Cynical Look at Disneyland

Are you a cynic when it comes to Disneyland? Do you love sarcasm? If so, let's take a look at the park Walt built. Do the guns in the Shooting Gallery make you shake a bit and fill your mind with snarky one liners? Will riding the carousel lead you to a strong of profanities or is the ride about galloping off to Heaven? Real life comes into play as well in this new Inner Disneyland. Does death give you the creeps? No worries. Have you visited the real New Orleans and been a bit shaken by the smells? You won't have that problem in Walt's version. Are you less likely to visit the original Magic Kingdom because it feels fake and soulless? Well, if so, this post is just for you! 

Back in 1978, New West magazine published this map with an in-depth and rather snarky accompanying article discussing the psychology used in building and adding to Disneyland. The focus is on creating an environment of assurance and comfort, be it a visit to 999 Happy Haunts of the Haunted Mansion or setting sail with a motley crew for an adventure with the Pirates of the Caribbean. 

Decades later, the map seems surprisingly vintage and retro. But the desire to escape the real world appeals to millions upon millions of Disney fans all over the world. Cynics be damned! The park Walt built and those those that followed remain havens of fantasy and adventure and yes, escape, for guests all of the world. 

There's no dealing with reality here- except for long lines, overpriced food and beverages, and a pricing and experience based structure that reinforces the social structures so evident. Hmm... So, who is the sarcastic cynic now? Yes, yours truly.

(Art copyright New West magazine.)

When Reality is Better Than Imagineering Art: Disneyland Paris' Adventure Isle

Just beyond Peter Pan's Flight at Disneyland Paris is one of the best pieces of Imagineering art come to life: the original Adventure Isle. Not to be confused with the new land at Shanghai Disneyland, this new attraction, a hybrid of the classic Tom Sawyer Island, Swiss Family Robinson Tree House and of course, Neverland itself, is even more stunning than the above rendering. The same could be said for much of the French parc, actually. 

Not having the option for a helicopter to soar over the island and get a photograph, we'll have to do with a couple of awesome photos from DisneyPhotoblogery.com. 

Beautiful day or night, isn't it? It's the perfect playground for kids and adults. In fact, I think we spent over an hour there last trip, and we didn't even go to the very lofty heights of the Tree House. The underground caves, swinging bridge, and the incredible sights all around us consumed our time, but it also let our inner child get lost in the middle of a world just minutes from the big city. This place is Disney at its very best. 

From the always great Disney and More site.

Of course, the view to the left was an Indiana Jones adventure into the Temple du Peril.  The ruins lost in a thick jungle waiting to be discovered in a land that seemed so far away.

Photo by The Enchanted Manor. 

But the view directly to the right? A perfectly in theme setting for my favorite all time attraction Pirates of the Caribbean. It just doesn't get any better! Kudos to the entire team who created Adventure Isle and all of Disneyland Paris. Lovely, magical, almost perfect.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)