Observations of "The Greatest Place on Earth"

Sitting in John Wayne airport waiting for our plane back home...just spent the past three days at Disneyland. Some people claim it's the "greatest place on earth"...my children think so. This was the first time we have been there in 7 years...I will say there is nothing better than watching your kids, when they are in that 3-9 age, experience the wonder, excitement, and joy of being at Disneyland. Their awe and joy transport you back to an age of innocence, simplicity, and less stress.  But them being older was still a blast!!!

Our time there was still pretty awesome. As I took it all in, I made some observations  These observations were often made at bench in the evening, after hoofing 12 miles a day around the parks... some deep and others superficial. Obviously, all are unscientific.  

• I would say around 10% of the guests were masked. If I had to bet, a majority were children (under 18).  There was no social distancing in effect and everyone seemed fine.  It felt like people are ready to move on.  (As I type, a poor mother is having a heck of time getting her toddler to wear a mask to board their flight.  Flight attendant was pretty forceful in her language regarding the mask requirement)

• There is great diversity in our country.  Many races, ethnicities, and nationalities were well represented. Not only represented, but often inter mixed. I say all this to point out that I think we do a much better job in terms of building a diverse culture than many in media and academia would have you believe.  I also think it shows the progress we have made in the past 50 years. Much of the success is due to the work of liberal minded progressives of years ago. It's sad to me that we can see the success and fruits of an approach that attempted to judge people by their character and not their skin color, but are reverting to a society that makes skin color the most important attribute of one's identity.

• Staying with that theme...many gay and lesbian couples. More than I remember.  Not that it is something I look for, but it was noticeable. I think the changing cultural views allow more people to feel comfortable in these types of settings to publicly display their sexual preference.

• I usually attempt to stay away from hyperbolic language, as I feel it usually in service of propaganda and political narratives.  However, I can see how people say there is a obesity epidemic. Again, not something I look for, but it was glaringly obvious that we are fat. I mean really fat.

• Also, people seem to be surprisingly secure with their body. I am not trying to fat shame, but holy smokes, the amount of 250lb women deliberately showing their midriff,  was a sight.  Also men in rompers is not a look I am comfortable with quite yet.

• I am pretty sure the majority of Americans over the age of 18 has a tattoo or will be getting one...or three...or five.

Enough with the superficial...here is the observation that consumed me while enjoying the "greatest place on earth." I could not help but think about how decidedly American Disneyland is and how impressive the extent in which our freedom incentivizes creativity, ingenuity, and risk. Sure the Pyramids, Stone Hinge, the Coliseum, and the Parthenon are all amazing in their own right. But Disneyland is more so. I am not just talking about the rides...which are phenomenal (maybe not Small World). The level of intricate detail on the rides, in the buildings, the landscape. and everything in between is incredible.  Sure there are better rides at different parks, but those parks don't have the whole package, especially the emotional attachment to the world of Disney.

Equally impressive is the organizational efficiency.  The place was packed (I counted 20,000 thousand strollers....), yet they move people along pretty smoothly. Their Disney App allows guests to find rides with short lines and order food while they wait. Most rides have lines less than thirty minutes and we were able to find ride times within the 20 minute mark.

Disneyland is it's own economy. The GDP of Disneyland and the mile radius around the park is probably more than half of the countries in the world. The amount of jobs it creates is staggering. Between those who work there, those who work in the hotels and hospitality, those in transportation, and all other associated industries, keep many homes fed.

This sort of thing doesn't happen in other countries. Certainly not places like China.( And, yes, I know they have a Disney...but the origins of the idea and concept are truly American) Oh sure they can construct buildings, cities, highways, bridges, dams and other infrastructure efficiently. Labor that is forced, required, and plentiful can help you accomplish much. But none of that is for the enjoyment of its citizens...it is all in the service to the state. 

It never happens is socialist countries and authoritarian states. It can't. Places like Disney require the liberty of capitalism. It needs entrepreneurs who are free to risk their financial livelihood in service of a dream. It needs a mechanism to raise the kind of capital to create such a place. It needs an economic system that allows people to pursue their economic self interest and decide to labor in the field of their choosing. It takes an economic system that allows huge segments of the population the disposable income to enjoy their leisure time how they see fit.  It requires a system that rewards the determined dreamers. incentivizes success, and promotes innovation.  Most countries have to worry about "guns or butter" but in the US, we get "guns and butter".

There are things I don't love about Disney. The bowing to China comes to mind (one of the downsides to capitalism...but not a feature...a bug) I don't like much of their wokeness and virtue signaling. But the other great thing about America is that I can choose to  go elsewhere...Universal Studios, or Six Flags, or a National Park.

As I sat on a bench in the evening, I felt blessed.  Blessed to be in a place and time where this is possible...blessed to be in a place where so many people, from so many backgrounds, in all shapes and sizes have the freedom to enjoy themselves...blessed to be able to take my kids...blessed to realize that there is so much more to life than the insanity on Twitter and Social Media.