This drives me crazy, to the point where I want to pull my hair out

[Disney1fan2002]

I just don't get it. Even if I was not a huge Disney fanatic, even before I was 27 years old, and took my 1st trip to Disney, I knew! I understood that the state of Florida and all the other theme parks in it, was NOT Disney!!!!

This was a conversation I had last night with the owner of the sub shop I got dinner from. We often discuss Disney, because he likes taking his kids down, and he knows how much we love to go.

J: Hey, how's everything going?

Me: Oh, pretty good thanks. I'm kind of getting homesick for Disney. We haven't gone in over a year and don't have a trip planned until late next year.

J: Oh yeah? We just went to Disney in August. It was hot, but the crowds weren't bad. It really surprised me. I was expecting it to be a lot more crowded.

Me: Did you go in late August? I think that is a good time to go for thinner crowds. The southern schools are back in session. Hey! Did to check out the American Idol experience?

J: No, what's that? Where is that?

Me: It's in Hollywood Studios.

J: Oh, we only did 3 parks this time. We didn't make it there. We went to Universal, SeaWorld and Wet & Wild. Oh, and we don't stay right in Disney. We stay in Kissimee.

Me:[biting my cheeks] Oh yeah you have some timeshares down there, right? Ok, well have a good night. Nice talking to you. (I left with my food very, very frustrated)

What is it that makes people believe that the entire Kissimee area is Disney? I just don't get it. My sister went down a few years ago, she spent a half day in Magic Kingdom on her 9 day trip. They rest of the time was doing SeaWorld, gatorworld, ect. She told people all about her "Disney trip".

I need to get a life, because this bothers me way too much.

 

[SydSim]

I totally understand what you're saying. My pet peeve is the "birth control" question:

Me: Do you know what kind of birth control you will use?

Patient: Yeah, birth control.

Me: You mean birth control pills?

Patient: Yeah

Ummm, birth control means a wide variety of things, so you have to be a little more specific

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I know what you mean. A few years ago, I helped one of my kids' teachers plan her trip to Disney, and I asked her about it when she got back. She said she had a great time, but they only spent one day at Disney. ??? I asked her what she did the rest of the time...she said "MGM, Epcot and Animal Kingdom."

 

[HM]

I see this too.

Why do you suppose people make this mistake?

Is is because we are a country of geography nitwits?

 

[SC Minnie]

I had someone ask me about the Disney Cruise the other day. They are leaving for one in the next couple of days and wanted some pointers on what to do etc. One of her questions was 'Is there anywhere on the ship to buy discounted park tickets? We would like to spend 1 day at Seaworld after the cruise.'

 

[LuvOrlando]

I think what is happening is that Disney is doing such a god job branding itself that the entire region has become synonymous with the WDW complex. This happens with brand names pretty often, which is why sometimes even brand names become generic and can no longer be protected by law... but I don't know if its so common with an entire region of the country. It is true that all a person has to do is mention Disney and we all not only know exactly where they are going but we also know what sort of trip is being planned. I find this stuff fascinating but it doesn't bother me at all.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I sometimes feel the same when people confuse North and South Carolina. (It's really easy--North Carolina is the northern one....and South Carolina....is the southern one.)

I think LuvOrlando said it nicely. I don't think people are....geography challenged to not know the Disney isn't all of Orlando/Kissimmee. I feel it's more that they can be part of the "in-crowd" and check off the Disney box.

 

[720L]

I have a girlfriend going to Disney soon. I ask her what parks she is going to. She replies "Disney World"...............I tell her there are 4 parks plus water parks etc. Then she says "I want to go to the one with the castle." She had no idea there were 4 parks.

 

[NotUrsula]

Obviously, none of these people have ever read anything by Carl Hiaasen.