Watching

While I was at lunch with a few of my friends one made the comment that she envied me and that she would love  to be a princess. My friends were shocked when I disagreed, they all assumed that was what I was going down there to do, be a character and play with the kids. One of my best friends, knowing me better just smiled a little knowing that I was about to explain something. I simply said that I was going to Disney to watch the magic not to be the magic. As I am growing older I am beginning to realize that my best work is done not as a leader but as a second in command. Yes, I can lead and most of the time do a pretty good job but I am realizing that I am happier as a second, it just fits better. 

So when I go to Disney that's what I want to do. I want to be able to sit back and watch the magic. Don't get me wrong  I love interacting with the guests but I want to be able to watch the little girls run to Cinderella and see Mickey light up the faces of everyone in a room. That's just where I fit. Since my Brier Patch post I have realized something, as much as I would love that location I would much rather work as the balloon girl on Main Street USA and be able to see the guests faces right as they walk into the park.  So to all the Characters Thank You for doing what you do, I can't wait to watch. 

Why MGM is MGM

My poor friends and family have already heard this rant every time they refer to the home of the Sorcerer Hat as Hollywood Studios but I felt like putting this argument out there for all to read. Walt Disney's Dream for MGM Studios was to make guests feel like they were walking onto a movie set, right into the action behind the scenes. Hence the MGM Studios, a clear description of a movie set come to life. Iger, while certainly better then Eisner for Disney History has changed the name of this theatrical park to Hollywood Studios so that guests would feel like they were walking into the hustle and bustle of all of Hollywood, not just a movie set. Now as somewhat of a Disney purist this justification is even more upsetting then the name change. While I realize Iger's need to change the feel of MGM to be able to add even more emphasis on Shopping and Dining in a park that is already too full of both, I feel like this is much more an excuse to add our new "pop icons" and teen superstars to a park, well what happens when these teen sensations are long gone say in two short years from now, will the temporary merchandising boom and isolation of the majority of guests to "Hollywood Studios" be worth the permanent abandonment of Walt's dream for the park? I say no. So while as a Disney Employee I will be happy to refer our guests to "Hollywood Studios" in a private setting I refuse to change this part of Disney's dream.

Already Adding...

Thanks to all my peers I've got a few more plans.. (in no particular order)

1. Eat a Mickey Pop as a Disney employee
2. Every Attraction-114
             37 in MK
             38 in Epcot
             20 in AK
             19 in MGM (CP members can't do American Idol)
3. Fantasmic in the front row
4. Wishes on Main Street
5. Illuminations up close
6. Visit HP in Universal
7. Pack pictures on every picture ride
8. Picture with every character

9. All three fireworks shows in one night

10. Do every park in one day

11.Dole Whip before Enchanted Tiki

12.Space Mountain with the Lights on

13.Osborne Family Lights

14.Find Push

15.Find One of Tom and Huck's paintbrushes

16.Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach

17.Talk to an Imagineer

18. Night of Joy

19. Be one of the first in the Park

20. Find the ghost bride's ring in the Haunted Mansion

21. See Wishes on my 20th Birthday

To Do:

As I get more excited for DCP I've been thinking about what I want to do while I'm there. So here begins The List, to be changed and added too as neccessary over the coming months.

1. Eat a Mickey Pop as a Disney employee
2. Every Attraction-114
             37 in MK
             38 in Epcot
             20 in AK
             19 in MGM (CP members can't do American Idol)
3. Fantasmic in the front row
4. Wishes on Main Street
5. Illuminations up close
6. Visit HP in Universal
7. Pack pictures on every picture ride
8. Picture with every princess, the fab 5, and Jiminy Cricket
....to be continued as more must do's occur to me