Dirk Goes To Disneyland

My Dear Great Ones,

I saw a great movie the other day: "Saving Mr. Banks."  Tom Hanks plays Walt Disney.  He is good as usual. It's about forgiveness.  A deep movie.  Hard to believe Disney and "deep" go hand in hand, but in this case it does.

I don't know if it is still on but Walt Disney from 6:00-7:00 pm, Sunday night was a black and white TV staple while I was growing up long and lanky during the Lakeview years in Calgary.  Later I got too cool for Disney.  But then, after about a 15 year hiatus, Walt Disney was on again at my house in Innisfail, in colour this time, every Sunday 6:00-7:00 pm after church, swimming, and meat pies.  The four E's(Erik, Emily, Eli, Elsie) watched Walt Disney faithfully.  I also saw a ton of Disney movies during the 90's,  due to the four E's, Aladdin, with Robin Williams, and Toy Story, being two of my favourites.  Disney put some adult gags in their movies during the 90's, which was amusing.  The four E's, especially Emily loved them.  Emily could recite most of the lines from those movies today.  

I also made a pilgrimage with the 4'E's and Rochelle to the original Anaheim Disneyland in the late 90's.  I kind of liked it cause of the kids.  I think Walt Disney was brilliant in selling happiness, hope,  happy endings, and he was a master story teller.  I think Disneyland; with its constant piped in happy music, its recreation of a 1930's main street harking back to a gentler time, its safe CLEAN environment, "fun" rides and shows, plus dozens of wandering employees dressed up as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, etc makes Disney not just an American cultural phenomenon, but a world wide one as well.  Disneyland claims to be the happiest place on Earth.  It certainly evokes a lot of smiles.  

Yet, please understand that the above is my attempt to understand why Disney is so successful, not to endorse it.  Call me fuddy duddy, but I get more of a rush biking through the jungle near my place, watching monkeys harangue a wild boar who has infringed into their territory.  I also get more of a kick looking at sunsets, body boarding in wild ocean surf, hiking to a massive waterfall in the rain, snorkelling in tropical seas,  watching how other cultures operate, and skiing down a massive slope after a snowfall etc.  In other words Disneyland just does not impact me the same as spending time in the miracle of nature.  I also can't stand how expensive Disneyland is, how much it costs just to get in, how they hawk their merchandise, and most of all I hate waiting in line for up to an hour or so, just so you can go on an uncomfortable, not built for a 6'6 man like me, vomit inducing ride for two minutes.

Nevertheless a few weeks ago I succumbed to the pressures of a special person and visited Hong Kong Disneyland.  It is no where near the size and standard of the Anaheim one, BUT the shows were pretty good, and the fireworks display at the end was pretty spectacular.  Yet I think my Disneyland days are now officially over.  From now if I want happiness I am going to check out the monkeys, swim with the old timers in the ocean, hike a mountain, bike through a jungle, and snorkel the seven seas.  Its cheaper and in MY OPINION more fun.   

Have a great week everyone!    

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

 On the special commuter train to Disneyland.  Mickey mouse ear windows, Mickey Mouse ear handles.  One can only shake ones head.

 My destination.  The famous Disney castle.  Located in every Disneyland in the World.  An imitation of Neuschwannstein.  The German in me is rather appalled by this trite imitation.  Sniff, sniff.

 Trying my best to be happy like Mickey.

 On main street Disneyland waiting for the Disneyland parade.  I am trying to look happy and enthralled.  At least I could see the parade easy enough considering most Asians are a little on the short side compared to me.

 The main man: Mickey Mouse!

 The Disneyland parade.  Dumbo!

 The Princess float.  In Hong Kong every little girl has a princess dress from Disneyland.

 After the parade on main street Disneyland.  Again I would rather be in a jungle watching monkeys harangue a wild boar who has infringed into their territory, than be in this mass of humanity.  They had a lost kid center, just off main street.  Yeah I can see why.

 Lion King show.  Was good.

 Stroller parking lot.

 Kids in jail, I mean waiting in line.  Once again I would rather be in a jungle watching monkeys harangue a wild boar who has infringed into their territory, than suffer like this.

 Only 55 minutes to go before your 2 minute ride.  Have fun!

 A western song with Woody.  That was good.

 Tarzan.  That was good.

 Ok I have had enough. Where is the exit? Maybe I will ask Donald Duck.  I would rather be in a jungle watching monkeys harangue…you know the rest.