Does anyone else's family just not get Disney?

[IMADSNYLOVR]

My parents thinking we are nuts for going the times we already have! I haven't even told them that we are going(and taking them) in December because I don't want to hear them question us for the next 7 months. Not to mention telling them that we are now DVC MEMBERS!!! They might equate that with being part of a cult. I wonder if part of it is that they have never been there and really don't "get it". They will be made aware of their upcoming trip in early August with their Birthday presents, airline tickets, accomodations and prob park hoppers for Christmas! Who would refuse that. August gives them enough time to schedule time off-my Dad can take of whenever he wants and my mom works from home. Anyway, regardless of me kidnapping them to WDW-they just don't get it. They have even said.
"You've already been once why go agian?"

I have also heard-"Just because we didn't take you as kids doesn't mean you have to go all the time!"

I just can't imagine not wanting to go wether I have be 2 times or 20!

TTFN

Sarah

 

[MiaSRN62]

Sarah,
I can definitely relate. Only my mil "gets it" because she's a Disney nut too Other than her, noone else in the family can fathom why we don't get bored going. If we happen to be discussing travel or vacation plans, they'll roll their eyes and say, "oh yeah.....let us guess......WDW again". We just don't let it bother us. One sil/bil go to the Jersey shore every single summer and spend a week or more. I say, what's the difference with what they do and what we do in going to WDW ? Heck, the Jersey shore is just as expensive as WDW, that's for sure ! lol
Luckily, there are a few people that I work with that can relate to my love of WDW---a couple are even DVC Members. It's so nice to be able to talk to people who "get it"

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We are fortunate in that respect. My side of the family have always been Disney people.
My wife's side started out with the "your going again?" stuff. Since then, my wife's parents, brother, and sister in law have been with us several times. They have indeed 'seen the light'.
The downside??? Finding a trip to take where it's just my wife and me.

MG

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Our family "gets it" but many people think of Disney as a theme park as opposed to a resort destination. As long as they think that way, they will wonder why go back? As those on this board know, you could easily go for a week and not step foot into a theme park.

This is the view by the same people who year after year go to the same vacation destination. Whether it be a lake or the shore, but NOT A THEME PARK!

HBC

 

[IMADSNYLOVR]

I am hoping my parents do "see the light" it just drags you down when you're all excited and planning and you can't even talk to your mom about it. BTE my mom calls at LEAST 3 times a day-so it makes it difficult! LOL

Sarah

 

[mom23boys]

We have been to WDW 4 times in the last 6 years and my friends with and without children do not get it. One went a few years back and thought it was not big deal. I was like WHAT. She needs to go with a professional. They thought it was a waste buying DVC, but what do they know.

I had to laugh with MiaSRN62 I am near you in Montgomery County and my family does the Jersey shore. It is so expensive and the water is gross, for a family of 5 it is cheaper to go to DW.

But we get sucked in to going the the Shore everyother year to please the family but cannot wait to get back to Disney Oct 2005.

Sharon

 

[rsschneck]

But they sure do enjoy the benefits!

We have taken my folks once, DH Mom & Bro once, my Sis and family are coming with us in August, Parents are getting a week in Vero in Sept. and we have 2 more DH family trips planned for 2005.

I don' think anyone else in the family GET'S IT, but they won't turn down a trip to WDW either

 

[SheriB]

I'm from South Jersey, and the Jersey shore is a must every summer as well. It is very expensive. Luckily, both our families like Disney and don't question our DVC or need to go every year. However, other people (coworkers, friends, etc.) give you that "you're going AGAIN?". I say to them, "Yeah, are you going to the shore this year, AGAIN?". Someone on these boards once said, "For those who get it, no explanation is necessary. For those that don't, no explanation will do." That's now my motto. Some people really don't realize the vastness of the whole WDW resort. Nor do they know it's a resort. They think it's a park like Six Flags or something. Let them think you're nuts. You know what it's all about. And that's all that matters.

Have fun planning your trip for your parents. I'm sure they'll love it once they get there.

Sheri

 

[MiaSRN62]

It is so expensive and the water is gross, for a family of 5 it is cheaper to go to DW.

You know it Sharon ! Glad you can relate to what I was saying.....

 

[Bracho]

I heard that every year myself...."I can't believe you're going again, you know there are other places on the planet..." and I say the same thing every year.... "As soon as you book my vacation, pay for it, and give me a little extra spending money, you'll have the right to complain about where I go.. "BUT" until then... back off!!"

I love DisneyWorld and as long as "I" enjoy going every year, it really doesn't matter what others think. After all these years of going, all of my friends have given up ...LOL

 

[ellenmiele]

If this is the first time for the grandparents then there is a (very) good chance that once they experience WDW for themselves, they will understand. On our first trip 3 years ago my husband did not "get it" either: I had been 7 times as child -- thanks to my having been raised in a totally Disney family -- my husband was not as fortunate -- his family went on many vacations but (gasp!) none were to WDW. Suffice it to say we have already been back 2 more times and are planning to become DVC members very soon since were are already planning trips #4 and #5. Just wait and see what happens...

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62
Heck, the Jersey shore is just as expensive as WDW, that's for sure ! lol

ITA!! Not only is just as expensive or even more expensive than WDW, you do not get the level of service, overall superior resorts, retaurants etc., at the Jersey shore that you do at WDW.
Don't get me wrong, I live at the Jersey shore and love it dearly, but it can not hold a candle to the vacation value that WDW provides to their guests.
I am always amazed when people complain that WDW is too expensive and always think: "where do these people vacation at, eat at resturants at, etc?". We do not find WDW to be more expensive than any other vacation destination and many times find it to be a much better value than other vacation destinations. I have yet to find a vacation destination anywhere that you can get a resort comparable to a WDW value,moderate or deluxe resort, for the same price as the WDW room would cost--especially when you get a discounted rate!


To the OP, we have the same experiences with people being amazed that we continue to spend the amount of time per year in the land of the Mouse that we do, and have continued to do so for so many years.
We have quite a few neighbors at our FL home that also say the same things. They live less than 1.5 hrs from WDW and NEVER go. They feel as though, they have been there, done that, no need to go back.
However we also have many friends both in NJ and FL that are as big of a Disney Maniac as we are, so it all balances out! LOL!

 

[rocketriter]

My mother complains about our investment in Disney because WDW is "not educational." She thinks we should be traveling to places where our children can learn something. She's so out of tune with what vacations are for, what can be accomplished on vacations, and what our own vacations are actually like that I don't even know where to begin with her. Fortunately, ignoring her is an option.

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by rocketriter
My mother complains about our investment in Disney because WDW is "not educational." She thinks we should be traveling to places where our children can learn something. She's so out of tune with what vacations are for, what can be accomplished on vacations, and what our own vacations are actually like that I don't even know where to begin with her. Fortunately, ignoring her is an option.

Wow, she IS out of tune! I think WDW is very educational. Both my children and myself have learned a lot about different countries and their culture and cuisine; about science, history, art, animals, the environment, etc., through our WDW trips. I am really amazed about your mother's opinion. Being TOO educational is often a complaint from some in regards to WDW!!!!

 

[FLYNZ4]

IMHO, WDW has a perception of being educational... but I pesonally think the educational depth of WDW is pretty superficial. I think it is hard to beat WDW in terms of entertainment, and quality of the resorts... which is why we keep returning.

/Jim

 

[Maistre Gracey]

WDW may not be educational from a math & science perspective, but where would the world be without imagination & creativity?

Most modern "math & science" breakthroughs started with an imaginative idea. Imagine if nobody ever wanting to create, or engineer something new and cutting edge.

It all starts with imagination, and in my opinion, there is no better place for imagination than WDW.

I will now quietly climb off my soapbox...

MG

 

[DavidRoss]

I am a member and have recently gotten married. I wanted to take my folks for quite some time. They could never 'get it' either. After being married, I finally took my Dad or should I say, my Dad consented to go after wavering back and forth. My mother still didn't want to go and because of some health problems with her legs, she opted to stay home. My wonderful wife (who has been numersous times with me), thought it would be good if just my father and I went so it could be sort of a 'guys' vacation. Our first destination was a one bedroom at Boardwalk. When we arrived at the hotel (before going in), my father's mouth was wide open. He couldn't believe how beautiful the resort was. Then we got our keys and went to the room. I told him to go in first. He put his key in and walked through the door. He dropped his luggage and started looking around running to the bedroom, then to the bathroom, then to the balcony. He just couldn't believe we were staying in something so nice. On the fourth day, we left Boardwalk to go over to Old Key West. My father actually started crying, he was so happy to be there but sad at the same time to leave such a nice resort. When we got to OKW with all the space, he was amazed. Now, remember, my dad didn't 'get it' either. On the last day of our trip, he asked me those 5 words that said it all - "When are we coming back?" My dad finally 'got it.' After this and the memories we made, I decided to pay for a Leave-A-Legacy tile at Epcot. When we got home, I soon planned another trip for us. Now we will go back and see the tile with the two of us this October. And of course, my mother is trying to figure out how she can go after listening to my father. She is concerned because she won't be able to walk all that much if at all. I want to take her as well but I am having trouble convincing her that WDW is very wheelchair friendly and since she can still walk and get up and out of a chair, she will have even more options. Any thoughts?

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by FLYNZ4
IMHO, WDW has a perception of being educational... but I pesonally think the educational depth of WDW is pretty superficial. I think it is hard to beat WDW in terms of entertainment, and quality of the resorts... which is why we keep returning.

/Jim

However even a small dab of superifical knowledge about a country or concept that you previously had NO knowledge about is much more educational then no knowledge.

 

[MiaSRN62]

IMHO, WDW has a perception of being educational... but I pesonally think the educational depth of WDW is pretty superficial. I think it is hard to beat WDW in terms of entertainment,

I firmly believe that WDW has such a creative & innovative way with learning that most times one doesn't even realize it's an educational experience. In '98, my kids had to present a report to their class on what they learned from their trip to WDW. We didn't have to look hard to find all sorts of things---particularily at Epcot & Animal Kingdom. If you go to the Guest Services area of any park, they have an abundance of educational information for the public---all you have to do is ask (Sea World does also). I think even my kids' teachers were amazed at the educational wealth Disney has to offer

 

[northcapemaymom]

We have family on both sides of the fence. My parents can't wait for our next trip and they love to come along and experience WDW with our children. My husband's family and some of our friends think we are crazy for travelling to the same destination over and over again. I say until someone else starts paying - I'll go where I want.

On the Jersey shore issue I have to agree with the other posts. I worked in the B & B industry in Cape May, and if one wants a decent room they are going to pay $200-350 a night. Add on $100-150 for dinners each night and price really adds up. I say life is short - enjoy the good things life and to offer - and WDW is one of them!

P.S. The ocean water quality is looking good so far this year (snicker-snicker).