Adventureland Bazaar – Anaheim, California

Across the street from Jungle Cruise and close by the Enchanted Tiki Room, we have the Adventureland Bazaar. No, it’s not a ride or special exhibit — just a store. But I like the way it looks.

Even Disney’s trinket and souvenir stores are nicely detailed, a refreshing change from the suburban shopping malls made of cheap tilt-wall construction. The small stuff matters — it adds dimension to life. The cost-cutting and value-driven economics of our time tend to suck the life out of the world.

I suppose that’s why I ultimately love Disney. Because they care about the details both architecturally and operationally. If we built our cities and towns with this much care and upkeep, Disneyland wouldn’t be quite as special. But, when we visit this place from our bland suburbs, it seems magical in comparison. Yes, I know it’s not the real world. But, even in this country, 100 years ago, we built places that mattered. Place that we were proud of.

I’m not saying we should build our cities like amusement parks. We should not make a faux building that looks like the Middle East. However, must all our buildings look the same? Where is the whimsy? Where is the delight in our everyday world?

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