Why doesn't everyone get the MAGIC??

[Miniefan]

I was just wondering if any of you might have this same problem as I am experiencing. My family and I decided when we got back from our trip in May that we would be going back soon, so when I found out about the free dining around the same time that I would like to go I jumped on the deal. Soon, I told some of my family members we were going and somehow it ended up being this huge thing and now we are booked with a Grand Gathering including 18 people and possibly 3 more to join it. I myself, love Disney, love everything about it.... I am a total Disney nut. The point I am trying to make is that I am totally psyched that we are returning to WDW in about 3 months.... and I have done all the planning and booking for all the families and parties included in our grand gathering including all the dining arrangements and payments of all the monies and deposits, which I really don't mind because half of the people don't know anything about WDW or the process of booking or even what an ADR is, and also because I am sort of a control freak... BUT.... Every time I talk to them or try to tell them about something that is going on during the trip or where we will be eating or the resorts or parks, they look at me like I have sprouted a second head. I am beginning to feel like some sort of Disney obsessed Freak, My question to you all is.....Is it really that black and white when it comes to Disney??? You either get it or you don't ?? Why doesn't everyone get the magic of Disney?? I know one thing though.....I am going to go on this trip with all the non-believers and have the best time in the magic and wonder of it all!!

Kim

 

[budbeerlady]

NO, you are normal. That is just family who doesnt get it. We are attempting to convert the in-laws who dont get it (yet!) You will have a great trip and take joy in the fact that all your planing and hard work will give everyone a great vacation!

 

[LaughinPlace289]

I was just wondering if any of you might have this same problem as I am experiencing. My family and I decided when we got back from our trip in May that we would be going back soon, so when I found out about the free dining around the same time that I would like to go I jumped on the deal. Soon, I told some of my family members we were going and somehow it ended up being this huge thing and now we are booked with a Grand Gathering including 18 people and possibly 3 more to join it. I myself, love Disney, love everything about it.... I am a total Disney nut. The point I am trying to make is that I am totally psyched that we are returning to WDW in about 3 months.... and I have done all the planning and booking for all the families and parties included in our grand gathering including all the dining arrangements and payments of all the monies and deposits, which I really don't mind because half of the people don't know anything about WDW or the process of booking or even what an ADR is, and also because I am sort of a control freak... BUT.... Every time I talk to them or try to tell them about something that is going on during the trip or where we will be eating or the resorts or parks, they look at me like I have sprouted a second head. I am beginning to feel like some sort of Disney obsessed Freak, My question to you all is.....Is it really that black and white when it comes to Disney??? You either get it or you don't ?? Why doesn't everyone get the magic of Disney?? I know one thing though.....I am going to go on this trip with all the non-believers and have the best time in the magic and wonder of it all!!

Kim

Very few Disney-lovers are blessed with a family of Disney-lovers. No one else in my family loves Disney as much as I do. My mother enjoys going once in awhile, but nothing like me. I could go once a month and never get tired of it. Some people just don't understand, believe me, I know how you feel.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Hey, there is no normal! I love everything Disney from the parks to the movies to everything else! I also love punk rock! I've been listening to it since I was a child. I have a problem with big establishments, however I love and work for the mouse! I'm not normal, but I'm Mousecessed!!!!

 

[Kimberly815]

That's what we are here for! Gotta love the DIS!!!

We are your Disney Family!!

 

[tacomaranch]

OMG! I just figured out yesterday when I put a ticker that we in fact just got back so to speak. We went the first week in May and then did the same thing. We are going back for free dining, and just to be at Disney.

Good luck.

 

[Kick Save]

Why doesn't everyone get the MAGIC??

Because they're stupid.

 

[krissyh]

Some don't get it and some refuse but I think a lot comes from a place of ignorance. I bet a lot of people think they can do WDW like any other vacation. Then, they arrive for their first WDW experience and can't figure out the transportation system , get upset that the kids are starving and there is a two hour wait for the restaurant of their choice and they're upset when they learn about different tours/character events/etc. and they cannot participate. Then, they either hate Disney (perish the thought...) or they learn to do their homework.

I starting taking family trips to WDW when it opened. Last winter, DBF and I went for his first full on Disney Trip (we'd done a day at AK and a day at Epcot on previous trips to Florida).

He laughed and me and called me obsessed as I researched, questioned and planned. He likes to "play it by ear" on vacation. And while that is difficult for this Type A control freak on a simple trip to the beach, I know that it is impossible on a Disney vacation (half the fun is the planning! )
I showed him a couple of restaurants and he grudgingly chose one. Then we arrived and who LOVED the Magical Express (and was annoyed by the people who held up the line because they didn't have reservations?) Who LOVED the Segway Tour I planned? Who tells everyone about the dining plan? Who had questions about everything and was so happy when I had answers? Yep, the guy who just wanted to ride Space Mountain.

So I think it is all a matter of perspective and experience. I can't imagine why anyone would take a vacation and not research but I am a nerd who majored in history - I like that stuff. I think a lot of people don't fully grasp that WDW isn't the MK-only place they remember as kids. I kind of feel badly for them, they don't know what they are missing but since they don't know what they are missing, they probably don't care.

Your family will appreciate you and your obsession when you arrive for an ADR and they hear the host tell another group that they cannot have a table that day.

 

[elastigirlfan]

I've wondered this myself. One day at work I was tellling one of my co-workers that I've always wanted to go to Disney for Thanksgiving. With a straight face, he said, "Why would you want to do that" Sometimes people make you feel weird for liking Disney or wanting to go there. But, the good news is we're going to Disney for this upcoming Thanksgiving!!

 

[FOV]

I think everyone gets excited about different things. I get *really* into researching vacations - not just Disney - but ANYWHERE! We often travel with other families and I am always in charge of planning. I send out emails, call, send print-outs etc... and I get less than enthusiastic reations. Once there we always have a blast (this is where the planning really pays off!)

On the other hand, I have a friend who LOVES to decorate her house. She is always telling me about new ideas and sales on window treatments and my eyes just glaze over. As long as my house looks nice and is relatively clean I am happy. If I had to decorate for every season I'd shoot myself! I'm sure she thinks I'm nuts!

 

[cleo]

Just to defend those who supposedly 'don't get it', maybe it isn't the MAGIC they don't get, it's the obsessive planning.

My family loves their trips to Disney but they sure don't want it in their face every minute. I love the planning. I could, and do, spend hours researching every detail until I find something I didn't know before. It's a passion for me. And I could talk about it non-stop if anyone would listen, which they won't.

My family and friends just want to go and have fun. They would, understandably, mutiny if I forced them to examine every detail, follow a tight schedule and listen to me jammer on about it for months on end.

 

[CleveRocks]

Most of us on this board are really excited about the idea of visiting WDW.

But to each's own. There are a lot of passions in this world, and WDW is only one.

I know some people who are completely obsessed with Longaberger baskets. They collect them, talk about them, and organize bus trips to visit the factory.

Some people are nuts about the Civil War, and can't wait for the one or more times a year when they get to camp out and do battle reenactments.

So I never expect people to "get" my thing with Disney (I'm a man with my 40th birthday staring at me), because I don't think it's something they are missing. For all of us who pity the rest of the world that they don't revel in everything Disney, there are an equal number of people who pity us because we don't dream of spending our free time going through barrels and barrels of pennies one at a time having fun searching for that elusive 1909 S-VDB.

There are some odd ducks around this world. And only some of them are named Donald and Daisy.

 

[Redwitch]

I often tell my DD... "I have three topics of conversation, Disney, NASCAR and food." At least you guys only have to try and expain your Disney obsession -- I also love to watch cars drive in circle.

I found it it the same with both my passions, either you get or you don't. Thats OK, the world would be boring if we all liked and did the same things.

 

[durango kid]

Belive it or not...I was once a WDW hater! I didn't get it AT ALL!

So...my theory is if you've never been, you probably don't get it.
Or in my case: If you are with the wrong person at the wrong time of year, for just one day. And you stay at a crappy motel about an hour away. get to the MK about 11:00. Stand in line for Dumbo for two hours in the August heat. You are not going to get it either. Evertime someone said "Disney" I said "Disney Sucks!"

It was my good fortune to marry a disney lover. I was made to go to WDW for a week. I expected the worse, but anything for my wife. She knew to stay on property, she knew to avoid August, she knew everything! As usual, I might add. I was almost in tears to leave. I have been a fanatic ever since. Within a year we bought into DVC. All my friends think I'm some sort of nut. Not only why would you go more than once EVER, but why would you want to go more than once a year?
My point is the magic can be learned, and it is our job to spread the word.

 

[DznyFan]

Like you, we too have many friends who just don't 'get' it. We've traveled there with some, and some are just friends or relatives who have never been to WDW. My sister is a prime example: she doesn't ever go on vacations. EVER. She lives on a property with about 15 horses, a half-dozen cats and about 15 dogs. She's tied down and can't even get away for an over-nighter. I don't 'get' that! It would be different if she was in business (like breeding dogs or horses for a purpose)- but she just has them and feeds them. She doesn't 'get' Disney.... at all.
I suppose it's just the differences in people, but there's a part of me that just feels sad for those that don't get the magic, and on top of that, think I'm crazy/obsessed/immature/irresponsible (pick your adjective) because we decorate Disney and make sure we go to WDW every year. Some feel it's irresponsible that our DD will be attending college and majoring in performing arts so that she can fulfull her goal in working at WDW as a performer.
It's just kind of frustrating traveling with the non-magical because they want to complain about every little thing - bus waits, dining costs, lines - whatever they can think of. There is so much magic there.... at least we've managed to convert our share of Disney lovers!!

 

[MEK]

Just like Durango Kid, I didn't get it until I actually went the first time. And it wasn't my choice to go. My DH suggested and my kids actually told me they were the only kids left in their classes that had never been to Disney (1st and 3rd grades). I'm still not sure if I believe them, but since they attend private school, it's possible.

I actually thought I would hate Disney, since I HATE anything crowded. But I did my research, had a plan for every day, and I subsequently fell in love with the place. I have my 4th and 5th trips planned for this summer and fall. I have decided I am addicted and there is no sense in trying to understand or explain it. It is what it is!

___________________________________________________

Max is my favorite cat!

 

[Miniefan]

While I understand that Disney is just like basicly anything in the world, some people just like certain things because that is what they are into. I guess I am referring to specific moments that make me think that they just don't get it.... I will say that my bil and his family made their first trip down with us on our last trip, which was last May, he has been converted.....When we first got down there he had this attitude like I just paid over $3,000.00, this better be good, but before we had even left he was talking about when we could come back and be able to do more or different things....His wife however didn't get it.... Some of the other people attending this trip pretty much have the attitude of Just plan it and we will do it or whatever you decide is fine or whatever you guys are doing we will do that.....This is fine especially for some of them because they have never been there before. I guess it just irritates me a bit that they are willing to fork over the $$ for their families to go on vacation and then they don't seem the least bit interested in me telling them anything about what it is we will be doing for the 10 days we'll be down there. Who knows, maybe once we get there they will change their minds and become Disney obsessed lunatics like me and my family. This is going to sound really mean....but I almost wish they had the chance to go down there without all my efforts and planning and know-how of most everything Disney down there and see what it is like and then go on the vacation where I have done all the leg-work....Mean, I know....I just wish they did get it and possibly appreciate all the research and planning on my part!!

Kim

 

[cleo]

Do you want to be appreciated or do you want them to have fun?

My parents go to Disney once in a blue moon, wander around aimlessly, haven't seen half of what's there, and come back saying they just loved it. Go figure.

I planned a wonderful trip for my parents, my son and myself a few years back and they finally did all of the rides they never even knew were there in all their past trips. I worked hard, made sure everything would go smoothly, had dining at places I knew they'd love....all they had to do was show up. And they did. Did they love it? YES! Did they love it more than their previous wandering around? NO!

I learned to plan because I love it, not because anyone would or would not appreciate my efforts. It sounds like some of the fun is being lost for you because you want them to praise your efforts. Not gonna happen, I'll bet. But we'll share your excitement! You're among friends who know how you feel about planning. Maybe that will help take some of the sting out of not feeling 'appreciated'?

 

[PureTcrazy]

I understand. My brother made fun of me...until I got him involved planning his first real trip down. Now I think he is more obsessed than me. (He is Meshmar on the Dis Boards) My best friend and her family are going down with us for free dining and they are totally unconcerned with what we are doing. "Whatever you plan is great" I am hoping once they go, they will get the magic.

At work my coworkers call me OCD (OVERLY CONCERNED about DISNEY). Oh well, to each his own!

 

[MartDM]

I don't think it has anything to do with "magic" per se. I think some people are just way more into WDW than others.

For example, we only visit WDW every few years even though we're in Orlando every October. We like to experience all the area resort locations, so we stay at a different one each year. Likewise, we spend the rest of our vacation time visiting other exciting and memorable locations around the world. Does that mean we don't get the magic? Of course not! We love the magic! We just also like to experience all the other "magic" the world has to offer as well.

I think OPs point speaks more toward planning anyway. Some of us are just obsessive planners and some are not; it has little to do with WDW or the DIS (there's a similar message board for just about any destination you can think of and they're full of planners like us). We all know that for every planner, there's another who would rather not be bothered. That doesn't mean they can't appreciate the spoils of that planning or enjoy the magic of the vacation when they get there.

Remember, your magic isn't alway someone else's. Me, I'm happy planning all my vacations and having all my ducks in a row for my own enjoyment. I don't expect DH or anyone else to get into it this badly unless they want to.