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Park Hoppin
In association with Park Hoppin’with Susan Storey R
ecently I told my son we were going to SeaWorld Orlando because I wanted to meet a favourite childhood
character. The statement resulted in a quizzical look from him. He could not understand why we were going to rope drop a park merely to pose with a large, fluffy costumed creature. As we drove to the park Aiden asked why it was important to me, and soon we were
talking about many of the special meet and greets we’ve had over the years. I’m sure I’m like so many park guests. Character interactions are an important part of a theme park visit. They are the brand essence of a park, brought to life in a tangible way that often includes a warm hug. Walt Disney knew this when he developed Disneyland. His quote, ‘I
only hope that we never lose sight of one thing that it was all started by a mouse.’ helped ensure that Mickey Mouse and his friends would emerge from the silver screen and move into his park. 69 years later, Mickey’s style and look has changed, but a visit with him has become a core memory for thousands of people every day. Now almost 13, Aiden is part of the “Frozen” generation. It was the
first movie he saw in the theatre. We went back six times, including a seventh when the sing-along version was released. He would sing the songs, stomp around and pretend to “cut ice” from living room floor and once released on DVD, watch Anna, Elsa and Olaf again and again. When he was three we visited Walt Disney World, and I knew he had to meet Elsa. To this day, that moment remains ingrained on my heart. He quite literally froze – no pun intended – when it was our turn. Anna had been nice, and he smiled for a photo, but when he saw Elsa, everything melted away. There she was. She gracefully sat on the floor to be at eye level with him and his smile lit the whole room. Nothing else we did that trip matched his meeting the character queen who set the movie-going bar for him. Flash forward seven years later. Aiden was taller, and cooler. Elsa had a second movie and a new dress. This time, I forced the meeting, reminding him of how in awe he had once been with her and that it would mean a lot to me if he would again pose for a photo. After some hemming and hawing, he begrudgingly got in line, and then, met her. And there they were again. A little boy meeting his favourite character, up close and personal. Stunned silence, then a wide
smile, and a warm hug. Followed by a sheepish grin for my camera. Unlike Aiden, most of my character experiences have been as an
adult. When we visited Walt Disney World in the 80’s, the parks didn’t have many meet and greet opportunities. We have a family photo with the Sheriff of Nottingham from Robin Hood, but that is all. I’ve always loved seeing characters in parades and at any park I have visited. Snoopy, at Cedar Fair’s parks, has the softest ears. The Simpsons at Universal Studios are bright, yellow, and big and somehow are exactly as you want them to be. Watching guests of all ages engage, laugh, and run into their character arms, paws, feathers, and fur are special moments. Of course, reality is never fully suspended, and typically I will watch and find myself thinking of the special people that make those moments happen. Or wonder how hot they must be. Until this month. Five years ago, SeaWorld Orlando added Sesame Street Land to
the park. It’s been an amazing addition, and truly looks and feels exactly like the show so many of us have grown up watching. The character meet and greets include Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Abby Cadabby. While I remember Cookie Monster, Elmo and Abby are “next generation” monsters and not part of my younger TV viewing. In honour of the 5th anniversary of the Land, SeaWorld kicked off 2024 announcing it would welcome different visiting Sesame Street friends February through April. Each weekend would feature someone new, and the first weekend would begin with Big Bird’s best friend, Mr. Snuffleupagus or Snuffy for short. I had to visit. When I told Aiden what we were going to do, his
response was, “Who is Snuffy?” I explained Mr. Snuffleupagus was Big Bird’s best friend, and that he was big, brown, and had long eyelashes. Most importantly, he was my favourite Sesame Street character. After much eyerolling, Aiden agreed to go with me. When it was our turn to meet the huge monster Sesame Street describes as “pachyderm-like”, I said, “I’m going to hug you.” I got teary eyed as I said that; suddenly I felt like I was five years old, and standing before me was the one character I dreamed of meeting. Mr. Snuffleupagus and the park’s photographers were gracious with
us. They were patient and let me be “that” guest who lingered maybe a hair too long. That’s OK though – I needed that extra Snuffy selfie! On the drive home, it made me realize again why I love this industry so much. Every day we take guests to new heights, new speeds, new places. And we are the only industry that can bring cherished character friends to life.
FEBRUARY 2024
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