"Why Disney again!?"

[mystery222184]

Definitely agree that it's always nice to try other types of vacations as well. I went to Cabo last year for an all-inclusive week with friends, and being in the North East it is easy to frequent the various beaches, slopes, NYC, Hershey Park, etc...

As much as I love all of that, I simply does not compare to everything there is to experience in Disney World. If you want the caribbean feel, have a Lupa Lupa while laying on the Poly beach and add Club Level to your stay. Europe? Go to the World Showcase for food and drinks. Safari? Animal Kingdom. First class hotel & spa? Deluxe resorts and the GF. Nightlife? Downtown Disney.

I didn't even get to the Magic Kingdom and everything else Disney has to offer. I can go to Disney a couple times a year and have very different feeling vacations. I guess I will just have to continue to tell people....You just dont understand how much there is to do

 

[DSLRuser]

My response is this.

#1, disneys level of service is top notch and has been that way from day one. I expect good service when on vacation, or I cant relax.

#2, disney is to a great extent what you make of it. me being a smart individual, I (like many on this board) can do it better and cheaper than most people. What costs them $5,000, i can do in $3,000 for example.

#3, most people see disney as another amuesment park. to me, the "rides" are only a small potion of what disney is. too many people dont take the time to stop and smell the roses.

 

[minnie mum]

We just smile and tell people that we go back because we like it. It's not like it's the only place we ever go. We've travelled fairly extensively all over the world. But when we want a comfortable, enjoyable and familiar getaway, we take a Disney vacation.

I'm still chuckling over something that happened last fall. We were taking a 2 week guided tour of Japan and adding on 3 extra days at the end to explore Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea. Our guide was also the tour organizer and made all the advance arrangements for us. But when we met him for the first time he told us that he was truly puzzled why we would want to spend SO much time at TDR when we didn't have any children with us. We just smiled and told him that if he had to ask, it wouldn't be possible to explain.

 

[Tormania]

I'm looking forward to my 2nd ever trip to WDW this Dec and taking my DS for the first time. And I think it's great that others are able to go to WDW as often as they do, more power to them.

But for us while we will try to go every few years or so we have so many other things on our list we want to do for big vacations that if we went to WDW every year we would not have the opportunity to experience other things.

I've never been to Yellowstone and can't wait take my family there when my son is old enough to truly enjoy it.
Will want to take my son to DC and experience everything there. I've been twice and still haven't seen everything I want to see.
Want to visit Chicago again and have never been to NYC or Boston and want to visit those places as well.
Never been to Hawaii or Alaska or the Carribean.
Want to take a 2-week trip to Europe when my son is around 13-15 so that will be a big trip with lots of planning.

So while some folks are perfectly happy going to WDW every year (and I wish we could to), we will be making time over the next 15+ years for other marque vacations with a couple trips to WDW mixed in here and there.

 

[mermaidblue!]

We've had family members get snarky about Disney. They thought it was ok when we went the first time...we have two kids and none of us had been there, so they thought that was ok. But when we went again two years later, well, that was another story! Many frosty, rude comments.

It's been nearly two years since that second Disney trip. We're planning to go in May, (every other year is perfect for us) but we are super hesitant to tell our families. We'll most likely say we're headed to the beach, which is true. One night at the beach, six in WDW.

For some reason, it's fine to spend thousands renting a beach house, (we did that years ago and it was just ok) but spending $2000 for a family of 4 doing a week at WDW & Pop Century is over the top. Go figure.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I keep thinking we should go to Sea World and Universal Studios one time instead of Disney World. I've never been there. So what does Universal really have to offer?

DW is not into thrill rides at all... and Space Mtn and Expedition Everest are about the maximum thrill DS7 wants to do. I don't like anything beyond that myself. DS and I will go on Tower of Terror but scares me to death... Will try Rock n Roller coaster next trip.

Other amusement parks like Six Flags would be a waste of money and time. We won't do the major thrill rides and the other rides are not much more than carnival rides.

For rides and amusements... Disney World has it all. There are a lot of mild to medium thrill rides, shows, parades, fireworks, music, and fun places to eat... great resorts with nice pools and good service, easy and free transportation to/from airport, magical express handling of my luggage. I love how all 4 parks are different. And what's not to like about the waterparks? And all the special on the side things to do... tours, listening to the music bands at Downtown Disney, halloween and Christmas parties, Star Wars weekends, food and wine festival, etc.....

 

[AshleeH]

My mom is the biggest complainer in my family (in all respects, but she's the one we hear this particular quote from). She has been with us, she has taken her other grandkids twice, she's taken her children numerous times and they took me to Disneyland Paris when I was a teenager - she still doesn't "get it". She very much only sees the castle. My dad said as long as she sees the kids having fun in MK, she's fine. We get criticized all the time for our Disney trips - but before that, we got criticized for our beach trips (like I said, she's a complainer).

It's like she expects us to take a European tour with the kids every year. So this year we are doing a 2+week trip across the country (driving) to California and stopping to see a ton of sights on the way. But my mom didn't let me down - she's complaining because we're taking our new baby (who will be two months old) on a trip like that. I can't win. But I have great vacations!

 

[Patrickprincess]

My mom is the biggest complainer in my family (in all respects, but she's the one we hear this particular quote from). She has been with us, she has taken her other grandkids twice, she's taken her children numerous times and they took me to Disneyland Paris when I was a teenager - she still doesn't "get it". She very much only sees the castle. My dad said as long as she sees the kids having fun in MK, she's fine. We get criticized all the time for our Disney trips - but before that, we got criticized for our beach trips (like I said, she's a complainer).

It's like she expects us to take a European tour with the kids every year. So this year we are doing a 2+week trip across the country (driving) to California and stopping to see a ton of sights on the way. But my mom didn't let me down - she's complaining because we're taking our new baby (who will be two months old) on a trip like that. I can't win. But I have great vacations!

I get the same thing from my DBF's sister,just before my wdw/fantasy cruise last year she asked me if there was any where eles i would like to go and i said no. A little background i had a 2010 that i would not wish on any one. I lost my sister and mom and i was hit by a truck and then i got evecited from my house by my nasty brother (that's another story) Any way my sister sandy left me some money that i used for the wdw/fantasy cruise. Because sandy allways called me disney nut wdw was a good place to heele from losing her. The first ride i went on was star tours. So when people ask me why disney again i just smile and say it's my happy place and it's my vaction money. Also there will be family or firends that just don't get it.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Yes, I do get the question as to why I am going AGAIN. But as people get to know me, they also see the excitement and happiness in my eyes and generally, they are happy for me And there are a couple of people out there that think I'm plain nuts Since I have traveled to over 30 countries in my life and have taken many different types of trips (and still do, in between my Disney time), I think they judge my Disney vacation choice less harshly.

While I do like a well-rounded life experience, my Disney vacations are my 'happy' place. Backpacking in Eastern Europe may be a unique experience, but I don't need to get hauled off the train at 3 am to pay 'taxes' in the middle of nowhere Bulgaria as they hold my passport and sister hostage - again Nor do I care to dance around all the automatic weapons at the underground nightclub in Israel again. And I can do without China - not just the dog market and seriously funky water, but in general! Great experiences, HUGE amounts of stress! Disney is much less stressful for me and CLEAN!!!

As to those that look at me funky-eyed, I know they don't get it because they have either never been or the one time they went, they were totally unprepared and thus, experienced the 'worst' (long lines, not the best dining, bad off property stay, no resting during the day, etc). I do encourage these folks to really investigate Disney as a vacation destination and to do their own research. When I talk about the many resorts, different parks (there are many people who just think of MK as WDW), dining options, different things to do, and that you can drink alcohol as an adult - they usually look more into it!

 

[karenklo]

I just that same reaction last night! I told my BIL and SIL that we were planning a trip in July. They asked why we don't go somewhere else. We have been all over the US, London, and just love Disney! I just always say that we love it and our kids love it!

 

[anniebabymu]

I've gone to Disney both with family and as a young couple. I feel Disney has so much to offer and with several varying parks/resorts, you can get a taste of many different types of vacations in one. But I can't be the only one who gets the usual, "Why are you going to Disney again!?"....Too many people see Cinderella's Castle only and don't seem to understand all you can do and experience in Disney...

I was most definitely one who just saw the castle. My MIL is super into Disney and I didn't "get it" at all! My MIL and FIL went to DL for their honeymoon and took my DH and his siblings on a couple vacations there, but I had never been. So of course my MIL said we were all going on a family vacation to DW and I thought I'd suck it up for her and my DD's.

We'll, over the course of the planning year I discovered the Mom's Panel (unfortunately I hadn't discovered the DIS until recently) and I found myself getting more and more excited! We took that trip last Oct and I was hooked! Seeing my girls (18 mo and 4 at the time) have so much fun made it all worthwhile! Disney puts every thought into making everything special while you're there. Life with mom and dad that work hard leaves not much family time... and that time down there was so special to our family!

We are already going back in April without the in laws! When people hear that their immediate response is "Already?!". Yes "already" and it's none of your business! My MIL and SIL (hubby's brother's wife) are jealous! My DH and BIL are the same, they had fun but don't necessarily want to go back all the time... I think my MIL is happy that she has me and her other DIL to make them go!

 

[elaine amj]

Disney is awesome. But it seems really hard to make people understand. I know I didn't, until I experienced it. One of the major reasons we booked it is because my wife is a huge Little Mermaid fan (Her grotto was closed while they were building FL2 ) and because they offered free dining ... couldn't pass it up. So glad we didn't.

Ditto. my SIL and her DDs loved Disney and I never really understood why. I had been as a kid and intended to take my kids at some point for a "once in a lifetime" trip. I kept putting it off because it was so expensive. We got free tickets the year they had the volunteer promotion and so we decided to go for a short weekend trip. Just 2 days at the park although we did stay onsite because it was the cheapest option (mostly due to free ME).

WE LOVED IT. Our whole family fell in love with the place. We've travelled a fair bit as a family and as a child I travelled a lot. We've been in Asia, in beautiful exotic beaches, in big cities, in beautiful national parks, in historic locales. I definitely saw it as my most favorite vacation spot.

3 months later, we were back - for an extended 10 day trip with free dining, etc etc. We fell in love even more. This year we are trying a Disney cruise. We did RCCL last year and liked it, but didn't love it. DH is dying to try a Disney cruise so that's what we're doing (for myself, I'm having a bit of a hard time with the premium cost, but it will be worth it to try it).

Pre and post cruise we will be in Orlando and I've decided not to go to a park because 1-2 day tix are just not worth it. I thought great - we'll see the rest of Orlando! But now we've gotten down to nitty gritty planning. DH vetoed Universal (he has motion sickness and won't ride the coasters and doesn't want to try those intense motion simulators either) and Sea World (he's not big on zoos and aquariums). We're hoping to do Wet n Wild, but it's all dependent on the weather in March.

Other than that, we just can't find stuff to do outside WDW that really interests us (isn't that awful?!!). We have 2 days in Orlando and I figure we will:
- eat in Celebration (I'm dying to check it out!)
- go to the Lego store in downtown Disney
- either do the Downtown Disney dance party (which my DD in particular enjoys) or the Chip n Dale campfire singalong
- eat at Earl of Sandwich
- dinner at Ohana and Wishes on the Poly beach
- one of the Disney minigolfs
- maybe do some resort hopping

There is literally NOTHING (other than Wet n Wild) that we are really interested in doing on I-Drive - oh yes, I do want to check out the big McDonald's. Even I am having a hard time swallowing how Disney-centric we are turning out to be! We have definitely drunk the Disney koolaid, particularly my DH.

Our closest friends have all been - but they don't get it. They do ask us frequently, "why Disney" as they'd like to understand. But really it boils down to - we drank the koolaid, they didn't.

But, I have never gone to Las Vegas, so, I am not sure whether I would like it. I know there are shows and stuff, but they are expensive. I don't know how to play gambling games, and the idea of feeding money into a "game" just doesn't appeal to me.

We did Vegas for the first time last year and liked it. I liked the constant vibe of excitement and the feeling that there was always something to do. But yes, shows and food were $$ (I honestly thought it would be cheaper, but I can see the same shows in my city for the same price or less!). We actually chose to go mostly because we wanted to get away somewhere warm, and we wanted it to also be cheap. So we mostly planned to tour the hotels. We ended up also doing one of the minor shows, a 24 hr buffet pass. We also played a Facebook game called MyVegas and earned a couple of steak dinners for free. We've been playing the game since and our next Vegas trip we'll see 1-2 Cirque shows, get some of our accommodations, and all our food paid for. That way, it will be a cheap trip

 

[monorailmom]

We get this all the time, too. We're DVC members, which almost makes it easier in some ways. People know were going to keep going back, so they let it go.

My MIL is the one who has had the hardest time understanding. My husband finally found a way to explain it so that she hasn't mentioned it again in awhile. He said "You know, lots of people have houses on the Cape, or up in the Mountains...it's their vacation home. Our vacation home is in Disney. It's no different."

We've also travelled quite a bit (I'm even a travel agent!) but Disney is just what we like best. We always know it's money well spent because the entire family will have a good time. Want to play like kids at the park all day? Go ahead. Want to lay by a pool and relax with a fun drink like you would on a cruise? The resort pools are fabulous for this. We like our options when we're at Disney, and let's face it, you don't get that magic anywhere else.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

We're leaving for trip number 12 in three days! Seen Grand Canyon, Mexico lots of times, painted desert, skiing, Disneyland, NYC, Pacific Ocean, we live 20 minutes from Atlantic Ocean now, broadway shows, smithsonian, St. Louis arch, Indian reservations, museums, blah blah blah. We talk of other places but we always go back WDW. It fits our family perfectly. I look at the beach everyday, boring. I've learned to say " yes, again....where is your family going this year?" Generally the answer is "no where"and I say "how unfortunate."

 

[mystery222184]

We're leaving for trip number 12 in three days! Seen Grand Canyon, Mexico lots of times, painted desert, skiing, Disneyland, NYC, Pacific Ocean, we live 20 minutes from Atlantic Ocean now, broadway shows, smithsonian, St. Louis arch, Indian reservations, museums, blah blah blah. We talk of other places but we always go back WDW. It fits our family perfectly. I look at the beach everyday, boring. I've learned to say " yes, again....where is your family going this year?" Generally the answer is "no where"and I say "how unfortunate."

Have an awesome time!

 

[Colleen27]

I get the question, roll my eyes, bite my tongue about the questioner's every year habit (practically everyone we know vacations "up north" every summer), and say something like "Because we like it". We do go other places, and the balance will certainly shift from 'mostly Disney' to 'mostly elsewhere' as my youngest gets old enough to appreciate/enjoy a wider range of destinations and old enough for me to enjoy those other destinations rather than just managing her, but we all love Disney so we go back often.

 

[Yellosno]

As a young single man most of my friends have no concept why I am such a big fan of WDW. I have finally convinced one of my friends to come with me in a year!

 

[marybogue]

My neighbor was in the Orlando area the week after Christmas with his two children because they were visiting friends. None of them had ever been to WDW, and on the spur of the moment decided to go. With no prep. During the busiest week of they year. And guess what? They hated it! He was making fun of the intense Disney fans he encountered in the parks, and generally just didn't get it.

So basically, I had to set him straight. Disney is a magically, unique place. And one that is expensive. You get out of it what you put into it! He was teasing me about my Disney love, and I am A OKAY with that! I am taking my kids for the first time in May, and hope to establish a long standing tradition of Disney trips, and will embrace the "Disney again?!" comments.

After all, I know I am in good company!

 

[herb102211]

I get the same eye rolls from people at work, you're going to Disney again. I don't think people realize there are just as many things for adults to do there as there are for kids. Their loss, right?!

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

You know, I was just talking about this with someone else.

My wife and I have no kids yet, we have been married a year and a half, in our late 20s early 30s. We honeymooned at Disney last February, and already our friends asked us ... "really ?".

They kind of blew it off as something cute, for a honeymoon they could kind of understand, but they still thought it was weird. "Don't you want to go down south ? Sit on a Beach ? Drink all day ? What about Europe ???" etc etc ...

We came back totally in love with disney, greatest 8 days of my life I think. And of course, couldn't wait to go back again. Sometime in the fall/early winter, people began planning trips for the winter (we live in Canada, we all try to get away for a bit if we can). A group of friends wanted us all to do Aruba, another
Friend was booking Punta Cana and wanted us to come, Anothe group wanted to do Sandals, another couple were going somewhere else down south. We, wanted to do Disney again, even bigger and better than the last time, and we would have loved to share it with some of our 'young adult' friends...

The amount of crap we have gotten from our friends about "maybe we we have kids we will do disney" and "isn't that just a little kiddie?" or "Isn't there somewhere better you want to go, like an all inclusive beach resort ..." etc etc
etc ....

Its so difficult to explain to people just how awesome disney is, how much there is to experience, how much you can do and at the same time how relaxing it all can be. How fully entertained you are ... its just awesome.

Its funny, our friends come back from their all inclusives, and they have a bunch of pictures, but not too many, and all they have really done is sat on the beach,
drank, swam, and went out for dinner. After a while the pictures all just look the same. I am sure they all love it, and I am glad that it works for them.

My wife is working on her scrapbook (its her hobby), she is on Day 2 of our 8 day trip. I can tell you she has more pictures, and we had apparently done more in the first 2 days of our trip then our friends did on an entire week of their various beach resort vacations.
Disney is awesome. But it seems really hard to make people understand. I know I didn't, until I experienced it. One of the major reasons we booked it is because my wife is a huge Little Mermaid fan (Her grotto was closed while they were building FL2 ) and because they offered free dining ... couldn't pass it up. So glad we didn't.

Glad you didn't either


We have two favorite vacation spots... Disney and the Smokey Mountains. Both are very special to us. People don't get it and frankly, idc