Simplicity and Cuteness

Last night I joined a campfire sing-a-long with my co-workers. The host? Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground. We arrived and saw Chip 'n Dale drawing with sidewalk chalk. Afterwards, they played duck, duck, goose with the kids. Too adorable for words! So I've included a video. After the sing-a-long and the hokey pokey, we all roasted marshmallows and watched Disney's Robin Hood. It was a great night!

Kids and Dinosaurs

Dinoland USA is one of seven areas in Disney's Animal Kingdom park. One of my stations there is a Kid's club, a puzzle of dinosaur heads and jawbones that kids can match. This activity is meant to teach children about piecing together dinosaur fossils. What I've learned, however, is that kids know much more about dinosaurs than the average education presenter, and I become the student as they teach me the classifications of the herbivores and carnivores of the cretaceous period.

My question to all of them: "how do you know so much about dinosaurs?" They respond, "I really like dinosaurs," or "I have a book about dinosaurs," or "I watch Dinosaur King." I am inspired. They learn about something, think it's interesting, then learn more, and love it!

Personally, I was never a dinosaur kid. You can't pet dinosaurs. You can't see them at the zoo, and there's no saving them from extinction. Then again, I see pictures like this and I'm reminded that giant reptiles let the imagination take flight.

Susan Hendrickson, the woman who discovered the largest and most complete t-rex fossil of the century, commented, "Somehow, I think we like to be put in our place by awesome things. Dinosaurs do that."

I have to admit, Dinosaurs are awesome things, though it's the kids with incredible knowledge and curiosity that put be in my place.

A Chance Encounter

The other day I was backstage at the Animal Kingdom in my Safari uniform. This is usual. I was taking my morning break when I saw an entourage of character attendants around Goofy and Timon heading toward the park entrance.

This is also not out of the ordinary.

As I walked pass the group, however, Goofy raised his hand to me for a high five and said, "Angela, from Tigard High!!" I stopped in my tracks, Goofy and Timon continued with their group, and my co-worker said, "You went to high school with Goofy?!"

I guess I did.

Getting Started

Today I drew Minnie Mouse. Actually, I really drew Mickey, then added eye-lashes and a bow. Just a few small lines on a piece of paper can create a character full of personality, and a few more lines create a female counterpart.

I've never considered myself an artist. Ever. Then again, I've never taken the time to learn. By following simple instructions, I was able to recreate a lovable cartoon. Next time I make excuses for myself, I'll remember Walt Disney's counsel: "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

A Human Touch

This last week I celebrated with heros. Walt Disney World hosted the Chilean miners and their families for a seven-day expense paid vacation. They came to the Animal Kingdom, and I recognized them right away: the children were wearing hard hats with Mickey ears. On Monday I went to the main street parade in the Magic Kingdom, where the miners were honored and celebrated.

One of the miners commented, “We are not the heroes. Our families and all the people around the world, who prayed, wished us well and helped us through our ordeal - those are our real heroes.”

What impresses me about this story is the human connection. The Walt Disney company (and I see examples of this every day) treats all of their guests as VIPs. In this case, the miners, their families, and the rescuers were all treated like royalty.