...and it truly is.
All those beautiful little faces. Brilliant smiles. Dreams coming true right before your eyes. The sweetest little giggles. Ice cream sandwiches with ears. Spinning tea cups. Jungle animals growling right next to your boat. Pirates drinking heavily and chasing wenches. Your grandson so thrilled to believe he's actually hugging Cinderella. Buying souvenirs for twice the price Walgreen's charges because "We're in the Park, and it's just different." Staring spellbound at an "Electric Light Parade" marching right down the center of "Main Street USA." Having five people using their phones to take pictures of the same thing at the same time, so you can later argue over whose are better.
Buying a treat for your granddaughter because, at 39", she's not allowed on "Splash Mountain." Watching a ghost suddenly appear on your seat as you brave "The Haunted Mansion." Walking mile after mile until the battery on your "Fit Bit" finally says, "Enough, already." Wondering if the sequinned Mickey and Minnie T-shirt you bought will still look "cool" back home. Marveling at how the little ones have so much energy until they "Hit the wall," and you get to carry them. Riding the tram to "The Heroes" parking lot where you hop off at Peter Pan, walk to Row L, space 118, and head for the hotel to rest up for another incredible day tomorrow.
But...After putting the little ones to bed, you flop down on the couch, put your feet up and decide to take a few minutes and watch the news. During which you listen to all the reports of dissension
that seem to tear our world apart. And then, quietly, you come to the realization that the most important aspect of Disney World is it's ability to bring us all together.
Because...
Within thirty minutes of hopping on the Monorail, walking through the main gate and heading toward Cinderella's Castle, you will see no less than five vastly different skin colors. Hear no less than ten different languages. Smile at no less that one hundred happy families sharing the "Time of their lives." And marvel at how many strollers can effectively maneuver within such a congested
stretch of roadway.
Families from every walk of life. From every corner of the world. From every religious affiliation. From every governmental structure. From every social strata.
To where you now find yourself here, in this true "Oasis of Kindness," walking side-by-side with people who want the exact same things in life you do. Amazing, really.
You need further proof? Are you not all wearing Mickey Mouse shirts, eating Pluto Popcorn, waiting in the same lines, to laugh at the same cartoon characters, to spend more time watching the joy on your children's faces than the attraction itself, to hold your husband or wife's hand and reflect on how blessed you are by whatever God you choose to worship?
Well, I'm waiting...
Okay, listen. I understand the need to occasionally direct some frustration, even animosity toward others. Sadly, it is human nature. So... I'd like
to offer a solution. I propose two things:
One. All the leaders of the G-20 countries be brought to Disney World, chauffeured to "It's A Small World," placed two-by-two in those little water cars -- with world leaders arranged according to which countries have hated each other the longest -- and told to either "Make peace or keep riding until that sappy little song drives you crazy. Either way. Your call. Because the loving, caring citizens of your countries have waited long enough for the peace and happiness they deserve."
Two. In recognition of our inherent need to dislike at least one group of people, I propose we set up barricades with heavily armed cartoon characters telling all of those people with "Fast Passes" to "Get in the back of the line."
How about that?
All those beautiful little faces. Brilliant smiles. Dreams coming true right before your eyes. The sweetest little giggles. Ice cream sandwiches with ears. Spinning tea cups. Jungle animals growling right next to your boat. Pirates drinking heavily and chasing wenches. Your grandson so thrilled to believe he's actually hugging Cinderella. Buying souvenirs for twice the price Walgreen's charges because "We're in the Park, and it's just different." Staring spellbound at an "Electric Light Parade" marching right down the center of "Main Street USA." Having five people using their phones to take pictures of the same thing at the same time, so you can later argue over whose are better.
Buying a treat for your granddaughter because, at 39", she's not allowed on "Splash Mountain." Watching a ghost suddenly appear on your seat as you brave "The Haunted Mansion." Walking mile after mile until the battery on your "Fit Bit" finally says, "Enough, already." Wondering if the sequinned Mickey and Minnie T-shirt you bought will still look "cool" back home. Marveling at how the little ones have so much energy until they "Hit the wall," and you get to carry them. Riding the tram to "The Heroes" parking lot where you hop off at Peter Pan, walk to Row L, space 118, and head for the hotel to rest up for another incredible day tomorrow.
But...After putting the little ones to bed, you flop down on the couch, put your feet up and decide to take a few minutes and watch the news. During which you listen to all the reports of dissension
that seem to tear our world apart. And then, quietly, you come to the realization that the most important aspect of Disney World is it's ability to bring us all together.
Because...
Within thirty minutes of hopping on the Monorail, walking through the main gate and heading toward Cinderella's Castle, you will see no less than five vastly different skin colors. Hear no less than ten different languages. Smile at no less that one hundred happy families sharing the "Time of their lives." And marvel at how many strollers can effectively maneuver within such a congested
stretch of roadway.
Families from every walk of life. From every corner of the world. From every religious affiliation. From every governmental structure. From every social strata.
To where you now find yourself here, in this true "Oasis of Kindness," walking side-by-side with people who want the exact same things in life you do. Amazing, really.
You need further proof? Are you not all wearing Mickey Mouse shirts, eating Pluto Popcorn, waiting in the same lines, to laugh at the same cartoon characters, to spend more time watching the joy on your children's faces than the attraction itself, to hold your husband or wife's hand and reflect on how blessed you are by whatever God you choose to worship?
Well, I'm waiting...
Okay, listen. I understand the need to occasionally direct some frustration, even animosity toward others. Sadly, it is human nature. So... I'd like
to offer a solution. I propose two things:
One. All the leaders of the G-20 countries be brought to Disney World, chauffeured to "It's A Small World," placed two-by-two in those little water cars -- with world leaders arranged according to which countries have hated each other the longest -- and told to either "Make peace or keep riding until that sappy little song drives you crazy. Either way. Your call. Because the loving, caring citizens of your countries have waited long enough for the peace and happiness they deserve."
Two. In recognition of our inherent need to dislike at least one group of people, I propose we set up barricades with heavily armed cartoon characters telling all of those people with "Fast Passes" to "Get in the back of the line."
How about that?
