Disney/DVC as a "Happy Place" during hard times...

[windi622]

Hi, I hope this is a proper place to post this. I am just wondering about other's experience as using the wonderful World as a place to escape reality and difficult times. First of all, actually, I'd like to say how thankful I am to have The Dis- a place to come and "escape". For me, my husband and I recently found out we were expecting...and then lost our baby. We have a trip planned with my parents for February, and I was so excited to bring our baby on it's first trip "home" even though he/she'd still be in my belly. The overwhelming sadness that followed was hard to handle at times. After dealing with a lot of the emotions, I finally started to feel a sense of normalcy. One of the first things that brought a smile to my face, was the thought of our upcoming Disney trip. I realized that I use upcoming trips and previous memories as my happy place to deal with difficult times. I'm so thankful to have such a magical place that brings such happiness to my family. DVC has allowed my family (parents, husband, sister, bro in law, nephew, etc) to make so many wonderful memories together. Somedays, it feels checking out the Dis and daydreaming about sitting on the Boardwalk are the only things that keep a smile on my face. Again, I hope this isn't the wrong place to post this. I'm just curious how many others find a little piece of heaven in the Dis and DVC. And a big thanks to all of those who keep the Dis going...it is helpful in more ways than you will probably ever know.

 

[Granny]

Very sorry to hear about your loss. I'm glad you are returning to some aspect of "normalcy".

I think many people view WDW as an escapism location. Lots of fantasy, costumes, whimsical attractions and characters. A great place for nostalgia for those of us who remember Walt Disney on the weekly television show in the 60's.

I think you'll find that you are definitely not alone in your feelings about WDW and the DIS boards.

 

[jstarcze]

Sorry for your loss. I would venture to say we all find a moment of peace and rest from a world that can be stressful at times in DIS and DVC.

 

[dianeschlicht]

So sorry for your loss, but yes, I think many of us use our DVC "home" as a happy place. I know in the past when I had health issues, going "home" was what kept me sane!

Hugs and prayers for the two of you as you continue to recover from your grief.

 

[jolia]

Sorry for your loss and I am glad to see that you are seeking a way to deal with it (so many people dont seek an outlet for their pain). I would say that many "vacations / get aways" provide a peaceful place to reflect about life. In this case the DVC provides the best: physical environment, "neighbors", friends and allows most to "enter" a "magical" word (even if is temporary). I hope that your future will bring you many wishes.

 

[athenna]

I am so sorry for your loss


I know that a lot of people use WDW and/or DVC as a way to escape reality..I know I have!

 

[friends with mickey]

Disney World and Disneyland have always been that kind of place for our family. It has brought us back to "normalcy" many times since joining DVC in 1992. We recently added the Disney Cruise to our list of happy places. Enjoy your February trip. Disney is "that special kind of medicine no doctor can prescribe". Our next scheduled dose is in January.

 

[windi622]

Thank you, everyone, for your kind words. It's amazing that I have not discussed this with many casual friends, yet feel comfortable sharing here. It's good to feel "normal" in having such an escape. I hope everyone out there going through something, enjoys the same comfort I have. I love January and February trips because they seem like the perfect thing to look forward to after the post Christmas let down. Merry Christmas to all

 

[RobPickles]

My wife and I experienced a similar situation. We were expecting and even though it was very early on in the pregnancy, there were issues and so she miscarried. It was very heartbreaking, as i am sure it would be for anyone. Even more so because when we found out my wife was pregnant, all she could talk about was bringing the baby to Disney World.

We definitely find our "home" as an escape. There have even been times when we had discussed packing up and moving to Florida to be closer to our favorite place on Earth. But I wonder if we actually did that, would it be as magical and special going more and more often (even every day possibly) than when we go there for our escape vacations.

Anyway, now several years later after the miscarriage, we have a beautiful 13 month year old Princess who we did take for the first time this past July/August. Seeing our favorite place on Earth through her eyes makes it even more magical than it has been in past years.

I know you will be where we are one day soon and when you finally have a Prince or Princess of your own, I hope you continue to feel the magic and excitement that going to Disney with your family has brought to you all these years, as well as experiencing it in new ways...through his/her eyes.

Good luck and continue to keep hope, love and joy in your heart!

 

[kikiq]

First, so sorry for your loss and here's an extra HUG

Second, yes Disney/DVC has been our "happy" place for the last 3 years. It has gotten us through family illness, our health issues and job cutbacks. We have decided there are other areas we will cut back on before our Disney "fix".

Take one day at a time and enjoy your DIS/DVC "fix"

 

[smangan10`]

sorry for your loss

 

[RumpleMom]

When starting physical therapy to regain walking ability, I told my doctor that I had x number of weeks to get back on my feet because I was going to Disney World.

He laughed and said I would do it because a planned trip to Disney World always gets people moving.

So advice straight from my doctor, take that next Disney trip and enjoy every minute of it. It's good medicine.

 

[Granny]

It's amazing that I have not discussed this with many casual friends, yet feel comfortable sharing here.

Maybe because so many "real world" people think WDW is a place to escape from, rather than a place to escape to!

 

[Sammie]

Yes I do, our first trip to Disney was due to a tragedy in our lives.

Disney for many is an escape, and when someone tells you don't be so emotional about Disney/DVC, many times they have no idea of why it is you go.

 

[cseca]

I'm so sorry, I can't imagine what you must be going through...

But I completely understand WDW as an escape. We have so many great memories there that it would be a natural place to go to... at least for me.

Don't be discouraged and I'll be praying for you and your family.

Just an advice (maybe unwanted, and I apologize if I'm crossing a line).
I know it's still difficult for you to talk about your loss. I hope you get to talk about it more openly to heal. The reason I say that is because WDW is brimming with kids (of all ages). I would hate for you to have a breakdown while you're on vacation.

Again, I'm so sorry and have a wonderful trip to WDW! Make lots of new great memories

 

[Davids-Coco]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I am sure there is happiness ahead of you and please continue to seek support. It truly helps.

Yes, we use Disney as our happy place. We went to Disney World for our honeymoon and had the most amazing time. So after the worst two years, filled with post-partum depression, PTSD and a near-emotional break down, this trip was sanity. We have barely been back over a month and I need to go back

 

[eliza61]

Sorry to hear about your loss, I had a miscarriage when I was younger, it's definitely tough.

You know, for me I'm not sure if "escape" is actually how I would explain it. It's actually more of a "realization" for me.

For some reason Disney allows me and my family to realize what is really important to us.
some times in my real life, i get so caught up in bad new, whining, complaining, being aggravated that it seems like months go by and I've spent the entire time with a "big black cloud" over head.

I get to Disney and realize my kids are actually pretty great LOL and that perfect strangers are actually pretty much nice.

Disney helps me reset

 

[jekjones1558]

I have, like others, used DVC trip planning as an escape when times are tough, e.g. DH's cancer, Mom's illness, DDog's death. It offers a sense of hope for happier days ahead.
I will say that WDW too soon after a tragic event did not work for me. My mom, who was my best friend and with whom I did and shared everything, passed away on Nov. 27 and was buried on Dec. 1 of this year. We were scheduled to go to BWV on Nov. 30 and changed our air tickets, etc to Dec. 2 rather than completely canceling the trip. DH had not been able to go to WDW at Christmas for a number of years because of multiple health issues and I couldn't bring myself to have him miss going again. But going the day after the funeral was really just too soon, at least for me.
I expect that for some others in my situation, a next-day trip might have been healing, but I was just not ready.

 

[Disneypirate85]

Let me add my condolences for your lose, I am Truelly Sorry

I agree with "Granny", We escape to Disney and we love it so!
And like "RobPickles" we have discussed moving to the Disney area and hope to be there soon.
I have worked for 20 years now in Public Service dealing with all types of very sad sad things (I am the Deputy 911 Director for our County and Retired FireFighter and Police officer). I have contacted a Local College in Florida and am retiring from Public Service and going into Culinary Arts.
I had the pleasure of listening to a CM Talk about her job at Disney this past Weds on the Monorail and she simply beamed about it. Discussed all the positives an negatives in her eyes, and to be perfectly honest even the negatives sounded GREAT to this almost 41 year old tired person I have become. Folks in case you didn't know it we Humans can be VERY VERY hatefull to each other and I'm just ready to move on to something a little less Cruel
I would guess just about all of us here on the Dis have at one point or another wondered what it would be like to live so close to the World, I hope to be able to be there someday, Reading the Dis, and see who is complaing about my Ginger Crusted Ribeye or Lobster Bisque.....Be safe out there everyone and have a Wonderfull Holiday...Shawn

 

[Cee]

My heart aches for you and your family. But I know that you will replace this sorrow you feel now with overwhelming joy one day. Some of this joy will be felt at your "happy place" with those you love most.

I agree with the PP who said that it is a "realization". For me, my trips to WDW allow me to slow down and remember that life is to be lived to the fullest and ENJOYED.

It all goes so fast. Don't waste even one minute.