Happy Bastille Day to our French readers and Francophiles everywhere! Apparently, a lot of our readers like to visit return again and again to Disney parks. Who knew? This week’s mailbag is a small sampling of the letters that Steve Russo received in response to his article, “Why We Go Back” (May 8, 2009).
Julie H. writes:
Just wanted to say I read your article and I loved it. It is the same question that all my friends and family ask us all the time. We are English but have lived in Switzerland, Germany, and Hungary over the last eight years, and although we do trips out for weekends to see the sites of our new homelands we always need our fix of Disney.
We have three children, aged 21, 19 and 8, who have been brought up on Disney. The oldest has done the last the summers on the international college programme and the middle child is about to do her first college programme this year. We have been twelve times, usually for three weeks, and have loved every minute of them. We bought DVC last year and so will be going to Kidani this summer along with my parents celebrating their 50th wedding and my son and his girlfriend.
My husband who travels a lot for business all over the world says the same as you, that he has never been treated better anywhere, and for that alone he would visit. I just think for some people after that first trip you leave your heart there and need to go and visit it as often as you can; it’s part of me now, it’s family. Thanks for a great article, and may your days be full of Disney magic.
Thanks for those nice words. It seems there are a lot of us that face these questions on a regular basis.
Diane M. writes:
Well Steve, you certainly hit the nail on the head on why we go back. I caught myself smiling while reading your article and shaking my head yes while you were naming things like Dole Whip, Philharmagic etc. We also just got back last week from our third trip in twelve months, excluding our trip to Disneyland in February.
Disney is a safe, warm place that lets you escape and bring out your inner child. That’s why grown men (possibly accountants back home) have been know to walk around in the parks with Goofy hats with the ears blowing in the breeze for all to see. Life is so serious, enjoy the childlike fun times. My husband and I were so depressed that we had to come home last week and you’re so right about vacationing other places. After awhile, I’ve had enough, but I never feel that way at Walt Disney World. We’re greedy, we want more and are usually planning our next trip on the airplane ride home.
My husband has a good way of dealing with the naysayers. He’s glad that people aren’t returning as much as we do, because if people stay away, it makes the lines shorter for us. Our next trip is the Food and Wine Festival in early October. Can’t wait!
I think your husband and I are kindred spirits – I feel the same way. Thanks for writing.
Barbara W. writes:
Thanks so much for your article; I totally agree! I get asked by my co-workers all the time why I keep going back to Disney and your article mirrors my thoughts exactly! We are also vacation club members and annual passholders so it is an inexpensive vacation for us. We love it there. I was there 4 times in 2008 and was there in March 2009 and already have a trip planned for October 2009. I wouldn’t mind sneaking an extra trip in too if I can swing it. It is my “happy” place. As soon as the plane lands at Orlando International and I see the palm trees, I am immediately happy. On the day to leave I am sad and the only thing that keeps me in the happy zone is knowing I am coming back again soon!
You’re welcome and, trust me, you’re not alone – there are many, many of us that feel the same way.
Chris writes:
Well put Steve. I get the same questions from people in my life, but I also have a handful of friends that “get it.” Our discussions about vacations are obviously quite different. Sometimes there’s no discussion at all. I just say, “I’m heading back in September.” They know exactly where I’m going and nothing more has to be said.
The cool thing is that almost half of those things you rattled off in the last paragraph I still haven’t done or seen yet. There’s still so much to see, do, eat, drink and experience.
Thanks so much and… get cracking on that list.
Perry H. writes:
Great article. Most of my friends think I’m crazy. Between Walt Disney World and Disneyland we spend four or five weeks a year at the parks. Why? For the very same reasons you mentioned. This last trip we consciously focused on non-rides. It was wonderful. We were entertained for five days and while we did get on the rides, it surely was only when it was convenient and there were no lines.
For my family there is something magical about Disney, and it involves the whole package: parks, resorts, restaurants and cast members.
You’ve said it well. Thanks for writing.
Laurie writes:
I loved your article about “why we go back.” I, too have had to answer the question, “You are going there again?” I think what makes people want to come back again and again is there is something for everyone no matter what age or what you enjoy doing. Do you have small children? You can enjoy Magic Kingdom in all its glory with them. Do you have a budding actress? Take in the shows at any of the parks. Do you have a teenager? Ride all the “thrill” rides. Just you and your better half? Eat/drink your way around World Showcase. Animal Lover? Walk the trails of Animal Kingdom. Grandparents? You get to do it all over again, this time letting the “kids” eat as many frozen Mickey treats as they want. You get the picture. Taking a vacation is supposed to make you happy and well, Walt Disney World makes me happy… enough said.
You’re right… “enough said.” Thanks for sharing.
Kelly Z. writes:
Your article was due. This is something I deal with almost daily. I can’t get a single email with out the sender making some snide remark about my love of the place, simply based on my email address. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinions. And I’m not out to turn everyone into a Disney World lover like I am.
But I do believe that everyone who does choose to go should take the time to do their homework before leaving. That alone might dissuade people from taking the trip (“this is supposed to be a vacation — I don’t want to be bothered with researching and planning before I go…”). However, in doing so, they can ultimately make the most of their time in the World — and then perhaps see the value, and to a small degree might understand the desire to repeat visits.
For me, each vacation is unique! A beach is a beach is a beach. But if you go to Disney once a year or three times a year, your experience will be unique. It’s more than a vacation — it’s an experience — and each visit is different and more exciting experience than the last. Whether it be trying new rides, doing whatever is new since your last visit, or be it the time when my (then) three year old daughter met Princess Ariel for the first time, to her first ride on the Barnstormer at age 5. Or my son’s first time meeting Chip at age two and a half, to the time when he was five and discreetly pointed out to me that “Pooh has a zipper up his back…he’s not real” (shocker to me… but I’ll always remember that!).
Every visit offers ‘a first’ which creates magical memories specific to their ages! I honeymooned there 10 1/2 years ago (was my husband’s first time at Walt Disney World). It’s complelety different without children — and just as enjoyable. To your point, Disney has something for everyone. If you go and don’t seek out ahead of time what is there “for you”, you will miss the boat.
You’re welcome and thanks for those insights. They’re right on the money!
Bonnie writes:
When I retired in 2007, my retirement gift to myself was my first Disney Resort Annual Pass. Within just a couple of weeks my children, their spouses, and my grandchildren all had annual passes. (soon after, my sister and her kids and grandkids!) That year we greatly increased our 8 hour drives to Anaheim for our Disney “fix”. This past year I have been almost every month. I still work on-call for my employer and I am absolutely infamous for my frequent trips. When anyone sees me, they ask when I’m going again. I told everyone as soon as I got my pass “If anyone needs company on a trip to Disneyland, I’m available” and I have made trips with all my family members and a number of people from work.
Why? My family and I all love ‘knowing’ about the parks and sharing what we have discovered works well. My daughter is the “Fast Pass Queen” and we always get to ride everything as many times as we wish. She’s also a great trip co-ordinator and some of us really enjoy having our plans all laid out. Mostly it’s the times like Christmas season of 2007 watching my son, daughter, spouses and grandchildren, (4 year old grandaughters on their daddies’ shoulders), standing in the hub watching it snow on our park. Lump in the throat and tears in my eyes. I realized life just doesn’t get better. I can never get too much of the fun!
Thanks so much for sharing… you’ve said it well.
Donald writes:
Loved the article and amost all of it is true for me, except we usually do the less pricier restaurants with the 3 and soon to be 4 kids. I found myself thinking about why I go back while reading, and then I really got my answer when you said, “the back side of water”. Without going, someone will never know how funny that is, and how it never gets old, no matter how many times I hear it. Add in the guns of Tom Sawyer’s island shooting at the train or the river boat and it is that much better to keep going back.
Isn’t it interesting what small thing will trigger that memory within each of us? Thanks for writing and sharing your “triggers.”
Lisa B. writes:
I loved your article dated May 8th discussing why friends and co-workers ask why you are going to Disney World again. I get that every time my husband and I go to Walt Disney World. My first trip was October 1997 (around Halloween). I was ambivalent about going. My boyfriend (who is now my husband) arranged the trip. It was ABSOLUTELY my favorite vacation and we have gone back every year since. Sometimes twice in one year.
My stepfather always makes a snide remark about our annual Halloween trip. I use the line, “Well, don’t you go hunting in the same place every year?” Walt Disney World is the one place where you leave all of life’s problems at the door. Once I walk into the Magic Kingdom and see that Castle, I don’t have a care in the world. I guess no one expects a 46 and 51 year old to enjoy themselves at Walt Disney World. We are in the planning stages of our October/December trips. The Very Merry Christmas Party is an event you don’t want to miss! See you in the Parks.
I agree with everything you’ve said. Thanks for writing.
