kevin barnett

Fig 1. A topiatic water tower at the Disney/MGM Studios theme park in Orlando, Florida

My parents have always joked that my brother and I were deprived as children because they never took us to Disney World. When this information was revealed to other friends of theirs who had done the trip with their kids, it was as if they were unfit parents guilty of psychological absuse: “You’ve never been?!”

Note: my parents did take us to plenty of amusement parks but only one theme park — Hanna-Barbera Land. Cue the wah-wah-wahahahhhh bit.

I do remember a time when I was envious of friends who had gone to Disney World (or -Land) but that never lasted. However, my curiosity of the place - what draws people there and why they liked it has remained. Until today when my parents took me, finally, to Disney World.

My family moved to Tampa, FL this year (the same weekend I moved to NYC) and fulfilled their own curiosity when they took my younger brother to Disney World this summer visiting two parks: Animal Kingdom and Epcot. Since they had done the latter two and we felt Magic Kingdom maybe even more exclusively targeted to the kids/Disney superfans - we decided to go to Disney MGM Studios.

With the big studios so protective of their creative properties and IP, I was confused why Disney would leverage MGM for this park. Now having been to the park, I’m even more confused. There isn’t very much influence from the MGM films not to mention the non-Disney attractions such as Star Tours (Star Wars), Indiana Jones stunt show and The Muppets 3-D film.

Of the attractions we were able to see, the stunt car show was the most impressive. I enjoyed The Muppets 3-D film as well. It is much more than a 3-D film because there are environmental elements in the theater which interact with the film. Still, I felt as if the park had already seen it’s prime 10 or 15 years ago.

As I have described to my parents, I enjoyed visiting the park just to experience somewhat of a standard in American culture. But it’s something i don’t need to do again unless I’m taking children of my own. Who knows what will be the family destination when that happens. Personally, I would just assume take my hypothetical family to the real deal ala African safari.

Photos of my Disney/MGM experience are available via Flickr. Solid.

I was just listening to Longwave - Wake Me When It’s Over

I am posting from my parents’ new home in Tampa, Florida - a ridiculously large house at least relative to my ridiculously small apartment in New York.

My father recently upgraded their home theater with a large plasma screen, B&W speakers, a receiver brand I’ve never heard of and a high-end Sony DVD player that does some up-converting magic. The end result is amazing picture and sound which I’ve been demoing since I’ve been here. We’ve already watched Master and Commander, Star Wars (Episode IV) and last year’s Jack Black hosted-episode of Saturday Night Live in HD: “You look like a bunny rabbit…”

I am watching A.I. right now - I just realized that Vinnie Chase has a small cameo as the frat boy speaking role who gives David and Gigilo Joe a ride to Rouge City. Perhaps the ladies will be revisiting this film in the near future…

The more important screening has already taken place - our tradition of watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Interestingly, all of us commented on the fake snow and not-quite-real look to the film (it was shot on the back of the WB lot using the same houses from the Lethal Weapon films) which most likely has something to do with the big HD screen. It still remains a classic for our family who can probably relate a story and/or a family member to too many of the scenes in the film.

Tomorrow will be gifts in the morning followed by a small party with some friends my parents invited from work/church who would otherwise be spending Christmas alone. My only wish is that I could be spending it with more loved ones - and you know who you are - who don’t live anywhere near Florida.

It’s cloudy and rainy - not exactly the classic Christmas weather I’ve grown accustom to but it’s definitely familiar having spent countless Christmases in Texas. The weather is going to clear up in time for my first trip to Disneyworld this week and I’m sure I will be writing all about it.

Until then: peace on Earth, goodwill to men, women, children and all of God’s creatures…

I was just watching A.I.