.
A Phony World
(To the tune of A Whole New World
from Disney’s Aladdin)
.
I can show you a world
Of polypropylene ski slopes
Castles made out of Styrofoam
And Kodak tourist hoards
Imagi-Liberty Park®
Epcot’s Hall of Assassins®
Top crowd-scoring attractions
On this sunburned street of dreams
A phony world!
It’s a fast-assed plastic action park
Families will drop 5 Gs
To come and see
“America the way it’s s’pposed to be” ®
How this franchise expands!
Hey, ain’t that Kofi Annan?
Yes, and he’s signing autographs
Right next to Donald Duck
Lots of history here
And Disney disinformation
Turgid forced conversations
With the smiling robot staff
A phony world!
It’s a fast-assed plastic action park
Families will drop 5 Gs
To come and see
“America the way it’s s’pposed to be” ®
Photo: Verb-Ops 2006
July 7, 2006 at 12:24 pm
SO! I guess I don’t have to ask how YOU felt about your haj to the Mouse.
You, my friend, are a funny, funny man.
I’m glad you’re back. I’ve been jonesing for Verb-ops!
July 7, 2006 at 1:34 pm
To be honest, we had a great time, of course. Disney is Disney—rides, water parks, complete detachment from the outside world. That part was shattered momentarily—and horrifyingly, I must say—when we watched the space shuttle take off. We were standing in a “look in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane” crowd of bathing-suited finger pointers at Blizzard Beach. Beside the usual tension and suspense of a space shuttle taking off or landing, the sight of it was the first glimpse we’d had of anything in the “real world” for about seven days. And the shuttle was the first ride we’d seen in seven days that came with no guarantees. Nor could you “fast pass” it to get on without waiting on line. And the line for that ride has to be more than 90 minutes.
July 7, 2006 at 2:53 pm
We saw the shuttle take off, too, from Bowyer’s living room - I was literally nervous and held husband’s hand as CNN counted down to liftoff. I was grateful when the “all clear” was given and they were “safely” in space. I wonder what kind of effect takes place in times like that, where so much of so many people’s consciousness and energy is directed at a single thing.
Disney does have a way of disconnecting folks from reality - that’s exactly their aim and they do it exceedingly well. I am constantly amazed by the sheer logistical genius of the operation. I mean, we’ve been there a couple of times - and on the outskirts more than that - and have been completely dumfounded at the staggering work of keeping such a place up and running - and as smoothly and remarkably clean and shiny as it is. It all happens nearly seamlessly - the grounds are tended, the paint is always fresh (though I’ve never seen painters), lost luggage - and children - are returned to their rightful places almost before anyone realizes anything’s amiss. It truly is a marvel of modern management, and you’ve got to admire it for at least that.
I’ve often fantasized about being an ASL interpreter for Disney. Of course, that will never happen - Husband would never oblige a move to Orlando (not that I blame him…entirely) and I really do think teaching - not interpreting - is my thing, but every time we go there, I pine for the warm weather and the beautiful plants and wonder what it would be like to leave the snow and potholes behind…
July 7, 2006 at 7:55 pm
eeuugh. glad you had fun babes!
great rewrite
July 7, 2006 at 9:10 pm
Cynical, aren’t you? It is true.