Why do you go?

[zanzibar138]

I go for the 'feeling'. That indescribable feeling I get as I enter the DLR area and just let all my cares slip away for a few days.

FWIW, the first time we went to DLR, we didn't go into the parks the first day, but spent the afternoon in DTD instead and watched the fireworks from our offsite hotel. I told DH that first night that it had all been worth it (the 14 hour plane ride across the Pacific I mean) just for that

I could quite happily spend an entire day in the parks and not ride one ride, see one show, or meet one character.

 

[Ember]

I love just being there. I have gone, sat on a bench on Main Street, ate my popcorn & people watched for a couple hours & then went home. That was enough, to see the fun everyone was having, & listening to the music.

I've done the same thing, only I sat with a cup of tea and a pastry! Truthfully, I've gotten pretty relaxed with having an annual pass. Having a bad day? Go to Disneyland for dinner! It's only a 45 minute drive, so it's not a big deal.

It's wonderful to put all the worries of the world down for a while and just be somewhere safe and happy.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

I go for the dole whips.

 

[Gisele]

I go for the dole whips.

Lol

 

[Gisele]

For Captain Jack!

 

[gerilyne]

I go because it's my Happy Place. I went to both DL and WDW as a child with my family so it brings back happy childhood memories. It was where my DH and I took our first real vacation together and were able to reconnect with both of our inner children. I love the total bubble of being at Disneyland, and I love everything about it; the rides, the food, the atmosphere. I especially love it at night with all the lights lit up.

Disney is just such a part of me and happy memories in my life... my Happy Place!!!!!

 

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

It's all about how it makes you feel--that complete escape from reality. This was our first trip to DL and it made me feel the same way all my WDW trips and Disney cruises have also. Walt Disney gave us such a wonderful gift through his dreams. For me, the best thing about going to Disney is not the great attractions, the delicious food, the awesome shows, or the beautiful things to look at but it's about how it makes you feel. That magical feeling I get every time I go, that perfect feeling away from reality enjoying the moments with your family that time cannot erase. It is the memories that last a lifetime and those magical moments that you find at Disney!

 

[LizzyS]

It's everything.

As my husband said to me, "It's our place".

 

[Nintfamily]

It's the entire package here. I drug my husband in 2011 and he was hooked. For me it is the feeling you get walking into the park. The magic is palpable. I loved it in 2012 when my DH & I went we could see Tinkerbelle every.single.day. No thought anything of my 6 ft 2 in husband with a goofy grin enjoying Pixie Hollow. No one laughed at me when I cried at 40 years old simply because I *finally* got to hug Donald Duck. I loved watching my kids faces as they experienced the magic for the first time. I look forward to seeing it again.

 

[HydroGuy]

As others have noted this is such a multi-faceted question...

o Fun - Disney parks are fun

o Childhood - I totally feel like a kid again

o Storytelling - Disney rides, shows, lands and restaurants tell stories. Don't all children just love stories? And adults too who have not lost all connection with their childhood?

o Family - I connected with mine there as child and connect with my own four kids there today. Time away from the outside world to enter a fantasy world where we can use our imaginations.

o Music - lots of great music through the rides and shows, as well as performed live in different venues

o Food - great to share meals with people you care about

o Awe - in how Disney weaves technology and storytelling to take you somewhere else

o Emotion - when Disney characters you relate to come alive and themes of joy, love, friendship, sadness and fear move you in your inner soul

o Imagination - immersing myself in rides, shows, technology and characters which make me think of things and feel things I might never have otherwise

o Inspiration - Disney inspires me to dream, love and hope. To embrace the future with a tune in my heart.

o Magic - Disney has still got it. All of the above rolled up together produce their kind of Magic. The kind Walt talked about when I watched his shows as a child.

Other than that, I can't really say why I go...

 

[Midnightred]

For me, Disneyland holds all of those things everyone else has mentioned, but now that I stop and ponder the question, the trips out to Disneyland for my family mean a little something different. It's a trek out west to California, and everything that entails. I love to listen to the tales of my Mom's first visit to Disneyland in the early 60's when she was 14. She wore curlers in the car all the way from Texas to California so her hair would be nice for Disneyland! When I was 4 or so, my Mom packed up our little black VW Bug and drove us (at least two days) all the way from South Texas to Disneyland, just the two of us. She had just enough money to buy me a Minnie Mouse plush doll which I was never separated from for many years. Our first ride was the Matterhorn. I didn't even meet the height requirements, and everyone was pointing, "look at that little girl"! When I was a teenager and had two younger brothers, my Mom asked, "do you want heat for the winter, or do you want to go to Disneyland?" We said, "Disneyland!", and again we made the fabulous trip out west, crossing the Mojave Desert. We had a month long trip to California enjoying Monterey and San Fran, and our gas was turned on the day after Thanksgiving that year in Ft. Davis, TX as it was snowing (did I mention my Mom is crazy)? Guess it was worth it. Anyway, the trip has always held the magic of going west, and a real adventure. We love to take our kids and have adventure of our own, even though we did fly last time!

Midnightred

 

[peterpanandwendy]

These are all such beautiful responses everyone! I love how Disneyland has such an emotional pull for everyone… a lot of nostalgia, and feelings of true magic and happiness and freedom I'm so excited to be finally bringing my own little family for the first time! Previously to this coming vacation in August I was the 'kid' with my parents visiting the parks… this time I'm the parent and I'm so excited to be in the position where I can share the magic with my own children and start creating such beautiful memories for them :')

I guess I had just read some posts and some trip reports that sounded so bad… people so focussed on only rides and trying to accomplish as much as possible into their day, and never being satisfied, and I just felt like the magic was missing for those people maybe. It's nice to hear that there are so many people who love the 'feeling'.

 

[zanzibar138]

I guess I had just read some posts and some trip reports that sounded so bad… people so focussed on only rides and trying to accomplish as much as possible into their day, and never being satisfied, and I just felt like the magic was missing for those people maybe. It's nice to hear that there are so many people who love the 'feeling'.

Why spend all that money on Disney if you're only there for the rides? If I wanted to focus on rides I'd go to Knotts or Six Flags. I choose Disney because I want to take in all the little details, and feel like even if I just go in and sit on a bench, I'll still be being entertained and getting value out of my ticket. If I went to Six Flags and just sat on a bench, I'd be bored silly after 5 minutes and feel like it was a waste of money.

For me, that is the difference between a Disney park and any other amusement park.

It sounds like you've got a great attitude which will set you up for a relaxing and enjoyable (and magical) trip with your family

 

[yeheyprincex2]

Its an addiction lol
I also love watching my boys (toddler and preschooler) make their ways through the parks and experience it all. I enjoy it all rides, shows, meals,characters the entire atmosphere, Disney magic