Yesterday I saw a commercial for the first time. We see parents and their children going about their daily business: pushing strollers, shopping, spending time around the house, doing homework together. Only the parents are dressed in brightly-colored spandex and wearing capes. In the background, we hear instrumental music that is probably vaguely familiar to most 30-somethings: after a few seconds of listening, and after processing the parents' costumes, I realized it was the theme to the 1980's TV show "The Greatest American Hero."
How nice, I thought. A PSA encouraging parents to be heroes to their kids by interacting with them, paying attention to them, making time for them, becoming a part of their lives. Yeah, right.
No.
I don't remember verbatim what the voiceover said when it started, but it was something like "Be a hero to your kids. Take them to Disneyworld."
And now we see the spandex-clad-and-caped parents standing with their kids at the fireworks show at a surprisingly uncrowded Disneyworld (minus any rowdy drunks - must not have been a weekend.) The voiceover goes on to tell us that a family of four (two parents and two children) can spend something like six days and five nights - or was it five days and six nights? - at Disneyworld for the low, low price of $1500. (I think. I only saw the commercial once.)
Arrrgh. Disney really is the Evil Empire, isn't it?
Actually, Disneyworld is fun for adults and kids - well, kids over 4 years old, at least. Otherwise it's overwhelming and exhausting. And don't go on the weekend - see the link above. Still, if you want to be a hero to your kids, there are probably a lot better ways to do it than to fly them down to wander through an overpriced three-dimensional commercial.
For an entertaining review of Disney, you need to check out my sister's latest post on her blog. She was very brave, taking the family as well as two...count 'em, two...grandmothers.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have time http://yonkogirl.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the link, Anne! I have to read your sister's blog more often. She writes a lot like you do!
ReplyDeleteI must post some comments to her entry - about the Norwegian Smorgasbord at EPCOT (fantastic, and staffed by friendly Norwegian teenagers!), the Rose Garden at the Magic Kingdom (one of the best-kept secrets at the park, and a great place to get away from the crowds), and about avoiding the park on weekends.
By the way, did you notice where the "Greatest American Hero" link in this entry points to?