sussing out the Disney fans out there

[zurgandfriend]

I am a retired Army officer Vietnam vet well into my 60’s and a Disney fanatic. Some people in my company know my Disney addiction and come to me for trip planning advice. Some people think I’m nuts, and make comments such as your son is grown why do you keep going and usually tell me what they would do with the money I spend on my Disney trips. I have heard it all. Trips to Europe, sailing to Bermuda on a yacht, golfing in Scotland you name it. I just smile and say “look at the time” while showing them my Mickey Mouse watch then walk away.

 

[octoberbarry]

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.

Excellent Dan, I too am a school bus driver but I haven't played Disney music on the bus. We've got a one-bell system, so we have all grades K-12 on the bus together. I'm afraid that the middle (especially) and high schoolers who are NOT into it would really make it a bad idea for the Disney-ana amongst us to reveal ourselves in public. But I DO wear my Animal Kingdom hat regularly, and notice the Disney World clothes and backpacks and pins etc. when they come on the bus. I've had great conversations with the kids that I have sussed out...

 

[LittleBuford]

I work in academia, which means I have to remain largely closeted. Most of my colleagues are way too snobby to be OK with my love of Disney, so only a trusted few know. Part of me wishes I could be more open about it, but on the other hand, it's kind of fun living a double life.

 

[octoberbarry]

I am a retired Army officer Vietnam vet well into my 60’s and a Disney fanatic. Some people in my company know my Disney addiction and come to me for trip planning advice. Some people think I’m nuts, and make comments such as your son is grown why do you keep going and usually tell me what they would do with the money I spend on my Disney trips. I have heard it all. Trips to Europe, sailing to Bermuda on a yacht, golfing in Scotland you name it. I just smile and say “look at the time” while showing them my Mickey Mouse watch then walk away.

Well done on all counts my good man. My mother-in-law always has the same response when we tell her we're going again, "But you've BEEN there!" Ah what they all miss when they say that...Oh well, shorter lines for us...

 

[octoberbarry]

I work in academia, which means I have to remain largely closeted. Most of my colleagues are way too snobby to be OK with my love of Disney, so only a trusted few know. Part of me wishes I could be more open about it, but on the other hand, it's kind of fun living a double life.

My wife, who likes Disney as well, though not nearly the fan that I am, also works as adjunct faculty at a local university. She doesn't talk about it with other professors, but she had 'Soarin' as her ring tone for a while...it's her favorite ride...and one day she accidentally left her ringer on while teaching class. 'Soarin' rang through the classroom, and a bunch of the students said, "Wait a minute...that's Soarin'"...Well class was largely over after that...

 

[octoberbarry]

I've got an EPCOT Center logo on the back of my car so only the most diehard fans will know what they are looking at when behind me at a stop light.

Oh that's a great idea. Maybe that's what I should get...I love that...

 

[LittleBuford]

My wife, who likes Disney as well, though not nearly the fan that I am, also works as adjunct faculty at a local university. She doesn't talk about it with other professors, but she had 'Soarin' as her ring tone for a while...it's her favorite ride...and one day she accidentally left her ringer on while teaching class. 'Soarin' rang through the classroom, and a bunch of the students said, "Wait a minute...that's Soarin'"...Well class was largely over after that...

Great story! Yeah, my phone would soon give me away if anyone saw all the Disney apps I have on it.

 

[jloucks]

I was going to say I am not that big a fan. ...then I look at what I, and my family, are wearing in the parks and I have to reconsider.

I am an introvert so I never go sniffing around strangers to see what they are up to. But, my wife is, and it usually starts with "where are your from" and digresses from there.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

I am a retired Army officer Vietnam vet well into my 60’s and a Disney fanatic. Some people in my company know my Disney addiction and come to me for trip planning advice. Some people think I’m nuts, and make comments such as your son is grown why do you keep going and usually tell me what they would do with the money I spend on my Disney trips. I have heard it all. Trips to Europe, sailing to Bermuda on a yacht, golfing in Scotland you name it. I just smile and say “look at the time” while showing them my Mickey Mouse watch then walk away.

I know what you mean! I have a "friend" who knows I love Disney, but asks me every time I see her if I am going anywhere for vacation this year? I always answer, well, we are going to Disney this fall. I always, always, get a version of this, "You've been there and done it all several times. Why not try something else different like going to Paris. It's our favorite trip and we go there Every Year!!!!" Kettle calling the pot black. She never notices that she goes to the same place every year, but apparently I shouldn't go to Disney every year!
I don't know why people have this reaction to Disney fans. And I don't know why we feel we have to keep it a secret because of their reactions? Oh well. I haven't seen this "friend" for a while...………..

 

[octoberbarry]

I know what you mean! I have a "friend" who knows I love Disney, but asks me every time I see her if I am going anywhere for vacation this year? I always answer, well, we are going to Disney this fall. I always, always, get a version of this, "You've been there and done it all several times. Why not try something else different like going to Paris. It's our favorite trip and we go there Every Year!!!!" Kettle calling the pot black. She never notices that she goes to the same place every year, but apparently I shouldn't go to Disney every year!
I don't know why people have this reaction to Disney fans. And I don't know why we feel we have to keep it a secret because of their reactions? Oh well. I haven't seen this "friend" for a while...………..

That's a good point. Just about any other place that one may go regularly for vacation...around here 'Cape Cod', 'Maine', 'Lake George' all come to mind...don't receive anywhere near the derision that a Disney-regular visit get. Interesting...Perhaps just the 'Brand' does it? Or the reputation of crowds? Or perhaps it's just thinking that we're going to 'one place' with what that narrowly entails. I.e. 'You could go to a city and there would be such a variety of things to do...shows to see...restaurants...parks...museums...not just 'Dumbo' over and over'. If they only realized that WDW is the size of San Francisco, and the number of entertainment, dining, and recreation options there are there, it's actually just a different version of the same type of vacation. Interesting...

 

[JIMINYCR]

I'm not shy when it comes to striking up a conversation with a stranger. Anytime I'm out and see someone wearing a Disney T shirt, jacket or cap, or if I see any kind of Disney emblem, stickers on a vehicle, I will say something to start a conversation. Then you find out who were the one timers and those who are multi year goers and true Dis fans. The best conversations are with those in the midst of planning a trip. I offer lots of useful tips & hints that many people find helpful.
Disney collectables, memorabilia and items are found throughout my business and home. Those always gets someone interested in asking a Disney question that leads to a conversation.

 

[octoberbarry]

I'm not shy when it comes to striking up a conversation with a stranger. Anytime I'm out and see someone wearing a Disney T shirt, jacket or cap, or if I see any kind of Disney emblem, stickers on a vehicle, I will say something to start a conversation. Then you find out who were the one timers and those who are multi year goers and true Dis fans. The best conversations are with those in the midst of planning a trip. I offer lots of useful tips & hints that many people find helpful.
Disney collectables, memorabilia and items are found throughout my business and home. Those always gets someone interested in asking a Disney question that leads to a conversation.

Yup, someone with Disney garb is a great entree into a conversation. I look for folks wearing some kind of WDW anniversary shirt or particular year of visit, i.e. "Magic Kingdom 2015", folks with that I find tend to be pretty into it...

 

[Minnie Mum]

I've been out of the Disney closet for decades. All of our friends and relatives and, until I retired, coworkers know we're a big Disney family. But since we also do other kinds of vacations as well, we don't get too much flack. My everyday watch is a classic Mickey watch, and that has been the source of many conversations over the years.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

It's fairly easy to tell that I'm a Disney enthusiast. My current phone case (which just broke) has the Cheshire Cat, I have Disney stuff all over my desk, I'm usually carrying some kind of Disney Dooney, I will often throw on my Disney vintage or Donald Duck sweatshirt if it's chilly, and I have Mickey hitch plug on my SUV. I've had people approach me and I will gladly talk Disney, but it hasn't worked very well in reverse for me.

I am not so good at telling that other people are Disney people...even when signs seem obvious. I was at the supermarket a couple of years ago, saw a woman carrying a Disney Harveys bag that was a harder to get style/pattern (like you're probably a serious Disney fan to have that), and she acted like I had three heads when I complimented her and said something about us liking Disney. I had something similar happen at CVS about a year ago when I saw a woman carrying a Princess Marathon Dooney. Oh well.

 

[LeighM]

My Disney purses usually give me away If someone else loves Disney, that's usually the first thing they notice and will comment on. I ran into another Disney fan at our local pet store when we each were carrying our Disney purses. We started a nice conversation with a lot of eye rolls from our husbands.

 

[JosieBee]

Sometimes my Disney items, such as my Disney purse, Disney phone case, my laptop case and screen saver at work, etc., can give it away. I like to think it attracts those who also like it, and if it repels someone and they think I'm weird, well, so be it. I don't hide that I am a Disney fan, and will bring up Disney in conversations if it is appropriate and a natural connection to the topic (not like, "my dog died last night" and I reply, "but isn't Disney World the best?"), and sometime I'll find another person who loves it, too, and sometimes I get the crickets or the remarks of why would I want to go there to wait in line? Or there are so many other places in the world to see (and I've seen a lot of those places and do like to travel elsewhere and will keep doing so but Disney is where I like to go to get my joy on!)? So I will simply say it gives me joy and then quickly divert and ask them what gives them joy. Then I am the bigger person and won't knock or question that. I really don't get why it matters to someone else what I love. I don't go around questioning the hobbies and passions others have. Whatever floats your boat...its all cool with me as long as no one is getting hurt. So I just put myself out there and if I find a new Disney friend, that is always a plus. I am lucky though, my sister is also a big fan and I work with a few other people who love it, too, so we just have to fend off the people who walk by and say, "you guys talking about Disney AGAIN?!" Yep, and we won't be stopping any time soon!

 

[Goofyernmost]

A friend sent me this... Jim Gaffigan fans will get a kick out of it.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

I've been out of the Disney closet for decades. All of our friends and relatives and, until I retired, coworkers know we're a big Disney family. But since we also do other kinds of vacations as well, we don't get too much flack. My everyday watch is a classic Mackey watch, and that has been the source of many conversations over the years.

Hi Minnie: I wore my classic Mickey watch to work for years as a nurse. Everyone got a kick out of it, especially the little kids
I bought it in the late 70's, and it has run fine all these years! I took it to Disney a year ago at a jewelry type store and showed it to them. The lady said I was lucky to have it, as they aren't made by that watch maker anymore. It is a Lorus, I think. Glad you have one to enjoy too

 

[DisneyGigi]

My choice of purses, give me away. It is really funny when someone shrieks and comments on them- especially my Disney Dooneys.

 

[Sans Souci]

I have the music from Illuminations as a ring tone on my phone.