Can We Let Walt Disney Rest in Peace?

IMG_7218This post was supposed to be about the Disney fan community’s outrage over the news of Magic Kingdom After Hours hard ticket events being offered this spring.  In researching the many negative reactions among bloggers, podcasters, newspapers, and social media, I was surprised to find that I was the one becoming outraged…and it had nothing to do with Disney offering 3 hours of exclusive late night Magic Kingdom access for $149/adult (available on 7 dates during April and May).

As I was perusing message boards, Facebook pages, and articles about the public’s reaction to this latest announcement, I realized that I was frequently seeing the expression, “Walt Disney is probably turning over in his grave”.  One blogger/author (I respect and follow) who makes money writing about his love for Disney was particularly passionate when he said, “Uncle Walt is probably rolling over in his grave. In fact, he’s probably turned into a tornado down there”.  How does he know?  How do any of us know what Walt Disney would or would not do or think given the fact that when Mr. Disney died in 1966, the world was a very different place.  I was two at the time and can attest personally about how drastically both technology and the entertainment industry have changed since Mary Poppins premiered (in 1964).Birthday-Vintage-Metal-Walt-Disney-World-Tray

It’ll be 50 years this December since the world mourned the death of a great visionary.  Walt Disney created the company that made him a legend and American icon.  His legacy lives on in our happy memories and in the future of the Disney Company, its characters, theme parks, movies, merchandise, books, and much more.  Now can we please stop speculating on what Walt would or would not agree with to the extent that he would not be peacefully enjoying his final reward?  Can we please let Walt Disney rest in peace?

 

 

From the Disney Twitterverse – Week Ending November 2, 2013

IMG_1915What were the fans-of-all-things-Disney tweeting about last week?

  • Flavors of Club Cool at Epcot – New flavors debuted. Okayyyyyyy.  This one was really popular for some reason.  Club Cool is located in Innoventions and offers tastes of different Coca-Cola products from around the world.  I’ve got to admit that after many visits to Epcot, I have never visited Club Cool – if I’m going to enjoy something cold to drink at Epcot, it’s most likely not going to be a soft drink.  But, if you’re really interested in this news, the Disney Parks Blog had a good write up about it.

 

  • Thor and Captain America – I’m with everyone else – totally stoked about these two upcoming Marvel movies.  Thor:  The Dark World opens in theaters next Friday (November 8th).  So Excited!  We’ll be waiting a little longer for the Cap….April 4, 2014 is when Captain American:  The Winter Soldier is set for release.

 

  • Glow With the Show Ears hit Walt Disney World – okay, this one was really trending a couple of weeks ago, but I didn’t know how big a deal it would be.  You can buy one of those (you know) Disney EAR hats that has a new technology build in it that makes the ears “glow” in time with different nighttime events.  If you can spare the $25 for a pair, they do sound kinda cool – wouldn’t want to try to schlep them around all day just for the evening event – but that’s just me.  If you’ve just got to know more, The Relocated Tourist had a good write up here.

 

  • Talking Mickey – Again, trending for a couple of weeks, but I don’t have small children and won’t be waiting in line for this Disney World Magic Kingdom character meet-and-greet anytime soon.  I saw a video here (posted by ThemeParkTimes) and this is incredibly awesome if you think about it.  Alas….maybe I’ll have grandkids someday (not now!) and they’ll never know that Mickey was absolutely silent (quiet as a mouse, if you will) until 2013 – and that was just fine.

 

  • All Things Halloween – but one totally cool tidbit I saw was that there was a “real” ghost lady outside the Haunted Mansion during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party that would actually interact with guests.  (Thanks @MMandMPodcast)  I want to go to that party and see that ghost lady!!!!