Why Disney?

[KAT1811]

We are all obviously addicted to the wonderful world of Disney. My question to all of you is:

With all of the fabulous destinations the world has to offer. . . Why Disney?

I know that we have spent a fortune on our trips to WDW and for the money we have spent over the years we could have seen a great deal of the world but yet we continually head back to WDW.

I know that for us it is the magic that seems to be almost tangible while we are there, like it lives and breathes among us and everyone around us.

When you plan your WDW vacations is there a resort that speaks to you, a specific park or restaurant?

How long do you typically vacation for?

Is WDW typically your only "big" vacation? (We often take vacations for a few days here and there but our one long extensive vacation is always WDW).

This is my 1,000 post so I am really looking forward to all of your heartfelt answers. Thank you to everyone for such a wonderful community I love to get lost in. You all help me keep the magic of Disney alive each and every day.

[joanna71985]

We are all obviously addicted to the wonderful world of Disney. My question to all of you is:

With all of the fabulous destinations the world has to offer. . . Why Disney?

I know that we have spent a fortune on our trips to WDW and for the money we have spent over the years we could have seen a great deal of the world but yet we continually head back to WDW.

I know that for us it is the magic that seems to be almost tangible while we are there, like it lives and breathes among us and everyone around us.

When you plan your WDW vacations is there a resort that speaks to you, a specific park or restaurant?

How long do you typically vacation for?

Is WDW typically your only "big" vacation? (We often take vacations for a few days here and there but our one long extensive vacation is always WDW).

This is my 1,000 post so I am really looking forward to all of your heartfelt answers. Thank you to everyone for such a wonderful community I love to get lost in. You all help me keep the magic of Disney alive each and every day.

Wow, what a question. I love going to Disney. There is something for everyone of all ages to do there. And the best part is that Disney is around the world. There is Disney in CA, FL, overseas, in the seas. I have never been to anywhere but WDW. But I would love to go to the other places. I also love going to Disney because of the Magic.

When I used to go with my family, we usually stayed for a week, and usually in the PO resorts. Now however, that has changed. Since I work there I stay in the CP housing (since I have done 3 programs).

And yes, WDW is my family's big vacation. It costs too much for us to fly anywhere, so we drive to WDW. It is always a lot of fun when we go.

[Hull-onian]

Everyone in my family (who have never been to Disney) always asks me why Disney. I love the resorts, and the idea of being able to stay there and not rent a car. I think that the dining has come a long way. When you go to a Zagat rated restaurant, it is worth it. The ambiance of the parks and comfort level that the CM's provide is great. Let's talk about the mononrail. It is fun to take it just to go through the Contempery and make the loop around Spaceship Earth. Tell me, what's not to love?

[ibrowse17]

Because it offers so much, and each trip can be so different than the last. Also because of the way it turns the clock back for most of us, and allows us to be kids again

[tinkergal]

What a great question & a hard one to answer for non-enthusiasts. For others of us, however, it's that Disney magic that begins with planning & explodes when you arrive! It's that all encompassing feeling of being away from the 'real' world. For me, it's an escape where the child in me comes alive in the parks; but the adult can be indulged in the dining, resorts, & other amenities. It's a place unlike anywhere else, where dreams really do come true. But it's the wonderful memories created there with beloved family & friends that keeps me in a Disney state of mind.

[poeticeclipse]

I've always been a very imaginitive person and i'm not afraid to let that be known. At Disney, it seems like there is no 'norm.' Thinking and being amazed just like when you were a child... well, that's wonderful. You can't find that anywhere else.

Disney really can take you to a different place and time. It makes you appreciate what you have.

Yes, it's our big trip of the year. If we're vacationing for a special occasion, we'll add 2 days or so to the trip.. Otherwise we go for about 6 or 7 days. It's expensive but worth every penny.

Congrats on your 1000th post!!! I'm ALMOST there. I have to think of something really good for a topic as well. Oh, the pressure. What if I don't measure up !?!

[pogo]

Warning.... this may be long !

First.... let me say, I didn't read any of the responses before I wrote this. I wanted it to be my answers.

As a child growing up in the 50's.... yes, I'm , I grew up with the Mickey Mouse Club. I so wanted to go to Disneyland, but my family struggled just to have what we needed. we could never afford a trip from New York to California, much less a trip to Disneyland.

After school, the letter came ! Greetings from your President ! Anyone near my age will know what that meant. It meant being drafted and an all expenses paid trip to southeast asia and probably death. I enlisted in the USAF instead of being drafted and stayed away from Viet Nam. During my four years of USAF I married my highschool sweetheart and we had three children. We worked hard to provide a good life for them and would never think of spending money on a trip to Disneyland or WDW.

My children grew up and after that I had started to make good money. I had a little left over for things like WDW and after my first trip in 2001, it opened the flood gates.

WDW is good clean fun for all with no bad language or foul attitudes. It makes me feel like a kid again and I enjoy every minute of being there.

Yes, we take other vacations, but we enjoy our WDW trips the most and I'm sure we will continue to. We have paid our dues in life and we plan to enjoy our life to the fullest ! To me that means WDW, Intercot and the great friends we've made here !

[Polynesian Dweller]

Ours is a very personal reason. My DW had cancer and had just been successfully treated. We decided to get away from the trouble by going to the most 'Out of the World' spot, WDW and stayed at the Poly. It was refreshing and the most calming, peaceful spot we had ever found. Now, every year, around the time she was considered 'cured' we return to the Poly to celebrate that we've had another year together. And its stil the most calm, peaceful, and relaxing spot we have found, the view from the Poly to the castle.

[BMan62]

WOW! Great question.

Two main reasons we choose to make a pilgrimage to WDW once a year (or more often if possible) -

1) Forget the outside world! Once you get to WDW you have no cares or worries as you know you will be well cared for. Years drop off and you actually feel younger. You know that at the end of your visit, you will be much less stressed about anything going on in your life, in the world, anywhere and your blood pressure will be significantly lower than when you arrived!

2) Cost. I know a lot of people may disagree with me on this one, but DW and I have taken different trips over the 10 years we have been together and a WDW trip for 8 days/7 nights is less expensive than many of the places we have visited. Niagara Falls (Canadian side) for 4 nights ran us almost $3000. A 9 night cruise to the Western Caribbean from Baltimore cost us $1500 for an interior room + almost $1000 for excursions. If she hadn't won $1300 in the casino on board, it would have been much more expensive of a trip. (Next time will be since she will NOT do an interior cabin again! Claustrophobic and no air movement!) Las Vegas ... need I say more? WDW: Value Season, Value Resort - 7 nights/8 days MYW + PH tickets w/o DDP came to under $1500, airfare included.

It just makes sense for us.

[KAT1811]

Oh my. . . the tears. These are exactly the answers I was hoping for, those from the heart and soul answers.

Congratulations Polynesian Dweller and I hope for many more years of WDW vacations for you and your wife.

pogo, I'm glad to hear that you can finally relax and enjoy life and that WDW is a dream come true for you and your family.

Poeticeclipse, I'm sure you'll do just fine on your 1,000th post, remember your imagination can take you anywhere and everywhere!

Tinkergal, I hear you on the non-enthusiasts, they just don't understand. I have friends that laugh every time I say we're heading back to WDW. The may have fun touring Europe and the rest of the world, but the magic lives in WDW for us.

Hull-onian, I haven't found a thing about WDW I don't love (just like you) and I don't think I ever will.


joanna71985, WDw is a place where the world comes together as one even if it is just for a moment. What a dream, working at WDW. DH and I always say that we are going to retire there and finally have the jobs of our dreams (many, many years from now). By then I'll probably be the Fairy Godmother and no longer Cinderella!!! LOL!!!

[KAT1811]

Bman62,

The "real world" really does stay behind doesn't it? The moment we arrive at the airport everything else just fades away and the only thing that matter to us for the next two weeks is making memories and having the most fun possible.

P.S - So much for that biannual trip!!! Looks like your hooked!!!

[joanna71985]

Oh my. . . the tears. These are exactly the answers I was hoping for, those from the heart and soul answers.

joanna71985, WDw is a place where the world comes together as one even if it is just for a moment. What a dream, working at WDW. DH and I always say that we are going to retire there and finally have the jobs of our dreams (many, many years from now). By then I'll probably be the Fairy Godmother and no longer Cinderella!!! LOL!!!

Oh it really is! When I did my first college program in 2005, I had no idea it would lead to 2 more programs and a change in majors (this is so I could go work at Disney FT). I have met many wonderful people, guests and cast members alike. I hope you get to experience your dreams as well, because it truely is wonderful to work at Disney.

[browneyedgirl12]

I love WDW because it is the one place where my family can go and just be a family. Its the place, where my sister and I decide we are not going to fight, we are going to WDW to have the time of our lives.

Also WDW allows us to just relax and pretend the real world doesn't exist and all there is in the world is a wonderful place where people are nicer and everyone just appreciates being here. WDW is the perfect place to go and just have fun and their are no worries of what might happen tomarrow or whats around the corner. I LOVE WDW !!!!!

P.S. I love this question

[Boost]

Why Disney?

OK, here goes....Our family loves our WDW trips. We are fortunate to live just under an hour from the parks in Florida. Our oldest son is really into Power Rangers at the moment and the little guy LOVES Peter Pan....in addition to Cars, Buzz and of course Mickey, Minnie and the rest of the crew. When we book our trips, no matter if they are a matter of days away or weeks away, we regularly talk about what we want to do on our trip over the dinner table. The night before, when my wife and I pack our bags, our kids pack their backpacks with some toys that they like to bring along. When the magic day comes to hit I-4 West, we hit the road with great anticipation. Sometimes, we visit Downtown Disney prior to checking in to our hotel (usually a moderate onsite) or we may find ourselves driving past the "Welcome to MK" sign with Mickey and Minnie. When we pull into the parking lot of our hotel and walk to the check-in desk, the excitement builds. After we get our room keys, we sometimes walk around the lobby and green areas of the hotel for a few minutes, then go to our room. Once there, we get unpacked and often hit the pool to cool off. It is at that point that the vacation really goes into gear and we savor every moment with each other at Disney. It makes it even better when CM's go above and beyond their call of duty, and just seeing our kids' eyes light up makes it all worthwhile. As other folks on here have posted, walking down Main Street for the first time on the trip NEVER gets old. Why Disney? The parks are clean. The CM's are pleasant and much more friendly to guests than competing parks. You know that you can always count on having a consistently great time in a safe environment and that is not always the case with other family vacation options. There is also the fact that as adults, time does turn back on these visits and for all of these reasons and more, Disney is our #1 family vacation destination!!!

[Not2Loud]

It is truly the one place in the world I can escape. While I can go place that have no cell service or Internet service, I have yet to find another place that turns me into a child again.

My family and I truly enjoy it. I own a couple of small companies, so I stay busy when at home.

We truly enjoy FW when its the whole family. And having been to the parks quite a bit, none of us feel the need to be in a park all day every day while there. There are so many other things to do. I for one, when the rest are napping, like to ride the buses, boats and monorails. I could do the loop from TTC and Epcot for hours!

Something about Disney reminds me of home. Granted I grew up about 45 minutes from WDW, but its not the same going back to where I grew up. WDW brings back my childlike innocence (even when I have to pay for us all to have dinner!) and allows me the freedom of spirit and mind that we tend to lose in our everyday routines.

So why do I love Disney? Because Walt accomplished what he set out to do; create a place where parents and kids have a great time together and things to do for all.

I know it can be costly, but for me I don't get the same experience if I stay off property. There is something special about parking the car for the week (or no car if we fly down) and not leaving the property at all. I know thats exactly what they want, but if they give us the ability to have everything we need there....why leave?

[Not2Loud]

One more thought....

I love Disney...because there is no other place I get the feeling I do when coming off of I-4 or toll road and seeing the "Welcome" sign. At that point, the smile gets even bigger.

[Itchy]

The best way I can describe why I love disney is relaxation. Even though we are on the go from the time we get up till we go to bed it is the biggest break from the job.

I could spend the same money and travel to Yellowstone or some place like that and spend as much or more. The difference is for me is once I get to disney I do not need to start my car to go anywhere. I can eat at the resort or the parks any of which provides a great meal or just plain relax. ( Mickey here I come in 34 days )

I also dreamed of going to Disneyland when I was a kid, the Mickey Mouse Club, Disney Presents, you all know ( maybe not ) how much it made you want to go there. I finally got to go to Disney World in 1989 and have loved it since.
For me I plan on keeping the mouse in the house for a long time.

[ibrowse17]

One more thought....

I love Disney...because there is no other place I get the feeling I do when coming off of I-4 or toll road and seeing the "Welcome" sign. At that point, the smile gets even bigger.

I agree 100%!! That says it all

[mickey&missy]

First, let me say, this may get long.

Why Disney?

Well, I have a few reasons.

First, and foremost is the magic. For me it starts with the planning. I'm a planner and I truely feel like I'm planning a magical experience. Then when the trip actually gets here the magic is amazing! We took our kids for the first time in 05. DS was 2 and DD was just shy of 4. The look on DD's face when she saw Cinderella's Castle for the first time and when she met Cinderella for the first time. The look on DS's face when he met Mickey and the hysterical laughter when we went to HDMMR! It's absolutely, amazingly magical! To me, at WDW the magic is almost tangible!

Second, DH and I are very lucky to have the what we have. DH owns his own business and works long and hard for our family. To us going to WDW is really enjoying the fruits of that labor. To get some real family time together with no distractions. No cilents calling at 7:30 in the morning, no Sunday meetings. Its just the family having a lot of magical fun.

Third, going to WDW is one of my fondest childhood memories. I was 11 when I went. My mom took my sisters and I. My Dad stayed home. We had a blast, just the girls. My mom saved long and hard to take us. My oldest sister was 17 at the time and going off to college the next year. I think my mom saw it as a last chance to enjoy her 3 girls as kids. I feel 11 again when we're at WDW.

There is no place else in the world that you can have a magical time, free from distractions, no worries. Just good, clean, fun!!

[biodtl]

It's magic.

I grew up spending summers with an aunt in Tampa and we spent a lot of time at WDW, starting in the early 70's. So I basically grew up while WDW did - between new attractions, new parks, new resorts, etc (and - sadly - the loss of some, like Mr. Toad and River Country). So WDW just feels like family to me.

Plus - it's just magical and happy to me. As soon as we get on our way to WDW, I am laughing and crying and forgetting about work and the house and the bills and the chores. It's the best time of my life and it's only gotten better with kids.

Cost. I know a lot of people may disagree with me on this one

I absolutely agree. I think lot of people who have never been consider it expensive. But we have spent more money going to Myrtle Beach (or similar places) for less days.