another "why do you always go to disney" thread

[Deesknee]

okay, I thought I didn't care anymore what people think of my families vacationing preferences, but,

Tonight at work A coworker asks me where DH and I are going on vaca this year. He and his wife have been on cruises, gone to Hawii twice have been to the midwest, Alaska, etc. etc. Now I've known this man for apprx. 19 yrs. thru work. I like him & his wife alot. I always enjoy hearing about their vacations, home additions , basically their lives. I know he doesn't drink, smoke, gamble. Yet I never question what it is he likes about cruises. Anyway, when I tell him we've recently purchased dvc ( with a brief explantaion of what dvc is.), and that we'll be using that in disney 2x this year I thought he was going to faint. He very nicely inquires as to what we do there!!!! How do you explain enjoy every expression you loved ones make.
So, I just explained we do alot of 1/2 days in the parks on the longer trips with alot of relaxing intertwined. I told him of DTD (this was apparently new to him) I mentioned the pools, DQ, the shows, I even felt the need to mention Sea world and Universal although we rarely feel the need to go there.
He asks why we don't take the kids to national parks. I answer we do we drive to NH 2x a year, I just find the need to spend a week there. He mentions the Gran Canyon, I tell him I don't think my 17mnth old will enjoy it that much. We both laughed. Again, he is a nice guy, he just doesn't get it.
So, as we talk a little more he says he took his kid to Disney once and has no desire to go back. I am so surprised, I have always taken him for one of the big teddy bear kind of guys that would become a kid himself just riding dumbo.Finally I ask him why, why doesn't he like it? Do you know what he says.....He doesn't DO rides!! I say, well, what about the great movie ride ones that are just enjoyable not thrill rides. He says he didn't do ANY rides. Alas, why he doesn't get Disney. I didn't ask him how old his kids were when he took them, but I do know he has a 9yr old grandson.His wife wants to take the grandson. He says no. Maybe I'll work on him a bit for his wife. Come to think of it, who knows maybe he'll end up being a dvcer.LOL
Sorry, I went on and on. It just struck a nerve tonight talking to him.
Thanks for listening. I know with all the heart ache in the world this is so minor. And I do know how fortunate I am to be a member of such a wonderful "community".

 

[Caskbill]

A lot of people don't have a clue what WDW is. Many think of it as just a theme park, AKA Disneyland, or a 6-Flags, etc.

Tell him WDW is more than 35 square miles in size, larger than New York's Manhattan island. Tell him it contains 4 major theme parks, 2 water parks, a half dozen or so 18 hole golf courses, about 25 major hotels, major dining restaurants, downtown Disney with things like Cirque du Solei, a high speed automobile racetrack on property, a full Sports complex, all kinds of water sports available, minature golf, and on and on and on.

And if you go outside of WDW itself there is a ton of other stuff: Theatre dinner shows, other theme parks (SW, USF, IoA), restaurants, etc etc etc.

Explain to him what Epcot's World Showcase is about. He can dine and shop in 10 foreign 'countries', eating their ethnic foods.

Ask him if he knows why WDW is the number 1 tourist destination in the entire world. Does he think it's because people go for the rides???

If he still doesn't get it, then I suggest you give up and enjoy your own vacations.

 

[jbwolffiv]

I agree. Most people see WDW as just a theme park. Many people do not get the magic! Most of the people that I work with have had to listen to me talk about all the wonderful thing to do there.

 

[athenna]

I agree with you all. Most people just don't ''get it''. They assume it's for kids only. In my opinion, a lot of things especially Epcot, go right over little one's heads. When other people think of Disney, they think Dumbo, castle, Mickey, kiddie rides. They have no idea what they could really experience. Even the woman that notarized my mortgage for DVC thought I was nuts! She couldn't believe I've gone as many times as I have and never brought kids. I don't have any kids! I was always the kid that went. When I have kids, I'll bring them. Until then, I am quite happy being an adult at WDW.
I am also from Mass. and the people that think we're nuts are the same people that go to the Cape ever year, and it's in Mass! I don't bother trying to defend myself anymore, let them think what they want. They're the one's missing something if they haven't experienced the magic!

 

[cheyita]

I am starting to feel a little uncomfortable now with telling family members. I usually will say something like "we're going to Florida" - most of my family realize what that means, and I hear a few "again?"s. I've gotten to the point where I just say, "Yeah, we just love it there. There is SO much to do!"

And since DH and I were considering moving to Florida a couple years back - which mortified some of my family - I just say, "Hey - better visiting often then picking up and moving there." That suddenly turns my mother extremely supportive of the vacation!

 

[MOMO2DK]

Interesting. I asked my SIL if she and my brother wanted to join us on our upcoming trip, bringing their daughter-she's 1 1/2. My SIL said WDW doesn't interest her, where her daughter is so young. Well then I realized, like your friend at work, she just doesn't GET IT.

With our own DK's, who are a bit too young to really "do" the parks, we take our time, we are sure to relax, we go out to eat. Being at WDW, and a Disney vacation is so much more than what some peolpe think.

It's too bad she feels that way, I know my brother would like it. If she felt that her daughter was too young for the parks, they could still have a great vacation and never go near a park, we have.

DVC is also so much more that WDW too. I just made reservations with my points for a long weekend in NYC. And when my kids are older, a cruise, Washington DC, etc... are on my agenda for future vacations.

So my question is, for all my fellow DVCers and WDW lovers, how long before I extend another invitation to my SIL?

 

[cheyita]

So my question is, for all my fellow DVCers and WDW lovers, how long before I extend another invitation to my SIL?

I would not unless they start to express an interest in going. JMO.

 

[DeDixie]

This is the list I compiled when I had the need to defend our trips to my sister. I told her that these were some of the things offered at DW.

Parasailing
Fishing
Movies
Comedy Club
Dance Clubs
Piano Bar
Sea Race Boats
Water Parks
Shopping
Cirque du Soleil
Restaurants
Pools
Fireworks
4 Major Parks
Playgrounds
Horseback Riding
Canoeing
Camping
Hayride
Carriage Ride
Surrey Bike
Bike rental
Pontoon rental
Disney Quest
Golf
Miniature Golf
Spa’s
Race car driving
Water skiing
Surfing
Specialty Cruises
Photography Services
Cooking / Tea Party/ Pirate for kids
Tennis
Running
Backstage Tours
Segway Tour
Fitness Center
Basketball
Volleyball
Shuffleboard
Croquet
Game Rooms
Specialty Dining
Midway Games
Petting Farm
Dinner Shows
Kayaks
Pedal Boats
Campfire / Movies
Afternoon Tea
Sunrise Safari ride
DVD Rental
Sailing

 

[beccasmom]

We get asked that question a lot. Every year when I say I am going on vacation, I hear ‘Disney World again??!!’. I am one of those people who, when I find something that agrees with me, sticks to it. I can honestly say there is no place I would rather be. I have traveled extensively – cruises, Hawaii, Europe – and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. But nothing comes close to Disney. It is a very special place, but there are some folks who really don’t get it. My neighbor loves going to Disney with her son, but her husband hates. So they rarely go and that is a shame.

It is kind of ironic because in my area the big vacation spot is the Jersey shore. That is fine, but the irony of people returning there again and again escapes them. Personally, I am kind of bored there – Disney is much more interesting, IMHO. There are so many ways to be entertained, meet interesting folks and just plain have fun! Not to mention the excellent service. And since becoming a DVC member, it has become even bettter. Every trip is just like my first and I never tire of my first views on a new trip – first ‘Welcome Home’ sign, first sighting of the Castle at MK, first view of the Epcot “globe”. There are activities we do every time we are there and things we try for the first time. There are no other chances in my life when I can be a child again for a little while – those times are precious to me and I revel in them. I really don’t think there are adquate words to explain these feelings to folks who don’t get it. I think they are really missing out…….

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I live in an area where many of my friends and neighbors are in highly technical career fields. I have noticed that many of them give the impression they are too "sophisticated" for anything Disney-related. They are constantly trying to find more and more adventuresome vacations. I don't know at what point Disney started to become passe with this generation of snobs -- but I'm glad I'm not one of them.

 

[Mickmse2002]

I gave up trying to explain it to anyone. You either "get it" or don't. I recently was in Jacksonville with two co-workers and we day-tripped to Epcot. The one said he was at Epcot last August so he thought he had already seen and done it all. I was amazed at how little he knew about the place for having recently been there. I enjoyed the day but it just wasn't the same as when I go with my family, a very real difference in the enthusiasm for the atmosphere, attractions, events and people.

 

[SG1Fan]

My standard response:

Oh no I dont want to go back. I have to go back. You see Disney put something in the water and if I dont go back I will have severe fun withdrawals. I have no other choice but to go back and get my "fix."

They laugh and thats that

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I've actually had the VP of our division look at me during our last meeting in front of everyone and say something like, "WOW! You're here! You're usually in Florida/Disney during our meetings." It's semi-true that they frequently end up falling at the same time (and we have many throughout the year), but hey....don't bust me because I like to get away! Freak coincidence.

I also have a coworker who is constantly hounding me about when our next Disney Cruise is. Hey, I've only been on them four times! It's not like I go every month!!!

 

[JUDSON]

...So, as we talk a little more he says he took his kid to Disney once and has no desire to go back..

My wife never got the Disney thing until she started going with me. Turns out she had gone once before as a child and had stayed in a small hotel offsite. When we started staying at the beach club and the polynesian she then understood the disney magic.

If the vacation is done right (deluxe disney/dvc hotels, hopper passes, dinner shows/character meals, crowd avoidance planning) I can't understand him and his family not having the "desire to go back". My kids would throw me outta the house if they went more than a yr without visiting WDW.

 

[WDWLVR]

Many people just don't get it even after they've gone. We took my in-laws with us and shared a two bedroom with them at Boardwalk. All we had them pay for were their park hoppers (we had AP's). They just didn't think it was worth the money and the happiest day for them (and us) was the day they drove over to Port Canaveral to go on one of the gambling boats.


They think nothing of spending a week a Cocoa Beach and walking on the beach in the morning and going to a movie, the mall , or gambling in the afternoon. I'd be bored out of my mind doing that.

So now we go to Disney without them and everyone once in a while treat them to a week at Vero Beach.

My co-workers I'm sure think I'm nuts for going to Disney as often as we do, but I'm the first person they come to when they want advice!

 

[cheyita]

My kids would throw me outta the house if they went more than a yr without visiting WDW.

Gosh, what an absolutely pitiful statement that I can completely relate to!

 

[SimbaNoodle]

Most people don't get it. My love for Disney has come from a lifetime of Disney memories since I was 4 years old. 32 years later, I still love sharing my Disney experience with wife and two children.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

My co-workers I'm sure think I'm nuts for going to Disney as often as we do, but I'm the first person they come to when they want advice!

But do you find that even after giving people advice (that they ask for), they do not heed your advice, go to Disney and then have a completely crappy time? BUT, if they would just take a few of the tips we give them their bad experience may not have happened -- could have been prevented?

That drives me crazy!!!

 

[N&B'smom]

I know people have commented to me about us taking a vacation with our kids to WDW and how it's not a REAL vacation. They always imply that they're sure I'd prefer taking them somewhere else more adult friendly. They don't get it at all. When my hubby and I took our children to WDW for the first time this past Sept it wasn't JUST about the kids, it was about us too!!! We had the greatest time watching them enjoy everything!!! We had such a wonderful time we plan on returning next year and are currently waiting for Disney to decide if they'll let us buy a re-sale or they'll use their ROFR. (Hope they don't!) I think WDW is the most magical place on earth!

beccasmom - I agree about the Jersey Shore, I live at the Jersey Shore. I personally don't get why people come here year after year. I'd much rather head to Disney!!! Btw, my dd's name is Becca!

Shelby

 

[FreeTime]

I get similiar responses from co-workers as well. They all know where I will be vacationing! I hear questions such as,"Don't you get bored?" I feel like such a traitor because for awhile now I have been telling them that DH likes it because I truly thought that I was getting bored of going there. But guess what? Now I am feeling withdrawl because I won't get to spend a week at WDW until next October! We are taking our first cruise in May and then staying Thursday and Friday night at BWV, but I don't know if one day in the park will give me my fix. Also, they really think I am crazy when they learn that our DD, who is 4, has been 14 times ! I have recently learned that my sis, who went with us last January and we went several times growing up, loves WDW as well and wishes that she could convince her husband to buy DVC. He says it is a waste of money and they need to always take family vacations together (I guess he thinks we'll go without him?) so he doesn't get it either! But you know what, I am fine with other people not getting it. That means that there will be more fun for me without them at the most magical place on earth!