To be honest, WDW is pretty overrated in general. If you go at the right time of year and do it right, it can be worth the money. But, speaking as parent of three young children, we may visit once every three years, tops. At the end of the day, it's still just an overpriced amusement park. There is so much more to LIFE to be experienced!!! I'll never understand the folks who make this their one vacation a year. It's actually a little sad.
To each his or her own. It's all fake. It's all a facade. If that makes you happy, ok. I prefer real life experiences, and I prefer that for my kids.
Disney every once in a while is all well and good. I've taken my kids to the Grand Canyon, to the Rockies, to a space shuttle launch, to broadway shows, whale watching, on a medical mission trip, and other things. There's a whole amazing world out there with real amazing people, so yes it makes me sad for people who limit their travels to a corporate-constructed illusion. I feel the same way for people who are addicted to Vegas.
brookmey already told their story but I don't want to make it seem like everyone who goes to Disney on a yearly basis does so because of some somber reason.
Your statements are stunningly ignorant and incredibly rude and pretentious. There are dozens of reasons to go back to this place year after year. I don't feel any need to justify this. All I'll say is no two trips are alike for me, and I'm sure for many others. I am always able to experience something new.
There is certainly a world outside Disney World, and no one has ever said not to experience it. If you can believe it, there are people who love Disney AND want to see the world. But sometimes, Disney can give you a
taste of a culture you may have been ignorant about. One example: staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge and visiting Africa in AK made me appreciate African culture and African cuisine. I spent a good hour talking to a cast member from South Africa who even gave me some info on how to contact people he knew back home. I've since read books about African art and architecture. Disney opened that door for me, and because of that I'm planning a trip to South Africa in the next few years.
As far as being fake and a facade, well that's just ridiculous. What's "fake" about a great meal at Narcoossee's or California Grill? What's fake about a relaxing stay at The Polynesian or Boardwalk Inn? What's fake about the joy you get and the smile on your face after stepping off your favorite ride? What's fake about the sense of nostalgia and comfort people get when they step on property?
I could spend an entire trip to WDW not riding a single ride, and instead just marveling at the incredible depth of details and theming that the Imagineers have put into this place. Every aspect of this place is meticulously detailed, down to insanely long backstories that maybe 3 or 4 people in the park would have any idea exist. You calling it a corporate-constructed illusion means that you're unable to appreciate these little aspects. You just see it as a slab of land to hold a few rides. But so many of us are happy diving deeper into the history of this place and looking to see just how deep the story that they'r trying to portray goes.
I also find it quite funny that you say there's a whole amazing world out there... yet almost all of the things you listed are right here in America. How is going to the Grand Canyon is any less touristy than Disney World? How does that help your kids appreciate the world more? Funnily enough, it seems you're stuck believing America is the whole world. And I will also bet my bank account that the kids of parents who took them to Disney World had a better time than your kids did on a "medical mission trip". And do you really think a Disney vacation and a Broadway show are comparable? I see several shows a year, but I would never rank them in terms of a vacation... maybe because I'm secure enough that I don't have to show off all my interests.
Ultimately what I find sad isn't the people that love Disney World and continue to go every year... it's the people that seem to have a problem with this. Families creating memories for a lifetime certainly don't feel that their vacations are sad or fake or illusions. But you look at that and feel the need to discredit it and diminish it. I think that speaks more about you. I think seeing the world is awesome and essential for everyone, and should sometimes take precedent over another Disney trip. But I believe people can hold two thoughts in their head at the same time. I think you can want new experiences and see the world while also at the very same time take comfort in what you're familiar with in Disney. Trying a new food in a foreign land AND eating at your favorite Disney restaurant at your favorite Disney resort. You can want to explore new horizons all over the globe AND explore the details of Frontierland or Liberty Square. You can walk through World Showcase and realize just how much you love the Germany pavilion, so you finally book a trip to see the real thing, something you may not have ever done if you didn't get that little taste.
So finally... I'd spend less time worrying about people that really like Walt Disney World. Surely you can find something better to do instead, right? I mean, there's so much more LIFE to be experienced!!!
