The (Not So) Happiest Place on Earth

In Colorado, where I grew up, most ski resort towns find themselves with the exact same problem that recently prompted Disneyland to conjure magical teams of lawyers charged with putting the kibosh on condo development close to the fantasyland. The sand in Micky's shorts seems to stem from planned condos (some zoned for affordable housing) intended to shorten the commutes for workers. AP reported:

Housing advocates say the units are desperately needed to accommodate workers who are essential to the city's huge tourism industry but can't afford to live there. Many workers spend at least four hours a day commuting from outlying areas where rent is cheaper.

It was the four hours a day that caught my attention, since that's about what I spend commuting. I'm pretty content to catch up on NPR and my reading in that chunk of time, but I, however, am not working for minimum wage or trying to raise a family.

New urbanism and mixed-use communities, it seems, have nothing on Mickey's "magic." The folks over at DisneyCo must not have seen National Geographic's cool New Urbanism interactive ... which is surprising, because it's animated and cartoony. (See, learning IS fun.)

"Disney's position is, this is our brand, we have a brand image to protect," said Cynthia King, director of the Center for Entertainment and Tourism at California State University, Fullerton. "People have an expectation, and you can't really hold that against them."

Well. Um. Sure I can. Especially when their brand of magic is bad for workers, families, and the health of the environment.

More Learnin'

• National Geo's "The New Suburb?"
• Colorado's resorts start to get a clue: NPR's "Low Income Resort Housing"
• New West Network: "Affordable Housing Woes Plague Colorado Resort Region"