My thoughts on the changes to Disney's park policies

Last October, Disneyland and Walt Disney World made major changes to their park policies in regards to servicing visitors with disabilities. I've been asked to give my thoughts on this situation since I happen to be a person with a physical disability. To this day I'm not sure I'm the most informed person to comment on this confusing situation. I can only go by the two days I spent at the original Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California earlier this month.

First I will explain what brought about these changes. They resulted from some people with disabilities, allegedly, who hired wealthy people to abuse the privilege of jumping past the line-ups for the rides. (I say 'allegedly' because some of these people may not have been legitimately disabled, but I can't make these judgments since I wasn't there.)

When I got there two weeks ago, I did not experience any ill treatment from park staff. The only thing that made me squirm was getting photographed by a staff member when my parents and I were entering the Disney California Adventure park. Taking photos of guests is standard procedure for everybody, and I think it has to do with matters of security.

The Disney parks and resorts in California, Florida and France, based on my personal (and limited) observations, have treated me well. It's true I'm no longer allowed to skip through the lines, as a result of these changes, but I'm okay with that. I want to be treated as an equal everywhere I go.

I didn't go on many rides during my second-ever visit to Disneyland, but let's face it, I'm older than I was the first time and am not the same physically as I was in my younger days.

Some attractions do not require people to transfer out of their wheelchairs due to the availability of modified carts. This includes It's a Small World, my all-time favourite. That was the first attraction we went to in the original Disneyland park during our second full day in Anaheim.

One criticism I have are the high ticket prices. They keep going up every year. I agree with people who aren't planning to go on rides ought to be charged a smaller ticket price. It's a complicated issue, and I don't have all the answers or solutions. Most theme parks do not offer much price flexibility, so this is seen as another standard practice.

Chances are I will not be visiting Disneyland again in the near future. It's not due to any feelings of animosity or resentment. It is a matter of personal economics. In the event I have a family of my own (and a better personal income), I will find a way to return.

I loved being at Disneyland again, and I have no regrets about going back.

Season's Greetings from me and Wishy

The Real Meaning of Christmas

The Story Of Christmas Told Hilariously Wrong

The true meaning of Christmas, from "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

My favourite obscure Christmas song

There's a wonderful Christmas song from the mid-1980s that I wish more people would cover. It's called "When You Love Someone (It's Christmas Everyday)." It was composed by comedian Redd Foxx, of the '70s sitcom Sanford & Son. Gladys Knight & The Pips is one act I know of that recorded it in 1986, as a B-side to the single "Send It to Me." The only other artist I know who performed it was Stephanie Mills. She sang it on the Motown Merry Christmas special in 1987. Coincidentally, it was co-hosted by Redd Foxx.

You can get Gladys Knight's version on a 2-disc various artists collection called Season's Greetings in the 20th Century Masters series. It's a shame that more people don't know about "When You Love Someone," because it captures the heart of the season perfectly.

Here's a clip of Stephanie Mills singing it on the Motown special - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqgo3q4dFsQ.

All in the Family: The Christmas and New Year's Episodes

Following up on my previous blogs about All in the Family, and in honour of its 40^th anniversary, here’s a review of the Christmas and New Year's episodes that were made, in order of broadcast. I also review the episodes made for Archie Bunker’s Place.

All in the Family:

1.      “Christmas Day with the Bunkers” (1971, Season 2)

The first Christmas episode has Archie (Carroll O’Connor) acting like the Grinch in front of everybody. He even buys a Christmas tree reminiscent of Charlie Brown. He later chastises his neighbour Henry Jefferson (Mel Stewart) for dressing up as Santa Claus. This leads to a silly debate on whether Santa is black or white. Archie’s wife Edith (Jean Stapleton) realizes that he forfeited his Christmas bonus by sending a shipment of trees to London, England instead of London, Ontario, Canada. This is a good episode.

2.      “Edith’s Christmas Story” (1973, Season 4)

Edith has a health scare when she discovers a lump in her breast. Daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers) encourages her to see a doctor, but Edith decides it would be best not to tell Archie about it. Gloria’s husband Mike Stivic (Rob Reiner) overhears the conversation, and panics. The secret comes out when their neighbour Irene (Betty Garrett) falsely assumes that Archie knew. Archie shows empathy and affection when he learns that Edith is going to be okay.

3.      “New Year’s Wedding” (1976, Season 6)

Gloria becomes upset with Mike when he gets into the habit of making big family decisions without consulting her. When they can’t get a babysitter for their son Joey, Mike decides to have their friends get married at their house before the New Year begins, without Gloria’s consent. 

Trivia: It was during the taping of this episode that Reiner met guest star Billy Crystal. They have remained close friends ever since.

4.      “The Draft Dodger” (1976, Season 7)

In what may be the series’ best Christmas episode, Mike’s high school friend David surprises him just as the family is about to have Christmas dinner. David is invited to stay, along with Archie’s friend Pinky. A heated conversation ensues between Archie and David, who, reluctantly, tells him he is a draft dodger living in Canada. Pinky convinces David to stay when he tells him that his son was killed in the Vietnam War, and that if he were alive he would want to sit down with him. It makes for a very powerful moment, emphasizing the message of peace at Christmas time.

5.      “Edith’s Crisis of Faith, Parts 1 & 2” (1977, Season 8)

Drag queen impersonator Beverly LaSalle visits Edith and invites her and Archie to his new burlesque show at Carnegie Hall. Archie, who gave Beverly mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in a Season 6 episode, doesn’t like the idea. However, things take a tragic turn when Beverly is clubbed to death by a gang of muggers. This causes Edith to question her faith in God. Her depression takes its toll on the family as Christmas approaches. Ironically, it is Mike the atheist who helps Edith restore her faith on Christmas Day.

6.      “Bogus Bills” (1978, Season 9)

Counterfeit money turns up at the cash register of Archie’s bar. Edith calls Archie from the police station to tell him she found some counterfeit cash in her purse. He later finds the culprit in the bar dressed as Santa Claus. Archie decides to let him off the hook, though he starts having regrets when he sees the shady customer drive off in a Cadillac.

7.      “The Bunkers Go West” (1978, Season 9)

Archie, Edith and their niece Stephanie Mills (Danielle Brisebois) prepare to celebrate Christmas with the Stivics. Plans change, however, when Gloria calls from California to say that Mike’s injured back will prevent them from traveling to New York. Edith immediately decides that they will visit them instead.

8.      “California, Here We Are, Parts 1 & 2” (1978, Season 9)

The Bunkers arrive in Santa Barbara to visit the Stivics at their new home. Mike fakes a back injury to hide the fact that he and Gloria have separated. They get into an argument, prompting Gloria to hit Mike. Gloria tells her mother that their marriage is failing, and that she’s been seeing another man. Before Archie hears the details, he assumes that Mike is to blame. The story ends happily when the Stivics decide to work things out. 

Trivia: This is the last Christmas-themed episode of All in the Family.

Archie Bunker’s Place:

9.     “The Incident” (1980, Season 2)

A recently-widowed Archie and his newly-hired housekeeper Ellen Canby (Barbara Meek) are at the supermarket when a man verbally harasses her for being a black woman. Archie, in a rare show of liberalism, punches the man, a lodge brother. Archie is then threatened with expulsion from the lodge. Archie demonstrates, through this incident, that he respects Ellen and the help she gives to him and Stephanie.

10  “Custody, Part 1” (1981, Season 2)

Archie, still adjusting to life without his beloved ‘dingbat,’ reluctantly allows Stephanie to spend time with her wealthy grandmother, Estelle Harris (Celeste Holm). When they return from shopping, she tells Archie she wants to become Stephanie’s legal guardian, despite having been absent for most of her life. Archie’s refusal leads to a custody battle.

11   “Custody, Part 2” (1981, Season 2)

During a break in the hearing, Stephanie tells the judge she would rather stay with Archie than go live with her grandmother. The judge decides that though Archie is an “ignorant labourer” with fewer financial resources, he is better suited to meeting Stephanie’s overall needs. The judge wishes everybody a Happy New Year as he leaves the courtroom.

12   “Father Christmas” (1982, Season 4)

Archie surprises his niece Billie Bunker (Denise Miller) by inviting her father Fred (Richard McKenzie) over for Christmas. Billie, who is estranged from her father, opts to go skiing with Archie’s Jewish lawyer Gary Rabinowitz (Barry Gordon). Things reach a breaking point when Fred tells Billie the reason why her mother walked out on them so many years ago. Billie and Fred make amends, and she decides to cancel the skiing trip. 

Trivia: This is the last Christmas-themed episode of Archie Bunker’s Place. CBS cancelled it at the end of the 1982-83 season.

Truth in labeling?

One of my friends brought panettone to my house yesterday. It’s a very good and tasty treat to have during the Christmas season. However, I noticed that the box makes an interesting claim.

It says that it does not contain any cholesterol; however the side panels tell a different story.

Does truth in labeling exist at the San Marco company? I think not.