The Road Linds Travels

I wouldn’t say I like Disney as in Disneyland, Disney the company, and the related, and I have no desire to ever go to Walt Disney World. Disney Springs was close enough. I felt this way even before I worked with Disney. The disdain just became more intense after working directly with them for the past almost eight years.

NOT THE “HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH”

Listening to your colleagues repeatedly shout “fuck” and other expletives at their emails daily, because an order is going to be a tad late and lil’ Tommy ain’t gonna get his overpriced t-shirt during his family vacation can really sour “the happiest place on earth.” Last I checked, there wasn’t anything fucking magical about the overuse of the best “F” word in the English language, either.

Being privy to these histrionics could make one assume we’re curing cancer or saving a life with the correct shade of pink glitter destined for Minnie Mouse’s bow. And, God forbid, you pick the wrong shade of glitter, spell a word wrong, forget to send an email, or not work after hours or on weekends. Lest you are subjected to all of the finger-pointing and shit-talking one can imagine.

“Well, ‘so-and-so’ works twelve hours a day!” as if this person’s inability to efficiently conduct their duties during regular work hours is something that we should applaud. As if those twelve hours actually equate to the very definition of work or as if my boundaries are something to be frowned upon!

MONOPOLISTIC, TOXIC JOY-STEALERS

With all that said, I still love watching the movies, and I appreciate the brand’s vision. That is, I can understand what Walt Disney, himself, had in mind for the future of Disney. And Jesus, Disney is smart (most of the time). But, as it stands, Disney is nothing but a monopolistic rock in my shoe. Thankfully, as of exactly four weeks ago, I grew out of those shoes and replaced them with much more comfortable ones.

Not all moments were stomach-turning, headache-inducing toxic joy-stealers. No, in fact, I have many a fond memory. I’ve said it before, but I’ll repeat it: The most rewarding aspect of my career as an Art Director was the colleagues and the teams I had the pleasure and success of mentoring and training. That, in and of itself, made those eight years priceless and worthwhile.

DISNEY-SHAPED CAN OF WORMS

I’ll probably be shunned, for my candid words, from working with Disney ever again, but the fact of the matter is I don’t want to. Also, the pool of designers who know the Disney brand inside and out is neither deep nor large.

This can of worms needed opening. Not because I’m an “angry woman,” but because I’m a passionate, hard-working woman with integrity, strong convictions, and healthy boundaries. I am well aware that the important things in life are not found on the shelves at World of Disney, within the fighting words of any quarrel with a former boss, or in the offices that should have been mine.