Letting WDW take over your life?

[CoraJack]

After having yet another discussion with my girlfriend who is also WDW obsessed, we came up with another concern.

We have both had people tell us that we let our love of WDW take over our lives. We are working and saving and planning for our trips year round. There has not been a year in the past 4 years in which we have not visited WDW twice.

Is this overkill? I mean, we don't really have any other serious hobbies that we spend a lot of money on. Because we save our money for our trips instead of going out to dinner all the time or buying new wardrobes, does that make us nuts?

I read somewhere that the average family saves for 4 years to make a WDW trip. Here we are taking 2 trips a year. And we are NOT wealthy by any means, just frugal with our money if it is not WDW related!

Is this really irresponsible behavior to spend our money and time on 2 trips a year? Or do we look at it as "you only live once" and go for it?!?

Christina

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

to me, it depends on the person...if that's what makes you both happy, go for it! you're not the only couple that does that, trust me! we've gone every year since 1992 (sometimes twice a year, one year we went 3 times within the year, and once we went twice in a 3 month period) so my parents are always saving. of course, we spend our money on other stuff as well in between trips, then charge like crazy when we get down there.
if you ask me, i don't see why it matters what you spend your money on, just as long as you have enough left to pay the bills and keep food on the table, and as long as you're both happy.

 

[CoraJack]

Thanks Diznee--

Just to clarify--my friend is really a girl and a friend. Our husbands detest Disney so we take our kids and go together. Hubbies stay home. They spend too much money on golf anyway, so they can't afford to go!

Christina

 

[radioandy]

My obsession has become maintaining my online radio station, which is all Disney music. At least it helps the other obsession of travelling to WDW by giving me my fix (much cheaper too).

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

Originally posted by CoraJack
Thanks Diznee--

Just to clarify--my friend is really a girl and a friend. Our husbands detest Disney so we take our kids and go together. Hubbies stay home. They spend too much money on golf anyway, so they can't afford to go!

Christina

ooooohhh! oops!:zipit:

well, same still holds...as long as you *both* have enough to pay the bills and what-not, then i see absolutely nothing wrong with it! :animwink:

 

[Mr D]

The problem is that those poor folks that have to save up for 4 years to visit WDW probably have little clues on how to use their money wisely, like staying INSIDE the park, we always rent a vacation home, eating out 3 times a day, going to Orlando in peak season, do not know the right way to buy tickets or just trust Disney to sell them a packaged deal.

The smart people research, read boards like this, and scope it all out and have fun for less.

Our goal is two weeks every year, we missed last year so its 28 days this next january

For a family of 4 it should take me less than two months of wages to pay for it, and I am just a diesel mechanic.

Last time it was WDW only, this year its going to be the rest of Orlando +NASA, and a little bit of Disney water parks if we feel like it.

Run my life? no way! at least not untill some stupendous new rides happen like M:S and EE.

 

[RogueHabit]

Originally posted by CoraJack
Thanks Diznee--

Just to clarify--my friend is really a girl and a friend. Our husbands detest Disney so we take our kids and go together. Hubbies stay home. They spend too much money on golf anyway, so they can't afford to go!

Christina

That does complicate your situation. For us it's similar; We miss out of things just to ensure that we get our annual WDW fix.

However we are lucky in as much as WDW is something the whole family agree on and so it doesn't impact on us that much.

 

[MouseMadness]

Oh, my gosh!! How lucky are you to go with a girlfriend and her kids... twice a year!! My husband is the disney un-obsessed, unfortunatley. But I agree with everybody... it's not like you're going without anything that's a necessity to go. And besides, everybody has a hobby that they spend way too much time and money on, right? (well, I don't, but I am lacking in both time and money. I go to Disney when my in laws say we can!:lol: ) So I wouldn't sweat it... you're spending time with your kids and friends. Enjoy!!

 

[Sir Hiss527]

Well I live in Orlando, so when I go it's not a vacation, it's just a day at the parks. Yea but Disney is my life, and church.

-Sir Hiss527-

"Toad Lives!":king:

 

[wannabeBelle]

I get asked this question ALL the time......I Am a single young lady and I enjoy going to Disney. Last year I went 4 different times for a grand total of 23 days spent in the World. Thank Goodness I had thought to buy the annual pass!!!!! I asked another friend who is also a single young lady and VERY Well traveled, why she keeps going back to Disney. She had said it was because she feels a sense of relaxation there that is unmatched anywhere else she has been, either in America or abroad. I absolutely agree with her, but the only reason we can is because we do go there so much. Did you ever see those peope who are going to Disney for like a day or two and want to see everything??? Usually they are angry, rushed, irritated etc because they arent going to get it all in within the few days they have allotted themselves!!! And you know what, if this is the worst hobby I can come up with, so be it!!!! As far as it taking over my life, Ill agree with you on the day I decide I am just not coming back home, get a job with the Mouse and stay there!!! Belle

 

[Erika]

You spend your money on what makes you happy. It's nobody else's business. It's not like you're trying to support a crack habit.

My father in law spends all his money on toy trains. Odd, yes, But it's harmless and it brings him happiness.

Go to WDW and have fun.

 

[RU42]

As long as the necessities of life are covered - go as often as you can.

RU

 

[Dayma]

Consider it a hobby and you will have justification

 

[Scooter]

I know a guy who takes his 83 year old Father to the Casino every weekend.

He watches his Father put quarter after quarter into the slot machine. Once in a while his Father hits a little jack pot and his Father laughs and dances and grins like a child.

Does his Father realize he is losing more money than he is winning? Of course he does.

Should the man stop taking his Father to The Casino?
Of course not.

It's what gives his Father pleasure.
It's something to look forward to.

Is it obsessive behaior?
Maybe..but if it brings you joy, and you can afford it...I say GO for it.

Life is too short...have fun while you're here.
Embrace the child inside you.

There is an old Japanese Buddist proverb:
Never let go the reins of the wild colt of the heart.

 

[GalacticGobbler]

Do what makes YOU happy!!

You sound like us, you get to enjoy the anticipation and planning for your trips as well as taking them.

Some people drink or snort for the kind of feeling that you get from WDW. I would say that you are lucky to have found such a great thing.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Hey, as long as you're happy - its your money and its your life. I enjoy WDW and just wish that I could get there more often.

 

[EmeraldDolphin]

I don't think it sounds like overkill at all... working to save your money to go to WDW is perfectly fine I think, as long as you're taking care of your other responsibilities too. There are a lot worse things people can spend their money on, that are not healthy obsessions. WDW is healthy, fun, and harmless!! I'd like to join you on your next trip, and my husband can go golfing with your husband!

 

[wdwforus]

Originally posted by CoraJack
Thanks Diznee--

Just to clarify--my friend is really a girl and a friend. Our husbands detest Disney so we take our kids and go together. Hubbies stay home. They spend too much money on golf anyway, so they can't afford to go!

Christina

Have your husbands ever played any of the the WDW courses? I had a boss at work who goes down with 3 other men and they play golf all week. They love the courses and go to DTD at night for some entertainment.

 

[wdwforus]

I probably drive my coworkers nuts talking about WDW all the time but I dont care......I LOVE WDW!!!! Our secretary is a WDW nut also and has all kinds of Disney themed things in her office so I get my fix both at my desk and hers. Everytime I go on a vacation(we just got back last week from a rental on the N.C. beach) I think about how much longer I have to work to be able to retire and move to Fl for the winter. There isnt a day that goes by that I dont wish i was back at Mk with my family riding a ride and seeing my kids laughs and smiles.

 

[FourFourSeven]

This, being a board of Disney freaks, is probably not the best place to get an objective answer...

Anyway, I'm by no means a psychologist (I can hardly spell the word), but maybe you need to ask yourself some basic questions:

1) Do you not do other things you think you should because of your Disney habit?

2) Would you find it hard to have a happy and fulfilling life if you never went to Disney again?

3) Do you spend money on Disney that makes it impossible to do things you should do? (Save for college for the kids, pay the mortgage, etc.)

4) Do you wish you could do lots of other stuff that you can't because of your Disney habit?

If you answer yes to questions like these, maybe you do have a problem and should cut back. If not, and if in your heart you know it's what you most want to do and not harmful to you or your family, then it's probably not a problem. Only you and your family know best.

"Disney habit" - I make it sound like a drug addiction! Sorry...