Earning Your Ears: How Disney Theme Parks Teach us Maturity in Decision Making
Disney, a name that brings joy to people of all ages, is well known for its lovely theme parks and its world-famous characters. But beyond their magical attractions, what people often forget is the valuable lessons that Disney characters teach us about life, in particular, decision making. As such, we can learn quite a lot from our favorite Disney characters, who always seem to handle difficult situations with grace and aplomb.
To begin with, let’s talk about the classic Disney character of Mickey Mouse. Mickey has always been the epitome of good moral values for generations of children. His tales have always revolved around the importance of positive values that include teamwork, honesty, and, most importantly, decision making. In a conversation with his best friend Donald Duck, Mickey reflects on the importance of decision making.
“Hey, Donald,” Mickey said, “Do you remember when we went camping, and you wanted to go left, and I wanted to go right?”
Donald Duck replied, “Yeah, and then we ended up getting lost.”
“Exactly,” remarked Mickey, “We should have made a decision together instead of just going in opposite directions. Sometimes we have to put our heads together, analyze the situation, and then make a decision. It’s about making the right choice that benefits everyone.”
“But making decisions is hard!” replied Donald, “There’s always a chance that whatever we do, it’ll turn out to be a mistake.”
“That may be so,” replied Mickey, “But that’s why it’s important to learn how to make decisions, even if it doesn’t always work out the way we want it to. It helps us learn and develop our maturity.”
Mature decision making often leads to long-term benefits. At Disney, we see the characters learn from their mistakes and improve their decision making abilities. In the Disney movie ‘Mulan’, we witness Mulan struggling with gender norms and family traditions. Mulan had to make an important decision – whether or not to represent her father in the army. Mulan, although scared, knew that she couldn’t let her father go to war. So, she decided to dress up as a man and join the army. This decision was not easy, but it was the right one, and her bravery eventually prevailed. Mulan’s ability to make a thoughtful decision in a difficult situation earned her respect and admiration from all around her.
Similarly, in the movie ‘Frozen’ Elsa makes a difficult decision to leave her kingdom and ensure that her loved ones are safe. Despite the political pressure and concern of everyone around her, Elsa decided to take a risk. It was tough, but she knew that she could protect her kingdom and not hurt her loved ones if she were away. Sometimes, making the right decision is about taking action, even if it’s difficult or uncomfortable. Through Elsa’s character, we learn that having the courage to make an important decision that may be difficult can sometimes benefit ourselves and those around us.
Another Disney character, Peter Pan, a symbol of never growing up, has also taught us a lot about decision making. Peter made the decision never to grow up and has had to face the consequences of that decision. In one of the conversations with Wendy, he reflects on his choice:
“Wendy, I’ve noticed that I’ve made many decisions in my life that were selfish and have put me in harm’s way. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Sometimes, we have to make decisions that challenge our comfort zones and benefit people around us. What I learned is that our decisions define who we are, and we need to be careful when making them.”
Other Disney characters like Aladdin, Simba, and Hercules also teach us valuable lessons about decision making. These characters not only help us understand the importance of making long-term and thoughtful decisions but also highlight the importance of learning from our mistakes and growing through the hardships.
In conclusion, Disney is much more than a theme park or a movie franchise. It is a place that has touched the hearts of millions around the world through its characters, music, and storyline. We can learn so much about life and decision making from the experiences and stories of our beloved Disney characters. Through perseverance, bravery, and mature decision making, we can learn to overcome obstacles and face life’s challenges head-on. So, let’s take the lessons taught by the Disney universe, apply them in our daily lives, and earn our ears!
Disney characters teach us valuable lessons about decision making, from the importance of teamwork to making tough choices that challenge our comfort zones, learn from mistakes, and grow through hardships.
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela
This quote is a great reflection of the message in the article about decision making. It emphasizes the importance of learning from our mistakes and using them as opportunities to grow and improve ourselves. The Disney characters portrayed in the article also embody this message, showing us that making the right decision is not always easy, but that it is worth it in the end. We should embrace the challenges of decision making, learn from our mistakes, and strive to make mature decisions that benefit ourselves and those around us.
