Weird for wanting to go to WDW?

[kymom99]

I'm kind of like the poster who said they go once very few years. I would go every year because I like going somewhere familiar where I know what to expect. However, I like to see new things too. This year we went somewhere we had never been before. It was stressful for me because I had no idea what to expect, except for what I read on the internet and in books. I found myself thinking, "Next time I will...." When we go to Disney, we have been there enough that we can be more relaxed. We already know what we like and what we would like to try next time. I would like to go again next summer or the summer after, before my son gets too old to love it, because I know it will happen eventually.

 

[lustergirl]

If you are middle class or lower and you want to go to Disney repetitively during an economic downturn then, yes, it is weird. Otherwise if you are upper middle or better and can safely afford to go without making any major sacrifices then hell who cares what you do with your money. Give it to the mouse all you want - he doesn't mind!

Why oh why would somebody say something like this??

 

[kelsco99]

For me, it's not so much my friends as it is my husband

He doesn't 'get it' at all - but he chooses to spend his money on RC products and racing events while the kids and I do Disney

 

[fairydust1278]

When does it matter what economic or social status you are in? Families of all types go to disney every year! I myself, yet to have been, am planning my family's first trip to the world and the only time we can afford it is income tax time. The rest of my family and certain friends and coworkers think im crazy to be doing it but i want to have a wonderful time on vacation at the most wonderful place of all, DISNEY! I work hard all year for that money and no one but me and my family of 3 get to decide how the money is used.

 

[mefordis]

Thank you! I think a lot of people who have been but don't get why it's so fun just didn't know how to do it right. I remember going in 2003 and not having that great a time because we just showed up. We bought tickets at the front gate and were staying off property (I had a conference at work I was attending). We didn't know where to eat and we were like, "Where are the roller coasters?"

Later, I had my dd and planned another trip and did A LOT of planning, discovered these boards, etc. and had SUCH A GOOD TIME I have gone every year since (one year I went twice!) So if you are clueless I can see how you might describe it as crowded with bad food.

Wow!! This exactly like a lot of my friends and family!! Right down to saying a lot of the exact same things! I thought I was the only that lived around a bunch of fuddy duds that don't know how to let loose, find the long lost kid in them, and enjoy life now!!

Ignore them and continue to enjoy your disney vacations. You will have many wonderful memories to cherish. And I wouldn't doubt it if maybe there's a touch of jealousy when it comes to this criticism . Know what I mean?

Wishing you many, many more wonderful wdw vacations!

P.S. It's your money. You earned it. Spend on what you want!!

 

[cjnix29]

We think this ourselves sometimes! Now, we do take other vacations, but we love going back to WDW. It is our "happy place". The first vacation my husband and I took together, before we were married. It's where we got married, and it's where we love taking our son. We even just booked our
10th anniversary trip. My husband was hesitant, as he was worried people would think we went there too much. (honestly, I would have loved to go to Hawaii!). But we have priced out going many different places. And when you figure what all you get for your vacation dollar, it is really the most afforadable place to go. We can get decent airfare, all entertainment is included. We don't have to rent a car, and with the deals they offer, it is hard not to go! So....I say...who the heck cares! We get grief from people who don't even visit the zoo once a year. So I will enjoy my memories and my scrapbooks for years and years to come!

 

[mefordis]

My husband is he same way. He goes from joking about it with me to thinking I have a few screws loose. I think he blames it on me becoming a stay at home mom. He thinks it made me flighty.

For me, it's not so much my friends as it is my husband

He doesn't 'get it' at all - but he chooses to spend his money on RC products and racing events while the kids and I do Disney

 

[mefordis]

Why oh why would somebody say something like this??

Yeah, I am also confused by this. What if a middle class family had their bills paid and decided to use their extra money on WDW? What is wrong with that?

 

[ScrapperBelle]

I totally love Disney and have been lucky enough to have visited WDW at least every other year since '71 (except for a brief "dry spell" in the early-mid 90's when I was finishing college/starting a family).

In the last several years we have begun to take at least 2 vacations a year and in between we do weekend camping trips not far from home. We try to go to WDW at least once every 12-18mos. I would have absolutely no problem going more often, but there are other places I want to see as well.

I know people who are NASCAR obsessed, National Parks obsessed, Vegas obsessed, etc. These are people who do NOTHING ELSE. So when they say something to me about Disney I remind them that I did go somewhere else last year as well, while they only do their one thing.

I recently had a friend ask me about WDW. Her hubby is one of the NASCAR obsessed. I helped her price a vacation and she was all excited because she said hubby had always said it was too expensive. She said the WDW price was LESS THAN A 1/4 of what they spend each year going to races! He was really shocked when she showed him and they are planning a trip next spring. I told her to be careful, because WDW obsession is contagious!

 

[dyna]

YES I hear it from friends and family all the time. Everyone but my doctor who goes several times a year as well.

My family is now grown DH an I still choose to do disney as often as possible even with no kids which is even more fun than taking the kids.

Those who have went to disney did not like usually went unprepared at a bad time of year did not know how to manage the crowds once there an it soured them on disney for life. I even did that once way back in March of 1987 if not for the internet I prolly still would not do disney to this day.

Also some looks at that 75.00 1 day ticket an says that is to expensive never looks at the fact that more days on the ticket cost less etc. Same with resorts look at the price of a resort they like the name of which very well might be a deluxe an think I can never afford that.

I don't let what others say about my disney addiction bother me to much esp since my doctor is ok with it lol

 

[drewbie'smom]

because my two sons are 7 years and 4 months apart. There are not a lot of vacation destinations that are fun for ALL kids, regardless of age. Yes, when our 2yo is older we do plan to travel to other places (Hawaii, San Francisco, etc.) but for now, we are all happy going to Disney.

We were at Disney in January and it has been all my 2yo has talked about since then (well, until we went to Great Wolf Lodge, now he talks about going back to both). Our next trip is in two weeks, and both of the boys are so excited!

Yes, all of our friends think we are crazy but we are not ones to really care what anyone else thinks...

 

[Traveliz]

Sure I hear it all the time and I quickly turn it around to whatever "their thing" is...

So for my brother I say Disney is my boat.

To my other brother I saying Disney is my golfing.

To another I say its my hunting.

To others its my country club, my cabin, my day trips, my garden, my shoe collection, my whatever it is that they collect/obsess about.

And then I move on.

And yes middle class here and its all about what you want to do with your time/money.

Liz

 

[Toots]

I hear it from friends also. But I equate our every other year trip to Disney to a family who owns a beach or lake cottage. The surroundings are familiar and comfortable and you probably know the best restaurants.

We could spend a week at the coast getting a tan and reading a great book, but Disney works for us. We are never bored and usually get a ton of exercise during our week long vacation.

 

[Amanda888]

I get this crap all the time. My mom and 2 younger sisters try to go every year. Ive been going since I was 8 years old (now 29 in September ) and we all have some of our happiest memories there. We havent been able to afford to go in a few years, but I recently started making pretty decent money and Im treating them to a trip Sept 10-14th at our fav resort the Contemporary!

Everyone says...for the amount of money Im spending why would I go to Disney? Its for little kids. I think thats what people dont understand though...I like feeling like Im a little kid again. I like to feel like Im 8 years old again. My boyfriend of 4 years is not a Disney fan and secretly thinks Im nuts for being so Disney obsessed, but never says it aloud, or has ever made me feel bad about it. Thats how I know its

If people can see that going to Disney makes you happy...why would they want to rain on your parade? I really dont get it? Thank goodness for this forum...I knew I wasnt the only Dis nut out there. And who else thinks planning every last Disney Vacation detail is half the fun?

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Dh doesn't quite 'get' it...but then he does whatever I want to anyway.

I've always gone about every other year...so since we've been married...I've mixed in a few 'different' type trips....like Washington DC and Snow Skiing...

And While I enjoyed the DC/Snow trips SOMEWHAT....it was SO stressful NOT KNOWING Where we were...what we were doing...where we would eat....etc... I might just let DH plan the "other" trips in the future...

at WDW I KNOW all the above even if I'm mixing in something new....so It's more relaxing and a NOT-stressful vacation.

ALSO - when you are taking your children to WDW while they are growing up you are truly seeing everything through different eyes every single visit!

I've seen DS17 running up to characters, growing out of that and growing into helping me find 'hidden mickeys'.....it's been a different visit every time we've been....and although he's now 17 and has been 10 times....he still LOVES it !

Folks that dont' get it? They'll come running to YOU when they are ready to plan their visit! I've got a few at work that are ready for me to plan for them.

 

[tinksgilrs251520]

In my opinion it does not matter what "CLASS" you are if you research the whole thing out and take part in the deals that they have anybody can go some people have to work harder like me.. My family has let me do landscaping for work and they said I would pay somebody else to do it so why not you. They help me take vacations so I can go... I know that sounds weird but we are struggling just like a majority of the country are right now but sometimes you just have to or you will go crazy!!! My DH is not a Disney nut like I am but he understands why I feel the need to go and he lets me. I have cut out going out to eat as much and I pick up extra shifts at work. So the person who said that about what class you are makes the differance on whether you can or should go well you are entitled to your opinion but i dont agree with that we all need some Disney Magic.

 

[hpgirl500]

I actually just had this conversation with my two cousins (same age). We went with them last week to Disney, and while they enjoyed it, this trip would last them for probably another 15-20 years. When we got back and my sister and I already started planning how we were going to go in 2011 (i.e., discussing autograph books, where we would need to eat, shirts, etc.), they asked us why we were so obsessed. Not in an accusing way, but in a baffled way.

Sis and I just turned it right back around and told them, "Look, you two just had a five minute debate about whether the last few lines of the Star Trek movie were also in the later series. You geek out about that sort of thing, and we geek out about Disney."

Fortunately, after going there and doing it the right way (i.e., the avoiding lines and heat way), they did get that it wasn't just for kids; they just hadn't been going for years and didn't understand that magic that it holds for our family (which has been going about every year, on average). For me and my sister, at least (still not quite sure about Dad), there's something really homey about walking down Main Street. It just feels like a second home sometimes.

 

[cassandrap83]

Maybe the nay-sayers are just jealous? Or, maybe you're even being too braggy? Or maybe it's both?

It's hard to contain the excitement (as I'm learning!) & even this being our 1st trip people think we're crazy for going. I'm almost positive it's b/c I talk about it all the time. I'm trying not to....

 

[jmskinner]

We are currently living an hour away from WDW. Sadly we will eventually have to move, military family, my DH and his Mother have both said I will need an intervention when we move.

 

[doryfan]

My friends and family feel the same way....I dont think my kids are even as excited as I am about our upcoming trip! However, I dont go often...this is my first visit in 6 years and my 4th ever! I think I need to change that.

Everyone says Im obsessed, because Im always on these boards or looking up something to do w/Disney...and oh trying to plan the ADR's....no one understood my stress over that, lol.

Thank goodness my boss likes me alot and just laughs at me when I was booking ADR's instead of working, lol. I think they just all need a trip there themselves so they will understand.