Have you ever "lost the magic"?

[bzkds]

I lose the magic after my 3rd DL day. I just can't take the crowds, heat (if summertime), walking, and constant Disney music anymore. And now that my son is going to school so close to DL, it does sort of ruin the magic when we're driving all around the area, seeing that it's just a normal town like most others. People going to work and living their lives, nothing to do at all with DL!

That being said, we were down near DL last weekend and it just about killed me to be 2-3 miles away and not be able to go! We could hear the fireworks from our hotel each night.

The force is strong, lol

Beth

 

[PinkBudgie]

When I ride POTC I look up at the "sky" and see a vent of some sort. It has always bothered me and for a second I'm in a building. Then I look at the pirates and I'm back in their world. Just the smell in POTC goes a long way towards the Disney magic.

 

[grannyminnie]

As you can see by my screen name, I have some age on me, and I've never lost the "magic" in all the years I've been going to WDW. We live on the east coast, and except for a long-ago 1 day visit to DL when it was in it's infancy (and a 1 day visit this summer), I am a WDW vet. Once, when I did a backstage tour, I thought it might be off-putting, but even then, I still felt that special feeling when I'm in my "happy place". I guess that it differs with people and situations they are placed in, but I'm glad Walt Disney made his dream come true and built a park that could entertain adults as well as children!

 

[kelmac284]

I didn't get to go very many times as a child as my parents couldn't afford it so when I DID get to go it was always very special. Then when I went as a teen I liked it but it was not NEARLY as special to me as a teen and young adult as it was once I had kids of my own. Sure I have ALWAYS loved Disney and even loved it as a young adult BEFORE I had kids but once I had kids of my own I really went nuts LOL.

I sort of lived it through them and it was about my 2nd or 3rd trip that I took with them when I found these and some other boards that I really started getting into it and then in 06 is when we started buying our AP's.

I now know exponentially more about the parks than I ever did and I think I appreciate it much more.

The older I get I appreciate what Walt wanted for his kids and for families and I truly get teary eyed and emotional every time I step into the parks now.

I love it more and more each time I go and it is truly my fav place. We have been to DW twice and are going back this Nov. We love it there as well but DL is prob my most special place because it was the first place I ever went and it holds so many memories for me.

We live in CA so we go there the most and things like Candlight procession and the holidays are so special there. We just love it and sure little things like trash, crowds and other things can sometimes spoil the magic but I try not to let those things in and I try to immerse myself in another world when I am there. It is def MY happy place!

 

[olivejuice]

I havent lost it just because its want makes me happy. If im fighting with my dh or sad beacause something that happend all i need to do is think about our past trips and look at pics. Sometimes when i need to relax ill just put a classic dl movie on and i will feel better. Its weird before i would try to take a bath or do my nails or something but theres nothing like just thinking about disney. I get people all the time that ask me why I like Disney so much, some even make fun of me. I just tell them that It makes me happy. its simple. I like the thought that theres something i can just turn to that will always cheer me up. I think its even spreading to my husband too. that and he has his VW's to cheer him up.

and i agree with you KELMAC284 it my happy place too!

 

[disney-inspired]

I have had times where I wasn't excited to go because it was expected but then I had to realize how blessed I was to go as often as I do. Also, after seeing the Disneyland banners I was excited like a 5 year old!

 

[WhtMagick]

This time last year we were feverishly planning our holiday trip in December. My husband is from England and had been to Disneyland twice with me. I've been going since 1959 and have felt the magic the second I started planning the trip. This trip was going to be extra special since we had saved and worked extra hours that would allow us to stay at DLH and spend an entire 5 days in the park! We could hardily sleep nights we were so excited. The visit began with all the usual magic until my DS showed up. She had gotten us the AP discount and was coming up the middle of the week to spend the night in her own room. The first thing she did was continually demand that I use a wheelchair. I had gotten the mother of all blisters the first day she was there and ended up limping through the park much of the day. The next thing she did was try to make some moves on my DH. They had gone to get pizza in DTD and I was waiting for them on a bench out in front of the restaurant. He had an odd look on his face when he came out and said to me that I needed to come in and save him from her! That was the first day she was there. The next day she left her overnight bag in our room saying she didn't want to walk all the way to the parking lot to put it in her car. She went to the park earlier than us to do some shopping. My husband noticed an odd smell and asked me if they had skunks in Anaheim. It was her bag that was stinkin' from the nasty illegal tobacco she had in it and didn't tell us. We put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door, called her from the monorail and told her to get her bag out of the room. These things would not have been a problem cause they are just typical of her behavior and we generally just let it slide. What she did next was over the top even for her. It was early evening and we had all decided to get our jackets from the locker. She was with a friend who had met her at the park and we told them to go ahead of us since we didn't want to slow them down. Even though they started out ahead of us, for some reason, we ended up catching up with them in Adventureland just at the Jungle ride. DH, being the big kid he is, snuck up behind DS, gave her a "wet willie" and ran past her. She immediately started screaming at the top of her lungs, calling him a "disgusting "f"ing "a"hole" over and over again. I don't think anyone knew who she was screaming at since he had jumped off to the side. If anyone witnessed this last year the first week in December I apologize profusely. No one in our family was raised like that. We were stunned. She did this in front of little children with no regard for anyone the vicinity. I told her to knock it off and she glared at me and stomped off with her friend. As we were leaving the lockers, she was coming in. I took her aside and said her behavior was not acceptable and she could just go her way and we would go ours. The next day I got an email from her that said I was in need of professional help and good luck with that. I haven't spoken to her since. I felt like the entire trip was ruined. In our family, DL has always been almost sacred. It hurt so much that she had so little respect for where we were that she would behave like that. We are in the process of saving up again so we can go next year for our 10th anniversary. Needless to say, she will not be along for the ride. I am now reliving the magic through all the TR's I read here. Thank you so much for helping restore the magic!

 

[DizMe]

I sympathize with all those who, like me, have experienced the loss, even if temporarily! The most agonizing thing about it for me was that I was that girl that TOTALLY lived the magic. To find it gone on that one trip was awful! I still had a good time, but it's like the first glimpse of Christmas when you figure out Santa is a guy dressed in a red suit. It doesn't ruin Christmas and you can even "believe" again later in a sense, but that first recognition is a shock. Or at least it was for me!! Kind of embarrassing to admit that I believed in magic and Santa until I was 10. Shoot, I still do--but as I said, I've come around to it now from a different angle.

I also went once with my sister, another huge DL fan, and the crowds were SOOO bad (Memorial Day weekend) that we gave up and left. We only managed 1 ride in 3 hours and there was so much jostling and shoving it just wasn't fun. This was before FP. It didn't exactly spoil the magic, it just spoiled that particular day. Someone else mentioned that it was the crowd that got between us and the magic--I love that explanation!!

And I will also admit that I can go to DL often, but I burn out if I go too many days in a row. We normally go 4-5 days and by day 5 I'm ready to go home and tired of The Land. Of course, I could happily return a few weeks later and do it again (except my dh would never go for that)!

Anyway, here's to the magic!! May the magic be with you!!

 

[Artoo]

My husband and I will soon be going to Disneyland for a weekend (probably next month) and it will be my first time there, but I do have a little story about Disney World.
When we went to WDW last October for our honeymoon, I was sort of nervous that I wouldn't be as "wowed" as I had been on previous visits (the last time I had gone to WDW was 1995).
Right when I saw Cinderella Castle (our first night there), I almost started crying. I kept telling my husband "oh, look at the castle! It's so beautiful! Isn't it beautiful?" I loved it all and was enchanted with the whole world as much as I when I was a kid. I did notice things like chipping paint and cracks in the sidewalks, but I guess I just didn't care. I was too happy! Also, the little sarcastic quips that occasionally came from my husband (he's still not really a full Disney convert) didn't spoil my outlook.

 

[scooter15]

Yes, I once lost that magic when I worked there back in college. I have to say it took me a while to get it back when I met my DH. He worked there back in college as well and he had the same negative experience I did. When we started dating, we bought APs for the first time and its been good ever since.

My friend has a former coworker that retired and its obsessed by anything Disney. She decided to work there during her retirement but has made sure she doesn't get involved in any of the work politics or anything. She shows up to work and just has fun with all the guests and some of her fellow CMs. She knows that if she gets too caught up in the other things in running the park, she will definitely lose the magic.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Oh yes, this happened to me the first trip back as an adult. I had went when I was 12, all the childhood magic still there. Back for a day while there for a convention at 15. Still had that childhood magic for me.

Then I came back at 18 with my DH. I think what first started it was the first time POTC had ever broke down with me on it! They turned the sound off and turned on the lights. Oh wow, that just was shocking to me. LOL To notice this ceilling and everything else you are really supposed to see. Dang. Then I started noticing those things on IASW. I was so bummed.

We went back after that once DS was 1 years old. Seeing it thru his eyes brought the magic back for me. It hasn't left ever since! But going from a child who went yearly, to seeing it as an adult after not being there for a few years, gave me a different prespective. It's just so extra magical as a kid.

 

[Goofy_Dave]

All I have to do is remember the magic from my childhood trips and the magic is with me again. Sure, nowadays I might see the rare piece of trash floating in a water ride, or overhear some CM's gossiping about something very un-Disney, but you just have to let those moments slide by. Even though DL is the ultimate escape from the real world, it can't exist in a vaccuum. It's populated by people from the real world that sometimes forget to check their stress and grumpiness at the turnstiles.

For me, I find myself appreciating the park on a different level than when my parents took me as a child. I like looking at all the little details and actually enjoy trying to spot the machinery and lights behind the scenes of rides. Plus, it's still the cleanest, friendliest theme park you'll ever visit. Try visiting a Six-Flags and see how much magic you find.

 

[DizMe]

For me, I find myself appreciating the park on a different level than when my parents took me as a child. I like looking at all the little details and actually enjoy trying to spot the machinery and lights behind the scenes of rides. Plus, it's still the cleanest, friendliest theme park you'll ever visit. Try visiting a Six-Flags and see how much magic you find.

Oh, exactly!! I don't even go to other theme parks (although I am looking forward to a trip to the Harry Potter one someday--huge HP fan. Guess I'm into magic ). I don't even like rides all that much elsewhere. The rides at DL are so much more than rides

 

[mariezp]

Nope, never have lost it! I didn't even know the magic existed until I was 38. I owe it all to Amtrak!

Years ago we took a train trip from Fort Worth, Texas to Schenectady, NY which got delayed mid trip by 24 HOURS! We were stranded overnight in Chicago. When we finally arrived at our destination, the delay caused us to arrive during one of the worst snow storms in history. We were picking up a motor home in 2 foot of snow! Needless to say, it was very stressful and our trip was NOT a good one. However, thanks to Amtrak's wonderful guarantee, we were issued free tickets. So, thanks to Amtrak, I found my happy place!

We will be taking our 8th annual trip in November. Every year is just as exciting as the last.

 

[I LOVE MICKEY MOUSE]

WAIT, WHAT? LOSE THE MAGIC??? I cannot even imagine that happening. It would be the saddest day of my life. Life without Disneyland, cant even comprehend that!
I hope everyone can keep the magic alive!

 

[2hapas]

For me, I find myself appreciating the park on a different level than when my parents took me as a child. I like looking at all the little details and actually enjoy trying to spot the machinery and lights behind the scenes of rides. Plus, it's still the cleanest, friendliest theme park you'll ever visit. Try visiting a Six-Flags and see how much magic you find.

I like doing this too - seeing all the behind the scenes stuff!

 

[disneycrazzzy]

I've never lost the magic....but the magic has changed as I've gotten older. I grew up in Northern California (near Oregon, on the coast) and we had relatives near LA. Every few years we'd go to DL. We'd go for one day and I don't ever remember getting there before the park opened. I remember the ticket books. I remember never having enough E-tickets. I remember the line for the Matterhorn. I remember driving the cars and bumping into my sisters and laughing so hard I needed to pee.

I now have sons that are 11 and 14. We live in Washington State. We've been on two Disney cruises. We've visted WDW many times. The last few years we've just taken a yearly trip to DL in October. We still love the whole experience.

While it might not be magical in the "I believe in magic" sense anymore, but we love to marvel at the imagineering now and how they can make it seem magical. We are amazed by it all. We love to work the fastpass system to see how many rides we can do without standing in line...even when it is crowded. We always see all of the stage shows we can. They are always great. We love searching for the hidden Mickeys. We love eating out more (I have a teenage boy...all they do is eat).

I'm so grateful that my boys still love the Disney experience. I cry everytime we see the fireworks.

 

[DizMe]

I've never lost the magic....but the magic has changed as I've gotten older. I grew up in Northern California (near Oregon, on the coast) and we had relatives near LA. Every few years we'd go to DL. We'd go for one day and I don't ever remember getting there before the park opened. I remember the ticket books. I remember never having enough E-tickets. I remember the line for the Matterhorn. I remember driving the cars and bumping into my sisters and laughing so hard I needed to pee.

I now have sons that are 11 and 14. We live in Washington State. We've been on two Disney cruises. We've visted WDW many times. The last few years we've just taken a yearly trip to DL in October. We still love the whole experience.

While it might not be magical in the "I believe in magic" sense anymore, but we love to marvel at the imagineering now and how they can make it seem magical. We are amazed by it all. We love to work the fastpass system to see how many rides we can do without standing in line...even when it is crowded. We always see all of the stage shows we can. They are always great. We love searching for the hidden Mickeys. We love eating out more (I have a teenage boy...all they do is eat).

I'm so grateful that my boys still love the Disney experience. I cry everytime we see the fireworks.

I love your post!! I too remember the ticket books, ramming my sister on Autopia, etc. I didn't realize how much I liked the Skyway buckets until they took them out.

I agree with everyone about how, as you get older, you can enjoy how the magic is done. I have always marvelled at the details, even as a kid, but as an adult I now think about what it must've taken to construct the treehouse or design the ride line areas and things like that. As a kid, I used to tell my mom that the birds in Disneyland must be the smartest birds in the world, and the dumbest would be the ones that lived in town and never figured out how to go to the park

 

[jkkldisney]

I could never lose the magic of DL. I have been going every 1-3 years since I was 8, worked there for a summer in college and now have 2 DD's (6 and 10) to share the experience with. There is so much magic in every trip, once I home again, I am thinking about the next trip I can plan.