I live 100 miles from Disneyworld. I was born In Scotland but have lived in the State of Florida for 16 years. I know Mickey Mouse well. If you live in Florida you can’t get away from the little critter.
2008 was the first year I ever ventured out to Orlando and remember quite clearly driving under the arch that takes you straight into the magical world of Disney. 40 square miles of theme parks and resorts. We spent a thoroughly pleasant week at the Port Orleans resort and visited all four parks. Including of course, the Magic Kingdom. When we were there in 2008, 2009, and each consecutive year up until 2014 the parks were a joy to visit. Including the Magic Kingdom. Now? Changes have taken place and not for the better. Everyone on the planet wants to go to the Magic Kingdom but the park quite obviously cannot accommodate everyone. But they try. That is part of the problem. I would say a good idea would be to log into Tripadvisor and have a look at the reviews for the Magic Kingdom. People aren’t happy. Yet, to my mind, it’s the people who are the problem. Enabled by the Disney Corporation of course.
For example, the maximum capacity of the Magic Kingdom is 75,000. That is triggered on many occasions and with the gates closed, the crowds inside the park are insane. People line up for hours for a ride, for food, for bathrooms, and for displays. The firework display, which is extraordinary, is mobbed and many of the visitors to the park say they fear there could be an emergency and there would be no way to deal with it. No path through the frenzied mob. No way out. Not a great experience for the anxious or the claustrophobic. At least Tinkerbell has the freedom to rise above it all as she sprinkles her pixie dust on the frustrated and bewildered crowd.
People are less patient now and can be downright rude at times. I have had experiencee of that. One nasty incident or confrontation with an impatient guest can spoil your whole day. With admission prices at $137 plus parking fees of $22 plus food and shopping a day at the Magic Kingdom is not cheap. Just takes one sour moment to ruin your experience and leave you feeling bitter and resentful. Look at the parents. How many are smiling? Very few if any.
It’s the culture, folks. It’s narcissism, greed and self centeredness. Put that mix in an area of 4,660,773 sq feet, where the lines for the rides are one, two or three hours long, but the lines for the purchase of Mickey Mouse ears and clothing and mugs and anything else Mickey are negligible. Won’t see a three hour line in a Disney shop.
It’s the pop culture and the staff in the parks are not smiling. It’s different now. The spirit of Disney is withering away as the dumbing down blasts its way through the family unit. Pop culture and instant access to porn on demand. For starters. What happened to innocence, decency and modesty? Maybe in the beginning, when the word was Walt, there was an innocence that was endearing and made the Magicc Kingdom a place where ‘magic’ had validity and people were truly happy. Not now.
Disney need to step up to the plate and modernize. But the problem remains. There is a malaise in our society and the gentleness and pleasantry that people experienced in the old days is unlikely to return. And it’s the same wherever you go. And if you think you could get away from it all just remember.
Disney cruises are becoming more and more popular. Cruises. It doesn’t take a great leap of imagination to see where they are heading. Well, at least the ships have lifeboats. This is on board a Disney cruise.
Categories: Blog, Creative writing, Enterrtainment, uncategorised
A Different Country 
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