Disney at what age?

When I read the Friday Sentinel article “Ad tells parents: Preschoolers will love theme parks,” about the Visit Orlando campaign, which encourages parents to bring small children to Disney, I thought to myself, “Finally, someone really gets it.”

When I lived in Maryland, and my children were small, I would get frustrated with friends who said they were waiting until the kids got “old enough to appreciate it” before they would visit the parks.

We took our children and then grandchildren to Disney when they were well younger than 3. At that age, they delight in seeing the characters as real people, not just someone dressed up. It is magical to watch them. Do they remember? Not really. But I will treasure those memories and know in my heart that these magical moments contributed to the deep bond between us.

This said, I was upset when I read Jim Stratton’s Monday column, “Don’t worry — parks magic for older kids, too,” ridiculing the campaign for its premise that kids are jaded and have “seen it all by elementary school.” My 9-year-old grandson still loves Disney for the rides and the costumes, but that sense of wonder at the fantasy is gone, just like the magic of seeing Santa at the mall.

I am glad that Visit Orlando is encouraging others to take advantage of the narrow window of opportunity to see a small child enjoy Disney. Better weather, less crowds and, what wasn’t mentioned, kids under 3 are admitted free.

Barbara Valis

Under the warning-shots law, could Dunn have argued these were simply “warning” shots?

How will the police be able to decipher what is a missed shot or a warning shot? Between “stand your ground” and the warningshot laws, my advice to Floridians is clear: Shoot first, don’t miss, and don’t run, because if you do, you will either wind up dead or be found guilty.

Unless, of course, your gun is a Pop Tart. Then you will be all right. Tallahassee has been working hard to clarify the rules of make-believe guns — just not the real ones.

Jason H. Kendall Altamonte