Yes, my friends, Disney is now a verb. I have officially changed the English language to accommodate our interests for the duration of the article. You’re welcome.
As lovers of all things mouse, most of us have come across the occasional display of confusion, or even judgment, for our passion. It can be a confrontational experience, especially when the motive behind the questioning can seem disingenuous or resentful. I often wonder if this response comes from a place of inner sadness, something that leaves the person jealous or skeptical that other people have found an unexplainable happiness that feels unattainable to them. Then again, maybe they are just knobs.
Today we are going to look at how to respond to five of those incredibly irritating questions without contemplating pushing the person from a great height.
Don’t you get bored of going to the same place?
Have you ever been bored eating pizza or lobster? Ever decided that you are sick of watching sunsets or going to the beach? Probably not. These are things we do far more frequently than visiting Disney Parks. The question here really is, once you have found something that makes you truly happy and you can continuously enjoy, why on earth would you not go back?
For a more thorough explanation, there are six Disney Resorts around the world in Florida, California, Hong Kong, Paris, Tokyo, and Shanghai which means that being a Disney fan hardly limits you to one particular place. And while Disney trips might give you a base, many people use this as a jumping off point to enjoy local day trips and even more extensive travel.
I have never understood this attitude; as though being a repeat Disney vacationer means that you alternate between eating a churro and riding Dumbo continuously for two weeks. The Walt Disney World property alone is twice the size of Manhattan or the same size as San Francisco. Now granted, not all that land is currently developed, but with the constant additions, expansions, and renovations, there is always something new to see, do or eat at Disney.
Isn’t Disney for Kids?
Some of Disney is for kids, yes. There are also some areas that are entirely dedicated to adult-themed movies and characters. In fact, some of the rides at Disney can leave many adults shaking in their Sketchers, vowing never to go on again. There is also an abundance of incredible restaurants, bars, and nightlife, not only in the parks but the resorts and Disney Springs area as well. Despite being a family destination, one might even go as far as to say there is a lot more you can do without kids than with them. Being multidimensional is an integral part of the magic that is Disney. As you take your children to the parks from toddlers through to young adults, your experiences with them will evolve. You can do and see new things as they grow up and their interests shift to a more mature focus. Instead of tearing up realizing that your days of watching their carousel excitement are gone, they might be replaced with joint decisions to look like you are asleep in your Tower Of Terror photo. Disney is a place you go with friends, even if those friends also happen to be your children.
Why do you have Disney stuff through your house?
Look, you like blue, I like Mickey, Capiche?
I have a few things around the house; I love my Mickey-shaped pillow and my laptop cover. I have some water bottles, a mug, the Mickey head pancake shaper — you know, the usual. This does not mean that I have built an entirely new room to accommodate a creepy collection of Belle doll heads or glass cabinets full of used paper napkins from every meal on property. I’m not like one of those crazy train people or anything. (Dear Train People, if your train room is bigger than your bedroom then you qualify for the additional “crazy” adjective.)
Don’t you think naming your pets Walt and Disney is a bit excessive?
No, should I have named them Hotdog and Mustard instead?
Right, let’s move on shall we?
Aren’t you too old for princesses?
A turtle and a stick walk into a bar. The turtle orders a sprite and a burger. The stick asks to see the vegetarian menu. The turtle says to the stick, “hey Rick (the stick) do you want a drink?” The stick replies “Nah, thanks anyway Bob (the turtle), I’m good with water.”
What? I thought we were taking turns saying random and irrelevant things.
No? Ok. What I meant to say is, Disney does not equal princesses. There are currently 733 movies under the greater Disney umbrella and 11 official princesses. I’ll leave those numbers with you.
I hope those give you a little backup when debating with the Disney skeptics. What are some of the crazier things you have been asked? How do you respond?
Remember, whatever you do, don’t let anyone make you feel like you need to defend your happiness. If others can’t understand it, that is okay. If others are unable to find their own equivalent of contentment making it hard for them to see the value in yours, that is sad.
Spare them a moment of sympathy instead of taking it personally.
To those of you reading along that don’t follow our love for Disney vacations, I ask you this. Do you even Disney?
I propose a challenge. Plan a Disney holiday for yourself and a few of your closest people. I dare you to bring the love of your life or even some wide-eyed children with you. Enjoy the lead-up and anticipation. Bask in the excitement as you enter the parks and watch that moment when your loved ones gasp at the beauty of nighttime spectaculars while the reflections of fireworks glitter in their eyes. Discover the intricate details you end up relishing and never even knew existed. And if after all of that, you can say you have Disney’d your heart out and still can’t understand the motivation to hang on to that feeling for ever and ever? Fair enough.
In that case, I hope you find what it is in this world that brings you the same joy. I genuinely, wholeheartedly hope you find that magic. Even if you become a crazy train person.