So what does your family think of Disneyland?

[mariezp]

Okay, we know everyone here loves Disneyland or we probably wouldn't be spending our time here, right? But on the otherhand, just how does the rest of your family feel about our beloved Disneyland?

I was inspired to ask this question after my daughter's morning ritual. For probably the last 4 months she calls me into her room every morning and we have to play 3 games. First, we look at the imaginary stars on the ceiling and take turns spotting Disney characters. This is followed by the "second round" which consists of one descibing a Disney character while the other guesses who it is. Finally, we get to the "third round" where one hums a Disney song while the other guesses again.

My daughter is 7. We have not been to Disneyland since last December but hardly a day goes by when someone in our house doesn't mention it. Part of our favorite routine is making a countdown clock as soon as we have the dates set for next year. Every few days someone will ask me "How many days?". They are not nearly as devoted a fan as I am but I am very lucky to have a family that shares at least some of the same enjoyment for the happiest place on earth.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

My immediate family LOVES Disneyland. My 3 year old talks it about everyday. She wants to see pictures every day and almost every day looks through the scrapbook I made or her autograph books. We took them for the first time last August (she was 2.5) and she talked about so much when we got home that she convinced other family members it was worth going with her - our trip last Dec. with my mom and stepfather and our upcoming trip with my dad and stepmom.

I've always loved Disney, but her love for it is so contagious!!

 

[wvnative]

My parents and my sister aren't fans, but then again, they've never been there. My mom has issues with motion sickness and my sister just can't afford to go at this point in her life.

My DD (16) loves DL. Her dad and step mom usually go to WDW as they live on the East coast, so they totally get it. I think they may join us on our next trip. Once we set a date I make a countdown ticker. Once we get within 30 days, I mark the countdown on the calendar.

My mom was concerned that I was addicted to DL. I told her there were a lot worse things to be addicted to. lol I also told her that it's not so much that I'm addicted there's just a lot of planning involved. She's concerned that we go every year now instead of seeing new places. I figure, I'm only 35. The kid and I both love DL. So, I'm gonna go someplace we both love that I can afford while the kid is still willing to go on vacation with me. Then I'll worry about seeing new places...lol

My family certainly doesn't get it.

 

[Master Mason]

Me, and both of my boys 23 and 15 are all PAP holders.... As is my sister and her entire family. My parents took us to DL every year when we were kids. My dad after my mom passed took my sisters family to WDW twice, and on a DCL trip once. His favorite coat was a Mickey Windbreaker....

My other two brothers don't really get it yet, but one of them, just had his first child, and the other has no kids.... They will get it soon enough.

I think that most folks that have been like DL until they have the chance to experience it with their kids.... then it all changes for the better.

 

[cyberdeb]

My husband thinks i need a 12 step disney program. My dd acts like i am just a nerd but she secretly is a disney geek like me. My sons on the other hand just shake their heads and say nothing. THe rest of my family - well they know i am a geek and well i guess they love me anyway. The truth is, I got my geekness from my father.

 

[lexnconsmom]

Our family went for the first time in May. We totally surprised the kids they had no idea we were going anywhere let alone Disneyland. My ds 8 has talked for a year about going to legoland. That is all he wants to do for a vacation. I thought he would take it hard when he found out we were not going to Legoland. Not at all. He had such a good time. He did pin trading, he didn't want mickey ears he wanted a pluto hat. He wore that thing for every picture and everyday Loved the dumbo ride and getting autographs.
My dd 11 we were worried about the most. She in between being a kid and being a teen right now. She got into little girl mode. Getting all princess stuff. She couldn't wait to meet Sleeping Beauty. It was the sweetest thing to watch her with her favorite princess. She had the best time being a little girl again and then going for the thrill rides.
THen there is my dh who never really saw the point of going to disney. He hates to let the moths out of his wallet for stuff like that. He loved the rides, the food and staying at a disney hotel. But for him,he said the best part was watching all of us having the time of our lives.
For me it was the same watching everyone have a good time. But I really enjoyed taking it all in. It is truly is a magical place!
We asked the kids when we got back if they had a good time, "AHHHH yeah I wanna go back" So we talked about it and we are going back at christmas time. Can't wait!

Michelle

 

[Saavy?]

My daughter (19) inherited the "Disney" gene from me.
She knows every movie, every character, tons of trivia... and has a deep and abiding love for all things Disney.
Makes a parent feel like they did something right with their childraising.

We blab about our December trip on a weekly basis. It is a true joy to converse with someone who knows all the ins-and-outs of Disneyland; our excitement is contagious to one another.

My Dad "got it" in a huge way, being the big kid he was; Mom tolerated it; my brother "got it", then lost it; my X never had a clue.

I made a vow a few years ago to never again travel with anyone to Disneyland who doesn't "get it."
I have been to the parks with others who have a flat affect, don't smile or laugh, complain about crowds, the cost, the miles on your feet, those who cannot convert back into childhood wonder and transition to "child vision", those who do not experience the joy of simply setting foot through the gates, who have such a tight restraint on themselves that they are incapable of cutting loose and doing the "Snoopy dance" of happiness. Worst of all, those who look at you through jaded eyes, wondering what in the heck is wrong with you... as you stand there with an ear-to-ear grin on your face at the start of Main Street, wrapped up in the magic of the moment.

Nope... never again.
I only go with those who understand and "get it."
I don't feel the need to justify why Disneyland makes me happy, why I know all the words to "A Pirate's Life For Me," or why I get teary-eyed as I dance in circles with my arms in the air in the snow listening to "White Christmas" after the fireworks.

It makes all the difference in the world to share this special place with someone who can feel the magic of it, and has the same passion for it as you do.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Last year was my first trip ever to DL, and I'm in my 40s! DH had been 2 or 3 times as a child. We took our boys, then aged 6 and 2. We are planning our 2nd trip for October.

Our families can't believe that we're going back again so soon! They don't get it. Meanwhile, my DS3 runs to get his shoes every time he sees a DL commercial on TV, and begs, "Mama? We go to Dinneynand? Pwease?"

 

[CADZNYCHC]

Moved to Cali in '84....DH (BF at that time) took DD&I every year...then after we got married & DS was born in '91 - we went 2x every year for MANY MANY years (all 4 of us)...then DH quit going - he was done with / tired of DL (WHAT?????? how could he be?????) but he hasn't been there for at least 6 - maybe 8 yrs....and with DD being 10 yrs older than DS - she continued to go on occasion...but not as often as DS & I...we're the Dis addicts...he's the one that can keep up with his mom & vice versa - he still loves to go to DL & WDW & he & I go at least once a year - sometimes more...and I still take a "girls only" trip at least once a year....

 

[CADZNYCHC]

My daughter (19) inherited the "Disney" gene from me.
She knows every movie, every character, tons of trivia... and has a deep and abiding love for all things Disney.
Makes a parent feel like they did something right with their childraising.

We blab about our December trip on a weekly basis. It is a true joy to converse with someone who knows all the ins-and-outs of Disneyland; our excitement is contagious to one another.

My Dad "got it" in a huge way, being the big kid he was; Mom tolerated it; my brother "got it", then lost it; my X never had a clue.

I made a vow a few years ago to never again travel with anyone to Disneyland who doesn't "get it."
I have been to the parks with others who have a flat affect, don't smile or laugh, complain about crowds, the cost, the miles on your feet, those who cannot convert back into childhood wonder and transition to "child vision", those who do not experience the joy of simply setting foot through the gates, who have such a tight restraint on themselves that they are incapable of cutting loose and doing the "Snoopy dance" of happiness. Worst of all, those who look at you through jaded eyes, wondering what in the heck is wrong with you... as you stand there with an ear-to-ear grin on your face at the start of Main Street, wrapped up in the magic of the moment.

Nope... never again.
I only go with those who understand and "get it."
I don't feel the need to justify why Disneyland makes me happy, why I know all the words to "A Pirate's Life For Me," or why I get teary-eyed as I dance in circles with my arms in the air in the snow listening to "White Christmas" after the fireworks.

It makes all the difference in the world to share this special place with someone who can feel the magic of it, and has the same passion for it as you do.

OMG - I LOVE the way you described this....i work with soooo many people who 'don't' get it either....and i'm with you...ONLY going with those who "DO"!!!!!

 

[Blackunicorn]

I'm very fortunate to have a family that "gets" it. I don't understand why, but my husband and children all enjoy the time we spend there as a family. Don't spread it around, but even my 13 yo DS likes it.

When I bought DVC, my mother said, "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. You'll never use it." What a kick I'm getting out of proving her wrong!

 

[joeysmommy]

My in-laws are slowly turning into Disneyland lovers.
Today my niece(21) said she thought DL was just "DL", and that after going with me she never knew of all the "extras". She can't wait for our trip in Sept. I told her I bought some pins on ebay and we're going to do some serious pin trading on this trip. She said she never even knew about pin trading. *Sigh* I have so much to teach these people.

Also my SIL is now surfing ebay for Disney shirts etc. heh! heh!
Another convert!
She said she thought DL was for kids until our trip last Sept. She had the bestest time..she admitted she even liked my tidbits of Disney trivia that I couldn't contain each time we walked by something..I just had to share!

Hopefully my side of the family will be converts after our November Holiday trip.
I've been emailing my cousin youtube videos of DL rides..he says he's not sure if he can take the time off to go..oh, he will..he will

emailing links to rides from allearsnet seemed to work on my Aunt. Altho, she loves all things Disney anyway, so that was pretty easy. My 3 yr old told my mom he wanted to go to DL with her, so that's how our November trip got rolling.
Right now there are 5 of us going on that trip..going for 7!
It should be pretty easy to convert them..even my crowd hating, impatient mom.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Well of course my hubby, myself, and our two little guys (ages 8 and 4) LOVE DISNEY!

However, the rest of our family (our parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles) they all think we're NUTZ!!!

Ahhhhh well, maybe we are.....BUT.....WHO CARES?! We have a great time, and thats all that matters when on vacation!

 

[XTinabell]

I loved reading everyones stories!!

My dh gets it, we don't have any kids but I'm sure if we did they'd HAVE to because they'd be going quite often.

My mom and her side of the family don't get my love for DL and they like to make fun of me and tease but I love that becaues I feel like I have a secret and they're missing out. It's really their loss that they can't enjoy disneyland for what it's worth.

My friends think it's "cute" but I know they think I'm nuts.

My dad has the potential to be a DL nut but he can never seem to afford the trip because my step mom likes to go to Jamaica

 

[yipee]

We live in Canada, so I can't believe how often I'm planning/dreaming/plotting/thinking about ways to get back to DL! I'm lucky, my DH loves it too, and would gladly go back every year with me. (Okay, well, maybe he gets sick of seeing me on the DIS boards ) Our kids would love that too! The rest of the family? I think they think we're rather crazy. Attitude from others probably DOES hold us back a little. We've been there twice since April 2005, and are hoping to go again this Dec, but we feel a little...extravagant! If we pull it off, our kids will have been to DL 3 times before they're 10! It's not like it's a hop,skip and a jump away! Do you guys think we're spoiling them?

 

[CADZNYCHC]

It's not like it's a hop,skip and a jump away! Do you guys think we're spoiling them?

uhhhh - NO!!!
I know we are a lot closer (5 hours by car from my door to Mickey's)...but DS is 16 and has been to the land 40+ times....NOT spoiled....maybe well taken care of - Disney style!

 

[yipee]

Oooooh, I like that, thanks!

NOT spoiled....maybe well taken care of - Disney style!

 

[DangerMouse]

My dh tolerates my obsession with the LAND. My kids are just like me -- completely over the top with all things Disney. I think their friends think they are bit odd because they compare everything to Disneyland.
Here are examples of things they have said.

"Do you know your bathroom kinda smells like POTC?"

"Where's the hidden mickey on the zoo's carousel?"

"WHAT?? You've never been to DL? That's just sad. You should come with us next time."

I've converted my mom into a DLR nut, and she wants to tag along each time we go. The rest of my family thinks we're stuck in a rut because we only vacation at DLR!

 

[yipee]

The rest of my family thinks we're stuck in a rut because we only vacation at DLR!

Yup, that's us too! And we also seem to compare things a little too much to Disney. For example, we have our kids' height lines on the wall, but ours are marked at 42", 46" and 48" so they can check to see when they are tall enough for Indy and Screamin' !!!

 

[Saavy?]

"Do you know your bathroom kinda smells like POTC?"

What a hoot!