Having Walt Disney World in my soul started early, with our first family vacation in the Spring of 1972. Never a year would pass without at least 1 family vacation at WDW for the last 45 years, although after losing both my Mother and Father, the "family vacation" has come down to me alone, walking with Mom and Dad just the same,,,,,
With such love and devotion to Walt Disney World, I became part of it, as a Cast Member in the mid 1980's, and I ran Operations on Main Street USA where I was on the front lines of everything, controlling 3 Parades a day, 5 Castle Shows a day, firework shows, and everything else you can imagine....
It was a time when Epoct was just a few years old, making the Disney Parks total a number of two, and the only Disney Hotels were the Contemporary, Polynesian, and the Golf Resort, (not including Lake Buena Vista area).
It was a time when the Park was filled with "Families", which included Grandma, and Grandpa, and you could visibly see that folks dressed up in their "tourist cloths" for the special thrill of just being there at Walt Disney World, which for some people, was a "once in a life-time" event.
EVERYTHING was special..... It was all new to everyone, and the Park was FILLED with LIVE entertainment, and special shows.
And the Cast Members themselves, were the living MAGIC, which tied everything together, bridging the gap between just seeing everything, and making Guests LIVE the EXPERIENCE.
The WONDERFUL MEMORIES which were created, would last a LIFETIME, and THAT my friends, is the most wonderful "GOOD THING" about Walt Disney World.... The fact that this is the way things once were, and that you can STILL find that Magic today....
The "Bad thing" is, that this very "Magic" which I have so described, must now be "looked for" in order to find it....
So many things in the world have changed, and what Guests appreciate today is different from 30 and 40 years ago....
And yes, Walt Disney World has changed too.... sometimes, straying from the "original" core values, and this is plain to be seen by those who have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that feels.....
AS far as "the Ugly"; for me, that would be that when I walk around Walt Disney World today, I see not only all the wonderful things which ARE, but I also see at the "wonderful things" that ONCE WERE, and are NO LONGER.
This is far reaching, effecting EVERYTHING, from the moment you begin your visit, right up util you leave, and it even effects "those memories" which are created for a lifetime of Magic.
I see it in the faces of both the Guests, and the Cast Members alike.... and for me, I feel the biggest effect is on the Cast Members, for THEY are a part of the DREAM..... they are LIVING the dream daily, and their very way of doing things will be formed by that experience for the rest of their lives, as they carry that "Magic" with them, out into the real world... and spread it as a seed, to effect every corner of the world....
My world was so effected... and I have carried the Magic with me always.... it is a part of WHO I am.
And I have spread that "Magic" in my own way, effecting so many others who live my dreams...
May this be said for each and every one of us.... as the seeds which are planted in our hearts today, will grow, and effect so many others as new seeds are planted tomorrow.
Remember folks, it is far more then a Theme Park.... it is Walt Disney World; where magic does indeed live.