He's going too far this time, this long haired iconoclast (whatever that means, sounds like anarchist and antichrist tho' so you know it can't be good) Besmirching the good name of that great American institution Walt Disney. I mean how could you not find anything more wholesome and family oriented then that. The wife and I took the kids down a couple years ago and we had a great time. The kids really liked the animal safari thing; we heard people who had been on a real trip to Africa say it was really better then going, what with not having to put up with the poor hotels and roads over there and all the beggars; the animals looked so real.
Disney, no matter which one you go to, is a great place and I think only a real negative person could get all up in arms about the things this guy goes on about. First he say it's ironic (have you ever noticed how all these cynical types call everything ironic, it makes them sound intelligent or something) that Disney has built a safari ride preaching conservation when the whole complex is in the delicate eco-system of the Florida Everglades, destroying valuable habitat and upsetting the water table. Goodness it's just swamp land, what could live there aside from some alligators and such that no one is going to miss, and Disney has its own water supply and disposal anyway, so I don't see how they're doing anything to the water table, whatever he means by that.
Then he has the nerve to say that the Epcot centre is a symbol of increased American isolationism because, get this, he says "it prepackges culture into bite size pieces of stereotypical servings." I don't know what the hell that is supposed to mean, maybe he's talking about the food. But like I said before it was a good education for the kids, and us to I might add, to see all those people dressed in their natural clothing doing their normal day to day stuff. It shows you just how different everyone in the world really is, but after seeing some of the things other guys were forced to wear (I didn't know all Arab men wore some sort of dress) I'm not about to change in my jeans, no matter how quaint the wife thinks it. (I almost slapped the youngest upside the head for making comments about my legs and those skirts the Scottish guys had on, the kid's got quite the lip on him.)
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Article comments
1 - Aaman
Typical shallow Americanism - if you want to discover a culture, go visit it, rather than a simulation
BTW, who is 'this' iconoclast?
Amazon links please
2 - Eric Olsen
g-man, I too love the Disney aura and the theme parks, but also recognize some of the negative issues. When it works it's magic and a lot safer than he real thing
3 - SFC SKI
I suppose the fact that is cheaper and less time consuming to go to Disney than travel the world has no bearing on the matter.
4 - Doc Holliday
Disney is a business. They are run like a business, with all that implies. That they produce a product that seems to be "wholesome" and is enjoyed by all, is immaterial in relation to their business practices. Read Carl Hiaasen's "Team Rodent - How Disney Devours the World" for a good idea of the business practices of the rodent.
I agree that it is "nice" to go Epcot and see other cultures, however, it is not "real" by any means. Disney shows what sells for Disney, not what is real. It is fantasy and it is surprising anyone would think it was real.
And, yes, it would be a lot better if Disney protected some of the glades they are developing, so people could see the "real" thing - which might not be a palatable as the animatronics - rather than some scripted show.
This reminds me of the toursts who come here to Montana and see buffalo for the first time. Usually, some macho guy figures the buffalo must be slow and stupid, based on their appearance, (apparently, these guys never saw Dances with Wolves), and approaches too close. Then the buffalo reacts like a buffalo - an animal that can weigh up to 2000lbs and go from 0-30 MPH in the blink of an eye - and stomps Mr. Macho. People just don't get it.
People want pre-packaged and "safe" entertainment that doesn't challenge their view of the world. Disney gives it to them, whether it is authentic or not.
5 - Nick Jones
I'm not sure this isn't a satire. But I can tell you what to stay away from at Epcot: The Living Sea, and the energy exhibit with Eric Idle. The first one was really rather boring, and the second one just crappy; it look like gym decorations for a junior high dance. Loved the belly dancer at the Morrocan restaurant, though.
What I really took away from the various theme parks I visited is how many of the rides and attractions were all about getting you into the gift shop as soon as possible. The Haunted Mansion was the best, and my favorite.
6 - DrPat
It -is- satire, Nick, says so right at the top.
All these naysayers and doomwriters sure take the fun out of theme parks, don't they? Remember when visitng Disneyland wasn't a political statement?