Anyone else have friends or family who basically think you're a fool

[Nancyg56]

Thank you for articulating what I just couldn't find the words for. I so agree!

It is a real peeve of mine. Not so much the "Disney again, you poor unfortunate soul". I am offended when people determine that they know what is best for me or anyone else. WE took my DGD to Hampton Beach one SUmmer so she could wake up "on the beach", something she had wanted to do. This was one expensive trip!!! Now as a kid growing up in CT we spent most of our beach time at Salisbury and Seabrook, so I know cold water, but HOLY COLD!!!!! My DH told me never again......warm water or no water! LOL! I had forgotten how cold the water is, and how strong the undertow was, and how much of an anxiety ridden terrified mess I am in the water.

I'm not good with heights either, and as much as I loved Niagara Falls, I was pretty pathetic hanging on to a 5 YO for dear life when we were on the Maid of the Mist. The poor kid was my life line!

I guess what I am trying to say is that I respect what others choose to do on vacation. We took the little family on my street with us last year, a week at the GRand for all of us. The girls loved it, but Mom? Hated every minute. Came home exhausted and cross. You see....she camps at the beach. I would rather chew glass and die then spend even one night in a camper or one full day lounging on the beach. And do not get me started about the sand, hanging clothes out and cooking on vacation.
She is not wrong, and even though we choose different paths, we both return from our vacations ready to face "life" again. That is what a vacation is supposed to do.

 

[cruiser21]

The only way someone is missing out in life is if they want to travel to those places and then do not. I have some dear friends who almost never leave the neighborhood on their vacation. We live in a lake community, and he grew u here. They have every water toy imaginable, and spend their vacation dollars on water craft. For them, spending the day on the water is the best time ever, and I respect that. If I go out on the lake once a year, I'm good. I do not think they are missing out on anything, and they do not think I'm nuts when I want to get on a plane to go places. This family has such a close relationship with each other, and every weekend in the Summer they cement it even closer. After work in the evening they are out on our gorgeous lake, and come WInter.....the snow machines and ice fishing gear appear, and they are together there again.

For my family, WDW is reasonably priced. WE know what we are paying for, and we get what we pay for, and leave without buyers remorse. I have vacationed elsewhere, and have enjoyed those trips, but while you anticipate your Asia and Australia vacations, I would be a ball of anxiety. What is an adventure for you would not be for me, and while I would enjoy stories of your travels, I have absolutely no desire to take them myself. I'm not wrong, and I do not miss out. I just want different experiences than you do.

I do think that while you did not mean to offend, your comments are the comments that many of us are talking about in this thread. WDW is a vacation destination you do not understand as a vacation preference, because you tend to vacation differently, so those who choose not to expand their horizons must be missing out on experiences that they should desire. What you and so many other people do not recognize is that just because we can go elsewhere doesn't mean that we should do so. I think that no matter the tone, when people feel their choices are superior to those whose choices are different, it is offensive and rude. It is the undertone from those people that most of us resent.

I've done my share of WDW vacations in the past. I get the obsession and comfort of going some place familiar. I was just curious why people aren't more interested in branching out. Sometimes you have to push yourself past your comfort zone. You might find yourself pleasantly surprised. Sometimes you don't know your missing out on something until you've actually done it. That also goes for the people that say they'd never do Disney. They may not know what they are missing.

 

[Tattylou]

We stay at the value resorts and honestly they are generally 150 a night or less. I'd probably pay the same to stay off site...maybe in a bigger room, but we are barely in the room. I'd prefer smaller room in the Disney bubble. I've gone on Plenty of non-Disney vacations, but I still like an annual trip to Disney (even a short one). I'm going in April to the Clearwater area and renting a condo on the beach and that is costing me more then pop century per night. When it's all said and done by the time we go to Legoland, Bush Gardens, aquarium, Big Cat Rescue, etc on that trip, we probably will have spent what we spend on Disney tickets. Even with a kitchen in the condo I'm not going to cook like I'm at home. I'm on vacation. I want to eat out. So to me the cost isn't too much different than other trips or being off site....and I love disney.
Now disneyland is another story. I don't mind off site there at all bc I can walk to the park from off site hotels.

 

[Nancyg56]

I've done my share of WDW vacations in the past. I get the obsession and comfort of going some place familiar. I was just curious why people aren't more interested in branching out. Sometimes you have to push yourself past your comfort zone. You might find yourself pleasantly surprised. Sometimes you don't know your missing out on something until you've actually done it. That also goes for the people that say they'd never do Disney. They may not know what they are missing.

I think that what you may have missed in the conversation is that many people have branched out, but choose to go back to their comfort zones for vacation. I know what is best for me, as do you. I know what experiences I want, and I shall have them, but that does not negate that when I simply want to rest and recharge I am going to a place that gives me the tools to do so. For some that is the beach, and for others it is exploring faraway places. Right now for me it is WDW.

I ask you to read your post once again. People have repeatedly tried to explain why they choose one vacation over another. They have tried to discuss why the undertones that friends and family use to disparage the same choice of vacation is insulting. WE all have shared that we are not missing out on another destination, and that our choice is a deliberate choice. Your post assumes that people do not know what they are missing if they choose to vacation in the same place over and over, so they should try it your way. That is my problem.....Not just you, but anyone who determines that they know better what is the best choice for a family. We all know our own family dynamic and we make decisions based on specific needs and desires. I respect that in others, so I get annoyed when others choose not to respect that I know what works for us.

 

[Disneylover99]

I've done my share of WDW vacations in the past. I get the obsession and comfort of going some place familiar. I was just curious why people aren't more interested in branching out. Sometimes you have to push yourself past your comfort zone. You might find yourself pleasantly surprised. Sometimes you don't know your missing out on something until you've actually done it. That also goes for the people that say they'd never do Disney. They may not know what they are missing.

For me, vacation is my downtime. It is my comfort zone. I have to push past my comfort zone in my every day life. I don't necessarily want to do that on vacation.

 

[Ava]

I think that what you may have missed in the conversation is that many people have branched out, but choose to go back to their comfort zones for vacation. I know what is best for me, as do you. I know what experiences I want, and I shall have them, but that does not negate that when I simply want to rest and recharge I am going to a place that gives me the tools to do so. For some that is the beach, and for others it is exploring faraway places. Right now for me it is WDW.

I ask you to read your post once again. People have repeatedly tried to explain why they choose one vacation over another. They have tried to discuss why the undertones that friends and family use to disparage the same choice of vacation is insulting. WE all have shared that we are not missing out on another destination, and that our choice is a deliberate choice. Your post assumes that people do not know what they are missing if they choose to vacation in the same place over and over, so they should try it your way. That is my problem.....Not just you, but anyone who determines that they know better what is the best choice for a family. We all know our own family dynamic and we make decisions based on specific needs and desires. I respect that in others, so I get annoyed when others choose not to respect that I know what works for us.

Well said. I also think most adults know what type of vacation destination and travel style they prefer, and don't necessarily need to visit a place to know if they'll enjoy it. For example, going to one of those all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean & sitting on the beach every day for a week is a lot of people's idea of a relaxing vacation. I've never been to one, but I'm pretty sure I'd be bored out of my skull after one day. I have no desire to spend my hard-earned money to try something I'm fairly certain I won't like.

 

[cruiser21]

I think that what you may have missed in the conversation is that many people have branched out, but choose to go back to their comfort zones for vacation. I know what is best for me, as do you. I know what experiences I want, and I shall have them, but that does not negate that when I simply want to rest and recharge I am going to a place that gives me the tools to do so. For some that is the beach, and for others it is exploring faraway places. Right now for me it is WDW.

I ask you to read your post once again. People have repeatedly tried to explain why they choose one vacation over another. They have tried to discuss why the undertones that friends and family use to disparage the same choice of vacation is insulting. WE all have shared that we are not missing out on another destination, and that our choice is a deliberate choice. Your post assumes that people do not know what they are missing if they choose to vacation in the same place over and over, so they should try it your way. That is my problem.....Not just you, but anyone who determines that they know better what is the best choice for a family. We all know our own family dynamic and we make decisions based on specific needs and desires. I respect that in others, so I get annoyed when others choose not to respect that I know what works for us.

I don't see that my post suggested that I think I know whats better for anyone. Not sure how you read that into my post. I love to cruise, but I know a lot of people that are like "meh" I wouldn't like that. I was one of those people until I decided to give it a try and I absolutely love it. It's my first choice for any vacation. I always encourage people that are negative about cruising to give it try they might be pleasantly surprised. I respect your choice to vacation at WDW every year. I was just curious as to why someone would want to? I don't think you have to give defensive about it like you said your money... your choice.

 

[surlecn]

My family definitely thinks we are crazy. Although, they don't know the exact amount we're spending, they know its expensive. Personally, I don't care. This is my first kids trip to Disney and we are going all out. Future trips won't be as grande, but I wanted to make sure their first trip was memorable. Most people don't understand my desire to travel. When we took our then 1 year old DS and 3 year old DS on the Disney Cruise, everyone knew we were crazy. But my oldest had a blast and constantly asks when we can return! At the end of the day, do what makes you and your household happy. I believe in "living each day like its your last". If I leave here today, I can say I have traveled to many places and I want my children to be able to say the same thing!

 

[cruiser21]

My family definitely thinks we are crazy. Although, they don't know the exact amount we're spending, they know its expensive. Personally, I don't care. This is my first kids trip to Disney and we are going all out. Future trips won't be as grande, but I wanted to make sure their first trip was memorable. Most people don't understand my desire to travel. When we took our then 1 year old DS and 3 year old DS on the Disney Cruise, everyone knew we were crazy. But my oldest had a blast and constantly asks when we can return! At the end of the day, do what makes you and your household happy. I believe in "living each day like its your last". If I leave here today, I can say I have traveled to many places and I want my children to be able to say the same thing!

I had to laugh when I read this because whenever I see people on a cruise with kids your age I'm in awe. It's hard traveling with little kids. We waited until our kids were 5 and 6 to start traveling. My hats off to you. I love to travel, and I think my kids have gotten a lot out of it. I can tell you after seeing a lot of the world they feel very blessed to be living in the United States. We started out with WDW, and I think walking around Epcot gave my oldest the travel bug. He's the one always pushing us to go to new places. I'm taking my youngest to WDW this year and my oldest to Hong Kong. My DH would be happy just taking Caribbean cruises every year so we'll try to fit that in too. In my family we're all very different in what we like to do. I'll do anything. I'm just happy not to be at work.

 

[WDWNY]

No one comments that staying on property is throwing away money, they just think us going to Disney so often is ridiculous. All I have to say to them is until I start complaining to them about my financial situation I do not want my advice from you on how to spend my money (in a nice magical way, of course)

 

[bumbershoot]

If my friends are commenting on my vacation, that means I'm talking about it too much. Time to change the subject matter for conversation.

Op your friends/family way of doing it sounds great. It we are tired of onsite. We hate the transportation and get a car. Once we have a car might as well go to Uni. Once we are at Uni, why aren't we onsite? Perks of onsite universal are so much better than perks of onsite wdw, so forget onsite wdw.

Alas we own dvc so we have to stay there sometimes!

 

[elaine amj]

I respect your choice to vacation at WDW every year. I was just curious as to why someone would want to?

My family has had the good fortune to travel a fair bit. DH and I both love travel and think nothing of hopping on a plane somewhere to spend a long weekend (if we can do it cheaply since we are frugal folks too!). We've gone to Europe, Asia, and various parts of North America. And yet, we return to Disney about every year. If you'd asked me 7 years ago if I would keep going back to Disney, I'd have laughed. No way! But then we went...and we loved it and return every year. It is MY favorite vacation spot and the best bang for my buck. I can do it relatively inexpensively too.

We do like other things too - and if I'm not at Disney, my 2nd favorite vacation choice is tent camping with plenty of hiking and canoeing. Europe was fun - but not high on my list anymore. I much prefer the great outdoors to cities, no matter how beautiful. I'm sure I'll return to Europe, but I prefer national parks or Disney.

As for onsite - every trip, I price onsite and offsite stays since I have a lot of hotel points and can stay for free. Since I typically do free dining in a value, onsite always works out the cheapest for me. And besides, we LIKE the bubble. I usually just explain that I've done the math and onsite usually works out to be the best deal.

 

[GreatLakes]

I've got to say I see this sentiment on the boards all the time (both the throwing money away sentiment and the going again sentiment) but I have never heard that from anyone I know in real life. Even my far left "Disney is the corporate devil and won't get my money" friends of mine don't comment on my trips. Sure, they may (and probably do) think it but no one ever says it out loud to me.

 

[Accident]

There are a lot of pros and cons for staying on property. There are just as many for not staying on disney property. If your a value resort person, it's kind of a wash cost wise for getting offsite, unless you need more than 1 value room and then there is some real savings to be had by not being on property.

A question for the OP: Have you ever tried staying offsite to compare how it's different? It's like rope drop. Someone who only rope drops really has no clue if not rope dropping better, they just never do it. Many that only stay offsite or onsite really has no clue what the other is actually like, they just know they like what they've had so far.

I've always stayed onsite until I moved here.. Now that I'm seeing what's around, the better priced and tasting food and having family stay near us instead of at disney and what they are getting/costing I'm kind of kicking myself for never just giving it a shot. For a long stay, just getting food that isn't prepared by disney for a few meals is invaluable. It's an interesting area that fights for tourist dollars if you happen to venture off property and the person going to them wins.

My word of advice, make sure you actually try the other way. There are times I would be on site, and there is times I would prefer offsite.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I don't think anyone thinks I'm a fool for spending the money to stay onsite.....they just don't understand WHY we would spend it to stay on site. Especially when Orlando has homes you can rent for cheap, spacious condos for much much cheaper. I tell them to try it once and I'm sure they'll understand why. It's never in a condescending tone. They just truly don't get it.

I grew up in NJ. It seems like everyone here went to WDW at least once as a child (I never did). What they did was usually drive down, stay with family or a motel offsite and do MK for one day. There were never week long Disney vacations or multiple days in the parks. I still have friends who do this. They spend the rest of the week doing much cheaper Orlando attractions.

Even with my XH. He went every year as a kid. They did go for a week and would do the parks for 2-3 days. His parents would do a timeshare presentation and stay at a beautiful condo for $100 for the week. Or they would stay with family. Then his father would buy tickets at a kiosk somewhere in Orlando. They would pack food and eat in the car. They would also drive from Philadelphia. So the first time we went he refused to get a hotel room. Nope we stayed with his uncle and did 3 days at Disney and a day at Universal. We did eat in the parks but we had no idea WDW even had TS restaurants. lol Then we went back 5 years later and we did a timeshare presentation and paid $150 for a condo. A month before that trip I found The Dis and I made some ADR's. It was a whole new world. When I got back I kept reading The Dis and found this whole onsite, Disney transportation, DDP, etc. He was against it all but we went for it and then he was HOOKED. We went again and stayed onsite and he refuses to go unless he stays onsite.

 

[disneyseniors]

The only way someone is missing out in life is if they want to travel to those places and then do not. I have some dear friends who almost never leave the neighborhood on their vacation. We live in a lake community, and he grew u here. They have every water toy imaginable, and spend their vacation dollars on water craft. For them, spending the day on the water is the best time ever, and I respect that. If I go out on the lake once a year, I'm good. I do not think they are missing out on anything, and they do not think I'm nuts when I want to get on a plane to go places. This family has such a close relationship with each other, and every weekend in the Summer they cement it even closer. After work in the evening they are out on our gorgeous lake, and come WInter.....the snow machines and ice fishing gear appear, and they are together there again.

For my family, WDW is reasonably priced. WE know what we are paying for, and we get what we pay for, and leave without buyers remorse. I have vacationed elsewhere, and have enjoyed those trips, but while you anticipate your Asia and Australia vacations, I would be a ball of anxiety. What is an adventure for you would not be for me, and while I would enjoy stories of your travels, I have absolutely no desire to take them myself. I'm not wrong, and I do not miss out. I just want different experiences than you do.

I do think that while you did not mean to offend, your comments are the comments that many of us are talking about in this thread. WDW is a vacation destination you do not understand as a vacation preference, because you tend to vacation differently, so those who choose not to expand their horizons must be missing out on experiences that they should desire. What you and so many other people do not recognize is that just because we can go elsewhere doesn't mean that we should do so. I think that no matter the tone, when people feel their choices are superior to those whose choices are different, it is offensive and rude. It is the undertone from those people that most of us resent.

Yes, exactly, Nancyg56. I agree with you 100%! thanks for explaining it so eloquently.

 

[Dakota731]

The older I get, the less I worry about what anyone thinks of what I do!

 

[GPC0321]

No, because all of the people I know who go to Disney also stay on property.

I don't really care about Universal, Sea World, or the beach. Orlando = Walt Disney World for me. And what I love about WDW is being able to stay smack dab in the middle of it and not have to encounter the "real world" for the length of my vacation. That's the thing that makes it a unique experience, IMO.

That said, after next December, which will only be my sixth Disney trip in my life (I'll be 43), I'm not sure I will need to go again for quite a while. I've rarely gotten to travel much throughout my life, and it's something I'd really like to do. I'm getting to a position in my life financially that I can probably travel a bit more, and I'd like to see other places and things. There is a lot of the U.S. I have yet to experience, and I'd like to travel abroad as well.

Disney is safe. I know what to expect and it's the only place that will scratch that itch when I need some "Mouse Time". But even as I'm planning our short Christmastime visit for 2017, I can feel that after this one, I won't have a burning desire to head back any time soon. At least, I say that now. When we were there this Easter, as soon as we got home I was suffering withdrawals and desperately beginning to plan the next trip. Maybe that will happen again. We'll see.

But no. No one thinks I'm crazy. But the people I talk Disney with are also pretty obsessed with it, so...yeah. LOL.

 

[DekrRini]

I'm a solo traveler so I do Disney twice a year because I feel safe going there alone. I've been to London twice, once by myself and I did enjoy it, but I was younger then. The thought of flying for hours and hours is just not appealing anymore. When I was a kid, my family traveled around much of the US. I've lived in NM, TX, and GA. My happy place is WDW. I choose to stay onsite because of the convenience. I'm not interested in Uni or the beach. I'm planning on retiring to FL in a couple of years and I'll be able to do some of those other things like SeaWorld and the Space Center.

Most of my family and friends know that WDW is my happy place and laugh when I give them the countdown to my next trip. Do they think I'm crazy? Maybe, but they'd never tell me so.

 

[tcherjen]

Usually when asked where we are going and I say Disney World- I get the response
"Lucky" I haven't ever had anyone tell me we are crazy to go there and spend our money.
To OP- I personally wouldn't care what people think- we love the memories we create there.