Today as Molly and Scout were riding Expedition Everest and Rock 'n Roller Coaster, I stayed back at the hotel, reading, napping, and watching Lifetime Movie Network. I sat by the pool and napped on the bed. It was a good day.
Sometimes you have to stop in the middle of all the fun to refuel. Especially if you're 50, trying to keep up with 20-somethings.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
One Person Does Not a Corporation Make
Today Molly lost her park ticket/room key/driver's license/photo pass. She had it one minute, then it was gone. Finally, after several hours, several visits to Guest Relations, countless retracing of steps, and many retellings of her tale, the lost items were returned to Guest Relations and to Molly.
There were many Disney Cast Members involved in this ordeal. Most were extremely helpful and very nice. One was condescending and snooty. When I dealt with her, I was very dissatisfied with Disney, but when dealing with the nice cast members, I felt good about Disney because of their attitudes.
Any corporation is made up of people, not person. People have attitudes and feelings and personalities. Just because I encounter an employee who does not meet my standards of performance, I have to make sure I don't write off the entire company based solely on this one person. I just have to find that employee that meets my needs.
The beauty of this is that Ms. Snooty is probably a favorite of some other guest, and probably gets many compliments on her winning personality. I guess that's what makes this life so interesting - if we are patient and look hard enough, there's someone somewhere for everyone.
There were many Disney Cast Members involved in this ordeal. Most were extremely helpful and very nice. One was condescending and snooty. When I dealt with her, I was very dissatisfied with Disney, but when dealing with the nice cast members, I felt good about Disney because of their attitudes.
Any corporation is made up of people, not person. People have attitudes and feelings and personalities. Just because I encounter an employee who does not meet my standards of performance, I have to make sure I don't write off the entire company based solely on this one person. I just have to find that employee that meets my needs.
The beauty of this is that Ms. Snooty is probably a favorite of some other guest, and probably gets many compliments on her winning personality. I guess that's what makes this life so interesting - if we are patient and look hard enough, there's someone somewhere for everyone.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Disney Dreams and Nightmares
While sitting at the resort bus stop waiting for a bus to Downtown Disney, I witnessed a classic family meltdown. The players were the parents, three 'tween children, and one set of grandparents. I'm not sure how the fracas started, but it included the grandparents stalking off, fussing about "all because of one kid"; at least two of the children in tears; the husband standing off to the side in self-imposed blissful ignorance; and the mother who was at her wit's end, but still trying to salvage the evening.
By the time the bus arrived, enough ground had been regained so that the family boarded the bus with the rest of us, I think planning to have dinner somewhere. During the bus ride, the mom looked as if Disney World was the last place she wanted to be, which was sad since she probably had looked forward to this trip for some time.
Disney is one of the best places to watch reality and fantasy hit head-on. The most magical place on earth can become hell on earth for families. And yet, we all start out with the best intentions and unbridled hope. We believe that because it's magical, it will also be perfect. We just sometimes forget that life is anything but perfect.
I hope the family got past whatever transpired at the bus stop. I hope they patched things up and got back to enjoying each other. Most of all, I hope Mom got a break and got what she really wanted - her family together enjoying the company of each other, and having the time of their lives.
By the time the bus arrived, enough ground had been regained so that the family boarded the bus with the rest of us, I think planning to have dinner somewhere. During the bus ride, the mom looked as if Disney World was the last place she wanted to be, which was sad since she probably had looked forward to this trip for some time.
Disney is one of the best places to watch reality and fantasy hit head-on. The most magical place on earth can become hell on earth for families. And yet, we all start out with the best intentions and unbridled hope. We believe that because it's magical, it will also be perfect. We just sometimes forget that life is anything but perfect.
I hope the family got past whatever transpired at the bus stop. I hope they patched things up and got back to enjoying each other. Most of all, I hope Mom got a break and got what she really wanted - her family together enjoying the company of each other, and having the time of their lives.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Hits and Misses
Today was one of those. There were highs and lows, good and bad, and ups and downs. The amazing part is how a high (Wishes fireworks) can completely change the residual attitude of a low (having no money for the toll highway and winding my way through 600 traffic lights back to the resort). The struggle is how to change the direction of a low when there is no high in sight, so that the low doesn't ruin the entire day.
Hmmm. Maybe if I could see Wishes every night?
Hmmm. Maybe if I could see Wishes every night?
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Disney Dedication
Today at Downtown Disney, I saw a man with tattoos all over his small body. The interesting things about this man were that he was an older gentleman (think 60s) and that all the tattoos were Disney related. He probably really had a good story as to his choice of body ink, but I didn't have the courage to ask.
I guess everyone has their way of showing their Disney affections. Mine is to visit often, buy lots of merchandise, and dedicate my guest room to the Mouse. Tattoo Man uses his body. The difference is that Tattoo Man's dedication is obvious every day to everyone he meets. Mine is known to my family and close friends.
The question is, does an outward expression that is obvious to the whole world mean a greater affection than a private one? I don't know, but I will think carefully about this before I head for Miami Ink!
I guess everyone has their way of showing their Disney affections. Mine is to visit often, buy lots of merchandise, and dedicate my guest room to the Mouse. Tattoo Man uses his body. The difference is that Tattoo Man's dedication is obvious every day to everyone he meets. Mine is known to my family and close friends.
The question is, does an outward expression that is obvious to the whole world mean a greater affection than a private one? I don't know, but I will think carefully about this before I head for Miami Ink!
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