sussing out the Disney fans out there

[octoberbarry]

Hi everybody,
It struck me that many of you have had this experience, so thought it might be a fun discussion...
We all know what it is like when we're in a crowd of non-Disney fans who find out that we are one of the Dis crowd. The eye rolls, the indulgent looks, etc. So it's so much fun to find another Disney fan among the hordes, to chat with and enjoy moments of magic with in conversation. What ways have you found to figure out if someone you meet or run across, whether at work, socially, etc. is a fellow Dis fan? You know, ways to figure out if they are a fan before you reveal yourself, to avoid the eye rolls of the 'unenlightened'. Here are a couple of mine...

1. I'm a whistler. So I'll whistle a tune that I know Dis fans will recognize...maybe something from a fireworks show, or background music, or a lesser known Disney film tune. The eye brows raise and the smile comes up when I've found a Dis'er...

2. I'll remark how something at a meal reminds me of something from Ohana, or Boma, or the California Grill. If I get blank stares and 'What's that?", I just say, oh it's a restaurant I ate in once, without too much elaboration. But if I've found a Dis-er, we're off and running...

So let's hear it fans. How do you find the Dis-Soulmates out there in the world amongst all the doubters and nay-sayers...

 

[eliza61nyc]

Lol, usually my Disney paraphernalia does me in. Disney sweatshirts, key chain with the Haunted Manson on it and my micket phone case, my car has a dvc and AP magnet on it.

 

[Herdman]

We went to a little dinner party a lady my wife works with was throwing. Another lady there started talking about her Disney planning, and I said something about her being a Disney fan. She started talking about the binder of info she had. The planner in me perked up, and we had a big ole discussion about the fun of planning a trip to WDW.

 

[belledream]

If I get even a hint of Disney fandom from someone, I'll just flat out ask, 'Are you a Disney fan?' Subtle, I know. I've bombarded a coworker in who had a refillable mug. Sadly, she turned out to just have taken it from her parent's house without realizing what she's missing out on. Needless to say, it was an awkward and succinct conversation.

Otherwise, anyone who mentions having been to any other park but Magic Kingdom gets a ton of extra cool points from me, and then a who/what/when/where interrogation from me. Very satisfying.

This thread reinforces why I'm on these boards. I don't meet a lot of Disney fanatics in real life, and am just the 'crazy Disney girl' wherever I go.

 

[AndyS2992]

I don’t talk about Disney at all at work really but I am somehow the go to person for WDW/DLP planning advice, I even get complete strangers from different departments flagging me down. Not sure how it happened but I’m more than happy to oblige.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

“Don’t let them in. Don’t let them see.”

I play all of my Disney-crazy close to the chest.

(Still trying to figure out how to explain my tan to my coworkers next week.)

If another person makes the reveal first I may let them know I am also a Disney fan. Maybe. Usual via reference to something not a casual fan would know.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

I'll usually start with an innocuous question. Something like:

"Hey, you ever try a Dole Whip?" - and judge the response from there. If I get a confused look or an unfamiliarity with what I'm asking......I just move on.

I feel it important to know with whom I am speaking in terms of Disney. And their level of conversational Disney-ese. There is a big difference from the "Yeah. Sure. I like Disney...it's a nice place" type individual vs. the characters that frequent this establishment.

 

[octoberbarry]

Lol, usually my Disney paraphernalia does me in. Disney sweatshirts, key chain with the Haunted Manson on it and my micket phone case, my car has a dvc and AP magnet on it.

Yes, I look for those. Also bumper stickers and such. I was in my doctor's office parking lot when a lady pulled in with a license plate surround that said 'WDW...been there, done that, going back". We had a great meet-up there in the parking lot...and it was raining...LOL...

 

[octoberbarry]

We went to a little dinner party a lady my wife works with was throwing. Another lady there started talking about her Disney planning, and I said something about her being a Disney fan. She started talking about the binder of info she had. The planner in me perked up, and we had a big ole discussion about the fun of planning a trip to WDW.

Excellent, you found one who had no compunction about spreading the joy. That's the best...

 

[octoberbarry]

I don’t talk about Disney at all at work really but I am somehow the go to person for WDW/DLP planning advice, I even get complete strangers from different departments flagging me down. Not sure how it happened but I’m more than happy to oblige.

Yes I'm becoming that as well. I work part-time as a substitute school bus driver, and around the bus garage I'm known as Barry who knows all about Disney stuff. I've helped several of my cohorts around there with trip planning...

 

[octoberbarry]

“Don’t let them in. Don’t let them see.”

I play all of my Disney-crazy close to the chest.

(Still trying to figure out how to explain my tan to my coworkers next week.)

If another person makes the reveal first I may let them know I am also a Disney fan. Maybe. Usual via reference to something not a casual fan would know.

Yeah I know what you mean about being careful. Sometimes it's almost worse when a fanatic reveals themselves to a casual Disney person, because they're like, "Dude, you really need to get a life beyond this." LOL...

 

[octoberbarry]

I'll usually start with an innocuous question. Something like:

"Hey, you ever try a Dole Whip?" - and judge the response from there. If I get a confused look or an unfamiliarity with what I'm asking......I just move on.

I feel it important to know with whom I am speaking in terms of Disney. And their level of conversational Disney-ese. There is a big difference from the "Yeah. Sure. I like Disney...it's a nice place" type individual vs. the characters that frequent this establishment.

YES, Dole Whip, that's an excellent bit of bait...I've used that as well...there's an ice cream place near here that serves pineapple Dole Whip, and has a big sign out front that advertises that fact. When I go there, I listen for someone to order one. I'll say something like, "That's pretty special stuff, huh?" If they know what I'm talking about, they always respond in kind, and we're down for a chat at the picnic table...

 

[SourcererMark79]

I teach compliance training at a large university. When I arrive in the classroom, I find a piano medley of songs to play in the background and set the trap. When someone smiles or starts to whistle along, I go in for the...well, not literally

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I’m gay and live in Florida. It’s kind of expected by default before I say a word.

 

[I am Timmy]

My oldest DS is the main reason we keep going, but we all love it. He LOVES it, but he's special needs, so he isn't the planner. I clearly have love which is why I'm checking in with you all every day! Typically, however, there are eyerolls galore where I Iive so I keep my adoration on the down low. My DH, however, tells everyone at work and often volunteers me to help people with planning (people I've never met). He gives them my email. I wish we could live in Florida.......

 

[octoberbarry]

I teach compliance training at a large university. When I arrive in the classroom, I find a piano medley of songs to play in the background and set the trap. When someone smiles or starts to whistle along, I go in for the...well, not literally

Yeah, music is such a great way. Hence my whistling. Also, my ringtone was 'Wishes', now it's 'Happily Ever After'. When my phone rings, I frequently discover somebody right around me who smiles and nods, and EUREKA I have found you...

 

[octoberbarry]

I’m gay and live in Florida. It’s kind of expected by default before I say a word.

A most excellent and simple solution...

 

[octoberbarry]

My oldest DS is the main reason we keep going, but we all love it. He LOVES it, but he's special needs, so he isn't the planner. I clearly have love which is why I'm checking in with you all every day! Typically, however, there are eyerolls galore where I Iive so I keep my adoration on the down low. My DH, however, tells everyone at work and often volunteers me to help people with planning (people I've never met). He gives them my email. I wish we could live in Florida.......

I hear ya. If I could take this school bus driver's license to Orlando and walk in to the hiring office and become a WDW bus driver, that would be a happy day...

 

[octoberbarry]

In my part of the country there aren't many of us that I know of, and when in public I very rarely wear Disney clothing, so you wouldn't know I'm a member here from the way I dress. But occasionally I'll see a car (almost always a minivan) with those Disney stick figure families. Then I know I have encountered one of us.

Yup, I see those stick figures as well with the mouse ears on the heads. I haven't got anything on my car giving me away, but I do think about it...

 

[Diesel Dan]

I am a School Bus driver and I play Disney CD's on the bus. We have Moana Monday, Frozen Friday, etc. One of the other drivers painted Disney Dan on the trash can in the front of the bus. The kids love it.