Walt Disney Worlds Sorcerers Hat to be torn down Wednesday | Local News – WESH Home

So, while I typically write about Church and Discipleship issues, I noticed this today:

The Sorcerer’s Hat has been at Hollywood Studios since 2001, but Disney officials said they are removing it because they are working to bring new experiences to life at the park.

via Walt Disney Worlds Sorcerers Hat to be torn down Wednesday | Local News – WESH Home.

21 years ago I worked at Disney/MGM Studios (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios). I never liked the Sorcerer’s Hat, because Disney/MGM already had two icons: the Chinese Theater (Great Movie Ride) and the Earful Tower. Adding the Hat to give Disney/MGM an icon, when it already had two, seemed forced.

I, for one, am glad to see it go.

h/t: www.yesterland.com

Yes … There IS a Santa « Ronald Fox’s Blog

Written by a brother of mine . . .

I have family in town this week.  The good kind.  The kind that if you had the room you’d want them and their brood to stay with you.  The kind you don’t get to spend enough time with.  That sort.  Anyway, we went to one of the holiday offerings in Orlando at one of the Theme Parks that has a special ticketed event that serves all the cookies, hot chocolate, apple juice and pre-packaged apple slices one can possibly consume, as well as parades, decor, and offerings unique to the season.  Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.  This is a winter wonderland for kids of all ages.  Unlimited cookies?  What gets better than that.  And the brilliant logic as a parent is to let your child consume as many as possible and then flame out in a brilliant buzz of sugar-induced energy which ultimately results in a good night’s sleep for all.  Sometimes.

via Yes … There IS a Santa « Ronald Fox’s Blog.

Read the whole thing.  It’s worth it.

A Very Merry Christmas

A benefit to parents living in Orlando is regular trips to Disney World.  So, after spending Thanksgiving in Orlando, my wife and I carted our three children off to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom.  With much anticipation our brood nearly came undone as we crossed the Seven-Seas Lagoon on a Ferry bound for fun and frivolity.

My wife had planned this evening for months.  She was as tightly wound as any of the children, and her head overflowed with great expectations of wonderful family memories.  Then an interesting thing occurred.  To a person, we were disappointed.  The event completely failed to live up to our hopes and dreams.  As we left the park, some hours later, we left feeling like we’d been robbed.

What a wonderful illustration to prepare us for Christmas.

Each one of us longs for joy, peace, hope and satisfaction.  We desire to be filled up and completed, so that we long for nothing.  And we try to find those qualities in so many places.  Gifts, food, family, celebration and fond memories are just some ways we seek to satisfy our souls at Christmas.  Yet, in each case we are left wanting.  Every celebration ends, every gift wears out and even memories fade.  We are left still needing something that can satisfy, someone who can delivery joy, peace and hope.

At Christmas we celebrate the only One who can deliver.  In Christ all the promises of God are answered.  In Christ we are satisfied.  As I left Orlando, I made it my prayer that I would seek my satisfaction only in Christ, and that I might find it there.  This advent, may Christ be your satisfaction too.