Magic Kingdom
Disneyland is a very strange place.
I think that I could write a book of social commentary all about Disneyland. Today, what stood out to me was how many of the rides (i.e. Pirates of the Caribbean, Pinnochio, The Haunted Mansion, the Tower of Terror, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, et al.)contain rather potent lessons of the dangers of pleasure and excess -- two of the main things that Disney resorts deal in.
I just wonder about things like that.
posted by Aaron at 10:51 PM
6 Comments:
i have recently become quite annoyed with statements such as "I love Disneyland" coming from others' lips. i have always (or at least for a long time) felt that fun at Disneyland does not reside in the rides and attractions, but rather in the people you go there with. Disneyland and other theme parks can be quite boring and rather disappointing if the folks you're with are seeking an empty experience. Most of the time people are excited to go there, so it can either be exciting or very stressful when it's not as "fun" as one might expect (waiting in long lines, dealing with crowds, frustrated parents, superficial mobs, and disgruntled Disneyland employees) but can also be filled with great times (quality time spent with friends/loved ones, dealing with employees who have fun with their job and enjoy people, meeting folks with substance who happen to be in touch with the kid inside of them and want to get a little rowdy once in a while). Well anyway, this was not a very eloquent rant, and it seems to be longer than Aro's original post for some reason. But yeah. Paradoxical Disney. The Magic Strangedom.
Magic Strangedom. I like that. You were more eloquent than I was. That's why the post was so short (also, I was tired) -- I figured if I wrote much I would sound lame. I'm not even sure I could have spelled eloquent right on my own. (I just copied you!)
My Disneyland experience was somewhat dissapointing. I think I waited too long to go. I didn't go until I was 20.
Do you think that kids even notice the lessons contained in those rides? I don't think I would've noticed.
I don't think most people notice that sort of thing simply because they're not there to analyize the experience, they're just there to enjoy it.
It's not like Disneland is really set up to encourage you to reflect on what you've seen -- you just go get in line to see something else!
But I think it's likely that something gets held over subconciously, and Disneyland definetly has a DARK side . . . walking around the park you see more skulls and skeletons anywhere in the OC this side of Hot Topic, and there's a pretty big audience cross-over between HT and DL, really. Of course, Disneyland creates culture, while Hot Topic simply reappropriates it.
Hey man, I LIKE Disneyland! I think it's interesting to disect it is all!
I also have a second day left on my two-day parkhopper pass, so I can go again in the next month or so if anyone wants to come!
Hooray! Let me know when you might have time.
What would you say the point of Disneyland that I'm missing are, out of curiosity?
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