What do you tell people...

[princess aurora]

(okay this is going to sound like psycho-babble but...) Honestly it IS the feelings the "World" give you that makes it different. As kids you are in awe and it's magical. There are not a lot of places like that for adults and as we mature (some of us anyway ) we lose touch with our inner child. We forget how to play. We forget how to live life and experience the joys that beautiful colours and a simply shaped topiary tree can bring to us. We forget that it's okay to run to the next ride, event because we are excited. We are truly brought back to a simpler time when all was done for you and you truly don't have to do it yourself. As parents to watch and actually participate with your children on this level is probably so good for your mental health it boggles the mind.

You are allowed to be silly at the "World" and dress in funny hats and get caught up in trading pins and collecting Mickey earrings or watches. For a brief shiny moment (let's face it, very brief in this cruel harsh world) all is right and good just the way you hoped it would be.

Now of course every single moment is not like that. Sometimes there are long lines and cranky kids and sore feet and grumpy parents and hot sun and rainy days etc.... but when that feeling strikes, whether it's getting teary-eyed walking through the gates, seeing Mickey Mouse or watching fireworks it is the best feeling in the world and YOU know "it's" there and you know you want to feel it over and over again.

So next time someone doesn't get "it" just smile one of those secret I-know-something-you-don't-know-smiles and be thankful that you "get it."

I just had a thought. Walt must be so happy and proud now knowing his dream is such a gift to us and yes there are some who just enjoy the park for it's amusement but there are those of us who really get it. We are the ones that all give a little nod to him when we see him in front of Cinderella Castle holding Mickey's hand looking out over his reality. Gosh I just gave myself goosebumps. For all my DIS buddies -

 

[Snow Shoe]

From our familie's very first vist in 86', to our up an coming one in July, I still get the same feeling about Disney, and to put into words it goes like this...."It's the only place I can go and feel I've realllllly had a vacation. I forget about the oustide world and become a kid again!" People that don't get it, have the "problem" IMO.

 

[PamNC]

"you don't know what you're missing, trust me!" Or I say, "you go to the same beach every year and rent the same house or condo." Depends on the person making the comment or the situation. But, lots of folks don't get it. Poor Poor Pitiful Them.

And lucky us!

PamNC

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

There are 2 types of people who don't get it, ones who have never been and those who have been and don't have the magic in their heart. They only see the negatives and can't embrace the fantasy of it all. No pixie dust. They are too serious.

I think that most of the WDW lovers either grew up going or grew up with the Disney experience being important in their childhood. I watched the Wonderful World of Disney religiously, had to see every movie, bought the books and toys. Tried and tried to get my parents to take us, but they were beach people. When I had children of my own I knew we would go. We started with my oldest's first trip in 2000 and have made 9 trips total.

People know that we are crazy about it. If they start with how much they disliked WDW, I always ask when they went, where they stayed,did they get a discount, did they get there early, did they use FastPass, etc. I want them to understand that the "bad trip" they had might have something to do with their own choices and not with WDW itself!

 

[sleepyone]

Our first trip to WDW was supposed to be a cruise for dh and me but, we decided let's bring the kids. Then a regular cruise didn't seem to suite us with the kids so we thought "let's check out the cost of a Disney cruise". One thing led to another and our plans were totally different; a week at AKL. I was excited to be going to WDW just as any vacation *gasp*. Once I actually got to the hotel the CM's were so friendly and those little Mickey soaps reeled me in . All the sights, smells, every detail is perfect. Everyone seems so kind at WDW. There is so much to see and do. Usually by the last day of a vacation, I'm ready to go home this time none of us wanted to leave. I realized it was more than a vacation it was MAGIC. I guess what I'm saying is until you've been it seems like a place just for kids until you realize it's just perfect for YOU too. Then no other vacation measures up.

 

[39CINDERELLA]

I was just at Disney in December and am going back in early May and you should see the looks, eye rolls and condesending smiles I get!

Do I care?....NOPE!

Do I even TRY to explain?...NOPE!

I figure it's like camping...people can explain it to me all they want, but I will never get it!

People either get it or they don't and to try to explain it to someone who has never been (and has no desire to go) is usually a waste of my time and theirs. They can roll their eyes all they want and I don't give a fig because
I'm going to back Disney World!

Personally, I don't get people who go on vacation to lay on a beach all day, but hey it's ok by me, that's one less person in the line in front of me at Haunted Mansion, to each his own!

well said!
we went last Oct. and are going in JUne people just don't get it ask me if we are still going so soon after our last trip. We only spent one day last Oct. in Mk the rest was SW and DTD, it was only a 4 day trip. We now don't tell people until we are ready to go so we don't have to deal with their crap!

 

[tc]

We will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in May, at WDW. This will be our 12th trip. When people ask me why we go every year. I tell them that it's a total break from reality for me. I am truly on vacation there. It's an escape, and I can't find that escape at the beach or the mountains, or anywhere else. Most of my friends just know I'll be going to WDW for my next vacation, whether they understand or not.

I had some friends who just returned from a Florida trip (they did Sea World and other Orlando attractions, including WDW). They have 8 kids. They did Epcot, MK and MGM with no planning. Stayed offsite and were miserable. The lines at MK were crazy (they arrived on a Saturday at 11:00). They were miserable and didn't understand what I love about it. I asked them how they liked Buzz, the didn't go on it. Neither did they see Mickey's Philharmagic or Haunted Mansion. At MGM, no WWTBAM, Star Tours, Beauty and the Beast or Muppets 3d (all my favorites). They just wandered aimlessly with no plan. I asked them how they liked fastpass, and their reply? "What's fastpass?" I told them that with planning, and research, their vacation would have been so much better (which I told them before they left, but my words were not heeded). They've decided not to return to WDW, it's "overrated". Too bad for them!

I told them that if they do decide to go again, call me, and I'll help them plan a trip that will be far more relaxing and they'll get so much more done.

 

[mommykds]

I could talk about Disneyworld ad naseum...but I only do it with people (like you guys here) that appreciate the magic.

Disneyworld is a wonderful place for people of all ages. Its a place to make memories with your family & friends...

We should all look at these poor misguided folks who don't "get" Disney as less competition for hotels, rides, & the all important CRT PS!!!! :

Let them sit on a beach all vacation, I'll have my Mickey hat on eating a mickey bar in front of Peter Pan's Flight anyday.

 

[Disney Fool]

what's that quote from "Alice in Wonderland"? "What is said is exactly what I meant, no more, no less. For those who do not understand, no explanation is necessary." That's about how I feel towards those who "don't get it". --No explanation is necessary. I just smile and keep on planning.

 

[Trixiezzz]

I was just at Disney in December and am going back in early May and you should see the looks, eye rolls and condesending smiles I get!!

Same here.....we went in December and are returning in September. And I've found myself NOT TELLING people, just to avoid having to see their shock!