Can a Disney Obsession Be Unhealthy??

[Angel Ariel]

There are no guarantee's that once you "get together" they will see and appreciate what you like.

There also aren't any guarantees that they won't

When DH and I met, he had only been to Disney once (as a very young child). He didn't remember much, and he didn't really "get" how I felt about Disney. One of the most fun things in our relationship has been introducing him to Disney and discovering new ways to enjoy it together. He definitely gets it now, and he loves it too (not the same way I do, but he understands me now too). We've gone to Disney virtually every year we've been married (though that'll break in 2012 I think). He loved WDW..Epcot is one of his favorite places. We both look forward to going to the food and wine festival together some day.

I'm certainly not trying to comment negatively on Rhongepooh's post, because certainly who you date and the criteria is a personal choice and none of my business I just want to point out that it can be SO fun and rewarding to introduce someone to Disney as well! I can't wait to take our future children someday...and I can't wait to see DH's face when those children enter MK for the first time

 

[CindyV]

its something that makes you happy. Its ok to dream and think about it. Both my husband and i are the same. Me more then him as i have taken to buying collections of disney things. But i dont find anything wrong with being obsessed, unless it is having a negative impact of your life. I dont have a lot in my life, great family and thats it. So it is something for me that gives me joy and happiness all year round, so i dont think its a bad thing at all.

 

[5forDis]

My DH had never been to Disney when we started dating, but he wanted to go. We went together for his first trip & he now loves Disney. He started really loving and booking trips on the spur of the moment once we had kids.

Don't rule a date out if they've never been to Disney...only if they never want to go to Disney. Some people never had the opportunity as kids and then didn't understand what they were missing as adults until they went

 

[goofyernmost]

There also aren't any guarantees that they won't

True, but the odds are way more in your favor if you already share the same "passion". It can, of course, happen, and it does occasionally. I'm just not willing to take the chance at this point.

 

[quigs3]

Another Disneyholic here! Running away to Disney with my two children is one of my greatest pleasures. I am usually able to scrape the funds together for us to sneak away once a year. My friends think I'm insane and give me such a hard time about our Disney trips that I've started lying about where we go! My oldest is starting college in the fall, and my younger one is not far behind. I fear that I will soon lose my Disney travel companions, and that makes me so sad! My friends have no desire to go to Disney, and the men I've dated don't understand my obsession. Thinking about and planning Disney trips often gets me through the rough patches when life and the stresses of work get overwhelming. It looks as if I may soon be joining the ranks of the single Disney travelers! I don't see my addiction to Disney mellowing out anytime soon!

 

[AryaForQueen]

As long as you don't allow it to overwhelm the other important aspects of your life, (ie work, fam, ect.) i think it's perfectly fine!

 

[jlevis]

I am blessed in that my wife is as big a Disney fan as I am and that goes back well before my cancer. Her support is a big reason I'm still here. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. See you at the World in August. I'll be the big guy wearing the Pi$$ on Cancer t-shirt.

 

[Senator Tressel]

I think the only way I would say it's unhealthy is if your obsession prevents you from being happy when you're not in Disney. If you find yourself just excited about your trips and aren't able to find the joy you should be able to see in your everyday life, that is unhealthy.

 

[kate_wdw]

EXACTLY, my life feels average, and I do suffer from clinical depression, but disney is the one place on earth I feel HAPPY. But only when I'm with my family.

In this case, it sounds like maybe some of the time you spend thinking about Disney could be better spent improving your day-to-day life. I think that for some people, spending excessive periods of time thinking/fantasizing about Disney is a form of avoidance or an escape from their everyday life (sort of like spending excessive periods of time watching TV or playing video games) - it makes you feel better short-term, but creates problems long-term.

In the interest of improving your mood, perhaps you could spend some of that time: exploring other things that you can do in your everyday life that give you pleasure, doing things that give you a sense of accomplishment or that get you closer to long-term goals, and socializing with other people (especially outside of your family). These are all effective ways of treating depression. In fact there's a treatment for depression (called behavioral activation) that focuses on doing exactly this. ETA: If you're interested in learning more about this approach to treating depression, there's a self-help guide: http://http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Depression-One-Step-Time/dp/1572243678/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326069696&sr=8-1

 

[Angel Ariel]

True, but the odds are way more in your favor if you already share the same "passion". It can, of course, happen, and it does occasionally. I'm just not willing to take the chance at this point.

Oh I don't disagree at all - and like I said, I wasn't trying to negatively comment on your POV either

Most of my family and friends (and really most people I know) don't really "get" the whole Disney thing at all...only one of my closest friends (and his wife) are also Disney lovers. I feel fortunate to have a DH who did end up coming to love Disney like he did.

 

[carrie1626]

Monday I start radiation therapy for my 3rd bout of cancer. That is unhealthy!!! I will beat it again then head for the World. That is healing. Planning is underway, 2 weeks booked and while I'm getting treatment I'll think about ADR's.

Let me add, after the fact, that being at Disney with my wife and sons and their families is part of the reason I have the will to live, to beat the cancer. Obsessed? Yeah, I guess I am but I can close my eyes and see my grandson with a huge grin as his dad gets soaked on Slash Mountain. Disney is many things to many people. For some it is rides and a good time. For others it brings back happy memories of their childhood. For me it is a place to create memories for my grandchildren while healing my spirit.

Blessing to you and I hope you have many more wonderful visits with your family at DISNEY

 

[joshsmom]

I am blessed in that my wife is as big a Disney fan as I am and that goes back well before my cancer. Her support is a big reason I'm still here. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. See you at the World in August. I'll be the big guy wearing the Pi$$ on Cancer t-shirt.

Wish I was going in August just to see that!! Prayers for you and your family!

 

[rmcildw2m]

I also love disney(my dvc) the same way ,but it can be expensive.

 

[PersonalizedMouse]

I agree with many of the posts....the rest of the year is stressful...Health concerns, running around like chicken without a head...pure STRESS! When I'm in Disney I don't think about any of it. I feel like it lets me charge my battery so that I can take on the challenges of the next year. It really is my happy place!

PS and to those fellow Disney lovers battling serious illnesses, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Faith, Hope and Pixie Dust