February 7, 2003

• Dealing With Disney

  
  

  I've had a lot of mixed feelings about the Disney corporation and products over the years.  I was disappointed by the infantile "easter eggs" that were sneaked into Little Mermaid and Lion King.  I have wished that the female characters were stronger, less dependent on Prince Charming to swoop in and save them.  I've had the cynical view that the Disney vision had very little to do with reality and a lot to do with illusions created by smoke and mirrors that couldn't stand the light of life as we know it to actually be.  A visit to DisneyWorld has been one of those experiences that I've wanted in the same way I imagine an alcoholic wants a drink, with a guilty longing.  I was certain that the pain of dis-illusion would not be worth the pleasure of the high moment.  I was wrong.

  
  

  We spent our first day at the Epcot Center.  Now we've been told by other DisneyWorld visitors that Epcot wouldn't be fun for the kids, but our kids had a blast.  There aren't many thrill rides (for that matter the thrill rides of the Magic Kingdom weren't nearly as exciting as I'd anticipated.)  The Epcot Center is devoted to presentations of new technologies.  Walking through the gates we got our first taste of just how different the Disney themeparks are from any other park we've ever see.  Tim put his hand on my arm and said, "listen."

  
  

  "Listen to what?"
  
  "Just listen!"

  
  

  I listened.  ". . . Listen to WHAT!?"

  
  

  "How many different languages do you hear spoken right now?"

  
  

  In addition to English, we could hear French, German, Janapese, Spanish, and another that may have been Russion but we weren't sure.  I knew in a sort of "back of my mind" kind of way that people from around the world came to Orlando, but I had no idea that so MANY people from around the world would be there.  As we walked around Innoventions oohing and aahing over coming technology, we continued to notice and appreciate the International Flavor and feel of the place.

  
  

  Epcot offers exploration of Spaceship Earth with interactive opportunities.  From the Universe of Energy, the Wonders of Life, The Test Track, the Land, the Living Sea, and the world of Imagination it's a sensual immersion in the human environment and experience from the perspective of an outsider.  Our bodies, our world, our minds, and our imaginations invite us to wonder, play, and feel.  I came away thinking "aaaah, so that's what it means to be a human on earth!"  The kids were particularly impressed with the agricultural displays, the environmental "propoganda" and the nutrition show.  Ok, I enjoyed the nutrition show.  "Pita" Gabriel singing "I . want . to . be . your . highfiber!" was a riot.

  
  

  But, we didn't spend much time in the future world part of Epcot.  We toured the World Showcase.  We saw the Pavilions of Mexico, Norway, China, (some part of Africa that wasn't clearly identified), Germany, Italy, and Japan.  The sights, smells, tastes, languages, and objects imported from each of those places intrigued us.  Tucker's favorite part hands down was the performance of the Chinese Acrobats.  They were amazing.  There were other Pavilions, but we didn't make it around the lake to see them before the Tapestry of Dreams Parade began. 

  
  

  Each child is given a mask and at each different Pavilion they visit a kiosk where they add decoration and recieve a medallion representing that nation.  So that by the time they have completed their tour, they have a personalized souvenir of their journey.  Then just after dusk, the sound of drums reverbates through the park and everyone finds a place along the parade route.  Music, 30 foot tall puppets operated by dancers from below, floats with drums and windchimes all wind their way through the park as accompaniment to the voices of children who voice their dreams.  Anyone who can observe the celebration without feeling her feet dance of their own accord is either devoid of human spirit, or has walked so much that the feet in question are numb.  (Note to me: take good walking shoes!)

  
  

  After the Tapestry of Dreams, it's only a short time (just about right for a visit to one of the many excellent restaurants operated by natives of the lands represented in the World Showcase) until the lamps are turned off and the drums beat again.  This time the drumbeat is calling us to the edge of the water where we find a place to watch the show.  Illuminations isn't just a fireworks display.  The rockets and sparks punctuate a laser display projected onto a large spinning globe. 

  
  

  Gently and with great compassion the Epcot experience is designed to lead visitors to an inescapable conclusion, all our individual futures, and the future of all mankind depend on our ability to grasp the significance of our actions in this moment.  The World of Disney didn't just magically appear, rising out of the desert sands like Aladdin's Cave of Wonders.  The vision that Walt Disney bequeathed as his legacy to the World isn't a smoke and mirrors illusion.  No, Walt Disney was very much aware of the pain, tears, suffering and hunger that are our constant companions.  His legacy isn't a denial of the human condition, it's a celebration of the human potential.   He paints with a brush of hope, courage, and imagination the picture of what we are capable of acheiving.  He doesn't offer it as a rosy prediction, but as the goal of focused effort.  He shows us the truth that each of our choices and actions ripple out across the sea of man to influence and mold not only today, but all the days to come. 

  
  

  What an awesome thing it is to be a human in this age of wonders, dreams, and opportunities.  What a powerful obligation we have to put our shoulder to the wheel and demand of ourselves a radical commitment to peace, justice and dare I say it? . . . love.

  • 8:32 am
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