Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
I'll make a statement for those of us that are older and have been to places around the world, taken in the culture and so on... I strictly go to Disney now, because stateside, there is no other place where there are hours and hours of what seems like endless entertainment without much walking, by comparison.
Travel is hard, even on a paid tour. You have to wander all over the place, stay strictly within the time limits allowed and see what they want you to see. It really is a completely different experience from a Disney park regardless of the name. If you go to Europe, like I did a few years ago, it is really hard work and a relatively safe adventure. We went without any tour guides. We found our own accommodations, decided and pre-ticketed what we wanted to see ahead of time, and even bought European train passes ahead of time. We took planes, trains and buses (no automobiles). We went on what I currently call, jokingly, our European death march. We took chances on pre-renting apartments in Paris and Rome and made reservations in a small family owned Hotel in Venice. In the cities we took the subways wherever we could and the only near problem I personally had was on a very crowded subway during rush hour in Rome. I was pressed up against the door of the train by literally hoards of people, and just before we got off, a lady standing next to me tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the ground behind me. Low and behold there was my wallet with all my credit cards and a small amount of cash laying there. Apparently, someone had tried to pick my pocket, but, were not of Danial Ocean's ability. There wasn't enough room for anyone to bend down and pick it up at the time, so they just left it. Close but no cigar. Other then that one, almost problem, everything went well from that point on.
My point of all that above gibberish was to point out that it was a lot of work especially when I had to drag two suitcases almost a mile along a cobblestone street in Paris from the bus stop to our apartment. But, we survived and it just made for an adventure. I won't lie, the last two weeks of our month long trip was on a relocation Trans-Atlantic cruise with a number of stops to places along the Mediterranean, everything except the shore excursions were in one spot. The ship! That was nice and also representative about why Disney one stop shopping is so popular. Packing and moving every few days, is quite exhausting.
That explains why "Traveled" people could eventually like Disney more than the real thing. But, those that have traveled for the adventure and exposure to new things, it is just because we are spent and really do prefer a one size fits all experience. Those that haven't really are just not interested in world travel and enjoy the local experience of Disney. Those that have never tried Disney, really have no reason to feel superior. If only they knew what fun they have been missing. I like to think that I am a prime example confirming that one can really enjoy both of the experiences.
Travel is hard, even on a paid tour. You have to wander all over the place, stay strictly within the time limits allowed and see what they want you to see. It really is a completely different experience from a Disney park regardless of the name. If you go to Europe, like I did a few years ago, it is really hard work and a relatively safe adventure. We went without any tour guides. We found our own accommodations, decided and pre-ticketed what we wanted to see ahead of time, and even bought European train passes ahead of time. We took planes, trains and buses (no automobiles). We went on what I currently call, jokingly, our European death march. We took chances on pre-renting apartments in Paris and Rome and made reservations in a small family owned Hotel in Venice. In the cities we took the subways wherever we could and the only near problem I personally had was on a very crowded subway during rush hour in Rome. I was pressed up against the door of the train by literally hoards of people, and just before we got off, a lady standing next to me tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the ground behind me. Low and behold there was my wallet with all my credit cards and a small amount of cash laying there. Apparently, someone had tried to pick my pocket, but, were not of Danial Ocean's ability. There wasn't enough room for anyone to bend down and pick it up at the time, so they just left it. Close but no cigar. Other then that one, almost problem, everything went well from that point on.
My point of all that above gibberish was to point out that it was a lot of work especially when I had to drag two suitcases almost a mile along a cobblestone street in Paris from the bus stop to our apartment. But, we survived and it just made for an adventure. I won't lie, the last two weeks of our month long trip was on a relocation Trans-Atlantic cruise with a number of stops to places along the Mediterranean, everything except the shore excursions were in one spot. The ship! That was nice and also representative about why Disney one stop shopping is so popular. Packing and moving every few days, is quite exhausting.
That explains why "Traveled" people could eventually like Disney more than the real thing. But, those that have traveled for the adventure and exposure to new things, it is just because we are spent and really do prefer a one size fits all experience. Those that haven't really are just not interested in world travel and enjoy the local experience of Disney. Those that have never tried Disney, really have no reason to feel superior. If only they knew what fun they have been missing. I like to think that I am a prime example confirming that one can really enjoy both of the experiences.
) when we were in a different income bracket and raising a family and all I had co-workers who were in a different stage of life and were able to travel. I was never envious of them. I just kept my eye on the prize of one day being able to do the same. It seems that many people in today's world can't be happy when others live their own lives and do the things they enjoy without feeling the need to question, judge, etc.
