How do you describe the Magic of WDW???

[BluOrchid2]

How would you describe the magical feeling of being at WDW to someone who has been there, but cannot understand the appeal - doesn't "get" the magic?

I would describe it like this.....it's awkward, and I feel like there is a lot that I can't put into words, but here it is:

It's a feeling. A feeling like everything is okay. When I'm there, the whole rest of the world is gone. Either gone, or the whole rest of the world is right there, contained in that park. And it's all good. Going there feels like a homecoming. It's contentment, peacefulness, a sense of belonging, happiness,.....it's like letting out a huge sigh that I've been holding ever since I left the place on the last trip there.

 

[twoprincesses]

Did u go there when you were younger? I often see myself loving it more than others because I was able to experience Disney magic growing up. I think my first trip was when I was three or four. I am bringing a couple who has never been to Disney and I am really hoping they catch the Disney bug. However, my husband went for his first time last year and well, he just wasn't into it.

 

[Bill From PA]

I tell sceptics that it's a total escape from a reasonably ugly real world, and leave it at that. It needs to be experienced to be appreciated, and if after spending a week or so there they don't 'get it', they probably never will. We went for the first time in the mid 90s, in our mid 40s, and on the ferry to MK the first day, without having set foot in the park yet, I got it.

Bill From PA

 

[BluOrchid2]

Did u go there when you were younger? I often see myself loving it more than others because I was able to experience Disney magic growing up. I think my first trip was when I was three or four. I am bringing a couple who has never been to Disney and I am really hoping they catch the Disney bug. However, my husband went for his first time last year and well, he just wasn't into it.

No, I didn't go regularly as a child. But my husband did. The first time for me was in 2000. His parents invited us on a trip with them. It was just so wonderful to see how the place affected THEM all...how happy it made them. The fever spread to me.

I spent one day at the MK when I was 18, and I spent one day at DL CA when I was about 19. Neither experience was particularly memorable or meaningful to me....I certainly didn't feel the magic until I went with DH and his parents.

 

[islandbeachnut]

WDW is a magical place for me as well . I am fortunate to have parents that loved WDW and took us every year for an extended stay. It's in my blood. I absolutely ADORE the place & I've been going for 30 years.

My DH never got to go as a child, but he loves in now also. But he doesn't understand why I am just happy to be there, and not feel the need to race from attraction to attraction. Just being there is enough for me.

I think I've passed the magic on to my children & I'm so happy for them.

 

[tmt martins]

I tell sceptics that it's a total escape from a reasonably ugly real world, and leave it at that. It needs to be experienced to be appreciated, and if after spending a week or so there they don't 'get it', they probably never will. We went for the first time in the mid 90s, in our mid 40s, and on the ferry to MK the first day, without having set foot in the park yet, I got it.

Bill From PA

ITA I went as a child at 10th B-Day my parents came come and split-up that next week .You would think I would think of Disney as a bad place but it's not .

It's the best escape in the world bar none.You can be who you want when you want and around every corner there is someone wanting to make you laugh or smile.

I know what to expect when I get there and if something goes wrong just report it and go on .They will correct most things on the spot that are reasonable.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

Like everyone before has said, it's that feeling of "everything is now going to be all right!" when you walk in a park, or even that first second of being on Disney property. I get all kinds of strange looks and comments from my younger sister (who has never been to WDW and only to DL when she was 15, about 25 years ago!), like "I have no desire to go to WDW", "What is so great about it", etc. (you get the picture).

(As I keep saying on these boards...sory for the repetition but it was such a fantastic trip with my mom), I took my mom (turning 80 this Saturday)for her first visit to WDW this past January. She wasn't really skeptical because she does love the Disney princesses, Disney movies, etc., so I'd describe her as a "closet" Disney fan. Well, to watch her every day having the time of her life, even if it was just sitting for a while having a Mickey Bar or clapping at the end of Soarin' or asking like a little kid "Can we ride the Magic Carpets one more time PLEASE?" or seeing her whole face light up when she met Donald Duck, THAT is what WDW is all about.

 

[carone0318]

Ok, this is how I describe it - I guess it may sound weird but very true!

Dh and I tell people Disney is like a drug. You experience this euphoria when you get there and you continue to go back to achieve that same level of euphoria each trip. We can't wait each year to return to capture that euphoria.

Does that make any sense - gosh i hope so!

 

[disgram]

It's a feeling of peace, happiness and just plain excitement! The moment we "land" at POFQ and I see the landscape and bright sunlight, I get a little shiver. Not cold, just excitement. Then, my first view of one of the parks, there it is again!!! I have loved Walt Disney since I was little and sat in front of the tv watching him introduce the Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nites. To me, he was, and is, my favorite, Uncle Walt. The best feeling is the feeling that I get, watching my DGCs' faces when they first see the castle, or Mickey standing there, waiting for them. Those beautiful faces, full of awe and wonder. That is the best feeling in the world!!

 

[teachingmykids]

My best word is: Surreal
Everything is bigger than life, it's literally going into another world. If you're not prepared for that, it can be a bit overwhelming and 'freaky.' Occasionally, I ponder the thought that goes into the parks. The man power and brain power that plans the Q's, the technical aspect of designing rocks and trees. If you think about it NOTHING is real. But it's the best escape on earth.

 

[AStamm]

I didn't grow up on Disney either (we went on one vacation that revolved around driving to a wedding my entire childhood), having went just once when I was 17 with my BFF and her family. All I remember from that trip is being exhausted and extremely hot...it was a summer trip.

It wasn't until we started planning our first family trip to WDW in December 2003 that the bug bit me. Prior to that trip, my DS was lucky if he had one or two Disney movies...now he has almost all of them.

People ask me all time "aren't you sick of Disney" or say "Disney, again", but it doesn't bother me. My family LOVES being at WDW. We love the rides, the characters, the music, the food. I love being at the parades, seeing the smiles on everyone's face. I love the meticulous planning involved in going on these Disney vacations.

When I think of spending my hard earned money anywhere else, it just doesn't quite cut it. After all, Disney is the Happiest Place on Earth!

 

[Epcot242]

I would describe it like a constant chill going down your spine. Every minute, hour and day there is so much fun and invigorating that you forget about everything else. You're surrounded by so much but none of that really includes anything from your day to day life. The "break" from reality is a true thrill and, I feel, is what drives the magic behind every moment there.

Or you could just say it's awesome there and you wouldn't want to be any other place!

 

[jj13]

I think whatever Disney marketing person came up with DVC phrase "Welcome Home" hit the nail on the head.

It's nostalgic, it's emotional...it brings back happy memories of my dad who died in 1997. We spent many a magical day there. It's comfortable, it's magical, it's technologically inspired in a way that's seldom viewed. Every year is a new memory....whether it's like last year with 15 family members, or next year with friends who haven't been, or even just the 4 of us. It's revisiting things you love and always finding something new. It's dreaming .....welcome home.

 

[HarryLeg]

It's an escape. I went at ages 7 and 13 and didn't go again until 1997. In 1997 I thought it would be a trip for my then 10 year-old stepson and then we would be finished. I didn't count on falling head over heals for the place. My stepson is now almost 19 and not interested (we still offer to take him). I have a son who is 8 and has been to WDW 6 times (Grandma also takes him) and thinks that it has to be a yearly ritual. To get back on track, WDW is the place where I can suspend disbelief and be 8 again.

 

[pepe of ohio]

after 30 some visits since 1977, its the only place we feel one with the world. Its a fantasy, wrapped up in Disney splendor. No worries, no schedules, no phones and no agrueing. When we put on our suits and head to the resort pool, sit back, pop the top on a cold one, we know we're there with nothing to bother us for the duration of our stay. The sights and sounds bring many a memory, ferry boats, train whistle, swoosh of the monorail, nothing else like it on earth.

Take all that and add 4 parks to play in pluys water parks, well you got the makings of eden. No car to find, park or worry about. Disney hauls you all over their property without reaching into your pocket. Sports of all kinds, entertainment, lounges, resturants, you name it, its there. If I had to build myself a place to be totally absorbed, free and entertaining, it would be modeled after WDW.

Some people get it, and some do not. Its to each their own but for us, its a piece of heaven.

 

[pongoperdigirl]

Did u go there when you were younger? I often see myself loving it more than others because I was able to experience Disney magic growing up. I think my first trip was when I was three or four. I am bringing a couple who has never been to Disney and I am really hoping they catch the Disney bug. However, my husband went for his first time last year and well, he just wasn't into it.

I think that this is a great point. I have been going since I was little and it has so much meaning to me. I don't think that there is a way to desrcibe it to someone. I have found that either they get it, or they don't.
Because the feeling it unbelieveable, it's great, and undescribable.I think it is something you have to actually be there to get. I went last year with someone who had never been there before and he didn't "get" it. Although I am working on him

 

[Colorado DISers]

Disney World is the only place I know where a 40+ year old can feel like a 10 year old again. Except with money. Watching the joy on my DD's faces make it all worth while .

 

[mog]

I think whatever Disney marketing person came up with DVC phrase "Welcome Home" hit the nail on the head.

It's nostalgic, it's emotional...it brings back happy memories of my dad who died in 1997. We spent many a magical day there. It's comfortable, it's magical, it's technologically inspired in a way that's seldom viewed. Every year is a new memory....whether it's like last year with 15 family members, or next year with friends who haven't been, or even just the 4 of us. It's revisiting things you love and always finding something new. It's dreaming .....welcome home.

Wow - that is it! Perfect way to describe the magic! I think you "hit the nail on the head"!

 

[bubba73]

I don't really try to explain the magic. I just start talking about Disney and they can feel the magic because of the excitement in my voice.

 

[AllyGirl_79]

It's the way my heart speeds up when I see the first Disney directional sign after pulling off the highway ("Epcot Resorts - Right Lane"). It's the little bubble of joy that I can't quite contain when I see the Haunted Mansion poster under the train station in the Magic Kingdom. It's walking along and humming to the music playing in the background - without realizing I'm humming. For me, Disney's magic is in inspiring simple, uncomplicated contentment.

I've gone to the best schools, have wonderful friends, travel all over the world, and have very complicated plans and ambitions. However, even now at the "old" age of 26, waiting in line next to my dad to have my picture taken with Dopey is pretty much the best feeling in the world.