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I returned last night from a long weekend at WDW, which is my usual wont
this time of year. I was struck on arriving Friday night, and all
throughout the weekend, that the Christmas theming was notably more subdued,
or even absent, compared to years past.
Specifically:
Main Street USA was the only decorated area of the Magic Kingdom
at EPCOT, the only decorated area in Future World was the main gate
"exterior" areas of Downtown Disney lacked decoration
Disney MGM Studios seemed to be decked out as normal, and I've never been to
Animal Kingdom at holiday time, so I have no comparison.
Am I the only one to notice this? Is there some stated reason for this?
Maybe not to detract from the lingering Millenium banners and such? Is it
just the latest sign of creeping cheapness? If so, this portends ill for
the future...
I live in Florida, and I go to the parks regularly, so it's not all that
tragic. However, I make a particular point of going this time of year, come
hell or high water (I had to fight my boss for a stinking day off), because
I really enjoy the way the old place gets dressed up. I had made peace with
the "disappearance" of the live nativity at Downtown Disney (nee Lake Buena
Vista Village), the missing brass band in Tomorrowland, that the Christmas
parade was now a $31 "option", and so on, but even a craven apologist such
as yrs. trly. has his limits. What's on tap for next year? A $25 separate
ticket to see the Osborne lights? $45 goggles to make the
invisible-to-the-naked-eye Main Street Christmas tree visible? Annual
passes not valid for admission between Thanksgiving Day and New Year's Day? |
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-I didn't particularly notice that there were fewer decorations than last
year. I did notice how well the decorations were matched to the theme of
wherever they happened to be placed. The one that really caught my eye
was the Christmas tree lot in that little nook off Main Street. Fresh
cut trees smelling of pine, big old-fashioned Christmas lights, a little
red sleigh for photo ops--I really loved it. -i know I am most likely going to get blasted for this one but...
In the Christmas parade the christmas trees that bob from side to side have
some interesting decorations on them. The amazing thing i noticed on them was
the fact that there are several stars made of twigs on the trees. Most likely
not intentional, but they are reproductions of a pagan symbol used to represent
the elements. |
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