“You’re about to enter another dimension; a dimension not only
of sight and sound but also of mind; a journey into a wondrous land of
imagination.”
“Next stop—The Disney Zone.”
With apologies to Rod Serling, these words could very much welcome those
who enter through the Walt Disney World Resort archway.
So what is the Disney Zone? How does one know he or she is “in the
zone?”
In this session, let’s sit back and talk about this mystique… this
hold that the Disney culture has on those of us who just seem to feel
a bit special when experiencing the Walt Disney World Resort.
Mike’s Theory
I think we all have come across friends, relatives, colleagues, and neighbors
who, for some reason, do not share the passion that others have for all
things Disney and especially for that 42 square-mile area in Central Florida.
What is most surprising is that some of these people have been
to Walt Disney World, but just never “clicked” with it.
I think if we try to truly understand why Walt Disney World works for
some guests, we may find the reasons why it may not work for others.
The Disney Zone seed may have been planted early. It all starts with
an association of the Disney name to childhood memories. I have found
that most, but not all, of those who sense themselves being in the Disney
Zone were children in the ’50s and ’60s.
If you were grew up in the ’50s and ’60s, then you remember huddling
around the television on Sunday night with your family and watching The
Wonderful World of Color, later known as The Wonderful World of
Disney.
It was a time when everything was right with the world. The whole family
would watch Swamp Fox or The Nine Lives of El Fego Baca,
Davy Crockett, or some animated fun with Mickey and friends.
The Association Theory
Those watching such Disney television shows may not have realized it at
the time, but they were becoming conditioned to associate all things Disney
with the comforting feeling of family.
This association spilled over to the Mickey Mouse Club, The
Hardy Boys, Spin and Marty, and of course my favorite Disney
program, Zorro!
Moreso than any other stimulus, when Disney came on, all troubles, cares,
and worries seemed to be put on hold.
Of course the extension of Disney on television were the many films seen
in the theater. You would forget neither the famous nor the not-so-famous
films. I remember the first time I saw Old Yeller, but I also remember
Darby O’Gil and the Wee People.
Do you ever wonder if the phrase “willful suspension of disbelief”
was coined with Disney in mind? I do.
When Disneyland—and for our purposes, Walt Disney World—was
created, the Imagineers were able to parlay that same sense of wonder
and comfort drawn from television and movies into the theme parks. They
were part of the formula in creating the Disney Zone.
A Haven
To this day, I still hear many people returning from a trip to Orlando
describe how Walt Disney World offered them a magical place, a haven,
a sanctuary that allowed them to leave their problems at the gate.
So how do you describe Walt Disney World to someone who has never visited?
How do you explain what kind of an effect it can have on you? Have you
ever made that attempt to make someone understand?
I remember trying to do that with a friend once. He was thinking about
taking his family to Walt Disney World and wanted a sense of what the
resort was like. I stumbled in my attempt to describe the atmosphere,
and then remembered something that might help.
During one visit to the Magic Kingdom, I found myself not only forgetting
what day of the week it was, but also not caring about it. Think about
this: How often do you ever forget what day of the week it is?
We may forget for a second or two, but for 15 minutes? Does that happen
often to you? It doesn’t happen to me, either, except for during that
visit.
I have always considered those 15 minutes to be my initiation into the
Disney Zone.
The Disney Zone is a state of mind in which Disneyland and Walt Disney
World guests no longer care about problems or the time of day. They are
released from the stress of everyday life, and stress is most likely replaced
by a feeling of carefree happiness. Sort of like childhood… hmmm,
there’s that connection with childhood again.
The Song’s The Thing
It is not only the sights that draw us into the Disney Zone; it is also
the sounds. This is well understood by the Imagineers and all parties
who create the Walt Disney World atmosphere.
We can never take lightly the lyrics from any Walt Disney World song.
If you look closely at these lyrics, you will understand the great care
that was taken in putting the words together and for the occasion. The
words are hauntingly true.
I submit to you the ÒShare a Dream Come TrueÓ song that was created for
the 100th-Year Celebration of Walt Disney’s birth:
They say it started very small as most dreams do,
a twinkle in an eye; the thrill of something new.
Then the dream began to grow and come alive,
touching every one of us; lighting up the skies.
We share the magic days. We share enchanted nights.
It’s a never-ending story that together we all write.
It’s been a part of me. It’s been a part of you.
A part of growing up together, sharing a dream come true.
The first time I heard this song, I was amazed at how the lyrics captured
the essence of what the Disney culture has nurtured all these years. It
all comes full circle to many of those who visit a Disney theme park,
and especially the Walt Disney World Resort.
Those words especially hit home for this long-time Walt Disney World
veteran. The last two lines of the second stanza, about it being a part
of me, are particularly appropriate.
Do you see a reoccurring theme here regarding the link between childhood
and Disney?
In the Words of Peter Pan
Remember the famous declaration made by Peter Pan? He said, “I’ll
never grow up!”
It sounds like something Walt would like to say as well. Maybe the thought
crossed his mind that very milestone day when he took his daughters to
an amusement park and thought, “There should be a way for the parents
to enjoy the amusements with their children.”
The Disney theme parks have achieved just that, and more.
Let’s look a little closer at the Walt Disney World Resort. Have you
ever noticed children in a Walt Disney World theme park? They are skipping,
singing, and laughing.
Subconsciously, those of us who return to Orlando are also traveling
back to a special place that transforms us back to a time when we didn’t
have to worry about phones, deadlines, or deliverables.
Personally, one of the greatest joys in life for me is jogging the Magic
Kingdom resorts an hour before dawn. That’s my haven… or is it heaven?
It is so peaceful, and eventually, ever so slightly you begin to sense
the area wakening up and you then realize that this day will bring a smile
to a child, some laughter to a grandparent, and a memory that will last
a lifetime.
Disney Zone Clues
For some guests, there are even more telling signs that they are in the
Disney Zone. Many guests have mentioned certain experiences during their
Walt Disney World vacations in which tears well up in their eyes. Sound
familiar?
When pressed to explain why this happens, these same people shrug their
shoulders and say, “I think I get so happy, I start to cry!”
Let’s call them tears of joy, or tears of elation.
Think of your own experience in Walt Disney World and compare your memories
to the following specific instances where tears have surfaced:
…“Mostly this phenomenon occurs whenever I witness any fireworks
display in The Magic Kingdom. I think the fireworks, combined with the
music, takes me back to my happy childhood days. I get pretty emotional…
the tears just show up.”
…“Whenever I attend the Festival of the Lion King in Disney’s
Animal Kingdom something special happens to me. There’s a point in the
show where the children are taken from the audience and parade around
with the performers. When that happens I think about the joy those children
are experiencing and are happy for them yet sad for others who may never
get to a Disney theme park. I usually need a tissue during that time
of the show… I’m both happy and sad.”
…“Every year we visit Orlando in early December and our favorite
attraction is the Candlelight Processional in Epcot. The songs and atmosphere
remind me of all the happy Christmas memories I had as a child and I
remember all the members of my family who are gone. I can never get
by that performance without tears streaming down my cheeks… but
I love it… nothing else in the world affects me that emotionally
at the CP. I’ll keep going back as long as I can.”
…“I lose it whenever I witness the Kiss Goodnight! Ceremony
in The Magic Kingdom… even when I just watch it on tape. I don’t
exactly know why I lose it… maybe because it completes my day and
reminds me of why I keep going back. It’s almost as if Walt and Mickey
are thanking me for visiting… I should be thanking them.”
Somehow, I sense you nodding your head. I know I did when I first heard
some of these recollections. Some guests understand the Disney Zone enough
to realize how difficult it is to leave it behind. We all have traditional
things we do when visiting Walt Disney World. May I submit this guest’s
ritual?
“My family and I have been visiting Walt Disney World for many
years. Our memories of our time together there are very special to me.
The place is magic and although we love being there, we are filled with
some sadness when leaving. To this day, every visit to Walt Disney World
ends with our final night in the Magic Kingdom. I myself have a ritual
that I seem to have a tough time shaking, and it goes like this: Just
before I walk under the train station, I turn to the castle, allow my
eyes to climb ever so slowly up to the tallest spire, continue to look
up into the sky and under my breath mutter, “Thanks Walt!
“I quickly turn around, walk under the station, on to the monorail…
never looking back. My kids ask me why I do it, and I can only say that
it makes it easier for me to leave and face the real world.”
That Special “Something”
Call it the Disney Zone; call it Disney Magic… call it anything
you want. There is something in Florida that “touches” a lot
of guests in a special way… enough to keep them coming back. This
was an attempt to uncover the reason for this effect. My theory is that
it all stems from our childhood introduction to the world of Disney.
On the flip side, why doesn’t it do the same for everyone? That’s the
big question. Was there a gap in their childhood? A Disney gap? Possibly.
If so, then getting “into the zone” may prove to be quite a
challenge.
For those who have further thoughts on this please drop me a line so
we can share your thoughts with everyone.
My guess is that if you’re reading this then you have experienced…
The Disney Zone.
Next Time
In our next session we’ll look at the world of Hidden Mickeys.
