Defending vacation choices.

[Disnee]

We got back from a trip just a couple of months ago, and plans were already in the works to go back ON THE WAY HOME Yeah, people don't get us, but then I figure that unless they've been to DL and felt the magic they won't be able to understand.

For us, with our child's age, DL is the one place where we can ALL go, and ALL have a wonderful time. We don't have to "dumb it down" for DS's sake, going on some god-awful kiddie holiday where DH and I live in fear of losing precious brain cells. DS isn't bored silly trying to be amused by more adult pursuits - it's a win-win all around Not to say we couldn't all enjoy ourselves on a beach somewhere, but I can only do that kind of holiday for a day or two before I'm bored. DL is truly our family happy place, and as long as we're happy with it - and the ones paying for it - I don't let other people's comments bug me. The time will come when we start to vacation in other ways/places....but for now DL fits the bill perfectly.

 

[princess@heart]

Not to say we couldn't all enjoy ourselves on a beach somewhere, but I can only do that kind of holiday for a day or two before I'm bored.

I totally agree. Aside from the fact that we live at a beach... LOL... I'd get bored with nothing to do at a resort with just a pool, a beach, and a few restaurants.

And to add to that, I'm very fair-skinned, and I have a family history of skin cancer. Even just for a day at a water park, I slather on tons of sunscreen, keep my shoulders covered, and try to lay in the shade if taking a break. Then I try to stay out of the sun for the next few days. I've gotten burnt too many times to really enjoy the beach.

 

[labagit]

I totally agree. Aside from the fact that we live at a beach... LOL... I'd get bored with nothing to do at a resort with just a pool, a beach, and a few restaurants.

And to add to that, I'm very fair-skinned, and I have a family history of skin cancer. Even just for a day at a water park, I slather on tons of sunscreen, keep my shoulders covered, and try to lay in the shade if taking a break. Then I try to stay out of the sun for the next few days. I've gotten burnt too many times to really enjoy the beach.

Ahh, but there is so much more to a "beach vacation" than lying on the beach...Snorkeling with incredible fish and beautifully colored coral, hiking through rainforests, viewing waterfalls, listening to the waves as you lie in bed at night, watching the sunrise or sunset over the horizon of the ocean, experiencing a different culture if your beach vacation takes you to a different country....

I've been on numerous "beach vacations", and I've probably never spent longer than just an hour on the beach, and it wasn't spent lying around. They are what I could return to time and time again, yet I want to have different experiences as well. So this is where I differ...I can understand the people that don't "get it" that some want to spend all their vacations at Disney, because I thrive on diversity. Even though I have my favorites, I would never want to go to the same place again and again. I don't worry about not having a better vacation; I know it will just be a different vacation.

All that said, it's no one else's business how you spend your family time and money. If it works for you, that's fabulous. There've been a few who have felt that questions come from jealousy, though, and I think they just come from different perspectives. It's easy to fall into the mindset that how we do things is the best. That's when a friendly discussion like the OP had with his coworker can educate and remind that we all make choices and the important thing at the end of the day is to be happy with our own.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Honestly? I wouldn't waste one bit of energy "defending" my vacation choices. What in heaven's name does holding such a debate accomplish even if you "win?" Absolutely nothing.

Wow if this thread turned into a debate it was because a couple of people turned it into one. And it wasn't the OP who did that on this thread or in the original lighthearted conversation she had with a friend. Honestly, this is a DISNEY board. We all come here because we all like Disney probably a bit more than the average person. We come here to trade little stories and tidbits about our trips, the planning we do, right down to what snack we can't wait to eat and what ride we ride first and if we cry during Remember and why that hotel in our sig is our favorite place to stay. I have seen numerous threads on this topic, particularly on the WDW side and I can never remember a single time before this one, when it got turned around into something more serious than just a "hey, aren't we all Disney addicts and look how everybody wonders about our sanity" Ha ha, hee hee. Its just a commentary on something sort of funny. Not a debate meant to spark up any indignation. And perfectly fun and appropriate for a board named DIS!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks for the link. I realize now that I have seen the current opening for WWOD before, but it usually preceded a Disney animated movie. I was hoping for the original series reruns with Walt himself, and not just showing Disney movies.

Does anyone own WWOD on DVD? I'd really like to know how I can buy the episodes about Disneyland.

Amber, I bought the set of the original epsiodes ABC ran when Disneyland was being built and first opened. These were 4 (2 disc set) old black and white episodes that helped advertise and finance Disneyland. I think Walt got some financial backing to build his park from ABC and the tradeoff was that he would do these episodes. I got this set (it came in sort of a silver, metallic case) and its called "Walt Disney Treasures, Disneyland USA". I got mine from the Disney movie club thing I used to belong to but I have also seen them at my local Disney store.

The Wonderful World of Disney I used to watch as a kid was always on Sunday nights at 6:00 I think. It was usually a Disney movie or show and it always kicked off with this little footage of Tink using her wand to ignite the fireworks over the castle. This would have been back in the late 60's and early 70's. Before your time! But I know it continued to run for many years.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Thanks Amy! Very well said.

 

[Jestocost]

Wow if this thread turned into a debate it was because a couple of people turned it into one. And it wasn't the OP who did that on this thread or in the original lighthearted conversation she had with a friend. Honestly, this is a DISNEY board. We all come here because we all like Disney probably a bit more than the average person. We come here to trade little stories and tidbits about our trips, the planning we do, right down to what snack we can't wait to eat and what ride we ride first and if we cry during Remember and why that hotel in our sig is our favorite place to stay. I have seen numerous threads on this topic, particularly on the WDW side and I can never remember a single time before this one, when it got turned around into something more serious than just a "hey, aren't we all Disney addicts and look how everybody wonders about our sanity" Ha ha, hee hee. Its just a commentary on something sort of funny. Not a debate meant to spark up any indignation. And perfectly fun and appropriate for a board named DIS!

I wasn't referring to the debate in this thread or criticizing the OP. Just adding my "tidbit" about how I react in these situations. No indignation on my part.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I wasn't referring to the debate in this thread or criticizing the OP. Just adding my "tidbit" about how I react in these situations. No indignation on my part.

You said:

Honestly? I wouldn't waste one bit of energy "defending" my vacation choices. What in heaven's name does holding such a debate accomplish even if you "win?" Absolutely nothing.

This reply suggested to me you were indignant at that thought. The term "wasting" implies being a bit critical since you say you would not do that. That might be your tidbit and you might not mean it to be critical but in the end its hard to tell on a message board. I don't know your tone only your language. And thats how I came to my conclusion.

 

[Jestocost]

You said:

Honestly? I wouldn't waste one bit of energy "defending" my vacation choices. What in heaven's name does holding such a debate accomplish even if you "win?" Absolutely nothing.

This reply suggested to me you were indignant at that thought. The term "wasting" implies being a bit critical since you say you would not do that. That might be your tidbit and you might not mean it to be critical but in the end its hard to tell on a message board. I don't know your tone only your language. And thats how I came to my conclusion.

Imagine the conclusion I came to based on your response then.

 

[Amy&Dan]

delted not worth it!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Honestly? I wouldn't waste one bit of energy "defending" my vacation choices. What in heaven's name does holding such a debate accomplish even if you "win?" Absolutely nothing.

If I may offer a bit more on this subject, please bear with me.

When I first read this post, I honestly wasn't sure what kind of tone it was meant to convey. Giving Jestocost the benefit of the doubt, I asked myself, "Why would I defend or debate my vacation choice? What would I expect to gain by doing so?"

Firstly, some people make comments like that thinking DL is a been there, done that kind of place, and for some perhaps it is. Some people (as another poster said) like variety in their vacations, and would not consider going back to the same place when there are other places to explore. Some people might be jealous, I suppose, though that jealousy is silly when you really look at it. Some people might think that they seriously could never afford to take such a vacation, and wouldn't even look into what it would take. My parents were the latter.

When someone asks why we're going back again, I assume it's an honest question, whether it's said seriously, jokingly, or snidely. We say because we had such an incredible, magical vacation, and can't wait to experience that again!

I understand people liking variety in their vacations, I also would enjoy that, but we are somewhat limited by DH's vacation choices (he likes familiarity), and finances, and the fact that we have two very small boys. If someone honestly thinks that they could never afford DL, I will be happy to put the cost in relative terms for the person. I used to have a latte every single day. I used to eat out for lunch every week day. We used to eat out for dinner 2 to 3 times a week, and we're not even talking nice dinners! I was shocked at how much money I was eating up every year for those habits!

What do I expect to gain? Perhaps educating someone else can be considered a gain. They don't have to agree with my choice, or even really get it. If the question was asked snidely, perhaps my answer that we had a fantastic time will satisfy them and shut them up. I'd consider no more snide comments a plus!

Right now I'm helping two (separate) friends plan trips to DL. One is a young single girl who is going to DL for the first time, with a girlfriend and the friend's kids. The other is a single mom with two boys, who has also never been. The reason they chose to go is because they asked me why we want to go back, and I answered honestly.

And I'm having almost as much fun helping plan their trips as I am our own! Another gain!

 

[MATTERHORN]

Alex2kmommy, couldn't have said it better myself. You nailed it right on the head. I can only hope that others can have as magical a time with their family there as I do with mine!

Andrea

 

[Tink33]

You know... I wonder if people who live near Disney parks and have APs get weird comments about going often?

Although I am not going as much due to a new job and people are asking what is wrong with me.

 

[XTinabell]

I'm going to jump on here and defend jestocost. I've been reading this thread for a couple of days now shaking my head at how such a simple topic can turn into a heated debate. Jestocost wasn't the original person who tried to start a fight check out page 1 if you need to remember who it was. It's okay for people to disagree on the dl pages - some people defend their vacation choices other's don't it's pointless to jump into a war and the way I saw it Jestocost was just pointing out he/she doesn't defend their vacation choices. I don't believe it was a personal attack. There is a right way to disagree that was how Jestocost did it and there is an impolite way and that was how the person on page one did it.That's all I"m going to say and now I'm going to slip back out and help people with their disney planning, play nice everyone

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I defend my vacation choices because I find it rude that someone is questioning my going there, with my own hard earned money. I guess the question of this thread should be, "Why question someone's vacation choice? What do you get out of saying "AGAIN?" to them? It's simply not nice, and should be expected for that person to question you right back. Nothing worse to me then a person who can dish it, but can't take it. If you don't want someone questioning your weekly bowling trips, then don't question their yearly Disney trips. Simple as that!

If someone goes to Hawaii every year, I think that they must really love it there. Good for them! I'd wish them a good time, tell them to bring in some pictures afterwards. Instead of being rude by saying "Why there AGAIN?" When truely it isn't my business of why anyway. JMHO

 

[Amy&Dan]

I think there probably was misunderstanding on several of our parts with this thread. And that happens, its really hard to sometimes not jump to a conclusion on a message board. Its not like a conversation when you can tell what a person means by more than just their words. Most of the time I think many of us are sort of slipping in and out of threads while we are doing other things and we read them quickly and respond quickly, maybe too quickly! In the end, people will all feel very different and very personal about their decisions on how to spend their money and their time. And react accordingly. I still have thought this was a very fun thread and its interesting to see that many of us regular visitors to DL and WDW get some of the same responses from friends and family.

 

[Jestocost]

I think there probably was misunderstanding on several of our parts with this thread. And that happens, its really hard to sometimes not jump to a conclusion on a message board. Its not like a conversation when you can tell what a person means by more than just their words. Most of the time I think many of us are sort of slipping in and out of threads while we are doing other things and we read them quickly and respond quickly, maybe too quickly! In the end, people will all feel very different and very personal about their decisions on how to spend their money and their time. And react accordingly. I still have thought this was a very fun thread and its interesting to see that many of us regular visitors to DL and WDW get some of the same responses from friends and family.

FWIW, I agree completely. I never meant to be negative or anything, just wanted to add how I deal with such things. I'm an inveterate smart aleck with a heart of gold, however; a combination that doesn't always translate well in one-off posts.

 

[Amy&Dan]

FWIW, I agree completely. I never meant to be negative or anything, just wanted to add how I deal with such things. I'm an inveterate smart aleck with a heart of gold, however; a combination that doesn't always translate well in one-off posts.

See, I told you we were both nice people! And I was right wasn't I? And FWIW, I too am a bit of smart aleck! Hey, I do have a question, are you a guy or gal? (I always like to get a mental picture of my dis friends, hard to do when I don't know the gender!)

 

[Jestocost]

See, I told you we were both nice people! And I was right wasn't I? And FWIW, I too am a bit of smart aleck! Hey, I do have a question, are you a guy or gal? (I always like to get a mental picture of my dis friends, hard to do when I don't know the gender!)

I'm a guy and have been for my entire life.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I'm a guy and have been for my entire life.

good one......you know personally, I dont take offense at somebody saying something about me going to disneyland all the time...I just laugh i think its funny