I almost cringe when I tell people we are going to WDW *again*

[lucyanna girl]

We don't have lots of money, we own a small trucking company and with the price of fuel and insurance we have less everyday. But, we do have a beautiful 13 year old daughter who understands when we work until 10 o'clock at night and most weekends. My DH doesn't care about DW like she and I do but he's willing to send us off with a smile on his face and work while we are gone. Sarah will be grown and gone like her older brothers soon enough and I value every smile on her face and the feel of her hand when she takes mine while we watch Wishes. Disney World is the place where we relax and don't worry about breakdowns and fuel prices and missed loads.
So...When friends and family roll their eyes and say Again.....We just smile and say Yes!

 

[Bracho]

I got that same look and heard the same things over the years and then one year during a family reunion, we were all sitting around talking about vacations and where we were going that year. When it came to my plans my brother started up once again about going or doing something different, well after years and years of hearing this it was time to put my foot down. You know after a while you just have to take the bull by the horns and put people in their places and it was time for my family to experience a little of this.

I explained that for me.. and I was speaking of just myself.. Disney was so much more then just going to a theme park. Disney was an old friend, someone I grew up with and much more.. Disney was a feeling. There have been trips that I may go to each park once and spend the other 4 or 5 days just relaxing or exploring something or a place I hadn't been to yet.

I seldom feel the need to explain myself to others, if they can't deal with me or what I'm doing then the problem is in their court not mine. I work, pay taxes, I try not to be to big a pain to others that know me and as long as I am paying my way through life then they need to back off.

I have had friends as well that look at me like I'm crazy when they ask what I'm doing on my next vacation and I have put a few of them in their places as well. I guess they just don't get it... I will say this until the day I die...

Disney is so much more then just a ride on Space Mountain, it's about the feeling I get when I pass the brick walls with Mickey on them waving and a sign saying Welcome to Walt Disney World, it's about the feeling I get when the car pulls up to the resort and I step out for the first time, it's about the feeling I get when I get into my room and step out onto the balcony to take my first look of the trip, it's about going into the Magic Kingdom and looking down at the 2 bricks I purchased that are right in front of the monorail station entrance and remembering my grandmother who I purchased one the brick for but most of all... it's about the magic I feel and all the memories..

I guess if you don't understand that... you just don't get it!

 

[sk!mom]

I think the reactions from friends and family are one of the reasons so many of us come to the discussion boards. We can come here and be surrounding by others who are excitedly planning.
We are leaving in 26 days and no one knows that we are going except DH's boss. He only knows because he is sending DH to a conference in Orlando and we are making it a mini-vacation. We aren't telling DD or anyone else until one hour before leaving for the airport. DD will have one hour to get ready and I will call my mom so that she doesn't worry when we disappear for 5 days. When we return, we will get all the questions because DH and I are also taking an anniversary trip to Europe this summer. "How can you afford it?!" will be asked over and over.
The majority of our friends and family do not make travel a priority so they can't relate to us. It is jealousy but I don't let it bother me. We would rather travel than spend money on other things so we make it happen. The reactions of others has made me more aware of comments that I might make. I try to never remark on how others spend their money. When they say, "we bought a new big screen TV" or a "$600 puppy". I smile and say "COOL!"

 

[TiggrFan]

When my daughter, who is now 22, was very small, my Granner came into my house and found me sitting in the middle of the living room, with the vacuum sitting there and a pile of clothes to be folded on the couch, playing with my daughter. She stood there and started crying and she said 'Don't ever lose these moments. I never got that chance. Nothing is more important than what you're doing right there.' My Granner was a single mom when that was not very common. She worked two jobs and took in washing on the weekends. She loved her daughters and they adored her, but they didn't have a lot of time together while they were growing up. I'm now a single mom, I work at a stressful job and have three weeks off in the summer. Some of the best memories I have with my daughters have been Disney memories. I wouldn't trade them for anything. I've never forgotten what my Granner told me. I try to spend as much time with my kids as I can, although the older they get, the busier we all are. Our trips to Disney are truly magical. I agree with the earlier poster, when you start asking someone else to pay for them, then it's their business. Until then, it's no one else's business. Some people just can't be happy for other's people's happiness. I hope I never get like that.

 

[Tina1]

Ok so these posts made me feel so much better. I've been talking care of my parents for years, which by the way they happen to have mental problems. I had to make the choice to let them die homeless and in there own filth or take some responsibility for them. So I keep them clean and make sure the bills are paid. If anyone has any idea just how mentally and physally stressful this can be, you have no ideal. So once a year I turn into a 8 year old child at DW. I need something to look forward to and the planning is just as fun. My 24 yearold DD is talking me in May for Mothers day. Yes single mother, four children two are mine. Now they want to spoil me. How lucky can you get. Tina

 

[sters]

When I say that I'm jealous of friends or family going, my best friend says "But you were JUST THERE," as if nearly 2 years ago was "just there!" We go on average every 2-3 years and I get the same rap, especially from my mom who claims there "are other places to see." I don't go to WDW to sightsee, I go to be entertained and have a good time with my family. She's usually too busy tsk-tsking me about taking the kids out of school to get to the economics. (Wait till she finds out I'm planning a trip to DL and WDW on the SAME TRIP, as soon as hubby gets a job, boy will she freak out!)

What has always puzzled me is this need to justify it to THEM, when they go to the same patch of sand each year, not that I don't love the beach, but the Jersey shore is now more expensive than Disneyworld and at least there's something to DO at WDW when it rains! I usually just smile and nod and try not to explain it.

 

[athenna]

Ok so these posts made me feel so much better. I've been talking care of my parents for years, which by the way they happen to have mental problems. I had to make the choice to let them die homeless and in there own filth or take some responsibility for them. So I keep them clean and make sure the bills are paid. If anyone has any idea just how mentally and physally stressful this can be, you have no ideal. So once a year I turn into a 8 year old child at DW. I need something to look forward to and the planning is just as fun. My 24 yearold DD is talking me in May for Mothers day. Yes single mother, four children two are mine. Now they want to spoil me. How lucky can you get. Tina

You are lucky. You deserve to be spoiled. You've done a good thing taking care of your folks, I know more than a little about that myself.
Enjoy your trip! And best of all-relax!

 

[ArielsMommy]

We don't have lots of money, we own a small trucking company and with the price of fuel and insurance we have less everyday. But, we do have a beautiful 13 year old daughter who understands when we work until 10 o'clock at night and most weekends. My DH doesn't care about DW like she and I do but he's willing to send us off with a smile on his face and work while we are gone. Sarah will be grown and gone like her older brothers soon enough and I value every smile on her face and the feel of her hand when she takes mine while we watch Wishes. Disney World is the place where we relax and don't worry about breakdowns and fuel prices and missed loads.
So...When friends and family roll their eyes and say Again.....We just smile and say Yes!

My husband's family felt the same way 15 years ago (they ran a private trucking business). When they came to visit WDW, they decided to move here. I am so glad that DMIL decided she could take the harsh New Jersey winters no more. Otherwise, I may never have met DH or had our DD. This is one of the many reasons that WDW is special to our family.

 

[Poohbear123]

At my Job asks me "Why?" I tell them if you have to ask, than you don't know! Some even say, I can go somewhere 'cheaper.' I tell them, let me know where and I will go...they NEVER have an answer! Than, these same 'people' in about 2 weeks ask me for "the code you use to save Money on the on-site Disney Hotel." I smile, politely, and give them the code.

 

[Deesknee]

We get the "again?" also. DH now just replies no......still!

 

[F1Julie]

I'm a single mom too and I get a lot of flack from my family and friends for going to WDW 2-3 times a year with DD4. I think a lot of people don't understand us people who go to WDW a few times a year because people think WDW is a lot more expensive than it really is. I only go with a room discount and I make my park tickets last at least 2 trips. Also, I don't pay for the trip all at once. I pay down my room gradually until I go and purchase park tickets months in advance. Once I'm there, I only have to pay for food.

 

[bavaria]

I stopped caring what people think. Most of them know that I will go 4-6 times a year anyway.

In fact, I decided last night that I might plan a last minute trip leaving in a week!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

My sister always complains when I tell her that we're going to WDW again. "Great! Now how am I going to tell my daughter that yours is going for her fourth trip and mine hasn't been yet." BTW both girls are 5. I just smile and tell that its her problem and not mine.

At one time I wasn't into going too often (I know I know) but I had a colleague tell me a story one time and I always keep it in mind everytime my DH wants to plan another trip. This gentleman's DW planned a trip for the family and he said he was too busy with work to go. She basically said that she would go without him. Well he found the time and had a wonderful trip. They were like the 5 millionth customer at MGM one day (or some number like that). He said there were balloons, streamers, they were made Grand Marshalls for the day and his DD was given life time passes to WDW. Pretty memorable trip and he was so happy that his DW guilted him into it. A couple of years later he died in the WTC. I always think of him and say a prayer everytime I walk into MGM. I'm then grateful for my Disney nut of a DH and grateful that my colleague took the time for that memorable trip.

So everytime that someone rolls their eyes or gives you lip about going to WDW again just think about all the wonderful memories you are making. Life is way too short.
But what am I going on about - these boards are chock full of Disney Nutz!

 

[CARRIE0604]

my eyes are welling up with tears.
"we get it" and they don't.
have a super time, i have to wait until next year for my fix

 

[salbythec]

I used to think I was alone in being harrassed about going back to WDW so often! I am so glad to know I am not! We love to try a different place to eat each time we go and also eat at our favs too. My brother still says "there is nowhere good to eat there" We all know different!

 

[johnnyr]

My boss (and some coworkers) think I'm crazy because we go twice a year. He always goes to these real exotic island getaways. They spend thousands for a 4 to 7 day trip. When I tell him I can go to WDW for 10 to 14 days for the same amount of money using discounts, he says "why would you want to go there"?

People just don't get it. They never will. I don't care, though. Our family has a great time every time. Just got back last week and can't wait until July for our 10 day trip

 

[tiggerfan58]

We get the same response everytime we say we off to disney again......"why don't you just move there??" Don't you ever get tired of going there??? You must know that place by heart by now. The way I look at it.....we are spending time together as a family, in a place where you can't help but smile, and even though you're an adult....you can still be a kid!!! What more can one ask for????? SO I tell them..of course we're going to disney again and yes someday we will move there....but until then we will just fly down to visit as often as we can.....then once we live there......well then we willl just drive!

 

[O2BNWDW]

They look at me with that quizical look. Some are even brazen enough to ask how I can afford it.
Anyone else have this reaction from co-workers, aquaintences, etc?

ALL the time...I just don't care anymore. I laugh in their non Disney faces - HA HA HA HA!!!!

However when we took my Brother and his family last year, they got bit by the Disney bug also! No more questions from them!!!


I just feel sorry for the people that don't "get" Disney. They are missing out on a lot IMHO!

 

[TammyA]

I'm about to take my third trip in a year (gotta max out those Annual Passes) and I get the same reaction from family and friends. Let 'em react! I'm going to Disneyworld!!! I'll admit I spent the afternoon today "rolling change" to help pay for my hotel, but thanks to cheap SW airfare I'm spending my anniversary in WDW. I get it. Go, enjoy!