The Dickens you say…
Photo by Howard Gold, courtesy The Great Dickens Chrstmas Fair
2012 sees the 200th anniversary of the birth of author Charles Dickens.
Known for many works, the best loved tale told by Mister Dickens is “A Christmas Carol“. From Wikipedia:
“A Christmas Carol is a novella by English author Charles Dickens, first published by Chapman & Hall on 19 December 1843. The story tells of sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge‘s ideological, ethical, and emotional transformation resulting from supernatural visits from Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. The novella met with instant success and critical acclaim.
The book was written and published in early Victorian era Britain, a period when there was both strong nostalgia for old Christmas traditions and an initiation of new practices such as Christmas trees and greeting cards. Dickens’s sources for the tale appear to be many and varied but are principally the humiliating experiences of his childhood, his sympathy for the poor, and various Christmas stories and fairy tales.”
Friend Jim Hill took a look at many of the tellings of this tale in media that stir memories of Christmases past for many of us. This “Scrooge U” was an amusing look back at some favorites as well as some “undisgested bits” as the man himself might have described them.
San Francisco may seem an odd place to have a strong connection to Dickens tale. Yet since 1970, the Bay Area has been home to a bit of London as brought to life in the pages of this story. Over the years, a number of venues have taken on the spirits of the season. San Francisco’s Cow Palace has been the latest in these, with London visiting on the weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party is a wonderful way to take a break and step back into the pages of Mister Dickens work.
Okay, so these livestock barns may be more than 5000 miles away from London and many years beyond those of the early Victorian era. But to the folks who call them London during the festivities, it is as much home as the holidays can be. Everyone from the many actors to merchants in shops to guests who choose to dress in their period finery all have a wonderful time here. And if you are in for a bit of holiday cheer, then you will find your self in the right place, too.
Don’t take my word for it. Come see for yourself! With two weekends still left to enjoy the Fair, there is plenty of time to discover all of the diversions that await.
And who knows what you will discover along the way? Meet Father Christmas or encounter Ebeneezer Scrooge. All in the pursuit of the good tidings of the season.
Accept no substitutions.
Okay, it has been a while. Today I opened the closet and put on the Cranky Pants.
A few weeks after a recent trip to Anaheim, something began to annoy me. Specifically, the term “Disney Parks”.
I get that there are certain economies that can be called upon. But let us be honest. Disneyland in Anaheim is now and will always stand alone, apart from all other Disney theme parks around the globe. It will never be, just another park.
This is where it all started. Yes, it is the only park that bears the direct imprint of Walt. But that is not where it ends. Having been to Florida once, and having visited each of the theme parks on that property, I can say that I have seen the difference first hand.
Disneyland is more intimate than any of the other parks. Including California Adventure. The way the lands are laid out around the hub and how some buildings enjoy a facade on one side and a different one on another tells how the designers made use of space to create an illusion. Such as Main Street’s Plaza Pavilion and the Tahitian Terrace. Or how two attractions share the same real estate. Mister Toad and Alice in Fantasyland. In Florida, the luxury of space was made use of. In Anaheim, that was not an option.
Sure, I may be picking at small details here. But when all of the little things add up, they manage to become something more. Disneyland needs, no… demands to be something more than all the parks that came after. And that is why something as simple as beverage cups should say “Disneyland”, not “Disney Parks”. Even the simple rain poncho should proudly say “Disneyland”, not “Disney Parks”. And plain unmarked napkins made of recycled? Bad show. The kind of thing found at the local fast food emporium, maybe. But that is not what Disneyland is.
Sure, the Accountanteer’s get off on keeping the numbers down. But as many napkins and beverage cups that Disneyland goes through in a day? You have to be kidding if somewhere you can’t get a break from a manufacturer sufficient to allow Disneyland instead of Disney Parks to be emblazoned on these items. This is the kind of thing Walt would never have approved of.
Let us call this what it is. Cheap.
With Annual Passes at an all time high price, along with everything else at the Parks, is it too much to ask to keep Disneyland as a brand? Does having these items really cut into shareholder value so much that giving it the heave ho makes any sense?
Just like the title says. Accept no substitutions. Quality will out. And guests do notice.
Disneyland always was and always will be an original. Not just another one of the Disney Parks.
No matter how hard some folks want it to be.
Memories made daily.
Walt Disney had some great thoughts behind the concept of Disneyland. One of the best was that it could be a place where families and friends could share in experiences. And it may be that this is the greatest gift we can all take away from the Happiest Place On Earth.
I am blessed in that I have many fine memories from many great visits to the Park. Family, friends and friends to be, all played their part in creating those memorable moments.
Sadly, an increasing number of those people are no longer with us. I use the term “sadly” in that these folks won’t be there to share any new moments. Yet, without them, those treasured memories would not exist. Be it a shared moment of Disney magic or just the pleasure of their company, all are a part of something special. Special in a way that Walt wanted it to be for “all who visit this happy place.”
So, to honor them, think back on your own special times at a Disney park. Remember the people who made magical times for you and yours. Smile and thank them for being there to share.
At this time of the year, it is a fine gift.
Lest we forget.
I have only been to Hawaii once. A visit to Oahu for five days in 2003.
Yet, I could not have felt that visit complete without a stop at the Pearl Harbor Memorial.
Here, within several hundred yards of each other are the ships that represent the beginning and the ending of our nation’s involvement in World War II. The USS Arizona and the USS Missouri. The Arizona, with 1,102 still entombed aboard, giving rise more than 70 years later to oil from her bunkers. As if to shed a tear for all aboard who lay at rest. The Missouri, upon whose deck the Japanese formally surrendered, ending the loss of life on all sides. Both battleships now rendered obsolete among the fighting navies of the world. Poignant and moving indeed.
The view above was taken during that brief visit. The remains of one of the turrets of the Arizona.
Debate if you like the question of our national involvement in what was to be a global conflict. But you cannot do so without acknowledgement to both the men and women who fought and died to protect our many freedoms – such as that right to debate such questions. For if they had not answered the call, we would not enjoy what we do.
So, today, 71 years later, remember those men and women. All who have and who continue to serve our country. In war and in peace.
Lest we forget.
I think that I shall never see…
With apologies to Joyce Kilmer, today offers a quick look at some of the trees encountered about the Disneyland Resort last weekend. See? It was not raining all the time!
I always enjoy a stop at the Grand Californian Hotel. A visit to the Story Tellers Cafe and you see this tree outside on the lawn in front. Something more seasonal? Okay, how about this?
Yes, that’s more like it. You can even find Santa here in the lobby at various times throughout the day.
And California Adventure does not disappoint either! This one features some great theming with the train and vintage ornaments to match.
Could have sworn the Red Car was by here only a few minutes ago.
Meanwhile, over at the Disneyland Hotel…
Yes, it is Southern California and that is a palm tree. And yes, thank you, there are plenty of seasonal trees about the hotel, too.
Disneyland still has it’s magnificent tree at the aptly name Christmas tree point. Wasn’t it a pumpkin only a few weeks ago?
And speaking of trees. why not a mobile tree? I mean one that moves under it’s own power. Like this!
It is after all the Christmas Fantasy parade.
And finishing off today, what would a seasonal to Disneyland visit be without a living tree? From the rain shortened Candlelight Processional, Saturday night:
Great as ever.
So with that, I think it is past time to make like a tree and …