That Indescribable WDW Feeling

[HiHoOffWeGo]

The opinions expresses here are those soully of everyone who reads these pages. Now I said it!

My screen name says it all and, and, and ...

My DD38 first walked down main street in 1986 and talked about her impression almost every day since. She collects everything Disney. She comes every year with her DD14 and DH. He has a new job and so this year sadly there was to be no trip. DD38 is an exec. for a large corp and their ann. meetings are in Tampa this year so she chose to take DD14 so she could experience the beach. About two months ago she called me and ask what she did. She said she added 4 nights to her stay but at WDW caues she could not bear to miss a year. She now calls me every day and says "Did I tell you I was going to WDW" and I say "I don't believe so and how wonderful". I think she is rubbing it in cause we chose to go with DD36 to Myrtle Beach this season but we will be back in the World in June 2013.

No trip to WDW this year and I am still on DIS every day. I think I have it bad too.

 

[Dawner]

I totally had to laugh at this post, because you are all so right ... someone will either 'get it' or they totally 'won't get it' !! When I first started to date my bf 3 yrs ago, I don't think he 'got it' at all ... then for his 30th b'day (I'm 8 yrs older) - I decided to surprise him and take him on a week to Disney and go to the Christmas Party, etc... by the end of the trip - he was SOLD on Disney and we couldn't wait to get back again, together!!
Thru the three years together, we have been there three times! The funniest thing was ... I had decided to not go on any vacations in 2012 - to save money, etc... and I mentioned to my bf that we could/should go on a cruise in April 2013. Well, my parents decided to take a Disney vacation in late Sept 2012, and my boyfriend gave me those sad looking puppy dog eyes and said he would rather go to Disney in late September than go on a cruise in April 2013 !!! hahahaha!!! Well, we are booked and counting down the days til we actually arrive to the 'Mouse House' !!! LOL!!!
Love hearing other great stories on Disney !!!!

 

[Ilivetogo]

This post may not “fit” on the resorts board, but I wasn’t sure where else to put it, so here it is. I have a question: Do any of you feel that WDW evokes an emotion – or combination of emotions – that is almost impossible to describe, and which you simply do not experience anywhere else?

I know members of my family – even those from different generations – feel that way. I believe that, for me, this is due to a number of factors, including:

1. Nostalgia for our family -- My brother and I visited WDW three times when we were kids, and we thought it was the most amazing place on the planet. For us now, WDW evokes some of our fondest memories. We can walk certain places in the MK or the Polynesian Village and be transported back to times of joy 30 years ago. It makes us very nostalgic.

2. The “positives” in life, on steroids -- Almost everything about WDW accentuates life’s positives. The cast members are polite, helpful, and upbeat. Beautiful flowers abound; everything is manicured and clean. People smile. Each day ends with a series of parades and firework shows that seem to celebrate life and to be intended to remind us that life is, in fact, to be celebrated. Portions of some parks look back favorably to a simpler time, while others look to the future with unbridled optimism. Hope and joy in a sometimes-cynical word.

3. Total immersion -- When you are on vacation at WDW, you are truly on vacation. There is nothing but Disney for miles. No one next to you is hopping a bus for work. Almost everything is themed to the hilt, in impressive detail. Almost wherever you are, you are immersed in Disney, and away from the daily grind.

4. Focus on making children happy -- Sure, there will be meltdowns and squabbles; but the fact that a primary goal is to bring smiles to children’s faces is so, so neat.

5. Uniquely American nostalgia -- Portions of the World (e.g., Main Street, Liberty Square, Tom Sawyer Island, Fort Wilderness) harken back fondly to a past, simpler time that is uniquely American. I love that.

I think Walt got it right on so many levels.

Thoughts? Similar feelings?
Thank you.

In a word ... yes.

I'm probably the only one in my family who "gets it". And boy, do I "get it" bad.

For me, #3 hits me more than the other points ... the Total Immersion thing. It's the music and sounds, the smells, the cleanliness, the plants/flowers, the CMs, the details ... the everything.

Other theme parks (to me) are more like "a place with lots of rides". But not Disney. The rides at Disney are the icing on the cake. It's the "feeling" while there that really gets me emotional which is why just driving under the entrance sign makes me get all fuzzy! (Even tho for me it's actually even starting just before I leave home!! I get fuzzy early. )
.

 

[Paradise18]

This is absolutely how I feel about WDW. My entire family does too. While I only started going to WDW as an adult, DH and I really hope this will be how our kids feel when they are grown and hopefully take their own families.
While there are many places in the world to visit, there is just something so very special about how I feel when I get to WDW.

Thank you for articulating it the way you did.

 

[wdwnut61]

This post may not “fit” on the resorts board, but I wasn’t sure where else to put it, so here it is. I have a question: Do any of you feel that WDW evokes an emotion – or combination of emotions – that is almost impossible to describe, and which you simply do not experience anywhere else?

I know members of my family – even those from different generations – feel that way. I believe that, for me, this is due to a number of factors, including:

1. Nostalgia for our family -- My brother and I visited WDW three times when we were kids, and we thought it was the most amazing place on the planet. For us now, WDW evokes some of our fondest memories. We can walk certain places in the MK or the Polynesian Village and be transported back to times of joy 30 years ago. It makes us very nostalgic.

2. The “positives” in life, on steroids -- Almost everything about WDW accentuates life’s positives. The cast members are polite, helpful, and upbeat. Beautiful flowers abound; everything is manicured and clean. People smile. Each day ends with a series of parades and firework shows that seem to celebrate life and to be intended to remind us that life is, in fact, to be celebrated. Portions of some parks look back favorably to a simpler time, while others look to the future with unbridled optimism. Hope and joy in a sometimes-cynical word.

3. Total immersion -- When you are on vacation at WDW, you are truly on vacation. There is nothing but Disney for miles. No one next to you is hopping a bus for work. Almost everything is themed to the hilt, in impressive detail. Almost wherever you are, you are immersed in Disney, and away from the daily grind.

4. Focus on making children happy -- Sure, there will be meltdowns and squabbles; but the fact that a primary goal is to bring smiles to children’s faces is so, so neat.

5. Uniquely American nostalgia -- Portions of the World (e.g., Main Street, Liberty Square, Tom Sawyer Island, Fort Wilderness) harken back fondly to a past, simpler time that is uniquely American. I love that.

I think Walt got it right on so many levels.

Thoughts? Similar feelings?

Thank you.

Beautifully said totally agree

Yes The feeling is indescribable when we drive under that Welcome Arch. Every time I get a big smile the moment we see it, and my heart skips a beat. My oldest daughter & I love WDW, younger daughter is so so about it. And Husband just plain doesn't get it! But that's ok, we just leave him home to pet sit,

Too funny that's my DH as well. He humored me when the kids were smaller and now we also leave him home to pet sit

 

[SuzieQ811]

You are right on all counts, OP! Thanks for drumming up those Disney Feelings! But you are right, not everyone "gets it". In fact, I know several people who would not set foot in WDW because it is too "tiring", "overwhelming",or "not into that sort of thing". But we on the Dis, truly do get it and love talking about it.
The first time, every time, I set foot onto Main Street USA, I tear up, honestly. Then again during Spectromagic, or Wishes, or anything.
I especially agree with item #5, the Americana thing. Disney should not be anywhere else on the planet and Walt was a genius!

 

[tarin24u]

My sisters laugh at me but I still cry when we walk down Main St and I see the castle for the first time! I love to see other families with their young children experiencing that for the first time, too. My teenage daughters laugh and say "get a grip, Mom" but then they hug me and I know they feel that Disney magic... I hope they always do

 

[Alice Sr.]

Thank you PeterP, I think you are right Walt did get it right on so many levels, and so did you!

 

[MBELSANTI]

This post may not “fit” on the resorts board, but I wasn’t sure where else to put it, so here it is. I have a question: Do any of you feel that WDW evokes an emotion – or combination of emotions – that is almost impossible to describe, and which you simply do not experience anywhere else?

I know members of my family – even those from different generations – feel that way. I believe that, for me, this is due to a number of factors, including:

1. Nostalgia for our family -- My brother and I visited WDW three times when we were kids, and we thought it was the most amazing place on the planet. For us now, WDW evokes some of our fondest memories. We can walk certain places in the MK or the Polynesian Village and be transported back to times of joy 30 years ago. It makes us very nostalgic.

2. The “positives” in life, on steroids -- Almost everything about WDW accentuates life’s positives. The cast members are polite, helpful, and upbeat. Beautiful flowers abound; everything is manicured and clean. People smile. Each day ends with a series of parades and firework shows that seem to celebrate life and to be intended to remind us that life is, in fact, to be celebrated. Portions of some parks look back favorably to a simpler time, while others look to the future with unbridled optimism. Hope and joy in a sometimes-cynical word.

3. Total immersion -- When you are on vacation at WDW, you are truly on vacation. There is nothing but Disney for miles. No one next to you is hopping a bus for work. Almost everything is themed to the hilt, in impressive detail. Almost wherever you are, you are immersed in Disney, and away from the daily grind.

4. Focus on making children happy -- Sure, there will be meltdowns and squabbles; but the fact that a primary goal is to bring smiles to children’s faces is so, so neat.

5. Uniquely American nostalgia -- Portions of the World (e.g., Main Street, Liberty Square, Tom Sawyer Island, Fort Wilderness) harken back fondly to a past, simpler time that is uniquely American. I love that.

I think Walt got it right on so many levels.

Thoughts? Similar feelings?

Thank you.

For me going to Disney World is an emotional experience. I first visited when they had first opened as a child with my parents and brothers. How we loved that place! Dear Dad has been gone for 12 years now and I wanted to pass those feelings on to my son. I was so sad when my Dad died and I just couldn't move on with my life, I was stuck. We decided to go to WDW and take DS (only 2 1/2 at the time). I know this sounds crazy, but I thought that being back there where there were so many good memories that I would see my Dad in the crowd. Anyway I always get misty whenever I first walk down Main St and see the castle and think of how my Dad loved the place. My son has loved it just as much as me and actually I thought he was done going for awhile as he's 15 now. But I planned our trip this year anyway and when I told him his face lit up! I was so surprised that he actually still wanted to go. So the long short answer to your question is being at Disney gives me a feeling like no other.

 

[Mamato3Princes]

Ahh.. tears just thinking about the kids voice!

"Star light, star bright,
first star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
have the wish, I wish tonight"."

Ahhh... I am tearing up right now just reading this! I'm pathetic . Illuminations makes me tear up too! Great thread!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I agree with whoever said we should print this out and give a copy to everyone we know. I get so sick and tired of trying to explain my love of WDW and you nailed it!!!!!!!

 

[Inspire&Imagine]

I think that it's a matter of not only experiencing Disney magic, but also letting yourself really feel it. I believe everyone would love Disney if they just let go of their self conscious inhibitions and let themselves really enjoy it and feel like a kid again.

 

[magicbob]

This post may not “fit” on the resorts board, but I wasn’t sure where else to put it, so here it is. I have a question: Do any of you feel that WDW evokes an emotion – or combination of emotions – that is almost impossible to describe, and which you simply do not experience anywhere else?

I know members of my family – even those from different generations – feel that way. I believe that, for me, this is due to a number of factors, including:

1. Nostalgia for our family -- My brother and I visited WDW three times when we were kids, and we thought it was the most amazing place on the planet. For us now, WDW evokes some of our fondest memories. We can walk certain places in the MK or the Polynesian Village and be transported back to times of joy 30 years ago. It makes us very nostalgic.

2. The “positives” in life, on steroids -- Almost everything about WDW accentuates life’s positives. The cast members are polite, helpful, and upbeat. Beautiful flowers abound; everything is manicured and clean. People smile. Each day ends with a series of parades and firework shows that seem to celebrate life and to be intended to remind us that life is, in fact, to be celebrated. Portions of some parks look back favorably to a simpler time, while others look to the future with unbridled optimism. Hope and joy in a sometimes-cynical word.

3. Total immersion -- When you are on vacation at WDW, you are truly on vacation. There is nothing but Disney for miles. No one next to you is hopping a bus for work. Almost everything is themed to the hilt, in impressive detail. Almost wherever you are, you are immersed in Disney, and away from the daily grind.

4. Focus on making children happy -- Sure, there will be meltdowns and squabbles; but the fact that a primary goal is to bring smiles to children’s faces is so, so neat.

5. Uniquely American nostalgia -- Portions of the World (e.g., Main Street, Liberty Square, Tom Sawyer Island, Fort Wilderness) harken back fondly to a past, simpler time that is uniquely American. I love that.

I think Walt got it right on so many levels.

Thoughts? Similar feelings?

Thank you.

I agree. WDW has always been a special place for us. Due to a combination of family living close by and affordability, we usually stayed off-site in years past. We either visited family for the week and popped over for one day, or sometimes went for 2-3 days and stayed in a really cheap off-site hotel. Now that we can finally afford it, we started staying onsite a few years ago. And all I can say is: Wow! I cannot believe how much different (more magical) it is staying onsite. Love it!

 

[cadale]

I completely agree - you hit the nail on the head!

Some people just don't get the magic that is Disney. My parents still ask everytime my family comes "why are you going back there again, haven't you seen it all?"

Nothing beats the Disney magic for making you feel welcomed and relaxed!

 

[ilovediznee]

Thank you OP for posting this. As I sit here at my desk eating the last of my lunch, I am enjoying reading everyone's posts and feel the same way. I love going under the sign and all my stress leaves. I work FT and have two PT jobs, a husband and a daughter. Not to mention that my parents health is starting to decline, so my everyday stresses are alot, but just reading what others have said and knowing I feel the same way when I go, really helps.

We are going in August (the month I said I would NEVER go) but my DH has a convention so I am looking forward to it. Just being there with the music, fireworks, hotels, just light up my face and give me some needed peace in my crazy life.

Thanks!

 

[autismgoesdisney]

I love this thread! I feel the same way! I cry everytime I walk down Main Street and during ALL the fireworks at ALL the parks! LOL LOVE that place

 

[billlaurie]

The Disney "feeling" is so well summed up by the OP. What I don't get are the people who don't feel this way.

 

[jennyjinx3]

This post may not “fit” on the resorts board, but I wasn’t sure where else to put it, so here it is. I have a question: Do any of you feel that WDW evokes an emotion – or combination of emotions – that is almost impossible to describe, and which you simply do not experience anywhere else?

I know members of my family – even those from different generations – feel that way. I believe that, for me, this is due to a number of factors, including:

1. Nostalgia for our family -- My brother and I visited WDW three times when we were kids, and we thought it was the most amazing place on the planet. For us now, WDW evokes some of our fondest memories. We can walk certain places in the MK or the Polynesian Village and be transported back to times of joy 30 years ago. It makes us very nostalgic.

2. The “positives” in life, on steroids -- Almost everything about WDW accentuates life’s positives. The cast members are polite, helpful, and upbeat. Beautiful flowers abound; everything is manicured and clean. People smile. Each day ends with a series of parades and firework shows that seem to celebrate life and to be intended to remind us that life is, in fact, to be celebrated. Portions of some parks look back favorably to a simpler time, while others look to the future with unbridled optimism. Hope and joy in a sometimes-cynical word.

3. Total immersion -- When you are on vacation at WDW, you are truly on vacation. There is nothing but Disney for miles. No one next to you is hopping a bus for work. Almost everything is themed to the hilt, in impressive detail. Almost wherever you are, you are immersed in Disney, and away from the daily grind.

4. Focus on making children happy -- Sure, there will be meltdowns and squabbles; but the fact that a primary goal is to bring smiles to children’s faces is so, so neat.

5. Uniquely American nostalgia -- Portions of the World (e.g., Main Street, Liberty Square, Tom Sawyer Island, Fort Wilderness) harken back fondly to a past, simpler time that is uniquely American. I love that.

I think Walt got it right on so many levels.

Thoughts? Similar feelings?

Thank you.

Thanks alot....you made me cry! Happy tears!

 

[jennyjinx3]

The Disney "feeling" is so well summed up by the OP. What I don't get are the people who don't feel this way.

Yes!!

 

[Missymouse18]

PeterP- How very much your mind thinks like mine. There are no words to describe the feelings, but you came pretty close. My sons are 22 and 16 and they still "get it." We are a Disney family and it is part of who we are. I can sit on my deck some afternoons, put in a Disney cd, close my eyes, and I can smell the food wafting from Pinocchio's Village Hause, or hear one of Cosmic Ray's corny jokes. Although I live 13 hours from WDW it is never far from my heart and mind... I take it with me every where I go!