Disney 2006

Walt Disney was either a genius or the devil himself. Either way, I guess he was a genius.

Walt died before "Disney World" became a reality. His brother Roy continued the development and added Walt to the name as a way to remind everyone who the driving force behind the project was.

That was 40 years ago. I wonder if either of the Disney Brothers even dared to imagine what their little project would evolve into. Maybe they did, but I doubt that even the most optimistic could have really envisioned the WDW of today.

The complex of Disney parks and resorts is a sprawling affair. It currently encompasses 38.6 square miles. Imagine 38.6 square miles covered with mouse ears and almost entirely without governmental oversight.

Have you ever heard of the Reedy Creek Improvement District? I didn't think so.
RCID is Disney and Disney is RCID. Read about the political maneuvering that created this "private government" here.

Even the wallpaper in our bathroom not so subtly screamed M I C K E Y.




At first glance it looks like a demented clown's smile. Look again. Can you see the Mickey ears?












I didn't care for the fact that you were required to provide a finger print to enter the park. Ostensibly, the finger print was to prevent someone else from using your "ticket" to enter the park. Your ticket was also your room key. It also served as your meal ticket assuming you purchased meal plans. (we did).
The cynic in me is certain that data mining is rampant here. Once when I made a purchase (with cash) and had it delivered to the front of the park for future pick up I was asked for my home address. The clerk said that it was required. I told him that I was paying cash and asked why the hell he needed my home address. He relented and said that I really didn't have to provide it. I'm sure most people just fill in the blanks without thinking. Marketing wizards at work.

No cigarettes or gum are sold inside the parks. The gum I understand (you can't buy gum inside a Las Vegas casino either) but not selling cigarettes? Smoking is still permitted in designated smoking areas. I felt the need to test the boundaries of the smoking areas. I once walked to a secluded area and lit a cigarette. About two puffs later a "cast member" weilding a broom and dust pan informed me that I wasn't in a designated smoking area.
At Epcot I entered the park with six cigarettes. I seriously considered driving to a convenience store to purchase a pack. I toughed it out and rationed them like it was war time. I mentioned to one "cast member" that it would be a good place to start a black market cigarette selling enterprise. He informed me that you wouldn't get away with it for long....."you wouldn't believe the number of cameras and security personnel dressed as ordinary tourist walking around" he said. I told him that I work in a casino and I am familiar with security cameras.


Before I left for Florida a co-worker said that I was going to a happy place with no gambling. She said that people come to Las Vegas, lose money, and become less than happy. True, BUT, it's sometimes difficult to forget that the fine folks at WDW are also making every effort to get the last penny from your purse. Can they really price a crappy piece of plastic at $70 while keeping a straight face? Yep, you betcha they can and they do. Over and over again.
Having said that I realize that the free market economy is alive and well. No one is forcing you to buy. If the crap didn't sell, they would lower the price. It does, so they don't.

Enough of the dark side. Let's get happy. Sing along with me, ok?
It's a small world after all...............

I tried to see it all through the eyes of a beautiful child.














The reason for this trip was a little boy named David. If he had a good time it was all worth it, right?


Today I head back to the Adult Disney World of my employment. I guess not much has changed in my absence.