The million dollar question

[jellydisney]

Originally posted by mariessas_mom
I have only been to WDW twice and planning my third trip. I get the same thing from family and friends - "why do you want to go there again, it is so expensive." I find that most of these people fit into two categories.

1. They have never been and just don't get it!!
2. They are jealous because they can't go!

Either way, I don't care what they think. Yes, it is expensive, if not, I would be there much more! But isn't it worth it? Do you think you would ever see an Illuminations type display at your local amusement park. Never!! Will you ever have that tingle in your tummy when you walk down main street in MK and see the castle up ahead anywhere else? Never!! That is why we continue to go back. We have reality all of the time, it is the magic we seek trip after trip!

I totally agree!! I LOVE the "artificiality," if you will, of Disney. I know that word has bad connotations to it, but it's really a wonderful thing. Disney is like someone took reality and perfected it. It's a world where the sidewalks are always clean, the landscaping is immaculate, there's always plenty to do, the weather is consistently gorgeous, and that's where the magic is.

I've had a lot of people my own age laugh at me when I tell them I'm spending spring break at Disney--they'd rather go to Ft. Launderdale, fry their skin all day, and get blotto every night (YUCK!). I've also known family friends who would roll their eyes whenever we said we were going back to Disney, but personally I chalk it up to jealousy. They could go to Disney too! It IS possible to do Disney on a budget! What are they saving for anyway? Live in the present, go on vacation NOW!

 

[ead79]

Oh goodness yes, I have definitely been criticized. My attitude is basically who cares what others think of my vacation plans. I don't care for skiing, which other people love, so I don't really worry about what they think of my vacationing. I love Disney so much because it has such a magical, happy atmosphere. I love all the things there are to do in the parks, but I also love relaxing at their wonderfully themed resorts.

 

[ashjohnson80]

It's so nice to see people who feel the same way about WDW as I do. My mom thinks that I have a hard time dealing with reality and that I'm obsessed with a fantasy land and that's why I go once a year. Also people think that I'm hoarding money away to go. But we drive (7 hours) and I got a hotel room for $37/night. Where else can you stay for that?!?!

 

[Karibeth19]

As a kid, my parents took me to Disney 4 times; Disneyland at age 5, and WDW at ages 12, 14, and 16. When I was 18 and graduating high school my parents offered to take me on a graduation trip. They offered everywhere from Europe to Hawaii. Guess where I picked? Yup, Disney! Three years later, the Summer after my Junior year of college, my parents asked where I wanted to go as a kind of "last" family vacation before I got married the following year. Yup, you guessed it! Disney again! And when my soon-to-be husband and I were trying to decide where to go on our honeymoon, where was the only place we could both agree on? Disney!!!! Unfortunately, the first few years of our marriage, we were too poor to vacation anywhere other than at his parents house in Houston, and once we did have money, we had an infant and DH had a job with little vacation time. So, last year, after 10 years, we finally were able to return "home" and it was the most wonderful trip I've ever had. There were so many things that were new to us (TOT was being built during our honeymoon, and AK didn't even exist), and what a change to experience Disney, not as a kid or young adult, but as a wife and mother of a 5 yr old little girl. Magical doesn't even begin to describe it! The day we got home, we started planning to go back this year. We just went again three weeks ago, and are trying to find time in Dec. to go back. In fact, we're looking into buying into DVC and going every year! I'm sure people will think it's silly, but who cares? They obviously don't "get it", and I just feel sorry for them. For us, Disney is magic, fun, togetherness, and memories, and definitely worth the time and expense!

 

[MELSMICE]

I used to let the comments bother me, but now I don't care. I think it's gotten to the point that people know where we'll be vacationing before we even mention it.

As far as going with or without kids, they are totally different vacations. I have to see I was eating my words when my DH planned a trip for the 2 of us without our 3 DD's. I didn't think I could have fun without our girls, but we had such a good time we are hoping to plan another adults only trip this year!!

With kids, without kids, solo, or with a ton of relatives, it's always a great time.

The people that don't understand it never will. WDW is not just a theme park - it's a whole experience!!!

 

[Jynohn]

My DH used to be one of those people who "didn't get it."

Whenever I would mention another trip to WDW, he would just remind me that there are many other places that we've never visited. The thing is, I like to be entertained when I'm on vacation. Like some others mentioned, I'm not the sort to just lie around on the beach for a week. Disney World has so much to do for any mood that you're in.

I'm happy to report, that DH is officially converted now! After our trip with the kids last month, he had so much fun that he's the one that actually suggested that we go back for our anniversary by ourselves this fall. One less person I have to explain "why Disney again" to!

Looks like it's time to change my countdown.....

 

[leighe]

My parents took us to the Poly for about two weeks every summer when I was at home, so to me not going to Disney is unthinkable. I always looked forward to the trip as a magical event - totally unlike any other place on earth - even when I was 15, 16, 17 and WAY to cool for everything and rolled my eyes all the time. When I was in college I did all the college spring breaks (Cancun, South Padre) and travelled in Europe and still my favorite place on earth is WDW. After I got married I had to DRAG DH on our first trip and now he loves it! We are taking his parents this spring break in the hopes of converting them as well.

I get sooooo annoyed when people criticize our decisions to go to Disney. I have friends who have been going to the same beach house on Hilton Head Island since we were like 4, but for some reason that's not odd - it's tradition! One teacher at my school is even halfway offended that I love DW so much. She went there on her honeymoon and "was bored and hated it so much that we wanted to leave early."

Anyway, it's very comforting to know there are so many normal people with happy attitudes like us out there!

 

[luv2tvl]

It's like we have our own support group.... "Hello, My name is Emily, I'm 30 years old, no kids yet, and I'm addicted to Disney!"

For my husband and I it's not so much that Disney is a destination for us, it's a FEELING. When someone asks where we are going to get out of the snow here in Nebraska, we respond "we are going to our happy place" and they immeadiately know what we are talking about.

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by leighe
One teacher at my school is even halfway offended that I love DW so much. She went there on her honeymoon and "was bored and hated it so much that we wanted to leave early."

Good - less people in the parks & less people in lines. Keep those "non-believers" at home so they don't rain on our parades!!!

 

[mariessas_mom]

Originally posted by luv2tvl
It's like we have our own support group.... "Hello, My name is Emily, I'm 30 years old, no kids yet, and I'm addicted to Disney!"

For my husband and I it's not so much that Disney is a destination for us, it's a FEELING. When someone asks where we are going to get out of the snow here in Nebraska, we respond "we are going to our happy place" and they immeadiately know what we are talking about.

WOW, I couldn't have said it any better. You are so right. It is a FEELING and a great one at that!!

 

[#1 Mickey Fan]

It's like we have our own support group.... "Hello, My name is Emily, I'm 30 years old, no kids yet, and I'm addicted to Disney!"

As long as we're starting a support group...

Hello, My name is Lori, I'm 26 years old, no kids yet, and I'm addicted to Disney!

I've been going to Disney since I was 5 years old and when I took my boyfriend for the first time 4 years ago, I explained it to him like this.

Disney can be whatever you make of it. If you want to see a person in a character costume, that's what you'll see. But if you BELIEVE that it's really Mickey...then it's really Mickey! As long as you believe in the magic, there's no way to have a bad time. We ended up having such a fabulous trip that we've been back every year since, and we have another trip planned for May.

It really is a feeling you get when you are there. It's pretty hard to describe, but I know that all of you know what I mean.

I was just talking with my co-workers today about our upcoming trip and they were all looking at me like I'm crazy. I'm used to it now and it doesn't really bother me. Not when I know that there are lots of other people out there that feel the same way I do!

After talking about my trip, my boss approached me and told me that she and her husband are planning a trip with their two little girls for March and asked if I would help her with some of the planning. I think that I will tell her the same thing that I told my boyfriend. Just believe in the magic and you're sure to have a great time!

 

[2disneyagain]

I, too have been going to WDW very frequently and get the same stares and reactions when I tell people where we are going for vacation. Every time we go, we make it a point to do something we have never done. We (dh, dd11 and myself) never get sick of it. When we are in WDW, it is like nothing else exists. It really is magical.

I know people that have gone and didn't enjoy it. I think people who go and don't enjoy it just don't know how to have fun.

I will never get tired of WDW.

 

[SuBeat]

We've gotten to the point of saying we just aren't going to tell anybody where we are going. But we (I) get excited and always do. There is nothing quite like that look people give you is there? And it only intensifies when we mention things like "escape from reality" or "magic." Then it occurs to me that I could talk till I was blue, and these people will never get it. For the record, I am related to a lot of those people.

As for those that go and don't have fun? We've decided they just aren't doing it right.

 

[opal]

We have gone at least once a year for the last 13 years and we too get the same reaction:
....what, going there again.....but, it's sooooo expensive....wouldn't you like to go other places...etc

yeah, it is expensive, but so is going on a cruise or to a carribean resort...anyone priced the cost of a week at a "golf resort" lately and none of those vacations have the ability to keep everyone in the family happy.

Don't get me wrong, DH and I have gone on other vacations over the years and had a great time, but when you taking kids (ha, mine is 21!) you can't beat the diversity of Disney. There's always something new to do! New for us this year will be visiting some of the clubs on the Boardwalk, now that DD is legal. We are also staying at Y & B for the first time, Space for the first time, breakfast at Boma and contemplating the surfing lessons at Typhoon Lagoon.

Oh darn, another boring vacation at WDW!

 

[wishuponastarforever]

My family has been going to Disney World since the mid 70's.
We get "Disney deficient" if we don't go for a while. There are people I know who react in a negative way when they hear we are going again. Some people just don't get it.
It doesn't matter - I am just grateful I am married to someone who feels the same. We've also raised three more Disney fans.
What better way to feel and stay young.

 

[eelderm1]

Hello, I am a 30 year old mother of a 10 year old boy and a 2 year old girl. I am a Disney World fanatic. We love going ! I finally saved up enough money to take my son for the first time when he was 6, we have been back atlreast twice every year since. The 2 year old has already been three times (once in my stomach).We went just last Dec. and are actually going back for a surprise visit in 5 weeks, and we don't have that much money I just budget really well. I get the same remarks and stares every time we go. People say I know Disney again, they say why don't you go somewhere else, they say you are going to get sick of it. Yeah right that will never happen! In December as we watched Illuminations, I held my baby on my hip and had my other arm around my sons shoulder. I looked at him and I said you know this just never gets old, and he looked at me and said I am so happy to be here again. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Disney gives you such a feeling I just can't fully put into words, I know you all know what I mean. I say I just feel sorry for all the other people who just aren't fortunate enough to GET it.

 

[DznyDreams]

Originally posted by SuBeat
There is nothing quite like that look people give you is there? And it only intensifies when we mention things like "escape from reality" or "magic." Then it occurs to me that I could talk till I was blue, and these people will never get it. For the record, I am related to a lot of those people.

SuBeat--

First of all let me just say, "HELLO, fellow Texan!"

We must be related to some of the same people because, when it comes to WDW, there are very few members of my own family who "get it!"

I am also one of those who says, "I'm just not going to tell anyone where we are going this year." But as time draws near I just cannot help myself, and I usually blab to someone. HOWEVER, I'm doing a great job of keeping our upcoming March trip a secret from EVERYONE--including DH & DD who will be more than just pleasantly surprised when I tell them. I just mention it on these boards from time to time just so I can "get it off my chest."

 

[Richard Weiss]

Ken:

It's Your vacation dollars are being utilized when you go to WDW, it does matter what others think. You and your children enjoy your financial and time investments that is the important factor of consideration. Disney World provides a real good bang for your vacation dollars. There is a wide range of amusements and wonders to behold. You can spend several days visiting the assorted and varied Disney Resorts, and not even go inside a theme park.

Don't let on what your vacation plans are to your fellows.

Rich Weiss

 

[luvdisney81]

I took my best friend for her first time every in May, one day only. She was 5 months pregnant, it was humid and we did Animal Kingdom, rough terrain. She could not understand why in the world I just adore WDW, saying its just some rides and no park is that good. Well the moment she walked in, and through the garden walk, saw the TOL then she knew. She talks about WDW every single day, we are headed back this March, with her husband who's never been. He has the same mentality, nothing can be that good. There is not such thing as magic.

It is just a feeling you get, it is my utopia. You can forget the outside world, everyone is happy. You just don't ride attractions, you learn, I've learned Swahili, even won a contest simply from what I've learned on the Safari Trek! You learn about the future, the past, not just cartoons or cotton candy. I meet the best people there, your guard is let down. No one talks to anyone anymore. We see people loving their jobs.

My co-workers rag me about being disney obsessed too because I do mention it a lot. But I light up when I talk about it. I think it will keep me young throughout life. I simply reconnect with myself there like no other place.

 

[Jackie824]

Ive been over 10 times. And this May will be our 3rd time in 3 yrs. People do make comments,not always bad. I always have a comeback. I say "You either feel the magic or you dont. I FEEL the magic" And then, I just leave it at that.