Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for discussion of the January 24th Kenversations column <a href="News-ID111090.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/News-ID111090.asp</a>
Originally Posted By fastpassmountain Great topic Ken. I can relate to your Splash fixation. Before the ride opened, I used to have regular dreams about it. When the day finally came, the ride lived up to my expectations so much that I resolved to ride it at least 35 times the following year for 1990's anniversary. I beat that number by about 10, which wasn't too bad for a 12 year old who lived over an hour away from the park. Good times.
Originally Posted By cmpaley Great article, except for one little correction...James T. Kirk's middle name isn't Timothy, it's Tiberius (reference ST VI: The Undiscovered Country). I was a Star Trek fan long, long before I got into Disney. ;-)
Originally Posted By SFH Wow... sure didn't take you long to fall for that bait. I learned that little trick in alt.disney.disneyland. Otherwise, I wouldn't know Kirk's middle name. In other words, I knew the correct middle name. I was just wating to see how long it would take someone to point out my "mistake" in trivia in a column about obsessive fandom. Thanks for reading and thanks for playing. You won ;-) Ken "SFH" Pellman <a href="http://I.Pellman.com" target="_blank">http://I.Pellman.com</a>
Originally Posted By Pam Uh oh, you've caught me, another obsessive Disney fan here...and, I'm darn proud of it! ;o) We may grow older, but we'll NEVER grow up! That's my motto! Thanks Ken, humorous, yet heart-warming article. As for Splash Mountain, one of my favoritist rides, Disney needs to re-release, "Song of the South," so we can again appreciate the antics of Brer Rabbit, learn from the past, and seek our own Laughing Place in this world of uncertainty.
Originally Posted By Roger Rabbit My name is Roger and I am obsessed with Disney. Thanks for that great and humorous column. I enjoyed it! Roger.
Originally Posted By Bob Barber A fellow Splashtronaut! Another good column, sir. Yes, those were the days seeing Splash go up. You knew I had to respond when you mentioned that! A good think for a few high school kids to be obsessed with, no? If nothing more, it was a ton of fun, and I'll never forget that first ride. There's two questions I ask in addition to yours when deciding if someone is obsessed with something. Is this person acting in such a way that is verbaly abusive, or just plain rude to the cast member (pin trading horror stories come to mind), and is a person's "enjoyment" of the park preventing the average guest from having the best day possible? The first is pretty easy to spot, but the second can be a thin, fine line for sure. As you mentioned, as long as other priorities aren't neglected, the theme park industry certainly provides a hobby that is arguably second to none! -Bob
Originally Posted By tnrkbll13 I remember the day Walt Disney died. I was in the 6th grade, and my teacher Mr. Goldman came into the room and announced the news. Up to that point, I was mildly interested in Disney. Then my world caved in. What would happen to Disneyland? And Sunday nights? THAT was the beginning of my obsession. I am 46 now, and just as obsessed as ever. My home is a Disney Store on Steroids. I haven't been to the park in MONTHS because of recent surgery, but I am getting pretty darn close to being in "Disneyland Condition". I'll see you there Ken! And all you other Disnoids, too (it's nice to know I am not alone)!
Originally Posted By Phantom Is there a twelve-step program for obsessed Disney fans? Or do you just accept it an enjoy your life as a Disneyholic? Phantom
Originally Posted By DLRdiana "Hi, my name is Diana....and I am a Disneyholic." LOL...great column Ken...hehe... ♥ diana
Originally Posted By Horace Horsecollar Actually, I think Ken left one symptom out: You carefully, religiously read all those interminable trip reports posted on Mouse Planet. I kid another fine Disney site, but those reports do tend to make my eyes glaze over, especially the descriptions of how people get to their local airports ("Hey, this could be handy if I ever find myself flying out of Topeka.") But I'm sure they contain plenty of useful information, too.
Originally Posted By Phantom Trip reports can be tedious. Are there any obsessed Trip Report fans? Phantom
Originally Posted By tnrkbll13 Yes, here is the Disney 12-Step Program: 1. Go on Splash Mountain 2. Go on Indiana Jones 3. Go on Space Mountain 4. Go on Big Thunder Mountain 5. Go on the Matterhorn 6. Go on Star Tours Repeat steps 1-6. There, you have twelve steps. Be sure to alternate your steps with a popcorn and/or a frozen banana and interspersed with other park attractions. That ought to do it.
Originally Posted By CousinOrville Just because I have costumed sweepers and turnstiles in my house doesn't mean I'm obsessed, just obsessive compulsive. PS- Who's been posting my burned out lightbulbs and peeling paint on their site? Cousin Orville
Originally Posted By Ghost_of_Walt_Disney Wow, one certainly has to be amazed how so many of you entirely missed the point of Ken’s column. Too much of ANYTHING can be bad…including Disney. It’s certainly nothing to brag about. While we can laugh at Bill Shatner’s remarks on SNL, I must admit he had a very valid argument as Ken pointed out. I never intended my theme park to be something you would visit daily, scrutinize and nitpick to death. What I was out to produce was a place that parents and children of all ages could *occasionally* share and enjoy together. Please see it as what it is. Most of all, please don’t try to be me. While I am flattered that so many of you have taken it upon yourselves to try and get inside my head and figure me out, at the same time I have failed in my ultimate goal if all you can do is find fault with every little detail of my company’s offerings. If that be the case, I respectfully ask that you take your enthusiasm to my friend Jack Warner over at his studio or Walter Knott at his park. I would much rather you enjoy yourself in a different atmosphere than to continue to pick my dream apart until you can find nothing but fault. I designed my entertainment offerings for YOU. My life was very troubled and full of turmoil as I struggled to work out the details in everything I did and I hired a very capable staff to fulfill my vision. I built a very solid foundation in my company and developed an environment to ensure my dream would be carried on long after I’m gone. Let THEM do the work and YOU do the enjoying. Many of you are reading this and thinking “Wow…I can’t believe someone would post a message as Walt Disney’s ghost. That’s nothing but pure blasphemy and disrespect”. That proves my point entirely. Walt Disney is not a man to be worshiped at a cult level nor should your life revolve completely around WDC. To do so is not only unhealthy, but dangerous as well. Even Tinkerbell knows the hazards of too much pixie dust.
Originally Posted By tnrkbll13 Gee whiz, Walt, lighten up! I'm not finding ANY fault with the dream, I'm finding peace and happiness and magic. I'm not picking anything apart. I just happen to love the way these things Walt has wrought makes me feel...The Magic that is Disney is like the backdrop to my life, and my life is playing in front with much joy and love. I work and I clean and I watch the news, I volunteer with Lions Club International and I like to spend time with my family. But pixie dust IS everywhere for me, I'm happy, and that rubs off on every other lifeform I come in contact with. I do not see you as a God. I see you as visionary and entertainer, someone who has made a positive impact on my life and the lives of others. I do not detect anything unhealthy or dangerous in my beloved obsession. And in THIS pixie's opinion, you can never have "too much pixie dust"!
