Disney a guilty pleasure???

[jaysue]

We choose to use DVC as our vacation home in much the same way as some people have 2nd homes, cottages, mountain chalets, lakeside lean to's etc....

Yes, there is some guilt here in how fortunate we are to be able to have a vacation home etc. but no specific guilt about WDW/DVC/Disney per say

thanks
jaysue

 

[kbhehl]

I didn't take the time to read all the other replies (just scanned them abit), so I hope this is not redundant.

The first thing I thought of, and this depends on your Mom's age, is that some parents who lived through the Depression, even as kids, have this mindset that you can't go "throwing money away" on things like WDW. Maybe she's just worried about the money. But of course, if you're looking for codes, I'd guess you look for other ways to do WDW cheaply (us, too), so there's no guilt there.

And if it's not the money, but the fact that you go to the same place a lot, it's like a lot of the other people have said: Many people take vacations to the same place every year.

If your family (or even just YOU) loves to go somewhere, and being there makes you happy: DO IT!! I'm heading out soon with my SIL, who's never been. Between us we have 7 kids, 5 of whom are 12 -17 years old--Boy do we need a break! Sometimes grown-ups need a chance to experience the freedom and magic that come from being a kid again, with or without the kids!

It's sweet, safe, clean, happy, and youthful. The service is top-notch, the variety of things to do is perfect for families, and the sunshine is what I personally need for my sanity!

Hooray for the Mouse, and hooray for those of us with the ability to find joy in sharing sweet and innocent times with those we love!

 

[CJK]

Boy, am I glad I found this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am absolutely addicted to Disney! Since 1998, dh and I have been to Disney 6 times. One year we actually went 3 times because we had AP's!! I have found that NONE, absolutely NONE, of our family or friends understand why we continue going back, spending soooo much money. My family even grew up with Disney as did dh's family. Now, however, my family has decided that we need to "broaden our horizons" and go to other places.

I confess that now, I feel a sense of dread when I have to tell family/friends that we're going to Disney for a vacation. I brace myself for snide comments, rolling of eyes but I think what bothers me is how people actually seem to LOSE respect for us with every trip! This astounds me. These are people who have been to Disney and just didn't "get it".

This year we've decided to go somewhere else. I hope I don't compare this trip to our Disney trips! It's nice to know I'm not alone on this one! Thanks OP!

 

[capnho]

This is a really interesting thread. I have certainly heard these comments made to a good friend of mine who goes to WDW every year. I'm kind of immune to it, since my parents live a half-hour away from WDW and we go to Florida every year to visit them and my brother's family, who live north of Orlando. This gives us a built-in "excuse" to visit Disney every year.

It's interesting, though, that people think it's strange to go to WDW every year, but don't think twice about renting the same house on Cape Cod or the Jersey Shore every year. We also go to Vermont every year (my FIL owns a vacation home there) and no one even thinks twice about it, but I'm sure that if we went to WDW every year there would be some comments.

 

[frannn]

lots of $ spent, since they aren't as WDW-budget minded as we are. They probably look at the cost of the more expensive WDW hotels, UPH tickets, and sit down meals, and compare it to less expensive vacation options. Or, they compare the WDW theme parks to Great Adventure type parks, and wonder how you could spend a whole week there....or they may have gone at a crowded time and waited on tons of lines, in crazy summer heat....or maybe they are just JEALOUS! I know I am when I see some of your countdowns here on this board!

 

[junio]

I went back to Disney exactly 2 months after I finished my College Program. My mom thought I was crazy and my grandmother thought it was a waste of money. But it was my money. And I had friends there that I wanted to see before their time to leave came. I am not planning to spend the whole Summer in Florida and a Disney cruise for either the last week of May or the first week of June.

 

[MarcoS]

My family has also heard the "Disney again" comment many times. It got to the point where our friends and family said "if you love it so much why don't you move there"? So we did. And now we love it even more often.

As I read on these boards months ago...

For those who get the Disney magic no explination is needed,
for those who don't get the magic, no explination will help.

 

[kbhehl]

MarcoS:
wow--that's my goal! I've been twice (last year--with plans to go 3 times this year!) and we're already DVC members, AND IT'S JUST NOT ENOUGH!!!!!!! I GOTTA MOVE TO FLORIDA!!
So how were you able to move there? Work for yourself or what?

My14 yr. old DS already thinks I'm way too obsessed with Disney--although he happily accepts the benefits of my *hobby*. I don't even need to hear it from outsiders!

 

[Joan S.]

OH NO!! You are making me feel so OLD! SO here goes my story,we went to DL in 1986 (myself, Dh and DD age 2) and I was HOOKED!! In may of 1987 I was pregnant and we made our 1st trip to WDW! Well 16 years and 2 children later it is still our FAVORITE place to vacation!! We became DVC members in 1993 (the year I had my 3rd child) and have added on points twice since then! We are currently thinking of adding a few more at Saratoga Springs! We have cruised on the Disney Wonder(4- days)and the Magic (7-days-eastern)We are now planning on a 7day Western! We have gone at least once each year and as many as 3x in one year!Our favorite time to visit is in the summer(because we can stay the longest then-2 weeks!)We have been there twice at Christmas time and once for New Years EVE!We celebrated our 20th Anniversary by taking our children to WDW and then on the 7-day cruise where we visited ST. Thomas(which is the place we honeymooned in!)My Dh also insisted on a celebration in WDW for his 50th Birthday instead of a party back home. We live in the Northeast and have both flown and driven to Florida.(depending on our budget) Our next trip is planned for the 2nd week in Feb. we went this same time last year(the weather was GORGEOUS!) and missed the biggest snowstorm in the Northeast! My children are now 19,16, and 10.And we still enjoy going as a family! My memories(and pics and movies) of each trip become more precious as my children grow. My Dh and I plan( in about 8-10 years) to retire near WDW and continue to enjoy the MAGIC and hopefully one day to share it with our grandchildren! Over the years I too have heard the negative and sometimes hurtful comments from friends and family. But now I just smile and tell them the truth I AM IN LOVE WITH MICKEY! And he misses me so I have to go and see him AGAIN!

 

[GONETODISNEY]

Wow!! Who would have thought that so many of you have heard the snide comments as well! I am thrilled to know that I am not alone in my love for WDW. My kids can't wait for the next trip to get here. My son is convinced it is a "treat" for his exceptional work with his Accelerated Reading program. Now in addition to lunch with the principal of his school-he also wins a trip to Disney! The truth is of course that our many trips to Disney occur because our family spends fun time together. There is no greater feeling than hearing the song When you Wish Upon A STar while fireworks go off over the castle. (You know you love it too! ) There is no need to justify Disney, just nod say yes and think of the new memories you'll have. Isn't that what life is all about! Others who don't "get" Disney may drive new cars, but this mom is going to have memories of time well spent with her kids!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Our first trip to WDW is coming up in August, and I've already heard negative comments from a family member of mine. We live in California about 20 minutes away from Disneyland and have been there many times to say the least. My cousin went to WDW a couple of years ago and she didn't care for the MK, said the one out here was a lot better and thought Epcot was boring. Epcot boring! Well, she's not into educational type entertainment anyway. As for comparisons to MK Orlando/MK California, I guess I'll have to see when I get there, but I know we're going to love it. She doesn't think the trip is worth it, but to each his own. We're very excited. We're going to WDW!!!!!!!

 

[bexareaglecheryl]

I think us Mom's especially like going to WDW because it is truly a VACATION for us. When our family went to my husband's family's cabin high in the mountains of beautiful Colorado during our summer vacation last year, I was exhausted. Not only did I have to plan the entire trip, but I had to grocery shop once we got near the cabin, I had to cook 3 meals a day because we were so isolated, do laundry and clean up the cabin for the next visitors. Now this to me is not a vacation (however mind blowing the scenary).

WDW has only been our vacation destination twice and we are hooked. Because of a layoff we have not been able to afford to go since Dec 2000. We saved all last year for our November 2004 trip with my entire family and I refuse to feel the least bit guilty when others ask us why we are so crazy about WDW.

In 2000 we visited in Jan and Dec and there were many people who seemed to chastise us because we went twice in 1 year. I got tired of telling them that if they went on their summer vacation in July of one year and went again in June of the next year then they really took two vacations within a year too. Sheesh! I don't understand why people are so judgmental. Let other people enjoy themselves and have fun with their lives. I bet they would be madder than hell if we gave them grief for what they choose to spend their money on/car they drove/etc.

Didn't we all learn our lessons on 9/11 to enjoy each other and take joy in your life and in your family? WDW and the joy of anticipating the next trip as well as actually taking the trip brings our family closer together. My daughter is a sophomore in high school (16) and she plans on going with us every time we go even after she graduates because she loves it when we're all together at WDW. There is just nothing else like it.

WDW reminds us of the happiness that should be the focus and choice we make each day.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

For the last 7 years my family and I have gone to the NJ shore and rented a condo or house at the same time that my sister families and parents go. All of the packing from sheets to towels and food, etc. I just DO NOT enjoy the vacation! Not to mention I cook, clean, laundry etc. Don't get me wrong, there is something special about the smell of the ocean and watching the sunrise is special. And as long as my DD's enjoy it I'll keep doing it.

However, WDW is MY vacation. I enjoy every second begining with all of the planning. The service is always top notch and the excitment in the air is magical.

My parents are going with my sister's family in March and they aren't putting allot of thought into what they are doing when. Without at least some planning, (at least use EE!) they won't get the most from their time there.

 

[Maridw]

I get the same response from my sister. We did get a variation on that this year. She made the comment to my mother that we have the money for Disney but not to go home. So when we went in November we didn't tell anyone in the family.

I look at it this way, we can book our room and pay for it all year long and we know that money is budgeted out for the trip. We can't pay for plane tickets all year, they want the money right away. We can try to budget money or save money for a trip to CA from FL, but it is quite expensive and we feel if we are going we want at least two weeks there not just a few days.

All our family is in CA except for my sis, who now lives in Las Vegas. She used to be in LA and never came to visit us and we were 12 hours away, but we went there twice.

I don't feel guilty about our trips, I just enjoy them and know that after our last trip we will have to plan a trip to CA in the near future and start budgeting for that. Especially since we did three trips to WDW last year.

 

[loriandmatt]

I get this all the time.

Not so much from friends as i don't have time for many and the few i do have time for are a bit wacky about WDW as well.

However family on both sides give us slack about our WDW vacations. DH's side has tapered off as it must not get under their skin as much, but my side of the family likens our family addiction to smoking crack.

I don't tell them of our trips until the last minute to avoid aggravation and i have begun polietly answering back with the following statement. "We are paying our bills, doing what needs done with our house, children's education and retirement. We all enjoy doing this together, so that's what we are gonna do. You enjoy spending your time in a secluded cabin in the woods with no electricity and no people for miles, we prefer something at the other end of the spectrum. Our's isn't right for you and your's isn't right for us - I'm glad you are happy with what you do with your time. If your not glad for us, that's your option." This statement doesn't keep them from giving me crap the next time we tell them we are going to WDW - but keeps them off my back for the current trip.

- lori