Why don't you go someplace else!!!

[mommykds]

It happened again. I was having dinner with my husband's family the other day & we got on the topic of vacations...Of course we bring up our upcoming trip to Disney this August & the floodgates opened up...

"Why don't you go someplace else for a change?"
"Don't you get tired of it?"
"You just went in October, what could be different?"
"Why do you spend so much money to go there?"
"10 days? What are you going to do at an amusement park for 10 days?"
"Why are you going in August? It's too hot, you'll hate it!"
"Well at least you can stop going when the kids get too old for it"

Ok, I would like to answer my DH's family here because talking to them is like talking to the Walt & Mickey statue in the hub of MK..no I tell a lie..it would be more productive to talk to the statue! So, if you don't mind I will provide my answers here & just get it off my chest.

"Why don't you go someplace else for a change?"
Well, hmmm let's see....we like Disneyworld!! We like the resorts, the magic in the parks, the whole place...I just don't know how else to put it except that we know we will have fun. We did "go someplace else" a few times. (Col. Williamsburg VA, Busch Gardens, Phoenix, Grand Canyon, Massachusettes, Washington DC & several day trips to Hershey). Well as much as we have fun just being together just the 5 of us we did think to ourselves "we could be in Disney right now" on some occcasions. Why fight the magic? So we just go to Disney.

"Don't you get tired of it?" Umm, again let me think, um NO! There is way too much to do to get tired of it. Each trip is different depending on what resort you choose to stay in, where you choose to dine, & what parks/shows/tours you take. We've been several times & no trip in the same and no we are not tried of it.

"You just went in October, what could be different?" Yea, and if I had my way & enough dinero we would have been there for Christmas so we didn't have to see any of those folks for the holidays!

"Why do you spend so much money to go there?" Last Oct we had the free dining..trip was 10 days at the POR..total for tickets, resort & free food was $2500 ...I think that's very good by Disney standards for 10 days in the World for a family of 5. This year we are "splashing out" if you will because it's out 15th wedding anniversary .I think my DH & I both deserve a reward for putting up with each other this long so we booked 10 nights at the Beach Club. Yes, pricey for us but we have cut back on all other areas of daily life (no more eating out for example) to make this happen & we are pleased to do so.

"10 days? What are you going to do at an amusement park for 10 days?" An amusement park???? An amusement park????
Hey this isn't Great Adventure ok? Well let's see we can tackle a Yeti in Everest, learn about 10 other country's cultures besides our own, ride the rides, eat at some nice/fun places, meet the characters, swim in SAB, see fireworks every night, see parades day & night, rent a surrey bike, go fishing, get a haircut with pixie dust, see acrobats, enjoy street music, watch movies, take boat rides, shop til you drop, watch the sunset from a beach..ok you all get the picture...I think we can find something pass the time while we are there.

"Why are you going in August? It's too hot, you'll hate it!"
If I could pick I wouldn't go in August but the kids are just getting to old & the schoolwork getting too hard to make up to take them out of school. Last October we took them out for 3 days to avoid the crowds..well the first part of Oct was so crowded & hot that I didn't see that it was worth it to take them out again for a hot crowded park..Supposidely the last week in August is the less crowded time to go during the summer so thats why we chose it. Now I don't have to fight with my kids teachers & make up story saying we have a "family function out of state" since my kids are not allowed any unexcused absences. I don't have to take on the school board to have an off peak vacation with my kids. The hassle is not worth it...we'll go in August..another plus to that is there is no time constrait of having to get back for school..we can go for as long as the pocketbook will allow & enjoy our time together instead of worrying about how much work they will have to make up when we return.

"Well at least you can stop going when the kids get too old for it"
Number 1, I don't think my kids will ever get too old for it since they are Disney addicts like me. Number 2, we are looking to quite a few trip alone just DH & I when the kids have gone to college. I would love to got to Citricos, Narcoosees, Blue Zoo or the chefs table at Victoria & Alberts with just us 2. There are many grown up ways to enjoy Disney & we look forward to that as well as someday having our grandkids down there with us...ok too far into the future..hey I'm only 37..ok back to the present...I don't think our trips to Disney will end when our children grow up.

Thanks for letting me have a rant. You either get the magic or you don't. We get it, they don't..good, less people in front of me on line at Peter Pan. Just had to get that down in writing because I was going to burst.

 

[slk537]

I think I just might print this out and use it myself. You're so right - some people don't get it and that's fine. But why criticize those of us who do?

Excellent rant!

 

[ms.ojo]

I love your responses! I feel the same way. And my brother, who is now in his 50's w/ grown up children....they go every other thanksgiving and all for "grown-ups" love it!!!!!! So far he and dw haven't gone alone...but they plan to! It's a wonderful magical vacation...and I am so excited to be planning our next trip for next April!!!! As yousay, stuff to do when kids are young...as they get older...and then as grown-ups. we LOVE Disney vacations.

P.S. $2500 for a family of 5!!!!!!!!!!!! That's amazing! The free dining made a huge difference. Best I've done for family of 4 (w/out free dining) is just over $3000. But my kids are younger and split meals.

 

[Harambe]

Oh, the poor, poor unenlightened . . . stick with us, mommykds, we speak your language.

Now, I wish I had YOUR problem. For us, people always call us to "see when you guys are going down to Disney this year" since for some strange reason, they think we want them to come with us!!!!!!!

 

[Oreo Cookie]

Mommykds - It's your vacation and it's your money, so they have no say and they should respect your choices as a family.

I think you just need to tell them straight out that if they don't have something positive to say, they should just be quiet. I think they need to keep their opinions to themselves, and there is nothing wrong with telling them that.

I think the answers you posted are great in your post, and too bad they wouldn't just listend and then learn to keep their comments to themselves.

Anyway, I say rant, that way you get it out of your system.

 

[patrizella]

You either get it or you don't. I'll pray for those who don't

 

[joshsmom]

Except for the fact that this was aimed at your in-laws and the fact that you have a husband, I could have basically written it (although not as well as you did!! ) My sisters and their husbands/kids/etc., are NOT Disney people. They don't get excited when we are planning our trip and when we come back they ask us how it was, we say fine, that's the end of it. They don't ask to see pictures, ask about the resorts, food, rides, etc. Granted, none of them have ever BEEN to Disney, but because I love it so much, they have to assure themselves that it must be uncool (BTW, I'm the oldest of 3, I'm 37, and my sisters are 32 and 31).

It irks me. I get excited for them and their vacations. My mom, who always goes with me and DS WHEREVER we go, watches my sister's children. She basically has to spend 2 months before we go to "lead into" the fact that we're going, be ready to defend our decision to go there, and listen to my sister complain that we're going there AGAIN. Why the heck she cares is beyond me--it's not her money.

Sorry. Guess I've been bottling that up for awhile!!! Felt good to get it off my chest. Didn't mean to downplay your rant--it just led into my rant!!! I think I'm going to print your list, give it to my sister, and invite her to keep her opinions to herself!!!

Thanks for the opportunity to share with another frustrated DISer!!! We are family!!! (Wait--do I hear the Pointer Sisters in the background?? We are family . . . I got all my sisters and me . . .)

 

[hallie615]

I just love all your responses. I am dreading the day I have to tell my friends and family that me and DH are trying to go back to WDW in September. Same comments that you get, except we do not have any kids yet so I get the stupid comments like: This will be your 4th time since 2000, why don't you go somplace else?? My answer is because I don't wanna go anywhere else!! You have no children so why go to an amusement park?? Because, I WAN"T TO GO TO DISNEY !!.

I think it is really sad that I have to hide all my excitement about planning my trip to my favorite place on earth. I am 34, DH 34, we never went to disney as a kid, so I look at it as making up for lost time..

I am sooo glad I found the DIS boards so I can share all my planning with people who are just like me. (Disney obsessed) ha ha

 

[joshsmom]

I I think it is really sad that I have to hide all my excitement about planning my trip to my favorite place on earth. we never went to disney as a kid, so I look at it as making up for lost time..

I am sooo glad I found the DIS boards so I can share all my planning with people who are just like me. (Disney obsessed) ha ha

I don't know what I'd DO without the DISboards!!! People understand me here--it's kind of like the Asylum for the Disney Insane!!!! (or Sane, as the case may be!!)

 

[Ghost]

Well, with so many members on this board we know we are not alone... still funny that outside in the 'real world' we always seem to bump into the people with the above questions...

As I will never grow up, my next planned destination will be a Disney location somewhere on this globe (and I'll take the remarks of the others with it)...

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Exactly!! - - My DH even said that to us - yep, to me and the kids (and my kids are 17 and 15)!!
He said, "don't you guys want to go somewhere else, how bout Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls?" So...I said to the kids, "somewhere new or WDW?" - And you know what they said!! So....looks like my DH will meet us at WDW on our last day, and we'll all head to US/IOA, (since we have never been there) then we'll visit my MIL in FL (in December). - And, no I haven't told anyone else in our families about vacation yet. I'll probably need to print out the responses above as well before we tell them - and even worse for the extended family - in laws especially, we won't be home for Christmas Eve in-law gathering - not sure how we are gonna break it to them yet! Was glad to see this thread. thanks

 

[MelanieC]

I hear this all the time myself. I get it at work, from friends and from my DH's family. My mom understands although she isn't like that herself. She raised me going to Disneyland, so I think she knows she created the monster, lol!

Most people just don't understand. It's funny, but when DH and I started going to WDW in 1996 he had fun, but when I said lets go again the next year he was reluctant. I pleaded my case over and over and won. We went every year except for the 2 years when my son was born. DH would fight it every year and I would win!

Funny thing is, he now loves it just as much as I. We almost did the Disney cruise this year but switched back to Disney because of DD14 starting High school and not wanting to miss a week in Nov/Dec. It was so funny because when he thought we were not going this year he (not me) started making plans for 2- 2 week vacations the summers of 2007/2008.

We have increased our time on vacations throughout the years, learned to use Annual passes to get two years of vacations out of one pass and the longer we go for in each trip, the more fun we have. You can never go for too long. We never get bored or run out of things to do.

Last year was our first ever summer trip and with some planning we actually found that we preffered the summer. There is something about the non feeling guilty for having the kids out out school, knowing we don't have to pack sweatshirts that make it so much fun. We spent a day at Busch Gardens last year and I hated it because of the heat. Disney did it right because most lines and rides are indoors. By the time you get hot outside, you go inside into a ride or restaurant. By the time you get cold from the airconditioning you go outside to the heat and thaw. It just works perfectly for us.

Glad you have this forum to get it off your chest. I revel in the fact that they don't get it and we do. It just makes it that more special because I know the secret!!!

I also am excited at the prospect of someday going with just DH and doing all the things we can't with kids. I too can't wait to try V&A's!

 

[megan2346]

I agree with everything that has been written. I could go to WDW every couple of months and always have a great time. I am the type of person who likes to go on vacation and do things, so WDW is a great place for myself and my family. The idea of going on vacation and sitting on a beach for a week does nothing for me I would rather be spending my time with the mouse.

 

[disgram]

I too, get tired of the same questions and the rolling eyes and shaking of the heads of the "poor unfortunate souls" that don't get it!!!!! Our neighbor got really tired of hearing about our trips and decided to go for herself. I was excited for her. Gave her my guides and maps and all my knowledge for her trip. When she and her boys came back, all she could do was complain that it was too hot, it cost too much, and there was no "magic"!!!! Come to find out, they stayed way off site, ate only at counters and just didn't follow any plan. Staying off-site is fine. But you have to go with an open mind and be ready for the "magic". They were not. I guess you either have the special magic in your soul or you don't. I shrug my shoulders and shake my head and say a silent prayer for them as I sadly walk away from the unbelivers. But, then, I perk up and realize that our trip is coming and there will be 3 less people in line for my favorite things at Disney!!!!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

You have no children so why go to an amusement park?? Because, I WAN"T TO GO TO DISNEY !!.

I'm glad someone else gets this question! I always get this from people at work and occasionally from my family. Why would I want to go anywhere else, kids or no kids?? These people obviously have not had a Disney-cultured upbringing!

 

[jenniferma]

I loved your post-- May will be our third trip since 2003. I just think it is the best vacation spot with little kids! To me, renting a beach house for a week is not fun-- Cooking, cleaning and not a whole lot for the kids to do but play in the sand......... augh. Not for me! I'd rather have them entertained and most importantly-- I don't want to have to cook!

good luck with the relatives!!
jen

 

[scrappystamper1]

Anyone one on this board who is Disney crazy has had that same conversation with family and friends. Here's my version.
My boss, the dentist took his 3rd trip to France to go skiing this Feb. He was giving us grief about Disney 4 years in a row saying "you should go someplace different"......BLAH BLAH BLAH... Then it hit me. I said " so, third year to France huh...what's so great about France?" he said " the food is awesome, the skiing is so much better "etc.etc.etc... and I said " So France is kinda like YOUR Disney World then huh?" I have'nt heard a word since. I have used that same line on the Vegas addicts, The cruise addicts. My point is, Insead of TRYING to make me feel like a looser mom who does'nt give her children the exposure to different vacations, Why not say, "how great that you take your children on a fun vacation and spend a whole 10 days as a family".!!!
As long as I don't ask you for money to fund my vacation, why should you care where we go?

Janet Paddock 46 days and counting!!!!!!

 

[skoi]

I think this is so funny. We hear it too, and the people we hear it from, well they usually GO TO THE SAME PLACE EVERY YEAR TOO. We live in Philadelphia. Most people we know go the Jersey shore or down to Maryland EVERY YEAR for vacation. They occasionally throw in a trip to Williamsburg, maybe Disney. So what's the difference between me going to Disney, and them going to Wildwood? Nothing, but they can't see that.

And they don't know enough about Disney to know you can go down there and have a vacation without ever going into one of the parks (okay, I wouldn't do that, but I've talked to DVC owners who have).

No one even asks us where we're going- they just say, "Which Disney this time?" When we came back from a trip to China to adopt our youngest daughter, everyone was surprised I didn't manage to wedge in a trip to Disneyland Hong Kong- and our two big kids were disappointed that I couldn't pull it off. Guess I'm not as magical as they think.

 

[Cplofdisneynutz]

"Well at least you can stop going when the kids get too old for it"
Number 1, I don't think my kids will ever get too old for it since they are Disney addicts like me. Number 2, we are looking to quite a few trip alone just DH & I when the kids have gone to college. I would love to got to Citricos, Narcoosees, Blue Zoo or the chefs table at Victoria & Alberts with just us 2. There are many grown up ways to enjoy Disney & we look forward to that as well as someday having our grandkids down there with us...ok too far into the future..hey I'm only 37..ok back to the present...I don't think our trips to Disney will end when our children grow up.

Since when is Disney only for kids?? I guess there is such a thing as us "big kids" We are a young couple who as of April will have been 3 time in less than 2 years. We love the romance Disney offers. I proposed to my DW there because i could not think of a more magical place to display my ultimate commitment. We returned for our honeymoon for its magic and we are going in April because we can't live without the Disney magic in our lives. The energy & excitement it creates is amazing. Disney has world class restaurants, and hotels that rival some of the best around the world. Sure a child is not going to appreciate that until they grow up, but us "big kids" sure do love all the options Disney offers!! We cannot wait to share the magic of Disney with our future kids, but for now it is a place we cherish and love with no foreseeable end to our trips. As the OP have said you have to feel sorry for those who do not understand our passion for WDW, but hey, us "big kids" do not want any stinking adults around anyway plus there's more pixie dust for us!!

BTW last time we checked Disney was the #1 honeymoon destination in the world. Hmmmm I wonder why??

 

[LoveWDW]

I thought the same thing! "Amusement Park"!!??