| Disneyland Musings |
[Oct. 3rd, 2008|11:26 pm] |
Those who know me know that I make no secret of my love of Disneyland. My mug at work is a Tinkerbell mug, I wear, share, and trade Disney pins, I visit regularly... what can I say but that I love it?
It's not just that I grew up near it, either - though that helps. It's just that for me, it truly is a magical place, in many senses of the word. I get a lot out of just being here, sitting in strangely sacred space, and watching people go by while I sip some water.
Disney had some rough times in the late 80s through mid 90s. Then someone took the reins and repaired the holes in what could have been a sinking ship, and through hard work and lots of money they not only fixed it but improved it. Nowadays Disneyland feels much more like what they advertise it to be: a joyous place to be. The employees really do seem glad to see people, and they take an interest in those that want it. Now granted, I'm good to people in general, so I tend to get more of the same in return, but still... they are relentlessly friendly in a way that isn't creepy or weird at all.
Honestly, I don't know how they do it. They must love it... and that's the crux, isn't it? You can't force people to pretend to be happy to the public for long; it just doesn't work in a way that is sustainably believable. I think that had a lot to do with how Disneyland felt during its rough period, and now (with the perspective I have) it seems to fit very well with how things went then and now. Disney found the love as a park, as entertainers, and they must have found it as employers. I'm sure it's not 100% top to bottom (that would be insanely miraculous) but they're certainly doing something right.
All of that, plus: I just keep having joyful experiences. For myself, for others, to others, just in general. From a quick impulse trade with an employee that turned out to net me a beautiful and rare (limited to 500) pin to watching a little girl's eyes light up when my sweetie gives her a pin just because it's her birthday... and then another employee smiles and hands my sweetie one of the "special gift" pins a few staff members have and are able to give out entirely at their discretion when they see someone furthering the magic.
The Year of a Million Dreams promotion they're running now is part and parcel with this new philosophy, and by Goofy it's working. I like coming here more and more, and want to bring more people - especially those who have not yet had the pleasure. I want to pass on my appreciation for what this place and the people in it manage to do: stage a hugely complicated ritual day after day whose purpose is to entertain profitably and that works. It has the mojo, and people can feel it, even if they wouldn't or couldn't describe it anywhere near the way I do. And what I've written here is only touching on the vast and powerful well that can be drawn from here.
So that's my magic for today: a deep and abiding adoration and participation in a group hallucination whose reason for existence is profitable joy.
I can get behind that. And I do. And I will for the next few days, and again and again as often as I reasonably can throughout my life. I love Disneyland.
Light and laughter,
SongCoyotee |
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| Comments: |
![[User Picture]](http://l-userpic.livejournal.com/55802533/3509752) | From: ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) eunion
2008-10-04 05:25 pm (UTC)
disneyland-landmine | (Link)
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i haven't been to disneyland since todd told me that he didn't want to be married anymore. my revisitation to that space will no doubt be a significant breakthrough of some sort. for now, disneyland remains as a baudrillardian abstract of simulacra.
![[User Picture]](http://l-userpic.livejournal.com/40423345/6640763) | From: songcoyote
2008-10-11 07:19 am (UTC)
Re: disneyland-landmine | (Link)
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Interestingly, the first visit Janelle had to Disneyland with us was a breakthrough for her as well. She had a lot of anxiety around it because of some bad experiences in her childhood. We helped her through it and now it's hard to keep her away! She's even talked about going down there for a year or two once she retires (or sooner if she could get away with it) so she could work at the park.
Just got back last night and boy are my arms tired! It was a great trip. Hopefully it can become a joyous place for you again some day. Let us know if we can help.
Love to you and yours, and hope for all.
Light and laughter,
SongCoyote
yay! enjoy the happiest place on earth. it's been awhile since I've been but it's always been magical to me.
This trip was no less than amazing on more than one level. We had an absolute blast, and are very likely to go again in April. That, however, will be our last visit for a while as we are saving up for a bigger trip.
Wondrous as it was, though, I think 6 consecutive days was juuuust enough :)
Light and laughter,
SongCoyote
I love Disneyland too. I used to go twice a year as a kid. My dad grew up in Orange County, so we were down there often to visit family.
I took my daughter in 2006, and all four of us went in this past spring. I love that as soon as I see the it from the road my heart goes all aflutter and I feel like I'm 5 years old again and the world being brand new, but still familiar. ;-)
I can't wait to go back :D
Yay! Spring is a great time to be in D-Land.\
In spite of regular trips over the past few years I still get excited about going. We're going again in late March / early April 2009, I believe... and sadly that may be our last trip for a few years as we're saving up for a bigger one (which could be Ireland, Disney World, or something else depending on what we all manage to work out).
Do you collect pins? I love to trade them. If you don't, I simultaneously recommend it and warn against it - the latter because it can be very addicting!
Enjoy, be well, and thrive!
Light and laughter,
SongCoyote
I do not collect anything, really. Except pictures ;-)
I don't think a Disneyland trip is in the cards for us next year, but possibly the year after that.... I'm hoping. My kids will be 7 and 9, so really great ages for taking them.
I collect a few things... fewer than I used to, fortunately. You're lucky not to have that urge ;)
Here's hoping you get to Disneyland at exactly the right time for all of you!
Light and laughter,
SongCoyote
I used to collect lots of things. Though moving again, and again, and again taught me that it wasn't worth it! ;-)
Heck I probably wouldn't even collect photos anymore, but since it's mostly digital now, it's no biggie.
I so suck. I'm dying to go back without my munchkins. :) Or maybe with a sitter to hang with them in Fantasy Land while I make the most of the "scary" rides.
Heh... I can understand that. It's a very different experience when you're not required to care for others, child or otherwise ;) If you can arrange it, I suggest you do so.
Disney is great shared with your kids (I've been there with a nephew), but it's nice just for oneself as well!
Light and laughter,
SongCoyote | |
