Why Are We Addicted To Disney?

[NYDisGuy]

To me, its the fact that you never leave Disney when you stay there, its all over. If you took a vacation to Hershey Park for example, you would go to the theme park but then leave because its only one park and little to do in the surroundings. And I agree, for some reason Disney makes you feel like a kid again, maybe because everyone is treated equally (kids, adults) at certain places.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I think it's a huge escape from reality for us. Our life is a mess right now, I rarely see DH, he's here when I'm working, and I'm here when he's working and in school. Enough history, but I'm so looking forward to our WDW trip because it is an escape. All four of us will be together for 9 days at WDW, plus 2 driving days on each end, and I can't wait.

My co-workers think we're absolutely crazy....they don't know it's really them!

 

[DISUNC]

Why & what is it about wdw that has us under a spell? I would like to know the psychology behind it. At first I thought I was just a kid at heart or maybe it was me getting to do some of the things I missed out on as a child.

Is it that I forget about the rest of the world when I'm there, I mean I rarely watch the news other than for the weather forecast. Is it just an escape from reality for us? I feel we all could use that sometimes.

What do you all think?

Min

Same here!!!!!...and I am sure pretty much everybody else on these boards!
I never watch the news or read a news paper when at WDW...not even the weather! I think you 'nailed' all the reasons! But the Biggie is 'Escape from Reality" for me!

 

[Harvest02]

I think it is such an escape from reality. We just got back 1 week ago and I didn't think about bills, laundry, problems at home. It really makes you forget about all that. I also have fond memories from when I was a kid. My parents took me and my siblings many times. I remember how much fun we had as a family and all the places we went. Now that I have kids, it is fun to see it through their eyes and how magical it is for them also. I am planning our next trip for June 2008(or sooner if I can come up with some extra money).

 

[CheapMom]

It was like Christmas morning for 6 straight days.

What a great description!

Anyway- I don't know why we are addicted but I figure- Hey- you could have a worse vice than a Disney obsession!

 

[Disney Planner Mama]

I remember the first trip DH and I did to WDW we pulled into the parking lot of MK and it was a hot Florida day. The first thing I noticed was that the attendant was smiling as he waved us into place.

What's up with that? People being friendly and welcoming even under less than ideal conditions? Being originally from New York this genuinely confused us ( ).

Since then we have been back many many times and I think what the magic of disney does is take away your worries. People are friendly. The place is frighteningly clean. Though there are always new things to see, your old favorites are always there. You are always welcomed. There is a dependability about Disney. You know what you are getting, but it's not dull. It has the feeling of visiting a beloved relatives house (a really cool house with dumbo rides and people dressed as disney characters....)

It took me a while to figure it out...in fact I didn't really figure it out until I had a nightmare that I went to disney and the cast members were horribly unconcerned and rude, and everything was shabby and not working.

 

[bellenbuzz]

Why can't I stop Planning ???
In am obsessed with details, details & fun facts, the history, the hidden treasures & secrets !
But I sometimes ask myself.....with all the other places I want to travel too in this beautiful country, and all the places I havn't travelled too, why do I keep wanting to go back to WDW ??!!

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

There are many reasons for me. (at least for the parks)
The rides and technology, especially the audioanimatronics have always fascinated me ever since the first time I went. I love rides that tell a story. I love feeling like I'm part of a story, rather than just watching it like in a movie.

I love the fact that this is one place where you will see all these people wearing mouse ears that NEVER would outside of Disney (but don't get me wrong, I am the type that wears kitty ears at home too!) That is true magic to me. People not being afraid to say, look at me! I'm wearing mouse ears! I am hugging a giant chipmunk and I just HAVE to get a picture of it!

ETC ETC ETC

It is my lifetime goal to be an imagineer!

 

[acmy]

I first went to WDW in my late 20's with my DW and DD-4. When we were on the monorail to the MK our first day there was this other family that we struck up a conversation with---the woman was crying because that was their last day there. My DW and I just looked at each other and kinda rolled our eyes about it and said to ourselves after she left, "Yeah, right, lady. Get a grip, it's just a couple of amusement parks and a bunch of (pardon my french) cheesy-Mickey-Mouse-crap." We couldn't believe that this place meant so much to her.

Five days later it was our turn to leave, and guess what---we started crying, too! That last ride back to the resort was just painful. I don't know exactly what it is, either. Maybe it's the combination of everything---a happy, clean, safe place to take your family, the superior (9 times out of 10) customer service, the unique attractions, the themes, the music that's always there in the background, the hidden Mickeys, or the sense that you really are just transported to another place. Whatever it is, it's made us return at least once every 2 years. And I find myself thinking and talking about it all the time. I'm more excited about our trip to WDW in another year than I am about our trip to London and Paris this October and our trip to Jamaica in February, '07! And I've never been to any of those places! My DW thinks I'm crazy--she's says I think about WDW more than her. She's just jealous-- but I'd just as soon take EVERY vacation in WDW!!! I LOVE YOU, WDW!

 

[LK03]

I have been going almost every year since I was born. I was one of those babies in a stroller in 1983. It's not like we went to Disney, we went to Orlando to see my grandparents and then one day we would go to either the Kingdom or Epcot. It's in my blood to go every year now, I mean, why break a tradition, right!?

What keeps me going back is it's another World, literally. It's perfect, clean, always changing, and always something new to learn about.

 

[snusnu]

I remember the first trip DH and I did to WDW we pulled into the parking lot of MK and it was a hot Florida day. The first thing I noticed was that the attendant was smiling as he waved us into place.

What's up with that? People being friendly and welcoming even under less than ideal conditions? Being originally from New York this genuinely confused us ( ).

Since then we have been back many many times and I think what the magic of disney does is take away your worries. People are friendly. The place is frighteningly clean. Though there are always new things to see, your old favorites are always there. You are always welcomed. There is a dependability about Disney. You know what you are getting, but it's not dull. It has the feeling of visiting a beloved relatives house (a really cool house with dumbo rides and people dressed as disney characters....)

It took me a while to figure it out...in fact I didn't really figure it out until I had a nightmare that I went to disney and the cast members were horribly unconcerned and rude, and everything was shabby and not working.

I swear you're my long-lost twin. I have these dreams all the time.

Disney has been a huge part of my life since very early childhood. My mom adores Disney and we were raised on a steady diet of Disney movies, music, books, characters and the occasional rare treat of a trip to DL. God, my sister and I so loved our little record player and all of our Disney records. Mom grew up loving the Mickey Mouse Club and all of the Walt Disney Presents shows. She longed to see DL. In addition to all of this, I inherited from her a desire to control my surroundings, to be where it's clean and safe and comfortable. I long for a haven in an insane and messy world.

Now, as an adult, I'm a very tense, busy person. I work two jobs, my husband works two jobs, we see each other at bedtime and on weekends. More than anything, we love to travel and spend time together. It really reminds us, in the hulabaloo of our lives, why we married and how much we like each other. My husband was likewise raised with a lot of Disney. He has a fabulous picture of himself and Pinocchio that is my absolute favorite. We were actually in DL at the same time in the same year as children, but, of course, never knew it.

My childhood coupled with my adulthood formed me as a ready-made Disney junkie. I have found that the only place I can relax is a Disney property. I feel so safe, so happy and so sheltered. They take care of me and my crazy food allergies, they take me from place to place without ever having to leave their perfectly-formed little world. I'm a tried and true DL fanatic, but WDW is a close second.

Now, don't get me wrong. I also love the excitement and adventure of world travel. I want to go EVERYWHERE before I die. I'm willing to sacrifice a certain sense of safety and predictability to experience all that the world has to offer. However, I can ALWAYS go to Disney and be satisfied and happy. The rest of the world can't offer that.

One more thing I have to add, to those of you who say a Disney park is never as great as when you're with children, I say pshaw. You should see the faces of my very reserved husband and all of our friends when we pass beneath the berm and see the castle. We can't ever help ourselves, we must take hands and skip.

 

[MelanieC]

I agree that it's the MAGIC of WDW!

 

[heatherfeather24]

For me, it started out as a pure escape. But, as I've grown older, the escapism has changed. I'm less interested in the "escape" itself and more interested in trying to figure out how Disney creates this feeling.

I've been on vacations where I literally can't contact the outside world -- no tvs, no newspapers, only spotty cell phone coverage -- and, while beautiful and stress-free, they didn't provide the same kind of pure escape that Disney does. And it's not the "magic" element at Disney that's missing -- for me, I don't feel the characters are "real," I don't revert to a 6 year old, and I don't relive every childhood memory I've ever had there (not, as Seinfeld would say, that there's anything wrong with that). So now, when I'm at WDW, I'm forever looking to see the details, trying to figure out how they do it. It's become a fascination.

 

[LaughinPlace289]

It's just a complete escape from reality. When you're there you forget about all your troubles. It's almost eerie... like there actually is a spell cast over you once you pass beneath that infamous sign on World Drive.

 

[FINFAN]

Yep, to escape reality...to have just about every option of vacationing at your disposal..and in our case...it keeps the kids happy and everyone knows, if the kids are happy Mom and Dad are happy! We really love the ability to be entertained no matter what, or to kick back and relax if that's what we'd like. WS is the closest I have gotten to a European vacation...how nice to be transported so easily! And you know what, I LOVE seeing people happy, and you see a whole lot of that at WDW!
Also, DH is "when in Disney... ' on other trips, beach, Smokey Mtns...basic road trips, he manages to get distracted by work, or maybe a game on t.v., Not WDW. He just does not get the chance and I like it that way! We like the consistency of ALL DISNEY, ALL THE TIME....Walt is my HERO!


Pam

 

[44sun]

It all starts with the planning...I become obsessed, trying to learn everything I can - but Disney has so many layers! No other hobby or activity has me so engrossed. It's also a safe escape where I feel very well taken care of. I'm not pampered in the real world and felt spoiled when I was there. Everything is just so well done and thought out!

I work hard every day and this is the second summer in a row that DH is working out of town...WDW is the perfect escape for us to come back together as a family. I can hardly wait for November!

Jeeze, this is getting sappy...

 

[Nee Nee and Biddy]

I love this thread! When I was young, my grandpa was one of the only people in town that had a sattelite dish (think early 80's) and we would always watch the Disney channel together. This was when the Disney Channel was basically Mickey Mouse cartoons and old reruns of the Mickey Mouse Club. (I wish it was still that way!) Anyway, when I was six, my parents were going through a divorce and the story goes that I looked at my grandpa and said sadly, "The only place in the world I want to go to is Walt Disney World." (I don't actually remember this but it has been told hundreds of times and is part of our family folklore). Well, my grandpa sent me to WDW (he had no interest in going and paid for our trip) and my obsession began. I feel happy there and love all of the memories that I have from there. I even got married there!

 

[Disneygrl36]

One more thing I have to add, to those of you who say a Disney park is never as great as when you're with children, I say pshaw. You should see the faces of my very reserved husband and all of our friends when we pass beneath the berm and see the castle. We can't ever help ourselves, we must take hands and skip.

I have to totally agree with you. We are a couple without kids & we have the best time at WDW every time we go. I think WDW is for everyone young & old to enjoy & to get that chance to be a kid again. It's my HAPPY PLACE & I wish I could go all the time. I really & truly get lonely for Disney World.......does anyone else?

 

[Loves Disney]

Reading the thread lets me realize I'm not the only one in this world who loves Disney so much! Besides my immediate family, NO ONE I know loves or even likes Disney World...I can't talk to anyone about the place besides to my parents and sister. No one else understands my addiction.

Then...I come onto the Dis and read a thread like this where almost EVERY post is (and I swear this) JUST like me!! If I didn't know any better I would think I wrote more than half these!!

 

[Meezers]

I admit I didn't read all the posts....

Why are we addicted to Disney World....

Because we don't want to be drunks or addicts? That is right folks....Disney and chocolate are my addictions of choice!

Friend of Bill!