Im a Straight Male and I LOVE DISNEY !!!

[DaParkers]

I'm yet another straight man that loves Disney. I'm from New Orleans, but not the same area as Corey. I'm from the drug infested, crime ridden, highest murder rate part of the city. I think that being from that area actually fuels my love of Disney because it's so different from that chapter of my life. When my wife suggested we go in 2006, I didn't want to. Once I got there though, I fell in love with the peace and tranquility I feel whenever I'm there. I haven't lived in a bad environment for quite some time now, but WDW still reminds me of how blessed I am. I have 1 friend that's even been to WDW and he doesn't get it. I have no one outside of these boards and my house that I can talk about WDW with. I'm not concerned with people's perception of a straight man loving Disney, because I'm still a helluva lot tougher than most that would disparage me for my obsession. No one would dare tell me to my face anyway, because, like Launchpad11b, I would commence to skull crushing. I love Disney, but know no other man in my personal life that does. O well!

 

[eeyorelvr09]

I will speak on behalf of my DBF, Jason. While I was listening to this part of the podcast I found myself agreeing that it is harder for a straight male to admit to others that he loves Disney. Jay and I are passionate about Disney and often have the conversations of "If we won the lottery we would..." the first thing that comes up is DVC at BLT. However, when it comes to talking Disney with other he refrains from saying anything except for 1 male friend who is the same.

Another note, I recall the podcast mentioning that it is hard to find someone who likes Disney as much as their partner does. Jay had told me a story a couple of years ago that when he was on a trip to WDW with his family when he was younger he said to his parents that when he gets older he wants to marry a woman who would go to WDW for their honeymoon. His parents laughed and told him good luck with that. Low and behold, he and I have been together for 4 years and can't imagine a future without Disney or a possible honeymoon without a stop at a Disney theme park.

Thank you for all that the DIS does to keep these childlike moments alive.

 

[disneysteve]

Jay had told me a story a couple of years ago that when he was on a trip to WDW with his family when he was younger he said to his parents that when he gets older he wants to marry a woman who would go to WDW for their honeymoon. His parents laughed and told him good luck with that.

Our friends were shocked that we didn't go to Disney on our honeymoon. Of course, we had been there twice in 2 years prior to getting married. Then we got married in July and honeymooned in Jamaica and went to Disney 2 months later in September. We just didn't want to honeymoon there.

 

[mikeymouse1]

I am right there with yall My Disney Brothers! I love Disney and dont give a rats butt if other men dont like it! More for us!

 

[shmedly123]

another straight male here who loves Disney. I would agree with the OP that having some friends that are sports loving, car loving, "macho men" makes it difficult to openly love Disney. I definitely get razzed about being effeminate because I like Disney by my friends. It's one of those things where individually none of them would ever say anything to me but when a group of them get together they like to bust my... "chops".

Luckily, also being a soccer player I am used to it.

 

[softballmom3]

Well my hubby is a straight male who loves disney but sometimes pretends it's only for the kiddos but I know better. He is as excited as I am about going in a few weeks .

 

[nickyb720]

And I'm not a ashamed to admit it! For me, it's a chance to get away from reality and go to place where everyone is happy. The cast is terrific and everyone is very nice. I also like going because it brings back memories of when i went as a kid. Now I enjoy going with my wife and creating new memories, hopefully with our future family! I just love being at WDW because it truly is magical!

 

[G66]

Straight, 44, married, father of two. Similar story to the Mouse Brotherhood... T shirts, mugs, watches. Could care less what others think. Family memories at WDW... priceless.

No interest in other theme or amusement parks. WDW is a special place.

 

[disneysteve]

another straight male here who loves Disney. I would agree with the OP that having some friends that are sports loving, car loving, "macho men" makes it difficult to openly love Disney.

I guess that's the key. I don't have any friends who are sports loving, car loving, macho men. Since I don't fit that mold, I have no desire to hang out with other guys who fit that mold. I have many straight male friends who are Disney fans.

 

[jimmiej]

50 yo married man, serious Disney fan for 15 years. I guess I fit many of the male stereotypes. Sports fan, golfer, tolerates "chick-flicks" for my wife, likes motorcycles & fast cars, etc.

The only person who has ever "made fun" of my Disney obsession is my brother, and it's not much. Doesn't bother me. I've taken his kids twice.

Everyone wants my help when they decide to take a WDW trip.

 

[DisneyDaddy-O]

I am a straight male married with two kids and a proud member of the DisDads club. I can understand what Corey was trying to say, sometimes it is tough to explain why I love Disney so much. Most do feel that it is a place for kids, but those same people have never been to Disney.
The thread is a place where dads can get together and chat about whatever, we rarely stay on topic and all just have a good time. these same guys helped me through a time last year when my dad passed away and continue to be there for each other when others are having difficult times.

All are welcome!

 

[sunshine girl]

If people say it's weird that I like Disney, I crush their skull. Problem solved.

I like this!!

 

[Bunch24]

I had to chuckle a little bit when listening to the podcast discussion about straight men loving Disney. I used to be one of those men who thought you needed to be a girl to like Disney. I was always a Bugs Bunny guy, so never really got into Mickey Mouse. And most of the Disney cartoons seemed to appeal to the princess type.

But that all changed when my wife talked me into taking our honeymoon to Disney. I can honestly say that a vacation to Disney was never a thought in my mind until we took our honeymoon. Then I fell head over heels and now I'm the Disney nut in the family. I think my wife, who had always dreamed of going to Disney as a kid, even gets tired of me talking about Disney now.

But getting back to the subject, I think it is a little tougher for straight men to open like Disney, if only because of perception. I know when I talk about WDW with my "guy" friends, I get weird looks and lots of "Disney is for kids" comments. I find it's gotten better since I have kids now, but before I had kids I'd find myself defending my love for WDW quite often. My friends couldn't believe I'd rather spend a week in WDW than two weeks hunting.

Anyway, love the podcast. It keeps me sane at work. And I look forward to every episode and get a little pissed when they're not up in a timely fashion. (LOL, sorry Pete )

 

[OKW Lover]

Just had to chime in here because I really do understand the comment on the podcast. Those who know me quickly realize that Disney is almost an obsession (almost?) with me and I never hesitate in telling a Disney story or offering WDW advice.

I've personally never felt that gender was a barrier to loving Disney, but I recognize that some men might not think its macho. That's probably because of the fairy tale/princess theme that Disney promotes so heavily, I'm guessing. So, when out with the boys and talking football while seeing who can spit the furthest WDW seldom comes up for them.

Come on guys. Come out of the [Disney] closet.

 

[Kaa]

My husband is lucky. We planned our first trip to WDW after 2 of his co-workers took their families back during the 25th anniversary celebration. They came back and raved, so we went. Several other co-workers have been since that time and all of them loved it! Not quite the twice-a-year-if-not-more love that my husband has, but he doesn't get teased. Then again, he is not the type you want to tease.

The funny thing is that my husband is a serious person. He takes his responsibilities in life very seriously. Don't get me wrong, he loves to have fun, but he really wouldn't strike you as the Disney-loving type. He changes into someone completely different when we are at WDW. The escape from reality is an amazing thing. It transforms him from serious adult to a kid-at-heart in a hurry.

 

[ThunderSnow]

I'm relating to this thread, and I certainly agree with Corey. By the way Corey, what could be more manly than needing Julie to drive home because you ate too much and have to recline. That might have been the podcast comment of the year for me personally.

Seven years ago my wife wanted to plan Disney, and I (listening to my friends) was like "great, sure, let's get this one over with and it won't be a vacation for me". Day one on property, fell in love, and now it might be my top addiction. I'm just living proof that WDW IS for everyone.

 

[FireDancer]

We are definitely the minority based on the demographic of the boards but I really never felt strange being straight and loving Disney. I have always loved cartoons, and still watch them, so loving animated features wasn't that big of a stretch. I don't have Disney stuff all over the house or anything but I love going to the parks when I can.

Really until I posted on the boards I didn't realize how few of us there were in comparison. Oh well, it is what it is.

 

[disneysteve]

2 of his co-workers took their families back during the 25th anniversary celebration. They came back and raved

Even with the pink castle?

 

[dalt01]

if nothing else this thread will answer some nagging questions for some folks

 

[dburg30]

I posted earlier about being in the mouse brotherhood also. I forgot just a couple of weeks ago I was working at the sportsmen club I'm a member of, hunting, fishing, shooting etc. I had on a Disney hat. The one that spells disney with the coloring of the different characters.. So the "D" was like red and black and yellow for Mickey, one of them was pluto's colors etc etc.

Well someone said in kind of a 'mocking' way.

Is that a DISNEY hat?!!?

The look I gave them must've been like a dad protecting their young lol. I said "It sure is, I love going to Disney World, I've been there 5 times in the last 3 years". That statement along with the look must've gotten thru to them as they backed down quickly.. They thought I was going to be ashamed to be wearing it or something. Fooled them