What is "it" that brings you back to WDW?

[Nottamus]

ya know, I guess the biggest reason we go, and I like it there is...

The wife and I go as a couple. Its our chance to re connect. To get back to 'us' time that you can get away from on a daily basis. I'm not saying its the only time we connect during a year, but its not competing with everyday worries, responsibilities etc.

And If she's happy, I'm Happy, we are happy.

 

[geekza]

I've only been to WDW five times since 1976 and each visit has had progressively more years between them. I would have gone more often, had financial circumstances allowed, but I have no complaints about my life, in general. For me, the times I've spent there have been filled with special memories of friends and family, many of whom have now passed on. Honestly, the thing that keeps me wanting to go back are the "Disney Bubble" that lets me exhale and let go of the outside world. Also, and there are many who will look down on me for this, I love being able to re-experience the wonderful attractions and locations that have brought me happiness since I was a small child. Walking through the castle into Fantasyland, the Haunted Mansion, Carousel of Progress, PeopleMover, Pirates (mostly), Jungle Cruise, Country Bears, Tiki Room, etc. all connect me to the past and my loved ones. Yes, it's pure nostalgia, but I think that most people as they age long for a connection to the familiar, especially when the outside world changes at such a rapid pace. I can't stop change, but I sure love being able to hang on to a few constants. That's why I get so upset when something that has meant a lot to me over the years is demolished. It isn't that I don't want new attractions or experiences. I do. The problem these days is that these special things are, more often than not, replaced with things that aren't as good as what they are replacing and, especially now, with no regard given to the history and purpose behind the parks in which they are placed. I don't need to hear from people saying, "Get over it. Roller coasters are cool and screenz are lit, fam!" I'm well aware of the corporate mindset of current Disney management. I think they're idiots who should never have been given control over something about which they don't care and only use as a revenue stream to fatten their pockets. This November will probably be my last visit to WDW because it has now reached a point whereby I don't ever see a time when I will be able to afford another trip and, even if I could afford it at some point in the future, it's very possible that enough of the things that mean a lot to me will have either been demolished or changed beyond recognition. It's sad, but it is what it is. I still love WDW, but I don't know that I'll be able to keep that in the present tense for much longer.

 

[DisneyDoctor]

I've only been to WDW five times since 1976 and each visit has had progressively more years between them. I would have gone more often, had financial circumstances allowed, but I have no complaints about my life, in general. For me, the times I've spent there have been filled with special memories of friends and family, many of whom have now passed on. Honestly, the thing that keeps me wanting to go back are the "Disney Bubble" that lets me exhale and let go of the outside world. Also, and there are many who will look down on me for this, I love being able to re-experience the wonderful attractions and locations that have brought me happiness since I was a small child. Walking through the castle into Fantasyland, the Haunted Mansion, Carousel of Progress, PeopleMover, Pirates (mostly), Jungle Cruise, Country Bears, Tiki Room, etc. all connect me to the past and my loved ones. Yes, it's pure nostalgia, but I think that most people as they age long for a connection to the familiar, especially when the outside world changes at such a rapid pace. I can't stop change, but I sure love being able to hang on to a few constants. That's why I get so upset when something that has meant a lot to me over the years is demolished. It isn't that I don't want new attractions or experiences. I do. The problem these days is that these special things are, more often than not, replaced with things that aren't as good as what they are replacing and, especially now, with no regard given to the history and purpose behind the parks in which they are placed. I don't need to hear from people saying, "Get over it. Roller coasters are cool and screenz are lit, fam!" I'm well aware of the corporate mindset of current Disney management. I think they're idiots who should never have been given control over something about which they don't care and only use as a revenue stream to fatten their pockets. This November will probably be my last visit to WDW because it has now reached a point whereby I don't ever see a time when I will be able to afford another trip and, even if I could afford it at some point in the future, it's very possible that enough of the things that mean a lot to me will have either been demolished or changed beyond recognition. It's sad, but it is what it is. I still love WDW, but I don't know that I'll be able to keep that in the present tense for much longer.

Congrats on going back, I sincerely hope you have an excellent time! I hope your next trip causes you to fall in love with parks harder than ever before.

In my opinion, the nostalgia is still there, and always will be. It would take some catastrophic changes/screw ups to demolish it, and I don't think we've hit that yet, or are nearing it anytime soon.

 

[geekza]

Congrats on going back, I sincerely hope you have an excellent time! I hope your next trip causes you to fall in love with parks harder than ever before.

In my opinion, the nostalgia is still there, and always will be. It would take some catastrophic changes/screw ups to demolish it, and I don't think we've hit that yet, or are nearing it anytime soon.

I'm really going to go into it with an open mind. I mentioned this on another thread, but I think that being on these boards has prepared me for the changes, so they won't come as a shock. With that in mind, I'm going to do my best to experience this trip on its own terms. It's not going to be as relaxing as previous trips, only because the crowds have increased so much and we're only there for a week, but I've also done my due diligence and have squared away as much planning as it's possible to do so that I don't have to stress about trying to have to figure too many things out on the fly. It's my wife's first trip to WDW and she knows next to nothing about the parks, so I'm going to enjoy seeing the place through her eyes.

 

[bhg469]

I would prefer another visit to DL before going back to WDW for a multitude of reasons but as far as WDW, I think I will be waiting for at least a year after Galaxys edge opening. I cannot imagine anything could being be back during that time other than moving to FL and going to visit other parks on occasion.

 

[larryz]

A 2002 Chrysler mini van.

 

[danyoung56]

It's an interesting question, one with a lot of different answers. For me it's the whole thing, it's the way I can fill up a day doing fun stuff, eating great (or at least OK) food, hanging out in some fun bars, watching fireworks shows that you can't see anywhere else. I've been to WDW so many times that I know it all well, and am very comfortable re-visiting an old friend.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Its a bit of everything put together into one trip that makes it still our place to vacation. Theres enough of a variety of experiences in the attractions, the shows, the dining, to take in every day that makes it unique to any other destination. We continue to enjoy what we get for the price we pay. The expanding crowds, the excessive preplanning, the increase in price, the limiting hours for events, have not yet gotten to the point that it discourages us from going back. Disney still does enough right and better than anyone else for our enjoyment.

 

[DisneyDoctor]

I'm really going to go into it with an open mind. I mentioned this on another thread, but I think that being on these boards has prepared me for the changes, so they won't come as a shock. With that in mind, I'm going to do my best to experience this trip on its own terms. It's not going to be as relaxing as previous trips, only because the crowds have increased so much and we're only there for a week, but I've also done my due diligence and have squared away as much planning as it's possible to do so that I don't have to stress about trying to have to figure too many things out on the fly. It's my wife's first trip to WDW and she knows next to nothing about the parks, so I'm going to enjoy seeing the place through her eyes.

Good luck with everything! I was so nervous taking my GF (now fiancé) for the first time. Thankfully she fell in love with it and we try to get back as often as possible while throwing in trips to other destinations in as well. I hope you and your wife have a similar experience!

 

[zeebs758]

For me, its mostly just being in the Disney bubble. I love being on Disney property and being immersed into everything. But as I get older, I'm there more for the food. I love trying new places to eat and snack on.

 

[Raegansmommy]

There is something magical about spending time and making memories with your family. Seeing the smiles on my daughters' faces, and hearing them talk about our trips. Sure, we have vacationed other places, but nothing compares to WDW.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

The ImaginaryRail that runs from my Imagination to the Magic Kingdom

 

[jloucks]

My wife and I had this discussion recently when trying to decide to return to WDW or go elsewhere. We've been 5 times and stayed both on/off site, had dining plans and not, etc. You can get great entertainment many places, see Disney "stuff" at malls and watch all the movies you want to get a fix. My feeling was that you get all this great stiff in one area. So is the rides? + the food? + the environment?, + entertainment? I'm newer here so if this should be in another thread, let me know.

Currently no plans to go back. This is after a run of multiple consecutive years too.

I love the food, ambiance, lodgings, characters, rides, attractions, and souvenirs. Ultimately the prices were too cheap and with it, the crowds way too large. If they can get the miserable mob scene they have nurtured under control, we will go again. They need a few triple-price weeks a year for those of us willing to pay for peace.

 

[eliza61nyc]

A 2002 Chrysler mini van.

lol, that's just wrong. funny but wrong

 

[mergatroid]

.

 

[eliza61nyc]

So I'm pretty lucky in that I have flexibility in the times I can go so I have not had major "crowd" issues. I went in August and I think one ride (FOP) was consistently over 1 hour. that's it.

Anyhoo, for me Disney is still a pretty good value. now I live in and vacation at High cost of living places so I don't melt down at a $4.00 bottle of water. Disney is still competitive with cruises and other places (I'm currently looking at beach rentals for July 2019 at OC NJ. going price ~ 3K just for room)

1) I love the fact that there is some thing for everyone in my family.
2) I love the resorts, our favorite is Beach club villas which is were we have our dvc but most of the resorts hold a certain charm. lol where else can I sit on my balcony and watch Okapis and wart hogs eat breakfast.
3) I enjoy the ease of vacationing once we get there.
4) I love our families "mojo" when we get there. We waited in line for Navi river and even while in line we were happy and stress free.
5) again I must be pretty lucky because I've never been and experienced dirty parks or overflowing trash cans.
6) total atmosphere. come on, walking through the gates at Epcot and passing through the tiles, hearing the music than WHAM, space ship earth.

 

[Much-Pixie-Dust]

My family makes great memories at WDW. We always have fun, love the atmosphere, and it’s a great escape from reality.

Also, besides Vegas, it’s the only vacationing spot that I wear an entirely different wardrobe than my “regular” life. People would look at me strangely if I wore my sequined mouse ears at any other place besides Disney. I could wear my Mickey clothing other places, but I don’t. It’s just for Disney.

 

[phillip9698]

An all in one vacation where I don't have to worry about transportation, entertainment, and access to food. It's nice to go somewhere that everything is taken care of.

 

[thomas998]

Making up for bad Disney experiences when I was a kid... Growing up my parents were firm believers in taking 2 week long road trip vacations each year although their idea of a vacation was to go constantly never staying in the same hotel more than one night and spending most of the time on the road... An example of one of their glorious trips was going all the way from Texas to Florida to stop at Disney World for the the day before hitting the road to continue to Rhode Island to see relatives for an entire 4 hours before Yosemite where again we spent no more than 3 hours seeing things before moving on.... On a trip where we hit Disneyland we arrived a little after noon and stayed until closing, and that was the longest we ever stayed in a Disney park as a kid on any one vacation...

I decided when I grew up and had a family I would never screw my kids over like that with bataan death march trips.... So once I started taking the kids to Disney we would go only to a Disney park for the entire vacation until they started getting tired of it, so now we throw in some other things, but until the kids are tired of it I'll keep doing it even though I'm personally a little burned out at this point because nothing ever seems to change... currently the kids seem satisfied with a few days in a Disney park on vacations, but I expect within another 2 or 3 years I won't be doing them anymore because for me its something I do for my kids not for me and they are approaching the point of not finding it as fun as other places like Universal.

 

[yaksplat]

I'm really going to go into it with an open mind. I mentioned this on another thread, but I think that being on these boards has prepared me for the changes, so they won't come as a shock. With that in mind, I'm going to do my best to experience this trip on its own terms. It's not going to be as relaxing as previous trips, only because the crowds have increased so much and we're only there for a week, but I've also done my due diligence and have squared away as much planning as it's possible to do so that I don't have to stress about trying to have to figure too many things out on the fly. It's my wife's first trip to WDW and she knows next to nothing about the parks, so I'm going to enjoy seeing the place through her eyes.

If you read too much on here, all of the negative things that people post will get in your head. You'll start thinking that the magic is gone and your trip won't be as fun as you hope that it will. All of the changes are negative of course and the service has declined of course.

But then you get there for your trip and all of that negativity goes away and you have a wonderful week.