Disney has ruined other vacations

[Princess_Ariel_5]

I just returned from a great trip to Atlantis in the Bahamas. It was relaxing and fun but yet, it wasn't Disney! Has anyone else felt this way? Growing up, my parents were Disney fanatics so "vacation" was synonymous with Disney World in my family. I didn't think people went anywhere else on vacation. We went once a year but once my younger sibling reached his 20s, my parents moved on to cruises. While I enjoy cruises and tropical vacations, nothing compares to Disney. While in the Bahamas, I kept comparing it to Disney! While it was awesome, it certainly doesn't hold a candle to my favorite place in the world. I'm never sad about leaving vacations, except when it's a Disney vacation. I never look forward to vacations the way I look forward to Disney vacations. Does anyone else feel that way? Maybe I just have a sick obsession!

 

[3Gsandme]

I think a lot of people feel like you. I'm not one of them, but I do understand no other place measuring up to your favorite place.

 

[jdb in AZ]

My favorite place to visit is where my grand kids live. Disney doesn't factor into that equation.

As much as we enjoy Disney, we've traveled several places without the mouse, and have had lotsa fun.

 

[jevs]

No. So long as I'm on vacation I don't care where it is.

I love visiting Disney but also want to visit other places.

 

[Squirlz]

It's just one of many places we enjoy. They all have their own unique attractions.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Nope. We camped and kayaked with whales in British Columbia and it was a spectacular experience. Then we headed out to Carmel for some beach time and more aquarium time in Monterey. Kids loved it (especially the cool, comfortable weather) and no one missed Disney at all.

Not saying Disney isn't fun but it definitely is not the only vacation out there by a long shot.

 

[King Schultz]

I love going to WDW, but I also enjoy going to USF, the Keys, New Orleans, Vegas, just as much.

As long as I have a song in my heart and a drink in my hand, I'm happy.

 

[JaxDad]

Disney World? Oh wow! That sounds neat. Did they name it after the DISboards?

 

[ronandannette]

I just returned from a great trip to Atlantis in the Bahamas. It was relaxing and fun but yet, it wasn't Disney! Has anyone else felt this way? Growing up, my parents were Disney fanatics so "vacation" was synonymous with Disney World in my family. I didn't think people went anywhere else on vacation. We went once a year but once my younger sibling reached his 20s, my parents moved on to cruises. While I enjoy cruises and tropical vacations, nothing compares to Disney. While in the Bahamas, I kept comparing it to Disney! While it was awesome, it certainly doesn't hold a candle to my favorite place in the world. I'm never sad about leaving vacations, except when it's a Disney vacation. I never look forward to vacations the way I look forward to Disney vacations. Does anyone else feel that way? Maybe I just have a sick obsession!

That's the way I feel about cruises. Even a Disney trip (sorry ) isn't as enjoyable as a cruise. And no, we don't cruise DCL because the Disney aspect wouldn't add anything to an already really great vacation.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We enjoy WDW, but there are destinations that we enjoy as much or more. We want to see the world, so I doubt we'll ever do WDW yearly again. We stopped going multiple times a year, when DS hit his preteen years & decided he was tired of it. He much preferred UO. Maybe, when we have grand kids, we'll go more frequently, if they want to. Other than that, we'll go every few years like we do now.

The one thing that has affected other vacations for me is the DIS & Cruise Critic. Planning vacations to other destinations isn't nearly as much fun. I wish all destinations had active boards like this.

 

[SMD]

The first time I went to Epcot, my school was in the middle of organizing a field day where each class represented a country, and we had China. I spent a lot of time in the China pavilion and saw the 360 movie several times. Years later I had the opportunity to go to China and everything about it was better than Disney. I saw the real Temple of Heaven, I walked on the Great Wall, I traveled all over the country, and saw, heard, tasted amazing things.

Then a few years after that I was planning another trip to WDW when the opportunity to go to Egypt instead. Climbs a pyramid and standing in the shadow of the sphinx beats any experience Disney can offer me.

A trip to an Atlantis resort isn't what I would choose, but if I had the time and money when the opportunity arose to go with certain friends or family I might do it. It's different than the kind of vacation I'd plan for myself, but that doesn't mean I'd automatically compare it to those or Disney.

That's the way I feel about cruises. Even a Disney trip (sorry ) isn't as enjoyable as a cruise. And no, we don't cruise DCL because the Disney aspect wouldn't add anything to an already really great vacation.

I feel the same way about cruises. I have yet to see a unique DCL itinerary that would entice me to switch cruise lines.

 

[Dina]

I'm with ya.....I love Disney and the Beach (but we usually do the beach on our weekends in the summer because my parents have a house there, and we get a little bored with the beach for more than a weekend) disney is always our vacation. I have been lucky enough to go to Hawaii, Europe, drive across the US and Canada.....and no, nothing lives up to Disney for me. It's just relaxing and fun for us. I do very little planning now, make a couple of reservations----if my teens want to sleep in, they can...if we want to split up ...no prob....we meet up.. we have our traditions....we love the pools and the restaurants...its just so easy . I have a pretty stressful job and I want a stress free vacation...and that's Disney for us.

 

[Allison]

Nope, not me. Disney is great, but I have had a variety of wonderful vacations .

 

[clori]

My love for Disney doesn't stop me from loving other vacations. They are all unique and special to us.

 

[Poohlove]

Disney used to have a hold on us and while it still has a special place in our hearts I think it's safe to say we have outgrown it. That's not to say we will never go back but it will not be an annual trip as in the past. I know it is possible to do it but the amount of planning and reserving that a vacation to Disney requires is just exhausting. I make plans, decisions and keep a schedule all day every day. Vacation for me now means go somewhere and take it as it comes. I really enjoy not having to plan beyond the basics and just being able to wing it.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I don't get hung up on vacations. When I come home from vacations I never feel empty from it. And if I can't go on vacation, I am still happy.

 

[Hikergirl]

I love Disney but there are places I love more.

 

[georgina]

Nope, don't feel that way. My parents never took us anywhere but camping within a few hours of home for vacation, because we were poor and there were 6 kids in the family. Dh and I have made an effort to travel with our kids - we have been to Yellowstone, Mt Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Acadia Natl Park, Alaskan cruise, Chichen Itza, Hawaii, France, and looking at Ireland next. I am the only Disney lover in the family - the rest can take it or leave it. Oldest DD has traveled on her own to India, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Turkey, Caribbean, and visited cities in Europe while studying abroad in college. There are so many places to see, Disney is just one place!

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Disney used to have a hold on us and while it still has a special place in our hearts I think it's safe to say we have outgrown it. That's not to say we will never go back but it will not be an annual trip as in the past. I know it is possible to do it but the amount of planning and reserving that a vacation to Disney requires is just exhausting. I make plans, decisions and keep a schedule all day every day. Vacation for me now means go somewhere and take it as it comes. I really enjoy not having to plan beyond the basics and just being able to wing it.

You can say that again. Then when you get there the heat and the crowds are just not what I want to be dealing with. When we were camping on Hanson Island I'm sure weren't the only ones there but it sure felt like it. It was just silent, except for the sounds of whales or sea lions. I would sit with my binoculars on the cliff and just watch for whatever might happen. It was SO different from a Disney vacation and so absolutely welcome. And we would kayak many miles a day so we were still getting a workout, just a different kind.

I would go back in a heartbeat.

As for Disney, we've had some great vacations there but now that my kids have their passports it feels like the whole world is open and I'm much more interested in taking advantage of that than staying up till midnight to get a fastpass for something I've already ridden dozens of times.

 

[Tinkermommy]

To be honest Disney no longer holds the magic for me. Too much has gone away and I really dislike all the planning.

We love to travel though and have gone to Hawaii (not Aulani), London, Paris and just some relaxing beach trips. Such a big world to see and my kids love to go different places.