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Beyond the Pixie Dust: Becoming an Apprentice of the Kingdom
What is it about Walt Disney World that moves countless people to be filled with emotion the moment the music for the fireworks show begins? Why do so many individuals spend their entire lives dreaming about working as Cast Members on Disney property? Is Walt Disney World simply a collection of rides, restaurants, and gift shops—or is there something deeper and far more compelling at work in Florida? Josh Avery is a Pastor who stands convinced that WDW is a reflection of a much deeper a place referred to in the Christian Scriptures as the Kingdom of God. This isn’t just a book about a Florida theme park built in a former swampland—it’s an invitation to discover how you can live a life of purpose and meaning in the midst of daily uncertainty and conflict. While reading, you’ll learn a lot about Walt Disney World. You’ll hear about the circus animals that engaged in a bloody battle on Disneyland’s Main Street. You’ll learn the location of the real Seven Dwarfs Cottage, hidden away in the Florida woods. But most importantly, you’ll be challenged to step beyond the story and to become an apprentice of the Kingdom yourself—beyond the pixie dust and into a meaningful life.
150 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 22, 2022
Review title: The power of narrative
Walt Disney World is one of my favorite vacation spots. In the last 30-plus years since my oldest daughter turned 3, we have gone about every three years, and I always leave wanting to go back again. Author Josh Avery tells a similar story but gives it a deeper meaning in this short book by linking the narratives told by Walt Disney in his movies and theme parks to the narrative of Christianity. His success is dependent on his ability to make the connection without trivializing his Christian message or sanctifying Disney.
Like me, Avery is both an American evangelical Christian, in fact a pastor by profession, and a devotee of Disney, with many visits to the Orlando park on his resume. So he is qualified to speak to both, and does so in an engaging writing style that compares the way both integrate the classic narrative arc of normal existence, inciting incident, conflict, overcoming the problem/defeat of evil, and transformation is achieved and the new life begins. (p. 5). He uses this pattern as section headings as he shows how it "reflects the Story, the story of humanity that is recorded throughout the bigger picture of Scripture.".
And of course he shows how Disney also wrote movies and designed his parks to follow the same arc, accounting for both their popularity and our longing to experience them again and again. Interestingly, the book is published not by a Christian publisher but a small press called Theme Park Press which "publishes books primarily about the Disney company, its history, culture, films, animation, and theme parks." The other books the publisher advertises at the back of the book are mostly about Disney's history and culture, not its spirituality, which perhaps ironically gives it more impact and credibility and likely access to a wider audience.
Avery also includes anecdotes from Walt Disney's life and career which he relates to Biblical lessons. He describes a painting of Oswald the Rabbit on his office wall; Disney's first animated character, he was stolen by a business partner in an unscrupulous legal maneuver (p. 11-113). Rather than give in to hatred or fear, Disney instead drew the mouse with whom it all began. Avery uses this story to point out that "the Scriptures place fear [not hate] on the opposite side of the spectrum to love," (p. 111).
While Avery lives his faith and loves Disney, he doesn't sugar-coat the world of faith and Disney: "There are times when the pixie dust fades, those horrifying moments of reality in which we are reminded that this world is actually full of many hard and sorrowful days that we must all face." (p. 74). These are valuable lessons in the power of the Biblical narrative.
Walt Disney World is one of my favorite vacation spots. In the last 30-plus years since my oldest daughter turned 3, we have gone about every three years, and I always leave wanting to go back again. Author Josh Avery tells a similar story but gives it a deeper meaning in this short book by linking the narratives told by Walt Disney in his movies and theme parks to the narrative of Christianity. His success is dependent on his ability to make the connection without trivializing his Christian message or sanctifying Disney.
Like me, Avery is both an American evangelical Christian, in fact a pastor by profession, and a devotee of Disney, with many visits to the Orlando park on his resume. So he is qualified to speak to both, and does so in an engaging writing style that compares the way both integrate the classic narrative arc of normal existence, inciting incident, conflict, overcoming the problem/defeat of evil, and transformation is achieved and the new life begins. (p. 5). He uses this pattern as section headings as he shows how it "reflects the Story, the story of humanity that is recorded throughout the bigger picture of Scripture.".
And of course he shows how Disney also wrote movies and designed his parks to follow the same arc, accounting for both their popularity and our longing to experience them again and again. Interestingly, the book is published not by a Christian publisher but a small press called Theme Park Press which "publishes books primarily about the Disney company, its history, culture, films, animation, and theme parks." The other books the publisher advertises at the back of the book are mostly about Disney's history and culture, not its spirituality, which perhaps ironically gives it more impact and credibility and likely access to a wider audience.
Avery also includes anecdotes from Walt Disney's life and career which he relates to Biblical lessons. He describes a painting of Oswald the Rabbit on his office wall; Disney's first animated character, he was stolen by a business partner in an unscrupulous legal maneuver (p. 11-113). Rather than give in to hatred or fear, Disney instead drew the mouse with whom it all began. Avery uses this story to point out that "the Scriptures place fear [not hate] on the opposite side of the spectrum to love," (p. 111).
While Avery lives his faith and loves Disney, he doesn't sugar-coat the world of faith and Disney: "There are times when the pixie dust fades, those horrifying moments of reality in which we are reminded that this world is actually full of many hard and sorrowful days that we must all face." (p. 74). These are valuable lessons in the power of the Biblical narrative.
March 21, 2022
If I’m bring honest I didn’t read this because I’m necessarily a fan of Disney (though somewhat, I guess I am.) but rather because I am a fan of Josh Avery. If I didn’t know Josh I would have thought this was just another one of those cheesy books (like Josh mentions in the beginning) that stretches and take liberties with comparing the Word of God with something popular so more people will maybe get a slight view about Jesus. As I suspected, this was not even close to one of those types of off books.
With a balance of Disney history and movie quotes along side scripture; Josh encourages us to start or continue in the adventure our Savior calls us on. This book inspired and motivated me to “run the mile you’re in”. At the moment of my adventure I was in when I read this, that chapter hit me in the best way possible.
Side note: I have never taken the time to write a review for anything, let alone a book. So, that should tell you something about this one! 👍🏽👍🏽
With a balance of Disney history and movie quotes along side scripture; Josh encourages us to start or continue in the adventure our Savior calls us on. This book inspired and motivated me to “run the mile you’re in”. At the moment of my adventure I was in when I read this, that chapter hit me in the best way possible.
Side note: I have never taken the time to write a review for anything, let alone a book. So, that should tell you something about this one! 👍🏽👍🏽
October 15, 2024
Basically reads like an undergraduate attempt at a Master's thesis. Liking something popular (Disneyland and world) to something else thats popular (christianity) is pretty much a safe bet. And the pastor puts things together, does convey a few surprises, less than three, about Disneyworld & Walt DIsney factoids. That the park conveys heaven, our version of it certainly, is his thesis. But the abundancy of Bible verses versus the small amount of Disney-related bric-a-brac/detrius is very student-like. Like, I bet he got an A! There are dumb quotes too--from at least 4 Christian bands. Obviously this dude's version of white heaven is Christian but also capitalistic and facile. Yes, he is pretty lucky to frequent Disney parks and stuff--but buddy, this is saying NOTHING.
Also, lets not forget that Star Wars was not Disney only a few years back. If so, why does he make an argument for the Star Wars bible-like stories, if not an original part of Walt's master design?
True story, I found this book in a New Orleans bookstore for free. I don't even want to leave it where it was, just to save the next reader from this glorified doodad. A souvenir.
Also, lets not forget that Star Wars was not Disney only a few years back. If so, why does he make an argument for the Star Wars bible-like stories, if not an original part of Walt's master design?
True story, I found this book in a New Orleans bookstore for free. I don't even want to leave it where it was, just to save the next reader from this glorified doodad. A souvenir.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews