Sunday, August 16, 2015

SUNDAYS WITH SHARON: Disney Touch of Magic

My favorite
I traveled home to San Francisco with this pin on my chest. I wore it proudly, like a true time traveler, reminded of my six days at Walt Disney World and the magic it inspired in me. I once got to spend some time with a long time friend of Disney, who told us tales of how the original park was built, the obstacles Disney overcame, and the vision and dedication of "getting things right," from the simple to the complicated.

At every turn, the branding that Disney does is consistent. Bus drivers to and from the parks play videos, and even the shuttle going from our Animal Kingdom Lodge and the sister lodge on property pumped in African songs, just like the lobby of the hotel. I have never been to a hunting lodge at Lake Tanganyika, or ridden the train to the Mountains of the Moon west from Kenya into Uganda, or stayed at the Treetops Lodge, but I'll bet some of what Disney created would feel similar. Sitting out by the pool, I got to listen to the piped in music of my favorite African performer, Samite and his lovely voice. The rhythms he plays are universal and would find a home in many genres, including folk and country. If you want a history lesson on some of the hardships he endured growing up in East Africa, you can read more about him here. A voice of inspiration and hope for a world that needs so much of it.

I admit, I have a problem.

I have to admit that, during this trip, I got my family addicted to collecting pins. I'm not proud of the fact that I spent easily a day or two's lodging on getting these pins, then trading them all over the park. It gave us something to do during those long line waits. We scouted out clerks and customer service reps who had whole books of pins we could trade, just two at a time. But if going overboard is a religion, I am a true believer. Those that know me well know that I don't do things half-way. Throwing myself into the pin trading game, including learning to negotiate with my very savvy 6 year old granddaughter (who really didn't need her parent's help to draw her line in the sand) was one of the highlights of the trip.

My second favorite.

My granddaughters got to be made up as princesses. Not sure what I was expecting, but walking into a magical makeup room, set with at least 10 beauty stations, all manned by Fairy Godmothers, making their little charges into princesses, was just simply enchanting. The message was clear: anyone can be a princess. To watch the little girls walk out of that dressing room, transformed into a make-believe character, and expecting a happily ever after was awe-inspiring. The old cynical me, before children, before grandchildren, would have said, "For what purpose? They're living a lie."

Not true. It's fantasy. The stuff of fairy dust and happily ever afters. The things your heart dreams about when you let it follow it's natural course. All things seek love. When you realize this, the world suddenly becomes a different place. We are lucky enough to be able to feel it every day in our lives. Our destiny is to spread it all over the world. It's the only reality we can truly create, after all.


11 comments:

  1. Lovely post Sharon. The magic that is Disney puts a smile on anyone's face. So glad you enjoyed it all. Is it back to the keyboard and more wonderful heroes

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  2. I'm so jealous I want to be made up as a Disney princess
    From your pictures it looked like you had an amazing time
    Family is precious enjoy your time with then
    Hope you have your battery's recharged and ready to give us some new amazing Herod

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    1. Thanks, Karen. Yup, my batters are fully charged! Almost on overload with ideas.

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  3. Unfortunately, living in Canada, I've never had the opportunity to visit Disney.. This has been another great experience that you have enjoyed and been so nice to share with us. Thank you, Sharon! !

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    1. Ahhh, thank you my friend. My pure joy to share them with you. It really makes the trips more fun, knowing I'll be sharing pictures to those who have never been. Thanks for showing up this morning.

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  4. Magical post! What an amazing experience for you. A Princess at Disney being mindful of the true reality for which we are here to create and enjoy. xoxoxox

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    1. So true. Unabashedly looking through rose-colored glasses here...and loving every minute of the images from the past, as well as the future yet to be created. I share the vision with every other princess there, young and old, that Disney built this park for me. Thanks for taking the journey with me, my handsome prince...

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    2. The pleasure was all mine. xoxoxox

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  5. How fun! Sounds like the pin collecting created some happy memories, which doesn't sound like a problem at all. It's when it creates unhappy memories that it's a problem. Thanks for sharing the little joys and pleasures.

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    1. Thank you, Judy! Yes, my wallet could absorb the cost, and it was so worth it. Amazing how competitive my grandkids could be. Wonder where they got this talent?

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