Why is Disney World so fascinating?

[Crush Dude!]

The Definition of Happiness - Walt Disney World

Great Topic!!
Im from Ireland and have only bin to the world 3 in 12 years, twice in the last 2 and i think the attraction has to be a combination of things! Its an escape from the real world, an escape from bills, work, everyday life! It is a magical place where the young and the young at heart can relax, enjoy themselves and immerse themselves in the magic of Disney! Aso look to Epcot where u have The World Showcase, an amazing place that i really got into on my last trip, theres nothing like it in the world and gives many people a chance to see the culture and taste the cuisine of countries they will never see!! Walt Disney World is without a doubt the most amazing place in the world, and a place for us all to escape reality for a while before we plan our next escape back again :sohappy::sohappy::sohappy:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I would like to offer an additional perspective. I am a huge fan of Epcot. In Epcot there was and still is to a certain extent a focus on how to improve and use technology in our everyday lives. Some of us go to see how this magical experience is supported by the technology. I am totally fascinated with the workings of everything. I am the guy that stands under a Monorail and takes a picture of the drive system. The guy that looks backwards to see how the heads pop up in the Haunted Mansion (I know you can hear the pneumatics). I want to see if I can find the pucks in the ground on the parade routes. If I could I would lift up the plates that cover the tracks on the TTA. Point is, it isn't just about magic for some of us, it is about the how. I assume that is why this has been called one of the great engineering marvels of our time. As I said, I just wanted to provide you with an additional perspective that says it isn't necessarily about the magic/fantasy/experience, but about how it all works.

Yep. That's what's fantastic about EPCOT. It's the real world...Disney Style. Everything s functional, working, perfect almost...it really is Waltopia in a sense.


As for the rest of WDW...It's actual fantasy and perception of Disney...made REAL. That's what's amazing.

 

[Philo]

I think one of the big things for me (and something which sets it apart from just about every other park) is the scale. We're not just talking of a big resort, we're talking about a resort that has it's own emergency services, that operates a huge road network and that maintains a HUGE area. You can only really compare it to a town.

So, the size of the operation amazes me. The fact that it was ever built amazes me (just because of the scale and ambition of the project) and of course the feeling when your there.

Disney parks offer far more than your average theme park and all that has been covered above, not sure if I can add anything other than to say I just enjoy the care-free world you can build for yourself. The only thing that matters is having a good time.

Six Flags etc is different. The only theme park I'm keen on (outside of the Diensy parks and possibly Universal parks) is Alton Towers in the UK - but that's only because it's where I grew up and it used to be well themed.... Six flags for me is an adrenaline park. It's not fascinating, it's just fun to get thrown around on a rollercoaster. Don't get me wrong, I love the rides but the park is just a park, it has no magic or extra sparkle which makes Disney so unique and amazing.

 

[Missin_Disney]

For me its impossible to sum up in a few words.

I was lucky enough to start visiting in 1989 with no preconception of what WDW was (apart from a very well read Birnbaum book) There was no internet and no WDWMagic to help me out.

That first time blew me away, in a way i feel i can never quite recapture those initial feelings as i first arrived in Main Street. The only time i might is when we take our 3 and 1 y/o's next May.

So in a nut shell its escapism, attention to detail, size, innovation. Its not just a theme park, im not a huge fan of the parks in the UK as most of the theming is poor and its all about the ride. In WDW its not just about the mechanics, its a story that is told from queue to gift shop lol.

I could go on and on like all of us i guess........roll on May 2010 is all i can say!!

 

[pcarathers]

For me its impossible to sum up in a few words.

I was lucky enough to start visiting in 1989 with no preconception of what WDW was (apart from a very well read Birnbaum book) There was no internet and no WDWMagic to help me out.

That first time blew me away, in a way i feel i can never quite recapture those initial feelings as i first arrived in Main Street. The only time i might is when we take our 3 and 1 y/o's next May.

So in a nut shell its escapism, attention to detail, size, innovation. Its not just a theme park, im not a huge fan of the parks in the UK as most of the theming is poor and its all about the ride. In WDW its not just about the mechanics, its a story that is told from queue to gift shop lol.

I could go on and on like all of us i guess........roll on May 2010 is all i can say!!

AMEN! I was 28 when I got to go for the first time and I was more excited than my 7 y/o nephew! Granted, he was very excited too! The feeling you get once you check in and walk into your room...your thoughts of bills, work, illness,etc....GONE! When you walk into that park and see a child walking up to a character for the first time and give them a hug or kiss is PRICELESS! The way I look at it, you either LOVE Disney or hate it! there is no happy medium.......some of my closest friends who have never been can't understand what it is that makes me DISNEY CRAZY!

We are now vacation club members and have also got a trip planned for May 2010...we leave home on the 8th of May to our HOME AWAY FROM HOME..Bay Lake Tower!!!! cant wait!!!!!!!! Looking forward to many many more trips and taking nieces and nephews for years to come!!!!:sohappy:

 

[DisneyCanadian]

WDW is day-dreaming becoming a reality.

 

[JayM]

Six flags is an amusement park where Disney is a dream.

I LOVE that. Exactly. I wished I would had put that at the end of my paper! It would have been the perfect conclusion.

 

[JayM]

I agree with everyone. Back when I was younger, a trip to Disney didn't mean anything more to me than meeting the characters and getting on a few rides. Then, I went through my 'Big Girl phase' where I deemed I was too 'old' for Disney and we started doing Universal. But I feel back in love with Disney and had a chance to really enjoy my time there with my family when we went a summer before my senior year in high school. I opened my eyes that I was growing up and I ran around the parks like I was 5 all over again! Then when I went for Grad Nite...I don't know if any of y'all ever been, the magic just hit me like a ton of bricks. I can't believe I'm growing up this fast! It's amazing!

I can't wait to go back...hopefully next month and another this spring break. When I go, I fully plan on forgetting I'm a student for the week!

 

[dorypooh]

I would like to offer an additional perspective. I am a huge fan of Epcot. In Epcot there was and still is to a certain extent a focus on how to improve and use technology in our everyday lives. Some of us go to see how this magical experience is supported by the technology. I am totally fascinated with the workings of everything. I am the guy that stands under a Monorail and takes a picture of the drive system. The guy that looks backwards to see how the heads pop up in the Haunted Mansion (I know you can hear the pneumatics). I want to see if I can find the pucks in the ground on the parade routes. If I could I would lift up the plates that cover the tracks on the TTA. Point is, it isn't just about magic for some of us, it is about the how. I assume that is why this has been called one of the great engineering marvels of our time. As I said, I just wanted to provide you with an additional perspective that says it isn't necessarily about the magic/fantasy/experience, but about how it all works.

Building on this great post, I would like to add that WDW is a thrill for all the senses and the mind. yes, typical amusement parks are fun for rides, but WDW is so much more. You can learn about a different culture, sample cuisines you can't get at home, learn a little American history, and experience technological thrill rides. it's so much more than a few G-forces on a roller coaster!

 

[pacochran]

It's fascinating how WDW transports you out of reality and into their own little world. You literally do not have to leave WDW for anything. It's truly fascinating.

This is exactly how I feel! It takes you away from all the stress in the "real" world and just makes you forget about it.

 

[dznygirl64]

To echo what others have said.. When I am there I am as carefree as I was as a child. You don't get that feeling anywhere else. Only Disney brings that out in me to that extent. I don't think about the real world when I am there, I just have fun and enjoy with my family.

I used to feel this way but since my last couple trips last one ended yesterday I dont feel it anymore.I have been going every year since 1971.But with the free food and cheap rooms and ticket deals the parks are full of nasty people.After nearly 40 years of visiting WDW I cancelled my January trip and April trip.So glad I didnt buy the vacation club!:sohappy:I was so happy to leave on Sunday first time that has ever happened

 

[disney dharling]

It is a celebration of the best trait of mankind, the imagination.:sohappy:

 

[imagine_82]

for me, it's the beauty & the magic in the escapism. that feeling when you walk up main street for the first time of your trip is so poignant; i always think of all the times i've been before, my family & friends, and how lucky i am to be there again.

 

[LowesChevy]

For me it is the detail and experience

The imagineer teams spend so much time perfecting and developing new concepts, it is amazing. They use top notch technology on most rides. The details they put into rides, attractions, parks, and resorts keep me constantly looking for more things to discover. Every time we go it gets more and more memorable.

Other basic aspects, the parks are always clean, it is safe, the cast members are great (only met 1 or 2 not so magical ones over the past 28 years), the resorts are beautiful and the transportation quite reliable.

 

[Crush Dude!]

to be real cheesy (punn intended) wdw is quite simply the place where everyones dreams come through :sohappy::sohappy::sohappy: And i couldnt agree more :ROFLOL::ROFLOL:

 

[goofykt]

One of the biggest pulls for my DH and I is that we know 99% of the people there will be friendly (which is definitely not the case when you think about vacationing somewhere outside of Disney). There are no cab drivers cutting you off...no power suits yakking on their bluetooth while you sightsee...and no rude employees that seem annoyed by your very existence on earth.

on the contrary, they are happy to answer your questions or accomodate your special requests. Granted you might occasionally run into an annoying guest or not-100%-happy CM, but they're few and far between, and for some reason it doesn't bother you as much when people are rude at Disney. It's like "oh well, let's shrug it off and go ride Haunted Mansion!"

So that's what is fascinating...knowing you can go someplace where almost everyone is happy and having a good, clean time.

 

[Crush Dude!]

One of the biggest pulls for my DH and I is that we know 99% of the people there will be friendly (which is definitely not the case when you think about vacationing somewhere outside of Disney). There are no cab drivers cutting you off...no power suits yakking on their bluetooth while you sightsee...and no rude employees that seem annoyed by your very existence on earth.

on the contrary, they are happy to answer your questions or accomodate your special requests. Granted you might occasionally run into an annoying guest or not-100%-happy CM, but they're few and far between, and for some reason it doesn't bother you as much when people are rude at Disney. It's like "oh well, let's shrug it off and go ride Haunted Mansion!"

So that's what is fascinating...knowing you can go someplace where almost everyone is happy and having a good, clean time.

Oh u are so spot on, ive never experienced a bad cm thank god, but if i did id be like, lets go cheer up by hittin haunted mansion twice in a row hahaha :lol: u just dont get that anywhere else :sohappy:

 

[sublimesting]

It's fascinating how WDW transports you out of reality and into their own little world. You literally do not have to leave WDW for anything. It's truly fascinating.

Kind of do for reasonably priced alcohol...or have it shipped in.

 

[Crush Dude!]

Kind of do for reasonably priced alcohol...or have it shipped in.

Maybe...... but id pay any price whilst drinking round the world, good and great times haha :sohappy:

 

[Mr Wizard]

For me it kinda hits on two levels. First is the pretty much universal feeling of being completely removed from that ugly old "real world". But a lot of it is a feeling of going home again. I first went to the World in 1977 as a wide eyed, slack jawed, 20 year old who was completely blow away to finally see and experience all the mechanical and electronic gizmos I had drooled over watching World of Color for so many years. And many of those original pieces are still there. Which reinforces that basic feeling that most all guys share which is change-bad, no change-good. And it's still good. Long live the mouse.