Going to Disney World a childhood rite of passage?

[Magpie]

Lol, just a fluff paper to justify a degree or position.

I think it's a parody, actually... I love the "disembodied voice" bit.

 

[Colleen27]

Just the other day the kids and I were in the drive-thru at McDonald's. I handed the 35ish year old cashier my Disney Visa and she said "Oh this is so cute. I've never been there." As we waited to move up to the next window for our food, my daughter asked "how come that lady has never gone to Disney World, Mom?". Well...needless to say, we spent our 10 minute trip home discussing the fact that there are a lot of people in the world that are not as fortunate as we are. I could tell that the kids felt really sad for that woman. It breaks my heart that some people live their whole life without a trip to the World. Not because I think of it as a rite of passage, bit just a magical place that I wish everyone could experience at leat once.

Sometimes it is just a question of priorities, though. My DD9 finds it terribly sad that her best friend has never been to Disney. Her friend finds it sad that DD didn't set foot in a mall until she was 9, only has a few Webkinz and one Zhu-Zhu pet, and doesn't get to see every new movie in the theatre. Different upbringing, different experiences, different priorities.

That's why I don't see Disney as a rite of passage. To me a rite of passage is something that is a near-universal experience, like learning to ride a bike, getting a driver's license, etc. For all that Disney is a special place for my family and offers a unique experience that you can't find elsewhere, it is still just a vacation destination.

 

[Andrew78]

Like any discussion there is usually no correct answer, it all depends on what you personally believe. Do you have to go to Disney World in order to have a good childhood? Of course not and there are many places families have that was there place growing up.

I think a lot parents want to beieve their kids are just going insanely nuts and so happy while they are there, maybe some are. My family took us the time I was 5 every New Years Eve till about I was 25. For me, I just have such wonderful family memories that to me bringing my own kids there now is a bit of a rite of passage....maybe more so for myself. My twins are 11 months old, and I can still remember as a little boy saying to myself one day I will bring my own kids here, and sure enough, I am. I know they will have no memory of going on Dumbo or the Haunted Mansion or staying at the hotel, but to me it will probably be my own right of passage.

 

[GinnyEmma]

That is sweet. I'm sure you a will have a lovely time.

The joys of insomnia, I was thinking about this in the night. I was trying to think of rites of passage that happen more than once. Quincieras, baptisms, etc. Are all just one time things. Any ideas? Lol, too tired to think...

 

[GinnyEmma]

I think it's a parody, actually... I love the "disembodied voice" bit.

Lol, I have read some pretty whacked papers.

 

[DVCKev]

Rite of passage lol? Not where I grew up in the Bunker Hill projects in Boston, there were no Disney trips for us kids growing up on welfare there. We could only dream of seeing Disney in person, all we had was the Disney sunday night movie and the Rex Trailer commercials to go to Disneyland/Disneyworld. No one I knew ever went there. However, fast forward to present day and I am trying to make it a rite of passage for my family now. I am a poor boy who used education to pull myself up from my circumstances and make a nice living. I first went to Disney with my kids in 2007 in my 30's, and let me tell you I am still just a big kid, as that trip was more exciting for me probably than my kids. I was so all in I dropped $20k on DVC as well, now we go every year. So I guess that in terms of being a rite of passage is interrelated to your economic circumstance in most cases. Middle to upper middle class folks and above I believe it is almost a rite of passage, to those below that level it will not be. I know there will be exceptions for the circumstances. I guess I am so into Disney now because it is something I never had for my rite of passage and I am probably trying to relive that now in some subliminal manner. I hope that it will become a rite of passage for my children and then theirs etc. To me Disney is the most wholesome, family oriented franchise there is in the world. It ties us all together with great memories that will last a lifetime if nothing else. The only thing I regret is that my mom who unfortunately struggled to provide me with the best she could did not live to see the good days that literally began right after her death. I'm sure if she could have she would have made it a rite of passage for me when I was young, and if she could have only lived a little longer she could have experienced it with me and her grandchildren whom she never met. To the OP, great topic of conversation and a little emotional when you dive deep into it. Just my $.02, have a great day folks...

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Rite of passage lol? Not where I grew up in the Bunker Hill projects in Boston, there were no Disney trips for us kids growing up on welfare there. We could only dream of seeing Disney in person, all we had was the Disney sunday night movie and the Rex Trailer commercials to go to Disneyland/Disneyworld. No one I knew ever went there. However, fast forward to present day and I am trying to make it a rite of passage for my family now. I am a poor boy who used education to pull myself up from my circumstances and make a nice living. I first went to Disney with my kids in 2007 in my 30's, and let me tell you I am still just a big kid, as that trip was more exciting for me probably than my kids. I was so all in I dropped $20k on DVC as well, now we go every year. So I guess that in terms of being a rite of passage is interrelated to your economic circumstance in most cases. Middle to upper middle class folks and above I believe it is almost a rite of passage, to those below that level it will not be. I know there will be exceptions for the circumstances. I guess I am so into Disney now because it is something I never had for my rite of passage and I am probably trying to relive that now in some subliminal manner. I hope that it will become a rite of passage for my children and then theirs etc. To me Disney is the most wholesome, family oriented franchise there is in the world. It ties us all together with great memories that will last a lifetime if nothing else. The only thing I regret is that my mom who unfortunately struggled to provide me with the best she could did not live to see the good days that literally began right after her death. I'm sure if she could have she would have made it a rite of passage for me when I was young, and if she could have only lived a little longer she could have experienced it with me and her grandchildren whom she never met. To the OP, great topic of conversation and a little emotional when you dive deep into it. Just my $.02, have a great day folks...

Nice post

 

[*Seanaci*]

I don't think it's a rite of passage. Just like I think letting a 16 year old get their license and buying them a car at that age is NOT a rite of passage. You're 16. Big deal. Now, drinking alcohol at 21...is a rite of passage...as is gambling.

I think Disney is more of a...well...I was going to say privilige...but that sounds harsh. I dunno. I think Disney is more of a special occassion. Not all families can afford to go...and/or have to save for YEARS in order to take a trip.

And I think it's wrong if someone is trying to sell a book by putting that in the book. Kids, I sometimes feel, expect the world from their parents. And if they were to see that Disney is a rite of passage in childhood...man you're asking for trouble.

 

[TGaines107]

I think its only a rite of passage if you love Disney. If a child expresses little to no interest in the subject, then its doubtful they will ever visit. However, if the child is immersed in Disney lore and shows a love for it, then it is most definitely a rite and one which they can participate in. The subject is unique only to those who have a love for the genre. Much like myself riding Star Tours for the first time. Unfortunately, 90% of the people I know could care less about Disney or it's Parks.

 

[shaylyn]

It all depends on the family!

Growing up, we went to Disneyland once in the 70's. My parents never brought us back, even though we were within a 6 hour drive.

They prefered to rent cabins in the woods for our vacations.

Dh and I don't want to vacation in the woods, we prefer theme parks! Has nothing to do with money.

The parks are soooooo crowded during each off time that we went that I have a hard time believing people can't afford Disney trips......seems to get busier and busier every-single-year!

 

[Jynxed]

After reading most the responses, as well as my own. I think it is a rite of passage, but not for children - but for parents. Of course we all want to give our children the world, but in this case it is THE world. Many of us on this board are privileged enough to be able to afford it and I am grateful that I can give the ultimate family vacation to my child.

Unfortunately, there are people who are not as lucky, but like my husband growing up, it didn't make his childhood any worse off, it was just filled with time in his backyard with tents pitched. He is excited to be going with his son, and excited he can afford to do things his parents couldn't.

 

[carrie1626]

Absolutely not.

For starters, a trip to Disney presupposes that your family has both the income and the desire to go there. In addition, all three of my kids have been there, but were different ages at the time. Their experiences were different as a result.

Of course, if you're trying to sell a guide book, then selling the idea of Disney as a Rite of Passage may get more books sold...

AGRREE!!

Ask kids in any group and most have NOT been to Disney. My kids went to Disney because I, the MOM am the DISNEY fanatic!! I'm pretty sure, my DD (21) will follow in my footsteps, DS (18) not so much, but he does like it.