Does anyone else's family just not get Disney?

[Bexx]

My Mum doesn't get it either. She visited MK on a day trip when we were in Florida many years ago, and did admit that it was a lot nicer than she had expected. But she still imagines that that is all WDW is - a theme park. Maybe if she stayed there for several night, she might, just possibly, appreciate the beauty and variety of the place. Perhaps we might lure her there one day if her granddaughters ever want her to go! At the moment though, she doesn't even know we're DVC members.

My Dad, on the other hand, definitely got it. Sadly we lost him twelve years ago, but if he was still with us, I don't think my DVC points would be safe!!

 

[riopooh]

I always got it, my DH has recently come on board, but my family is another matter (and I won't even mention his!) I went every year from 1971 until 1979 ( when both older siblings were in college) and three time since we've been married. Now, we all have families and my heart hurts for my niece and nephews (5 in all) - My kids have been three times and my brother and sister have been depriving their children. Luckily, my dad (whom I can trace my Disney-gene to) is intervening - thanks to him - we've got a family reunion in the works for Feb 2005! I just hope my brother and sister (and families) will remember the magic and STOP TEASING ME!!! (I'll never get over being the youngest! - but now I'm the only DVC memebr - wait til I show them!)

(I wish I knew had to do a count down!)

15 of us in Feb 2005!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Riopooh,
Check out here for info on a countdown timer :
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=381216

 

[ant3838]

The best investment I ever made in my life. I have been to Disney World somewhere between 13-16 times and I never get tired of it I always find something new to enjoy. Only a couple of weeks and I will be going again in June. OKW for a couple of days and then I will be going to the Fort Wildreness cabins for the first time. My home away from home is the Wilderness Lodge, but I like trying different resorts.

Ann

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62
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

I totally agree. I know my family has learned about many various things at WDW, that maybe we would not have otherwise. True it is often just scratching the surface type of knowledge, but hey, knowledge is knowledge. If whatever little knowledge a person picks up at WDW, sparks their interest enough; they may very well continue to pursue this subject and consequently gain a more thorough and deeper knowledge.
I also agree about the wonderful educational materials to be had at WDW. I taught grammar school and pre school for 14 yrs and I always got some great material from WDW for my classes. There used to be a teacher's center right in Epcot, that was a wealth of information. I am not sure if this is still there but it used to be in the back of Spaceship Earth.
Many of my 2nd graders acquired their basic map skills from WDW park maps and had a ball doing it! Maria is right--they did not even realize they were learning important Social Studies skills as they were happily charting out a route from Splash Mtn to Cinderella's castle!!

 

[mom2rb]

My DH's family gets it. In fact they share our addiction. My family doesn't. In fact we have not told them about DVC. Lucky for me my boys are five. We keep saying we are going alot while the boys are young. This will give me 5-6 more years before they find out it's really me.

 

[mbw12]

After years of getting agitiated or downright offended by people's comments about my choice of vacations...I have finally learned how to ignore it. Before, I used to feel as if I had to justify it or convince them that I wasn't insane. Now I could care less. After taking both sets of parents, both have learned to understand....who can resist those fabulous accomodations? As for friends or co-workers...they have just goten to the point where they now ask "when are you going to WDW next?"
Funny thing is, I just realize that you can't make anyone happy.....it must be jealousy or something. I now have people tell me that my hubby and I "take too many vacations" regardless of whether it is to WDW or not! Too many vacations???? I didn't know that was possible!!!!! But it just made me realize....I don't really think people care "where" we go....they just get jealous that we go to vacation so much!!! I say to each his own. Like someone else said, our relatives go to the Jersey shore EVERY year...I can tolerate it for a weekend, but not a whole week! But that is their choice, just like I have mine!

 

[tinkgrl]

Originally posted by 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

Sarah,

I can totally relate!!! Most of my family think we're nuts to go every year. My dad is the one who said go 3 years ago & he's the worst. He thinks once is enough!!! Well he doesn't go with us so I don't see how he can complain but I hear it every time from someone.

Allison an associate

 

[IMADSNYLOVR]

I am so glad I am not the only one! It's so funny-I jsut can't believe that some people aren't WDWaddicts! I guess it's better that some other things I could be addicted to! LOL! It's even cheaper than some addictions too-believe it or not!


Sarah

 

[mickeys#1fan]

My wife's best friend is a CM who just doesn't understand it. I guess when it's your work it's hard to see it as a get-away. For us, it's the ultimate get-away. You can be completely out of touch with the real world if you want - don't watch the news. What I don't get is people who bring computers with them. Why would I want a high speed connection in the room? That's what I'm trying to get away from!!! But I digress.

I agree with all those who have said as long as I'm paying who cares what others think.

 

[tinkerbee]

My family dosen't get it either. We go atleast once a year and all I hear is "You're going to WDW again?". They don't get it. No trip is ever the same and I love it there. We offered to take by fiances parents last year(along with his sister and her two children) all they had to do was pay for their tickets because we were staying in a two-bedroom at Boardwalk Villas and they didn't want to go because they thought it was "something just the kids would like". CRAZY people I say.

 

[jweiss]

no one in my family gets it at all, and at least one has been outright nasty. she looked at my baby today and said she was sorry she was stuck in this familly that is so into all that disney crap. poor little baby. gets to go to MH homecoming at age 3 months and DCL at age 6 months.

 

[sgtpet]

My wife's family is particulary negative to DVC. In fact they are highly negative on almost anything we do. We just purchased a new house and we were not given congrats but questioned why we are moving to where we are going.

Oh well. 5 days until BCV. I cannot wait.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Most of my family shares our DVC addiction. In our family we have 4 DVC owners. So we pretty all much agree on it being a great place to vacation.
My issue is my friends, secretarys at the kids schools etc.. They continually are saying Your kidding why would you go again? No thank you!!!
In fact... A girlfriend of mine has 4 kids 15, 13, 11, and 10. They have never been to Disney. They traded into RCI and are staying off property at a Clarion Suites. Get this Thanksgiving week! She says she just knows it will be crowded and awful and a waste of money. I have tried to explain the benefits of going off times, and staying onsite to absolutely no avail. As far as she is concerned it is a themepark and therefore horrible. This same family is taking the kids to Saratoga for the races this summer for the 3rd year in a row. which sort of tickles me, Because theme parks are the bane of society, but Horse racing is good family fun I actually showed them the saratoga springs info. But they said there is no actual racing there!!!!

As for family I am trying like crazy to figure out a way to get my father and stepmother to Disney next year for the food and wine festival just for 3 days!!!! The last time they were there was 1992? They have never been anywhere but MK and think, I am insane to go more than once. I just know if I could get them in a 2 bedroom Boardwalk view they would see the light. Somehow I will figure that one out.

 

[wvalx]

June version of Parenting Magazine has Zagat Survey US Family Travel Guide results of the 20 best places to take kids:

1. Magic Kingdom
2. Discovery Cove, Orlando
10. Typhoon Lagoon
12. Disney MGM Studios
15. Blizzard Beach

Money quote on Magic Kingdom:

"<b>No matter how many times you go</b>," there's always more to do, eat, and explore."

So the next time any asks you why you keep going back, you can say "As Pareting Magazine so eloquently put it...." Citing a reference mayimpress them.

 

[DISNEYMOMx5]

Just thought I'd share with you that we took my parents to WDW for their first trip EVER Christmas, 2002. I will never forget it & neither will they! I don't think you can ever "get it" unless you've been there! Now, we're leaving in 10 days & my folks are going with us again!! They can't wait...every time I call, I can hear my dad in the background whistling "It's a Small World". I think we've created monsters!! Seriously, though, w/o DVC, we never would have been able to invite them & make it hard to say "no". (If you don't have to pay for accomodations, how can you??) It's really neat b/c my oldest DD is marching on Main Street, USA, on 6/8, & it was like it was never even a question that my parents would be going again to see that! I know they want to go again at Christmas sometime, too, b/c they absolutely loved all the decorations & the Candlelight Processional!! Happy planning to you!