Cruel & Unusual Punishment

Hugh Hewitt is broadcasting his radio show from Disneyland for the park's 50th anniversary, and his producer notes an odd request from his boss. If this were a sentence handed down against, say, a convicted terrorist, the ACLU would be screaming:

Today, Hugh concocted a much less physical, but far more mentally demanding challenge. It was my task to deliver, in honor of Disney's golden anniversary, 50 consecutive trips through It's a Small World. Stop laughing.

Everyone has ridden it at least once. Many have only ridden it once. I've lived within a reasonable drive of Disneyland my whole life, so let's just say that in my lifetime, the ride and I have become acquainted. Before I comment on the day's events, however, let me lay down a couple of facts. The ride itself, from the tunnel into the building to the tunnel out of the building, takes about ten and half minutes. The rest of the time is the return to the loading/unloading dock, and the trip to the building. That part of the ride depends largely on the crew working, the number of people in line, and what kind of physical shape the other riders are in. Second to keep in mind was the park opened at 10AM PST, and we ended our show at 6PM PST. It was going to be real tight to get 50 rides in.

Hugh, have mercy! (Or at least spell him for a few rounds...)