Image by Chris Flynn from Pixabay
Now, for the last 2 lessons learned from a mouse. To be fair, there were many bits of wisdom I picked up at Disney World, but I didn’t want to bore too much, so I limited myself to 6. Here’s a quick recap:
- They were united in their goal to make me feel special.
- They did their job as if it was the most important one.
- They showed that it’s OK to have fun.
- They placed a high value on children.
Now, for the last 2 (and thanks for hanging in until now.)
- They paid attention to details and excellence.
Col. 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
This is another of my needs. I believe attention to detail and excellence in all we do is important – I just don’t follow through like I should.
Every area of every park and facility was expertly decorated. The grounds were groomed and continually cleaned. They use 1700 Christmas trees each year and maintain 65,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space for Christmas decorations. The staff of each hotel plans 5 years ahead to decorate and arrange that facility to maintain its beauty.
They hire people who strive for excellence. Clothing was neat, buses were clean, and routes were timed to ensure schedules were kept. Entertainment was 1st class. Little-noticed things were done with excellence. In out-of-way corners where there were no stores or shops or rides, just dead-ends, every false window, false door, shingle and piece of architecture was as precise as a major street.
I caught myself looking at details with 2 grandkids in a dead-end area when partition opened and actor Lou Diamond Phillips came in with his kids. He was incognito, cap pulled down, shades and jacket trying to blend in, but I saw him. I walked over and quietly told him I enjoyed his acting and his previous night’s Bible reading at the candlelight ceremony. He smiled and said, “Thank you very much, I really appreciate that.” I wasn’t sure if he wanted my autograph, so I didn’t ask. He was very kind to us.
We had early entry to a park before it opened and saw cleaning crews in action. I was impressed. Some of them work all night to have everything in excellent order for guests. Everywhere I looked there was attention given to every detail.
- They were dedicated and loyal to a make-believe mouse.
Mk. 12:33 “To love him with all your heart, all your understanding and all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Walt Disney was the brainchild and architect of all that is Disney, but I saw an empire built on and dedicated to a mouse………. a rodent……….and a make-believe rodent at that! At the same time, I saw a loyalty and spirit of pride that was extraordinary.
Mickey Mouse was the central figure in everything in the parks, in the gift shops, in the resorts, in the parades. The life and livelihood of a $200B company revolves around a fictional cartoon character.
In the next article, I hope to make sense of these 6 observations. If the summaries do not make sense, I will rely on my trusty fallback line, “Forgive me, I’m old!”
And remember, you are greatly loved!
–Jackie Chesnutt, Chaplain and Emotional Support Coach for Myers-Davis (4/20/2026)
