Sunday, August 19, 2012
Snow White at Epcot's Germany Pavilion
Diversity! It's a good thing. Epcot's World Showcase celebrates our differences. And scattered throughout the park you'll find princesses! They're also a good thing, aren't they?
The problem with a good thing is that everybody finds out about it, including the corporate suits. Nothing ruins a good thing faster than attempts by big conglomerate marketing to squeeze every dime out of it. It still smarts a little that we lost the classic WDW opening day 'Scary Adventures' attraction to a princess meet-n-greet.
Yet, one can't deny the real impact that the Disney Princesses have on park guests, myself included. The story of Ben and his connection to Snow White is now well known within Disney circles. Thousands more stories exist where the princesses have indeed touched someone's life, if only for a moment.
The Disney Princesses have become cultural icons. Young children are, of course, fully taken in when in the presence of one of these Royals. The cast members who portray them are well trained. What's amazing to observe, however, is the effect they have upon adults too. It's not difficult to find one's self mesmerized into a momentary roll-playing lapse from reality, where the Disney employee standing in front of you is actually THE Snow White. It's strange, yet just another one of the many interesting and surreal responses that the theme parks can evoke.
Seven times a day, Snow White makes an appearance in the World Showcase near the Germany Pavilion...
The "magic" occurs within the vicinity of the Wishing Well, and Snow White enters the area thru the backstage door in the background...
Once a cast member or photographer shows up on the scene, the princess is usually not far behind...
The line forms to the left...
Snow White's admirers come in all sizes. She'll sign your autograph book if you'd like, but getting your photo taken with an icon is the real prize...
Not all Princesses, I mean cast members, are created equal. Some are better at their jobs than others. Yet, when you meet a good one, it's not terribly difficult to find yourself a believer.
The problem with a good thing is that everybody finds out about it, including the corporate suits. Nothing ruins a good thing faster than attempts by big conglomerate marketing to squeeze every dime out of it. It still smarts a little that we lost the classic WDW opening day 'Scary Adventures' attraction to a princess meet-n-greet.
Yet, one can't deny the real impact that the Disney Princesses have on park guests, myself included. The story of Ben and his connection to Snow White is now well known within Disney circles. Thousands more stories exist where the princesses have indeed touched someone's life, if only for a moment.
The Disney Princesses have become cultural icons. Young children are, of course, fully taken in when in the presence of one of these Royals. The cast members who portray them are well trained. What's amazing to observe, however, is the effect they have upon adults too. It's not difficult to find one's self mesmerized into a momentary roll-playing lapse from reality, where the Disney employee standing in front of you is actually THE Snow White. It's strange, yet just another one of the many interesting and surreal responses that the theme parks can evoke.
Seven times a day, Snow White makes an appearance in the World Showcase near the Germany Pavilion...
The "magic" occurs within the vicinity of the Wishing Well, and Snow White enters the area thru the backstage door in the background...
Once a cast member or photographer shows up on the scene, the princess is usually not far behind...
The line forms to the left...
Snow White's admirers come in all sizes. She'll sign your autograph book if you'd like, but getting your photo taken with an icon is the real prize...
Not all Princesses, I mean cast members, are created equal. Some are better at their jobs than others. Yet, when you meet a good one, it's not terribly difficult to find yourself a believer.
No comments:
Post a Comment