Why I Go to Disney. Why Do You?

[andyman8]

Last night, I was reading this new book I just got called "I Led the Parade!...Main Street Memories" by Dean Gaschler (he was the MK parade grand marshal or director from '98 to 2012 so he picked the family of the day; it's a wonderful and heart-wrenching book), and it got me thinking, what makes this place special to me?

I'll try to keep this short, but the answer is odd. It's not that I love the rides (but they are amazing), the hotels (they're great too), the characters (funny and interesting to meet), the people (always quite a sight), or the food (I can't say it's the best but anyway), it's that weird feeling you get: one of agelessness or timelessness where you forget about the stresses and crap of the real world for a minute. One of the few places in the world where you see your kids at age 7 and 17, where you remember the small moments like eating dinner at TLT looking towards the castle with your kids as the sun sets. That's great, but what keeps me thinking about it enough to write blog posts about it, post here almost every day, and of course, check a dozen Disney fan sites every day?

That's the hard part. I guess every time I come here you think of yourself next to your little kids who'd never reach "that" age and next thing you know they're going to the homecoming dance, but at the same time, just as you took a picture with them in front of the castle 10 years ago, you still do. It's one of the few consistencies we are afforded in today's world. When I come to this site, I remember that, and as I'm typing, there's a flurry of memories and hopes for future trips that come to me. So my question to you is why do you go to WDW?

Sorry to ramble, but just curious what others thought.

 

[dissupermom]

I agree! the feeling of happy just overflows at WDW! it is a family destination where adults can be kids and, for the most part, most kids can get on all rides. it's nothing like the smiles and laughter of kids when they get off rides, the smiles of adults after the shows. the other guests are kinder to each other than they probably would be outside of WDW... I love the bubble of safety and happy that you only get by staying on sight. I like watching couples hold hands at WDW, enjoying time spent together. time just seems to stand still there, but it goes by so fast because just when you get there, it's time to go, no matter how long you stay.

 

[jphilhower]

I keep coming back because of the sense of peace I get just walking in the parks. you're right no stress from the outside world. One of my favorite things is just sitting and watching.

 

[thedonduck]

Last night, I was reading this new book I just got called "I Led the Parade!...Main Street Memories" by Dean Gaschler (he was the MK parade grand marshal or director from '98 to 2012 so he picked the family of the day; it's a wonderful and heart-wrenching book), and it got me thinking, what makes this place special to me?

I'll try to keep this short, but the answer is odd. It's not that I love the rides (but they are amazing), the hotels (they're great too), the characters (funny and interesting to meet), the people (always quite a sight), or the food (I can't say it's the best but anyway), it's that weird feeling you get: one of agelessness or timelessness where you forget about the stresses and crap of the real world for a minute. One of the few places in the world where you see your kids at age 7 and 17, where you remember the small moments like eating dinner at TLT looking towards the castle with your kids as the sun sets. That's great, but what keeps me thinking about it enough to write blog posts about it, post here almost every day, and of course, check a dozen Disney fan sites every day?

That's the hard part. I guess every time I come here you think of yourself next to your little kids who'd never reach "that" age and next thing you know they're going to the homecoming dance, but at the same time, just as you took a picture with them in front of the castle 10 years ago, you still do. It's one of the few consistencies we are afforded in today's world. When I come to this site, I remember that, and as I'm typing, there's a flurry of memories and hopes for future trips that come to me. So my question to you is why do you go to WDW?

Sorry to ramble, but just curious what others thought.

I just posted about this last night on my FB after an awesome spur of the moment trip to Animal Kingdom-just me and the kiddos (Daddy was at work)

This is taken from my FB page (with a few interjections from me on here)

"People constantly ask me how/why we continue to go to Disney all the time (we are locals with APs). Today has proved exactly the reason. After our third time around on the Conservation Train at Animal Kingdom without getting off, the conductor came over to make sure we weren't confused about where we were trying to go. When I explained to him that Casen (age 3) loves trains so we were just wanting to ride the loop a few times. It was the last circle of the day that they were going to make, so Conductor Ed asked us to come up front and put Casen in the conductor seat. He was seriously so excited he just sat there. Ed let him blow the whistle and told him all about how the train works. Casen hasn't stopped telling me in detail what each button does and his new friend Ed!"

Now Ed has no idea, but my son was completely non-verbal in January due to a disability. We have slowly been making progress with his speech the last few months, but he is still definitely behind. He is just starting to put together very primitive sentences He didn't say anything while he sat in the seat and took everything in (I'm sure outsiders would have thought he was beyond scared), but in reality his poor little brain was working so hard to try and process the whole situation. He just didn't know what to do. After he sheepishly said "thank you" in the tiniest of voices we walked back up to our stroller. For the next 4 hours all he talked about was getting to meet his new friend Ed, ("Me friend Ed drive train"), sitting in the conductor seat ("Momma see Me, Me sit in seat"), and of course getting to blow the whistle ("green push whistle"). It was ABSOLUTELY amazing watching and LISTENING to him convey his thoughts and experiences like such a "typical" kid.

I stopped at Guest Relations on the way out to fill out a CM card, but I still don't think Ed has any idea what he did for my son (and selfishly for me). He was able to connect with my son (for all of 3 mins) more than any therapist/expert has over the last 18 months. I plan on sending in an email to Disney Corporate as well, just to be able to further convey my appreciation.

So thank you Disney for spending a little bit extra time with my son. You truly made his dream (and my dream) come true.

 

[eeyorefan107]

I keep going back because to me, Disney is the only theme park that makes me feel normal. Due to health issues, I use a motorized wheelchair. At Disney, I can go on all the rides I want to, and not feel like I'm holding up the line. I don't do roller coasters or faster rides because of my motion sickness, but I still enjoy myself on the slower rides.

I also go because of the look on my DGD's face when she sees Cinderella Castle, the hugs she gives to her favorite characters, and the never-ending smiles in all the photos we take in the parks.

 

[Patience]

I go because nothing beats seeing the excitement glowing on the face of my little one. She was 4 when we went in the fall of 2011 and 6 on the trip from which we just returned. Everything was pure magic for her and therefore for us. Loved our trip!

 

[RebeccaB]

Ok thanks guys for makin me cry...but in a good way!

It is indeed hard to explain to non-Disneyers what it is about Disney that keeps us going back. A big thing for me is having dh's undivided attention 24/7 for the entire time we are there. He is self employed, nuff said Works non stop, phone always ringing, either in the truck or at the garage.
Also, the precious time with our 13yo dd. It's hard for me to accept that she's growing up, and I find myself with more free time now that she is spending more time with her friends. At Disney, we all are more relaxed.
There is so much more that it is hard to put into words.

 

[lhall7]

I have tears in my eyes reading this special moment for your son!! Thank you for sharing your experience. It is moments such as that one that would make Walt so proud.

For us, Disney is that special place, our home away from home, our "happy place" as I refer to it. When I think about Walt's intentions for both DL and WDW, I think of our family. He had us in mind all those years ago. There is nothing like being at WDW for us! If I am not there, I am thinking about my next trip. When we leave, we always have tears in our eyes b/c we know we are leaving that truly magical place we love so much!

I agree with the OP, we love the rides, resorts, and restaurants, but for us, it is so much more than that. It is that feeling we get when we are there that I get no where else. The memories we have made and will continue to make at WDW are by far some of the best memories of my entire life. It truly is a magical place for us!!

 

[DoctorWhoGirl]

I just posted about this last night on my FB after an awesome spur of the moment trip to Animal Kingdom-just me and the kiddos (Daddy was at work)

This is taken from my FB page (with a few interjections from me on here)

"People constantly ask me how/why we continue to go to Disney all the time (we are locals with APs). Today has proved exactly the reason. After our third time around on the Conservation Train at Animal Kingdom without getting off, the conductor came over to make sure we weren't confused about where we were trying to go. When I explained to him that Casen (age 3) loves trains so we were just wanting to ride the loop a few times. It was the last circle of the day that they were going to make, so Conductor Ed asked us to come up front and put Casen in the conductor seat. He was seriously so excited he just sat there. Ed let him blow the whistle and told him all about how the train works. Casen hasn't stopped telling me in detail what each button does and his new friend Ed!"

Now Ed has no idea, but my son was completely non-verbal in January due to a disability. We have slowly been making progress with his speech the last few months, but he is still definitely behind. He is just starting to put together very primitive sentences He didn't say anything while he sat in the seat and took everything in (I'm sure outsiders would have thought he was beyond scared), but in reality his poor little brain was working so hard to try and process the whole situation. He just didn't know what to do. After he sheepishly said "thank you" in the tiniest of voices we walked back up to our stroller. For the next 4 hours all he talked about was getting to meet his new friend Ed, ("Me friend Ed drive train"), sitting in the conductor seat ("Momma see Me, Me sit in seat"), and of course getting to blow the whistle ("green push whistle"). It was ABSOLUTELY amazing watching and LISTENING to him convey his thoughts and experiences like such a "typical" kid.

I stopped at Guest Relations on the way out to fill out a CM card, but I still don't think Ed has any idea what he did for my son (and selfishly for me). He was able to connect with my son (for all of 3 mins) more than any therapist/expert has over the last 18 months. I plan on sending in an email to Disney Corporate as well, just to be able to further convey my appreciation.

So thank you Disney for spending a little bit extra time with my son. You truly made his dream (and my dream) come true.

What a great experience. My DS(7) has ASD and was speech delayed as well. It's amazing when they start to blossom - every little step is amazing to watch. I bet this experience will be a lifelong memory for both of you. Oh, and GO PACK GO!!! (I lived in WI for several years and became a cheesehead for life)

For my family, our very first big family vacation was a last minute 3 day trip to WDW last fall. I grew up in Orlando going to WDW more times than I can count, so I was beyond anxious to take my family there. Just watching the joy on their faces the entire time we were there was priceless - so many great memories that we still talk about frequently. My DH was reluctant at first, but after our wonderful vacation last year he quickly agreed to making it an annual family vacation.

 

[Suzanne033]

OP, that was so well said.

My answer would be: BUTTERFLIES. I know its a weird answer but I am talking about the butterflies you feel in your stomach. You all know the ones I am talking about.

They are the butterflies you feel when you see the iconic symbols of each park: the castle in Magic Kingdom; Spaceship Earth in Epcot; the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom and those gigantic Mickey ears at Hollywood Studios.

In the 27 years I have been going to Disney those butterflies have never subsided.

 

[babydoll65]

This is the only destination I keep going back to and will never get tired of. Though some friends and coworkers don't understand why I have to go back year after year It just remindes me of when I was a kid watching The Wonderful World of Disney. I went to wdw for the first time when I was 12. It was just after my father died of cancer and left with just my mother,sister and I. That trip ment more to me than anything because my mother had to cut back and work many hours of ot just to be able to go. To this day,when I walk into mk, I sit on a bench for a while and just stare up main street looking at Cinderellas castle. I love all the other parks but mk will always be my favorite.

 

[dissupermom]

I had a not-so-happy experience at WDW one year, but the cast member made the experience one that I know I'd never get anywhere else. although it was no fault of disney and not foreseeable, he took a bad experience and made it memorable! I love disney!

 

[Tink0812]

In 2 weeks I will be returning to Disney for the 14th time. At the age of 23 I keep coming back because to me, it truly is the most magical place on earth. People of any age can go and have fun. No, it's not just about the rides although those are wonderful. It's about the whole experience of being in a place you love with others who love it just as much. Everybody is happy and enjoying great food, good rides, and great resort atmospheres. If I can't be in Disney you can bet I'm planning the next trip to Disney. It's the perfect stress reliever!