Why do we do it?

[Disney Hungarian]

Since this is INTERCOT, I know most of the people reading this are fans of Disney. I can also assume that most of the people reading this have taken multiple "once in a lifetime trips" to Disney. You merely have to read the signatures to deduce that.

I have been stressing my forthcoming trip. I don't know why, but this one is stressful. Maybe it's the ADR's, who knows. So, I had to stop and analyze the situation (one of my OCD's.) I asked myself, "why Disney?"

The answer I came up with is; because it is a break from reality. I have to deal with reality on a daily basis. It gets old. At Disney I can laugh, love, play, and live life in the moment. Without worrying about tomorrow. (although the prices send me back to reality momentarily)

So why do you go to Disney? Why do you make plans for a family vacation that would make Clark Griswold proud? Why do you spend time on INTERCOT gathering information or sharing information?

[Pop Centurion]

A break from reality pretty much sums it up for me too. It's an escape to a different world in a sense.

[EeyoresBestFriend]

EXACTLY ~ Both DH and I enjoy the "lack of reality" as well!

It's Life with background music, fabulous places to eat and we see nothing that reminds us of the day to day grind.

We're free . . . . . .

[Tink#64]

I know that I couldn't fully explain it if I tried, and I've tried a gazillion times to those that "Don't Get It" and question our repeated visits!

All I know is that when my family is in WDW, we are very literally in a magical world! We all have so much fun together and we're just enveloped in the magic that Uncle Walt created for us! It's our Happy Place away from all of our stress and cares in the world and a time to have fun together! It is a beautiful, vibrant and fun world, I have never experienced the like of anywhere else! A world filled with pixie dust! It truly is a magical place!

[cather74]

I agree with the reality theory. I was explaining this to my DH the last trip we went on because he did not grow up with Disney. I did. To be honest it makes me feel like a kid again. A time when my grandparents were alive and everthing was happy and carefree. It's like when you are there all is right with the world.

[gauvin4]

I love the quality family time we spend together. Where else can we all act like silly little kids, have fun and enjoy being together? WDW just makes my heart smile! And in todays world, I think we all need that.

[DisneyorBust]

I agree with the "break from reality" theory as well. I also like the near total immersion experience, DME, staying on resort property, utilizing WDW transportaion options. It gives me the option to kick back, relax and enjoy my vacation at my pace. Slow at times, absorbing every detail and full park assault, commando style!

[steamboat willy]

I agree and totally understand what EVERYONE so far has said. I Get It!
I think it is something we got in our blood, but more important, in our hearts! I also started with every Sunday Night with Walt and the Wonderful World of DISNEY. Then in 1972 our FAMILY was introduced to WALT DISNEY WORLD by our DD that drove us to 600 miles to Florida and stayed 2 weeks at Ft. Wilderness Campground. This "then" young teen was allowed to ride back and forth to the "Magic Kingdom" by boat and go to the Most Magical Place On Earth! Since then, I went back and worked on those same boats, moved back home and took my girlfriend to Disney, WE took our two daughters so many times. We went as Band Parents to watch DD march down Main Street and NOW DW and I are taking our only Grandson to see our "Happy Place". Soon to be his!
We are the people that on our last night get that lasting image of Cinderella's Castle in our brain/heart until we see you next time!
We are also the same people that when pulling out of your Resort say, "now back to the real world" ?
Some of us get it , some don't. But those people NEED to stay home anyway!
DISNEY IS THE MOST WONDERFUL PLACE ON EARTH!
See you real soon!
20 days for us!

We are PTLD!



Steamboat Willy

[dnickels]

I've never felt like my job or real-life things are stuff I need to escape from, I love what I do for a living and the life that I'm able to have so I guess I just go to Disney because it's fun and it makes me happy.

[c&d]

We go to Disney because it's comfortable. That's probably not the right word but, we know what to expect when we get there.

We know what rides we'll be riding, what places we'll be eating. But I always plan on something we haven't done. It can be a restaurant we haven't eaten at, surfing lessons, parasailing, pirate cruises.

There's just so much to do at WDW and coming on the boards helps me find those other things you can do while there.

[minnie04]

A break from reality pretty much sums it up for me too. It's an escape to a different world in a sense.

I totally agree... The minute we hit the entrance to Downtown Disney. I forget about everything that’s going on in the "real world" I don’t have debt. I don’t have to worry about getting up in the morning for work/school (kids). I don’t have to worry about Gas prices. Etc. etc. I just love that feeling knowing for the next few days I’m in a Wonderful place with wonderful people that want to have FUN at whatever the cost is...

As for the question of "WHY DISNEY" simple it’s the best vacation for our family and I don’t have to fly...lol. We have priced out other places and when it’s all said and done it always feels cheaper to do Orlando... Kids love it, I love it and DH he is always fine with it too...

[McLiberal8]

For me, it's dependability. I know when I go to Disney - I can depend on great customer service, friendly people, and a certain level of entertainment.
I always like to say that Disney understands the complexity of simplicity. I think anyone who loves Disney World knows what I mean - you can immerse yourself, let your guard down, and trust that everything around you - from the color of the brick you are walking on to the cast members you talk to - are there for you're entertainment, comfort, and happiness. They put 100% into everything they do, and every detail is thought out. Where else is that way?

[darthmacho]

I'm obsessed with WDW because no other vacation compares. I've had some great trips here in New England from 2004-2009, and actually convinced myself that they were just as good as going to WDW. I was wrong. After getting my WDW fix in 2010, I thought I was good for awhile. Instead, I'm more obsessed than ever. Best trip ever, and I won't rest until I'm there again, hopefully in 2012. I still look back at my NE trips fondly, and will probably continue to do those too, but if I can get back to FL, I will choose that first. When I say FL, I don't mean those other parks either. Keep me on WDW property!

[IloveDisney71]

It's an escape from reality and it's totally magical. When I'm there I can enjoy spending time with the people I'm there with and not have to worry about anything else. I'm comfortable at Disney because I know where everything is. I can enjoy my time there for as long as I'm there no matter if I'm there for 2 days or 7!

[Lovin'ThatMouse]

For those people who HAVE to ask just don't get it. WDW isn't just a place, it is a feeling. A lot of feelings all rolled in to one experience! Joy of family, excitement for what lies beyond those gates, anticipation of which ride to embark on first, the feeling of being a kid again, the giddiness of seeing old friends again like Pluto, the feeling of just being in a joyous place where there are no worries, no concerns other than will Fastpasses still be available for TSM! It is a place to be happy, to be a kid and to experience all of the most wonderful emotions! Family, Friends, Fun and More! I love it!

[Sylvia]

Simply put, WDW is the one place where I can get away from the reality of every-day life and the stresses of work. The minute I cross the Florida state line, I'm in 2-year-old mode. By the time I reach WDW, I'm ready to have fun. I can act like a kid, and be a kid, without worrying about what others think, because most of them are doing the same thing. I can take a ride on a flying elephant, meet a mouse, and, when I see my all-time favorite Cinderella, I remember being 5 years old and seeing the movie for the first time. I can also have a Dole Whip and a Mickey Bar as often as I like, without feeling guilty, because sweets have negative calories in a Magic Kingdom, don't they??????

It's also the place where I dealt with the passing of my Mother almost 10 years ago. And, every trip since then has been filled with many happy memories of past vacations.

Just 9 days, 9 hours, 43 minutes until the magic begins again. That is, the magic will begin as long as there isn't another hurricane to disrupt AMTRAK service south.