One more blog about Disney and then I move on...

There were three shows that my beloved absolutely "had" to see while we were at Disney. They were "Fantasmic" at MGM Hollywood Studios, "Wishes Nightime Spectacular" at Magic Kingdom, and "IllumiNations" at Epcot. The first one we were able to get to was the "Wishes" at Magic Kingdom. It was only our second day in the parks, but by the time it started it was around 8:30 PM. We had been out and about for 13 hours (we started the day by taking our DD3 to a Princes Breakfast over at Epcot), so my fuze was getting a little short. In the end I was not very... patient, for lack of a better word. Long story short, I missed that one because I tooko the kids back to the room and a quick dip in the pool. The next one we went to was "Fantasmic". That one was crazy to get into. It is way back in the corner near the "Twighlight Zone Tower of Terror", and it was highly recommended to arrive 45 minutes prior to showtime. We arrived 60 minutes, and it was still PACKED! Now, DD3 was terrified through through the entire show and I had a squirming 6 year old - but there was no where to go. I put in her set of ear plugs, and covered up her ears/eyes/whatever to help her through it. From a technical point of view the show was fantastic! I am running out of time for today so I am not going to be able to adequetly describe... live charecters on a stage, spouts of water in time with music, vidoe and laser light shows all using the water as a screen... fireworks, special effects... it was a phenominal show. The storyline for the show I was not as enthusiastic about. It was basically a battle between good (Mickey, and his imagination) and evil (practically every Disney villian you can imagine). In the end it is Mickey's imagination that wins the day and the world is saved (or at least Mickey's dreams). It is a great show. The last one we caught was on the second to last night we were there. My beloved and I had wanted to try out a Japanese resteraunt (tempora... yum!), but when we could not find Lo-Mein on the menu DS2 and DD3 basically boycotted that idea... we ended up spending way too much money at the Chinese sit down resteraunt on the other side of the lake at Epcot's World Showcase. "IllumiNations" started kind of late, but it was a pretty good combination of fireworks and oratory, not to mention some good lightshows. The story line was basically "peace on Earth, and goodwill towards men". Does that sound familiar to you?

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:8-14, KJV)

The show is distinctly devoid of reference to God, or any religion for that matter. But I understand the intention. Although these shows were not exactly the message I would like to see/hear, and they can easily be interpreted from a distinctly humanistic point of view. Mickey winning the day by over coming evil with his own imagination. The world uniting under the prospect of peace and goodwill towards one another. I worry about these messages only because it is devoid of Christ in being the source of these solutions. We can use our imaginations to overcome evil, both in our minds (dreams) and in our surroundings. We can extend goodwill, and peace to the world. But in and of our own efforts, this will not be enough. The sin in the world cannot be overcome just by our good intentions, it must include God. Someday these things will be accomplished, and we - as Christians - need to do our part. I had more, but I am out of time for today... Verse for today: Romans 12:14-21, ESV Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. [8] Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it [9] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.