designate certain experiences at Walt Disney World as "for girls" or "for boys".  I appreciate his diplomacy.

I would assert that Walt Disney World is a different experiences for families based more on their preferences rather than the gender balance in their family.  We don't like to golf or fish, so that is something we don't do at Disney--unless miniature golf counts.  On our last trip, I got to see both Lights, Motors, Action AND Beauty and the Beast stage show while at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  We do like to swim and meet Disney characters so we spent much of our time doing just that.

One of the many things we love at vacationing with the mouse is the vast array of diverse experiences that are offered and as our family changes (the boy grows up) there are new-to-us experiences and opportunities for us as well as favorites.  And, not just for us, but for all guests.  

What do you think?  Is the Disney experience different for girls and boys?  Or is it more about personal preferences and interests?