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Disney Ain't For Adults

Read (0) / Post Comments | Posted: Saturday, February 28, 2009
Really, it all begins with the end at Disneyland.  What I mean to say is that the extravaganza that Disneyland is comes together with the finale show - a colorful, loud, exciting and completely splendid historical presentation of all things Disney, including everything from Peter Pan, to Belle and the Beast, to evil witches and apples, to hundreds of kids and parents watching in awe.

Yes, it is impressive.  But it wouldn't make sense whatsoever if you hadn't just spent the entire day (as I and my family recently did)...or unless you began the day by lugging around packs and bags of "stuff" for the day trip, misc. tchochkes and your kids (for me, it was my daughter on my shoulders for the better part of six hours).

But the ending is where it (the marketing) begins because it pulls it all together as a way of saying, "Now you get to enjoy what you've been desiring all day" after suffering the trek of lines and toys throughout. (I don't mention lines incidentally as Disney seems built for lines...but that is another topic for another blog).

Why the end, though?  Because no matter how many times you see the new and improved "It's a Small World" attraction (which was significantly upgraded from when I was younger) or go down Splash Mountain (as the teens that came alomg on the trip along must have done fifty times), you don't get the pay off until the end when the spectacle begins in earnest.  It's the awe inspiring moment that makes you forget the trudging, expensive food, tired legs and insistence to buy a little set of mouse ears for $25.

As my family and I walked out of Disney at the end of the day, I remember thinking (other than, "I cannot believe I spent so much money!") that I enjoyed myself and that my daughter got to see something like sixty Disney characters all in one place at one time...and Disney did exactly what they wanted.  They left me remembering the good…the magic…all with one finale show.

Manipulation by marketing at its best.  Of course, that doesn't mean we aren't going right back next year.  After all, even though I recognize the marketing of it all, I'm still a sucker for fireworks and the smile on my daughter's face...no matter what it costs.



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