How has Disney changed your life?

[NC State]

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.
2) When my husband wanted to smoke, we would have to wait for him to smoke and then move on. When we returned he told us that he was sorry for having to hold up our enjoyment because of his smoking breaks. He told me that he felt that it took away the Magic and he wanted to quit.

Well along with my weight loss and he's now a non-smoker, we enjoyed our vacation in 2005 so much better! Thank you Disney for changing our lives!

 

[bettyann29]

I think the way it changed my life is made me realize how important time is with my family.. whether we go to WDW or go on a cruise or camping or whatever we do, I've realized that these years with my chilren are very important.. Growing up, my family only took one family trip so it never seemed important in the scheme of things.. Once we went on our first trip to WDW it sunk in..

and of course the obvious, that theres nothing wrong with letting out the kid in you no matter how old you are.. I dont take things for granted anymore..

 

[john2u]

Good for you and your husband Tell your husband that I was a smoker before I went to visit the Mouse and it has changed my life. I am now a non smoker myself for 2 years now and boy do I feel GREAT!

Have a Disney Day

John

 

[jeankeri]

I saw how kind my sons could be to each other. They would ride and then tell the other every detail of a ride/attraction the other was leery of. They have also created great memories from sharing such a special time togeather. It has also made me see that the two of them are really still little boys (though you'd be hard pressed to see it in their everyday lives- they are soooo mature compared to their mother ).

 

[Miller1412]

I'm definitely poorer...but happier!

 

[mickeymousemom]

Disney has changed our lives in a few ways....When we first went as a family, DH was a bear. He was a grumpy, grouchy guy and ruined at least a day or two for all of us. He realized later that a medication he was on had caused it. He apologized in later months and felt horrible. Our next vacation was one of the best we have ever had. We know how important it is to let go of the little things and just have a good time. My two older DD's get along great for the most part(this does NOT happen at home). There is so much magic at WDW that we tend to keep it with us even after we return home. There is not a day that goes by that Disney isn't talked about...365 days a year. My DH works alot of hours and these WDW trips are a great bonding time for us as a family. My oldest will be 17 in the fall, so pretty soon the trips with all of us together will be gone. We realize this and make sure each trip is special. I think visiting WDW has taught us all a few things. We have learned to be more patient with others(being upset with some dingbat in the parks just makes your own day worse ), we know not to take each other for granted, and we know that somewhere out there in the mean cruel world is a place where we can go and forget it all, capture some magic, and maybe even bring a little bit of it home with us.

 

[disneyaggie]

For me, Disney has brought me to know so many new folks, like on the Dis Board. I love to see the support we give each other, and especially to those we don't even know.

I love the fact that I have started attending Dis Meets here in the Dallas area and have met some of the most wonderful, caring and loving folks I could ever ask to meet. And to know I met a wonderful friend who helped me figure out how to make my name "all sparkly" truly has enriched my life. I learn from each new person I meet and cherish any time we share.

I also love the "escape" Disney gives me from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is nice to drive down the busy roads with a Disney song playing in my CD player, taking me back to a particular moment or place at WDW.

I especially cherish the "God time" I experience each time I am there. I pray before I arrive and even when I am there for Him to show me what I need to see. He has always followed through. I have learned so much more about myself and what really is important in the scope of things. And for that, I can only hope that that makes me a better person for others and myself.

 

[k5thbeatle]

"How has Disney changed your life?"

Right off the top I'd say my bank account has a few dollars less than it would if WDW had never existed!

 

[icecrystahl]

Well Disney hasn't changed my life at all...... The first time I went to the world I was 10 mo old so it's always been in my life! I love it! =D

 

[Cookie Princess]

Some of our best family memories and photos were at WDW. Even as a kid that was the vacation I can still remember.

PS. It certainly changed our life as we brought home a souvenir from one trip who will be turning 11 years old this summer! He is a true WDW BLESSING!

 

[Colorado DISers]

I could not really say now Disney "changed" my life, because I grew up with Disney and it has always been there. Our DD's have also been raised in the "Disney Life" and I know that they will grow up better for it. To some, Disney just means cartoons, movies, amusemnet parks, etc., but to most of us on this board, it is a way of life.

 

[SnackyStacky]

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.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

I CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT IT!!!!

But to be more serious, it makes me apprieciate time with family more. All of my best memories are at WDW with my family.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Wow, Dan, you're my newest best inspiration!

 

[jonestavern]

Our trips have really been special times for our little family.
DS17 is even cheery!
DH seems so carefree & excited & will really cut loose (okay, just rather loud for anyone else, for Mr Reserved :downright animal! ). He never took time off from '96 to 2004 for vacations. You have to know the r & r will extend his life. He even bought DVC & we will be vacationing regularly now.
The sheer excitement of planning & DISing gives DH & I another common & lively interest--really brings us closer together!

I am making an effort to diet after letting myself go to flab for the last 17 years! Gotta fit in that SW seat! Gotta make it through the parks!
Only hoping I can do half as well as NC State & SnackyStacky!

Love the DISboards & DISmeets! Everyone is so friendly & sharing. We really cherish our DISfriends & are looking forward to meeting many more!

We WDW!
Jean, Christopher & Patrick

 

[NC State]

Wow! Dan you look great, I wish I could lose my last 15 pounds! -Stephanie

 

[TnTsParty]

Well I don't know if Disney per se changed my life since I have always gone to Disney World except for a brief 9 year period where I didn't experience Disney. But since returning in March 2004 I guess it has "changed" my life since that is the ONLY place I want to vacation to anymore (and thanks to that my bank account is shrinking!!) Oh and I guess I should say I think about Disney World all the time. I did have one good thing happen to me since going to Disney this last time. We were on the bus to MK and I listened to another passenger and a spare bus driver talk about the WDW Marathon (the passenger had just done it the month before and the bus driver is signed up for next year) I didn't think much of the conversation until I happened to see a race at Disney in Oct (the Race for the Taste 10k) and since I LOVE Epcot and the F&W Festival I figured what the heck I would get off the couch and train for that 10k. I just completed my first 5k today well under Disney's pace time per mile so I am on my way!! I would just like to be a little faster and that comes with training and that is one way I guess Disney has changed my life!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

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.

OMG that is so incredible! Good for you, you look like a different person, congratulations!

 

[kldmom2000]

It made me a MOM! Last child-free trip in '99 resulted in our first of two sweet little girls!

I also worked for Disney (as part of the mgmt team @ a Disney Store from '93-'95) so Disney has affected me in many other ways.... when I went back to college to work in medical, my patients would always comment that I was much too chipper and happy to be working in a doctor's office... I should go work for Disney or something... little did they know I once did!

 

[KarenAylwood]

Disney is part of the reason I have such a great relationship with my mom. When I was younger (heck, right now!) my dad was/is a workaholic, so vacations always involved just my mom and I, and it was ALWAYS Disney World!!

I've been 15 times and am 23 now... I think 12 of those times were with just her- she's definitely my best friend, partly as a result of our bonding at WDW


I'm now planning our first trip since I've "grown up" and am out of college. I'm finally splitting the costs with her and making the reservations myself!! I'll be damned if things are going to change even though I'm living w/ my DBF 500 miles away from her!