The Magic of Disney

Give me an "A"
Originally uploaded by hyuhan.

What is it about Disney that captivates every child from the time of inception? Disney has created a mystique and allure that draws every little child (and rakes in millions). As soon as you walk through the magic gates, a spell is cast and you are instantly under a trance. You are now in Disney-Land and nothing on the outside world matters. In fact, if you want to go to your car and leave the park, you had better have a good reason because it's quite a trek. As we walked along the glistening Main Street, we saw many of the beloved characters we grew up with and crowds of children (and large adults) swarmed towards them just to catch a glimpse or touch a piece of fabric from their costume or even receive a wave or hello in return. Here there is no Brad Pitt, no Angelina Jolie. Cinderella and Price Charming rule here. My husband and I are not too excited about our daughters' love of everything Disney, especially of their incessant idol-worshipping Princess talk. It just feeds into the whole celebrity game here in the real world and teaches them values we don't believe: that it's what's on the outside that counts, that being a celebrity really matters to the world, and that you need to wear dresses, makeup and pretty shoes to be pretty and attract a man (Abs would wear a dress EVERYDAY if she had a choice). Our younger daughter (20 months) can now say glass slipper, magic wand, princess, Cinderella, Mulan and a host of other words from the Disney dictionary. But how can we teach them not to like these things when they are so prevalent and so natural to them? It's the one thing that Abs loves talking about and she loves seeing. I know it's just a phase that will pass. But I wonder sometimes, are they teaching our children lasting lessons that are negatively shaping their self-esteem/self-worth and their real image of the world?

On another note, we did find all the minority Disney characters at Disney's California Adventure. If you're wondering where all the non-white characters are, they are at the other park on the other side. The highlight of Abby's trip was getting to meet Mulan. I guess if she's going to like a fictional character, it's not so bad that it's one that can kick some major butt with her Samurai sword.