W.I.S.H.-Wide Monday Mixer!

[corinnak]

Woops - it was one of THOSE mornings, and I just realized it's Monday Mixer Day! I've got Pina Colavas to make it up to you, though:

Here's a not-necessarily-training-related question for this week:

I assume most if not all of us on this site are fans of the Disney theme parks.
What keeps you coming back to the Disney theme parks for more?

 

[mla1977]

WDW is my happy place! I keep finding new things to see and do every time I visit and I've now have friends that I am able to visit or meet up with while I am down there. That is just an added bonus!

 

[solar]

I love that there are so many details EVERYWHERE...you can come multiple times and it can feel like a different trip everytime...or do your favorites over and over again

I love that even waiting in line, there's attention to details- and the choice...so many hotels, so many parks, so many places to eat - you can make it a great trip with kids, great trip without kids, it's a year round place...

great location, lots to do and lots of details!

 

[rubato]

I know everybody says it, but, for me, it's the MAGIC. Every detail is perfect. And, the CMs are fantastic!

 

[my3princes]

WDW has something to offer all age groups, how can you go wrong. We are DVC owners so we get to take things at a slower pace. What's not to love, the magic, the excitement, the food, the characters, the fun.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I know you said it was a non-training related question -- but honestly what keeps us coming back is Marathon weekend! My dh cannot stand WDW, but thinks marathon weekend is extremely well-run and a good time for all.

If it were just me, I would say the beloved rides and shows. I think Philharmagic is a celebration all by itself, and once you add other rides, attractions, shows and the ease of getting around (plus a comfy room and Disney merchandise on every corner!), it's a nice vacation.

Maria

 

[jmasgat]

I like the surroundings (of a Disney resort) and the way I feel when I'm at Disney. I tend to be a nicer person than I am in "real life"! And by now, I've also gotten to the point where I can really relax and not feel compelled to run around and do everything. And that is a tendency I have when I am going other places that I have never been--any may never get to again in my life.

Plus-- and my DH and many friends would gag at this-- there is an ordered beauty in the parks and resorts that I can appreciate. Just yesterday, while out for my run, I thought about how nice it would be to be in Epcot, just strolling around with a glass of wine, or a beer, or a margarita, and admiring the beautfiul flowers and the fountains.

I know it's faux/schmaltzy/contrived/artificial--but I don't care. It makes me feel happy.

Maura

 

[laughinplace199]

Corinna - Thanks for the Pina Colavas - my favorite WDW concoction.

We keep coming back to Disney because it's never the same place twice. There are always new things to see and do. Plus, sometimes we go without the kids (shhhhh ..don't tell them that), and we've been able to do things like the Segway tour, Jellyrolls, spending time in the parks during evening EMH hours, etc. that we wouldn't be able to do with the kids. Each trip is so different.

We're headed back in April. DS8 is finally tall enough for Rock N Roller Coaster and DS3 is now tall enough for Goofy's Barnstormer. DD10 is looking forward to drawing a character at the end of the Animation tour.

Maria - If your DH doesn't like to go to WDW (except for the marathon), do you get a chance to spend time in the parks during marathon weekend?

 

[tiberius]

That is one good looking drink, Corinna!

What keeps me coming back is the melding of a great vacation experience with the "Disney bubble". Disney is the only place over the years that I have truly been able to forget the outside world and really get away from all my worries in this world. There is something exhilarating about thinking that the hardest decision you have to make is whether to get a Dole Whip or Mickey Bar!

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

I guess the only way I can answer this is in a list

-I come back to see Fantasmic. I don't care what anyone says, it's the best thing at Disney and they need to bring it back every night.
-The technology behind the rides and details never cease to amaze me
-Everyone is nice. It's the only place I know of where complete strangers meet on a bus and then will do rides together
-It's an escape from reality
-Dole Whips, cinnamon rolls from Tusker House, Mickey bars, the pretzels sticks dipped in chocolate and then rolled in sprinkles....need I go on?

On a more serious note, I feel like I've grown up at Disney. It's where my family goes to bond, where it doesn't matter if Dad and I act like complete kids or if Mom wears something a little more flirtatious than she would at work. Disney is a part of so many of my memories that it seems odd to continue without it. While family trips are now a little harder to pull off, I'm not sad. I look forward to making my own Disney memories with my boyfriend, and eventually watching my kids as they hug Mickey for the first time. And then being able to go back and share these memories with my parents, to keep the legacy going. So I guess the real reason I keep coming back is.....it's Disney.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Maria - If your DH doesn't like to go to WDW (except for the marathon), do you get a chance to spend time in the parks during marathon weekend?

The previous two years I was able to talk him into going to a few parks, but this year he wanted no part of it. We moved to Universal on Sunday. He doesn't mind if I want to go by myself, he just doesn't like it, and feels it's a bit much to pay for something he really won't enjoy.

I'm not sure what we'll do next year -- he's probably going to do the Full, so I guess we might move along on Monday. If he does, I'll probably go to a park by myself Sunday. I'm smiling just thinking about choosing the perfect one for that day!

Maria

 

[MouseDogMom]

Love the drink - it was just what I needed after a run!

I think Maura said it best, but I like Richard's "Disney Bubble" too. From the moment we pass under the gate, I know everything will be close to perfect. The cast members, the attention to detail, the cleanliness - and I don't have to make decisions other than which ice cream treat to buy next. I absolutely hate the feeling at the end of the trip when we go back under the gate in the opposite direction, because I know I have to return to the real world, and I like my magical place so much better.

And as for SoccerDog, well, it is the family memories too. All three of us love it there, and we're happiest when planning the next trip. I've watched her grow up there, and many of our best memories are at WDW.

Jackie

 

[laughinplace199]

I'm smiling just thinking about choosing the perfect one for that day!
Maria

I can understand why you're smilling - I think the planning is half the fun! And if you can't wait until January, I can always make room in our suitcase if you want to join us at WDW in April. It would be so easy to pick you up on the way to the airport.

 

[VernRDH]

Disney is magical. As others have said, you leave all you worries and everyday "stuff" at the airport and just enjoy yourself. And no two trips are the same. Some things I can do over and over (Phillarmagic) and never tire of. And the dining choices, Dole Whips, Mickey Bars, Goofy's Candy Kitchen, Disney is just joy to us.

 

[liznboys]

I've got Pina Colavas to make it up to you, though:

Drool!!! I have been totally craving a pina colada (never had a colava, but I think I would like it!) from the Poly the past few days!

What keeps me coming back to WDW? I don't know if I can put it into words. Bottom line, it is truly my happy place.

 

[fairestoneofall]

what keeps me coming back?

when i walk through the gates, i am ten years old again. i enjoy WDW as an adult. but i enjoy it more as a mom. i love seeing it through my kids' eyes. i love feeling like a kid and enjoying it with my kids.

i don't worry about things. the daily stresses of life go away. and i can truly relax and have fun without any nagging thoughts in the back of my mind.

i like when our trip coincides with the end of my holiday season. i'm a photographer and my holiday season is non-stop. our last trip was in the middle of my holiday season. i had to come back to major stress. i much prefer the trip when my season is done and i can truly relax!

at least the half-marathon falls in my off month, so i can relax (well, not totally since i'll be running)!

 

[sk8ingmom]

It is the only place on earth where my 9 & 11 year old DSs will voluntarily reach out to hold my hand. Besides, it is fun!

Seriously, my boys have lived in 4 states, in 5 houses and attended 4 schools (by 4th & 5th grade). We go to WDW (or DL) every year - it is about the only consistent thing in their lives! I won't blame them at all if wherever we end up when they are in college or adults doesn't feel like 'home', but maybe I can get them to meet us at Disney with their families. I'm gonna need more DVC points . . .

 

[tiberius]

It's a new week, a new Monday and time for a new Monday Mixer!


First I'd like to give a big shout-out to the WISH Princess runners this past weekend. I am sure you were all awesome and wish that I could have been there with you.


Since Corinna is traveling today, I have volunteered to host the Mixer for a day.


So have a drink, relax a bit and join in the Mixer with us....

In honor of those who ran the Princess Half as their favorite princess (and other Disney races as their favorite characters), tell us all a bit about your favorite Disney characters.

 

[my3princes]

My favorite disney character has evolved over the years. It used to be Minnie as she was the only girl in the fab five and my husband and I have 3 boys so it just made sense. However I have grown into Tink. I've got a bit of an attitude and seem to have a lot of her other attributes too. My bathroom is now done in Tink and the men of my life tell me that there testosterone levels drop every time they walk in there. Of course they are not as neat as me so I keep threatening to put in a "tinkle" cam

 

[Worfiedoodles]

As you can tell by my avatar, I'm a Belle girl! I love her because she has an unquenchable love for books, the heart to fight for what is important to her, and she recognizes Gaston is slimy and demeaning to women -- and she wants no part of him, she'd rather be with the Beast, who is beautiful on the inside rather than the outside. Pardon the pun, but she has character!

Maria