See I'm confused by that. I never, never ever grew up thinking the characters were REAL. I mean, I knew mermaids didn't exist (and that our grandma sewed us our own tails at age 6...guess the tails started early! ha) and that there was a real singer singing the songs with us. It didn't change the fact that I LOVED seeing them. It hasn't changed today either. I get the same thrill in the Belle's storytime that puts you right in the same room with her and she stops and talks to you! I don't care that it's an actress. She is lovely and well trained and her giant golden ball gown is awesome.
Never ever believed in Santa or Easter bunny either (that is because we personally chose not to participate in those activities) but I don't understand kids thinking an animated character like Tigger is real? That thought never occurred to us. I still think it's neat to see a glowing light flying around representing 'tinkerbell'. I like the technology that is just like going to magic show and 'seeing' the illusion. I know it's not Tink, but I still love it.
We all have a bit of fancy in us. The 'magic' comes from the imagination, like the lil guy put it, the 'magic in your heart' and that is what allows us to imagine that these guys ARE really Belle and Pooh, even when we know they aren't. Who cares? It's just awesome.
If I wanted a dose of reality, I would just stay home and watch CNN (oh wait, that's not really reality either

) point being I like fantastic vacations that take you into another happy place.
This week I had to go to the doctor's and get something very unfun cut out. Boo. I spent the entire time ignoring the fact that he was digging around in my flesh and instead talking to the assistant about all our cruises and ports and CCLs vs DCLs. It worked really well. I was missing her yesterday when he had to repack it and I wasn't numb this time.

I just kept telling myself "I'm on a cruise, I'm on a beach" (you know the song.)
Reality isn't that fun. Dressing up like princesses and mermaids and pirate wenches and tiaras and singing Disney songs and seeing many lil cute glitter princesses everywhere and just the SMELL of it, you just KNOW you are there and there is nothing like it. I don't frankly care of other people like it or not. But they dont need to get down on me for liking it. It is truly OUR family tradition. Some families have ski trips to the mountains. We have Disney.
Our happy family will be there in May! No kids in our group, but we are all kids at heart.
P.s. is anyone else completely floored that the Electrical Parade hasn't changed a bit since we were kids? One morning after our trip, I woke up to the beedy digital song, (my honey had put it on downstairs and turned it up so I would hear it) and it was the happiest morning alarm song I have ever heard!