PassPorter's
Article Tools |
|
|
What Keeps Us Coming Back to Disney?: So Many Reasonsby Cheryl Pendry, PassPorter Featured Columnist
Last modified 1/16/2009
Cool Tip: Click here to get a FREE PDF version of this article, fully formatted to print and put into your PassPorter Deluxe Binder!
Filed in Articles > Walt Disney World > Planning
Why do we return to Disney over and over for our vacations? That's a question that has often crossed my mind on our travels to Disney parks around the world.
There are many reasons. The first is that it's one of the few places in the world where you can just get completely away from it all and forget about daily life. OK, so you can head for a far flung beach, but somehow Disney has that feeling of safety whenever you're in the parks. Don't get me wrong - I'm not advocating for one minute that you lose all common sense and just leave valuables lying around waiting for someone to take them, but there have been many examples of items being lost and then magically recovered later in the stay. There really is nowhere else that I can think of that such good nature prevails amongst people. It's almost like stepping back into a bygone age when people happily left their doors unlocked at home, knowing that nothing bad would happen. (Again, I'm not suggesting it!)
Another reason is that there's just so much to see. I don't think it will ever matter how many times I go to any Disney park around the world, I think I will always find new things that I never knew existed before. On our most recent visit, we took the Segway tour of Epcot and, as part of that, you get to visit a lot of the pavilions around the World Showcase. As we weaved in and out of them, I kept spotting areas that we'd never walked through before on our travels. That amazed me, as Epcot is our favorite park and consequently, the one we always spend most of our time in, yet there were still unexplored nooks and crannies here that we had just never noticed before.
Then there are all the little touches that perhaps you have noticed, but have never really paused to look at. One of my favorite things to do as we walk along Main Street, USA is to cast my gaze upwards at the windows of the shops and read the signs on them. They're all Disney-related and it's fascinating to think about what they all mean. If that's something you've never done before, do try it the next time you're there. One of the best touches at Disneyland in California was the light in one of the windows in the Main St. firehouse that's always burning. As I understand it, that's done in memory of Walt himself, and seeing that brought a tear to my eye.
Even waiting in line can bring enjoyment. Knowing that the big E-ticket rides attract huge crowds, the Imagineers have come up with so many wonderful things to admire as you stand and wait your turn. Some of my favorites include the lines for Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror and Test Track. Sometimes, just sometimes, it's worth waiting in line for a little while, just to have a chance to admire their handiwork and the thought that went into it.
Something else I love is that there's always some new restaurant or attraction to experience. I doubt there are many people who can claim to have been on every single attraction and enjoyed every single restaurant on any Disney property. I know I can't, although I've had a good go at doing both things. There's nothing more enjoyable than sampling a new restaurant and discovering that it's a hidden gem, although it does leave you wondering why it took you so long to make it there.
As for the attractions, I think we've now done the vast majority of the ones we can handle (the big coasters are well and truly out of our league!), but on every visit, there seems to be something new to enjoy at one of the Disney parks. Almost as soon as we leave, something else seems to open for business. Change and constant improvement is something else that definitely keeps us coming back. On our most recent trip, we were able to enjoy the Finding Nemo musical at Animal Kingdom and the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor at the Magic Kingdom for the first time, and we were lucky enough to sample the improved Spaceship Earth at Epcot during its soft opening. Then there's a new parade and the new Toy Story Mania attraction at the newly renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios. So many new things to enjoy!
But perhaps the main thing that keeps us going back to Disney is the people there. The Cast Members are often what makes a vacation really special, from the server who does everything faultlessly at a restaurant, to someone on the Concierge desk at your hotel who spends a little extra time with the children in your party. Disney magic can be found everywhere in the people who work there, and it's always worth taking that little extra time to chat with Cast Members and find out more about them.
We were charmed by the girl from Chicago in Epcot, who took the time to explain to us where we should go and what we should see when we visit her hometown. Then there were the Cast Members on one of the Friendship boats who created a truly Magical Moment for us. Or what about the street entertainers you find in each park? We enjoyed a dance in Main Street, USA, after stopping to watch the town mayor and some of the park's other famous figures.
These things usually don't happen by accident. They happen because you take the time to talk to those who help to create the magic. More often than not, they have wonderful stories to tell and great memories to share.
Those are things that keep us coming back to Disney time and time again. How about you?
About the Author: Cheryl and husband Mark live in England and love to travel, particularly to Disney, and they have made numerous visits to destinations across America and Europe. They recently completed their tour of every Disney theme park around the world, which culminated in their visit to Japan, including the Tokyo Disney Resort. Click here to view more of Cheryl's articles!
Related Links:
Disney + Disabilities = Magic! - Enjoying Disney World with Disabilities last updated 11/07/2008
Saving Money for Disney - Tips and Tricks last updated 1/08/2009
Baby Steps - Six Sanity Savers For Baby's First Trip to Walt Disney World last updated 1/15/2009
Disney Dreaming - Book Excerpt from PassPorter's Walt Disney World last updated 1/16/2009
Walt Disney World for Veteran Visitors - Finding New Things To Do last updated 1/16/2009
Reader Comments:
So what do you think? Click here to share your comments, feedback, and experiences on this article and topic!
(Note: You must be a member of our PassPorter Message Board Community to leave comments. Join today for free!)
This article originally appeared in the PassPorter newsletter -- subscribe to our popular newsletter today for free!
Return to PassPorter.com |
Ask a Question on the PassPorter Message Boards
Updated 1/16/2009 - Article #30
Read additional articles from PassPorter.com
|
Subscribe to our free e-mail newsletter, PassPorter News, published for nearly 50,000 opt-in subscribers worldwide.
As an added bonus for subscribing, you will receive a 20% discount coupon for the PassPorter Store -- no catch!
We respect your privacy and never sell or rent our subscriber list. Subscribing will not result
in more spam! We guarantee it.
|
Please feel free to link to this page so that other vacationers can find it.
Copyright 1999-2010
by PassPorter Travel Press, an imprint of MediaMarx, Inc.
Publishers of bestselling travel guidebooks and proud recipients of 12 national book awards
~ * ~ Celebrating 11 Years of Making Dreams Come True! ~ * ~
Questions? Concerns? Please e-mail us at feedback@passporter.com or call us at 877-929-3273
We respect your privacy -- please review our Privacy Policy
Read more about PassPorter or advertise with us. | |
PassPorter.com Recommends
RSS General
PassPorter Community - Message Boards and Forums - 13,14,15,16,17,18
Discussion forums about Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel provided by PassPorter Travel Press, the ultimate Disney travel guide and book series.
Disney Magic! Or how my father caved and is now taking me to Disney :)
by helmet_ok
18 Mar 2010 at 6:41am
Story Time!
Growing up (I'm sure, like almost everyone), I adored Disney. The two VHS movies at my Grandmother's house were "Cinderella" and "The...
(click title above to view replies)
Disney Rewards
by guerns17
16 Mar 2010 at 6:40pm
I was just curious how it works when you sign up to get your Disney Rewards from the Disney Visa program. Right now we have 160 Disney rewards and I...
(click title above to view replies)
AlaskaAir - save 45% flying to Disney World
by Tonichelle
16 Mar 2010 at 11:02am
Save at Walt Disney World with Alaska Airlines Vacations...
(click title above to view replies)
Disney Dreams Art Exhibition!
by wayneava81
16 Mar 2010 at 10:27am
So, Saturday me and my 5 yo daughter went to the art exhibit
at the New Orleans Museum of Art. It was really neat to see all
those old drawings...
(click title above to view replies)
What is your favorite Disney Travel Agency
by luvmygrlz
16 Mar 2010 at 10:17am
Of those of you who use a travel agency, what is your favorite one that specializes in Disney and why do you like them?
Thanks!
(click title above to view replies)
Most Healthy Restaurants At Disney?
by DisneyIsNotJustALuxury
15 Mar 2010 at 11:05pm
Obviously everybody likes to be entertained while they are at Disney. However, we all need good energy levels to enjoy the parks. In your opinion,...
(click title above to view replies)
What to do Besides Disney plus budget
by 3kidsandagoldenpuppy
15 Mar 2010 at 8:26pm
I am going to dw with my 4 kids, ages 6, 4,,4 and 3 months. We are driving and leaving April 1. We will be there through the 10th. We are taking...
(click title above to view replies)
Disney Mail of a Surprise Kind
by AGentlRose
15 Mar 2010 at 8:19pm
My DH picked up the mail today and said "you got something from Lake Buena Vista." The envelope didn't indicate Disney, just a P O Box. I said to him...
(click title above to view replies)
Disney Visa- DEBIT card
by bullockfamily5
15 Mar 2010 at 5:31pm
So my husband just got a Disney debit card- says that maybe he can earn some disney $ since I spend it all :) My question is: does the debit card...
(click title above to view replies)
Too much Disney World?
by hawkeyearcher
15 Mar 2010 at 4:49pm
So, I'm starting to think I have Disney fever. We are currently planning out 3rd trip down to WDW for this October with another family (it's their...
(click title above to view replies)
|
