Tampabay.com

OCTOBER 26, 2011

You can't park in Goofy anymore

ursula.jpgI can't quite put my finger on why, but I was really bummed to read this story that the phrase "I'm parked way out in Goofy" is headed for the same extinction as "E-ticket rides" at Walt Disney World. No more Seven Dwarfs parking spots. No lots named for the classic Disney characters of Goofy, Minnie, Mickie, Donald, Chip and Dale. The theme park has renamed the sections in its 12,000-space parking lot at the Magic Kingdom for Disney heroes and villains in a nod to more current Disney characters.

In are Woody, Aladdin, Simba, Hook, Scar, Zurg and a half dozen other goodies and baddies. They have replaced sections named for classic Disney characters and the seven dwarfs of Snow White fame. They say it's to better help visitors remember where they parked their car. If you can't remember Dopey, how are you going to remember Scar and whether he's a hero or villain?

I was a kindergartener when Disney World first opened, so I have strong attachment to the old stuff. I'm still mourning the loss of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (replaced by Winnie the Pooh in 1998) and even though the only reason we went to the Eastern Airlines-sponsored "If You Had Wings" feature was that it didn't require a ticket and it was an air-conditioned haven from the brutal heat, I was still bummed when they dumped it in 1987.

I guess it's just sad to change the things we grew up with. I know it's just a fake manufactured kingdom devoted to sucking every cent from your pocket, but leave some things alone people.

--Sharon Kennedy Wyne

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THE AUTHORS

Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.

E-mail Sharon Kennedy Wynne:
wynne@tampabay.com

SP_255665_CROS_KATE.jpgAfter six long years of trying to have a baby, Kate Brassfield was finally able to have one. And then, two minutes later, another one. Suddenly the lady who had never been around babies before was juggling two! Just as Kate felt she was getting pretty good with babies, the girls became toddlers, and now Kate is back to Square One, learning about the care and feeding of these strange, wonderful creatures. She spends her days working part-time from home and trying to keep up with the Twinosaurus Wrecks.

E-mail Kate Brassfield:
katedaphne17@gmail.com

Freelance writer Courtney Cairns Pastor wasn’t so sure about having kids and how she would balance child-rearing with her journalism career. It turned out that her journalism training went to good use. As the mom to a funny, active toddler, she learned to handle him like she did her sources. Never ask yes or no questions (the answer will always be no), get him to be specific (are you crying because you’re wet or your tooth hurts?) and be prepared for anything because no two days are the same. When she’s not playing trucks, Courtney crams for her book club, trains for races and occasionally bursts into showtunes. E-mail her at courtneyblogs@gmail.com.

Suzannah DiMarzio has it bad for the Mouse. Although she grew up outside of Boston, she took her degree in tourism management down to Orlando just to work at Disney and the travel industry. Of course, when she married her high school sweetheart, the reception was at Disney. She’s now a seasoned stay-at-home mom to two tweens and a toddler – and yes, that is as crazy as it sounds. Suzannah has her own blog, ZannaLand.com , and she's a member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel in addition to being addicted to Twitter, iced coffee, and watching way too much Yo, Gabba Gabba.

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