What You Can Learn From Disney

We enjoyed a fun week at Disney last week, and I learned several things on my trip.

1. On the plane ride down to Orlando, I learned a little more about writing when I read two books by Jeff Goin that he so awesomely gave me to review for free. Thank you, Jeff!

They were easy to read and full of great advice about writing. He makes me want to continue writing. He made me excited about the potential of writing a book. If you are looking for a little writing inspiration, and some great info on why we write and how to get published, check out his e-book, Every Writer’s Dream and Before Your First Book. 

2. Employee Training Matters. The Magic Kingdom was believable because of the friendly staff. They made all of the difference. When we encountered a smiling, friendly cast member, we all walked away thinking that Disney was THE magical place that it claimed to be. It was awesome. Walt Disney was a genius!

And most of our week we were met with smiling faces, people ready to help us however they could, and costumed characters ready to wave hello to our “princesses” (our girl). But when we encountered a grumpy sales person, they were so out of place that we immediately thought, this person is not living up to the Disney standard of excellence in customer service.

Peter and I were talking about this throughout the week and wondered about our church. When people walk in to our church, are the words and actions that they are greeted with a true representation of what Christ looks like? Do we accurately depict the love of Christ to other members of the church? Because if we are not, it is causing harm to the name/image of Christ.

If you are grumpy to another member or callous with your words, it matters. If you are unfriendly to some but friendly to others, it matters. When you are short or impatient, it matters. When you are moody, it matters. You are misrepresenting Christ and the whole church by your independent (read: lawless/sinful/immature) actions. People in turn want nothing to do with the church. (or what they think is the church based on bad behavior)

3. Women, do not wear stretchy pants, unless you are like a size 2 and can get away with it. Stretchy pants are so unattractive when they are all riding up and don’t fit well. We saw more than our fair share of them at Disney and I just had to ask myself “WHY, WHY!?”

Do you not have a full length mirror? Do you not know that that is just SO wrong looking. Sigh. I swear I almost started snapping photos for this blog.

Okay, and ditto for the shirts that don’t meet your pants. Unless you are a very small size, most women cannot pull that off. A bulging belly should NEVER, EVER be exposed.

4. Capitalism is alive and well. Disney is expensive. They have you over a barrel if you do not plan ahead. A bottled water was $2. 50. Thankfully, we planned ahead and gave each child a water bottle and snacks for their back pack. Souveniers were expensive so we bought up some Disney things at the dollar spot at Target before we left. (The little kids are none the wiser.)

5. Wear good shoes. I live in my Nike Celso flip flops in the warm weather and my feet are always all sunshine and butterflies. But my feet were killing after day two at Disney. I had to purchase a pair of Crocs. But my first love is still you, Celsos. No worries.

6. Family time is priceless. Enough said.