Will Disney Invade Yellowstone ?
Posted by skyblu on May 3, 2007
LET’S MAKE OLD FAITHFUL ERUPT PRECISELY ON TIME
A brief, short, while ago I opined that it was time to make our national parks profitable.
I even suggested that the Disney Corporation would be the logical choice for this kind of move. Well, there is more than just a hint that this is going to happen. Probably not officially at first, but it will happen.
If you don’t believe it, just ask why Disney is always present at the high mucky muck meetings in the National Park Service – go ahead, ask.
Don’t want to ask? Glance at the quotes below: sounds just the way Yellowstone ought to be.
“. . . Yes, the Magic Kingdom continues to expand, this time in the form of guided vacation tour packages for families called Adventures by Disney.”
“. . . Like Fico and Aimee, some of the Disney guides on other tours come from the guiding industry. But many are from the company’s theme parks, resorts and cruise ships. They are trained in Disney rhyme and rules, as well as field experience in their location.”
“. . . Most families agreed they were game for another Disney tour, even to familiar American sites such as the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks. We had grown fond of the exclusive access, kid-friendly adventures and royal treatment.”
When will this happen? About the time you finish reading this post and before you click HERE to read all about the expanded Disney Tour Company.
Raphael said
Hey! Just what you treehuggers want…no cars…just trams!!
Somebody shoulda told ya “be careful, you might get what you ask for?”
Brodie Farquhar said
As an interesting aside, did you know that Yellowstone honcha Suzanne Lewis spent time in the Magic Kingdom on an executive exchange program?
skyblu said
Brodie,
More than an interesting aside. The staff that still talk to me feel that she seems to think that a big smile is interpretation. And, with this thought in mind, believes that all the visitor needs is a pat on the fanny.
I think that there is more going on than we suspect. I do know, that the NPS, and Yellowstone particularly, are committed to reducing staff as a means to reducing budgets. This is a very serious commitment. And, again, never to be spoken of in public.
…..skyblu
Brodie Farquhar said
Speaking of staff reduction in national parks, here’s a story I wrote for the Casper Star Tribune on May 6th: http://www.casperstartribune.com/articles/2007/05/06/news/wyoming/a3e098b441f33522872572d2002117c0.txt
For those of you who subscribe to High Country News, check out “Volntary excess” in the May 28th edition.
Stu said
When the National Parks were begun by the very forward thinking Theodore Roosevelt, it was to have been a way to ensure that the public (including future generations)would always be able to enjoy wilderness and the beautiful treasures of our natural resources. More and larger facilities, RV parks, major services, and profitability were not part of the deal- for good reason. Responsible use did not necessarily preclude wise & reasonable forestry, hunting, or fishing, but it did most certainly preclude selfish gain by any companies or individuals. It belonged to the public. Supposedly it still does, but our tax monies are being grubbed worse than ever by politicians from both parties leaving little for the stewards of our lands to use for their sometimes misguided efforts. So now, most sadly, some confused folks seem to see virtue in commercialization and profit making off of what already belongs to “WE, the People.” This is wrong. I wonder if this was just an opportunistic response to the reality of the economics, or was it a bit more sinister plan to benefit a few well connected selfish interests? I have little idea which, but I am convinced the end result will be just as hideous.
The government must trim massive waste and get its priorities straight. This means we must only elect those who commit to being fiscally responsible. Balancing the budget is NOT optional! I have doubts about how well we will remedy this government bloat since our fair land is so divided about interests and priorities- particularly concerning the government’s role in our lives. Politicians seem to but much more concerned about “buying” their re-election than serving the public interest. And we fail when we keep electing those who keep playing that same old game. We have largely lost the thing which made us great- the attitude of “I will take care of myself and to the best of my ability I will help others”. There is a world of difference between selfless effort and “letting the government take care of everything”. Ambition for power or wealth are not necessarily selfish, but when they are it is evidence of moral rot. This is the very thing Theodore Roosevelt despised and worked fervently to rid the government of. He was very much in favor of wholesome capitalism, but fervently opposed reckless and selfish capitalism. The “disneyfication of our national treasures and crass profitability is immoral. We do not need to bow to the whims of a few elite self serving business people who would see the National Parks privatized. We do not need massive infrastructure improvements other than just maintaining a reasonable number of roads to allow We The People to access & enjoy our public lands. In past decades the NPS did our forests no favors by stopping natural fires. By taking a staunchly preservationist (as opposed to healthy conservationist) stand much harm was done to many of our forests. Some environmentally careful logging would not only help some of our forests health but could help pay for needed maintenance (but not unneeded expansion of services) within the parks. Even without these funds, there is plenty of tax money to take care of this without adding an extra burden to those who wish to visit out public lands. We just need to cut the wasteful and selfish spending the government is apparently completely addicted to. There would be plenty for everything which is important and necessary!
How many are aware that the National Forest Service has been issuing tickets to those who even stop by the side of the road for a quick look without first paying for an expensive pass? Yes, I said National FOREST Service. How is they are getting away with charging now? Remember, these wilderness areas belong to you and me. They are now charging the public for what is ours to enjoy. This too is wrong. Our wilderness areas are NOT a case of the government doing FOR us, they are a case of being stewards of what IS ours. We already pay taxes which should cover this. Unfortunately Congress and both our current president & the previous one have forgotten this. (see, my blame is fairly non-partisan, even though I am a staunch conservative much after the model of TR)
We need to take back what is ours. Otherwise, the cost of hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, skiing, or even a nice picnic lunch will continue to climb skyward. Have you been to a National Park lately to see what each vehicle gets charged? Take a look at your Congressman’s & Senators’ voting records on this. Keep all this in mind when election times come. Write to them to voice your concerns. They do listen- and silence on our part just makes us an unwitting accomplice. Remember it is a government of, by, and for the People. The authority belongs to us, and now is the time to assert it! Because if we continue our complacency the average guy will be excluded from his birthright. This whole notion of profitability & crass commercialization in our National Parks & Forests nauseates me as much as the extreme preservationist tree hugging terrorists who sabotage forests and injure loggers who work hard to provide the lumber for our homes. Done responsibly logging is a sustainable and environmentally healthy necessity. I do not defend raping the land; balance is the key here. So it is with our public lands, let us return to a reasonable balance. TR must be spinning in his grave over what we have allowed to happen to our public lands!
Stu Bryant
skyblu said
It Was Grant, not T.R. Teddy came with his rich buddies to kill bison and eat fish.
…….skyblu