Disneyland.... "where dreams come 'true'"

Disneyland has been a fun family adventure this past week.  We work and play so well together as a family. Everyone stayed close.  No one got lost.  No one got upset.  We all got to voice what we wanted to do and made sure we did it.  There was only two rides Caden could not do, and fortunately his sister did not want to do either of those.  I am so impressed with my kids... they watch out for each other and are there for each other.  It is so sweet to see.  

Disneyland itself was a mixed bag for me.  My critical mind had all sorts of judgments around resource use, the marketing of fantasy as 'dreams come true', corporate entertainment (the mix of entertainment, commercialism and consumption), how expensive everything was (2 ice creams bars for $8!  we bought very little), blah blah.  

While my critical mind would pop up throughout the week, I was able to spend much of my time in more of an observer and explorer mind, which wondered at all the structures they had built, the sophisticated psychology involved in interweaving dreams, fantasy and merchandising, how they treat their employees, their mastery of marketing to attract such a huge audience, and on and on.  I even found myself considering the business aspects of building such a huge venture in their latest theme park and idly calculated the financials (which at a $2 Billion buildout paid back over 30 years at current rates would translate to more than $12 Million in debt servicing each month!)

Fortunately, I was able to let go my mind (for the most part) for the rides and simply enjoy them and especially enjoy watching my kid's excitement.  We sought to do mostly half days at the park so the kids could stay engaged and energized, and I think we may have had enough, for we still have a day on our pass which we may not use -- in which case I plan to send them to a local friend to use with her kids.  

I think the most touching moment for me in my Disney experience was when Nicole asked our bus driver what was the best bus to catch returning to our hotel. He  let his humanness show through all the facade that is the Disney experience and said "I'm not so supposed to tell you this, but you can take the Number 6 back instead of the  Number 14; it will be more direct."  He was connecting with us as people and helping us out, not as customers to be managed.  While seemingly such a small thing, that moment really stood out for me.  

Some of my favorite times here has been hanging out at the hotel pool playing with my kids in the water and meeting and talking with people visiting from all over the country.