We Need To Talk About That Black-ish Trip To Disney World

So...in the grand tradition of ABC sitcoms, the Johnsons from ABC's Black-ish went to Disney World in last week's season premiere. (I grew up on the TGIF tradition and always loved the episodes of Family Matters, Full House and Boy Meets World where they went to Disney World.)

Now, I love the show. I love Disney. I even love the way the season premiere started:

"I love feeling special. Getting the first-class treatment. It says "American as Apple Pie and Baseball." [...] But look -- it's not just me. Everybody loves special treatment. It's the thing that says: 'you're different, you're the best, you deserve shrimp.' So that's why when it came time to plan a family vacation, I knew I wanted to ball out."
"Disney World, huh? Nice."
"Not just Disney World--Disney World VIP."

This is the hallmark of Disney customer service -- make sure everyone has a magical vacation.

Now, of course, how magical that vacation is depends (a lot, actually) on how much money you spend. The more you spend, the "more magical" (re: better) your vacation. You get seated faster for dining reservations, you get more frequent bus service, you have better concierge service at your hotel.

It's also the pinnacle of middle-class vacation destinations -- hence the importance of the Johnsons going there and "buying" Cody the tour guide.

The main plot of the episode is how Dre hires a Disney VIP Tour Guide to give the kids the VIP treatment (behind the scenes tours + Fastpass+++ for all the rides) and how that isn't necessary to enjoy Disney as a family -- but what bugged me was the subplot with Bow and Dre's parents. Since Bow is pregnant, she can't ride any of the rides (been there!), so she goes off with Ruby and Pops, who've gone to EPCOT (presumably to drink, since Magic Kingdom is (largely) a dry park).

This is where I started to get irked -- because it's almost as if the producers were like, "Yeah...let's forget that a lot of our viewing audience may have actually been to Disney World. Who needs to worry about continuity?"

Because here's the thing: Bow goes to join Ruby and Pops at EPCOT -- only when she joins up with them, they're sitting at a bar in Animal Kingdom -- specifically, the Dawa bar in Harambe village near Tusker House restaurant. Is it bad that I know this? That I am THAT familiar with park geography? (I'm going to say 'no.') You can tell it's Dawa bar from the distinctive bar design (see a pic here from the Disney Food Blog):

They're supposed to be in EPCOT. (Never mind that Dre and the kids were riding Splash Mountain one minute, then they're in line for Test Track, then they're back in MK for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. NO.)

[Read more below -- pic-heavy post.]

Either way, Bow's upset she can't do anything, so she wants to go back to the hotel. 

Okay. No big deal. 

Except, that the next time we see them, they are CLEARLY in EPCOT. How do we know?

That's "The Land." Home of the one most under-rated rides, Living With The Land, and one of the most over-rated rides, Soarin'. (In its defense, I haven't been on the new version of it, but I stand by the fact that it's not worth a 4 hour wait. Also, I can't remember seeing the line outside of the building as Bow & Co. are getting into it above. (I've also never waited in it when it's 4 hours long, so it could go outside.)

Here they are, clearly riding Soarin':

Only, when they (allegedly) come out of the ride, they are, again just as CLEARLY, not in EPCOT. Where are they now? Back in the Magic Kingdom, as you can CLEARLY see from "The Barnstormer" in New Fantasyland in the background of the shot:

They also reference the Dumbo ride and cut to a shot of it, so...you know. DEFINITELY NEW FANTASYLAND. (And, yes, there's lots of cute references about how they're looking for a park exit (really, it's not that hard to find -- all roads lead back to it eventually) but keep getting sucked in to these adorable and fun rides.

Don't even get me started on how they just "randomly happen to participate in the parade."

Because then, right after, Bow meets Dre in what I am 99% sure is Animal Kingdom, somewhere around Expedition Everest:

I also love the official Disney guys "casually" standing around (a.k.a. clearly keeping the crowds from accosting the celebrities filming a TV show).

*sigh*

I know that, in the grand scheme of things, this doesn't matter -- but surely I can't be the only Disney Nerd that this bothered?

In the end, though, this is the most important shot:

 Disney has always been about making memories with your family -- Disney truly does bring everyone together: which is why it was so important that Bow was teleporting between parks hanging out with Ruby and Pops all day. Her relationship with Ruby has never been the best, but in the face of  Disney magic (and with just a little bit of pixie dust) they don't fight.