Will My Family Ever Understand?

[nblake05]

So the other night my DH and I were at my parents house and we got to talking about the Disboards and our vacation and so on. There was a lot of eye rolling going on (by my parents) and snarky comments. I explained how many people were on the Disboards... so clearly, I'm not alone in my affection for WDW. My dad even said that without kids there isn't any point to WDW/DL. I tried to explain to them how many people go as adults, and even alone... that there is so much more at WDW than they realize. My mom said, that she'd been there, done that. Really? The last time they were at DL was 25+ years ago! I don't really remember them having a good time... they complained a lot about the food and prices, and I know we didn't go on most of the rides. I remember going places like Disney with them was always stressful for my brother and me. Once I was old enough to get a job, I made sure just my little brother and I would go to DL a few times a year, so we could actually enjoy it. I agreed that it probably isn't an ideal vacation for them (because they're boring), and, granted, my parents have developed mobility issues, but I said that they do have ECVs and wheelchairs. I just wanted them to acknowledge the fact that they DON'T know and really understand what Disney is all about, so they shouldn't judge us for going. They really don't get why we'd spend all this money on Disney when we could spend thousands less to go on a cruise. I wish I'd had some witty comeback or something. I wish I knew what to say to them when they start making fun of me for loving Disney again (because they will)... something clever that would stop the judgements once and for all. Any ideas? Or should I just learn to live with it because they will NEVER understand?
Thanks for letting me vent!

 

[com_op_2000]

What I tell people like that is:
He who pays the piper calls the music.


If they want to pay for your vacation to go somewhere, go and have a great time on them. If you want to go somewhere and you are paying for it, go and have a great time.

 

[D23Ry]

they will never understand. mine don't. They think i'm crazy for going to wdw or dl instead of a trip to europe or something. they think its a waste, oh well.

 

[JoShan1719]

I'm lucky, I guess. My mom isn't a fan of Disney but she doesn't care that my sister and I love it so much. She's just not a theme park person, she'd prefer Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. She thinks it's great that we have a place that makes us so happy. Last Xmas she gave us Disney ornaments.

 

[disneychic2]

They will never understand your love of Disney. It's so sad that they are missing an opportunity to support you in this and at least be happy you have something you enjoy so much.

Our 4 adult children do not share the love of Disney with DH and I, but they don't try to talk us out of going or make fun of us for going. I wish they shared the joy of Disney, but they just don't. I'm content knowing they are happy that WE are happy to be there every year.

 

[roxysmum123]

Trying to stop the judgements once and for all will an exercise in insanity. There's no point to it. Disney isn't for everybody, and the older people get the more set in their ways they are. Don't bother bringing it up with them, it's just going to end in frustration.

 

[dopeydons]

I totally understand how you feel. My brother makes fun of me because I love Disney and go on solo trips to wdw. It makes me

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

they will never understand. mine don't. They think i'm crazy for going to wdw or dl instead of a trip to europe or something. they think its a waste, oh well.

Even my BFF has try to talk me into Europe. She's been to Scotand, Ireland etc. Even been to WDW and was not impressed. Wait til she hears I'm going alone!

 

[rockydek]

I get them from co-workers , family and friends....More than half of them have never been, to Disney...I also get the...... with no kids, why don't you go else where....like Vegas, Niagara Falls, Cruise, Carribean...I tell them ..I have been and none of them compare to Disney....I'll start to tell them about adult things that are at Disney...F&W Festival, Flower show, Wanyama Safari...I think they are surprised.

 

[ChimneysweepGeorge]

I get it mostly from a particular co-worker...who oddly sees no problem with going to the same resort. My parents are part of the reason I love Disney so they well and fully get it. Some people just don't.

 

[JaneyGrrrl]

Two and a half years ago my now husband, then boyfriend and I moved from Massachusetts to Florida....Within driving distance from WDW of course...First things first, Annual Passes.... When we got married last September my brother said "Lemme guess...Disney World for your honeymoon?" It was said with a snarky tone and an eye roll. I just told him "no, but thanks for inquiring..." We went to DisneyLAND instead. We'd never been and figured it would be a nice change of pace. lol.... I've since become a CM and still can't get enough, ESPECIALLY since I don't have to pay for that annual pass anymore. Some people just don't get it and never will. That's ok...One less person in line to wait behind.

 

[wasabi girl]

You know the old saying about two kinds of people in the world? Well, some "get" Disney and some don't...their loss, I think. Enjoy the obsession!

 

[roxysmum123]

my brother said "Lemme guess...Disney World for your honeymoon?" It was said with a snarky tone and an eye roll. I just told him "no, but thanks for inquiring..." We went to DisneyLAND instead.

My hero, lol!

 

[disneygal58]

We have a similar "family". Living in CO I have had annual passes (we would visit every 11 months), bought into DVC, moved to FL and lived within an hour of the World - visited at least every other weekend.
Have experienced the eye rolling, the nasty comments etc... I don't understand the need to try to make someone feel bad about something that they love so much.
I have travelled extensively to other places, still I LOVE WDW. I could write the book on touring, resorts and the like and I still LOVE DISBOARDS.
So, keep coming here, my friend - amongst those that know what is in your heart.
I once had my astrology chart done and discovered that most of my astrology lays within the 11th House that governs wishes, hopes and dreams - that's what I tell the naysayers when they shake their heads and just don't get it!

 

[jenny2]

Some people get it... some people don't! That's all there is to it Stick with those of us that get it though, we're much more fun!

 

[HotCoffee]

People have different interest but if you say that you enjoy WDW as an adult then people act like it is some kind of stigma. The ones that I find really funny are the ones that role their eyes about going as an adult repeatedly but they go to Branson, MO every spring and to Gatlinburg, TN every fall. Nothing against either of those destinations but what's the difference? They enjoy that over and over and I enjoy WDW over and over. Everyone needs to stop worrying about our Disney addictions and let us enjoy our life that way we choose too.

 

[luvthemouse71]

They'll probably never get it. My Dad never understood why my sister and I love WDW so much. That is, until I took him one year. I was fortunate, because I managed to corrupt him, lol.

I have other family that doesn't get it, but these people go to the same timeshare every year, so whatever.

I would just ignore the snarky comments and feel badly for them that they don't understand the magic.

 

[nblake05]

Trying to stop the judgements once and for all will an exercise in insanity. There's no point to it. Disney isn't for everybody, and the older people get the more set in their ways they are. Don't bother bringing it up with them, it's just going to end in frustration.

I think you're right... like that famous quote: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results."

Some people get it... some people don't! That's all there is to it Stick with those of us that get it though, we're much more fun!

Definitely!

People have different interest but if you say that you enjoy WDW as an adult then people act like it is some kind of stigma. The ones that I find really funny are the ones that role their eyes about going as an adult repeatedly but they go to Branson, MO every spring and to Gatlinburg, TN every fall. Nothing against either of those destinations but what's the difference? They enjoy that over and over and I enjoy WDW over and over. Everyone needs to stop worrying about our Disney addictions and let us enjoy our life that way we choose too.

I couldn't agree more. If they could, my parents would take the same cruise over and over again. Nothing is wrong with that. What IS funny about it is that we convinced them to go on their first cruise with us. They didn't like the idea of a cruise either, wasn't sure they wanted to go...but we convinced them... now they LOVE it. But they still act like we don't know anything!
Thanks everyone for letting me vent and empathizing! I really appreciate it! I guess maybe I'm just a little sensitive to their jibes because DH and I help them out A LOT and they still choose to be snarky. I guess from now on I'll avoid the topic as much as possible. Considering, we leave in 24 days and our trip is ALL I can think about... I guess I won't be talking to them much!

 

[Lumiere Lover]

Don't get me started. Even my DH and kids don't understand my love of Disney World. Each time I fly out of Florida back to Wisconsin, I feel like a piece of my heart gets ripped out. You all know me, I am the one bawling at the airport.

DH's family seems to be jealous of us going to Disney ever other year. I would go at least every year, but DH wouldn't allow it. Each time I see DH's family, they complain about the amount of money we spend at WDW, and how often we go. As far as I am concerned, I am a hard-working adult, I don't have many financial obligations, so I can go on a vacation that I love when I want to (there are a lot of I's in that!).

Try not to worry about others judging you, and make the most of your vacation. DH and I went without the kids, and DH said it was his favorite trip to WDW. We could do what ever we wanted (as long as it was on my pre-arranged itinerary), and didn't have to worry about the kids. It was a great time.

WDW 25 years ago vs. now is completely different. You can't even compare the two.

Enjoy your trip, you deserve it.

 

[TheDisDork]

That's ok...One less person in line to wait behind.

This just became my new mantra for dealing with the naysayers. My aunt just got back from Aulani yesterday and was raving to me about what a fantastic time she had. Her S-I-L (my other aunt) walked by and then entreated us to a 15 minute diatribe on what a waste of money all this Disney stuff was and we needed to get our heads checked. It was a surprisingly nasty and demeaning conversation, and I've been upset ever since. I just read that and for some reason it just made my day!