why do you go back to orlando year after year

[mozzman]

march will be my first trip to disney area and after being on these boards a while there seems to be something that draws people back over and over again,having not been before i am wondering what it is.i can see the attraction of seeing your kids have fun there surely is no better place for them to have a holiday,but many older people on these boards with no kids love it thats great but can you tell me the big attraction,people talk of the magic but what your reason

 

[UKDEB]

When I first visited back in 1992, I really didn't understand the attraction. I'd intended to travel to the newish EuroDisney, but when I arrived at the Travel Agents, I was persuaded to book Orlando (2 weeks in the sun: 4 nights in France for a similar price).

As far as I was concerned, I was doing it for the kids (then 7 & 5) and I actually found the first 12 hours totally overwhelming. I was a nervous flyer and I'd only ever flown once before in my life (to Majorca as an 18 year old), so a transatlantic flight was a big deal. Arriving in the States was a big culture shock, and the bus trip from the airport to the cattle market of a car rental depot, followed by a one hour wait to be despatched into a totally alien world had me in tears begging to go home.

However, a good night's sleep put me right and I haven't looked back since. For me, it's the total escapism; the unspoken permission to be a kid again, to forego political correctness and to be totally self-indulgent. Familiarity plays a part, too. I love the drive from the airport to our accommodation and the feeling of 'coming home'. Much as I love visiting different destinations, Orlando, without question, is easy. Good food, good weather, good fun - guaranteed.

 

[jen_uk]

Unless you have been there you really cant imagine how wonderful it is! Its a magical place, I dont have any kids and I love it there! Its not just about cartoon characters, its the atmosphere, the million dollar rides, the out of this world fireworks, the shopping......! Everything is so big over there, its spotlessly clean, its well run, its just amazing!

 

[AndRu]

We go back to Florida and Orlando because of the weather, the parks (not just WDW), the shopping, the atmosphere and the Floridian way of life. It's clean, warm, safe and the welcome we get, especially being English, is wonderful. The kids are happy in the parks and aven when we're shopping. The best bit is having a lovely big villa for 2 weeks with a pool and a whaking great car. All this and the great exchange rate gives me a "millionaire" feeling for a fortnight!

Besides, the thought of 2 weeks in a hotel on the mediterranean surrounded by idiots drinking as much alcohol as possible fills me with dread.

 

[mushumadness]

I have been going every year since I was 6 lol so thats 18 years running, Just love it so much we keep going back, plus we have tried greece etc but its just not our type of holiday we like to be off doing thingds

looking forward to november 2007

 

[CustardTart]

We first went in June 1992 when my older kids were 10 and 7. TBH we went for them and tho' we had a good time, we didn't really have a great time. We didn't return until 6 years later when my DD desperately wanted to celebrate her 16th Birthday with Mary Poppins and the Mouse!

So for Christmas 1990, we stayed at the Grand Floridian and were blown away. This time it felt completely different - the hotel was gorgeous, the feeling of relaxation much greater and we had a wonderful time.

We've been back 6 times since then and each visit it just gets better - everyone has a completely fabulous time plus we always leave with the feeling that, as we didn't have time to do everything, we just have to book another Florida holiday as soon as we get back home!

 

[natalielongstaff]

i like to do both sorts of holidays...i love a two week holiday just lying on a sunlounger but i also love the thrill and anticipation a holiday to orlando brings

 

[mandymouse]

Cos we love it

 

[Minniespal]

The sun, the theme parks, the shopping and all of the fantastic restaurants

 

[T16GEM]

Cos we love it

Ditto!

I love everything about it from the smell of the air when you get out of the airport to the parks, the food, the weather, the people. For us there is no better place - Florida has it all!

 

[Claire L]

We don't go back just because of Disney we go back because it is the US There are so many fun places to visit in the US, and we do try other areas as they are a nice change to Disney. But I must say WDW will always hold a special place in my heart

Claire

 

[CustardTart]

...I love everything about it from the smell of the air when you get out of the airport to the parks, the food, the weather, the people. For us there is no better place - Florida has it all!

I love that too! And the announcements on the Orlando airport monorail. That's when I know I've arrived...

 

[fizz13]

Another thread asked this question a few months ago and I dug out my answer for you:

I believe in the magic and I love watching it happen for other people, especially my kids....I love that for that one week (or two) the real world doesn't matter.....I love that I can eat the most fantastic treats and meals with great service and not care about the calories....I also love knowing I probably burnt it all off the next day walking around Epcot....I love that there is always something new to see every trip....I love that I always learn some new trick or secret to use when i go and get to impress my friends and family....I love that my kids are as excited as me and we will forever be bonded in our excitement....i love that we all get along a little better when we are there....I love the feeling of the World of Disney and being overwhelmed with all the cute shopping opportunities.....I love every ride big or small because of those wonderful details they think of to submerge you in the experience....I love the cleanliness.....I love the smiley helpful faces....I love that its ok to hug, sing and dance with all my favourite characters.....I love that I never have to grow up when I'm there.....I love the memories I bring home with me.....I love that I get to plan it all again, its my permanant project" (19 June 2006)

And that is just the tip of why I love it so much, I don't think I'll ever stop going by choice

 

[angel659]

Hi

We love it for many reasons. Before we had kids we loved the atmoshphere of the park, being a kid again, the smell as soon as you exit the airport, the weather, the people, service, food, shopping, parks and most of all WDW. I love seeing my kids faces light up when they see Mickey and we love it and wish we could every year.

We have been to Europe, Mexico and Barbados. We have not enjoyed our holidays at all. Sitting on a beach is not my kind of fun at all. Sitting on a beach is not us. We love that the fact FL offers so much.

 

[MazdaUK]

I've only been once and would love to go again (I have been to Eurodisney and Disneyland, but they're not the same). Even though we had terrible weather ("Record rainfall for March") and 3 out of 4 of us got sick (on different occasions) there is no-where like it.

I've been to other places as well - we went to Canada this year and loved that. I don't think I would go every year. But I would like to go back in a couple of years - perhaps for my eldest's 16th (although that's hurricane season and GCSE year, so perhaps not).

The planning is part of it for me - spending far too long on here and allears.net looking at restaurants, shows, shops - everything.

I wouldn't want to live in Florida, but WDW is not really Florida - its not even real! (You will appreciate that whenever you drive offsite and notice that suddenly no-one is picking up rubbish by the side of the road).

It is good value for money compared with Europe - especially with the strong dollar - but we did miss the culture, and "proper" news (i.e. something that admits there are countries outside USA).

But I still enter competitions to win a WDW holiday!

 

[mark&sue]

We went before we had our daughter and knew we would have to come back.

We are Disney Vaction Club Members so will continue to go back year after year.

Off tonight to Gatwick


Susan

 

[Night-train]

For all the reasons posted so far!!!

 

[Boss Hogg]

Besides, the thought of 2 weeks in a hotel on the mediterranean surrounded by idiots drinking as much alcohol as possible fills me with dread.

For once I agree with you I think you have a much better class of idiot drinking as much as possible in villas in Orlando, at least that's always been my experince

 

[gilld]

We love going to WDW but not every year like many on here. For us you can have too much of a good thing and there are just so many other wonderful places in the world to see.

Having said that, as DVC members it's always there so we can go whenever we choose and are able to let friends and family use the points when we don't want to go - perfect.

 

[Lisash]

I believe in the magic and I love watching it happen for other people, especially my kids....I love that for that one week (or two) the real world doesn't matter.....I love that I can eat the most fantastic treats and meals with great service and not care about the calories....I also love knowing I probably burnt it all off the next day walking around Epcot....I love that there is always something new to see every trip....I love that I always learn some new trick or secret to use when i go and get to impress my friends and family....I love that my kids are as excited as me and we will forever be bonded in our excitement....i love that we all get along a little better when we are there....I love the feeling of the World of Disney and being overwhelmed with all the cute shopping opportunities.....I love every ride big or small because of those wonderful details they think of to submerge you in the experience....I love the cleanliness.....I love the smiley helpful faces....I love that its ok to hug, sing and dance with all my favourite characters.....I love that I never have to grow up when I'm there.....I love the memories I bring home with me.....And that is just the tip of why I love it so much, I don't think I'll ever stop going by choice

That sums it all up for me. It's just magical