How has Disney changed your life?

[LisaMaz]

I was just wondering how much weight Dan has lost? That is amazing. I too know how hard it is to diet in Buffalo. I am so glad the weather is finally getting warmer if I have to spend one more day on a treadmill!!! I have turned from a coach potato to a walker to a runner who dreams of running in a WDW marathon. I've lost 20lbs but can't seem to lose the last five. There is a great nutrition class at the YMCA that helped me lose my weight I'd highly recommend it. I feel so much better just eating better!

As for how Disney changed my life. Well I definately say it was my motivation but also made my family closer and It's made me like most of you. A Disney finatic! Everything is Disney since out first trip in 2000! I can't stay out of the DIsney store, We love playing Disney games and watching Disney movies! I love anything that has Mickey on it. I'd say it has made me a happier person therefore a better person. Hey everyone needs something to look forward to! Right now I can't wait to see Disney at Christmas time!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Even more weight loss folks! Losing/maintaining weight in Buffalo is a HUGE challenge!!!

I lost my weight with Weight Watchers.

Thank you everyone for the compliments. And thank you to the OP for starting this thread. It's really neat to see how many people have made huge changes because of Disney!

 

[keishashadow]

MGM (Mouse Got our Money)

I was originally obsessed with returning to WDW after a long hiatus (ex hated it). Introduced DH (world traveler who had never been to WDW) & now he feels exactly the same...nobody gives you your vacation money's worth like Disney.

I do have to remember to deduct my annual dues payment from checking account each month.

Big Wow! to snackystacky, way to go! Do think the only reason I walk the track is to train for all those miles @ the parks.

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

I don't know if this counts as "changed" my life, maybe more along the lines of "gave" me a life. . . .

I grew up in a VERY abusive family situtation, both physically and verbally (no need to feel sorry for me, I have moved on and this just isn't a part of my life anymore) but there was one thing my parents did for us kids, or rather my dad tried to do for us.

My father grew up 2 hours from Disneyland and visited it constantly and LOVES Disney, so in an attempt to give us some smidgeon of a "normal" childhood he would take us all to Disneyland, about every 2 years.

While the abuse would continue even while we were on vacation in the "happiest place on earth", when you are a child it is really easy to ignore the bickering, fighting, and more when you can see a "giant" princesses' castle (I know Disneyland's is tiny, but when you're a kid it's HUGE), ride your favorite movie (Alice in Wonderland), and be transported into your favorite fairy tales.
I love Disney so much that when it was "career day" at my highschool I told the guidance counselor that I wanted to be an Imagineer. (Living in Utah, the counselor had no idea what I was talking about and told me to pick something else, ugh)

Sadly, I can honestly say that the ONLY happy childhood memories I have are of Disneyland. One that stands foremost in my mind is one tripe where we were all in line waiting to see Mickey Mouse and my mother was doing her usual belittling and yelling at us kids. . . . when Mickey Mouse came back to our position in the line and tsk tsk'd my mom by shaking his finger at her and shaking his head and then took us kids to the front of the line and gave us all big hugs.
Because of this experience I now have a Mickey Mouse tattoo on my ankle, it's my reminder that there really is magic in the world.

Fast foreward about 8 years from the last "family" trip to Disneyland and you have me married with a 5 year old son, living in Florida (far, far away from family). I still cling to those happy Disneyland memories, and I am still a Disney FREAK.
I got to take my first trip to Disneyworld in 2004 and my husband and son's very first trip to any Disney park! We've taken another since (January this year, and are taking another one in a week)
I've converted my husband and he loves Disney now too. I think it helps that we have a son (also very Disney obsessed) who he gets to see the magic of Disney through and I get to experience the magic of Disney both myself and through my son and see what a trip to Disney can REALLY be unfiltered, unadulterated, and untampered with.

 

[David R]

My story may be a little different so I'd like to tell it if I may. It's going to be a little long, so I apologize.

I grew up in Spain. My dad has always been an animation fan, so he loved to take me to Disney feature films at the theater since I was old enough to see a movie. Bambi was the first movie I remember seeing. I grew up used to being surrounded by Disney cartoons. I'm sure this started the Disney brainwashing

In the 3rd grade , I had a "Social Sciences" book that had a picture of Main Street USA. Mind you, I had no idea what that was. The picture was not credited. But I thought it was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen and I knew that SOMEDAY I would see it in person. Whenever I got bored in that class, I would open that page and stare at the picture and wondered what it was and what else was around it.

Fast forward a few years when I was browsing through a vacation catalog and I came to the "United States" section. Suddently, there it was. The same picture that was in my book a few years earlier. "Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida." Now I knew where this beautiful place was. I immediately wanted my parents to take me there. They refused, understandably so. But I knew that SOMEDAY I would get to visit it.

Fast forward a few more years again, this time I'm in High School. I decided that I wanted to learn English so I talked my parents into letting me an exchange student in the US. They agreed and I came to the US. I was in the midwest for a year. While I was in the midwest, I received a brochure for an organized trip to Disney World with other exchange students. This was it. This was my chance to finally see the place that had haunted my imagination for so many years. I called my parents in Spain and begged for money. They finally gave in and I was going to Disney World!

I remember having a hard time sleeping in the hotel room in Orlando, knowing that I would get to see Main Street the next day. But I finally fell sleep. The alarm clock went off and I knew that this was it. My heart started beating so fast and so strongly. I could swear it was going to jump out of my chest.

A couple of hours later I was there. Staring down Main Street. Those beautiful buildings I had seen as a kid. The clock on the sidewalk. And at the end of that street, a beautiful castle. My childhood dream had finally become true after all of these years. I was standing in that picture that I had once seen in a book back in Spain. It had taken about 10 years to get there, but I had made it.

After that trip, I had the chance to visit Disney World on a couple more occasions over the years. Eventually I decided to just reside in the United States and lived in the midwest for many years with the occasional trip to WDW. Then I decided that SOMEDAY I would live in Orlando, FL. It took several years, but my dream came true. I applied for a couple of jobs in Orlando, became a finalist in both of them, and one of them made me an offer on the spot that I could not refuse. A lot more money and in Orlando, FL.

Now I take the 10 minute drive to Disney World at least once a week. And everytime I stand on main street, I smile at how far I have come.

 

[NC State]

This story sounds like you have found your place over the rainbow. Plus, it proves that "Dreams do come true"!

Thank you for a great story.

 

[David R]

Thank you for your kind words, I'm glad someone enjoyed the sotry

Obviously all of us here have been touched by the fantasy that Disney creates for us each time we visit. And like you say, dreams do come true, even if they take some work and patience.

 

[sweetlovin']

Well, I've been to Disney a lot of times. And each time brought a new and different experience.

However, this last time I went, I went to Disney with DH, we went into One Man's Dream. I had been to it before, but this time, my husband came out of it different. He was inspired.


Now, in less than 3 days we have our own Disney product coming out. All because of this one show. My husband said that if Walt can create the coolest place in the world, he can do something.

I'll never be Bill Gates, or his wife..LOL! But, my husband is very creative and you know he took an idea and saw it through. That to me is amazing in itself. Anyone can dream, but it takes a lot of heart to see it through.

 

[grinningghost]

Well, it sure is a passion of mine. So I'd say it has given me a passionate hobby - I enjoy researching WDW, the Disney Company's history and the like. I've always been interested in history, and the history of Disney is truly fascinating.

Oh, and I'd probably own alot more stuff if I didn't indulge in the WDW habit so much.

 

[Gillian G]

I have LOVED reading these stories! I was trying to think about how Disney has changed me and I just couldn't think of anything earth shattering and then it hit me!

I love to see all the little girls dressed up at Disney, but I have always been someone that wanted a little something different, so I started creating my own Disney clothes for her! I began sewing clothes for our trips and in doing so, I have become a somewhat of a seamstress where before all I did was sew a Halloween costume or two.

Like I said, not AMAZING or anything, but I've acquired a new skill in my life that is quite handy!

Here are some of my creations... if you care to look!

 

[BraveMom3]

I wondered just how much Disney has changed people's lives. I can say when we visited in 2003 my family returned home different.

1) When I saw myself in our vacation pictures, it was a wake up call for me. I started Weight Watchers and lost 36 pounds in one year, plus I walk 2 miles everyday and have never felt better.

I can definitely relate with you on that point! I was looking at one of the few pictures I ended up being in with family from Thanksgiving (I'm usually the one taking photos), and I was horrified!! I started WW on January 2nd and have lost 15 pounds so far. I have about 15 more I would like to lose, but I already feel and look much better.

I was also going through Disney photos for a geometry project I'm working on (don't ask ) and I realized that my babies have grown up at WDW. I have three and started going annually when the oldest was 3 1/2yo - they are now 13, 9, and 8yo.

 

[estnh]

We've all seen the TV commercials where the Super Bowl winning quarterback proclaims, "i'm going to DisneyWorld"....and WDW is just that for many families--a chance to celebrate in good times.

For our family, it is just the opposite--Walt Disney is our therapist. The times when we should NOT go are the times we need to go.

When things seem out of control or overwhelming, and we wonder what hammer will fall next, thats when we book a trip. Immediately, the planning of the trip takes our minds away from the problem(s) we thought were overwheming. All of a sudden, the most important thing become whether to stay at POR, CSR, or CBR. Do we have dinner at LeCellier or Biergarten on Thursday?

Because the love for this place has permeated our family, the mere anticipation of a Disney trip puts the problems that come and go in perspective.

As long as there is Disney, we'll be okay.

 

[Nancyg56]

A kindred spirit!!! I lost weight too because of Disney World pictures!!! Do you have pictures?? I would love to see the before and after.

Here's mine.

Before

And the after, with my lovely wife, on our honeymoon.

What an amazing accomplishment, you must be so proud! Here I am looking for some inducement to make healthy changes in my life and this thread pops up. Thanks for the Pics, they are, along with the previous success story, a positive motivation for me.

 

[Nancyg56]

Now I take the 10 minute drive to Disney World at least once a week. And everytime I stand on main street, I smile at how far I have come.

I love your story!

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

I am planning my entire future on becoming an imagineer for Disney! Walt is my total inspiration and its a huge part of my life... I bet a lot of people think it's silly but I feel I will be doing something really important when I am there sometime in the future.

PS: These stories are all so great. Its good to see how everyone's lives have been touched by this. I encourage everyone to keep sharing!

 

[BeckWhy]

Well I went in 2002, two years after my sister was killed (which I don't deal with), 3 months after one of the boys I dated was killed and 2 months after my best friend was shipped to her father's house (where she ended up engaging in many deviant behaviors including severe drug use which almost killed her).
I went with a friend and her mom's cheerleading squad. I didn't know anyone else. My friend ditched me. But I ended up making friends with some of the other cheerleaders who will forever be some of my best friends. I love those girls.

 

[Baloo]

I love this thread!


David R...that is such a wonderful story and I'm happy it's all worked out for you!

Gillian G...your creations are cute and your DD ADORABLE!!


I have been in love with all that is Disney since I was a child.I wanted to be a Disney animator when I was growing up.

I guess the biggest way Disney changed my life is that I found the DIS and have made friends with amazing people all over the country and the world! I have had the pleasure of meeting many on trips to WDW.I remember when I came to the DIS many,many years ago it was so wonderful finding ALL these people who were as crazy about Disney as I am! We have a place to share all our WDW, pixie dusted thoughts,longings and dreams!

 

[NC State]

Bump! More stories please...