A World Beyond the World

It is the best of times; it is the worst of times.

And suddenly, 43 square miles in central Florida does not feel quite as big as it used to.

Let me assure you; my passion and interest in Disney entertainment, and more specifically, Walt Disney World, has not diminished in any way. But my perspective on it certainly has changed. The face of the world has changed dramatically over the course of 2008, and in that context, flying elephants, jungle cruises and haunted mansions have, at least to me, begun to evolve somewhat into mindless repetitions, ingested over the course of all too frequent visits to central Florida.

I visited Walt Disney World eight times within a time period beginning in November of 2006 and concluding this past June. In addition, I visited Disneyland this past spring. As reflected here at 2719 Hyperion and by my numerous appearances on the WDW Radio Show podcast, I had become a Disney theme park disciple of the highest order. It was a fun, exciting time. A happy escape from reality.

To the almost near and total exclusion of the rest of the world.

No, I did not neglect my family, nor did I put my professional career at risk. But the social, political, spiritual and community-related aspects of my life had seemingly faded away, replaced by a Disney-centric existence of blog writing, web browsing and more frequent Disney World jaunts and vacations. I had become wrapped up in a cocoon of all things Disney. I had truly lost touch with the events of the world.

Self realization arrived over this past summer when one day I found that I could not contribute anything of value to a discussion that focused on the presidential election campaigns. While I could speak articulately of the merits of Wall-E or my disappointments relating to Toy Story Mania, I knew little to nothing of the candidates vying for the highest office in the land. At the same time, the harsh reality of rising gas and grocery prices seem to undermine my daydreams of monorails and people-movers, of dining plans and food and wine festivals. My perspective of Walt Disney World began to revert back to a time of more moderate activities and the annual or bi-annual vacations that marked the years before the creation of 2719 Hyperion.

I decided to get back in touch with the world around me. I turned off an iPod filled with Disney mp3s and switched on the radio and tuned it to the local NPR affiliate. I reached for the New York Times instead of the new Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. I began to reacquaint myself with a spirituality that I had long ago abandoned. And putting it all together, I cast a ballot in this most recent and no doubt historic election, a decision that was based on sound research and extended thought, rather than knee-jerk ideological preconceptions and regurgitated political-celebrity punditry. A process I could not have completed successfully if I hadn't emerged from that tightly spun Mickey Mouse cocoon.

Years ago on an episode of Saturday Night Live, William Shatner wisely, albeit harshly, told Star Trek fans to "Get a Life!" Shatner was not directing Trekkies to abandon their passions but rather to temper them.

Disney fans so often pride themselves on the motivation behind their passions--"to escape the real world." Ask almost any passionate Disney fan why they love Disney theme parks, and the words "escape from" or something synonymous will likely factor into their response. In context to an annual visit or an occasional vacation, it is sound reasoning. But when it becomes the primary focus of your day-to-day life, to the exclusion of nearly all aspects of your social, political and spiritual well being, it is likely time to send Mickey Mouse and company on their own occasional vacation from your life.

This is certainly not to accuse all Disney fans out there of fostering the same Disney isolationism that I embraced over the past couple years. This is a very personal reflection on my part and in no way implies a critical view toward any of my fellow bloggers, podcasters and Disney enthusiasts. I will leave it to those individuals to conduct their own self examinations, should they so choose.

Being a Disney fan is a fun and often rewarding passion. In the last week, I have immersed myself in Donald Duck cartoons from the most recent Disney Treasures releases. I eagerly anticipate seeing Bolt this upcoming weekend. And over the course of 2009, I will begin to plan what I hope will be an exciting and more deeply anticipated Walt Disney World vacation for 2010.

But in the past week I have also stayed abreast of current affairs. I've taken steps to become more active in my community. I continue to pursue my spiritual re-education. And I've taken a step beyond the "vanity-charity" approach to giving and am currently exploring opportunities for volunteerism that employ more than just the writing of checks for high profile charities.

The world today faces challenges that are countless. It requires social, political and spiritual activism on the part of all the planet's passengers to meet and overcome these challenges. Don't let an overwhelming passion for all things Disney inhibit or diminish your potential contributions to that activism.

The world is much larger than just 43 square miles.

With Malice Toward None; With Charity for All

"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."