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Writer and editor Home > Blogs > Brain Droppings > Archives > 2008 > August > 29 > Entry
Off to NeverNeverLand!
Well, I finally made it to Disney World.
I had put it off. Avoided the place, for the most part. The last time I was there was the week Nixon resigned, when I was 14, and for years I’d had more distinct memories of our family racing back to the hotel at night to watch Walter Cronkite narrating the unfolding national drama than I did of Cinderella’s castle. Geeky, sure, but I was already a news junkie.
Later in life, Disney World just never emerged high on the list of places my wife and I had on the top-of-mind vacation list. When my parents offered to take our kids when they were little, that was cool with us; we stayed home and enjoyed the quiet, pretty sure we weren’t missing much.
If it sounds as though I’m carrying some Disney grudge, that’s not the case. I’m a big fan of the classic cartoons and have seen them all lots of times. Pixar? Geniuses. “Wonderful World of Color”? Grew up on it. Generally speaking, I like most of the entertainment product that carries the Disney brand.
It’s just that the theme park, and the whole idea of it, just didn’t interest me. Why go see a fake German biergarten, I figured, when there’s a whole country full of the real thing that’s a lot more interesting? And not that much more expensive to enjoy? Of course, this couldn’t last. When my folks announced they were gathering the whole family together for their 50th anniversary and that Disney World was the place, I knew my snobbish disdain of “It’s a Small, Small World” would have to come to an end. And after four very fun days, Mousketeers, I’m happy to admit it: I was wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Within a few hours of strolling Epcot and the Magic Kingdom, I was lulled by it all. I was hooked. It’s a great place and a fun vacation — which I know many of you already know, from the weird looks I got from friends when they heard I hadn’t ever taken my own kids there. Bad dad me.
I offer, then, a few stray thoughts and observations, fresh from the Disney front, for anybody who’s been:
— It’s a family place, but I don’t think most very young children can really enjoy it; the park is a pure sensory overload, even for an adult. For a 3-year-old, it’s probably like a jolt of LSD. Most of the little kids we saw were crying. Perfect age would be 10, I’d think.
— Reminder: Florida in August is hot.
— They took out the E-ticket attraction I remember best: The submarine ride! Guess there’s not much call these days for “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” Oh, well.
— As a manager, I found myself musing about how well-run the place is. How do they keep every lightbulb lit? How do they keep it so impeccably clean? How do they staff the Moroccan restaurant with real Moroccans? How do they keep security so invisible?
— The one glitch: Restaurant billing via those credit-card “keys” you buy. It was screwed up for our entire group. Oh, well.
— I most enjoyed the Animal Kingdom. It felt less fakey than the rest of the park, and best achieved the illusion of reality. Of course, the animals could have been animatronic … I guess …
— Bush sounded better in the Hall of Presidents than he does in real life.
— Major nit: This isn’t the park’s fault, but we were amazed by the number of nonwalkers on scooters. They gum up the traffic flow and slow down the bus system. Sorry, save your angry e-mail on this one; legitimate disabilities are one thing, but morbid overeating that puts you in a vehicle that runs over my foot does not count. America: Walk more!
Finally, even though I liked Disney World quite a lot, I left the park feeling a little sad for Mickey Mouse. He’s all over, from signs to coffee mugs, and he’s one of the most recognizable icons in the world. But have you seen him on the big or small screen lately? Oddly, Disney has gradually de-emphasized Mickey’s place in its entertainment offerings, with only a smattering of mostly insignificant appearances for the little guy since the 1970s. It’s a shame, but from a pure marketing standpoint, I wonder why Disney wouldn’t want to keep refreshing its biggest character for new generations to learn and respond to.
And don’t get me started on Donald …
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Comments
By fenwah
September 2, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
Mickey Mouse is huge on Disney Channel’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It’s a computer animated 30 minute show geared towards pre-schoolers. We go to DW every 3rd year. We took my 3 year old son for the first time in May (along with our 7yr old). The 3 yr old had so much fun…just be sure to rent a stroller for the time you are there…saves the kids’ legs so they can stay at the park longer.By bousozoku
September 2, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
Seeing it from the other side and having been here in Floriduh for 11 years, I cringe every time the theme parks raise admissions and yet, the people continue to visit. Epcot Center is pleasant. The MGM/Hollywood Studios park is perpetually dead, just the opposite of Magic Kingdom. Animal Kingdom Disney’s answer to Seaworld and Busch Gardens. The animals may still be real—there were a lot of them dying when the park opened. They’re all more pleasant if you stay on Disney property and use their transportation.By mariaconfetti
August 31, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
I love Disney. My parents couldn’t afford to take us as kids, so my visits to Disney were as an adult(?)and on my dime. I became the family Disney-an. Then I moved to Florida and have been to all the parks in about 20 visits - some with family, some for the marathons & some with my fellow adult(??) friends. Oh, and kids love it too.By Craig Fernatt
August 30, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Our daughter is now nine years old,and we have been lucky enough to visit Disneyworld five of the last six years.Each year is better than the last,and we hope to return soon.The best time to go is in October,not as hot or as crowded.If you ever get the chance to go in October,don’t miss “MIckey’s Not So Scary Halloween”.Between the Halloween themed parades,the “trick-or-treating” inside the Magic Kingdom,and the special fireworks display, it is a very special family time. Thanks for the ride down memory lane. Craig Fernatt..Beavercreek.By Dave
August 30, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
It was Walt himself who de-emphasized Mickey in animation. He found that he could have a safe fall on Donald and it was funny, but if Mickey stubbed a toe, millions of fans got upset. Walt found Mickey to be too limited by viewers’ expectations and demands, and he focused his genius on other characters.By Karla w/a K!
August 30, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
Well I am relieved! Being a Dayton native which fond memories of Disney included my Mom getting pissed at the other guests for being pushy, I am glad your visit was mostly filled with pixie dust! You see I work here at WDW now and have since 2004 when I took the big plunge to living in Florida. I agree we don’t see enough of Mickey in the parks, although I did catch a glimpse of him in a Mustang convertible on my way to work the other morning, he’s around his priorities have just changed, thanks!!