Howdy Pards,
So...does Disney's obvious monstrous corporate greed destroy the magic of Christmas?
Twas a feller named Alfred as I recall who, in Miracle on 34th Street, said "Make a buck...make a buck...who cares what Christmas stands for? Yeah, there are a lotta bad isms in this Ol' world but one of the woist is commercialism."
Now, given that opening, it might be somewhat surprising to hear my answer to this question. My answer would be no...no Disney's corporate greed DOES NOT destroy the magic of Christmas. Of course not...
Mostly I answer that way, because Christmas is a thing we carry in our hearts...a very special time of year. Deeply meaningful to most of us...a time of family...a time of giving...a time of wonder and enchantment...and, for many of us it is a celebration of a birth that took place a couple thousand years ago. The birth of Someone who has had an amazing, wonderful, and powerful impact on our lives and our world...someone who taught that we should love one another...do unto others as we would have them do unto us...and things like that.
Now...let's face it, in the celebration of the Holiday...no one is better than Disney. Their decorations, parades, special events, DVD's, and stories have quite literally lit up the Holiday over the years. There is no more special, enchanting, delightful place to visit than Disneyland, Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, or Disney's Hollywood Studios at Christmastime.
The special shows, the march of the toy soldiers, the arrival of Santa himself, the giant Christmas Trees...yes it just warms the heart to think of all these things.
There is a thread that is celebrating the beauty of the many Disney Christmas treats you'll find in the parks this time of year. And, that, to my way of thinking is a wonderful idea.
But, there appears to be something darker at work here...something that gets back to Alfred's concerns about commercialism I suppose. I wonder what Walt Disney would have thought about charging $10 for a candied apple? Or $5 for one, small Mickey Mouse Christmas Cookie or cupcake?
Why would Disney charge these prices for Holiday treats? There can be only one answer...corporate greed. Some rich folks are buyin' at these prices...so Disney feels no need to keep the prices low. The idea isn't celebrating some holiday afterall...the idea is to make a buck. Lots of bucks in fact. Christmas Spirit has absolutely nothing to do with it...
So...I picture little Johnny with his nose up against the glass...really wishin' he could have a Mickey Mouse Christmas Cookie or cupcake at Disneyland...and I picture little Johnny's dad or mom...who struggled to save enough for admission to the park...and whose wallet in these times has grown kinda thin... But, whose love for Johnny is as strong as any love on earth...
And, what's to become of Tiny Tim? "What does it matter to you, Ebenezer?"
The magic of Christmas time is truly a wonder to behold at Disney. Disney has enriched all our lives over the years with the joy and enchantment of Christmas. So...is it right...for those of us who are no longer rich enough...to complain about a $5 cupcake, or a $10 candied apple?
Should the treats of the season only be for the very rich?
I suspect you might have an opinion on the matter. And, on this particular thread, you are free to express it...to share your thoughts openly and honestly...unless of course they disagree with mine...only kidding... So, what exactly do YOU think about all this? And, uh, by the way... Merry Christmas! In keeping with the spirit of the season...
Adios for now. Talk to ya on down the trail.
Wild Ol' Dan
So...does Disney's obvious monstrous corporate greed destroy the magic of Christmas?
Twas a feller named Alfred as I recall who, in Miracle on 34th Street, said "Make a buck...make a buck...who cares what Christmas stands for? Yeah, there are a lotta bad isms in this Ol' world but one of the woist is commercialism."
Now, given that opening, it might be somewhat surprising to hear my answer to this question. My answer would be no...no Disney's corporate greed DOES NOT destroy the magic of Christmas. Of course not...
Mostly I answer that way, because Christmas is a thing we carry in our hearts...a very special time of year. Deeply meaningful to most of us...a time of family...a time of giving...a time of wonder and enchantment...and, for many of us it is a celebration of a birth that took place a couple thousand years ago. The birth of Someone who has had an amazing, wonderful, and powerful impact on our lives and our world...someone who taught that we should love one another...do unto others as we would have them do unto us...and things like that.
Now...let's face it, in the celebration of the Holiday...no one is better than Disney. Their decorations, parades, special events, DVD's, and stories have quite literally lit up the Holiday over the years. There is no more special, enchanting, delightful place to visit than Disneyland, Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, or Disney's Hollywood Studios at Christmastime.
The special shows, the march of the toy soldiers, the arrival of Santa himself, the giant Christmas Trees...yes it just warms the heart to think of all these things.
There is a thread that is celebrating the beauty of the many Disney Christmas treats you'll find in the parks this time of year. And, that, to my way of thinking is a wonderful idea.
But, there appears to be something darker at work here...something that gets back to Alfred's concerns about commercialism I suppose. I wonder what Walt Disney would have thought about charging $10 for a candied apple? Or $5 for one, small Mickey Mouse Christmas Cookie or cupcake?
Why would Disney charge these prices for Holiday treats? There can be only one answer...corporate greed. Some rich folks are buyin' at these prices...so Disney feels no need to keep the prices low. The idea isn't celebrating some holiday afterall...the idea is to make a buck. Lots of bucks in fact. Christmas Spirit has absolutely nothing to do with it...
So...I picture little Johnny with his nose up against the glass...really wishin' he could have a Mickey Mouse Christmas Cookie or cupcake at Disneyland...and I picture little Johnny's dad or mom...who struggled to save enough for admission to the park...and whose wallet in these times has grown kinda thin... But, whose love for Johnny is as strong as any love on earth...
And, what's to become of Tiny Tim? "What does it matter to you, Ebenezer?"
The magic of Christmas time is truly a wonder to behold at Disney. Disney has enriched all our lives over the years with the joy and enchantment of Christmas. So...is it right...for those of us who are no longer rich enough...to complain about a $5 cupcake, or a $10 candied apple?
Should the treats of the season only be for the very rich?
I suspect you might have an opinion on the matter. And, on this particular thread, you are free to express it...to share your thoughts openly and honestly...unless of course they disagree with mine...only kidding... So, what exactly do YOU think about all this? And, uh, by the way... Merry Christmas! In keeping with the spirit of the season...
Adios for now. Talk to ya on down the trail.
Wild Ol' Dan
Comment