Disney a guilty pleasure???

[GONETODISNEY]

Once again I am getting hyped about next trip to Disney in May. I mentioned to my mom that I was waiting for the codes to come out so that I can book the room and her response was....."Oh my Disney again?" Ok, yes we have been 4 times in the last 2 years and I understand that not everyone can do this. (My parents took my brothers and me 1 time while we were kids) How do I explain to family and friends that this is when my family is the happiest? We don't fight, we have fun and we play together. Or, should I even have to explain this to defend myself?
As you can tell I love Disney and so does my family. I don't like having to feel guilty about these trips. Does any one else face this? Are you too a Disney Junkie in a world where not everyone can experience this? Some thoughts please.........

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by GONETODISNEY
Once again I am getting hyped about next trip to Disney in May. I mentioned to my mom that I was waiting for the codes to come out so that I can book the room and her response was....."Oh my Disney again?" Ok, yes we have been 4 times in the last 2 years and I understand that not everyone can do this. (My parents took my brothers and me 1 time while we were kids) How do I explain to family and friends that this is when my family is the happiest? We don't fight, we have fun and we play together. Or, should I even have to explain this to defend myself?
As you can tell I love Disney and so does my family. I don't like having to feel guilty about these trips. Does any one else face this? Are you too a Disney Junkie in a world where not everyone can experience this? Some thoughts please.........

My mantra has always been " when you pay my bills then you can tell me what to do. Until then, your opinion is very important to me, but, don't be upset if I don't happen to agree". Simple, easy and polite.

I would, however, like to hear that your family has fun other places than Disney.

 

[goofy4tink]

I get the same reaction. I even got it from my dh until our trip last summer!! Now, we own DVC at BWVs. I don't try to justify to anyone. My family used to go to the same lake in NH every single year, the first two weeks in August. Then my dh and I started going to Cape Cod every summer. I spend about $600 more to go to WDW, for the airfare. And we're planning on a trip to Vero Beach in 2005 and then maybe a cruise several years later. WE find so much to do different on each trip. Now, we don't feel that 'have to do it all, see it all' pressure. We just take our time, ambling around. It 's getting to be even relaxing!! So, either people get it or they don't. I can't worry about what they say or how much they roll their eyes. Now, all this being said...my dh did ask me what kind of deal he could make with me to keep me from obsessing about our August trip. He does get tired of talking about it all the time. Only trouble is, I don't!!!!!

 

[skoi]

We get this too. We've had some sort of Disney vacation every year since 2001. The funny thing is, most of the people who run their mouths about our vacation choice go to the New Jersey shore every year! Same shore town, either renting a condo on the same block, or staying in the same hotel. We don't spend much more than they do either, sometimes less, and hey, I think Disney is worth the extra 100 or so bucks we're putting out.

Just my opinion. I'm sure when some of these people finally want to go to Disney, they'll be hoping to take advantage of our DVC points.

Hope you have many happy Disney vacations.

Julie

 

[RachelTori]

Hey GoneToDisney - we've gotten the same reaction & negative comments too. There are plenty of us Disney Fanatics out there! I feel that if we're paying all our bills and not relying on others to support us -- it's really not their concern! Enjoy your magical times and don't feel one bit guilty that you're doing something you love!!

My DD and I will be at POP in 13 days!!!!

 

[DisneyObsessed]

Life is too short. Enjoy what you enjoy. None of my friends and family understand why we keep going. Oh well, their loss.

 

[stacy6552]

Originally posted by GONETODISNEY
"Oh my Disney again?" Ok, yes we have been 4 times in the last 2 years

Have you joined the vacation club yet? It might be about time.

 

[wuv tigger]

The people who usually say this are the ones who do no research, go at peak time, sleep late, get to the park at 11:30, wait 2 hours a piece for 3 rides and swear never again.

I think that if you want the most from it, it is harder than just calling a rental agency and getting a beach house. However, if you put the time in there is an almost unlimited amount of fun things to do for every age. Just read these boards for a few hours and you will be amazed at the things you never knew or even thought about. We like going and will continue in the future.

David

 

[Simba0319]

I get the same thing all the time..but luckily my best friend is also a Disney freak so I do have an ally...

 

[GONETODISNEY]

Thanks everyone. It's nice to know that I am not the only one hearing these comments. Yes, I am a Disney addict. I love the peaceful feeling I get standing in front of the castle watching Tinkerbelles flight. As far as expense, using the codes I have found that costs are equivalent to renting a house at the beach-- something those of us from North Carolina do frequently. The difference is that at Disney we have so much to do. All members of our family have fun whether we're riding the RNR coaster or eating breakfast with Mickey. Where else can you have all the wholesome fun available at Disney? Besides, last year at the beach we were terrified we would be eaten by a shark!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the help and reassurance. I will not be intimidated by others...I will enjoy my Disney vacation!

 

[Partridge4ever]

I feel exactly the same way. I was just thinking the same thing this morning because we're going at the end of February for my daughter's birthday instead of having a big party (we just did the 4 night cruise and 4 days at WDW in October). I dread telling our friends and hearing the snide comments. They're really just teasing, but it gets to me. I even considered keeping it a surprise til the last minute, but DD was starting to ask about planning her party. We have APs and DVC, we'll eat breakfast and dinner in our room, so it'll really only cost us lunch and gas money.

Since joining DVC we've managed 2 trips a year, sometimes three. DH's cell phone rings constantly when we're home and he's always disappearing upstairs to his home office. At Disney we get his undivided attention.

 

[Kevs mom]

We are taking our third trip in the last four years and I too just received a kind of negative comment from my sister-in-law over the holidays about it, I asked her if she and her husband would still like to plan a cruise with me and my DH for the summer of 2004 and she said "well maybe if you guys stop going to Disney World all the time you can afford it"! I was really taken by surprise by her comment and didn't really know how to respond but I feel like the rest of you, if it is something that my family enjoys time and time again then it shouldn't bother people that we go back, like a lot of you pointed out people return to the same beach and lake year after year after year and nobody says anything to them about that! It's nice to know that all of you love Disney as much as I do, it's kind of like a "support" group HA HA!

 

[tci1212]

Plenty of people take the same vacation every year to other destinations, without a comment being made, but for some reason it seems that people who have either never been to Disney or went during peak times when it was 95 degrees and so crowded they couldn't move have the most negative things to say. I hear over and over again how I should go somewhere else. My husband doesn't even want to go he says he fells like we are in the boonies when we stay at the cabins in FW! Oh well I always find someone willing to take the trip with me. we will be there shortly and I can't wait.

 

[mtdevine615]

My Dw and I get this all the time also. Some people including family just don't get it and never will. If you feel that you must respond to their questions just tell them your going to Florida, it's a big state.

 

[photobob]

Until you really been biten by the Disney bug it is hard for some to understand. I get the same reaction from people at work, so I don't bring it up. I wouldn't let what others think determine where I go for family fun, and I agree there is no place I'd rather be with my wife and children than WDW.

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

When I get a comment about it, I say "I do it for my kids"
Thats my job as The Mommy. Making good memories is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. They stay with us forever.
Dont feel guilty, youre a good parent.

 

[frannn]

Friends and family do not understand, yet they usually go to the same desination year after year also. I know it costs a lot due to the fact that we have to fly there, and I often ask myself two questions:

1) Am I being selfish planning these WDW trips and spending all this $ on character meals, plane fare, etc.? We could just drive up to an all inclusive hotel in the Catskills and pay less for the family to hang there. DH wouldn't mind that, either. Probably enjoy it just as much as WDW.

2) Will I make myself tire of it early by going there year after year?
I would rather plan and anticipate each trip with excitement rather than dread. I don't want to "exhaust" my excitement by forcing each vacation to be WDW. Then I'll be thinking of the lines, the heat, the costs, more than the excitement.

These questions are always answered once we are actually at WDW. Once I see the look on DD1's face, and the stress leave DH, I know I made the right decision. DH won't admit it, he loves it too. He is a different person in WDW. He gets a lot of vacation time, and he would be content to sit and spend it watching old 007 flicks on tv. But I only take 1 vacation a year, and WDW is the only place where I feel the evils of my everyday life can't touch me. We stay at the AS, mix character meals with counter service and off site bargains & vouchers, and shop a lot at the outlets. If I ever feel that I am tired of it, we can skip a year. That has not happened yet. In fact, we were forced to skip a year when DD1 was born, and I definetly missed it! Yes, the $ can be well spent elsewhere, but would would be the ultimate cost to my sanity in the long run? Regardless, the bottom line is that no one is forcing "them" to WDW, and as long as it makes me exstatic, I will go as much as I possibly afford to. Isn't that the whole point of a vacation?

 

[Gluman11]

Guilty.............guilty.............guilty..........

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

In the nature of my line of work, I don't relaly get vacation unless I get out of town -WAY out of town. WDW is just far enough to be safe. It also happens to be a place where me, DW, and our two kids have a blast every single time we go. We are going in March for the 4th time since 2000. Each time we experience old favorites and new adventures as well. It is well worth the money, aven though I have pretty much quit trying to explain that to people.
I do consider it to be a "guilty pleasure" of sorts, but I don't feel as if I need to explain our frequent trips to anyone.

Viva Mickey!!!!

 

[PamNC]

Yes, we certainly do face this. We get it from most folks. In fact, I am in the process of writing a book. Shhhh. It's a secret (not anymore, huh) because I'm in the beginning stages. The book is entitled "Notes from a Worldphile" and it's all about folks like us who are absolutely addicted to Disney. A big part of it focuses on folks and their comments like "Are you going to Disney again." Or my favorite from an ex-coworker, "You need to expand your Horizons." Guess how I responded to that one? I said "I did...I rode it three times when we were there." I'm taking comments and quotes from people and making a chapter out of it. I'm hoping it goes well.

What's wrong with taking your family to Disney for each vacation if that's what makes you happy? And folks who just don't "get it" - well...I feel sorry for them. A lot of people I know go to the same beach every year. What's the difference? We like to go places other than Disney too, but we certainly go at least once a year and enjoy it to the hilt every single time. You go where you want to go - it's your money. And what a wonderful place to be addicted to.

It's a pleasure - but not a guilty one.

PamNC