To not get Disney?

[Fridaysgirl]

I'm talking about adults here, not kids.

Why do grown men and women feel the need to wear Minnie ears, buy mugs, bags and T shirts of Disney related stuff?

And why in god's name would you pay £££££s to go and gawp and an artificial pink princess castle when you could pay far less to see something real? Or cuddle a Minnie/Mickey Mouse (or should I say a stranger dressed up)?

Please can someone explain all this to me?

I’d like to go to Efteling.

I love Studio Ghibli stuff.

Horses for courses.

@WhyBirdStop I have seen eftling and not my cup of tea. Would rather walk in a park, explore a castle or other historic place in my opinion but I can see why people like it.

@redappleandaquamarinebow1987 DS isn't one yet and we have two nephews, one is a similar age and the other is 4, we used to go on holiday with DB and SIL pre DCs so thinking about some child focussed breaks too over the next few years, although we want to go back to Vietnam and Cambodia with him and plan to go to Costa Rica when he's a little older, so we'll still do what o consider normal holidays. I'm not a fan of Disney and thought Efteling might give the children a fun time without the corporate message.

@WhyBirdStop hope you enjoy it. I prefer disney. I don't see the commercial side too much it is more about the story for me as a child and then the general atmosphere as a grown up. To me it's a way to escape and have whimsical fantasy barfed all over me. Is it cheesy? yes but it just gives me pure joy

@redappleandaquamarinebow1987 I think that's a big part of it, nostalgia. I wasn't into Disney as a child so it doesn't take me back, so to speak. I have a similar theory about DH and starwars...

Children are human beings, not a different species. Lots of things that appeal to children also appeal to many adults.

People who claim that any adult who likes 'children's' things like Disney must be stupid or uncultured are quite simply wrong (and probably arseholes). Liking those things and being intelligent/well-read/cultured are not mutually exclusive. I have a 2:1 from Oxford in languages, spent most of my degree course writing essays on literature in two foreign languages. Doesn't stop me being a massive Harry Potter fan. I've been to the Studio Tour twice, own HP merchandise and have read the books and seen the films countless times (in several languages).

I really like some Disney films, but didn't like DLP at all and have no desire to see people dressed up as the characters etc. But that doesn't mean I don't understand people who do.

@WhyBirdStop that is quite possible

My DW adores Disney. I don't get it but it makes her smile and that's good enough for me!

I really do wonder about people who deliberately try and piss on the fun of other people. Who claim some sort of intellectual superiority over those who may get enjoyment from something not considered “high brow”.

I’m another educated woman (no kids) who enjoys Disney and Harry Potter (GASP!). I’ve met a fair few people in my life who can’t comprehend how I can be articulate, intelligent, and enjoy a host of books frequently considered intellectual and at the same time enjoy Disney, Harry Potter, cheesy romantic movies, graphic novels, and seedy true crime books.

It’s quite simple: I’m not two dimensional. Nobody is.

I really do wonder about those who are unable to comprehend this. Presumably they aren’t aware that by not “getting” this, or an adult’s ability to still be awed like a child is, they are showing precisely how unintelligent they are?

As an aside, I’ve only been to Disneyland Paris but DH and I are going to WDW and Universal in November and we are unbelievably excited. Our favourite place in the world so far is Rome (we love history and architecture) but I’m pretty sure we can find some space in our heads to kick back, let go, and dance around with Tigger.

There are so many genuinely really lovely things to see and do on the planet

There are, you're right.

But why do you think that doing one type of holiday one year then excludes doing other types the next time?

Ive been to Disney several times in four different locations. However, I've also travelled to many other places and seen some wonderful sights too.

I have enjoyed both types of holidays in different ways. I'm quite capable of being able to enjoy both and very fortunate to be able to afford both. I intend to continue.

I can't ever imagine wanting to go on holiday in a tent, or a hiking holiday, of laying on a beach for a fortnight. But it doesn't mean I don't understand why others might like to do that. It's simply different likes.

No right or wrong way to holiday.

You answer your own question here: total escapism in the artificial. It is a fantasy and an escape from every day life.

I love Disney. I have a huge collection of Disney mugs, the animator ones because I love animation and if I could I would love to California and be an animator!

A few years ago I was mentally and physically unwell after suffering a couple of miscarriages and being generally depressed and having other health issues that needed investigation. I went with my sister and niece and nephew for a week. It was honestly the best thing I could have done when I was feeling so fragile and broken.

I watched my niece meet the princesses when we had dinner, made friends with a lovely lady who worked in the animation section and drew a scene that she asked me to sign and she still sometimes sends me a message to see how I am and whether I ever went after my dream of animating... At every turn staff made me feel safe and happy at a time when I was so unhappy and in need of comfort. It was escapism at its best.

You don’t know why these people need the escapism but if it makes them happy who are they harming?

FWIW I’ve been to many other places too and I love all types of holidays. You come across with an air of snobbery as if everyone who enjoys Disney is an uncultured swine. Maybe take a look at some of the artists who work and create these films, the majority are intelligent, well-travelled and have interests in many things.

Many years ago in Disneyland, California, DH and I saw two characters interact with a child in a wheelchair. The child was severely disabled, and we watched as they gradually focussed, understood and "played" with the characters. After 10 minutes there was an enormous crowd watching this - I can't explain how magical it was.

This is Disney, for me. It's a suspension of belief, an insight into the fantastical, sheer escapism. Most of us live hectic, stressful lives, and to visit Disney is a break from all of this. Who cares if it's silly, daft, childish even. It's wonderful.

(And it's also easy - everything is incredibly well organised and presented; I have severe dietary requirements and everything is catered for. My family and I relax there, so if it suits us I really don't care whether anyone else "understands" it or not).

Also, if it's total escapism you're objecting to, do you also think that adults shouldn't read or watch any kind of fantasy or sci fi, or perhaps no fiction at all - just go for documentaries and autobiographies?

Why do we love it?

Because it makes us happy.

It's clean, safe, friendly, incredibly welcoming and has truly astonishing customer service above and beyond.
Beause there are great rides, a really good queuing system especially for parents with babies/toddlers that's been carefully thought through, lots to entertain and distract you while you wait.

Because it's about the films we've known all our lives and enjoyed sharing with our children. Because parades are fun. Because we like fireworks and live shows. Because it's glorious to step away from daily grind and open your heart to blowing a kiss to Woody and watching your child run up and hug Stitch.

Because watching your 4 year old duel lightsabers with Darth Vader when she can barely lift it is both funny and adorable. Because (at Universal) your 6 year old being given a high-5 from Spider-Man and called buddy meant he told everyone in school he was Spider-Man's buddy and he had a smile so wide it hurt.

Because when the woman in the shop where I was buying mints heard it was my birthday she told me I had a call, passed me the phone and it was Mickey Mouse wishing me a happy birthday.

That doesn't mean we're stupid, or low class, or unable to appreciate literature (Dorothea Brookes is one of my favourite characters, Teacher22 so keep your snide-assed comments to yourself). THat doesn't mean we don't also love Ghibli, or appreciate art, or love cultural trips.

Yes people saying “I don’t get Disney” really just need to using the sentence “Disney isn’t my cup of tea” or “Disney isn’t for me really.”

It isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, plenty of us didn’t really grow up loving Disney characters or films so don’t have the nostalgia for it as grown ups. That’s not to say that I don’t understand that some adults do.

OP, I think you are maybe frustrated with those adults who think your and your children’s life is somehow incomplete without a trip to Disney. And that if you can afford to go and choose not to, then you’re somehow being mean to your kids. I do think Disney fans like that exist. We are all different. When many people love an iconic place or thing, there are just as many who think it’s meh or for whom it has no appeal. When both sides understand the other’s point of view without getting defensive, then maybe we will have peace and love in the world.

It's fun me and my DH has our honeymoon in Disney world it was the first time I had ever been at the age of 29 and it was one of the best holidays ever non stop fun and just getting to be like kids once again before we had our own children.

We now plan to take both our children when they are old enough to appreciate it to Disney world
Different things appeal to people differently doesn't make it a bad thing

Your tone is so patronising @LiveInAHidingPlace. No doubt if I told you about my love of Charlotte Bronte novels your eyes would soon start glazing over. Plenty of the DISNEY IS SO GREAT crowd would have zero interest in listening to me talk about Victorian fiction.

Why are people unable to love both? I adore the Brontes, could pretty much recite Jane Eyre from about 15, I also adore Villette, although find it so emotionally draining I often have to stop reading before the (heartbreaking) end.

Unlike you, I could also sing every Disney song word for word and tell you which animators worked on which film, the years of release, and bore you equally to death with facts about Disney animation.

Two loves/hobbies aren’t necessarily exclusive. People can like more than one thing...

Been to Disneyland Paris, Disney World Florida and Disneyland California. Several times across my whole life. Bought up in a Disney family. I have ears but don’t wear them!

Why do I still love it now?

1. nostalgia - so many happy memories there
2. I love rides and rollercoasters - I have a family who track them down and generally love theme parks.
3. It’s a happy place! I love being able to leave real life once in a while - and tbh I do that on other holidays as well - aren’t all holidays really just escaping real life?
4. Seeing the smiles on my niece and nephews face when seeing the characters (they are under 3) it’s magic!
5. I just love it! As do many! It’s not wrong!

I’m well travelled. I don’t go to Disney every year. I love seeing other real places too. Sometimes I love just a sunshine relaxing break. Skiing would be my idea of a nightmare. So would a wine tasting holiday. So would a “party and get hammered all night and sleep through the day” holiday.
I love camping, hiking, sight seeing, theme parks, city breaks, Christmas markets, Disney, sunshine pool time......why does it matter what people choose?

CurlyHairedAssasin

I’ve tried, I’ve really tried 4 times in Paris. Kids loved it, which was the point, so I smiled and thumbs upped and took the pictures with Buzz and Ariel and the (rather dishy, actually ) Johnny Depp lookalike. But I found the place and all those big, smiley faces ever so slightly creepy, no idea why.

As I said originally though, each to their own. I expect I like things that others would find dull as dishwater. It would be a boring old world if everyone enjoyed the same things.

ohflippineck Paris is not even close to Florida. I didn't get the love at Paris in fact it almost put me off but I adore Florida. Its a totally different experience.

Writing from the florida one right now. It is just so amazing. Loved epcot yesterday. So happy we came back

I have no desire to go to DLP at all! I don’t like France. I go to Disney partly for the heat.
Disneyworld is fab though, just booked our villas for October 2020.
Only have 8 days - 9 nights - but have been before and will again.
2 days at Hollywood as both Toy Story and Galaxy’s Edge have opened since we were last there.
3 days Universsl/ IOA
2 days Disney water parks with ? Evenings at MK/ AK/ Epcot
1 day either EPCOT (every person comes out tired) or Animal Kingdom- I’m hoping AK.
Then we have 8 nights at Anna Maria Island to relax.
I may be excited

It makes me sad to read how many peoples experiences hinge on how amazing the staff and characters were, when by all accounts those people are treated very badly by disney...

Pukkatea sources?

We’re returning to Florida next year for 3 weeks after 11 years away! Can’t wait!

Been to Paris twice and California 3 times in that 11 years but looking forward to the full on experience again!