Do people think you are nuts?

[Poohbear123]

Yes, I am NUTS and EVERYONE knows I am NUTS! But, these are the SAME People who come up to me and ask me HOW they Can Afford to go, as in Discounts, etc. Go Figure!

 

[franw]

I'm going to print out your replies and carry them with me. I knew there was a reason I liked you guys. I'm also glad to know that I'm not crazy after all. Each trip is a brand new experience for me and I am glad that it is for all of you too. Thanks.

 

[bliss4us]

Right now in Maine, it's 34 degrees, dark and raining. The yard has become a giant slushee and even my dogs don't want to go outside.

But here I am, listening to Zip Ah Dee Doo Dah (no kidding!) and hanging out on the DIS boards. Who's crazy now? Huh?

Yeah, people think I'm nuts. They just don't know what they're missing...

Daisy

 

[two-foxes]

I grew up going to Disneyland, thanks to my mom working for United and my cousin being a CM there, so it has been a constant in my life. My favorite picture of me is on my 2nd Birthday decked out in Mickey gear. I have too many good memories from DL to count.

I had never visited WDW until 2001 when my DH, then Fi, decided to plan a trip there. My cousin who lives in Celebration, actually decided to get married there at the same time, so my first trip was extra special and amazing. It was a no brainer choice for our HM location, and we tacked on a Disney cruise for added measure. We also had a Disney themed wedding (since there was no way in the world we could have pulled one off at WDW!)

My friends and co-workers, alot with kids, feel that I am insane for going to WDW for my HM, and they laugh when I am already planning our next cruise for 2004. I am soooo excited to have kids to show them the same things that I remember as a kid....
Most people don't seem to get it. I have stopped trying to explain why I love it...why I feel like a 5 year old when Pooh comes to our table at breakfast, why I tear up at Illuminations, why I wake up at the crack of dawn to get going while we are there. (I remeber staring out the window of our hotel at DL staring at the Matterhorn, IMPATIENTLY waiting for my parents and sister to wake up!) It simply makes me happy So, now that I have come across as completely sappy.....oh well, I love it!

 

[figment95]

My friends are always making fun of me. I've given up trying to explain. As soon as I drive through the gate I'm in another world. I don't have to worry about anything but where I'm having dinner. It's the vacation that has something for everyone. The kids, DH and I can enjoy our vacation together. We don't have to worry about what might be inappropriate for them, they don't get bored. We don't have to ship them off to the kids club so we can have fun at night. (well, most nights anyway) And the best part is: even after all these years, we always find something new to do. Can't wait for our next trip!!

 

[jaw62901]

Most of the people I work with think that I am a little crazy for planing a trip 9 months in advance and for going by myself. I keep explaining to them that Dec 26 thru Jan 3 is one of the most busiest times of the year there and that reservations need to be made a long time in advance.

The people at my office are planing there trips this summer and believe that vacations are ment for the summer time not during December. I just tell them that why go on vacation when it is 85 or 90 in Chicago, when you can get away from the cold cold weather during December.

Jason

 

[mat2672]

I go with my family at least once a year and always stay on disney property. Its been about 6 years and 8 or 9 trips now. It took me a while to realize that it was pointless trying to explain why we do this every year. Its one of those things where you either understand the "magic" or you dont. Lets face it, Disneyworld isnt for everyone, especially people who are challenged in the imagination area. If they dont feel the magic, then to them its all a bunch of childish, little kids rides. But outside of all of the magic stuff, theres also some very basic reasons that I always try to explain. Even though the reality is that disney is just a business trying to make money and its very expensive, the fact is they do it right. I havent been anwhere else that pays so much attention to customer service, employees that actually seem to be happy to be at work and not putting on that fake smile because they have to. Ive been to other parks with my young daughter and they never come close. They are never as clean as disney, no where near the attention to detail, nowhere near the number of options as there are at disney. Its just a different world when your there. I hate when people use tacky slogans, but it really is the happiest place on earth. You may get your knuckleheads from time to time, but everyone there always seems to be generally happy and smiling. I could go on and on about what I like about it and Im a very cynical guy from a very cynical big city. Bottom line, stop trying to explain it, we are freaks. We see something that the rest of the doubters will never see or feel. I laugh at the people I know who smirk at me when I tell them im going again as they drag the family off to another dead& boring "sit on the beach baking in the sun all day with a beer in my hand" vacation. I'll never get the fun in that and I dont think Walt Disney himself would ever get that either. Im sure plenty of people thought he was crazy to try to do the things he did in life. I think people like him and us are kids at heart and theres no better way to be. I hope Im always like that.

 

[SoleilLoca]

You know, for years and years my family has been heading to disney world...I had to endure a 22 hour car ride, in a ford tempo, sitting in the middle, more times than I can count, but those memories are some of the best for me. and for a number of years I would watch my mom start to cry at the sight of a disney commercial and never really understand why...until of course, I grew up. Now I have to explain to people why I get teary eyed, and it's a difficult thing to do...until, that is, they ask if I've ever been there. and of course I smile and tell them that "When you wish upon a star" is my family's anthem, and I would never vacation anywhere else. My FH has never been there, so OF COURSE we're going for our honeymoon, and I keep telling him that he'll understand why I act the way I do about disney once he's been there and sees how it is...to me, it truly is a fantasy world that is completely set apart from everyday life...everyone just seems so much happier there, the atmosphere is completely different.

well, off the soap box I go...lol

 

[MACY00]

MY FAMILY ECSPECIALLY. THEY CAN'T BELIEVE WE GO, AND THIS IS ONLY OUR 5TH TRIP. THEY THINK IT IS TOOOOOOO MUCH MONEY. THEY GO TO THE BEACH FOR A WEEK AND I KNOW THEY SPEND MORE MONEY THAN I DO AT DISNEY, TRYING TO FIND ENTERTAINMENT, RENTAL AND EVERYTHING ELSE. I STAY ON THESE BOARDS AND KEEP MY TRIP DOWN. YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE AND YOUR KIDS ARE ONLY SMALL FOR A SHORT TIME. SO WHY NOT ENJOY VACATIONS!!

 

[jaysue]

It just so happens that us adults love it too!

Thanks
Jason

 

[DisNance]

Oh Yeah!!!!!!!!!!! I've been going to Disney since 1971. Never been anywhere else for vacation. Nuts? Maybe. Happy?
Oh Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't help but smile when your at Disney!!
Nance

 

[markm0926]

I thnk that once you get to Disney after actually knowing what you are doing, it becomes addicting. We use to go every once in a while and never had a clue (would stay off site, not ge to see all of the magic) Now that we've stayed inside the "World" I don't see any place else to vacation !! We are going in May and are already planning 2004!! Yes we are nuts!!

 

[icydog]

I've been a DVC member for 11 years and I love Disney. I could be a travel agent for them. I know when to go, what to see, eat etc. but I never tire of the place or the DVC resorts. I am amazed by people who go once and say " been there, done that". There is so much to do for everyone at Disney and I don't care if everyone thinks I am nuts!!!
Also I used to travel in the summer when the kids were little. I think those thatt must go at this time have it tough. Many people who don't HAVE to go during the summer complain about the lines, heat and stuff. They should try Disney in Sept -March( minus the holiday periods of course) and they will get a whole new perspective on the place.

 

[DisneyMim]

Yes some people think we're crazy, but we are way beyond that stage. We were one of the first people in line to buy into DVC back in 1991. I always knew I would buy into Disney somehow ever since I watched Walt talk about EPCOT WAY WAY back when and I turned to my Mother and said that someday I would own a piece of Disney. I was very young and she just laughed, but eveyone in my family has ALWAYS known I was a HUGE Disney fan, so it really comes as no surprise to them. Thank goodness I married a Disney nut and both our kids are Disney nuts as well. It also helps that my brother and his family are into Disney too. We are very fortunate to be able to take numerous vacations every year, but one or two are always to Disney. People now think of it as our second home, just like how some people own second vacation homes at the beach, mountains, etc. Yeah I guess you could call me crazy, but Disney makes me SOOOO happy that I don't care what others think. I am happy to be part of this Dis board and a group of people who think just like I do!!!!!

 

[Robinette]

Our family and friends are always giving us a hard time about going to Disney so often. It doesn't bother me but here's a funny story. A few weeks ago fed ex delivered our air plane tickets. I showed my girls their ticket with their name on them and they were so excited. Just then there's a knock at the door and it's our UPS man delivering some curtains I ordered. My DD Sydney says to him, "We're going to Disney World." UPS guy say's "AGAIN!" I couldn't believe HE said that. How does HE know of our obsession?! He was laughing and said that he is the one who normally delivers our air plane tickets. It was just too funny. Of coarse after telling my family the story they say, "See, you do have a problem!"

 

[scanne]

Whenever my DH and talk about our many trips to WDW, a lot of our friends laugh at us. Like another poster said they just don't "get it." But we do and think that Disney is the best vacation! You can relax, swim, experience fine dining, theme park hop, experience culture and much much more! It's a great place for 'kids' of all ages and I hope that I can continue to go year after year!

 

[Kaitysmom]

Yup, we get it too. We go every year - last year we went 3 times, this year we'll go 2 times with another one planned for next Feb. I have also tried vacations at other places. Always somewhat disappointing in comparison to WDW. We love Disney because of the full range of options open to you - never have to be bored! You can't say that about very many places. We continue to take our summer vacations, but really look forward to the winter ones at WDW. I still get the comments from the "non-believers," but who cares!

 

[patsal]

We get the same response, but I have come not to care. If they want to camp for two weeks let them, if they like to visit the shore for two weeks, enjoy. I find it frustrating that they question my vacation habits, but don't find anything wrong with going to the same resort year after year themselves (isn't it the same thing?). I don't really talk about it much with the "non-believers in magic" and I laugh to myself when they approach me for help in planning their trips.

 

[DisneyGalKaitlyn]

I completely agree with everyone on this thread!

I am a 17yo girl and there has been no time in my life when Disney has not been a part of it. I like to tell people my first trip was "in utero" - before I was born (completely true!). I first "really" went when I was something like 18months and have gone at least once, typically twice a year.

I have memories of family dinners at home with the old EPCOT record (yes, record, with "Universe of Energy" and "Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit" on it!) playing in the background and endless talks of our next trip.

When we lived in Cleveland, OH, planning our trips was such a big deal, and we would go for 10 days usually in the summer, and for a shorter period the week after Thanksgiving. Christmas at Disney really begins the Christmas season for me!!

My parents have been DVC members since the second year it began, so OKW (originally the only DVC resort - "The Vacation Club") is truly my home away from home, since we almost always stay there (though we like to switch it up).

I also thank God that my parents are Disneyphiles and raised me to be one, too, because I think I (and my 13yo brother) are better for it. My mom, a native Floridian, was actually at the opening day of WDW, camping out like everyone did for it!

Now that we live in ATL, our trips are shorter but more frequent, since we can easily drive the 8hrs it takes from GA. My mom always jokes that, when we have a bad day or something, "we could leave now and be down there around midnight....," though she knows I'll take her up on that offer in a second!!!

But to all my friends, I've always been the "Disney" girl (hence my handle). Whenever I take off school to go to WDW, it's always "Again??!?!" and I smile and simply nod. Who cares what they think - my trips and everything Disney is such an integral part of my life and they make me so happy. Too bad for them! My parents always laugh that a quality my husband must possess (whenever I find him, that it) is that he must love Disney!

We're going on our first DCL cruise (but not our 1st cruise) on April 5th, and I cannot wait. I'm at school now, and it's the 4th quarter of my senior year, so I'm of course not doing any work during my free period. Instead, I've got headphones on, listening to the various awesome Disney radio stations at www.live365.com (I totally recommend this site - the stations are awesome! Just go to search and look for "Disney" under the "other" or "various" category - there's about 7 different ones you can listen to for free) and I'm reading the DIS Boards, and I'm in such a good mood!! I actually listening to the the little "Zip-Ah-Dee-Doo-Da 'Tip for Today' commercial from the ResortTV at WDW - and I feel like I'm sitting in the room at OKW, ready to go have an awesome day!

Anyway, in my long post I just wanted to agree with everyone here - I love everything Disney, and I am PROUD to be a DisneyGal!

 

[crusin'minnie]

Most of my family and friends know what a disney fanatic I am and there is some good natured teasing that goes on. (Of course if any of them are planning a trip I am the first one they ask).

There is one exception. My best friend's husband. They live just outside of Orlando. He is so sour on Disney and never misses an opportunity to crack a joke at my expense. He thinks we are ridiculous for going as often as we do. I try and spend a few days with my friend before we start our vacation, but he is not very hospitable and acts like he cannot wait for us to leave, yet the last time he told my friend that I must not care very much about her since I was going to spend so much more time at Disney than with her.

She told me this and I finally said to her- "Look it is not my fault that you guys live less than an hour from the most popular family vacation desination in the world. We love it! I know that you two do not appreciate it and I really feel sorry for your kids. (They have a friend who is a CM and gets them in free- but I can count on one hand the number of times they have been) Some people may think I'm nuts but unless they are paying my bills they can keep their mouth shut about how and where I spend my time and money."

Thanks for letting me hop on the old soap box!!

If I'm crazy- I hope I never find the cure!!!!!