Can someone define ';Disney Magic';

On another thread much has been talked about Disney Magic in the context of Orlando WDW versus other parks.

I don%26#39;t really get this concept. I enjoy Universal IOA much more than Disney %26amp; I take it it has no Disney Magic?

I think holiday magic comes from yourself and those with you.

So what constitutes Disney Magic?

Answers on a postcard please!

Can someone define ';Disney Magic';

Jenni, I never got it either. We had a great time at WDW, but then we have a great time wherever we go. I agree with you, the magic comes from being with our kids and doing the family thing. Some folks just really get in to it I guess. These folks also seem to kind of get offended when you just don%26#39;t get the %26#39;magic%26#39;. That other forum (the one I think you are talking about) is serious about their %26#39;magic%26#39; and some folks seem to be on the verge of tears when their family members don%26#39;t understand their %26#39;magic%26#39; feelings.

Can someone define ';Disney Magic';

Jenni-

Personally ive found Disney at Orlando being one of the few must do%26#39;s in your life. Paris is much closer but wouldn%26#39;t be the same.

That said, we%26#39;ve been there and now done it and personally its been more of experiencing very good theme parks in quick succession.

Mickey and gang are not really up to it these days since they seem to belong to the generation gone.

My kids are more into Dora the Explorer and co and if they were part of Disney then they would have enjoyed even more since they could directly relate to the character!

It%26#39;s like believing or not believing in Santa.

If you believe, you have the magic surrounding you. If you don%26#39;t believe, well, you%26#39;re missing the whole thing.

Disney magic depends for adults on their childhood memories. As a little girl i was mesmerised by cinderella, beauty and the beast etc... not everyone has disney imprinted on their memories. My boyfriend had no connection with disney or the %26#39;magic%26#39; but still had an awesome time

I think disney magic does exist for some but its not essential, you need good company to enjoy anything.

Trying to take it apart, here%26#39;s what I get:

Magic Kingdom is the model for the ';Disney Magic'; in my book; other Disney parks go with or against the below principles in different ways

Appealing to idealized notions of royalty and romance

';########'; childhood dreams (flying like Peter Pan and Tinkerbell)

Old time idealized notions of America and the American Dream, and progress (sort of a non-sectarian non-violent postmillenialism) without being so ';futuristic'; and ';cool'; (though Disney is not immune to trying to be ';futuristic'; and ';cool';); yet nostalgic; of course, thinking about old time notions of progress above things is nostalgic (think ';Main Street USA'; and ';Carosel of Progress';)

Emphasis on talking animals and Disney characters and cartoons that aren%26#39;t so ';violent'; or ';dangerous'; (like Looney Toons or ';Itchy and Scratchy';)

To some extent, tending toward a traditional understanding of beauty and childlike simplicity over ugliness (the Old lady in snow white as an exception); even the villans in the non-Disney things tend to be more artistic than the villans in other fantasy movies and animated features (one example: compare the Buzz Lightyear ride to the Men in Black Alien Attack and you%26#39;ll see the difference; one is more colorful and pretty in some ways; the other is cooler, more advanced, and the targets are uglier).

And, of course, a childlike utopianism about different nations and cultures coming together (';Its a Small World'; of course)

And also a more straightfoward way of looking at and talking about things (not the snappy quick at times over kids head and ';wicked humor of ';The Simpsons'; and ';Family Guy'; animated series).

To some extent, ';tenderness'; ';gentleness'; and being nice over against Endeavour105 type behavior (lol!)

Also, the relative ';innocence'; and childlike atmosphere of not serving beer at Magic Kingdom

To some extent, all these things rolled together somehow make up ';Disney Magic';. Yet there are some things which don%26#39;t necessarily go with these things, yet get rolled up in Disney magic (';Pirates of the Caribbean';, for example, appeals to childhood dreams, but is hardly ';########';, though it is somewhat idealistic)

Tomorrowland is futuristic, but in an almost quaint way

This is my somewhat ';clumsy'; attempt to define the Disney Magic.

Of course, Disney as a company and movie studio goes with or against these virtues at any time. It seems that in the Pixar era it has at times completely jettisoned these things, but not as fast as say other studios have; ';The Incredibles'; may be cool, but not as hip as, say ';Madagascar';.

Also, I personally hypothesize that Magic Kingdom is more of a park for adults rather than kids. Its more for adults who want to become a child again in some ways, or want to live vicariously as a child through their children. That%26#39;s why so many people bring young kids who can%26#39;t or may not remember what is going on; its more for the adults than kids. And adults are more capable of feeling the nostalga that Disney brings than kids are, though kids can be taught to be nostalgic too.

And, as referred to above (I meant to say it but forgot to type it, I think), the idea of being a child living in a fairy tale.

Disney Magic: As you enter the park, you wallet like magic comes out of your pocket, opens, and by the time you leave all of your money disappears!

I don%26#39;t think it makes any difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you if your heart is in your dream. No request is too extreme - Fate is kind; She brings the sweet fulfillment of secret longing like a bolt out of the blue.

In summary, Fate steps in and sees you through and when you wish upon a star your dreams come true, and that%26#39;s how I guess I would define it (without straying from the topic).

I%26#39;m actually thinking of marketing this reply as a Disney song if I can tone it down a little. If Phil Collins is reading this, please get in touch, or tell Elton.

It is the look in your little girls eyes as tinkerbell starts her descent from the fairy tale castle.

That is the magic.

Recipe for Disney Magic...

1 cup Goofy

1 cup nostalgia

1/2 cup pixie dust

8 oz winter chill, warmed

3 1/2 (1 lb) bag %26#39;o cash

Grease body with sunblock. Cover head with mouse ears. Mix parks as directed on park hopper. Pour money out of wallet. Mix Dole Whips with funnel cakes and shake on Everest. Add Zantac and mix with Mountain Dew. Spoon over... well lets not go there. Bake 10 hours at 90 degrees. Cool completely in resort%26#39;s pool.