Will My Family Ever Understand?

[Sunshine1987]

I know it is hard but try not to let them suck the JOY from your love of Disney!!! I have learned that there are some people in my life I can discuss Disney with (certain friends, my dh) and others I keep it under lock and key because I just get eye rolls or negative comments (my sil, other friends and co-workers). I was lucky enough to be raised at Disneyland (my grandfather worked there) and visited more times than I can remember until I moved out of California in 93 but the truth is I still can't get enough of all things Disney, and especially WDW! I learn something new and experience new things everytime I go!

Enjoy your trip and use the boards to share your Disney passion! I am a mom of 3 but cannot WAIT to go to the World someday without my precious cargo!!! I would even do a solo trip if my dh would let me, but he is totally crazy about WDW too so I doubt that will ever happen!

 

[lthiesfeld07]

I am the only Disney fanatic in my family. No one understands why I want to go all of the time. I FINALLY convinced my best friend to go in August with me. We had a great time. While I was gone, I received a pin code for November, but I can't use it because no one will go with me. Yeah, I could go solo, but I'd rather spend the money to go with someone.

The Dis is a great way to share the excitement with others! I've also found listening to some great Disney Pod Casts helps too!

 

[disneygal58]

I can understand not sharing the enthusiasm. I will never understand the sarcasm and judgement.

 

[HotCoffee]

Cynicism rules the world. All it takes is a good look at our politics (no need to comment), sports fans(49ers and Raiders fight in the stands), religion(see politics), news sources (Fox, CNN, MSNBC) and even products (car makers) to know that the world has a real problem with understanding individual ideas, tastes, and freedoms. If you don’t agree with me or if you don’t enjoy the same thing as you do then you’re “wrong, stupid, angry, misinformed, brain washed”. While our overall problems as a society might have little to do with where we choose to vacate the idea that you are “stupid, childish, weird” because of where you go is only a symptom of a larger problem. We are to busy trying to run the lives of others.

 

[gatrbait]

I think somewhere there must be a study of Disney lovers(DL) vs Non Disney lovers(Buttheads)...this study probably says that as DL's we live our lives, love deeper, smile longer, laugh louder, have less health issues, know how to let down our hair, can laugh at ourselves, can make a wish upon a star and believe it can come true, our hearts are open and our minds are young.
this study probably says the buttheads lack a sense of humor, have no intelligence, have too much stress in their lives, enjoy making others as miserable as they are, and just all around grouchy people.
I personally am a very happy and proud Disney Lover and believethe buttheads should be sprinkled with pixie dust until they change their ways!
Good luck to you Original poster, I hope your personal buttheads don't bring you down...maybe bring them a lil pixie dust back to get them started!

 

[TiszBear]

Becky (Lumiere Lover) I am exactly the same way when I leave Florida to back to Wisconsin. I start to get teary eyed the night before and until we are in the sky after take off.

I have said this before on the Disboards and another board, some people just never will get it or understand. They are the ones that will get mad at you when you point out to them (why do you have to go to every home football game (packers), hockey game (admirals), every weekend camping up north) They tell you that's different, I tell them "How is that different?" they can't answer.

So just continue to come to boards and enjoy continuing to enjoy Disney. I know I am a will.

Oh - besides my cruise this month I also have planned 2 weeks in March 2012 and planning for October 2012 for F&W with my bes friend who btw is a co worker and a Disney fanatic as well. Hmmm, just realized - how does my office stand the 2 of us at times!?

to the previous poster above me: I wouldn't waste all the good pixie dust on the non believers. To me the non believers are all grown up and it's hard to change that.

 

[gatrbait]

Tiszbear I agree...maybe we can dump something else on them
Have a great day!

 

[mfolco]

DH and I get the same reaction from my family - the eye-rolling, the comments about how expensive and stressful Disney vacations are.
So when I invited some family to come with us in November I figured they would decline, since hey, they're not Disney lovers.

Well - they accepted (of course). We're DVC and they get free hotel for a week (BLT - 2 bdrm - MK view) - so I guess that helped.

Following my normal routine, I do my countdowns, make ressies 180 days out - and put together a general itinerary so we can get the most out of our vacation. We love trying new things when we go to Disney and since we're on our 11 trip, we like to do more and our 7 year old DD loves it.

Well now, I get the comments that they don't want their whole trip planned out - they don't want to spend a lot of money eating at Disney - they don't want to be on the go all the time and (love this one) the trip is all about eating, we don't know what we'll feel like eating each day.

Well excuse me - you now NEED to have ressies for Disney - you can't just walk in anymore and dine when you want to. They gave me a hard time about counting down to the 180 day mark to do my reservations, they don't understand you can't get Le Cellier unless you are REALLY lucky! DH, DD AND I DO NOT WANT COUNTER SERVICE FOR OUR WHOLE VACATION! Not that we don't like CS but on vacation we want to dine out - we've saved for it - we rarely go out to eat at home (not worth it after Disney dining) and this is our way to relax for at least one meal out of the day.

Fine - you can go your own way - stop commenting on my plans. You don't have to come, you don't have to eat with us. Monitor your own airline tickets - you make your own ressies - you call and get the ME reserved - you get your own tickets! Stop commenting negatively BUT still let me do all the planning and worrying - stop commenting on how much park tickets are - don't roll your eyes but then still accept all we offer and leave me to plan out everything.

Sorry - guess I really had to vent!

 

[TiszBear]

Hey MFolco - I say you do the planning for you, DH & DD. Make your dinning reservations for you and your airline and your ME transfers and I say let the others fend for themselves. You are providing a place to stay that's it. IF they don't want to take the time help make decisions then I say "you are on your own". I know that sounds harsh but I have done that and it made my life easier. I do have a question thou,have any of the other family members that are going with you offered to pay for anything? Sorry being nosey. I feel for you as I have been in your position before but with 13 family members. hmm till this day they still bring up the incident where I left them all but my parents at Animal Kindgom and let them find there own way to Boardwalk Villas.

 

[nblake05]

Cynicism rules the world. All it takes is a good look at our politics (no need to comment), sports fans(49ers and Raiders fight in the stands), religion(see politics), news sources (Fox, CNN, MSNBC) and even products (car makers) to know that the world has a real problem with understanding individual ideas, tastes, and freedoms. If you don’t agree with me or if you don’t enjoy the same thing as you do then you’re “wrong, stupid, angry, misinformed, brain washed”. While our overall problems as a society might have little to do with where we choose to vacate the idea that you are “stupid, childish, weird” because of where you go is only a symptom of a larger problem. We are to busy trying to run the lives of others.

Really great point! I might have to quote you next time I talk to my parents!

I think somewhere there must be a study of Disney lovers(DL) vs Non Disney lovers(Buttheads)...this study probably says that as DL's we live our lives, love deeper, smile longer, laugh louder, have less health issues, know how to let down our hair, can laugh at ourselves, can make a wish upon a star and believe it can come true, our hearts are open and our minds are young.
this study probably says the buttheads lack a sense of humor, have no intelligence, have too much stress in their lives, enjoy making others as miserable as they are, and just all around grouchy people.
I personally am a very happy and proud Disney Lover and believethe buttheads should be sprinkled with pixie dust until they change their ways!
Good luck to you Original poster, I hope your personal buttheads don't bring you down...maybe bring them a lil pixie dust back to get them started!

I would love to see that study done! I think you're right about how the results would turn out! You pretty much described my mom and dad...although they do have a sense of humor (usually)... but they do have the health issues. To them it is an excuse... to me a symptom. And on that note I feel I must add they also do the eye-rolling, sarcastic snarkiness when they complain I spend too much time at the gym! Also, I've given up on the pixie dust for them... they really could care less when we've brought them something back. I mean... they don't even pretend to be grateful! A x-mas ornament we gave them in '05 is collecting dust somewhere...I've never seen it used!

DH and I get the same reaction from my family - the eye-rolling, the comments about how expensive and stressful Disney vacations are.
So when I invited some family to come with us in November I figured they would decline, since hey, they're not Disney lovers.

Well - they accepted (of course). We're DVC and they get free hotel for a week (BLT - 2 bdrm - MK view) - so I guess that helped.

Following my normal routine, I do my countdowns, make ressies 180 days out - and put together a general itinerary so we can get the most out of our vacation. We love trying new things when we go to Disney and since we're on our 11 trip, we like to do more and our 7 year old DD loves it.

Well now, I get the comments that they don't want their whole trip planned out - they don't want to spend a lot of money eating at Disney - they don't want to be on the go all the time and (love this one) the trip is all about eating, we don't know what we'll feel like eating each day.

Well excuse me - you now NEED to have ressies for Disney - you can't just walk in anymore and dine when you want to. They gave me a hard time about counting down to the 180 day mark to do my reservations, they don't understand you can't get Le Cellier unless you are REALLY lucky! DH, DD AND I DO NOT WANT COUNTER SERVICE FOR OUR WHOLE VACATION! Not that we don't like CS but on vacation we want to dine out - we've saved for it - we rarely go out to eat at home (not worth it after Disney dining) and this is our way to relax for at least one meal out of the day.

Fine - you can go your own way - stop commenting on my plans. You don't have to come, you don't have to eat with us. Monitor your own airline tickets - you make your own ressies - you call and get the ME reserved - you get your own tickets! Stop commenting negatively BUT still let me do all the planning and worrying - stop commenting on how much park tickets are - don't roll your eyes but then still accept all we offer and leave me to plan out everything.

Sorry - guess I really had to vent!

You can go ahead and vent to me anytime! I agree with the pp. Let them fend for themselves for the most part. Maybe make 1 or 2 reservations including them...just so they can see the difference in what a little planning gets you! I would tell them..."hey, you don't like the job I'm doing... you do it." But, I can also see how if things go wrong for them and they don't have a WONDERFUL time... that will be your fault too! Sometimes it feels like a no-win, huh?

 

[mfolco]

Hey MFolco - I say you do the planning for you, DH & DD. Make your dinning reservations for you and your airline and your ME transfers and I say let the others fend for themselves. You are providing a place to stay that's it. IF they don't want to take the time help make decisions then I say "you are on your own". I know that sounds harsh but I have done that and it made my life easier. I do have a question thou,have any of the other family members that are going with you offered to pay for anything? Sorry being nosey. I feel for you as I have been in your position before but with 13 family members. hmm till this day they still bring up the incident where I left them all but my parents at Animal Kindgom and let them find there own way to Boardwalk Villas.

Tiszbear that is priceless!!! I WISH I had taken that stance when I made the offer in the first place - but no I'm a glutton for punishment and felt like I have to be the tour conductor!

NO OFFER OF MONEY AT ALL!!! Zip, Zilch, NONE!!!! (and if you can believe it) One person even said to my DH and me when I was talking about paying for my Dad's laptop (cause my DD spilled his coffee and damaged it) - "You guys are generous to a fault! You should not pay for that - he put his coffee too close to the laptop."

That only cost us a couple hundred compared to using our DVC points on WAY MORE ROOM then 3 people need. I guess they don't "see" the real cost of how much that 2 bdrm BLT with MKV is (only about a 1000.00 per night)! Not to mention the 600.00 FULL SIZE SUV rental (cause how can I fit 7 people and bags into a mid-size - our normal rental - and yes I could do the ME for them but we like have a rental handy and be able to hit win-dixie for grapples on the way - no GRAPPLES in New England!!)

AND they have the NERVE to complain about the cost of PARK TICKETS!!!!! REALLY!!! AND the cost for dining at CRT (which I was more then happy for them not to join us for) - and the holiday party -UGH!!! The only things you have to shell out for - air/dining and park tickets - we're paying for EVERYTHING ELSE!!! Jeez...

Oh and I LOVE THIS ONE - "Can I change my NON-REFUNDABLE airline ticket? I want to stay longer I have a friend down there to visit!!!! I'm going to need a vacation after."

When I said sure for a $150.00 change fee plus any fare difference you can the response was "WHAT! You never told me thet airfare was non-refundable! You'll have to get that waived - I never agreed to non-refundables."

I soooo did! I was a travel agent for 10 years - OF COURSE I told you the cxl policy - its coded on my DNA now from my TA days! Luckily DL did a schedule change and we were able to get a refund on the ticket and start over but C'MON! I KNOW I TOLD YOU! AND EVEN IF I DIDN'T - ITS ON THE RECEIPT!!! grrrrr

AND REALLY STOP WITH THE "They only go to Disney" or "You must be sick of DISNEY" or "Let me guess you're going to Disney again" comments... with the eye roll and the disdain!

WE LOVE GOING TO DISNEY!


BUT I must say you are a saint cause 13 members would be more then I could handle! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you did your own thing - I should have done that!

 

[mickeyworld]

DH and I get the same reaction from my family - the eye-rolling, the comments about how expensive and stressful Disney vacations are.
So when I invited some family to come with us in November I figured they would decline, since hey, they're not Disney lovers.

Well - they accepted (of course). We're DVC and they get free hotel for a week (BLT - 2 bdrm - MK view) - so I guess that helped.

Following my normal routine, I do my countdowns, make ressies 180 days out - and put together a general itinerary so we can get the most out of our vacation. We love trying new things when we go to Disney and since we're on our 11 trip, we like to do more and our 7 year old DD loves it.

Well now, I get the comments that they don't want their whole trip planned out - they don't want to spend a lot of money eating at Disney - they don't want to be on the go all the time and (love this one) the trip is all about eating, we don't know what we'll feel like eating each day.

Well excuse me - you now NEED to have ressies for Disney - you can't just walk in anymore and dine when you want to. They gave me a hard time about counting down to the 180 day mark to do my reservations, they don't understand you can't get Le Cellier unless you are REALLY lucky! DH, DD AND I DO NOT WANT COUNTER SERVICE FOR OUR WHOLE VACATION! Not that we don't like CS but on vacation we want to dine out - we've saved for it - we rarely go out to eat at home (not worth it after Disney dining) and this is our way to relax for at least one meal out of the day.

Fine - you can go your own way - stop commenting on my plans. You don't have to come, you don't have to eat with us. Monitor your own airline tickets - you make your own ressies - you call and get the ME reserved - you get your own tickets! Stop commenting negatively BUT still let me do all the planning and worrying - stop commenting on how much park tickets are - don't roll your eyes but then still accept all we offer and leave me to plan out everything.

Sorry - guess I really had to vent!

EXACTLY!!!!! I had a grand villa at Animal Kingdom for my family for Thanksgiving. I was up at exactly the stoke of 7am to reserve it with DVC points I saved. All they had to do is show up. But no..... "we were there three years ago, I think it is too soon" OMG I could have died. So I canceled the ressie and planned two trips for myself and friends with the point. Lawd.. if you don't get Disney, you don't get my DVC points any more!

 

[wild.zinnia]

These stories about family members sound so incredibly familiar.... Some extended family joined DH and I on our last trip. Never again would I go anywhere with them. They hadn't been to WDW in over ten years and they still acted like know-it-alls (and insisted that I was always wrong and knew nothing). DH and I ended up breaking off and spending the last half of the trip on our own which was a vast improvement. It was surprising that they agreed to go in the first place since they have claimed for years to not even like WDW.

 

[TiszBear]

MFOLCO

just so you know, you can vent any time! If you thought what I wrote earlier was funny here is a little bit more info on what happend with my family. The whole trip was started by another family member who contacted everyone but me. I didn't know anything about the trip or that i was elected as the "tour operator" How did I find out, hmm I got a call from my aunt asking why I hadn't emailed everyone what my thoughts were on the travel dates for the 13 of us or was I able to get a grand villa at the Boardwalk Hmm excuse me, but the DVC is mine and when was I elected "tour operator?" Oh did I mention everyone is in 3 states (Connecticut, Wisconsin & Arizona).

Anyway, since 9 of my wonderful family members where making decisions about my points and after 3 weeks of constant calls I had enough. I sent off a mass email and told them in no certain terms, that here where the dates that worked for me and the majority will decided. I also gave them a deadline by which I wanted in order of importance what they wanted to do (gave them option for special things) and since i was in charge they would get regular updates about reservations and when to pay me. Now I told them they were in charge of their own flights and transportation.

Oh i could so go on for what happened during the planning stages and during the trip and even after, but I won't. But till this day, they all want to do another disney vacation with my planning everything. I keep telling them they couldn't pay me enough for the hassle

But I love my family and they eventually during the trip said they were sorry. hmm I never asked how they managed to get back to the Boardwalk the dayI left at Animal Kingdom and when they did get back to hotel they all were not together or for that matter speakign to each other. I might.... eventually get up the nerve to plan another trip again but hmm not sure.

 

[MaggieBailey]

DH and I have 3 "fur kids" and we both love WDW, me a bit more than him . And those who don't get it, just don't get it. We do have some friends (who are also only parents to fur babies) who are just as addicted as we are, and so get it, lol! But my mom is the same way, she eye rolls and sees no point in it. My siblings (5 of them) are all the same way... Dad is too but he doesn't say anything. My mom is very practical (unless it's something important to her) and we don't see eye to eye on... Pretty much anything. I love to cook and start culinary school soon, and she just rolls her eyes at that, too! "Why on earth do people feel the need to eat so much and spend time watching food shows and talking about food? Eat to live, not live to eat - who cares what you end up eating as long as it nourishes you?" Yeah, she's said that before! Oy vey!
So it's really just easiest to leave it alone, cause I'll never convince them of anything else, and I just get feelings hurt and frustrated when I try to defend it. My advice is to leave it be. You love it, that's all that matters!

 

[mfolco]

Well Tiszbear they made it back somehow - so I guess the end result is all that matters! You are cracking me up though - how many are from Conn? I'm from Mass but grew up in Conn and really only live just across the border!

So to add a twist to the upcoming vacation - my parents are getting divorced - so now I get to go to Disney with my step-mother (or is that now ex-step-mother?) and sister (again ex?) and niece (also ex?) - Ugh its all a mess!

So I just have one question for all those that feel the need to express their opinions to us Dis fanatics - why? Why do you care if we only go to Disney? Why does it matter if we give all our money to the mouse? Why do you care if I read trip reports and take notes and adjust my plans accordingly? BTW - I'm so glad to have discovered the Disboards! Everyone here is awesome - and I don't feel alone anymore in my love of Disney!

Is really neccessary to comment on cost, roll-eyes or say "Disney again? How many trips is that? Don't you want to go anywhere else?"

Short answer - NO!

Should I go to Aruba and potentially disappear? Should I go to Cancun and worry about the drugs and violence?

Yes there are a couple of places I would like to visit outside of Disney (but honestly, most of them have a Disney near by! Paris and Hong Kong come to mind)

 

[TiszBear]

mfolco - ok you win in this department,. good luck

Oh but to continue making you laugh here is another story from my family trip. I also had to arrange 2 surprise birthday parties at Germany for dinner on teh same night and a family photo session in Magic Kingdom. My only request I had to all, no shorts, no shirts with writing or weird clothing but to wear something nice and in shades of blue. They listened. One of the family members that was with us was my cousin who was at the time 16 year old who was embarassed to be seen with anyone because he was sure that people would recognize him and that he felt he was too old for Disney. Well with my family that feeling didn't last long. After the photo session (which turned out great) we all went to have fun in MK. Well in Adventureland we ran into Jafar, Aladdin , Princess Jasmine and Genie. So... since my cousin was the only one who would not get into any of the photos Jafar took care of that. And mind you this is all caught on tape to blackmail him later in life Jafar looks at my cousin who is standing away from all of us and he then proceeds to leave the area and grabs him by the neck gently and places him in the middle of all of us, we have a photo, my cousin goes to leave and Jafar has his arm around him and then motions for us to leave but my cousin and then proceeds to stare at him and has his photo taken with Jasmine who kisses him on the cheek. After that my cousin had a great time.

All in all that was a great trip. But boy do I have stories to tell