Tolerance at the Parks

This tends to come up a couple times every year as various holidays or group days at the parks roll around. Most recently I saw this in relation to Christmas carols being played on Main Street USA as many of them involve Christian religious sentiments. I've seen complaints about Bats Day and Gay Days as well. It seems that tolerance is a skill that many have forgotten.


I find it funny that it is okay to expect people to tolerate you and your beliefs, but no one is required to tolerate or respect the beliefs of others. It's alright for me to expect everyone else to conform to how I feel, but it's not right for others to expect the same of me. How dare they. 


Tolerance, like pretty much everything in life, works both ways. You have no right to expect tolerance of others if you are unwilling to tolerate others. You don't have to agree with others, but you do have to respect their right to believe and live as they do. This applies to life in general, not just events at Disney parks, it was just Disneyland commentary that reminded me of this issue.


There are homosexual people at the parks every single day. The only difference between any given Tuesday and Gay Days is they wear red shirts. That difference isn't forcing you into a lifestyle you don't agree with, so why complain? Playing Christmas music on Main Street doesn't cause you to break any religious vows of your own or change your religious beliefs. If you are that uncomfortable with something, then you should remove yourself from the situation, not require that thousands of others modify their behavior to suit your whims.


That's how it works. Would you think it right for an individual's dislike of something to alter a place you enjoy? No, you'd ask them to either respect the majorities wishes or, if they are so hurt by it, remove themselves. Taking personal responsibility for your own beliefs and feelings can sometimes require the tough decision to leave someplace, even one you otherwise enjoy.


Here's hoping that as the new year approaches, we can all learn a little tolerance and respect and practice it. Disneyland is, after all, the Happiest Place on Earth, for everyone.

The Enemy's Gate is Down

Image Courtesy {link}

It appears that the director of Ender's Game is looking to cast Harrison Ford as Colonel Graff! That would be pretty perfect. A crusty, grumpy, rough old war hero. I can really see this casting. I hope it happens.

Together Again

The last several Muppet movies have kind of missed the point of the Muppets. It's not about happy endings, or winning. To paraphrase Kermit from the latest film, it doesn't matter if the Muppets fail, at least they fail together. It's the ultimate family film. The outcome isn't important, being together is. "Life's a happy song, when there's someone by your side to sing along."


The Muppets had all the things that make a Muppet movie, cheesy, corny jokes, frequent breaking of the 4th wall, celebrity cameos, making fun of themselves, serious moments, it was great. Even more awesome? Watching them recreate the magic of The Muppet Show on the big screen.


The spirit of Jim Henson is still alive. I'd like to think he'd be proud of this movie. Even Waldorf and Statler, secretly, loved it.

A Brave Trailer

It is only on Facebook at the moment, but it is pretty awesome looking. Very excited to see this movie.


http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=722727506479

Beauty and the Beast 3D

Click to view Beast-sized

Disney has released the poster for Beauty and the Beast 3D. I'll be seeing this in theaters. Not because of the 3D, but because it is a ridiculously amazing film. January 13th, mark your calendars!

Disney Tube

Image Courtesy {link}

Disney and YouTube have announced a partnership whereby Disney will create content in the form of short films, initially based on the game Where's My Water, for YouTube. YouTube hosts them and gets the family friendly stamp of approval that comes with working with Disney.


I'm glad this partnership is happening. It's good for both companies and should produce some entertaining content. The game is certainly a lot of fun.

A DCA Wait Board

Image Courtesy {link}

Disney took down the walls around the new Pump House area at DCA on Friday. A local Disney photographer named MintCrocodile took some amazing photos of the area.


It looks amazing. I love the simplicity of it. All the uplights around the tree bases are going to look amazing at night, as will the beautiful Spanish style lanterns. What really excites me though, is the blank space on the building, framed by the architecture, under the "Carthay Circle" sign. Have you ever seen a spot more perfectly designed for a wait board?


I'm pretty sure a fight is going to ensue over this one, if it hasn't already, but I would LOVE for this wait board to be an LED high-def TV. Mounted on the wall inside a custom designed frame it would look gorgeous. It would also allow for the display to be tied into the ride wait time signs around the park. Having it digitally done would allow for them to use fonts and colors and background that all match theme, but also affords them the ability to change the board in anyway, at any time. They can display emergency information, park schedules, announcements, ride closure updates, delays, etc.


Why will there be a fight over this amazing piece of awesomeness? Because it's a digital TV and that breaks theme. Well "phooey on you!" says I. It doesn't break theme any more than cash registers or speakers on Main Street do. Come on guys, this is a theme park, not an accurate recreation. It is an open, operating park, not a museum piece. If you're worried that the LED will glow to brightly and be distracting, don't. They use LED billboards now that have a simply light sensor on them and adjust the brightness to match conditions. At night, it's enough to see clearly without being blinding. Besides, with all the light in that area already, a properly lit board won't be a distraction.


I'm holding out hope for a properly themed modern alternative and all the opportunities it affords them.

Skyfall

Image Courtesy {link}

This isn't strictly Disney news, but it excites me anyway. Bond 23 has been officially titled Skyfall. Daniel Craig really brought these films back from the dead and made them feel far more real than they had before. This film will be an original story, not based on Flemming's novels. Apparently M's past comes back to haunt her and Bond must stop an attack on MI6. November 9, 2012 can't get here soon enough.