Why do you go?

[peterpanandwendy]

Since reading this board I've come to see that some people go to disneyland for the 'headliners' (I'm picking up the jargon lol!) like space mountain, big thunder, radiator springs racers etc....

For me it is actually not about the rides at all. It is the atmosphere. The music and sights and shows and happy people and treats... The rides are a bonus to me, but not a necessity to having a good time. We are taking our littles for the first time this year and they are not 40 inches yet, so we will miss all the big rides, but we are totally ok with it because there is so much else to do!

I think the shows are my favorite part.... What is yours?

 

[krispin41]

It's my happy place. There is something about walking in and having the chance to know that magic is "real."

 

[hyperminimalism]

For me it is actually not about the rides at all. It is the atmosphere. The music and sights and shows and happy people and treats... The rides are a bonus to me, but not a necessity to having a good time. We are taking our littles for the first time this year and they are not 40 inches yet, so we will miss all the big rides, but we are totally ok with it because there is so much else to do!

I can't necessarily say it's not all about the rides--it's the entire package. It's the rides, the immense and comprehensive atmosphere for each land and each park in general. It's the music. It's the parades, the shows, the general feeling I get knowing I'm going to go in a little over a month. Disneyland is such a nostalgic place for me that there's just too much to choose from that is the "sole" purpose for why I still drive 16 hours down from Oregon and pay out the backside. It is worth it to me to make that trip once a year knowing how badly I need my DL/DCA fix.

 

[lovebug33]

For me it's the entire experience. My family often fought a lot. We went to Disneyland three ones when I was little and I can't remember us fighting at a when we were there. Then my dh and I started going. When we were struggling with infertility it strangely was the only place I didn't feel sad even though there are tons of kids. And now that we have our girls and have brought te oldest, it's seeing her joy. And how they deal with her special needs and my dd can be a just a typical kid at Disneyland makes me so happy. She was treated like any other princess when sometimes she is not and we have to answer lots of questions.

 

[momof2n2]

The rides and then the characters.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

We go for the family time. Its one of the only places that we go where we know that all of us will have a fantastic time, no matter what. We also go for the atmosphere!

 

[momof4fans]

It's the entire package for me too. It's the thrill rides that my teenage boys love, it's the carousels and princesses that my daughters love. And everything in between. We all love the shows, the fireworks, the Mark Twain. It is more than just rides. There is literally something in the air. On our last trip in August we took friends from Montana who had never been, not even as kids. The mom and I were walking along in DCA and out of the blue she quietly stated "This place is magical." The funny thing is, she and her husband were prepared to not like it because of all the people. They were won over by the magic. I just love being there with my kids.

 

[Drusilla99]

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.

 

[rydersmommy]

We went because I wanted to be able to strap my DS into his stroller and walk to the parks! We took him to WDW when he was 17 months old. It was an amazing family trip with 14 of us spending a week together. This time we went to DLR and he was 34 months old and it was just my DH, mom, son, and me. We looked forward to having a more relaxed time. It was wonderful. For me, it's all about experiencing the Disney magic through my son's eyes! The rides, the characters, the atmosphere... It's all magical to me!

 

[larina]

Okay this is going to sound cheesy but I go for the entire "Disney experience." Other parks have rides, but they just don't have the same feel as DLR. I like being immersed in this world of make believe that I love.

 

[superlarz]

I go for the atmosphere first and foremost. The visible theming, the music, the energy. I love the shows and attractions as well, but without the atmosphere they wouldnt be as meaningful.

 

[BriannaRuth]

The magical atmosphere! And some of the rides that you just can't get anywhere else -- mainly Fantasyland, but also POC, HM. Love the coasters, etc., but they could take them out tomorrow and it wouldn't change that much for me.

Like someone else said, this is one of the few places we go that I know that everyone will have a good time. We go every other year, and on the odd years we take a more "educational" trip ... the Redwoods, Yellowstone, etc. But so far Disneyland is what we seem to look forward to the most.

 

[nikkislaght]

When people ask me why .. I tell them this..

When on Vacation, weather at a beach or mountain, other city or out into the country.. life is still there. (not that I have a "bad" life ) but its still there, the bills, the social media , the phone ringing etc etc....
When I go to Disneyland, its a total immersion of being on Vacation.... I can suspend life and hug a giant mouse. or ride past pirates or sit back and relax on a train.. and for me, there is no phone.. or face book, work bills, etc until I go back to the hotel, and its the one time of year that we spend completely as a family .. could we do it somewhere else? sure , but why would we .. I mean hugging a giant mouse for goodness sake? if cant get better than that can it???

 

[rootbeer]

It is an interesting question, and will be a personal as well as different answer from each person. It is unlike anywhere else on earth, including the other Disney parks. It truly bears out the notion that there is "magic" within us all, and when we enter those gates into the Disney "magic" it's well, magic! It is escapism from our everyday life to the max, another world if you will. We save up, go to DLR, and forget our troubles for a while, and what a feeling that is! You can live Walts vision to go back in time, enter a world of fantasy, dream of tomorrow, sail with pirates, etc, and on, and on, and on. All within minutes of each other, and all within a wholesome, clean environment. You just can't put a price on the memories we've shared as a family, and as a couple, and they are different every time! You never know what will happen, or what you'll see around the next corner! That's why we go, and go, and go again! It's a feeling, and it's impossible to put into words, and makes you want to start planning the next trip just as soon as you leave!!

 

[707MickeyGirl]

I go because it soothes my soul. I know my father took me there once as a child, and even though the only thing I really remember is riding the monorail, I know I was there with him, in a magical place at an age when I still honestly believed in magic. My father is long gone, but when I get on the monorail, something deep in my mind remembers that trip with him. I took my own children a few times, when I could afford it, while they were growing up. They were older than I was when I went as a child and they have wonderful memories of our trips. And now I take my granddaughter. She’s 6 and we’re getting ready for our third trip in July, then our 4th in November and our 5th in March. I will take her as often as I can so that she will have indelible memories of our time together in the Happiest Place on Earth. It’s such a perfect escape from the everyday pressures and responsibilities in life, and somehow it allows you to recapture the joy of childhood in a way that no other place can, especially if you have children with you.

 

[YukonMommy]

I go because I love watching my Moms face light up and remember (she took my older sister and I for the first time on spare change she had scrimped and saved for years!) and being able to enjoy it with her is pure magic.

I go because I love watching my hubby who was a doubter and thought it was a waste of money fall in love with the Disney magic and be a kid again! (after the initial trip we have been 2 more times and planning our 4th!)

I go because it fills my heart with joy watching my 4 children find their own versions of Disney magic. Holding the hand of my child as they literally vibrate with excitement is magical.

I go because for me it is time spent with those I love most. No outside world, no phones, no lunches to pack, no activity to drive to, no rushing here and there. I just get to stop and take it all in, breath in the magic and let it overtake me. I get to hold my hubby's hand, I get to laugh with my kids, I get to enjoy memories with my Mom. I get to remember what is important in life and to enjoy being in the moment!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I go to spend time with my son. Every time I go I remember my father taking me. I think about how he always tried to make each day special and well when we go to DL I try to leave the bad behind and rejuvenate for another year or two. I try to go at Christmas or Halloween time so I am celebrating my sons birthday or mine. I know I get asked all the time why I go so often why again? Well I enjoy it all. My whole family loves it and My son said he'd never get tired of DL. My hubby and I just have such a good time, we do the rides, and chr meals, and walking around taking it all in. I wish I lived close enough to make daily trips all year just when ever I need a boost.

 

[Pastalady]

For me it's the entire experience. My family often fought a lot. We went to Disneyland three ones when I was little and I can't remember us fighting at a when we were there. Then my dh and I started going. When we were struggling with infertility it strangely was the only place I didn't feel sad even though there are tons of kids. And now that we have our girls and have brought te oldest, it's seeing her joy. And how they deal with her special needs and my dd can be a just a typical kid at Disneyland makes me so happy. She was treated like any other princess when sometimes she is not and we have to answer lots of questions.

I feel this way too. DD has autism. She can just be a kid there. No therapy, just fun! She does surprisingly well, but she is a sensory seeker and there is lots going on sensory wise at DL lol! A major positive with a kid with an out of whack vestibular system is her love of all fast rides! We took her on everything she was tall enough and she did great!

 

[rentayenta]

Since reading this board I've come to see that some people go to disneyland for the 'headliners' (I'm picking up the jargon lol!) like space mountain, big thunder, radiator springs racers etc....

For me it is actually not about the rides at all. It is the atmosphere. The music and sights and shows and happy people and treats... The rides are a bonus to me, but not a necessity to having a good time. We are taking our littles for the first time this year and they are not 40 inches yet, so we will miss all the big rides, but we are totally ok with it because there is so much else to do!

I think the shows are my favorite part.... What is yours?

Great question.


For me and my family, it seems to be the one place where the outside world disappears and we can just be a family. The daily stressors and obligations go by the wayside. The entire atmosphere from the music, attractions, treats, smells, shows etc all lend to the magic for us. It's part nostalgia, the memories we've made, and the new memories we're going to share. It's the beautiful property and top notch service; we feel spoiled and we like it. It's walking into the GCV and hearing *welcome home*. It's knowing that every trip will vary in the details but we know it'll be magical.

 

[whoever]

Why? Because I love it... all of it. I can have a blast there by myself, with family, friends, etc. Rides or just walking around the park. Its a truly magical place for those with imagination in their heart.