Do you keep your Disney life secret?

[dvcbnd]

I never thought about keeping it a secret until recently. This past trip to WDW (Thanksgiving week) I found myself not telling people exactly where we were going. I was finding myself feeling uncomfortable to share my excitement with others.
People just don't get it! We've been DVC members for almost 11 yrs. and are getting the "you're going again" line more and more. I find a split between the people who are eager to get our help in planning their trip and the ones who always have a comment to pass. Those people in my opinion are just jealous. They consider it to be a very expensive trip and they think that we spend every waking minute in the parks. Little do they know, that since we go a couple times a year, we spend more time relaxing and enjoying all the wonderful amenities the DVC resorts have to offer.
Like it was mentioned in previous posts - this is our cabin, mountain home, beach home, etc. and we're loving it!!!!!
Can we help it if our "home away from home" happens to be located in the best place on earth?

 

[BroganMc]

You have to ask yourself what it is you do when you're on vacation.

In Ocean City, every day we sat on our balcony to watch the sunrise and sunset. Someone would cook breakfast and then it was the usual ritual of put on your bathing suit, go to the pool and beach, wash off all that sand, take a shower and change for a night out. Night's out consisted of either miniature golf, going to the boardwalk for rides and greasy food, or catching a movie. Or else we'd just stay in the room, eat steamed crabs, play cards and watch cable movie channels.

The special highlights included sneaking out to breakfast at the boardwalk or driving up to Rehobeth for the outlet malls. And once a year we could see fireworks at 4th of July.

When we go to Orlando, we visit the aquarium at SeaWorld, go to the zoo at the Animal Kingdom, Hollywood at MGM/DHS, a fantasy land at Magic Kingdom, a world tour and high tech conference in EPCOT, see fireworks every night if we wish, play miniature golf, go to the movies (usually 3D movies), see Cirque, go to nightclubs, go to the boardwalk, or the mountains, or Polynesia for a luau, or out to a ritzy grand afternoon tea. The rides are much better than anything we'd find at Trimper's. The traffic also tends to be a lot better. And we meet people from all over the world.

About the only thing we can't do in Disney is get some authentic Maryland Steamed Crabs. But that's why we usually spend a couple weekends at the beach. Still love the beach vistas but find we just do more in Orlando.

 

[Kurby]

it's funny - people go to Los Vegas year after year after year and their met with "oh ya how cool, what show are you seeing, what hotel are you staying at, did you win anything?

but people who love Disney are met with "Again?" over and over.

there's far more to do at 1 resort and 1 park at Disney then anyone ever does in Vegas.

ok you can go on a nice 20 minute helicopter ride (did it in the 90's and yes it was fun) over the city or pay more and go out to the damn but what else do people do in Vegas? sit for hours at a table or slot machine gambling - not my idea of vacation more then once or twice but people do it year after year.

to each their own - we just don't feel the need to justify it anymore.

oh and we go to Niagara Falls at least once a year too but no one ever says "Again" when we say we're going there - or when we say we're jumping the boarder to go shopping.

 

[larry_poppins]

Most people at work know about my Disney hobby. I try to downplay it but it keeps sneaking out! If they start teasing me though I immediately change the subject. I am not going to cast pearls before swine.

When I meet knew people though I rarely talk about it. I have to get a clue that they are interested in Disney before I breach the subject.

Larry

 

[SanDeeKath]

We just bought some more points and after some people rolling their eyes at me, I stopped talking about it.

BUT lately I have been describing the program to my friends and family and there is more interest then I expected. I have helped 3 different families buy at DVC in the last couple of months alone. The future Hawaii location catches everyone's attention.

And when I offer people weeks to swap with other timeshares, no one wants a week at my actual timeshare -- they ALL want my DVC points! LOL.

SOOOOO, there are a lot of closet Disney-aholics I think. I am just bringing them over to the dark side, one step at a time.

Katherine

 

[kimkatmom]

I know what you mean. My DW and I are retired now and our DKs are grown and working. We could go other places, but we always end up at WDW or on a WDcruise. Its the good memories and the good times that keep us goin year after year.

WDW oldie

 

[Olaf]

I just tell people we got roped into this timeshare scheme and we have to use our points lest we be out big bucks.

I had one friend take me out to lunch and ask me, quite earnestly, what my obsession with Disney World was all about. She had this look on her face that suggested I might need therapy.

 

[JenSop]

I don't really keep it secret, but I don't just talk about it all the time either. I'd say the only "comments" we get are from my sister. Which is strange, since we both went all the time growing up with our grandparents. It's only since she's been with her husband that she makes these comments. (He doesn't like WDW.) Even though we're long time Disney fans, we're still new to DVC. (Just joined last year.) So this summer we're taking my parents and my grandmother and they're all really excited for the trip! And my dad's already thinking long term - taking my nieces in a few years - by then we might also have a little one, so DVC will definitely come in handy for that trip!

I'm lucky in that some of my friends are also Disney fans. One of my friends is actually getting married at WDW in the fall, and the other recently went on a two week trip to the world. These are the people I talk Disney to! (That and the disboards, of course!)

 

[bevotex]

This is one of the most interested topics I have read on these boards. It is really neat to see how everyone deals with the Disney "issue."

Put us in the category that we do not advertise our DVC ownership and do not intend to. It seems that we have gotten reaction from people about going in the first place that smacks of jealousy. So, we made the decision not to tell others so as not to appear pretentious. We aren't pretentious people, just enjoy our family and away time. DVC was just something that worked for us.

I do not judge where anyone else vacations and wish that others help to that same value. Unfortunately, others believe it their right to make statements whether they are solicited or not.

 

[eliza61]

You know this is so ironic for me. I live near the NJ shore. People in the tristate area, flock every year to the Jersey shore, like salmon returning upstream to spawn. They will spend thousands of dollars to rent out a beach rental each and every year and it will be perfectly acceptable but they will look at me a little weird for going to Disney every year. Go figure. Nowadays a week in Ocean city NJ is just about as expensive as a week at the world but still they say "you're going to disney again" to which I always reply "Your going to Cape May again?"

 

[TiggerAlli]

Our close family has always known how often we go because we have to tell them we are traveling & where or there'd be an issue at some point.

People who have known us a long time also know & basically if I get an "again!?!" or I just basically ignore it. Heck, most of them aren't traveling anywhere so I'm not sure why they should judge where I AM traveling!

New people, it depends on the vibe I get when the subject comes up, if they seem negative about it I just don't discuss it but if they are interested I will talk about it. Of course I have still gotten burned that way a couple of times but whatever.

I agree, about the people that go to Vegas or the beach or the cabin every year, what's the difference? I used to work w/someone that spent every vacation fixing his cabin--what kind of vacation is that!?!

At any rate, we're not super open about our "addiction" but we don't really hide it either. And those that do know definitely know to come to me when they have questions!

What’s the best though are a couple of friends that were of the “again?” variety who went & now LOVE the place. I think they still think we’re nuts because we don’t have kids but again whatever. We’re paying for it & we’re enjoying it so YAY!

 

[TenThousandVolts]

I am embarassed of my Disney addiction. Not sure why- I guess I just think it seems kind of uncool. But I don't really hide it- I just don't bring it up in conversation either. I never wear Disney stuff and try to keep it on DL. What am I going to do when my kids get old and I can't use them as an excuse for going to WDW AGAIN?!

Olaf- your post is the funniest, I can imagine an SNL skit, Disney Addicts Intervention with Dr. Drew, or something like that.

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

She had this look on her face that suggested I might need therapy.

 

[wildernessDad]

I talk about it at work. They probably feel that I am out of it or something, but they can think what they like.

We joined in 2005. Since then, I've mellowed some. I've toned it down a bit at work.

I think that if some folks at my work smiled, that their face would crack. It's a pretty dry place.

 

[BroganMc]

I had one friend take me out to lunch and ask me, quite earnestly, what my obsession with Disney World was all about. She had this look on her face that suggested I might need therapy.

That's rich! Quick honey, we need to arrange an intervention for cousin Jane. She's 38 and still loves Mickey Mouse. She should be worshipping Kelli Rippa instead. Oh wait, Rippa loves Disney too? What has this world come to.

 

[DVC Mike]

I don't keep it a secret. Everyone at works knows to speak to Mike if you're planning a WDW vacation. Everyone there knows I vacation there 4 times a year.

Outside of work, you'll see me wearing WDW T-shirts and Polo shirts at least one or two days a week.

Who cares what other people think? It's my life and I'm not ashamed to let others know how I enjoy spending my time.

 

[edk35]

Oh yeah, we hear it all the time, have for the last 17 trips. I always find it so funny! It is especially curious to me that someone can own a beach house and go there on a regular basis, and that is "ok", but that is different from what we do. My son's principal once said to me that there were so many other places to visit, like Europe, and I replied, "we go to Germany, Italy, France, England, Morocco, ...." She thought I was nuts!!!

I Love it!!!!~

 

[deej696]

It is very well known within our family just how Disney crazy we are. We are due to be married at Disney later in the year, and many know that we own at DVC. I have always been a Disney nut since I was a little kid, however, so it does not really come as any suprise to anyone. Now, as far as my DIS life here on the boards, well that is definitely a secret because I doubt anyone would understand 2 hours a day on this thing

 

[edk35]

Yesterday in my daughter's AP Bio class (she is a Jr. in high school) the teacher asked if anyone had been to THE LAND in EPCOT at WDW and if they had ever rode the boat ride into the green house area. I guess they were talking about a subject pertaining to this. SO my daughter raised her hand and another girl said she had been to WDW 2 times and the teacher oooohhhheeedddd and ahhhhheeddddd over that. Then one girl said she went to WDW when she was younger and didn't really like it. Another girl said she just had no desire to ever go EVER confused3 ). I asked my daughter if she told the teacher that she had been 13 times in her 17 years and she said "No way....my friends think we are nuts for going all the time there was no way I was going to mention it in class with people I barely know!!"

 

[edk35]

we get the same responses from some people about going again. Now last year we went in Jan. that is when we bought into DVC...took first DVC in Aug., went back in Nov and then in Jan this year. I almost feel like we should just keep our mouths closed with a couple of friends. They just don't get it. My son's best friends' family ...they don't get it and they seem to always say "you are going again?" I have never told my parents that we bought in either. We have only told a few people and those are the people that love Disney too.