What's with the addiction?

[figmentvi]

Yes, I am addicted. But, it's not illegal, immoral or fattening. What other vices can you say that about? lol Mickey

No......but it is expensive. LOL

My first trip was in 1978 and I cried like a baby when I first saw the castle. It was a little girl's dream that came true when she was all grown up.

Why am I addicted????? Because I still get that same feeling 25 years later.

 

[goofyernmost]

This is a great thread. I stated before that I remembered the feeling from my first trip with my family and as they say in the movie (or something like it) "You had me when you said hello"!

I have gone several time since then, some with the family, some with mentally challanged and physically challanged individuals that I excorted to the "Worlds" and by myself. The feeling was present on every trip.

I now have three grandchildren that will soon be old enough to bring and I cannot wait. That is about 5 years away but I am counting down. I look at them as addicts in the making. It will be great fun. In the meantime, I am planning my next trip in March of 2004. Sadly, I can't go this year but I spend a lot of time looking at my WDW Explorer to try and imagine that I am there.

 

[Trish5768]

I must admit that when I went in 96, I did not really want to go. I had never been there and if it had not been for a promise that I had made to my then 9 yo DS I probably would not have ever been there. Well the promise was made when he was 6 or 7, I would take him to DW before he was 10. I did, and boy I never expected what I found. I figured it would be a huge playground for kids, a amusement park that was just high dollar. I could never have been more wrong. We had the time of our lives! That trip still is the best trip ever-I was an awe. I remember leaving and as we crossed the Orlando/Disney line our driver saying welcome back to reality, I almost cried. Truer words have never been spoken. It is magic of the best kind and it is addictive. I have tried to go back every year since and this year (with good codes) will go twice. I love it! Alot of people don't understand this, I say try it and see. Have a great trip!

 

[frannn]

Same ole story...went as a young kid, no big chill. The went again on my honeymoon in '99, and WHAMMO! Must be something in the water... I cant wait to bring DD for her first (but not last) trip. I've been going at least once a year since honeymoon, and can't seem to get enough. I cry everytime I leave, and plan for months for each trip. It's funny cause I'm so cheap with everything else, but spend SO much $ on Disney & WDW, but you can't "buy" the magic. Wish DH would get the addiction. Several years from now, when I'm retired, I would love to be a CM at the Haunted Mansion. Love the costume...or is it real.......

 

[DisneyObsessed]

I'm guilty of being just as addicted as everyone else here. This will be our 4th trip in 4 years and I can't wait. I think my DH and I are even more addicted than the kids....tho they love it too. It's the magic, the complete removal from reality. There's nothing like it in the world. I just about go through most of each trip with a big lump in my throat, everything about it makes me so happy, I tear up frequently. Some people can't understand the addiction. I tell them you either have it or you don't. Most of these people who have said this to me don't seem to put as much value in "family life" as we do though, and I really think that makes a big difference. It's all about how you ALL feel TOGETHER!

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

I'm happy when I am there. The minute I spot a Disney landmark there is this feeling that fills me. It keeps me coming back for more.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

My very first trip to WDW was December of 1993. I was 40 years old, and I don't have any children. As we LEFT the MK for the first time, a tear slid down my face. I remember saying to my DH
"This place truly *is* magical."

I turn to mush at so many things, I tear up often when I am there.

For me, I would probably have much less of a magical time if I went at a very hot and crowded season.

I hope to go to WDW, every December, for the rest of my life. I don't care to go anywhere else.

Do you think I am addicted ? LOL !

 

[jenjenmouse]

I just love this thread. Someone should make it into a book. I love to read the memories you all are posting. I still believe the magic is in eye of the beholder.

 

[Jen D]

Luy2trav, I don't know why or how this addiction starts, but it is there. I posted a thread this weekend on the Community Board worrying that my trip planning was unhealthy because it takes up too much of my time! I caught the WDW big after a couple of DL trips, and for the months leading up to my WDW trip I did nothing but read and re-read guidebooks and spend time on Disney internet sites! I worried the trip would not live up to my expectations. But the family had a great time. After we got home I thought I was set for a few years, but I have been obsessing over the next trip ever since. I don't know when it will be, but I know I spend way to much time thinking about it.

What is it about Disney? I don't know. There is just something about the attention to detail, the totality of the experience-- I can't even put my finger on it except that when there I feel so much-- possibility.

 

[auntsue]

The whole Disney experience just transcends me to a kinder, gentler place.

Am I addicted? I would say so. These very stories are making me tear up because they convey so beautifully what WDW is all about. It's about the 'Magic' and that's difficult to put into words. You have to experience it for yourself and once you do, maybe you will begin to understand why we all feel the way we do.

Just thinking about it brings me a feeling of contentment, happiness and tranquility.

 

[Alice28]

I'm addicted because it's just plain fun. And it's magical and I just get warm fuzzies thinking about Disney. Unlike several of the posters here, I guess you could say I am more addicted to Disneyland than WDW, but only because I've been to WDW once and DL about 30 times. But I digress- it's the same magic. To be able to step into this park, that is immaculate, where most CM's go out of their way to be friendly, to be enveloped in the turn of the century, or the jungles of Africa or another exotic place, to be transported back to a different era- whether it be turn of the century New Orleans or the 18th century Liberty Square, to live your fondest childhood memories in Fantasyland or to laugh your head off on Space Mountain. Life can be a drudgery sometimes, and Disney has always been a place where I can have a great time, be silly & and feel restored. The best part of Disney for me now- it's passing on the magic to my boys. My 5 year (then 4) was literally speechless for the first few hours we were at Disneyland a year ago. He was wide-eyed and at a loss for words. And trust me, that's rare for him! And it's been 15 months since we have been in Disney, but he still remembers what we did, the characters we saw, and he's so excited about our upcoming trip! Esp. cause we get to see Buzz Lightyear and defeat Emporer Zurg!! (something DL doesn't have!!) And you know what, if you do get addicted, like others have said, it's a happy addiction. It won't poison you, make you fat or send you to rehab....maybe you will spend a little more money than you like, but at least you will be having fun together as a family!

 

[fa mulan]

I'm addicted and I don't even know why! Here I am a "Dis-Veteran" and I've never really ever even been there (once 25 years ago for a day) - I don't know how this happened to me. . . but I've turned into a planning junkie and am so excited about our trip that I can't stand it.

I've been trying to figure out how I became addicted to planning and Disney. It's got to be the most amazing marketing phenomenon. Is it b/c I'm about to spend so much money there, that I want to plan every park and meal to make it perfect? Or b/c there are hundreds of thousands of others going there too (driving the competition to get the P.S.'s) or just b/c I can't wait to see the looks of awe and joy in our daughters' eyes? I think it must be all that and more - and I can't wait to experience it 1st hand!

 

[madcoco]

Has anyone ever thought of this as a Cult. Even with a little deprogramming with an occasional trip to Universal/IOA, the mouse has a hold of us.