Many people go to Walt Disney World or set sail on the Disney Cruise Line to escape reality. Let’s face it, the real world can be an ugly and scary place.
For me, this is the main reason why I return to the various Disney properties time and time again. I want to escape.
Another benefit of going to the parks time and time again can be because you can apply the Disney principles to your everyday life.
A lot of different corporations implement the Disney management style to their businesses.
But on a smaller scale, what if you could apply the Disney principles to your everyday life?
For myself and my family, we look at the world through the lense of Christianity. Others might look through a Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or other spiritual lense, and that is the great thing about Walt Disney World. Walt Disney was very careful to not exclude any religion in his films or vacation properties.
However, if you are of the spiritual faith there are some books available that can marry the two together.
One book that I really enjoyed is “Faith Trust and Pixie Dust” by Mark I. Pinsky.
Pinsky, who is a religion journalist, according to the book’s Amazon listing, wanted to take a deeper look at one of the biggest influences on children: Disney.
Each chapter looks at a different film and the biggest message it tries to impart on the viewer.
For example, “Dumbo” looks at a mother’s love while “Robin Hood” looks at tax rebates.
This book does not really have a Christian leaning, or any other denominational leaning. It is more a look at morality and the Disney influence.
For anyone looking for a more direct approach to Chrisitianty and the Walt Disney World vacation, check out “A Christian’s Guide to Walt Disney World Resort” by Jeff Chaves.
Unlike “Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust” this book definitely is geared toward the Christian denomination.
This is sort of almost a “Bible study” type of book that takes a look at a Walt Disney World attraction, attaches a Bible verse to it, a little bit of details about the attraction, how it can connect to Christianity and questions for further discussion.
For example, Space Mountain, located in Tomorrowland of the Magic Kingdom, the author uses the verse “God is Involved in Every Detail of Our Lives” — Matthew 10:30-31.
It further tells people to look out for the Earth that is shown at the end of the coaster and how God is involved in everything that goes on on Earth.
There are then four different questions that can help develop a deeper discussion of the connection between the two.
This format continues through the rest of the book.
Two books that go together well that combine one of literature’s most beloved characters, as well as a bear that has been a part of the Walt Disney World family for many years is “The Tao of Pooh” and it’s companion book “The Te of Piglet,” both by Benjamin Hoff.
These two books explore Buddhist principles through the lense of Winnie the Pooh and his fellow Hundred-Acre-Woods neighbors.
I have only read “The Tao of Pooh,” but I really enjoyed it.
The author interacts with the characters and uses many of their stories that are told in their books as an example of Buddhist teachings.
Hoff even talks about the different personalities of the character factor into the principles as well.
I really enjoyed these books because they are an easy way to learn about what is Tao and offer a different perspective on life.
Obviously, these are just a sampling of these types of books that are available out there. There are lots that look at the connection between spirituality and Disney. A simple search will bring up many of them.
Is this something you are interested in, or do you prefer to keep everything at an entertainment level when it comes to Disney? Leave a message in the comments below.
Mousekatots 