Disney World in the Age of COVID

It takes only about 30 seconds of exposure to the happiest of viruses — the highly contagious Disney infection — to shed one’s wintry New York cynicism and welcome it. On the flight to Orlando, my older daughter — mature, wise, hilariously sarcastic, weeks away from becoming a teen — held her favorite stuffed animal up to the window so Daisy the deer could share the view. Disney World’s magic brings out the kid in all of us. It even works on kids.

Walt Disney World is a place where families wear matching, themed T-shirts, sullen high-school students take on expressions of unembarrassed delight, and middle-aged parents’ achy knees stop hurting. It’s even more true now than usual: Disney is the solution for whatever ails America. If you can get to one of its parks, get there.

About the Author

Kyle Smith

Kyle Smith is the film critic for the Wall Street Journal.

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It takes only about 30 seconds of exposure to the happiest of viruses — the highly contagious Disney infection — to shed one’s wintry New York cynicism and welcome it. On the flight to Orlando, my older daughter — mature, wise, hilariously sarcastic, weeks away from becoming a teen — held her favorite stuffed animal up to the window so Daisy the deer could share the view. Disney World’s magic brings out the kid in all of us. It even works on kids.

Walt Disney World is a place where families wear matching, themed T-shirts, sullen high-school students take on expressions of unembarrassed delight, and middle-aged parents’ achy knees stop hurting. It’s even more true now than usual: Disney is the solution for whatever ails America. If you can get to one of its parks, get there.