the levels of story at Disneyland
Recently, I went to Disneyland, and as per my usual, I got to thinking about all the levels of story that are there.
When you enter Disneyland, you go under a bridge where the train crosses overhead. The tunnel always has about five art posters on each side, advertising rides—which, obviously, are often based on stories that were maybe made into movies.
I love those posters.
I always think about the artists who draw them, because it’s such a little thing, but how much work went into designing them?
So, that’s one level of story. Or maybe two: the source material for the poster—I saw a Jungle Cruise one this time, which of course is now a movie—and then the story of the artist who decided what to draw (plus perhaps all the levels of approval, etc.)
Then there’s the level of me remembering all the trips to Disneyland as a kid, a teen, and an adult. So, that’s another layer of story.
The park itself has a story, which has always fascinated me, because say what you will about Walt Disney, he certainly changed the world. This didn’t exist until he sat on a park bench watching his girls and decided to create a place for families.
Then, there’s the level of the story I am creating with my family with whatever trip I’m on. That day’s story of whatever we do and see and enjoy.
Are you counting? I’m thinking of about five levels of story by just crossing under the bridge to get into Main Street.
Then, once we’re inside, Disneyland always gets me with its level of detail. This time, we saw a light saber hidden in the line at the Jungle Cruise and porg nests hidden in the line for the Millennium Falcon ride. Everywhere you look, there’s art and gardening, design and story, history and the present. All happening at once.
My favorite ride, hands down, is the Storybook Cruise, which my husband calls “Adventures in Gardening.” Yes, it’s sitting in a boat going slowly past tiny houses and bonzai trees. I don’t care. I love how each one represents an entire story.
And this is why I like Disneyland.
Yes, it’s expensive and corporate. But I’ve had so many experiences that transcend that. Years ago, I took both my kids to the park by myself—one in a stroller, and one maybe 3 or 4 years old. When I bought the tickets, the ticket person asked me my cell phone number. She wrote it with a sharpie on the back of one of their “I’m Celebrating!” pins and gave it to me to stick on my son. Then she told him, in not-at-all-scary language, something along the lines of, if you don’t see mommy, tell someone with one of these badges that this is her number so they can find her. The worker explained to me in this confidential tone, “this isn’t a Disney thing, it’s a me thing.” But WOW. I was so impressed by a company that empowers its employees to have customer service above and beyond anything anywhere else. She didn’t scare my son; she just gave him a tool and made our trip safer.
This last time, the security guy who searched my purse told me I was his favorite guest of the day (because I had my stuff in clear bags and my glasses case opened for him). Still, it made me taunt my family all day about it. My kid got serenaded by a worker in the Star Wars area because it was her birthday. It just was a good day.
And this is why we come back.
Selfie with Whale