I was returning from visiting my dear (now late) friend Ann in Orlando, Florida. She was a vice president for a major resort company (second only to Disney), and had invited me for several days to relax at their properties and take drives into Georgia and North Carolina as well, where we visited some lovely places and just had a Ladies Getaway. It was wonderful.
She dropped me at the airport in Orlando, and while I was still unnerved by the somewhat overwhelming presence of the National Guard, I felt a little comforted. It was October 2001; the attack on the Twin Towers had occurred less than a month before. I also resigned myself to being pulled out of the line and wanded separately again. It had happened on my flight from Cleveland to Orlando, and I chalked it up to my olive complexion and almost black hair. Sure enough, I was pulled again despite not having set off any alarm. Soon enough, I was on my way.
On the plane my seatmate in the middle was a woman of about forty or so. Nonetheless, she was wearing her Minnie Mouse ears and was clutching a pair of winter white fur Mickey and Minnie plush figures. Her husband had the window seat. Inwardly, I rolled my eyes so far back in my head I could see my spinal column. There is nothing that annoys me more than an adult with a pathetic Disney fixation, and here I was, sitting next to one for the next two and a half hours.
I had brought a book, and I pulled it out. I always bring a book with an off-putting title, and this one was about the Salem witch trials (The Devil in Massachusetts). Unfortunately, this didn't deter her for long. Pretty soon, it started: Was I coming from Orlando? Did I go to Disney World? Why not? Oh, she and her husband celebrated their anniversary there, and she just looooves Disney. And she was soooo happy to get these Special Edition White Mickey And Minnie Dolls! And on and on and on. I smiled and nodded and kept trying to look at my book.
Finally, I said, "I'm sorry, but I'm expected to present at a panel discussion tomorrow. I really need to study this," which was a complete fabrication, but I was desperate. She apologized and left me alone.
As we got near to Cleveland, the pilot spoke over the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, we're going to have to delay our arrival in Cleveland for just a little while. They're not quite ready for us yet." Everyone sighed and grumbled. My seatmate futzed with her fluffy friends and wondered aloud what was going on. Our plane circled and wandered, and I looked out at the night sky, hoping that Rick knew our flight would be late and wouldn't be worried.
It seemed like we were waiting forever. No one knew anything. It was the Age Before Twitter. Before Smartphones. We were virtually disconnected.
My memory is a bit fuzzy on this detail: I cannot remember if we landed and were held at the gate or if we were still in the air at this precise moment, but I finally pulled out my credit card and grabbed the AirPhone from the seat back in front of me. I called Rick and asked him if he knew what in the hell was going on after telling him what our status was.
"Nance," he said, "the US just bombed Afghanistan. And some idiot in the airport ran past security at this concourse. They shut the whole thing down and are making every single person go back through again. No flight is allowed to come in until everyone here has gone through security. They're being very careful because of the US action tonight. I'm sure they're worried about terrorism."
As Rick was talking, I couldn't help but react. "We bombed Afghanistan?!" As soon as I said this, Disney Fan lost it. She clutched her Special Editions and half rose in her seat, facing the rear of the plane. "We just bombed Afghanistan!" she announced dramatically. "Oh My God!"
Please remember, SHE WAS WEARING MOUSE EARS THIS WHOLE TIME.
Obviously, this night--October 7, 2001--was stressful and auspicious. I remember feeling dread, confusion, and anger about the invasion itself. My overall sentiments about this war and its instigator are well-known to longtime readers of this blog.
But what I remember most about the night of the actual bombing is that Plane ride and my incredible annoyance at Disney overall. As a matter of fact, that night put together two of the top things on my Most Annoying Things Ever List: Air Travel and Disney Cult Members. Someday, perhaps, when I'm very, very old and really, really crabby and somewhat demented, I may even conflate Disney and the Afghanistan war and hold all of Disney responsible for it and for making me take my shoes off at the airport.
It's the Circle Of Life.
I've been to Walt Disney World a few times over the years. I enjoyed it for what it is, a pricey distraction from reality. BUT I don't have an endless love affair with it, or Mickey, or Goofy, or any of its merch. I once knew a couple, she a lawyer, he a CPA, who decorated their house with Disney decor. Like framed pictures on the walls, and stuff in the kitchen, and pillows/throws on the sofa. It was incredibly weird, haven't seen them in decades.
ReplyDeleteAlly--I've been to Disney World twice, once as a kid and once more as an adult. It seemed almost quaint and outdated the second time.
DeleteFor some people, it must tap into a deep well of Inner Child or something. I don't know, but I don't get it. It's just bizarre. And, as you mentioned, so pricey.
Dee--I don't understand the fixation, either. And I hate how they've co-opted so many stories and have completely obliterated the originals. And how they've begat Princess Culture among girls and now women.
ReplyDeleteOn September 11, 2001, I was teaching. Each of our classrooms had a television, and once the news began to get out (quickly in a building of over 2500 students, even without smartphones), the day's lesson plan was shot. I had a friend working in D.C., and I couldn't get to a phone fast enough to find out if he was safe after I heard about the Pentagon crash.
My plane ride on October 7, 2001, had a little edge of fear, coming so soon after. Like you, I wondered what the hell was going on in the world and felt insecure. Like you, I still wonder, but I feel more outrage and anger now rather than my original insecurity.
Okay, once I stop laughing and straighten my mouse ears, I can comment profusely.
ReplyDeleteThe second one was an untruth. I have never been to Disney World and would, I am pretty sure, pay to get out if I ever found myself there. But we have all had a chatty lady, with some kind of weird, on a plane. Mine was a woman with her dog in her purse. (Small dog, big purse, obviously. He did not LIKE a carrier, I was told. Without having asked, natch.
Yeah, Afghanistan. The punitive war on the Taliban that did not work. I am hearing about some of it from my Afghan students these days, from their point of view. As children when it happened, as they are all in their late twenties and early thirties. It amazes me that they are such strong, able young people with this kind of past - and the trauma of landing here, regardless of how safe and welcoming 'here' is.
Yeah, good post. Generatingly speaking.
(sorry)
Mary--I think Disney World/Disneyland is more of an American Mecca. As a Canadian, I cannot imagine you pining for a visit there or putting it on your Bucket List (and there's another term that annoys me).
DeleteSomething tells me that people who carry teeny dogs in purses are more apt to talk about their pet to strangers than, say, a person who has a larger, Not So Fussy dog on a leash.
I'd love to hear the perspective you're hearing from your Afghan students. I cannot even imagine it. I know you and your fellow citizens are doing your utmost. Bless you all, truly. As if I could not already be more keen on Canada/Canadians.
Thank you for the kind words re: my writing here. Always appreciated, even when you bait me. LOL
Okay, so this is a Comedic Serious Story that had me LMAOROTF, Disney fixation Adults, I don't get it, but we get a LOT of them at our Antique Mall buying everything Disney related, it's like a Cult of sorts. They even have a Disney Pin Trading Swap once a Month Hosted by our Mall Owners, not a Child among the Attendees, and yes, many wear their Mouse Ears... among other things.
ReplyDeleteBohemian--A Disney Pin Trading Swap?! MONTHLY!?!? I would be struck speechless at such an event, either overcome by laughter or by sheer horror and embarrassment (not mine, but *for them*). I'm even at a loss for words right now, to be honest. Good heavens. I just cannot.
DeleteI agree with Bohemian that there's a big cult factor when it comes to Disney. I'm definitely not their ideal consumer. I went once on college spring break and we took Bo when he was young. I had fun and we all had fun as a family but that was enough. My purchases consisted of a Goofy glass clear mug, which I still use for water 47 years later and a Minnie t-shirt long since gone. Bo had a t-shirt but that's it. Again, we were not their ideal consumers.
ReplyDeleteYou were so clever to come up with that story about presenting on the book. Sorry that it didn't shield you for long. And wow on the ending. I was instantly taken back to those days. To think how it's really all been never ending ever since.
Shirley--I have a niece and nephew who go to Disney World every single spring, and they stay for a week at an in-park resort hotel. They've done all the big-ticket extras, and I wonder what's left for them to do at this point (they are 11 and 8, I think). They're very Disneyfied, yet they also are very sporty and are on travelling teams for basketball and softball, etc. I often think about their future as Disney Adults: will they become Cult Members? I don't know.
DeleteI'm interested in your choice of a Goofy mug since that is the one original Disney character who I never really cared for or understood. Is he a dog? A donkey? If he's a dog, why is he clothed, yet Pluto, who I do like and is also a dog, must go Au Naturel? And Goofy talks, but Pluto just barks. It's all very confusing.
And now I'm thinking about which Disney character I'd choose for a mug if I was to have one. I'm going to have to get back to you, but my first instinct is to go with maybe the Steamboat Willie Mickey Mouse, the original. It was all downhill after that.
As soon as I read your comment, I thought "wait, my mug shows Pluto, not Goofy!" Consider this a momentary brain lapse, more of me misspeaking. (It happens, right?) I've never been a huge fan of Goofy because he's too silly and has an annoying voice. Pluto is a dog whereas Goofy is a humanized dog. It makes sense that I chose Pluto so many years ago. Pluto is like Dozer. He likes to bark!
DeleteWhy both Disney characters? They like dogs? Talking dogs are handy? Apparently, Pluto and Goofy (originally Geef, I think) were created about the same time in the 30s but Geef kept morphing and finally became Goofy. I'm not sure but it seems a lot of folks talk about the differences between the two and wonder what the "why" is.
That's so interesting on your niece and nephew. I guess time will tell.
I have a gluten-free blogger acquaintance who is also a travel agent and covers all things Disney and her family actually lives in Orlando now. She seems normal but she's fairly Disney intense. I'm sure part of is due to Disney (focus on experiencing Disney while being gf and more) being her livelihood.
Shirley--Love the term Disney Intense. That describes my seatmate on the flight to a T.
DeletePluto! Even his name is better. To this day I still lament Pluto being demoted from its planetary status. And Pluto The Dog is always happy and chipper.
Just for the hell of it, I did a quick Google image search of "Pluto", and I'm happy to say that the preponderance of the pictures on the page were NOT the Disney character.
Thank you, Google, for not being a member of the Cult.
In 2015, my flight to Baltimore was diverted to Greensboro, NC because of weather. We stayed in an airport that was pretty much closed, with no dining options for hours before they put us in shuttle vans (like they use to get you from the airport to a hotel) and drove us to Baltimore overnight. It was a nightmare and American Airlines should be ashamed of itself!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found a random noun generator helpful in giving you a topic idea! More of us should be making use of them.
NGS--American Airlines would be seen as heroes by some air travelers these days. They at least got you to your ultimate destination rather than scratch your flight and delay you indefinitely like Southwest did recently. The bar is extremely low for airlines at present, isn't it?
DeleteI do appreciate the random word generator; however, I'll not be using it daily, as you are. I'm far too lazy for that. Your prolific output shames me, but not enough to match you. LOL
The Adult Disney cult baffles me to no end. I worked with a guy not too long ago, he and his partner went to Disney every year and if they didn't, they would take a Disney cruise. Whether or not they wore the mouse ears is anyone's guess.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up on the word generator; didn't even know that was a thing. But I can see how it might kick-start me when it's been a while since I posted.
Gigi--Disney Adults have no problem flying their freak flag in public, either. I'm equally annoyed and fascinated by them. I wish someone would do a study.
DeleteSame here on the random word generator. I can talk/write about pretty much anything, and it's nice to have that helper. I still need a cure for Lazy Writer Syndrome, though.
Some people are just plain weird. Disney fixated adults - nutty. Coach had a girl who worked for him starting as a PT aide in high school. Her family went to Disney every year. They never saw any other part of the US or beyond. To me, that seems criminal. Now both daughters work there, the parents moved there, and the dad works there part time. Goodness.
ReplyDeleteLaughing at your use of your book to avoid Ms. Weirdo.
Ernie--Holy crap, that's one Disneyfied family. I agree that focusing on one fantasy theme park for your travels seems sad. I can't imagine, but they're not alone. The Cult is huge.
DeleteI picked up that book trick from some article I read someplace. It recommended choosing a very off-putting title or a very scholarly one. The Salem Witch Trials never failed me, and since I taught "The Crucible" for American Lit, I liked brushing up on the historical background.
I took off my Minnie Ears so I could type this properly.
ReplyDelete😜
I grew up in Florida and Disney was a fun part of my childhood, but I'd rather skip it as an adult. At least until I have some grandkids to share it with. I know of some adults who are fixated on all things Disney. I don't get it either, but whatevs.
Isn't it amazing to think of the old days when we didn't have ALL the information within minutes of anything happening?
BB Suz--I thank you for your sacrifice. LOL
DeleteI want Disney to be for kids. Kids love the whole Magical Kingdom experience and the rush of seeing characters and riding teacups and all that. I also wish it wasn't a bank account buster for most families, but I dream a dream.
It really is amazing--and I don't use that word often--to think about how hyperconnected we all are now as compared to twenty years ago. It's a relatively short time, really, and those of us on that flight were completely in the dark as to what was happening in the world and to *us*. Those days are gone forever, and I often wonder if it's such a good thing all the time.
I just wrote a comment and somehow it disappeared before I could click on publish. If you don't see it I'll write it again.
ReplyDeleteVagabonde--Sorry this occurred. Sometimes it happens to commenters, perhaps those using a certain browser. I don't know. I appreciate your patience.
DeleteI'll enter it again, sorry if it's a duplicate. That was a fun story (apart from the bombing of Afghanistan.) Living in Georgia for years and going on vacations to Florida several times, we never visited Disney. I think my daughters went with a school group once. There is a Disneyland just outside of Paris, France, originally called Euro-Disney. My cousin lived close to it and when she would pick me up from the train station it was outside the Disney entrance, but I never went inside. I hear it is not too profitable because the culture is not enough European style I guess, and is also very expensive. I did have a Mickey Mouse watch in the 1970s that I liked, but that’s about my only Disney collection.
ReplyDeleteVagabonde--I'm actually glad to hear that the Europeans are not susceptible to the Cult Of Disney. It's probably too crass and brash for them; I find it overwhelming and omnipresent myself. When shopping for an infant or child, it's hard to find anything that's not stamped with one of their characters.
DeleteI wonder, too, if it's not about Europe trying to keep from adulterating their own culture with American culture. One cannot blame them, honestly. Especially in this case. (But who didn't think Mickey Mouse watches were cute? I never had one, but I still think they're fun.)
I've been to Disneyland in California 3 times, and my wish is to never go again. The first time was the best..I was 18, it was spring of my senior year. In California, Disneyland has Grad Night, where they keep the park open overnight. Graduating seniors take it over from closing time until sunrise or something like that. No parents. No crying children. Just me and friends, out for a wholesome good time (meaning, we weren't drinking, none of us were couples, just going on the rides and enjoying the musical performers that were there (I have no idea who it was)). SO FUN. The second time was 4 years later. Amazing to me that it could only be 4 years, now that I think about it. Ted and I went to LA/San Diego for Spring Break, and while in LA, we took his 5 1/2 year niece to Disneyland for the day. We were exhausted from driving all night, but we mostly had a good time. His niece had a tantrum, but not more than you would expect at that age from an over tired child whose chaperones stupidly gave caffeine. Mostly I remember long lines. The last time was 2001, December. We had gotten our blood money from Bush after September 11th, to go stimulate the economy. Ted wanted to rent an RV and drive to the Grand Canyon, but I worried about winter weather and mountains and so on. So we drove to Disneyland. Maya was 5 1/2. She did fine, but again, lots of long lines. We were wiser this time, and didn't give her any caffeine, and left at the busiest time of day to go back to our hotel for a rest. But I really feel like that is enough, I never need to go again. I kind of feel badly about it, though, because back in 2009 I drove to LA with some friends to see another friend in a play, and I mentioned that I had no interest in going to Disneyland. I later found out that the other 3 people would have loved to have gone for the day. It might have been fun to go with adults again, who knows. I felt bad that I thwarted their fun, but they didn't really tell me, so that's that.
ReplyDeleteI also remember the day we bombed Afghanistan. My mom was down visiting from Alaska, and we had plans to go to an Afghani restaurant for dinner. This put us in a moral quandary. Should we go, to show the staff that we are not our government, that we do not support this invasion, and want to support their business? Do we stay home or go somewhere else, so they can be left in peace? My mom was leaving the next day and LOVED Afghani food, so it's not really like we could just go another day. So we went. The place was pretty empty, and our waiter looked like one might expect of someone whose country is being bombed. He was courteous and efficient, but walked around like a ghost. We left a big tip and went home after dinner, not knowing whether we had done the right thing or not. I still don't know. Sadly, that restaurant went out of business within a year. Sigh.
J--You really did have a moral dilemma that day. I think you chose the right course, if my opinion means anything. Being there showed support and not fear or enmity toward Afghan people. It helped support their business. And leaving a generous tip reinforced your intentions. If you stayed away, there would have been no chance to send any such messages at all.
DeleteI can understand you being topped out on Disneyland, especially since none of your visits were as a child. You didn't ever have that Magical Oh sort of introduction to Disney that going as a little kid would have given you. The long, long lines--that and the expense are the Dream Killers right there for me. I don't know how parents do it even once, let alone many times with little kids. No thank you.
I don't usually get into politics on blogs, but know you and your followers are of like mind as me. You may become a fan of Disney when you hear what Florida Governor DeSantis did to them. Because DeSantis passed a "Don't Say Gay" bill prohibiting the mention of homosexuality in the school system, Disney employees protested. Disney's CEO backed his employees and was critical of the bill (but not of the Governor). DeSantis became so incensed he revoked Disney's special taxing district status and found other ways to punish them. CEO had to resign. Rs are pro-business unless it becomes too "woke."
ReplyDeleteEileen--I was interested in this situation and began following it quite some time ago. The latest salvo was just issued earlier this month, saying that the legislature "will take up legislation changing the structure and powers of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, as the 55-year-old Disney government is known." Nothing concrete will happen until June, and there's technically still time for a remedy. But Disney has gone quiet and is in Damage Control Mode. DeSantis is a bully and a thug. They're not used to dealing with someone like that.
DeleteWhen DeSantis runs for President (as I'm sure he will), I hope all this comes out. While crazy Floridians may keep re-electing him, I think he will crash & burn when a national spotlight is shown on his autocratic ways. Now. . .do we like Disney better now (bless their heart).
DeleteEileen--I like that Disney is willing to go to bat for their employees (excuse me, "cast members") and for a significant portion of their customers. And stand for something besides the almighty dollar. As far as crazy DeSantis, here's great article about your point that I just read this morning.
DeleteI read this post a couple of days ago & then forgot to come back & comment. We went to Disney when I was in the 8th grade. We had a nice time (although my mom & I got stuck on the It's a Small World ride & nearly went mad). The thing I remember most is seeing my 8th grade teacher there. Shock! Awe!
ReplyDeleteMy sister-in-law was trying to get home from Indianapolis and after canceled flights, missed connections, and having to travel in basically her pajamas (the only thing left that was clean), the final leg of her journey included a child playing a kazoo in the seat in front of her. I've decided I'm never flying again. Ha!
Bug--I flew around a lot in the 90s--cheap airfare, accommodating friends in nice places to visit--and I don't think I ever had an annoying kid or baby experience. So grateful! My big objection to flying now is the whole damn security process (which to a certain extent I understand). It feels like prison intake. I hate it.
DeleteDisney can be a nice time for kids. It's when it becomes a sort of Mecca for people of all ages that I get that icky, Culty, red flag feeling.
I remember flying back from Florida with my kids years and years ago. 1999. Way, way before any instant-access to news. All the flight attendants were in a tizzy. They had been told that JFK Jr.'s plane was missing. So very vivid in my head. The flight, people talking; getting home and watching the news until their plane was found. I remember crying watching his funeral. That's what your plane story reminded me of. And also, how much I too hate Disney fixations in adults. But I guess if it makes them happy, no harm done. But I do know it's kind of like a MAGA hat: once I see it, I know I'd never be friends w/that person.
ReplyDeleteElle--Oh, gosh. How is that so long ago? I remember that sad news, too. What a coincidence that you were in-flight when you heard it. A tragedy, and one that has a ridiculous coda, now that the weirdo Qanon magas have somehow fixated on the idea that he is not really dead, but that he is alive and is a 45* supporter. Sigh. So much for RIP, right?
DeleteLove your analogy of Disney fixations to a maga hat. So very true. Perfect.