I am a long term Disney fanatic. I wanted to be an animator for them when I was growing up. I watched the Wonderful World of Disney every Sunday Night growing up. My family went for the first time when I was in the fourth grade. It truly was magical. We went several times after that. I did the Disney College program and worked there a summer and a fall semester in college. Now, I have brought my wife, my kids, and I am taking a group of college students there this weekend for their fall break.
Why is Disney--whether movies or theme parks or even commercials onTV--so powerful to me and to my soul? I actually have doen some refelcting on it, and you folks are probably some of the only folks on the planet who can truly get this (my wife is frustrated with the whole Disney thing, too), so, if you will indulge me, I am going to write a slightly longer and maybe deeper post than usual on the Disboards. If this is out of line for the format, please excuse me. It just kind of explains me, and I think probably many of you, too. Why is it so powerful to us?
For many people, our fascination with Disney, or at least mine, seems like it is somewhat an escape into a fantasy world. We don't like the real world, so we would rather have a fantasy world. I beg to differ. My fascination with Disney is not a longing after a fantasy but a longing after reality. In my soul, I am pining away after a reality I know is there but I have not yet experienced--a reality where a princess was killed by an evil witch but brought to life by the kiss of a warrior prince, A place where the sword of truth pierces the heart of the dragon, a place where good and evil face off and good triumphs, a place where there is a shining castle on a hill and a people gather in celebration, a place where people from every nation on the earth gather and actually enjoy each other's presence.
People may look at our Disney longings as our way of escaping the harsh realities of life. They may see it as a way of avoiding reality, but that is not the case. It is a longing after the reality for which we were made.
It 's weird. I look upon Disney with such a fondness and longing. To hear some of you talk--the word addiction has been used--our fondness for Disney goes beyond simple escapism. It is a longing of our souls. There is something about it--the movies, the place--that strikes some sleeping melody deep in our souls, a place that often sleeps during the rest of our busy lives. It's power and appeal is stronger than simple escapist fantasies. Our language and our hearts reveal what is really going on. It has almost religious fervor, which shows me that my longing is a longing for something much deeper than simply space mountain (Which, by the way, I am close to triple digits onthe number of times I have ridden it), but soemthing that goes to the core of who we are as human beings.
It's a longing for heaven. When we go, we are seeing pictures of a heavnely reality. We are seeing portrayed the true story, the one that resonates in our souls--the poor handmaid becoming a princess, the street rat being made a prince, the dead brought to life with a kiss, happily ever after, etc.--and it grips me.
I always want to go back. Why? Because I don't ever have enough of it. I never have my fill. Disney only whets my appetite. The banquet is coming.
Thanks for indulging me by reading this. Um, I know that some of you, many of you, I don't know, don't believe what I believe about the world, but I appreciate your honoring me and hearing me out. It's been going through my head for some time now. You folks are probably the best sounding board for a Disney freak like me.
This time next week. I plan to be on Expedition Everest.
Stephen
Why is Disney--whether movies or theme parks or even commercials onTV--so powerful to me and to my soul? I actually have doen some refelcting on it, and you folks are probably some of the only folks on the planet who can truly get this (my wife is frustrated with the whole Disney thing, too), so, if you will indulge me, I am going to write a slightly longer and maybe deeper post than usual on the Disboards. If this is out of line for the format, please excuse me. It just kind of explains me, and I think probably many of you, too. Why is it so powerful to us?
For many people, our fascination with Disney, or at least mine, seems like it is somewhat an escape into a fantasy world. We don't like the real world, so we would rather have a fantasy world. I beg to differ. My fascination with Disney is not a longing after a fantasy but a longing after reality. In my soul, I am pining away after a reality I know is there but I have not yet experienced--a reality where a princess was killed by an evil witch but brought to life by the kiss of a warrior prince, A place where the sword of truth pierces the heart of the dragon, a place where good and evil face off and good triumphs, a place where there is a shining castle on a hill and a people gather in celebration, a place where people from every nation on the earth gather and actually enjoy each other's presence.
People may look at our Disney longings as our way of escaping the harsh realities of life. They may see it as a way of avoiding reality, but that is not the case. It is a longing after the reality for which we were made.
It 's weird. I look upon Disney with such a fondness and longing. To hear some of you talk--the word addiction has been used--our fondness for Disney goes beyond simple escapism. It is a longing of our souls. There is something about it--the movies, the place--that strikes some sleeping melody deep in our souls, a place that often sleeps during the rest of our busy lives. It's power and appeal is stronger than simple escapist fantasies. Our language and our hearts reveal what is really going on. It has almost religious fervor, which shows me that my longing is a longing for something much deeper than simply space mountain (Which, by the way, I am close to triple digits onthe number of times I have ridden it), but soemthing that goes to the core of who we are as human beings.
It's a longing for heaven. When we go, we are seeing pictures of a heavnely reality. We are seeing portrayed the true story, the one that resonates in our souls--the poor handmaid becoming a princess, the street rat being made a prince, the dead brought to life with a kiss, happily ever after, etc.--and it grips me.
I always want to go back. Why? Because I don't ever have enough of it. I never have my fill. Disney only whets my appetite. The banquet is coming.
Thanks for indulging me by reading this. Um, I know that some of you, many of you, I don't know, don't believe what I believe about the world, but I appreciate your honoring me and hearing me out. It's been going through my head for some time now. You folks are probably the best sounding board for a Disney freak like me.
This time next week. I plan to be on Expedition Everest.
Stephen
--
Helen! 
I say better a 
I was never like this either until we bought into DVC and found out about these boards. I have 3 trips booked right now. Is that sick or what??? 
