All Aboard Abe’s Express
My wife’s a Disney freak. If you’re one, you’ll understand. If you’re not, I’ll enlighten you. Becky’s planning a house party for no other reason than she wants to showcase all the Disney-themed items she’s acquired over the years, and recently. She’s had no trouble drafting our son, Eddie, an Amazon freak, to order all sorts of things that will complement her collection. Prime boxes show up on the stoop almost daily, nearly all for the party. With all the precious material arriving, China Inc. will be in business for a long time. Thank you, Eddie.
In 2022, we took a family trip to Walt Disney World. Grandson Bedros was not yet born, or I would have included him in the accompanying watercolor painting. Needless to say, we had a great time. Who wouldn’t? The magic sauce was Eddie’s mother-daughter friends, let’s call them Minnie and Minnie 2. Both are employed at the Park, and both waved Mickey’s wand to guide us efficiently through the endless lines and get us outstanding discounts on essentially everything. They live in a condo, and I wonder how they can pay all their bills at month’s end, given all they spend at the Park. Minnie 2 is so well versed with goings-on at the Park that she could write a traveler’s guide. I suggested as much. We thoroughly enjoyed their company while with them. My advice if going to a Disney operation: comb your friends database to see if someone has a connection. It could be well worth your effort.
Several years ago, I exhibited my Dad’s metal art at a nearby Catholic college. Special was the fact that students in the Public History class I audited curated the display. While working out the schedule, I learned that their instructor was also a Disney freak. She wasn’t going to be available at a particular time because she was to take a Disney cruise, meaning half the vacation-eers aboard ship would be the kids of the adults. What a holiday! Come to find out, the woman takes only getaways somehow linked to Disney enterprises. Becky’s not that committed.
To show Becky and Eddie my own party commitment, I’ve undertaken what I do naturally. I’ve just read my fourth of four books on the subject of Becky’s passion. I started with Disney A to Z – The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. I scanned some pages and read others. Then, I moved onto They Drew as They Pleased – The Hidden Art of Disney’s Golden Age: The 1930s. These were the folks who spent most or all of their careers working for Disney and, as recognition, were inducted as cherished members of Disney Legends. Next was Walt Disney, An American Original, and I finished with Walt Disney – The Triumph of the American Imagination. Now, I can speak with the party guests intelligently about all things Disney, you know.
To be honest, I’m not a freak about Disney, or anything else for that matter. (I consider Dad and his art my muse.) Some may call me just a plain freak, but we’ll leave it at that. I do have two Mickey watches from the 1970s, one with gold finish and the other silver. People I’ve met have offered to buy them, which I don’t understand because I thought only the really old ones had true monetary value. Besides, Mom purchased them new for me. She had her own, as well. On our ‘22 trip, at the Park, I purchased a watchband for one of my watches. (Remember, the Minnie’s got discounts.) Not until this year did I get around to putting it on. Not to knock Disney products, but let me simply say that I had to jury-rig a repair only a month later. At least, it looks good.
So, what’s up with all this Disney freakiness? Perhaps after the party, I’ll understand better and let you know. Maybe not.
