Nobody I Know Likes Disney!?

[Kendra17]

Originally posted by stemikger
Kendra17.
It looks like you took this the wrong way. I did not mean to imply people who love Disney World are non-intellectuals or not intelligent. It seems you took this as a personal insult. First of all, I could see how it could have been misconstrued, but I think you read into a little bit too much. I also didn't appreciate the cheap shot at me from your second e-mail. My Uncle is a very deep guy and he didn't like the way Disney sugarcoated some of the historical themes. But anyway, for the record Disney people are the salt of the earth. Kendra17 take a chill pill.

Also, sorry if my grammer or spelling is not up to snuff for ya.

Hmm. I guess her quote kind of bothered me.

Oh, Gee!!!!! I think I offended you and I'm so sorry!

My husband, as I've been posting, is anti-Disney AND he fancies himself an intellectual. . . and, I have found that some of my old friends--who also think of themselves as "intellectuals", also are anti-Disney. I think a certain group of people think they are ABOVE it. . .above the commercialism, above the fact that this is a place "manufactured" for one's enjoyment.

I just disagree that one can't be intelligent and love DisneyWorld. That's all I mean. Shoot, I am very sorry--and I promise, I wasn't taking a cheap shot at you. . .you were included in the 90+%!!!!

I really found that the people here--you included--are more intelligent and can express their thoughts more clearly than on other boards I have seen.

Disney DOES sugarcoat some historical themes. . .absolutely. But, I LOVE this and that doesn't matter to me. My husband loves touring historical sites such as battlefields (especially Civil War) and other buildings and places with significance. I am interested in these places, too. . .but I'd rather go to WDW.

I think what I meant is that people (even my husband, who I completely respect and admire for many reasons including his intelligence!) who believe themselves to be intellectuals and hold Disney with disdain have forgotten that it's not all about what is real and completely historically accurate. Gee, I am afraid to step on toes. ..but I think of those people as pseudo-intellectuals. . .they need to let go and just have some fun.

 

[Kendra17]

Wow, now I'm feeling so bad about offending you, stemikger, that I wanted to add that I agreed with everything you wrote. I was ONLY upset about that one view that your uncle and my husband (so far--hopefully that will change on our trip) share and that you do not necessarily even hold.

My husband and I have been to lots of places and, for the most part, I enjoy them, because I enjoy our time together, I enjoy his excitement, and I enjoy learning more of our/others' history. But, I'd give that all up to go to Disneyworld!

 

[disneylizzy]

Just wanted to chime in that we went on our very first trip in 2002 and are going back again on 8/31. I love WDW! I did do a lot of research beforehand and read everything I could get my hands on. I visited all the web sites, too. I enjoyed the challenge of getting a good rate at WL (132/woods view w/AZZ!), I loved figuring out which passes were best for our trip. I have changed our PS's around at least 3 times. I can't wait to surprise my husband with 50's Prime Time Cafe and I know my 11 year old sports nut will love ESPN. I could be a commando if I was going solo, but I want to make this vacation the best ever, so I can go back every year from now on, lol. Maybe Disney appeals to those of us who are a tiny bit obsessive/compulsive when it comes to planning, I don't know. I think I know more about Disney than my neighbor who has been at least 6 times. I do know that my planning was very helpful as far as enjoying our first trip, even though my family will never let me live down the run to Test Track (and it was only a very brisk walk)lol.

 

[4thof52003]

I guess I took it for granted that I LOVE Disney and am completely obsessed now. My first trip to Disneyworld was a result of one of my family members winning a trip on the radio. So the expense was perfect. We went in February, again, perfect. Also, I was expecting a park similar to Six Flags Great America and was thrilled to see that it was much better and there was much more attention to detail. The one major difference between most theme parks and Disney that makes me a Disney fan is the pre-show stuff. Instead of standing in line for an hour in a regular theme park and just staring at the blank walls you can see a dusty, old hotel lounge, you see blinking tombstones, you see little characters staring at you from the rafters and little signs that say, "Some critters ain't never gonna learn." I was completely impressed by the detail. I am a history major as well and enjoyed learning about the detail put into making MK in the Keys to the Kingdom tour. The way it is supposed to symbolize going from East to West. I also loved the fact that in the American section of MK the shutters are all slanted because shutters slanted at the time of the Revolutionary War when Americans used the hinges for bullets and replaced them with leather. The leather would then stretch and make the shutters slant. Finally I am making my point with the fact that there is something, I think, for most people if they come prepared and at the right time for them.

 

[Chicago526]

The only first timer I know is my aunt (my mom's sister) and uncle and their two girls. My aunt really didn't want to go, she thought it was way too comercial, but uncle and the girls wanted to go, so she went along. She loved it! It surprised the heck out of her, but she had a great time and they have been back at least 2 more times that I know of. They went right after AK opened (I think) so they got the "full" WDW experiance. I don't know how much pre-planning they did (both aunt and uncle are type A personalities, so maybe they did do some research) but they did stay at WL, so that could be part of it. How can you have a bad time at WL?

Anyway, most posts were of 1st timers who hated it, I just wanted to share that some really DO like it and go back!

Oh, and Kendra17, I agree! Posts on the DIS are a cut above most other sites I've been to. I wonder why that is?

 

[thatdarncat]

This is my boyfriend's first trip to Disney in 30 years. I asked him to go on this vacation with me and he has been very patient with all my planing and re-planning and re-re planning for this trip. From the hotel to the dinner reservations... I have got my game plan down. I picked things I think we will both enjoy and I am liking that I am in charge of these things. This way I can be sure we get some things in that I didn't get to see last time I went.
Anyway, If he had his way, we'd be going to Italy or to the Caribean Islands or something. But this is less expensive (for just the two of us in September) and something I've wanted to do for a while. I wouldn't say he's a Disney snob, but Disney is probably not his first pick for a vacation. He is looking forward to it however, and I know when we are there we are going to have a great time. It's all give and take. If someone goes into it with that attitude that it's beneath them or that it's going to be hot, sticky and crowded, then you're going to have a bad time. But I think next year, I'm going to have to get over my fear of flying for hours and flying over water and go to Italy with him. Can someone say "drink please!"

 

[eeyore kelly]

You have to do the research. I am amazed by how much more I know about WDW then people who have been before. I am also amazed at how many people go without a plan. However, the research is half the fun. Yes, Disney is sanitized. You have to know and accept that.

 

[thatdarncat]

Well I mean hot & sticky, like as in, the weather. Yes Disney is sanitized, but not completely germ free I'm sure, haha.

 

[stemikger]

Wow, now I'm feeling so bad about offending you, stemikger,
Originally posted by Kendra17

No need to feel bad Kendra17. I guess I misinterpreted your message. Sorry for getting so petty.

And please, don't feel bad.

Thanks for clearing it up.

You are a big person for doing that.

 

[Kendra17]

PHEW!!!! Glad that is cleared up! Thanks!!

 

[Blueberry]

I have helped a lot of people from work go, but none have become Disney addicts like me, most go and love it, but have not been able to afford to go back or it was a one time trip for them...Never had any come back and have hated it. Most say it was expensive, or very hot and crowded but they loved it....

 

[philaround]

Many people still think that they will have one, and only one, vacation of a lifetime in their life. I think that these people become somewhat manic when the time comes for that SPECIAL VACATION that will never be repeated. Those of us that enjoy WDW, or any other place, over and over again have learned to space that once in a lifetime experiance over as much of our lifetime as possible. We have learned to relax and enjoy what happens rather than to try to force the happening. Once you understand the possibilities enjoyment can't be far behind.

Me and my family have been to WDW several times and did little or no planning the first 4 times we went and had a great time. Then we did not go for several years and did not fully understand that the unscripted vacation was no longer possible. As a result we had some bad experiences on this trip, but not bad enough to say "Never Again". With one thing or another we were unable to return to WDW for another 10 years. In late 2002 I began investigating a trip for me and DW to celebrate our 29th wedding anniversary. After a few false starts I found the DisBoards and learned how to really plan a WDW trip. By no means did I micro-manage this trip, but I was able to arrange a fabulous trip for us in May 2003. We did more than we had done on any previous trip but did it at a more leisurely pace and truely learned the MAGIC of DISNEY.

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Kendra17
I think what I meant is that people (even my husband, who I completely respect and admire for many reasons including his intelligence!) who believe themselves to be intellectuals and hold Disney with disdain have forgotten that it's not all about what is real and completely historically accurate. Gee, I am afraid to step on toes. ..but I think of those people as pseudo-intellectuals. . .they need to let go and just have some fun.

I agree 100%, there is such a diverse group of people here, I have no doubt that we have our fair share of card carrying members of Mensa..

 

[tinkb182]

QUOTE]I think many of the people who go to Disney and hate it may be so busy trying to get their money's worth and running from attraction to attraction that they don't take the time to stop and just absorb the experience and the atmosphere. They don't take the time to chat with cast members, to sit on a park bench and watch the little children playing in the fountains, to look at the tremendous amount of thought and effort that goes into the design of each park and appreciate it for the tremendous gift that it is.[/QUOTE]

I think this is so true. My husband and I went to WDW 2 yrs in a row and both times I did serious planning. We took the Keys to the Kingdom tour the last time we went. The only mistake I made about that is that I booked it for the last day of our trip. After learning all of the "inside info" we were sad not to be able to go through the park again at our own pace and really take it all in. This time we will definately be taking notice of all the little details. I really can't wait!! We are taking my mother and niece and it will be really fun to share all of the things I've learned through the tour and the disboards.